Rino’s Place

This place is a game changer for Italian food. No longer does the north end hold the best spots in Boston. Rinos place has incredible apps, entrees, and desserts at a great price. I had the shrimp scampi, buffalo mozzarella, scallops, and eggplant apps. The shrimp scampi and buffalo mozz were my favorite but all were amazing. For entrees I tried the lobster rav and the eggplant/​chicken ravioli. They were both some of the best I’ve ever had. Then dessert (OMG) the toasted almond cake, peach sorbet, and chocolate truffle… I don’t even know how to rank them they were all so good. Overall 5 stars and 2 huge thumbs up I will definitely be back!

I give 5 stars to only my wife’s cooking and my grandmother’s, but because there’s no half stars here I gotta go all in for Rino’s. Wife, home from SF, wanted to wait for rush hour to pass with some authentic Italian, and reviews here made the choice easy. She asked for the Al Forno, and I the Matriciana, and we shared sweet sausage on broccoli rabe from the huge list of specials. The buttery broccoli I’ll try to imitate at home but will fail; I should’ve just ordered a half-​dozen to put in the freezer. The pasta is righteously chewy and hearty, and the sauces are delicate, bright with the freshness of tomato. The Metriciana’s pancetta and onion are hints, and the Al Forno’s meatballs are like candy. The staff’s present and attentive, and give the idea that you’re the only diner. A splendid visit to be repeated eagerly.

Incredible. Grilled octopus, amazing. Lobster ravioli, worth the hype. Wine is extremely reasonable which I appreciate. My date essentially had their chicken piccata but that’s not what it was called on the menu. It was absolutely phenomenal. The service was SO great and we cannot wait to go back.

We traveled about an hour to get to Rinos because we heard amazing reviews about the food. There is absolutely no parking available so you have to find a spot on the street. If there isn’t a table then you have to wait and it has to be outside. The bar across the street was being remodeled so we had to stand out in the very cold Boston weather. We were first on the list and waited about 30 minutes. Once we were seated we had a waitress who was experienced and a lot of fun. We started with wine and I like how they pour a glass. They are smaller than your typical wine glass but they filled it to the rim. The bread was average which I was actually surprised about. Selfishly I was pleased because I didn’t want to fill up on it. We started with an order of the rice balls and meatballs. Both were flavorful and I like the red sauce or «gravy» served with the meatballs. We then ordered the antipasto which was well presented. The meats and cheeses were very tasty along with the artichokes and mushrooms. The restaurant is small and the tables do not have a lot of room so juggling plates became a skill with all the dishes we ordered. The next course was the house salad which was fresh mixed greens and some onion and a tomato. Again very basic but I didn’t want to eat too much and miss the main course. We ordered four different entrees to include the eggplant, open ravioli with seafood, lobster ravioli and seafood fra diavolo with a white sauce. We then had a side of pasta with red sauce. Yum yum yum! The portions are insane and you will eat three meals off the one serving they give you. The eggplant was tender, lightly breaded and just delicious. The open ravioli came with a marscapone sauce with shrimp, lobster and scallops. It was incredibly light, flavorful and the pasta sheets were perfect. The lobster ravioli is packed with meat. For once a dish is stuffed with lobster as it should be! It’s heavy, colorful and creamy. The fra diavolo had so many clams and muscles you couldn’t get to the pasta. Excellent white wine sauce and will be ordered again. We ordered three desserts which included Crème brûlée, pastry with vanilla and chocolate sauce/​pudding and an almond cake. I have no complaints. We will be back and hope the bar across the street is open while we wait for a table. The only problem with this place is the parking otherwise it’s perfect!

OKAY! I finally finished a Rino’s dinner sober enough to share every delicious detail! (Make a reservation*.)
«Meg, why haven’t you been sober after your other trips to Rino’s?» Because we made the critical mistake of arriving hungry without a reservation*!
My husband told me about this place and how it’s always PACKED. I didn’t totally believe him, but it’s true. Head to Kelley Square Pub for a round, or two, or five (now you understand why my previous memories were a bit fuzzy), while you wait for a table. Rino’s does that awesome thing where they’ll call you when your table is ready. Expect a two hour wait.
What to order? EVERYTHING. Definitely start with the buffalo mozzarella and arancini. When you order your main, a dizzying list of options are presented for the pasta. Be sure to ask what’s homemade!!! (The fusilli is my favorite.) Their homemade pasta is awesome– and let’s be honest, you didn’t haul your cookies to East Boston for a box of Barilla.
Other highlights: lobster ravioli is FANTASTIC, and I loved the mushroom risotto.
The wine is really reasonably priced, so you may as well order a bottle of that, too!
*About those reservations… Only for parties of six or more. I highly, highly recommend scraping together a couple of friends for your trek. Between the large parties with reservations and people who arrived before you, the wait really is crazy. So think of it as a great excuse to catch up with your BFFs and look like some Boston pro who knows about all the best local spots.
It’s just so nice to eat a great meal at an old school place. No fuss, no airs, no pretentious attitude from the restaurant or the patrons.

I reviewed Rino’s back on the first part of November. Three days ago I received this message from someone.
Rich G: It’s not ‘only parties of 6 or more need to make a reservation’ — it’s only parties of 6 or more CAN make a reservation. also, on what planet did you get the idea that arriving at 8:30 on a Saturday would mean less customers? That’s still peak time. People don’t arrive and then finish 10 minutes later.
They close at ten and have a few tables. On what planet that has a small resturant doesn’t take reservations? Great response who ever you are, oh we will make sure to try this place on our spring trip.

Five stars here. Calamari is up there with the best in Boston. I suggest splitting a lobster Mac and cheese for an appetizer.
Then get your chicken parm because it’s a ten. No sambuca though which is unfortunate. Wait is long but no problem just find a local neighborhood bar.

This was the perfect capper for a 48 hour crunch of the city.
East Boston has always been my favorite for the best Italian in the city. I hadn’t been up here in about 15 years, back then there were two private homes with makeshift dining rooms set up with 3 – 4 small tables where I would make a monthly pilgrimage too… they’re long gone I’m sure. But they’ve been more than adequately represented by Rino’s.
This was our last stop before flying out. They were busy on Wednesday afternoon, but we were seated promptly and my taste buds were already at war with each other over the food porn we saw on the way to our table. I was slobbering all over myself when a patron at the table beside us leaned over and said…(imagine Curley’s voice speaking) «Hey, where you two from?» I let him know we were visiting from Nashville and Tampa and he says…“Hey, WTF! Get the lobstah… rivioleee.” I said OK thanks friend and so then we ordered the lobster, and it was phenomenal. Now before you get the idea I’m making fun of my dining pal, I’m not. Some of my best friends live up here and they all crack me up with that patented local local’s accent. I’m sure I have the same effect on them.
My GF and I had decided we would just share the ravioli and a Fruitti di Mare, which was unbelievable. After 3 bites of that I was begging her to stay over another day so we could go check into a hotel and rub that tomato sauce all over each other. Unfortunately…
Just a wonderful experience, Rino’s reputation is well deserved IMO. Next time I’m in the city I’m making a beeline, its that good.

No reservations under 6 people. There is a line 30 deep on street at 3 pm opening Sat nite. Well worth the wait assuming it isn’t raining or cold. The food is fantastic. Would rival any North End restaurant. Waitstaff is pleasant
Place is tiny… seats maybe 40
Kitchen is even smaller.
Funny thing is you have to go thru kitchen to get to bathroom .
Drank wine and had plenty of delicious apps with meal … All for approx $ 50 per person. No way you can finish the meals. Absolutely enormous portions. Plan on taking a doggy bag home !
Best part is Hostess has a rule… No cellphones ! Ok maybe to just take a group photo !

In Boston for the first time for a training and was told by several people that I HAD to go to Rino’s. I got there at 5:45 on a Monday and put my name on the list. I assumed as a party of one the wait wouldn’t be long. I walked a few blocks and waited at Kelly’s pub for about 1 ½ hours and let me tell you… it was worth the wait!
I had the open face ravioli and it was out of this world delicious!
The hostess was possibly the sweetest lady I’ve ever encountered.
Very glad I decided to wait. Oh man it was good!

Honestly would take Rino’s over any Italian restaurant in the North End.
Living in Eastie has its perks and this is one of the gems of it. Wait wise, you’re kinda screwed unless you come on a weekday right when it opens.
Service was wonderful and our hostess was funny too.
Food wise, unless you’re STARVING then you’ll need a box. I had the lobster, shrimp, and scallops and I have to say that I’ll be back here again one day. Don’t forget to pair yourself up with a glass of wine too cause you’ll need it.
Also did I mention you get to have a mini tour of the kitchen as you go to the restroom? How neat is that!

There is a small part in me that does NOT want to write this review… the selfish side which wants to pretend I have found a hidden gem and does not want to share with anyone! I understand this place has a good following and is difficult enough to get into as is without any help from me.
Rino’s deserves more than 5 stars. There should be a 10 star rating reserved for use only once or twice in your rating life. Rino’s would definitely get my 10. The food here without doubt is some of the freshest Italian I have ever tasted, and if I am honest has now set the standard for which I will judge all others. We tried a few different dishes across the table, including their famous stuffed lobster ravioli, steamed mussels, and homemade meatballs. All were more than amazing. I could go on for paragraphs about how great dinner was, forget reading a lengthy essay. go there now!
The hostess Judy took great care of us, and while we did have a little wait she ensured we felt welcomed and looked after us over the time in line. Moving forward, no trip to Boston will be complete without coming back here for certain!

Hands down the best Italian I’ve eaten in my life. And I’ve eaten a lot of Italian living in LA and Florida after leaving my hometown of Boston. Anytime I come home to visit I always leave enough time to stop here before I go to the airport to head back to Fort Lauderdale.
The homemade pasta is like no other. Portions are HUGE… keep that in mind. You’ll have leftovers for the next week!
Small place so plan to wait if you are going on peak. We went on a Monday at 4:15 and the place was packed. People drive far and wide to be here so plan ahead. It is so worth it.

Still lovin this place… my new favorite is the chicken Milanese special. They don’t always have it but when they do, I suggest you order it! The portions continue to be gigantic and the fresh pasta is always amazing. The waitresses are the best. So friendly and especially sweet to my little toddler who loves the pasta, especially the raviolis the size of his head!
They now have a new place across the street so when you’re waiting for hours for your table, you can have a drink and stay warm!
FYI, they don’t take ressys unless you have at least 6 guests.

Love this place! Although I wish the hours weren’t so short on the weekends. I’ve gone once during the weekday and there wasn’t a wait. When we went on a Friday around 6 there was no chance of getting in, instead we decided to go Saturday right at opening. I’ll keep it simple with the food. The lobster ravioli never fails! I also had the seafood cannelloni, out of this world! The mozzarella and calamari were good choices for appetizers. The winner was the shrimp scampi.
If you’re in boston, you have to make the trip out here.

*THE best Italian food you will EVER have. Wear spandex if you can.
*MUST* TRIES:
Appetizers:
Layered Pesto eggplant (if you do not try this you are committing a federal crime)
Shrimp Limoncello (also available with scallops) — grab your straw because the sauce is drinkable.
Baked Clams
Entrees:
LOBSTER RAVIOLI (federal crime #2 if not ordered) — stuffed with so much lobster you think your seeing double
Rinos Special (get it with the homemade pasta)
Pork with prunes (I hate prunes and could eat this all day long)
Very hard to get a table so be prepared to wait — unless you are a party of 6 or more. Worth the wait and an absolute MUST!!!