Mother Anna's, Boston

Sitting right at the intersection of Hanover and Cross Streets, offering stunning views over the city, the park, and all the action of Boston’s North End including a wealth of Italian restaurants, Mother Anna's Restaurant is the oldest family restaurant in the area that has truly stood the test of time. In business since 1932, it manifests four generations(!!!) of fine Italian cooking and, over decades, has seen many a restaurant come and go in the neighborhood – from single digits, back in the early days, to nearly a hundred these days. Having survived for so long amid such drastic changes – even the old Central Artery that used to divide the North End for so many years, has since disappeared – suggests that Mother Anna's indeed does something right.

Attesting to this is a steady crowd of “regulars” who dine here weekly. The delicious food keeps people coming back for more, in large part thanks to the recipes kept in the family and passed down through generations – from Anna Travaglione, the founder, to John Caparella, Anna’s grandson and current owner who runs this place with his three sons. At Mother Anna’s you can enjoy Italian cuisine at affordable prices complete with plenty of wine and drink options, including the perennial favorites gnocchi Liliana and shrimp exquisito.

Today, Mother Anna’s is a gateway to the historic North End. On a hot summer day, their famous patio filled with umbrellas will shade you from sun, but when a night comes, customers may also enjoy a view of the Boston skyline that only Mother Anna’s can afford!