Galleria Umberto
289 Hanover Street, Boston
Description
The North End of Boston may not seem like a place that has many little-known neighborhood dining spots, but it does have a few, including an old-school Sicilian pizza place right in the heart of everything on busy Hanover Street. Hidden among the bustling trattorias, trendy ristorantes, and old-fashioned cafes and bakeries of the neighborhood, Galleria Umberto represents what the North End of old was like. Housed in what can only be described as a cross between a cafeteria and a dining hall, Galleria Umberto is a lunch-only, bare-bones, humble little storefront that serves some of the best pizza in the Boston area.
Reviews
Okay, unpopular opinion here....I think this place is hyped so much solely because of the value for what I would classify as just "good" food. The pizza was good; my husband thought it was amazing. The crust was some of the best I've ever had, but I felt it needed more cheese to balance it out. The panzarotti were just not my jam; mashed potatoes stuffed with cheese, breaded, and deep friend sounds knock-your-socks-off delicious, right? But it was my least favorite thing I ate there. It was lacking flavor/seasoning in my opinion. The Arancini was very well made and had good flavor and I had an almost bagel type thing with meat sauce stuffed in it and a slice of cheese melted on top; this was my favorite item (and I can't recall what it was now)! It was soft and hot and flavorful.
All that being said, you simply cannot beat their prices for a quick lunch spot --- for what they charge, their food is a great value. two of us ate more than our fill, trying almost everything on the menu with a coke for each of us, for $20. It's insanely busy so be prepared to take your food to go due to lack of seating for how many customers (and food tours) they get.
We stopped by here twice during our 4 day visit to Boston.
The first day we ate pizza, the second day we ate calzones. The arancini was very flavorful!
The food is amazing as well as the service!
My sister brought me here today! First time trying heard so much about this spot it's legendary I got the classic Sicilian pizza and got Salami and ham and ricotta cheese calzone and the Spinach and cheese calzone. The pizza was so so good the cheese and the sauce and the crust was crispy and delicious! Next I tried the spinach and cheese calzone the spinach was moist and seasoned well the bread was golden brown on the outside and moist in the middle cooked perfectly so scrumptious and delicious! Staff and customers Service is friendly and welcoming when being served.
I make it a point to come here every time I’m in Boston. The arancini here is hands down the best I’ve ever had, and the prices can’t be beat. This cash-only spot is a true local gem! Be sure to get here before noon to avoid the long lines.
Love it been going since he was a little bread shop. Now he's bigger and still the same...thanks tony..
Couldn't have made my day any better. I buy a whole tray...it's soooo good. Everything there is keep it up. Go early when the run out they are done...