Longevity means a lot in a neighborhood like the North End, and in terms of sheer numbers it’s hard to beat the original location of Regina Pizzeria, just a few years shy of its 100th birthday. The history of the small space makes this corner restaurant quite a scene, but the pizza itself is the real draw here. (The tightly packed wooden booths do have their charm, but some nights we’re grateful that takeout is also an option.) Each pie is topped with whole-milk mozzarella for a gooey, comforting, good-greasy heft that’s balanced by the acidity of the red sauce.

You’ll find no shortage of fresh pastas, cured meats, and salty cheeses at family-run market Monica’s Mercato & Salumeria. But one item in particular has us returning lunch after lunch: the Italian Sub. This version of the classic sandwich is gloriously decked out with thin slices of prosciutto, mortadella, and Genoa salami. All of that meat—plus provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, hots, and drizzles of both oil and balsamic vinegar—is piled between bread slices freshly baked on-site. This well-proportioned stack is a generous portion, and a perfect picnic to take on the nearby Greenway.

This red sauce joint on the edge of the North End feels like it’s been there forever, and in some ways it has, though it actually opened in early 2019. Tony & Elaine’s is from a second-generation North Ender, whose All Day Hospitality Group is also behind Ward 8 and other local spots. It’s named for his parents—a pair of longtime neighborhood servers—and has a vibe straight out of the ‘70s, from the red vinyl booths to the bottles of straw-wrapped Chianti on every table. However, the Boston-style Italian fare is updated accordingly. We love these substantial servings of Chicken Parmesan with house-made mezzi rigatoni and Orecchiette Sausage & Rabe.

For more than 20 years, Prezza has been a North End destination off the well-trodden paths of Salem and Hanover streets. Chef-owner Anthony Caturano named it for the village from which his grandmother hailed, serving cuisine inspired by the rustic “Italian peasant food” she cooked for him growing up. But don’t mistake: This is a sophisticated, white tablecloth, authentic Italian restaurant. A huge wine list complements the menu of hearty entrees like a Crispy Pork Chop with vinegar peppers, roasted onions and potatoes; fresh pastas like a version of Lobster Fra Diavolo brightened up with saffron rigatoni and fennel; and the signature Ravioli di Uovo, a luxurious orb of ricotta and egg yolk practically floating in butter and sage.