BOSTON — When it comes to pizza experiences in Boston, there’s a special sort of magic at the original location of Regina Pizzeria, which turns 100 years old this year.
First off, the pizza is fantastic. Second, the atmosphere is awesome. When you step into the North End pizzeria’s home on Thacher Street, you’re greeted with a warm yet hectic rush of a timeworn hole-in-the-wall eatery.
We can argue until the cows come home about who has the best pizza in Boston. But if you polled people from across Massachusetts to name a pizza place in Boston, especially the North End, the No. 1 response you’re going to hear is Regina Pizzeria.
It certainly helps that Regina’s has developed into a local chain with locations around Boston and as far as the Cape and Foxwoods.
Results may vary at those satellite locations. But the original spot is definitely worth the trip.
Boston Bucket List: Regina Pizzeria
Regina’s is one of the most famous names in the North End. But as part of Boston’s maze of brick walls and marinara sauce, it’s on a bit of an island.
It’s removed from the main drag of Hanover Street, with its cannoli turf wars and row of beloved Italian restaurants. Instead, Regina’s is a few blocks west, past the 24-hour sugar rush of Bova’s Bakery, over the (comparatively) quieter side streets.
Once you find it, the pizzeria is hard to miss. Regina’s unique corner setting makes it feel like you just stepped out of a forest of brick and into a clearing with wide-open skies and the smell of freshly cooked pizza in the air.
The front entrance to the historic pizzeria is a picturesque rounded corner of brick, neon and old flyers jutting into one of the North End’s many bizarre intersections. Lines spilling out the door are so common that they’re essentially part of the decor.
The restaurant is worth the wait. But you can always order by phone or online and take your pizza to go.
What it’s like at Regina Pizzeria
For the optimal experience at Regina’s, grab one of the booths and take in the atmosphere.
Check out the myriad pictures on the walls of famous visitors. Grab a beer. Be prepared to squeeze into the old wooden booths and watch the pizza pandemonium unfold around you.
The menu at the original Regina Pizzeria is a bit more expansive than what you’ll find at most chain locations.
For pizza, they offer a wide, rotating variety of toppings. When I last visited, they were promoting a new Chicken Parm Pizza and a limited-time Chicken & Prosciutto Pizza.
If you’re looking for something more conventional, Regina’s nails all the fundamentals to make an exceptional cheese pizza. They also have probably my favorite pepperoni pizza in Massachusetts.
If you’re looking to go big, try “The Giambotta,” which comes with pepperoni, sausage, salami, peppers and onions. It’s a mammoth of a pizza that balances a heavy load of ingredients to create an amazing bite.
You can always just grab a slice
If you’re just stopping in for a quick bite, try grabbing a seat at the bar and getting a slice or two.
Regina’s offers cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice. A slice of cheese will run you $4.25, while pepperoni costs $5.15.
More info about Regina Pizzeria
You can see the menu for Regina Pizzeria’s original location on its website. You can also order online for takeout here.
Check them out: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Where are they located? — The original Regina Pizzeria location is at 11 1/2 Thacher St, Boston, Massachusetts, 02113.
How to get there/is there parking? — There’s a handful of street spots near Regina Pizzeria’s location on Thatcher Street, as well as some parking lots nearby.
If coming by public transit, your best bet is to take the Orange Line to North Station or Haymarket. It’s about a five-minute walk after that.
When are they open? — Here are the current business hours at the time of writing:
- Monday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
