Boston · Explore on foot
Five stops for pizza, pastries, an Italian sub and ingredients to take home.
Business details checked October 31, 2026
Start at Polcari’s Coffee on Salem Street, continue to Monica’s Mercato and Bova’s Bakery, add a pizza stop at Regina on Thacher Street, then finish with Italian pantry shopping at Salumeria Italiana on Richmond Street. Follow the full route or choose the stops that suit your appetite.
This is a free, independently researched itinerary to follow on your own. Food is purchased directly from each business. Food Tours of Boston does not operate this walk, sell tours or take bookings.
Google Maps showed about 0.4 mile and 9 minutes of walking for these five addresses when checked October 31, 2026. That estimate excludes browsing, eating and queues. Recheck the map before setting out.
01 / The route
This list shows the stop sequence. Open the Google Maps route for the street map and live directions.
| Between stops | Route | Map estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Polcari’s → Monica’s | Along Salem Street | 364 ft |
| Monica’s → Bova’s | Continue on Salem Street | 39 ft |
| Bova’s → Regina | Prince Street, then Thacher Street | 0.1 mile |
| Regina → Salumeria Italiana | North Margin, Cooper, Salem and Parmenter streets, continuing to Richmond Street | 0.2 mile |
Distances are Google Maps estimates, rounded by the map. Use current directions and street crossings on the day; these are not accessibility assessments.
Start at 105 Salem Street. If arriving by transit, use the MBTA trip planner with that address as your destination. The guide starts at the shop, so your trip to the first stop is separate from the food route.
02 / What to try
Stop 01 · Coffee, tea & spices
105 Salem Street, Boston
Begin with the ingredients side of the North End. Browse coffee beans, tea and spices to take home. Treat this as a pantry stop: this guide does not assume that brewed coffee is available.
Planning note: the official site lists Sunday as closed. Its weekday opening time is 11 a.m., with a 10 a.m. Saturday opening.
Stop 02 · Italian sub & deli
130 Salem Street, Boston
Make an Italian sub your savory stop, or browse the meats, cheeses, pasta and bread. If you also want pizza later, consider sharing an order or choosing just one main meal for the walk.
Planning note: Monica’s says it has no on-site seating. Plan this as a takeout stop and keep doorways and sidewalks clear.
Stop 03 · Something sweet
134 Salem Street, Boston
Choose a cannoli or another pastry for the sweet stop. Bova’s lists ricotta-filled Florentine cannoli, tiramisu, cookies and bread among its offerings.
Planning note: Bova’s says it is open 24 hours daily, is takeout only and accepts major credit and debit cards. Its FAQ warns of cross-contact and says it does not offer dairy-, gluten- or nut-free products; check directly with the bakery if that affects your visit.
Stop 04 · Pizza
11½ Thacher Street, Boston
Use the original North End location for the pizza stop. Choose a pizza from the current menu and build your break around your appetite and the queue when you arrive. If the sub was your main meal, this stop is optional.
Planning note: the official location page lists an 11 a.m. opening each day and confirms takeout. Check the location’s current menu and closing time before visiting.
Stop 05 · Bring the flavors home
151 Richmond Street, Boston
Finish by browsing cured meats, cheese, pasta, olive oil and other Italian pantry ingredients. It is a useful final stop if you would rather carry your shopping at the end of the walk.
Planning note: check the official retail hours before setting out. For anything perishable, ask the shop about storage and plan how you will get it home.
03 / Before you go
For all five stops, a Monday–Saturday start at or after 11 a.m. fits the opening times published when we checked. This is a planning suggestion, not a guaranteed schedule. Check for holiday changes and aim to reach each shop before closing.
There is no fee to use this guide. You decide what to buy. Use current shop menus for prices and the map for walking time; allow extra time for browsing, eating and queues. A pizza stop will need more flexibility than a quick shop visit.
Monica’s has no on-site seating and Bova’s is takeout only. Do not plan on a table at every stop. Check payment options with individual businesses; Bova’s explicitly confirms card acceptance.
This route has not been checked in person for step-free access, entrances or restrooms. Confirm what you need with each business before leaving. Ask about ingredients and cross-contact directly rather than relying on a general menu description.
04 / Make it your own
Stay with Polcari’s → Monica’s → Bova’s for coffee and pantry browsing, a savory stop and a pastry, all with Salem Street addresses. Skip Regina and Salumeria Italiana if you want fewer stops.
Open the three-stop walking route ↗Visiting on Sunday? Skip Polcari’s, which lists Sunday as closed, and check the other shops’ current hours. You can begin with Monica’s instead.
Business names, addresses and the operational details above were checked against the businesses’ official websites on October 31, 2026. Food suggestions and stop order are editorial choices. This is online research, not a claim that we visited or tasted every item. Hours and availability can change.
