Locale is a must-try Neapolitan pizza parlor in Boston’s Little Italy.  

With over eighty eateries in Boston’s Little Italy, choosing the perfect dinner spot can be overwhelming. One of my favorite hidden gems for a delicious pizza is Locale on Hanover Street. The trendy pizza restaurant serves incredible Neapolitan-style pizzas in a casual setting.   

A friend and I visited Locale at 2 pm on a Sunday. The restaurant was compact but managed to fit twelve tables. It had a wooden ceiling and a white floor and walls. There was plenty of natural sunlight from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Combined with the white interior, the place was warm and bright.  Pop music was playing, but not loud enough that we had trouble hearing our conversation. Altogether, the restaurant had a rustic look and a relaxed ambiance.   

We were immediately seated at a high table next to the window. We scanned the QR code at our table for the menu. The menu included appetizers, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and an extensive beer and wine list. Locale is best known for its Neapolitan-style pizza. This pizza style has a thin, chewy crust that puffs up at the edges. They had traditional pizzas like the Margherita and unique varieties like Cacio E Pepe, Pistachio Pesto, and Tartufo. The price points were reasonable for all of the choices.

We decided on the Meatballs Al Forno and Carmine Pizza. The first dish to come out was the meatballs. Four large meatballs were covered in Pomodoro Sugo and aged Parmigiano cheese. Along the sides of the bowl were four slices of white bread. The beef meatballs were tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. The thick Pomodoro sauce added a subtle sweetness to the dish. The Parmigiano cheese had melted into the sauce, but I could still taste its sharp and rich flavor. I broke off pieces of the meatball and ate them with the bread. The bread acted as a buffer against the saltiness of the dish. Although the bread was super soft, it held the meatball contents well. I  wish there had been more bread because the meatball-to-bread ratio was slightly off.  

The Carmine pizza came out as we were finishing up the appetizer. The pizza had a tomato sauce base topped with dollops of mozzarella cheese, soppressata, garlic, and basil. The thinly-sliced soppressata was salty with hints of oregano and basil. Its crispy edges gave a satisfying crunch. It was essentially a better-tasting version of pepperoni! The other toppings were just as tasty and fresh.

Like all Neapolitan pizzas, the dough was chewy and light. I was impressed that the thin crust held the toppings without falling apart. The crust was slightly charred but soft enough to bite into. I dipped it in the leftover Pomodoro sauce from the meatballs — it went together perfectly. Our server was extremely attentive throughout the meal. She routinely checked up on us and refilled our waters. 

 I recommend Locale to anyone who wants a high-quality pizza at a low price point in the North End. It’s also a low-key spot that’s perfect for a date. Despite its central location, the restaurant was only a quarter full. In the summer, the restaurant has outdoor dining. It would be the perfect place to people-watch!