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Massachusetts: Is Our Best Tapas Restaurant A Coffee House?

Author Jeff Gorra

What is the best tapas restaurant in Massachusetts, or even just in Boston? If you seek the feedback of a reliable restaurant source like OpenTable, it might actually be a coffee joint in Chelsea.

Let’s break down what you look for in a great tapas establishment and why. With the spring weather perking up, the interest in tapas-style tables will likely pick up. It’s the ultimate friendly gathering setup where great food meets socializing meets a nice sit-down dinner. This shareable style of eating a meal encourages engagement and connecting with those who are seated at your table. Furthermore, it’s a cuisine arrangement that is flexible enough to accommodate a group of just two or a table of ten.

Do you pick a few of the favorites off the menu that have a high chance of being fan favorites? Do you go with the restaurant’s suggestions as to what their specialties are? Or do you go with the most collaborative approach and allow each person in your party to pick a tapas choice off the menu for all to pass around? Any and all of these options are acceptable.

At a great tapas restaurant these small plates are the star of the show. Nowadays, it is very common for a restaurant that is well-known for small, sharable plates to also offer entrees. True enthusiasts know however, the tapas section is meant to be the center of attention.

The Best Tapas Restaurant In Massachusetts

According to Yelp, Kushala Sip Coffee House + Tapas Bar ranks as the best tapas spot in the area. Their primary location is at 140 Pearl Street, Chelsea, but they also now have a Stoneham location as well.

They are open early for breakfast seven days per week, and are open late until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. The most common tapas items here include Polones Pitza Brava (pita bread with cheese, meats, mushrooms and greens), toasted mini breads, and varieties of cookies, scones, and pastries.

Kushala Sip Coffee House + Tapas Bar also obviously has dozens of coffee and espresso options. Ice coffee is one of their areas of expertise. In fact, there are over 16 “over ice” options on the menu.

Another Boston Tapas Shout-Out

Sadly, one of Boston’s iconic tapas restaurants is no longer with us. Tapeo on Newbury Street closed over four years ago. However, it was your quintessential tapas environment. From the tables to the ambiance to steaming hot, baked plates, it was everything you would read about regarding original tapas-style restaurants. Most of the menu items were Spanish-influenced, including the best sizzling garlic shrimp of all time. After opening in 1995, Tapeo closed most due to the high rent increases of this primary city location.

4 Great Places To Find Sicilian Pizza In Massachusetts

I’m a guy who moved from New Jersey to Boston; growing up, Sicilian pizza was pretty easily available. I incorrectly assumed that all Americans enjoyed this kind of pizza selection. However, when I moved to Boston, I realized that it’s much harder to find that delicacy here. But there are also a few unique places that are cooking up Sicilian pizza in Massachusetts.

As an expert on Sicilian, I will tell you that it has to be prepared properly in order for it to be worth the calories. Here, I will detail three establishments where you can find great Sicilian pizza in Massachusetts. Sure, you may have to travel a bit, but these places are worth your time.

What Is Sicilian Pizza?

Before we cut into this delicious style of pie, let’s define our terms. Traditional Sicilian pizza is cut into square or rectangular-shaped slices. The crust is thicker and crunchy. Though this pizza is obviously heavier, it still can be topped with your favorite pizza add-ons. A sprinkle of oregano is a subtle but often important finishing.

Though strip pizza in Rhode Island is similar, one significant difference with Sicilian is that it is not baked on a focaccia style dough. In fact, Palermo Pizza NJ defines what distinguishes Sicilian Pizza and what makes it different from regular pizza. “The dough rises differently with this kind of crust because more oil is used in the recipe as opposed to a regular pizza crust recipe,” they said, when describing how this is made in a rectangular pan.

In Massachusetts, the three locations that are serving up great Sicilian Pizza are quite different from each other, but have this menu item in common. One of them happens to be a favorite of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

  • Pinocchio's Pizza - Cambridge

    Tucked into a quaint New England, Harvard Square street, Pinocchio’s is where you need to go if you want Sicilian pizza of all varieties. It’s also where you will see Mark Zuckerberg’s photo all over the wall. This was the go-to spot for Zuck while he was attending Harvard. In fact, it’s a place he still makes sure to stop into when in town. As for the pizza, there are 20 different toppings you can find atop the hot Sicilian pies. These pies come in a 9-slice or 15-slice size option. The 15-slice pie comes in two boxes and can feed up to nine people. During the school months, Pinocchio’s stays open until 2 am on weekends.

  • Galleria Umberto - Boston

    At 289 Hanover Street in the North End of Boston, Umberto’s can be easy to miss. However, once you recognize their old-school sign, you know you are in for a treat. They are old-school: it is a cash-only establishment where the large trays of piping hot Sicilian pies are continuously served. Typically, it’s cheese only, but you will not be disappointed as no other flavor is needed. The single line usually reaches the door, but it moves quickly. It also gives you time to decide which arancini (their famous rice ball) you’d like to add to your order.

     

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  • Leone's - Somerville

    Leone’s Pizza and Sub has been family-owned and operated since 1954. They are located right on Broadway and open seven days per week, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Their Sicilian pizza is the standard menu option here. It is available by the slice, in a half tray or full tray. The whole tray also comes in two boxes (16 slice) and costs $40. Their Sicilian pies also come in a tomato basil option and a spinach and garlic. Leone’s sub menu contains over 30 options. This includes a fried meatball sub.

    Authentic New York style Sicilian pizza in pan

    Stock Photo/Getty Images

  • Pino's Pizza - Brighton

    Right in the heart of Cleveland Circle, Pino’s is a fan-favorite of Boston College students. Though the crust is a perfect combination of pillow and crunch, the secret here is actually in the sauce. Pino’s describes it as “delicious, garlicky tomato sauce with in-house seasoning, cooked on a pan.” $20 gets you nine Sicilian slices at Pino’s. If you want to add variety to your order, they also have alfredo pies, white pies, and buffalo chicken. Like Pinocchio’s, Pino’s stays open until the early morning hours on the weekend to help accommodate the college crowd.

    A square Sicilian slice of pizza with basil on top. White background.

    Stock Photo/Getty Images

 

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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