Galleria Umberto is a counter-service spot in the North End built around thick-cut Sicilian slices and arancini, the kind of place regulars walk into already knowing their order. The pizza comes with a well-charred cheese top, and the arancini are known for a sharp contrast between a crisp shell and a soft, gooey center. Service runs on paper plates, cash only, with a line that moves fast for people who are ready when they reach the counter.
The James Beard Foundation named Galleria Umberto a winner of its America's Classics award in 2018, recognizing it as a longstanding neighborhood institution.
The James Beard Foundation named Galleria Umberto a winner of its America's Classics award in 2018, recognizing it as a longstanding neighborhood institution.