Canestaro Pizzeria

(617) 266-8997

16 Peterborough St
Boston, MA 02215 42.3441 -71.0957

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Neighborhoods: Fenway/Kenmore, West Fens

CANESTAROS.COM

Years in business

Established in 1992

Hours:

7 Days A Week Daily Everyday

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Catering, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Date Spot

Cuisine:

Pizza, Italian

Smoking Permitted:

No

What People Are Saying About Canestaro Pizzeria

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Canestaro's is mostly known as a popular takeout option for neighborhood students and professionals (and the odd Red Sox player). But it also offers a pair of comfy dining environments (an expansive sidewalk patio, and an attractive, sunny dining room) in which to enjoy its huge pasta dishes and homemade desserts. Youthful servers are pleased to keep water glasses and baskets of freshly baked rolls filled. A limited wine list yields surprisingly good selections. – – The Food – The menu stretches over several pages to include an endless assortment of pastas,…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Stop in before 3pm to enjoy one of the inexpensive express lunch specials (net a large plate of steak kabob with rice and salad for under $7).
When to Go:
With the ballpark situated just around the corner, the restaurant attracts healthy pre- and post-game crowds; so plan accordingly. (Reservations are taken only for groups of six or more.)
Save Money:
Pick up the restaurant's takeout menu for a couple of wallet-friendly coupons.
Parking:
Free parking behind the restaurant.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The ambience was just nice enough, not lunch counter-ish, and jeans are appropro.
  2. love this Fenway restaurant, from the nice decor to the pretty waitresses to the great food.
  3. The place is in a quiet out-of-the-mainstream location, yet a 3 minute walk to Fenway Park and Beacon St. Make friends with Tom out back and get there a bit early and you will have an excellent parking location for Fenway events - and only $25 (be sure to
  4. They have a nice dining room, small bar & a great outdoor patio, plus a parking lot in the back.
  5. The atmosphere is a laid-back and the place was bustling, but we were able to get a seat on a Friday night. The service was friendly and the long menu has something for everyone. The mussels were ok. The vegetables in my pasta were fresh and not super-sog
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. Ingredients are very fresh, sauces are homemade -- try the spinach gnocchi in tomato basil cream sauce -- it is to die for!
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. They have a nice dining room, small bar & a great outdoor patio, plus a parking lot in the back.
food quality
90.90999603271484% positive
  1. The garlic bread they brought out was cold. The chicken in my pasta was breaded and fried, the veal was breaded and fried, though it doesn't say say on the menu. Neither of us found our dishes that tasty. I'm not a food snob... but for a $15 pasta dish i
  2. On some nights, if you order sandwiches and pizza only, you can get out of there in 45 minutes.
  3. The place has great food!
  4. Canestaro is a "Best of Boston" for us, whenever we go out for pizza or pasta.
  5. The food at Canestaro is very good.
  6. love this Fenway restaurant, from the nice decor to the pretty waitresses to the great food.
  7. I've tried most of the pizza around Fenway Park, and Canestaro's is by far the best.
  8. have had Chicago pizza and New York pizza, and this was a great rendition of the Boston version.
  9. The thin crust pizza is absolutely wonderful--not greasy.
  10. The menu features a good variety of appetizers, fresh salads and gourmet pasta dishes.
  11. Ingredients are very fresh, sauces are homemade -- try the spinach gnocchi in tomato basil cream sauce -- it is to die for!
  12. CANESTARO - Great food, friendly people, lovely surroundings
  13. Lucky for me I stumbled into the right place, just a block away from the park on Peterborough St. I had hands down the best pizza of my life.
  14. Their pizzas are excellent (get the Greek one) and their pastas are always delivered hot with.
  15. THE place for good food fast
  16. Fast service, and good food at reasonable prices.
  17. The food is wonderful -- great pastas and, I would say, the best Pizza in Boston.
  18. The atmosphere is a laid-back and the place was bustling, but we were able to get a seat on a Friday night. The service was friendly and the long menu has something for everyone. The mussels were ok. The vegetables in my pasta were fresh and not super-sog
  19. seafood and other great dishes.
  20. Great food
  21. Their non-pizza dishes are also delicious.
  22. We love the neighborhood/family feel of the place not to mention the food is great too.
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The garlic bread they brought out was cold. The chicken in my pasta was breaded and fried, the veal was breaded and fried, though it doesn't say say on the menu. Neither of us found our dishes that tasty. I'm not a food snob... but for a $15 pasta dish i
  2. The menu features a good variety of appetizers, fresh salads and gourmet pasta dishes.
  3. The atmosphere is a laid-back and the place was bustling, but we were able to get a seat on a Friday night. The service was friendly and the long menu has something for everyone. The mussels were ok. The vegetables in my pasta were fresh and not super-sog
overall
100.0% positive
  1. Someday I'll venture over and have dinner at the restaurant itself, but if for some reason you can't make it over there or if you are just looking for a great place to order take-out, Canestaro's is it!
  2. it's a great place to go with co-workers.
service
100.0% positive
  1. Fast service, and good food at reasonable prices.
  2. Delivery service is always consistent-30-45 minutes and the drivers friendly.
  3. The atmosphere is a laid-back and the place was bustling, but we were able to get a seat on a Friday night. The service was friendly and the long menu has something for everyone. The mussels were ok. The vegetables in my pasta were fresh and not super-sog
  4. CANESTARO - Great food, friendly people, lovely surroundings
  5. love this Fenway restaurant, from the nice decor to the pretty waitresses to the great food.
value
100.0% positive
  1. Fast service, and good food at reasonable prices.
  2. The place is in a quiet out-of-the-mainstream location, yet a 3 minute walk to Fenway Park and Beacon St. Make friends with Tom out back and get there a bit early and you will have an excellent parking location for Fenway events - and only $25 (be sure to
  3. Great date place, without the big bucks!
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. Delivery service is always consistent-30-45 minutes and the drivers friendly.
  2. On some nights, if you order sandwiches and pizza only, you can get out of there in 45 minutes.
  3. The atmosphere is a laid-back and the place was bustling, but we were able to get a seat on a Friday night. The service was friendly and the long menu has something for everyone. The mussels were ok. The vegetables in my pasta were fresh and not super-sog
  4. The place is in a quiet out-of-the-mainstream location, yet a 3 minute walk to Fenway Park and Beacon St. Make friends with Tom out back and get there a bit early and you will have an excellent parking location for Fenway events - and only $25 (be sure to
3 Star Rating: Average

10/03/09

who gave this place five stars?? I was thinking maybe 2.

by pickyonparkdrive at Citysearch

We got the mussels appetizer, chicken cacciatore special and the veal marsala.

Pros: The atmosphere is a laid-back and the place was bustling, but we were able to get a seat on a Friday night. The service was friendly and the long menu has something for everyone. The mussels were ok. The vegetables in my pasta were fresh and not super-soggy.

Cons: The garlic bread they brought out was cold. The chicken in my pasta was breaded and fried, the veal was breaded and fried, though it doesn't say say on the menu. Neither of us found our dishes that tasty. I'm not a food snob... but for a $15 pasta dish i expect something that tastes better than a TV dinner.

Supposedly their pizzas are good, but I'm not sure I'd go back to find out.

For this price range in this neighborhood, the thai place is MUCH better.

  • Pros: friendly service, extensive menu
  • Cons: overpriced and not that delicious
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/23/09

CANESTARO - Great food, friendly people, lovely surroundings

by George12 at Citysearch

Just steps from Fenway Park is A GEM OF A PLACE! Canestaro, I have loved it for years, but am surprised that some people still haven't discovered it. It's just around the corner from Fenway Park on Peterborough St (where Park Drive starts). They have a nice dining room, small bar & a great outdoor patio, plus a parking lot in the back. The food is wonderful -- great pastas and, I would say, the best Pizza in Boston. Ingredients are very fresh, sauces are homemade -- try the spinach gnocchi in tomato basil cream sauce -- it is to die for!

  • Pros: Delicious pastas. Lovely outdoor patio.
  • Cons: A little hard to find - tucked away on quiet Peterborough St
2 Star Rating: Below Average

09/10/08

Great food ... sloth-like service

by BigHal at Citysearch

The place has great food!!! The place is in a quiet out-of-the-mainstream location, yet a 3 minute walk to Fenway Park and Beacon St. Make friends with Tom out back and get there a bit early and you will have an excellent parking location for Fenway events - and only $25 (be sure to add a few bucks for Tom). Spaces are limited. When you leave you can shoot down Park Dr and avoid event traffic.

The one BIG problem is the speed of service. Never plan to eat there before a Fenway event unless you give yourself 2+ hours. On some nights, if you order sandwiches and pizza only, you can get out of there in 45 minutes. But on most they are challenged to turn the table over in less than and hour and a half. It took us over two hours to eat and get out of there for the Neil Diamond concert. Good thing we got there at 5 PM for an 8PM concert to assure a parking space.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/22/06

Best Taste of Boston Pizza!!

by janababy at Citysearch

I was in town for business, the first time to Boston, and wanted to try some of the local pizza. The Fairmont Copley recommended Pizzeria Regina, but after reading the very mixed reviews, looked further and found this highly recommended spot. The cab driver had a bit of difficulty finding it (be sure to mention it's in Fenway), but it was worth it! The aroma of roasted garlic is heavy in the air outside. The crust is just thin enough and chewy, not doughy. There are so many combinations available - I had spinach with mushrooms and pesto, my colleague had meat lovers PLUS roasted garlic, onions and romano, YUM!! I have had Chicago pizza and New York pizza, and this was a great rendition of the Boston version. The ambience was just nice enough, not lunch counter-ish, and jeans are appropro. Must try the Boston Cream Pie for dessert.

  • Pros: Fresh, variety
  • Cons: Little hard to find
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/08/06

The Best Pizza on Earth

by joepasta at Citysearch

I came to this restaurant before a red sox game just hoping to fill my stomach so I didn't get ripped off inside Fenway with their prices. Lucky for me I stumbled into the right place, just a block away from the park on Peterborough St. I had hands down the best pizza of my life. The dough must be a restaurant secret, because I've never had anything like it. I got the Caprese Pizza before the game which had the freshest tomatoes. I went back after the game to take home the BBQ chicken pizza which was like nothing I've ever had before. Now I go here before every game. And to top it all off there is parking out back which is optional for customers just $20. I have to pay $50 for parking around the corner! This place is a must try, and they said they deliver. I wish I lived closer!

  • Pros: Ambience, quality of food and price
  • Cons: It isn't located in my home town

The Details on Canestaro Pizzeria

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • best thin crust pizza
  • great date place
  • best canestaro
  • fast service
  • delicious nonpizza dishes
  • fabulous salads
  • great pastas
  • nice little hideaway
  • excellent parking location
  • friendly drivers
  • gem steps
  • order sandwiches
  • big bucks
  • very fresh ingredients
  • nice decor
  • nice dining room
  • nice small bar
  • like outside patio
  • great outdoor patio
  • great lovely surroundings
  • cold garlic bread
  • recommended highly
  • not super-soggy vegetables
  • just nice ambience
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