While visiting Boston, take a dessert tour of some of the best pastry and sweet shops around.
Boston’s North End neighborhood is fondly known as “Little Italy.” As such, it is packed with some of the best Italian eateries in the city. When looking for a sugary way to pass an afternoon or early evening, try some of these delicious little shops.
Maria’s Pastry Shop, 46 Cross Street
Maria’s Pastry Shop is a cozy spot full of sweet-smelling treats. This family-owned bakery opened in 1982 and carries a variety of homemade Italian baked goods. Try the sfogliatelle, a flakey pastry with a citrus-ricotta filling. They also carry a variety of seasonal delights, so make sure to ask if there are any special items available. If the weather is nice, pull up a chair outside to enjoy the treats and watch the crowds pass by.
Dairy Fresh Candies, 57 Salem Street
Dairy Fresh Candies is overflowing with mounds and mounds of imported and domestic candies, dried fruits, nuts, and specialty cooking ingredients. Set a spending limit before entering because this shop is full of lots of tempting sweet and salty items. Pick out some of their candies, or bring home something a bit more exotic. They make gift baskets and ship them all over the US. Before leaving, look around for free samples; their fudge is amazing.
Trani Ice Cream n-jectibles, 111 Salem Street
Trani is certainly a unique experience. It’s not the place to go for ambience, as it feels like a sterile chain restaurant, but the desserts are fun. Choose one of the many baked goods from behind the counter, such as cupcakes, brownies, doughnuts, éclairs, or cannoli shells. Decide between chocolate and vanilla ice cream and watch as the staff “n-ject” the dessert with ice cream. As a last step, opt to have the entire concoction travel under a melted chocolate waterfall. Mmmm. There is room to stay and eat, so grab a coffee or hot chocolate (both of which can also be n-jected) and sit down to relax.
Bova’s Bakery, 134 Salem Street
Stepping into Bova’s Bakery is like being transported to one of the narrow streets of Naples or Florence. The smell of anise and freshly baked bread hangs in the air. A line is most likely formed at the counter, awaiting orders of cookies, cakes, bread, or a fresh-baked calzone. There is no place to sit, here, so grab something to enjoy at a nearby park.
Mike’s Pastry, 300 Hanover Street
Mike’s Pastry is one of the best known spots in the North End. Folks rave about the cannoli and other traditional Italian desserts. Throughout the North End, people can be seen with signature white and blue Mike’s Pastry boxes. Those hoping to sample Mike’s pastries, especially during dinner hours, should plan on waiting in line. Mike’s does have a café, so sit and enjoy a cappuccino with dessert. It’s a nice place to relax with friends after dinner, but it can get noisy.
Gelateria, 272 Hanover Street
Gelateria is a specialty gelato shop. The décor is bland, but those who love gelato will want to sample one of their 50 flavors. Never had gelato? Imagine American ice cream and then make it denser, creamier, and more flavorful. Gelateria also has sorbet, which is gelato without the dairy, making it a lighter choice. They have a handful of tables in an open-air environment (weather permitting), so it’s a nice spot to do some people watching.
Modern Pastry, 257 Hanover Street
Modern Pastry is a small pastry shop, but many people prefer the cannoli here to the more famous Mike’s. Modern can draw a crowd, but the line tends to be a bit shorter, so it’s a nice place to grab a cup of coffee and do some crowd watching. Those who are too full from dinner should buy some truffles as a gift and bring them home as a souvenir of Boston’s Little Italy!
