When it comes to old school Italian bakeries in New York, Brooklyn takes the cake. For this list, we’ve narrowed it down from the two dozen-plus choices across the Big Apple’s most populous borough to a pastry-centric group of bakeries with that cozy neighborhood institution feel.
Each one is slightly different in terms of what’s popular, café or takeout only, and their surroundings. But they all have one thing in common: more often than not, the staff will know the customer(s) by name along with what they tend to order.
Despite what some say, New Yorkers can be very friendly. But bakeries are like any other fast-paced service industry in the city that never sleeps. If there’s a long line, ask the person in front or behind you what to order instead of holding up the line with questions once it’s your turn. Follow that simple rule and you’ll be able to experience Brooklyn like a local at any or all of these old-school Italian bakeries.
Aliotta Pastry Shop
When Aliotta Pastry Shop first opened in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn, FDR was governor of New York, and subway fare was just five cents. Nearly a century later, they have the best variety of pastries east of the subway lines. Behind the counter, a red sign boasts, “All our ingredients are imported from Italy.”
Zeppole di San Giuseppe are popular, as are the baba rum and traditional cannoli. For something less traditional, try the vanilla or chocolate Oreo rolls. They also have French macarons. On your way out, you can pick up a jar of the Notaro family traditional tomato sauce. Cash only.
Nearest subway station: Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College (2)
Cannoli Plus
Cannoli cream is the star at this conveniently located Bensonhurst bakery. They have three different cannoli shell flavors, as well as the cream-stuffed cartocci and casatelli.
Unlike most Italian bakeries, the staff at Cannoli Plus fills each cannoli order at the point of sale. That way, there’s no chance for the inner shell to soften. You can buy cannoli cream and strawberry, pistachio or original shells separately. Also, try the sfogiatella with Nutella.
Nearest subway station: 71 St (D)
Circo’s Pastry Shop
In a neighborhood currently known for street art, hipster coffee shops and high-end brunch spots, Circo’s is a throwback to the pre-latte days. Stepping into this 76-year-old Bushwick institution is a bit like going to see your favorite band from high school and hearing them break out a song that you loved before the rest of the world discovered your little secret.
Their greatest hits tend to have cannoli cream, Nutella or a mix of both. The cannoli are filled to order, so you won’t have to guess how long the cream has been settling into the shells. You should also try the self-explanatory holy cannoli donut or the inis, which is a cream-stuffed brioche bread, fried and coated with cinnamon sugar. For the best inis experience, heat it for ten seconds or less before you dig in. It will still be a bit crunchy on the outside.
If novelty sweets are more your thing, try a Nutella cigar. Circo’s also offers a dozen different ice cream and Italian Ice flavors.
Nearest subway station: DeKalb Av (L)
Cuccio’s Bakery
Cuccio’s has been selling pastries in South Brooklyn since 1937. This third-generation Italian bakery is located in Gravesend, just one F train stop north of Coney Island. The famous Cyclone rollercoaster predates Cuccio’s by just ten years.
The fruit cheesecake and strawberry shortcake are the most popular here, but their six-layer rainbow cannoli cake slices are every bit as delicious.
If you’re going to try one donut, make it the Nutella. They’re filled with a generous portion of the mouthwatering hazelnut cocoa spread and coated with powdered sugar. It’s best to heat them for at least five seconds before eating. Cash only.
Nearest subway station: Avenue X (F)
Fortunato Brothers
In a neighborhood known for post-2000 art galleries and high-priced ramen spots, Fortunato Brothers is a throwback to pre-hipster Brooklyn. Between the release of the first Ramones album and the infamous 1977 blackout, Fortunato Brothers opened in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, just one block west of Via Vespucci/Graham Avenue. You’ll know you’re in the right place once you see the Italian and American flags flying side-by-side at the corner of Devoe Street and Manhattan Avenue.
Their impressive variety of marzipan shapes stands out the most. In addition to the typical apples, bananas and strawberries, they also have avocado and margherita pizza marzipan. If you prefer to mix chocolate with cannoli cream, try the cannoli shots. These unique takes on Sicily’s sweetest culinary export have a hard chocolate base, cannoli cream filling and are topped with what looks like an imperfect Hershey’s Kiss.
While most patrons go for the pastry, you can also enjoy one of their 24 gelato flavors or a drink from their full espresso bar. They have a small seating area indoors, as well as outdoor seating during the warmer months.
Nearest subway station: Graham Av (L)
Michael’s Pastry Shop
Michael’s Pastry Shop is part bakery, part high-end Italian grocery store. Located on the border between Marine Park and Sheepshead Bay, this third-generation South Brooklyn stronghold has been selling sweets to Brooklyn and beyond for more than a quarter-century.
They have a variety of cakes, including their artful sunflower cake and the Sicilian cassata. You can enjoy a handful of their more popular pastries, including tiramisu, as traditional slices or in glass jars. Their sauces are a fixture in many local grocery stores. The 16-ounce jars start at just $5.
While the pastry shop does not have seating, some of their desserts are also available across the street at Michael’s of Brooklyn. Like many of Brooklyn’s high-end Italian restaurants, they have valet parking.
Nearest subway station: Kings Highway (Q)
Paneantico
Paneantico is half-pastry shop, half-New York deli. Their name translates to “old-fashioned bread.” The seating area is extremely convenient, as you can enjoy some cannoli or cheesecake along with a cup of espresso in the shadows of the Verrazano Bridge.
If Paneantico were Pearl Jam, the cannoli would be “Alive,” and the cheesecake would be “Even Flow,” but some of the other pastries get pretty creative and are also worth trying. Their rainbow cheesecake is a traditional cheesecake slice coated in dark chocolate and topped with a mini slice of rainbow cake and whipped cream.
If that’s not decadent enough, try the waffle cake. It has a waffle cup base and is filled with chocolate mousse, then topped with chocolate shavings, a chocolate-covered strawberry and mini cannoli.
Nearest subway station: Bay Ridge-95 St (R)
Pasticceria Monteleone BK
Carroll Gardens has so many amazing Italian restaurants and bakeries that we could write a separate list dedicated to this highly desirable zip code alone. Monteleone is the new kid on the block, but they’ve quickly become a Court Street fixture. The Fiorentino family are of Sicilian origin, so you can expect delicious cannoli and cassata. They also have a dozen different gelato flavors, as well as a variety of marzapane shapes.
You’ll often see patrons from neighboring Marco Polo and Enoteca on Court stop by here after dinner. While you’re in the neighborhood, you should also check out Mazzola Bakery, Court Pastry Shop and Caputo’s Bake Shop, which dates back to 1904.
Nearest subway station: Carroll St (F)
Rimini Bakery
Rimini has been a fixture at the corner of Bay Parkway and 69th Street since 1973. Sicilian-born owner John Zito boasts, “If it’s not good enough for me, it’s not good enough for my customers.” And those customers include locals from Bensonhurst, as well as former Brooklynites now living in New Jersey and Connecticut.
As can be expected, traditional Sicilian pastries like cassata and cannoli are popular, but you’ll also find non-Italian pastries, such as French macarons and tres leches cake. According to the staff, mousse is the top seller. That’s not hard to imagine when you look at their display trays. At any given time, they have up to ten different mousse varieties, including blueberry, mango and cookies n’ cream.
Nearest subway station: Bay Pkwy (N)
Villabate Alba
Ask anyone who grew up in Bensonhurst what their favorite neighborhood bakery is, and they’ll likely tell you it’s Villabate Alba. Steve Schirripa, a Bensonhurst native of Sopranos fame, loves this place, and A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours owner, Tony Muia, recommends it to his pizza tour guests.
This third-generation South Brooklyn confectionary landmark has its roots in the Palermo commune of Villabate. The flavored almond cookies and biscotti sell the most, but the mini marzipan lambs with Italian or American flags get the award for most adorable. Their Sicilian pastries, such as cannoli and cassata, are also popular.
During the warmer months, you’ll see locals standing outside the entrance at the corner of 70th Street and 18th Avenue, enjoying an espresso or cup of gelato.
Influencer bummer alert: no photography allowed inside.
Nearest subway station: 71 St (D)