There is a certain kind of hunger that only a fresh cannoli or a flaky sfogliatella can fix, and New Jersey happens to be loaded with bakeries that know exactly how to help. From little counter shops in Raritan to family-run spots down the Shore, the Garden State takes its Italian pastry seriously.
The eight bakeries below each bring something a little different to the case, whether that is lobster tails, rainbow cookies, gelato, or a rum baba you did not know you needed. Some are quick grab-and-go stops, and others let you sit with an espresso and stay awhile.
Consider this your cheat sheet for the next time a sugar craving shows up unannounced. Save it, share it, and pick your first stop.
1. Italian Bakery & Espresso Bar, Raritan, NJ
Ask around Raritan about cannoli and this counter on West Somerset Street comes up fast. The shells are filled fresh on the spot, which is the whole trick to getting that crisp bite instead of a soggy one.
Beyond the cannoli, the case holds rainbow cookies and napoleons, the kind of classics that make a real Italian bakery feel like the real thing. Sfogliatelle and other pastries round out the lineup, and prices sit in a friendly range for the quality.
The vibe here is old-school and unfussy, with coffee and cappuccino if you want to linger over breakfast. There is dine-in seating, takeout, and a restroom, plus free parking in the lot and on the street.
Note the hours before you go. The shop is closed Mondays, open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Sunday mornings get busy, so a midweek visit means a calmer counter.
2. Palazzone 1960, Wayne, NJ
Part cafe, part pastry shop, Palazzone 1960 gives you a reason to sit down and stay. Along with signature pastries and coffee, the family-owned spot serves pasta and paninis, so a pastry run can easily turn into lunch.
The dessert case leans toward the good stuff: lobster tail pastry, cannoli, and a large sfogliatella that shows up right on the menu highlights. There is also gelato and an Italian hot chocolate for when you want something to drink alongside your treat.
Savory fans have options too, from gnocchi al pesto to spaghetti with San Marzano tomatoes and a pound of mixed Italian cookies to take home. The kitchen leans authentic rather than Italian-American, which sets it apart from a standard pastry counter.
Located at 190 NJ-23, the cafe offers dine-in, takeout, delivery, free Wi-Fi, and a mix of free and paid parking. Hours run 8 AM to 3 PM Monday and 8 AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Sunday, with weekend afternoons the busiest.
3. La Scala Italian Pastry Shop and Bakery, Toms River, NJ
Down in Toms River, La Scala keeps things bright and traditional, and the assortment is where it wins people over. You will find classic Italian pastries, breads, and desserts including tiramisu and gelato all under one roof.
The sfogliatelle here earns real praise, and so do the Italian rainbow cookies. Cannoli, biscotti, and even a savory sausage and broccoli rabe bread give you more than just a sweet reason to stop by.
Fans of holiday treats should look for the pastiera, the Italian wheat and ricotta pie that leans nostalgic. It is the kind of item that signals a shop paying attention to tradition rather than trends.
Keep in mind this is a pickup-and-shop spot, with no dine-in and no restroom, so plan a quick visit and grab-and-go. There is a free parking lot out front.
Hours are 8 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 8 AM to 6 PM Sunday, closed Mondays, with weekend afternoons drawing the crowds.
4. Mattarello Bakery & Café, Montclair, NJ
Montclair may be known for its restaurant scene, but Mattarello has quietly become the town’s go-to for Italian pastry. It bills itself as the only Italian bakery in town, and the case backs up the claim.
Light, airy pastries are the specialty, from pistachio cream puffs to lobster tails and sfogliatella that hit their peak fresh out of the oven. Regulars branch out to the cannoli, Italian cheesecake by the slice, and a chocolate chestnut cake that rewards the curious.
Breakfast is on offer too, with cappuccino, espresso, eggs benedict, blueberry muffins, fruit tarts, and tiramisu filling out the menu. That range makes it easy to swing by early or treat yourself later in the day.
Located at 254 Bellevue Ave, the cafe is open every day from 6:30 AM to 9 PM. Dogs are welcome inside, there is free Wi-Fi and dine-in seating, and parking is paid in the lot and on the street.
Weekend afternoons run busiest.
5. Calandra’s Bakery, Newark, NJ
A name like Calandra’s carries weight in Newark, where the bakery has long been a standard for Italian bread, twist rolls, and dinner rolls. The pastry side of the operation is every bit as serious.
Lobster tails and sfogliatelle top the list of what to order, with the cream-filled lobster tail treated as something of a house masterpiece. The variety on display is wide, running from cannoli and mixed small pastries to egg custard tarts and red velvet cheesecake.
Specialty cakes are a big part of the business, so this is a smart stop when you need a carrot cake, a New York cheesecake, or a custom order for an occasion. Fresh-baked donuts and mixed cookies round things out for everyday cravings.
Find it at 204 1st Ave in the city’s First Avenue stretch. The bakery is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM and offers delivery, takeout, and in-store shopping, though there is no dine-in and no restroom.
Free parking is available in the lot and on the street.
6. Lyndhurst Pastry Shop, Lyndhurst, NJ
Family-run and steady for years, Lyndhurst Pastry Shop has built a following on reasonable prices and a case that covers all the bases. It is the kind of neighborhood counter where you can grab a cannoli or plan a party cake in the same visit.
The pastry lineup keeps the classics front and center, including cannoli, sfogliatelle, and eclairs, plus rum babas and Neapolitans for something a little different. Cookie lovers get mixed Italian biscotti, black and white cookies, and rainbow cookies.
Cakes are a strength here too, from Italian cheesecake to Boston cream rings and California fruit tarts, and the shop handles themed birthday cakes for kids’ parties. Italian ices in creative flavors add a seasonal reason to stop in.
You will find it at 256 Ridge Rd, open every day from 7 AM to 9 PM. Service is takeout, pickup, and delivery, with no dine-in or restroom, so keep the visit quick.
Parking is a mix of free and paid, and Saturday afternoons and evenings are the busiest stretch.
7. Vaccaro’s Bakery, Clark, NJ
Bread and rolls are what put Vaccaro’s on the map in Clark, and the family-owned shop treats them as a point of pride. Fresh Italian bread and rolls are the everyday draw, but the pastry side deserves attention too.
Cannoli, deep dish apple pie, and fruit tarts anchor the sweet menu at prices that stay reasonable. The sfogliatelle earns strong marks here as well, best enjoyed fresh rather than saved for later.
Seasonal and special-occasion baking runs deep, from a box of homemade struffoli to carrot cake, croissants, Boston cream, and a mini raspberry mousse cake. Donuts are a morning favorite, so an early visit is the move if you want first pick.
The bakery sits at 20 Clarkton Dr and works as a quick pickup and in-store shopping stop, with no dine-in or delivery. Free parking is available in the lot and on the street.
Hours are 8 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 8 AM to 2 PM Sunday, closed Mondays.
8. Aversa’s Italian Bakery, Brigantine, NJ
Down at the Shore in Brigantine, Aversa’s gives beachgoers a proper Italian pastry stop within reach of the sand. The bakery serves cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and the familiar pastries you want on a summer morning.
Cannoli and sfogliatelle are the ones to order, with the sfogliatelle at its best when eaten warm and fresh rather than chilled. That little tip alone is worth remembering when you plan your visit around baking times.
Fresh recipes and a solid dessert selection make this an easy grab before a day near the water, and coffee is on hand for the early crowd. It works well as a quick takeout stop rather than a sit-down cafe.
Located at 3101 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd, the bakery is open 7 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 7 AM to 5 PM Sunday. There is takeout and onsite service but no dine-in or restroom, and parking is free on the street.
Saturday mornings are the busiest.
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