Zeppole season turns North Jersey into a powdered-sugar wonderland, and a handful of Italian bakeries take the fried dough tradition seriously. Whether you like your zeppoles filled with cream or dusted like a snowy morning, these four spots know exactly what they are doing.
Some are neighborhood classics running on generations of family recipes, while one keeps things focused on the zeppole and almost nothing else. I put together this short list so you know where to head when the craving hits.
Save it, share it, and get ready to wear a little sugar home.
1. Aromi Di Napoli LLC, Nutley, NJ
Open seven days a week from morning until evening, this Washington Avenue bakery makes it easy to grab a box of pastries whenever the mood strikes. That kind of schedule is rare for an Italian pastry shop, and it means you are not stuck waiting for a weekend.
The pastry lineup covers the classics you want, including lobster tails, eclairs, and cannoli. During St. Joseph season, the zeppole show up filled generously with cream, which is exactly what you hope for from a proper Nutley bakery.
Beyond the fried stuff, the shop turns out bread, cookies, cakes, sandwiches, and coffee. Prices stay reasonable, and the counter service is quick if you are just popping in.
If you like ordering a mix, the mini pastries let you sample several without committing to one flavor. I like this stop because it feels like a true everyday bakery rather than a special-occasion-only spot.
2. Boardwalk Zeppoles, Livingston, NJ
Ever wish you could get that fair and boardwalk zeppole taste without waiting for summer carnival season? A little shop on East Northfield Road in Livingston built its entire identity around that idea.
The name says it all. Boardwalk Zeppoles focuses on the fried, sugar-dusted treat you usually only find at a fair, and it sells them fresh in store for takeout.
Some batches come ready to finish at home, so you can pop them in the oven and serve them warm at your own table. It is a fun option when you are hosting and want something that feels like an event.
The hours are limited, running Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM and closed on weekends and Mondays, so plan your trip midweek. The staff keep things friendly and helpful, and the zeppoles hold their own against any fair version.
I would save this one for a weekday sweet-tooth mission.
3. Rispoli’s Pastry Shop (Hawthorne), Hawthorne, NJ
Three generations of the same family stand behind the counter here, and that history shows up in the pastries. The Goffle Road location carries on a tradition that started long before this shop opened its doors.
Cannoli and lobster tails headline the case, and the brick oven baguette gives the shop a bread reputation to match its sweets. When St. Joseph season arrives, the St. Joseph zeppole join the menu and go fast.
The setup is comfortable, with clean tables, free wi-fi, and a restroom, so you can settle in with a coffee instead of rushing out. Free parking in both a lot and on the street makes the stop simple.
Custom cakes are a strength too, including creative order requests handled on short notice. Hours run Thursday through Sunday, with Saturday afternoons drawing the biggest crowds.
I like this stop when I want a full sit-down pastry break rather than a grab-and-go.
4. Mattarello Bakery & Café, Montclair, NJ
Dogs are welcome inside, coffee runs all day, and the pastry case reaches well beyond the usual suspects. On Bellevue Avenue in Montclair, this bakery and café leans into being a hangout as much as a sweets counter.
The variety is what stands out. Alongside St. Joseph zeppole, you will find lobster tails, cannoli, bombolone, rum baba, rainbow cookies, cream puffs, and giant chocolate chip and red velvet cookies.
Coffee gets real attention here, with cappuccino, espresso, and a lineup that pairs nicely with a sfogliatella or an apricot croissant. A food menu has been added too, bringing brunch plates like eggs Benedict into the mix.
Open every day from 6:30 AM to 9 PM, it works for an early pastry run or a late-evening treat. Parking is paid, both lot and street, so bring some change.
This is the kind of place I would visit when I want zeppole and a proper espresso in one sitting.
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