Tucked away at 2109 New Garden Rd in Greensboro, North Carolina, Giacomo’s Italian Market is a hidden gem that keeps locals and out-of-towners coming back for more. With a near-perfect 4.8-star rating from nearly 1,000 reviews, this cozy Italian grocery store has earned a reputation for serving up some of the most authentic flavors you can find outside of Italy.
From freshly made cannoli that sell out almost every single day to hearty deli sandwiches that remind people of their favorite New York delis, Giacomo’s is truly something special. Whether you are a longtime fan or hearing about it for the first time, here is everything that makes this beloved market worth the trip.
The Famous Cannoli That Sell Out Every Day
Some desserts are good. Giacomo’s cannoli are legendary.
Customers who have visited this Greensboro market consistently rave about the cannoli as the perfect ending to any meal, and the fact that they sell out day after day says everything you need to know.
The shells are perfectly crisp, and the creamy ricotta filling is rich without being overwhelming. One reviewer who grew up in Connecticut — where Italian pastry standards run high — called it the ideal finish to their lunch visit.
That is high praise from someone who knows their way around a real Italian deli.
If you are planning a visit, arriving earlier in the day is your best bet for snagging one before they are gone. The cannoli at Giacomo’s are not just a dessert — they are the reason many people make the drive from cities like Raleigh just to stop in.
Authentic Italian Imports You Cannot Find Anywhere Else Nearby
Walking into Giacomo’s feels like stepping into a neighborhood shop straight from an Italian town. Shoppers quickly notice that the shelves are packed with hard-to-find imported items that simply are not available at regular grocery stores in the area.
From authentic Italian meats and aged cheeses to specialty pasta and imported sauces, the variety here is genuinely impressive for a shop of its size. One customer described it as a place where you can find “a plethora of hard to find imported items you cannot get anywhere else nearby” — and that sums it up perfectly.
For home cooks who want to recreate traditional Italian meals, this market is a goldmine. Whether you are building a charcuterie board or planning a Sunday pasta dinner, the imported selection at Giacomo’s gives you ingredients that bring real Italian flavor straight to your kitchen table.
Housemade Deli Meats Sliced Fresh at the Counter
Not every deli can say their meats are made in-house, but Giacomo’s can. Several reviewers have pointed out that a good portion of the deli meats behind the counter are crafted right there at the market, giving everything a freshness and depth of flavor you just cannot fake.
One first-time visitor described how a staff member prepared a sampling tray of house-made deli meats and walked them through each one — explaining what it was and sharing personal recommendations. That kind of experience turns a quick lunch stop into a genuine food memory.
Popular options include hot sopressata and hot capicola, both of which show up repeatedly in glowing customer reviews. When you buy deli meat here, you are not getting something that has been sitting in a factory warehouse.
You are getting something crafted with real care and old-world technique.
The Deli Sandwiches That Taste Like New York
There is a special kind of magic in a sandwich that takes you somewhere else with the first bite. That is exactly what Giacomo’s deli sandwiches do for people who grew up eating in New York or New Jersey delis.
Reviewers from Long Island, Connecticut, and beyond all say the same thing — this place gets it right.
The menu features standout options like the Italian Stallion, the Frankie, the Bruscino, and the Chicken Parm sub. The bread is described as having that perfect outside crunch with a soft center, and the meats and cheeses are layered generously.
One customer called the Bruscino “fantastic” with its combination of hot sopressata, capicola, provolone, cherry peppers, and house oil and vinegar.
Since there is no seating inside, grabbing your sandwich and eating it right away — maybe in your car — is the move for maximum freshness. Trust the regulars on this one.
Fresh Mozzarella That Steals the Show
Fresh mozzarella is one of those ingredients that can completely transform a dish when it is done right. At Giacomo’s, the fresh mozzarella display has caught the eye of nearly every first-time visitor who walks through the door — and for good reason.
One reviewer specifically noted that the fresh mozzarella looked absolutely amazing and immediately added it to their list for next time. Paired with ripe tomatoes and the market’s homemade bread, it creates a classic Italian combination that is hard to beat anywhere in the Triad area.
Whether you are building a Caprese salad at home or just want to snack on something rich and creamy, picking up a fresh ball of mozzarella from Giacomo’s is a decision you will not regret. It is the kind of ingredient that reminds you why simple, high-quality food always wins over anything fancy but processed.
Homemade Sauces Worth Driving Across the State For
Sauce is the soul of Italian cooking, and Giacomo’s takes that seriously. Customers regularly leave the market with jars of homemade sauce tucked under their arms, knowing they have found something genuinely special.
One reviewer drove from Raleigh — a 90-minute trip each way — and still made sure to stock up on sauces every single visit.
The homemade vodka sauce has received particular praise, with one first-time shopper calling it a highlight of their visit alongside the house-made deli meats. Another customer picked up homemade sauce to cook with sausage at home and raved about the results for their whole family.
These are not generic jarred sauces with a long ingredient list you cannot pronounce. Giacomo’s sauces are made with real technique and fresh ingredients, which is why they taste so dramatically different from anything you would find at a supermarket.
Stock up whenever you visit.
Fried Ricotta Balls That Will Blow Your Mind
Forget everything you thought you knew about snack food. Giacomo’s fried seasoned and breaded ricotta balls are the kind of bite that stops a conversation mid-sentence.
One first-time visitor described them as a total wow moment — something they were offered as a sample and could not stop thinking about after leaving the store.
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these little gems are a perfect example of what makes Giacomo’s stand out from every other food stop in the Greensboro area. They are the kind of item you did not know you needed until you tried one, and then suddenly you are planning your next visit around them.
If you spot them available during your visit, do not hesitate. Items like this at a market with this level of quality tend to move fast.
Add them to your order alongside a sandwich and a jar of sauce for the full experience.
A Cheese and Meat Selection That Rivals Specialty Shops
For serious food lovers, the meat and cheese selection at Giacomo’s is genuinely exciting. The shop carries an impressive range of both imported and house-made products that cover everything from everyday favorites to specialty cuts you rarely see outside of major cities.
Reviewers consistently praise the quality and freshness of the meats, with many noting that the staff is generous when building sandwiches and does not skimp on portions. Hanging meats and beautifully displayed cheeses create an atmosphere that feels authentic the moment you walk in — one reviewer described it as being greeted by amazing Italian aromas from the hanging meats and cheeses as soon as they entered.
Whether you are shopping for a dinner party spread, restocking your fridge with quality protein, or just treating yourself to something exceptional, the selection here delivers. Pair a few cuts with some fresh mozzarella and imported crackers for an easy and impressive appetizer board.
Tiramisu and Other Italian Desserts Worth Saving Room For
Cannoli may be the star of the dessert show at Giacomo’s, but tiramisu deserves its own spotlight. Multiple customers have mentioned picking up tiramisu alongside their other goodies, and the reviews are consistently enthusiastic.
One shopper even reminded fellow visitors in their review to never leave without ordering tiramisu or cannoli for dessert.
Tiramisu done right requires quality mascarpone, properly soaked ladyfingers, and a balance of coffee and sweetness that is surprisingly hard to nail. When a small Italian market is pulling it off consistently, that tells you the people behind the counter genuinely care about what they are making.
Dessert at Giacomo’s is not an afterthought — it is a destination in itself. After loading up on subs, sauces, and imported cheeses, finishing your haul with a dessert or two makes the whole trip feel complete.
Save room, plan ahead, and arrive early before they run out.
Italian Sausage So Authentic It Brought Someone to Tears
One reviewer put it better than anyone else could: she is Roman, has spent years searching for real Italian sausage in North Carolina, and when she finally tried Giacomo’s version, she was moved to tears. She said it was so close to salsiccia Romana that she drove 40 minutes just to go back for more.
That kind of reaction does not come from a mediocre product. The sausage at Giacomo’s has the seasoning, texture, and flavor profile that reminds people of what they grew up eating in Italy or in Italian-American households where food was taken seriously.
It is the kind of ingredient that makes a simple pasta sauce taste like it took all day.
Another customer purchased sausage along with homemade sauce to cook for their family and called the results amazing. If you cook Italian food at home, this sausage is a must-grab every single time you visit.
A Warm, Neighborhood Atmosphere That Feels Like Family
Great food is one thing, but a place that makes you feel genuinely welcome is something rarer and more valuable. Giacomo’s has built a reputation not just for its products but for the warm, neighborhood feeling that greets you the moment you walk in.
Regular customers describe being recognized and treated like family — and that is not something you can manufacture.
One long-time visitor noted that after nearly 30 to 40 visits over 10 years, the experience has never once been disappointing. Another reviewer described the staff as upbeat with great energy and friendly chatter that adds to the overall vibe of the store.
For first-timers, the staff has been known to offer samples of deli meats and explain each one with genuine enthusiasm. That personal touch transforms a grocery run into something much more memorable.
It is the kind of place where strangers quickly become regulars after just one visit.
Pre-Made Dishes and Sides for Easy Italian Dinners at Home
Not everyone has time to cook from scratch, and Giacomo’s understands that. The market offers a solid selection of pre-made dishes and sides that bring authentic Italian flavor to your dinner table without requiring hours in the kitchen.
From eggplant dishes to pasta sides and more, the options are varied and consistently well-reviewed.
One first-time visitor left with an eggplant dish, ricotta balls, and homemade vodka sauce — calling the whole haul a highlight of their Greensboro experience. Another customer raved about picking up premade dinners alongside sauces and pasta to cook at home, noting that the quality was outstanding across the board.
These ready-to-heat options are especially useful for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying and real rather than another frozen pizza. Pair a pre-made side with some fresh pasta from the shelves and a jar of Giacomo’s homemade sauce, and dinner practically makes itself.
Worth the Drive No Matter Where You Are Coming From
Greensboro locals already know the secret, but word is spreading fast beyond the Triad. Customers have made the trip to Giacomo’s from Raleigh, Virginia, Charlotte, and beyond — and almost every single one says the drive was completely worth it.
A 90-minute round trip for a meatball sub and a jar of homemade sauce might sound extreme, but the reviews make a convincing case.
The market is open Wednesday through Sunday, with hours running from 11 AM to 7 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. Sunday hours are noon to 5 PM, so planning ahead is smart — especially if cannoli are on your shopping list.
Free parking is available, and the shop is located at 2109 New Garden Rd in Greensboro. With nearly 1,000 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, Giacomo’s Italian Market is not just a local favorite — it is a North Carolina destination worth putting on your map.
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