Growing up in New Jersey, I figured a box of Italian pastries and a crusty loaf of bread on Sundays was a universal experienceāsomething every kid had access to no matter where they lived. Every single family get-together started with a fresh loaf of Italian bread and ended with a box of eclairs, cannoli, Napoleons and sfogliatella. Hell, even funerals ended with a plate of pignoli cookies or the crunchy sesame ones I can never seem to remember the name of.
It wasnāt until I grew up and traveled the country a bit when I discovered that it wasnāt just pizza and bagels that were hard to come by, but the Italian bakery scene was sorely lacking everywhere outside of the Northeast U.S too. Across the entirety of my beloved New Jersey is a myriad of Italian bakeries and pastry shops. Some specialize in breads, others focus on pastriesāmany do both. Theyāre there for every holiday and you can even find traces of their products throughout the regional grocery chains.
Iāve never met an Italian bakery I didnāt like, but some are better than others. These are the 21 best Italian bakeries and pastry shops across New Jersey.
Aversaās Italian Bakery
Brigantine, Margate and Turnersville, NJ
With three locations, Aversaās Italian Bakery does a little bit of everything. Fresh-baked breads, pizza, stromboli, breakfast sandwiches, and of course, a case filled with Italian sweet treats. Itās a true one-stop shop where you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.
Bread & Salt
Jersey City, NJ
If you take anything away from this list, it should be that Bread & Salt is a must. Located in the Jersey City Heights, Bread & Salt isnāt your typical āJersey Italianā spot. Savory torta salata, pizza rustica, handmade sandwiches and panettone for the holidays is just the start. Bread & Salt is not just one of the best bakeries in Jersey, itās one of the best eateries, period.
Calandraās
Newark, Fairfield, Caldwell, NJ
If youāre from North Jersey, then you know Calandraās. Since 1962, this staple has been dishing out thousands of loaves and pastries each and every day. With multiple locations, full-service restaurants and even hotels, Calandraās is still dishing out the same quality that made them famous to begin with. In addition to their operation, Calandraās delivers product to over 500 restaurants, delis and supermarkets.
Clemente Bakery
South Hackensack, NJ
Fresh-filled cannoli and rainbow cookies are abundant, but itās the bread that Clemente Bakery is really known for. Originally opened in Union City in 1974, Clemente now operates out of South Hackensack, where they have established themselves as a local favorite for baked goods, desserts and the piled-high Italian subs on their housemade bread.
Del Buonoās Bakery and Carmenās Deli
Haddon Heights, NJ
Del Buonoās is a staple in Haddon Heights for fresh bread and rolls, Italian pizzelle cookies, stuffed sandwiches and more. They even do Philadelphia-style pretzels which is something you wonāt find many other places on this list. Just look for the signature gorilla statue on the roof and youāre one step closer to some exceptional Italian delights.
Deluxe Italian Bakery
Runnemede, NJ
For over 70 years, Deluxe Italian Bakery has been serving top-notch Italian pastries and breads in Camden County. Beyond the usual suspects such as sfogliatella and cream puffs are fresh pizzelle cookies, cream-stuffed donuts and custom cakes.
Farinolio
Westfield and Summit, NJ
This Florentine bakery takes a sharp detour from your usual āJersey Italianā pastry shop. Instead, Farinolio specializes in authentic treats like custard-filled bomboloni and sweet focaccia stuffed with grapes and walnuts. Past sweets are some of the best sandwiches youāll find in NJāstuffing imported meats and cheese into their irresistible schiacciata bread.
Gencarelliās
Bloomfield and Wayne, NJ
When Gencarelliās opened in 1975 on Broad Street in Bloomfield, the Gencarelli family wouldāve never guessed what it would grow into. Today, with two locations, Gencarelliās is still dishing out the same great Italian pastries, cakes and more that put them on the map. If youāre from Essex County, you can almost guarantee that youāve had a Gencarelliās cannoli before.
Italian Peoples Bakery
Mercerville and Trenton, NJ
Italian Peoples Bakery began serving Trenton all the way back in 1936. They have since expanded to Mercerville and even into PA for a third location. Expect handmade pastries, cakes, crusty bread, sandwiches and the fan-favorite donuts. Nearby groceries and delis also carry their products.
Jersey Artisan Co.
East Hanover, NJ
Sal Pisani originally opened Jersey Artisan Co. to bring hand-crafted cheesesāmade with milk from New Jersey cowsāto East Hanover. And while thatās still the focus, theyāve got plenty of excellent baked goods to go around. Their naturally leavened breads utilize leftover whey from the cheesemaking process as a fermentation agent. Itās some of the best ciabatta, focaccia and sourdough that Iāve ever had, so while not a traditional bakery, Jersey Artisan Co. has earned its rightful spot on this list.
Read my full story about Jersey Artisan Co.
LāArte della Pasticceria
Ramsey, NJ
Tiramisu and rum-soaked cakes called Baba are just the beginning at this Bergen County staple. Adding to the allure is a wide range of Neapolitan and Sicilian desserts, strong espresso and an assortment of housemade gelato, sorbetto and granita. If youāre there in the morning, the Sicilian Breakfast is a must, which lands you a fluffy brioche roll and a bowl of tart seasonal granita to dip it in. Sweet treat for breakfast? Itās the Italian way.
Liscioās
Sewell and Sicklerville, NJ
Liscioās is a bread bakery, and if youāve travelled through South Jersey and Philly looking for the best hoagie or cheesesteak, chances are youāve had a Liscioās roll. A variety of breads are made at their state-of-the-art facility, but itās the seeded loaf thatās all the rage these days. As a cheesesteak fanatic myself, a Liscioās roll is a thing of pure beauty.
Lyndhurst Pastry Shop
Lyndhurst, NJ
I grew up at Lyndhurst Pastry Shop. Not actually, but I did grow up eating their pastries and Italian ice frequently. Every single family get-together ended with a box of pastries from LPS. In the summer, pints of Italian ice too. The fan-favorite Yum-Yum flavored Italian ice is a must try for any newcomer. Think of it as a cross between vanilla and sweet cream. Iāve been eating it for 27 years and I still donāt really know what flavor it truly isābut I sure get it every single time.
Mariaās Italian Bakery
Saddle Brook, NJ
Custom cakes and display cases filled to the brim with fresh pastries define Mariaās Italian Bakery in Saddle Brook, which is about as classic as you can get when it comes to an Italian-American bakery. Napoleons, donuts and Zeppoli di San Giuseppe are just some of the house favorites.
Mattarello Bakery & CafƩ
Montclair, NJ
Cream-stuffed lobster tail, apricot tarts and spongy sfogliatella can be found in abundance at Mattarello. The Upper Montclair bakery is dishing out authentic Italian and Italian-American favorites daily. Beyond sweets, check out their impressive lunch and dinner menu.
Palermoās Bakery and Cafe
Ridgefield Park and Little Ferry, NJ
This bakery is famous in the area for their beautiful cakes and pastries. Palermoās second location in Little Ferry offers the same great treats with the addition of a full-service cafe. Paninis, brick-oven pizza, wine and more are available at the Palermo Cafe.
Palazzone 1960
Wayne, NJ
In 1960, two Italian immigrants opened a tiny bakery in Clifton before packing up shop a decade later and moving back to Italy. Fast forward four decades, their son Giancarlo moves back to The States to open a bakery in their name. Palazzone 1960 dishes out breathtaking pastries, pastas, specialty coffees and paninis to their base of loyal customers. Itās one of the most authentic entries on this list.
Palazzone Pastry Lab is now open around the corner in Little Falls.
Prato Bakery
Jersey City and Hoboken, NJ
This Tuscan-style bakery is a favorite in JC and Hoboken. Prato sells a variety of pastries and baked goods that you need to try, but itās the beloved biscuit-like cookies with dried apricot, almond and chocolate, called cantucci, that you have to get. A crunchy, nutty cookie with a shot of rich espresso? It doesnāt get much better (or more Italian) than that.
Rispoli Pastry Shop and Cafe
Ridgefield, Emerson and Hawthorne, NJ
āOne Name, One Family, One Traditionā is the Rispoli motto, which dates back to their opening in 1937. This staple has been in the Rispoli family for three generations and thereās no sign of slowing down. And just in case you donāt live in Jersey anymore (a shame), you can still enjoy Rispoli pastries with nationwide shipping.
Second Street Bakery
Jersey City, NJ
If you want a taste of old-school Jersey City, then this is your place. Second Street leans heavy on the savory side of things with sandwiches, breads and more. Saucy meatballs stuffed into fresh-baked brick oven bread? Yeah, Iāll wait in line for that. For those with a sweet tooth, the fresh-baked cinnamon bread is a favorite that’s offered daily.
Sorrento Bakery
East Hanover, NJ
Sorrento Bakery is another one of those places that you can only find in NJ or New York. A place where you can pick up a box of cannoli and a sandwich to eat on the car ride home. Beyond are ice cream cakes, Italian Napoleon and shelves stacked high with hard-to-find Italian imports. A one-stop shop for re-stocking your fridge and pantry with Italian delights.
BONUS: Carloās Bake Shop
Hoboken, NJ and Nationwide
When Cake Boss aired on TLC in 2009, it put this Hoboken institution on the map for good. The show centered around Owner Buddy Valastroās mystifying cakes. But, before the glitz and glamor, Carloās Bake Shop was known as a classic Italian-American bakery, dishing out all of the favorites like cannoli, pignoli cookies and more since 1964.
With several locations across the U.S., restaurants and even a line of vending machines serving slices of their famous cake, itās safe to say that Carloās Bake Shop is no longer a niche Jersey gem.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
