Skip to main content
Editor Pick

Boston North End Dessert Crawl

Written by

AAA Travel Editor, Suzanne Lemon

With its abundance of Italian food, Boston's oldest residential neighborhood lured us with the promise of culinary bliss. Indeed, the aromas wafting from bread and pizza ovens captivated our team as we strolled along the historic enclave's winding brick lanes. Lo and behold, the author's sweet tooth prevailed, and "Little Italy's" pastry shops became sugary fodder for this article. Here are a few fun things to do when you travel here:

Bova’s Bakery

134 Salem St.

Though Bova’s packs a plethora of Italian cookies, cakes and other enticing treats into its little corner space, it’s the bread that beckons Bostonians. The cornucopia of yeasty delights includes crusty Tuscan-style loafs as well as seasonal specialties. Dessert crawlers in search of lunch take note: This is the perfect place to grab some pizza or a sub on the go. We liked the calzones, stuffed to the brim with tasty meats and cheeses.

Caffé Paradiso

255 Hanover St.

Plenty of tables invite weary travelers to take a load off and indulge in a quick pick-me-up. Order an espresso or cappuccino, and pair it with an assortment of tempting biscotti—for fun, try the rainbow-colored variety. Or, cool down on a warm day with house-made artisanal gelato. Mix and match a plate of profiteroles, luscious tarts and other delectables and share with friends (or not).

Mike's Pastry

300 Hanover St.

Who is tops in the North End, Mike’s or Modern? Everyone has a different opinion, but for sheer volume, Mike’s has it going on. Glass cases shelter a seemingly endless assortment of Italian pastries, while you can also order classic American indulgences like a chocolate walnut brownie. The author sampled a piece of the city’s iconic Boston cream pie and found the combination of creamy custard, moist cake and chocolaty goodness to be a heavenly taste sensation. Read More

AAA/Suzanne Lemon

Modern Pastry

257 Hanover St.Modern, another contender in Boston polls for North End bragging rights, is recognizable by its funkily retro red-and-green neon sign. Confections such as photo-worthy fruit tarts and panforte packed with almonds adorn its display cases, and seating is available to savor an Italian pastry with coffee. Treat yourself to a slice of creamy ricotta cheesecake you won’t soon forget, and if you’re a fan of pistachio macaroons, this is the place! Read More

AAA

Start Your Next Vacation with AAA

AAA Travel provides peace of mind when you travel — before, during and after your vacation! Members enjoy the advantages of membership including exclusive benefits, map routing, savings with the AAA Discounts & Rewards® program as well as recommendations for AAA Diamond-designated hotels and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Let AAA provide the rest of your travel needs with AAA Travel Guides, TourBook® guides, access to travel agents and counselors and travel insurance. Your next vacation starts with AAA — your complete travel solution. Visit AAA.com/Travel.

AAA
AAA / Suzanne Lemon
Written by

AAA Travel Editor, Suzanne Lemon

More Articles

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

BACK TO TOP