Panettone becomes bread pudding at one Maryland Italian bakery, and another fills crisp cannoli shells with sweet ricotta cream. That’s a pretty convincing reason to make room for dessert.
The counters can hold pignoli cookies, almond biscotti, flaky sfogliatelle, and cakes layered with creamy fillings. Some shops follow family recipes, while others turn traditional sweets into elaborate treats.
You may walk in planning to buy one pastry and spend several minutes trying to choose.
I especially like the bakeries that keep familiar Italian favorites alongside something you don’t see every day. A box of assorted cookies feels like a good way to sample the selection without committing to just one favorite.
And if the pastry box comes home with more than you originally intended, the display case probably deserves some of the credit.me on the passenger seat, and honestly, the drive sounds better already.
1. Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop, Little Italy, Baltimore, MD
Since 1958, this Little Italy shop has been proving that a cannoli can carry a whole neighborhood’s memories. Some families who lived nearby decades ago still connect their childhoods to this pastry counter.
The location says a lot before you even taste anything. Little Italy in Baltimore is packed with old rowhouses and family traditions, and this bakery fits right in.
Now for the sweets. The case holds a big lineup of desserts, including cannoli, pignoli cookies, and amaretto cookies.
Eclairs and Napoleons get plenty of love here too. Portions run large, so sharing is a smart move unless you planned a solo dessert adventure.
Rum cake also shows up on the menu for anyone who wants something richer. The assorted Italian cookies are crisp outside and tender inside, which makes them perfect for a mixed box.
Hungry for more than sugar? You can grab breakfast or a panini, like a bacon, egg, and cheese option, or a turkey sandwich.
Specialty coffees round things out nicely. A pastry and a hot cup at a table here feels like a classic Baltimore afternoon.
Timing matters a little. Saturday afternoons and evenings get the busiest, while weekday mornings tend to be calmer.
The shop opens at 9 AM daily and stays open until 8 PM most nights. Saturday hours stretch to 9 PM, giving you extra time for a late cannoli run.
Free Wi-Fi is available if you want to linger over coffee. Just don’t blame the laptop if your plate empties fast.
Address: 222 Albemarle St, Baltimore, MD 21202
2. Doppio Pasticceria, Baltimore, MD
Cars used to have the run of this building, but now bombolini rule the room. The Sicilian bakery sits inside a converted streamline moderne garage or showroom, complete with a retractable garage door wall.
When that wall opens, the space feels breezy and a little vintage European. It sits right across from the R House food hall on West 29th Street.
So what should land on your tray? Bombolini and spinach twists are top picks, and they make a great sweet and savory pair.
The cannoli deserve their own spotlight. They come stuffed with cream, nicely crunchy, and plated with care.
Here’s a fun twist for a bakery. Doppio also serves thin-crust pizza, so you can turn a pastry stop into a full meal.
Coffee is a big part of the deal too. A cup with a fresh pastry makes a solid start to a Baltimore morning.
For some families, a visit here has become a weekend ritual. That says a lot about how these handmade pastries keep people coming back.
Plan around the schedule, because it’s a little unusual. The shop closes Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday hours end at 3 PM.
Thursday through Saturday run from 8 AM to 9 PM. Sunday goes until 8:30 PM, which gives you a nice evening window.
Thursday evenings get the busiest crowd. Wednesday and Friday mornings are calmer if you prefer an easy pastry pick.
Address: 300 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
3. Scittino’s Italian Market Place, Catonsville, MD
Black bottom cupcakes sitting near cannoli might sound like a family reunion of desserts. At Scittino’s in Catonsville, that friendly mix lives right at the bakery counter.
The shop calls itself a market place, and it earns the title. You’ll find a deli, a small market, and homemade pastries under one roof.
Pastry fans can browse cannoli, Italian cookies, and those famous black bottom cupcakes. Portions are generous, so a small box can stretch further than you’d expect.
Savory food gets equal attention here. Pizza, pasta, cheesesteaks, and the Scittino’s Classic Italian Cold Cut fill out the menu.
The deli case is another reason to stop. Cured meats like gabagool and a wide spread of cheeses make it easy to build a nonna-style snack board at home.
The setting is simple and casual, with counter service and no table service. It feels like a hometown shop where Italian food is just part of daily life.
Families will feel comfortable bringing kids along. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available, plus outdoor seating where dogs are welcome.
Hours run long, which helps if dessert cravings strike late. The doors open at 9 AM daily and stay open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Friday afternoons and evenings tend to be busiest. Free parking is usually easy to find, so your cannoli won’t have to wait long.
Address: 1701 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228
4. Tiramisu Bakery, Silver Spring, MD
When a bakery names itself after one dessert, you’d better believe it takes that dessert seriously. Tiramisu Bakery in Silver Spring backs up its name with several tiramisu varieties.
Even plant-based eaters get a turn. A vegan tiramisu sits among the options, which is a thoughtful touch for mixed groups.
The shop itself is compact, with a relaxed neighborhood feel. Sidewalk seating gives you a spot to enjoy your treat outside when the weather cooperates.
Beyond tiramisu, the case holds Italian cakes and pastries. Many of the cakes look striking enough to anchor a birthday table.
Need a drink with that slice? Coffee and juices are both available, so you can go classic or fruity.
Breakfast is an option too, since the doors open at 9 AM. A morning pastry and coffee here makes a sweet start before errands.
Prices land on the friendly side for a dessert stop. That makes it easy to try two varieties of tiramisu and pick a favorite.
The staff earn steady praise for helpful service. That counts for a lot when you can’t decide between flavors.
Watch the clock on weekends. Sundays stay busy from morning to evening, while weekday mornings are much quieter.
Monday hours run until 9 PM, and the rest of the week closes at 8 PM. The shop sits right along Eastern Avenue near the Maryland and DC line.
Address: 7847 Eastern Ave NW, Silver Spring, MD 20910
5. Giolitti Delicatessen, Annapolis, MD
Plenty of people come for a sandwich and leave clutching a bag of Italian cookies. That happy accident is basically a tradition at Giolitti Delicatessen in Annapolis.
The place works as a deli, grocery, and bakery all at once. Fresh-baked bread anchors the sandwiches, and the cookie selection keeps dessert close at hand.
Sandwiches here come thick and loaded. The Parma Sandwich is a menu standout if you want a good starting point.
Hot and cold food options make it a handy lunch stop. Soups and salads also join the lineup for lighter appetites.
Shelves stock imported Italian cheeses, meats, and grocery items. You can grab dinner ingredients and dessert in one trip.
The Italian desserts deserve a slow look. A mixed box of cookies works for a quick treat or a party platter.
The shop feels sunny and quaint, with friendly staff behind the counter. Dine-in and takeout are both available, depending on your plans.
Got guests coming over? Deli trays and sweets from here can cover the whole spread without much effort.
Hours run from 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday is shorter, from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Weekday afternoons draw the biggest lunch crowds in this corner of Maryland. Evenings are quieter if you’d rather browse the shelves at a relaxed pace.
Address: 2068 Somerville Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
6. Pastore’s Italian Delly, Towson, MD
Yes, it’s spelled Delly, and no, nobody’s correcting it. Pastore’s in Towson leans into its quirky name with a classic Italian deli vibe.
Fresh baked Italian bread and rolls are a big draw. Those rolls carry the subs, and they’re good enough to buy on their own.
The meatball sub gets plenty of attention for good reason. Large meatballs, a rich sauce, and that fresh bread make a hearty combo.
Sweet tooth? Large cannoli, pizzelles, tiramisu, and rice pudding all show up here.
Pizzelles are thin, pressed Italian waffle cookies with a long holiday history. Grabbing a few feels like raiding a nonna’s cookie tin.
Prepared dishes round out the menu. Eggplant parmesan, stuffed shells, ravioli, and sausage in sauce make easy family dinners.
House ricotta is another item worth noticing. Pair it with fresh bread and you have a simple snack ready to go.
Keep in mind this is a takeout spot without dine-in seating. Shelves of canned Italian goods let you stock your pantry while you wait.
Hours are tight, so plan ahead. The shop opens Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and closes Sunday and Monday.
Saturday mornings and afternoons tend to be busiest. Tuesday mornings are the quiet stretch if you want speedy service.
Address: 8646 Loch Raven Blvd, Towson, MD 21286
7. Mastellone Deli Shop, Baltimore, MD
A sandwich called the Old World pretty much tells you what this family-run deli is about. On Harford Road in Baltimore, Mastellone keeps traditional Italian flavors front and center.
The Old World sub is the famous order here. It’s stacked with quality meats, cheese, and fresh bread.
Cannoli get filled fresh, which keeps the shells crisp. That small detail makes a big difference with each bite.
Italian baked goods and fresh bread also line the shop. Homemade mozzarella adds another nonna-approved touch.
Meatball subs come huge, and eggplant subs are tender and filling. Either one makes a satisfying lunch.
Shopping for dinner? Homemade pasta and vodka sauce can turn a weeknight meal into something special.
The deli also carries Italian and Sicilian products. Hard-to-find meats like capicola, pancetta, and mortadella are part of the lineup.
Imported dry goods fill the shelves too. You can stock up on pantry staples while you wait for your sub.
This is a takeout-only spot with no restroom, so plan your stop accordingly. Free street parking makes the quick visit easier.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Saturday afternoons get busiest, so weekday mornings are your best bet in this corner of Maryland.
Address: 7212 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234
8. Gemelli’s Italian Market, Gaithersburg, MD
Ever searched three grocery stores for pastina and come home empty-handed? Gemelli’s Italian Market in Gaithersburg stocks that tiny pasta, along with plenty of other hard-to-find Italian goods.
Cookies are a big reason to stop here. The ricotta cookies come out soft and moist, the kind you could easily eat by the handful.
Cakes, desserts, and ice cream fill out the sweet side. Italian snacks and goodies make fun add-ons for a gift basket.
Bread fans should check out the rustic hard rolls. They give the subs here a sturdy, chewy base.
Speaking of subs, the sandwich menu is a highlight. Pizza joins the lineup too, so feeding a crowd gets simpler.
A full deli offers fresh meats, cheeses, and pastas. You can build a spread for a family dinner without much fuss.
Short on time? A freezer full of Italian dinner entrees can save a busy weeknight.
Prepared meals are also available, and delivery is an option. That’s handy when cooking feels like too much work.
The market opens weekdays from 10 AM to 8 PM. Saturday runs until 7 PM, and Sunday is closed.
Wednesday and Friday afternoons get busy, along with Saturdays. Free on-site parking makes it an easy stop, and leaving without cookies feels nearly impossible.
Address: 12169 Darnestown Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
