A pastry shaped like a seashell hides sweet ricotta flavored with orange and lemon zest. It’s called sfogliatella, and this Texas bakery makes it alongside Sicilian cannoli finished with pistachios, chocolate chips, or candied orange.
That’s a pastry case capable of derailing lunch plans.
The Schiavo family opened the bakery to share the flavors of Italy, but sweets are only half the temptation. Their focaccia is stretched by hand, baked with olive oil and sea salt, and turned into sandwiches with prosciutto, burrata, or mortadella.
There’s also tiramisu and cream-filled bomboloni for anyone who skipped dessert at breakfast.
Personally, a place that takes focaccia as seriously as cannoli can ruin my ability to make a quick decision. You could walk in thinking about an espresso and leave debating lunch, a pastry, and something sweet to take home.
A Homesick Craving Turned Into a Full-Blown Italian Bakery
Some businesses start with a spreadsheet. Tosca Italian Gourmet started with a craving that simply would not quit.
Owner Maya Sretenovic Schiavo moved from Italy to The Woodlands area and missed the real tastes of home. She and her husband, Mario Schiavo, decided to fix that problem themselves.
The family opened the bakery in December 2021. Their goal was clear and a little bold: bring true Italian food culture to a place they felt was missing it.
That mission shapes almost everything you’ll find inside. The recipes follow traditional Italian cooking, and many ingredients come from an Italian supplier.
Maya prepares the food the same way she cooks for her own family. That’s a sweet promise, and honestly, a pretty high bar for any kitchen.
The name carries meaning too. Tosca is meant to call up the landscapes and culinary traditions of Tuscany, with its rolling hills and slow meals.
It’s still a family-owned bakery, which matters here. You can feel the difference between a business built from a brand guide and one built from memory.
Romina Marchisio manages the store, keeping the daily rhythm running smoothly. Behind every croissant, there’s a story about missing home and refusing to settle.
Cannoli and Sfogliatella Steal the Show in the Pastry Case
Sicily lives in a little fried tube of pastry. Cannoli are considered a symbol of the island, and this bakery treats them with proper respect.
Right beside them sits sfogliatella, a pastry shaped like a seashell. It’s filled with ricotta cheese and orange zest, a pairing that feels bright and old-fashioned at once.
Those two alone could justify a trip. But the case keeps going, like an Italian grandmother who insists you try one more thing.
Look for bomboloni, the soft Italian doughnuts. You’ll also spot mini apple sfogliatina, colorful fruit tarts, and ricotta muffins.
Everything in the pastry lineup is baked fresh daily. That’s the old-school approach the title promises, and it’s not just talk.
Here’s some practical advice: go earlier in the day for the widest choice. Popular pastries can sell out, and nobody wants to stare sadly at an empty cannoli tray.
Tosca Italian Gourmet makes these sweets less sugary than many Texas customers might expect. The flavors lean classic and balanced, which lets the ricotta, citrus, and pastry shine.
Croissants Get the Italian Treatment Here
Pistachio cream inside a buttery croissant is a strong argument for getting out of bed. This Spring bakery makes that argument every morning.
Italians call these breakfast pastries cornetti, and they’re a daily habit across the country. Here, the filled versions come in vanilla, pistachio, Nutella, and strawberry jelly.
Choosing just one can feel like a pop quiz you didn’t study for. Mini filled croissants make the decision easier, since you can try a few flavors.
The croissant dough pulls double duty, too. Tosca Italian Gourmet uses it to make cinnamon rolls, which gives them flaky layers instead of the usual bready swirl.
There are savory croissant options for anyone who wants breakfast with more protein. Croissant breakfast sandwiches round out the morning menu nicely.
Doors open early most days, so you can grab one before work. Pair it with an espresso and you’ve got a very Italian start without a passport.
One tip: pistachio fans should move fast. That flavor tends to be a favorite, and it’s hard to blame anyone for grabbing two.
Save Room for Nonna Cake, Tiramisu, and a Scoop of Gelato
Grandma knows best, at least where cake is concerned. Nonna cake is described as the most popular traditional Italian dessert on the menu.
It’s a comforting classic in Italy, often linked to Tuscany. Fitting, since Tosca’s whole name nods to that region.
Tiramisu sits close by, layered and ready. The Caprese cake and Sacher cake give chocolate lovers plenty to think about.
Then comes the gelato case. Flavors include amaretto, vanilla, Nutella, and raspberry, which covers nutty, classic, chocolatey, and fruity in four scoops.
Want the best of both worlds? Order an affogato, where a scoop of ice cream meets a shot of hot espresso.
It’s dessert and coffee in one cup, and it feels a little fancy without trying too hard. On a warm Texas afternoon, that’s a smart move.
Desserts at Tosca Italian Gourmet lean toward balanced sweetness rather than sugar overload. That makes it easier to justify a second treat, which is always the goal.
A Cozy Cafe With a Vespa Parked Right Inside
Not every bakery has a scooter for decor. This one does, and the vintage-style Vespa instantly sets the Italian mood.
The space was designed to give the taste and feel of an Italian cafe. The owners wanted it to suggest a trip through the Tuscan hills, minus the jet lag.
Inside, it’s small, cozy, and charming. Tables sit fairly close together, so it can feel lively when the room fills up.
Kids tend to love the Vespa, and grown-ups often snap photos of it. It’s a playful touch that makes the room feel personal rather than corporate.
Pastry cases take center stage, glowing with color. You’ll also find shelves stocked with Italian market goods like pasta and sauces.
That market side is handy. You can grab dinner supplies while picking up breakfast, which feels like winning at errands.
Tosca Italian Gourmet keeps the vibe relaxed and welcoming. The staff aims to treat guests like family, which suits a place built on a family’s memories of home.
Lunch Goes Beyond Bread With Lasagna, Pizza, and Burrata
Breakfast is only half the story. By lunchtime, the menu shifts toward hearty Italian comfort food.
Bolognese lasagna leads the savory lineup. Traditional meatballs are slowly stewed and served with focaccia, which means that famous bread finds yet another job.
Pizza fans can pick from Margherita, Pepperoni, or Vegetarian. It’s a short list, but sometimes short lists are a sign of focus.
The salads are worth a look, too. The Tosca Salad brings Italian meats, burrata, and olives together in one bowl.
The Caprese Salad pairs tomatoes, burrata, and pesto. A Greek Salad is on hand for anyone wanting something different.
Portions on some salads and sandwiches can be generous enough to share. Ordering a few things for the table is a fun way to explore.
Tosca Italian Gourmet also offers catering for events. If your office party needs an upgrade from sad sheet cake, that’s worth keeping in mind.
Your Espresso Order Comes With Serious Italian Roots
Lavazza beans power the coffee bar. That’s a famous Italian brand, and it fits right in with the rest of the menu.
You can order cappuccino, espresso, or latte. Hot chocolate is available for anyone skipping caffeine, including kids.
Italian cafe culture runs on quick espresso and a pastry at the counter. This bakery brings a slice of that ritual to suburban Texas.
The coffee also pairs naturally with dessert. A cappuccino next to a slice of Nonna cake is a pretty great afternoon plan.
Bottled Italian sodas sit in the cooler, too. Flavors like Chinotto and Aranciata add a fun, European twist to lunch.
Customers grab those drinks themselves from the refrigerator. It’s a small detail, but it keeps the line moving.
Tosca Italian Gourmet makes a good coffee stop even if you’re not hungry. Then again, standing near that pastry case without ordering takes real willpower.
Plan Your Trip, Park Smart, and Watch for Regional Dinners
Finding it is easier than pronouncing sfogliatella. Tosca Italian Gourmet sits at 25227 Borough Park Dr, Spring, TX 77380, United States.
The spot is in The Woodlands area, near Sawdust Road and I-45. It’s hidden behind an H-E-B, which makes it a smart stop after grocery shopping.
Parking can get tight, so arriving early helps. Pay close attention to posted parking signs, since towing is enforced nearby.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, starting early. Mondays are typically closed, so double-check before planning a weekend pastry run.
The bakery also hosts special dinner events with four-course meals. Each one explores the food traditions of a different Italian region, like a tasty geography lesson.
It has earned community love along the way. Tosca was voted The Best in the Woodlands Voters Choice for 2023.
Growth is on the horizon, with plans for locations in Cypress and Montgomery’s Pine Market. For now, this original Texas shop remains the place where the whole story began, one 3 a.m. focaccia at a time.
