The Best Italian Bakeries In Every State

When it comes to national cuisines, Italians have a lot they can boast about. For one thing, there's pizza, one of the most popular meals in the world, per The Washington Post. And of course, we can't forget about pasta. Add to this a healthy dash of illustrious drinks, including the negroni, and it quickly becomes apparent that Italy is home to one of the world's most prominent cuisines.

In America, the love for Italian cuisine runs deep thanks to nearly 200 years of cultural integration (via National Geographic). So deep in fact that there are some 100,000 Italian restaurants operating in America. Many of these serve the two giants of Italian food — pizza and pasta. However, there is another facet of Italian cuisine that is also widely sold in the United States — baked goods.

Italians began baking bread more than 2,000 years ago, per Italy Magazine, and have since perfected the art. Yet, it isn't just bread that is found in Italian bakeries, but some of the world's favorite sweet treats, including the iconic sfogliatella (via Atlas Obscura). Italian bakeries have become institutions across America with these delightful specialties being found in just about every state. Read on to discover the very best Italian bakeries each state has to offer.

Another state that understandably lacks Italian bakeries is Alaska. Yet, the overall bakery scene in the northernmost state is thriving, especially in Anchorage. Here, Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop is touted as the best in town (via TripAdvisor). The fantastic array of both savory and sweet bakes has led this particular bakery to gain acclaim outside of the state too, appearing in articles written by national publications such as The New York Times. Furthermore, during his time at Fire Island, ex-head baker Carlyle Watt received a James Beard nomination for outstanding baker, per Anchorage Daily News.

Located in Hot Springs, Ambrosia Bakery Co. brings some Italian treats to the state of Arkansas. Some of their delectable offerings include a ricotta-filled cannoli and a classic Italian cream cake, which, according to one reviewer on Google Reviews, "is the best!" Another reviewer also declared, "They have the best Italian cream cake you'll An extensive breakfast, sandwich, and lunch menu is also served. The full range of products, from pastries to breakfasts, are reported as being of extremely high quality, meaning that no matter your tastes, there is something at Ambrosia Bakery Co. for you.

Dolce Sicilia Italian Bakery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, is, as one reviewer puts it, "A piece of Italy in Colorado." Known for producing classic specialties such as lobster tails and cannoli, the bakery has also made a name for itself by baking its own ciabatta and panettones. One Italian New Yorker even went as far as to suggest that the treats here ranked as some of the best he had ever enjoyed both in America and Italy. Furthermore, the bakery also offers sandwiches that feature playful Italian fillings, such as eggplant parmigiana.

Ranked as the absolute best place for desserts in Rehoboth Beach on TripAdvisor, Frank and Louie's Italian Specialties offers a fantastic range of sweet treats, including fruit crostatas and biscotti. What's more, the establishment even offers delicious made-to-order sandwiches served on fresh, homemade ciabatta bread.

Further north, in Elsmere, Serpe's Bakery has been serving the community since 1952 and was voted "Readers Choice Best Bakery" in The News Journal from 2001 to 2011. The bakery specializes in traditional Italian pastries; however, many regulars insist you simply have to order the tomato pie, as per Google Reviews.

Pala Bakery, which only opened in February 2022, has quickly become an important part of both the Paces and West Buckhead communities in Atlanta. Giovanni Di Palma and his son Johnny own several other Italian eateries in Atlanta (via Buckhead). Pala has become renowned for its excellent Roman pizza, as well as pastries, including cornetti and ciambella.

Alpine Bakery in Woodstock and Crabapple offers an incredible array of baked goods, including over 20 types of cookies and enough cakes and pastries to fill over 60 feet worth of counter space. The abundance of options has made the bakery become highly popular with locals and tourists alike (via Yelp).

As Idaho 6 News reports, Bella Biscotteria was launched by Adrian and Robyn Kutch as a way for them to settle into Eagle's community. The shop has been welcomed with open arms, largely thanks to the incredible biscotti and Italian butter cookies the couple makes by hand.

Elsewhere in Idaho, Zeppole Baking Co. has made a name for itself by producing a wide range of artisanal breads and pastries at its two locations in Boise. The bakery's specialties include pane di Como, pane rustica, and ciabatta, which are hand-crafted and baked daily.

Macri's Italian Bakery is a hugely popular spot in South Bend that consistently receives five stars from reviewers (per Google Reviews) thanks to a large selection of exemplary Italian bakes. While known for classics such as cannoli and tiramisu, Macri's sets itself apart by also producing incredibly well-executed specialties, most notably the torta della nonna.

Carmel has been spoiled for Italian treats ever since Stacco House opened in 2020. Stacco has gained a reputation for producing superb Italian pastries, as well as gelato. You can also expect excellent coffee, crisp cannoli, and even pizza if you so desire.

Bagatelle Bakery is ranked in the top three bakeries in Wichita, according to Yelp, with many customers raving about all aspects of this European-style bakery. One reviewer stated, "Bagatelle Bakery is the best bakery in the Wichita surrounding area," and that "their bread is to die for." Another reviewer said, "Our kids love the cheesecake." For those searching for Italian flavors, the bakery produces fresh ciabatta and Italian loaves. While on the sweeter side of things, the bakery is known for its astounding tiramisu cake. High-quality cakes can also be made to order, meaning a dash of Italian flavor can be used to celebrate any occasion.

Angelo Brocato has been a family-owned ice cream parlor and bakery for more than 100 years. During this time, the bakery has introduced the people of New Orleans to a range of new and exciting flavors of gelato, such as torroncino, a vanilla-based gelato with cinnamon almonds. However, it is the range of incredible pastries that really impresses customers. The bakery makes everything from cannoncini to tiramisu to a variety of biscotti flavors. With a Google Review rating of 4.8/5 after over 1,600 reviews, you know that Angelo Brocato is the real deal.

Vaccaro's Pastry has three locations throughout Baltimore. Still using the Old-World recipes brought over from Sicily by founder Gioacchino Vaccaro, his son Nick has continued to impress customers with fantastic bakes that include rum cakes, cassata cakes, and numerous Italian cookies. And with over 2,000 positive reviews it is clear to see that Vaccaro's is an Italian bakery you do not want to miss (via Google Reviews).

Maranto's Bakery boasts the accolade of being Baltimore's oldest bakery. The bakery's excellent, hearth-baked, Italian bread has enabled the company to survive two world wars and the great depression. Nearly everyone agrees that the best bread in Maryland comes from Marantos.

Bommarito Bakery is known for its world-famous subs that are served on homemade Italian bread. Add to this a range of classic Italian cakes and pastries and it is easy to see why the bakery ranked No. 1 in St. Clair Shores, per TripAdvisor.

Vito's Bakery produces some of the best Italian pastries in Michigan according to CBS Detroit and has a reputation for being "the area's legendary quality bakery." As with all wonderful bakeries, the recipe for its flagship product, the cannoli, is kept a secret. All the more reason to get down there and taste a few yourself.

One of the best places to enjoy Italian pastries in Mississippi is French Kiss Pastries in Ocean Springs. The small bakery is known for its Italian and French desserts, such as gelato and cannoli topped with chocolate chips and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Reviewers on TripAdvisor rave about the bakery, saying, the "cannoli was fresh and tasty," and that "your taste buds will appreciate it!" Another reviewer stated, "This place was sweet, high-quality, and would definitely recommend." Aside from single-serving treats, the bakery also makes a variety of custom cakes for any occasion.

Montana is another state that seems to prefer other styles of bakeries above Italian. Yet, when it comes to bread there is still a demand for Italian favorites. This demand is met by Park Avenue Bakery in Helena. Here, the cake and cookie selection might be dominated by American baked goods, but the bread features a definite Italian twist. Freshly made loaves of ciabatta, focaccia, and old-world Italian make Park Avenue one of the best bakeries in Montana with TripAdvisor reviewers saying, "Everything in here was amazing and I crave their bread every day."

Most people don't come to Nevada for authentic Italian pastries but that doesn't mean there aren't any. In recent years, Las Vegas has become a top destination for foodies, as KTNV reports. This increased demand resulted in Eataly opening in the city. As part of the large food hall that first welcomed guests in 2018 (per RLI), Eataly launched La Pasticceria, where iconic Italian baked goods are made daily.

Challenging La Pasticceria as the best Italian bakery in Vegas is Zeppola Cafe, an establishment found within the Venetian Resort. Customers have been wowed by authentic bakes that include focaccia, sfilatino, and bombolones.

Originally located in West Village, New York City, Prato Bakery made the move to New Jersey in 2015 and has been serving Jersey City ever since. Head baker Simone pays homage to his Italian hometown with both the name of the bakery and the products he creates, celebrating Italian classics, such as brutti ma buoni, a cookie made of almonds and egg whites.

In Ramsey, L'Arte della Pasticceria has gained excellent reviews for producing a delicious range of cakes and baked goods (via Yelp). One way this bakery stands out is by offering a huge variety of traditional tortes, ranging from torta savoia to sbrisolona.

Mazzola Bakery has been serving its customers in Brooklyn for nearly a century. Known for savory bakes as much as sweet ones, the bakery has carved a niche in many customer's hearts through the provision of authentic, brilliant products including the always-popular lard bread (via Google Reviews).

Even older than Mazzola is the New York institution that is Veniero's Pasticceria & Caffé, which opened in 1894. The bakery has gained acclaim for its beautiful interiors and even more impressive bakes, which are frequently featured in publications such as Time Out and programs including Food Network's "Road Tasted."

Ranked as the number one establishment for dessert in Fargo (via TripAdvisor), Nichole's Fine Pastry has made a name for itself thanks to the excellent selection of seasonal bakes, which recently includes a caramel cheesecake topped with apple and cinnamon compote. For those eager for an Italian fix, the bakery offers freshly made and filled cannoli topped with pistachios, candied orange peel, or chocolate. The Italian treat has been met with praise by customers, with one reviewer stating, "The ricotta filling was not-too-sweet, just right. The crust shattered under my fork. Perfect."

A well-loved dessert and gelato spot in Oklahoma City, Dolci Paradiso provides a range of cakes, bakes, cheesecakes, filled-to-order cannoli, and tiramisu. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with many highlighting the high quality of the gelato and the impressive range of baked goods (via Yelp).

Nana Rose's Italian Bakery & Market in Tulsa is a bakery and cafe inspired by the owner's Sicilian grandmother, Rose, per Fox News 23. The baked goods are of an authenticity not found elsewhere in the state. Since opening, the bakery has been a hit with many customers loving the fresh, speciality nature of the bakes, per Google Reviews.

Riccardo "Pete" Alaimo is the owner and baker at La Dolce Vita in Allentown. Born and raised in Sicily, Alaimo has a long history as a baker, having worked in both Italy and America. Alaimo now uses his talents to create a whole range of Italian biscotti, pastries, and cakes, many of which have been recognized as being top quality by customers (via Google Reviews). One reviewer went so far as to say, "Marvelous pastries made by the magical people that value traditional food." However, what steals the show is Alaimo's range of tortas, traditional Italian cakes (such as cassata Siciliana), and torta amaretto.

Landolfi's is a bakery and pizzeria in Pawleys Island that welcomes people to enjoy full meals from the menu as well as a selection of their home-baked pastries and breads. Amongst other things, Landolfi's sells excellent sfogliatella, per Yelp reviews, and cannoli (via Google Reviews). 

Carmella's Cafe &  Dessert Bar serves two communities — Charleston and Greenville. Both offer a range of traditional Italian baked goods, frequently with a modern twist. One example is the cannoli cake, which is a chocolate and vanilla cake both filled and frosted with cannoli cream.

Alessandro's Italian Artisan Bakery is the definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away in the small city of South Pittsburg, the bakery produces an impressive range of bakes that are of such quality that it has yet to receive anything less than a five-star review across multiple reviewing platforms, including Google Reviews. Opened by a couple from Northern Italy, the bakery produces astounding authentic Italian sweets, while also managing to create exciting savory bakes, including the incredible-sounding parmesan and pesto rolls. To put it simply, if you happen to be in Tennessee, you have to swing by Alessandro's.

Another bakery setup by recent immigrants from Sicily is Sapori Italian Bakery & Cafe in Ogden. Opened in 2017, the cafe and bakery has gone from strength to strength, thanks to a range of authentic, traditional products ranging from crostini to fazzoletto. What has made the bakery even more popular is the range of savory bites and meals on offer, with many customers claiming the savory meals even rival the quality of the baked goods, per Google Reviews. While still young, the bakery is undoubtedly growing in stature, a fact attested to by it being featured in Season 7 of "Taste Utah."

Nicole Liberatore, owner and baker of Bisnonna Bakeshop in Annandale, was only able to open the bakery after winning the DreamStart Competition, a contest organized by Tysons Corner Center mall, per Northern Virginia Magazine. Thank goodness Liberatore did win, otherwise Virginia would be deprived of many brilliant baked goodies, such as Italian rainbow cookies, pecan chocolate cannoli, tiramisu, sfogliatelle, and pignoli. The bakery even offers seasonal cannoli samplers. The incredible quality of these bakes has seen Bisnonna Bakeshop achieve a perfect rating of five on Yelp and gain features in national publications such as The Washington Post.

Being well over 100 years old, Tomaro's Bakery is easily the oldest Italian bread bakery in West Virginia. It remains as popular as ever and is ranked as the No. 1 spot for quick bites in Clarksburg, per TripAdvisor. Tomaro's most popular — and probably best — item is the pepperoni roll. Many customers swear that these are not only the best pepperoni rolls in the state but the entire country, per Google Reviews. You can find out for yourself regardless of where you're located, as Tomaro's products are being shipped nationally via Gold Belly.

Unfortunately, for those living in Wyoming, there is a serious lack of Italian bakeries. This is not to say you can't find delicious Italian baked goods in the state. Quite the contrary. Cannoli Bliss is a specialty dessert trailer that travels throughout Wyoming and Montana selling treats inspired by Italy to those with cravings. As the name implies, the dessert trailer is best known for the variety of cannoli on offer. While you can certainly order a classic cannoli, why not go all-in and try the banana split cannoli, complete with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry?