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Bova's Bakery is a well-oiled machine! We were so impressed with how they got us in and out even when we were waiting in a long line to get in. We went here every night during our recent trip to Boston because we couldn't get enough of the cannolis! All the flavors we tried were delicious but the crème brûlée cannoli was our favorite.
I came inside just at the right time. I was so lucky. I checked the place out because it was the first bakery I saw when I turned the street. I didn't know of the bakery's good reputation. I was glad I stayed. It had a line inside the shop, but when I left. The line wrapped around the block. I came on a holiday. I got a Cannoli. How can you not? They have a huge pyramid as you walk in. I also got the cinnamon swirling bread. I loved both. The cannolis were delicious and fresh. I see why they have a tower lol. I recommend them. This is a small bakery. It can get tight inside. It gets really busy. It is worth the visit. It has a good reputation around here, and they are good. The service is fast. People are behind. It is friendly. Just know what you want before getting to the counter. It was hard maneuvering around the crowd.
Our friend wanted to get a cannoli here so we went over. There was a line outside but it was moving and once inside it was sort of a circular wrapping the edges of the store. The hubs got a meat (Italian cold cut) calzone and friend got a chocolate cannoli. Everything looked really amazing- all the sweet treats! No wonder the lines! Hubs enjoyed his calzone next day for lunch! Overall good experience.
I can't pick a favorite cannoli because they were all so delicious!! You can't really go wrong with any of them. The line can get crazy so be prepared to wait but the service is very fast. There is no space inside because of how busy it gets so it's more of a grab and go situation.
"Bill, ya gotta go to Bova's for their Florentine cannoli!" Andie E, what a great tip! I have been to Florence Italy but never heard of a Florentine cannoli before. What a fantastic treat! I've been to Bova's bakery but wasn't on my radar during this Boston trip. When the Florentine cannoli was mentioned, I changed all my plans to try this cannoli. As luck would have it there was a parking spot almost across the street. I walked inside with one person in front of me. The display case has the all the freshly made cannoli front and center. How do you choose only one? I asked the counter person for a Florentine cannoli and a piece of apple strudel to go. I was out the door in five minutes, hooray! Once I got back to my hotel, I had to take a picture of this incredible pastry. First bite and I get the taste of lace cookie compared to what we're all used to, a crunchy shell. The lace cookie shell is incredible, it's firing off all senses. The cannoli cream is fantastic! Overall, this is a 10 out of 10 pastry. Forget those two large pastry shops with long lines, Bova's Bakery is a must stop when visiting Boston. If it's your first time trying a Florentine cannoli, Bova's Bakery makes the best on the north end. You're welcome.
This iconic BOVA's BAKERY & pastry shop has been Opened since 1926, 24 hours a day! Throughout my life I have had almost every cookie, every dessert that was made here and unless it's 12 midnight this place is always busy and you have to be patient in line! It's worth it! Fresh, tasty and oh so delicious!
This mighty bakery on the corner has got everything you could ask for. With the crazy variety of sweet and savory, the hard part is narrowing down what you can actually fit in your stomach. If you see a line out the door, don't hesitate and get in the back of the line because it moves FAST. I really wanted the pistachio cannoli (should have gotten 2!) and ended up grabbing a Sicilian slice as well. I'll be back for another sweet treat tomorrow!
During my trip to Boston I tried Modern, Mike's and Bova's. In terms of cannoli my favorite was the one from Modern by Bova's was very close, definitely better than Mike's. The cream was light and fluffy and the chocolate chips were flavorful. Also tried the mini lobster tail from Bova's which was delicious. It was crispy and flaky and the cream inside was super light. There was a line out the door and wrapped around the corner when I went on a Saturday night but it moved quickly. They're open 24 hours and they take card. Highly recommend giving it a try. I'd love to go back and try more of their stuff!
For what it is, and how late it's open, this place gets a 4 out of 5. I probably wouldn't come here for food during the day when there's other options, but when it's late night and nothing else is open this is definitely a great spot to go. Got a steak and cheese calzone late night and it was solid. Tasted kind of like a cheesesteak except not in a bun. Pretty good! I'd definitely come back for late night cravings. Guy taking the order was very nice too.
I'm sure this place doesn't need any more publicity, as the line is always around the block! If you happen to be in the neighborhood on one of the less busy days, it's definitely worth a stop. We tried the rum cake, which was a bit too sweet for me personally but still tasty, and the steak and cheese rice ball. The rice ball was amazing!!! Filled with so much shaved steak, lots of cheese, and it came with really tasty marinara. Took a few minutes to warm up, but definitely worth the wait. I wish I could go back for another right now as I reflect --truly delightful.
The pistachio macaroons were a bit too sweet for my taste and overpowered the actual pistachio pieces that were in the pastry (also with a strong flavor of almond extract which I didn't mind, but FYI). Also quite expensive - priced by weight but ended up being $8 for four small pieces. We also got the nutella and coffee cannoli and oreo cannoli, both of which were delicious. The fillings were creamy and the outer shell was crispy. They had numerous flavors of cannolis to choose from. Unfortunately, did not have lobster tails ready when we went in the morning but will have to loop back around another time to try! Staff provided quick service, be prepared to grab and go.
What an incredible Italian bakery! The variety was impressive, I would've gotten a little bit of everything if I could've. They had plenty of staff that were helping to take orders. The rainbow cookies were some of the best I've had, and I really enjoyed the amount of jam in them. Looking forward to coming back to try more, and love that they're open 24 hours!
Late-night visit. Surrounded by college students, a bustling crowd, and a fast-moving line. As a visitor from out of town, I was a bit overwhelmed and intimidated at first. Then I got to the display case. The pastry jewels behind that classic bakery glass made everything else disappear. There were so many desserts, too many to name, and they all looked absolutely scrumptious. Every time I thought I'd made up my mind, I'd spot another treat that looked just as tempting. For stomach-room's sake, I limited myself to two options, but honestly, I could've happily sampled a dozen. Everything I tried was delicious, and the hardest part of the experience was deciding what not to order. Bova's is exactly the kind of bakery you hope to stumble upon while traveling. I'll gladly return to try more on my next adventure to BOS.
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck filmed at this location in their movie 'The Instigator'...so we decided to check this place out. Bakery is very bright inside and has a huge selection of pastries, cakes, and cookies. Hard to pick just one or two to try. We picked the Ricotta Zeppoli and a cannoli to try. Both were yummy. There's really no line system in this place. Seems people just come in and cut in front of people who wants to order. read more
2 years ago
Came here for dessert after getting dinner. Pretty good pastries and the line goes pretty quickly. They accept card or cash but you get a discount if you have cash. read more
1 year ago
Waited in line for a wide variety of cannoli-all ready to eat... the line tells you all you need to know. Did not disappoint. read more
This is my favorite 2am spot - post game after clubbing! Whether you are a reckless twenty something or an old fashioned tourist, this 24/7 spot is perfect and authentically true to its customer base. I have lots of respect for the amount of stress the workers must go through! As for the food! Nothing can be hearty Italian carbs at any time of the night! Highly recommend the steak and cheese calzone - that one changed the game for me. If you do decide to go late at night (because after 1am or 2am that's when the deals happen) please be careful! There's a lot of young people cramped around that corner after clubbing (guilty!). But not to worry - it's always a fun time. read more
2 years ago
We went for the cannoli. Locals told us it was the best and it was very good. Be careful when you develop your craving though because at peak hours there's a really long line. We also got some créme brûlée and it was delicious! read more
Boston Cannolis are next level great. While I tried Mike's earlier, one late night craving drew me to Bova's. It's a typical old school family pastry shop with loud but friendly staff. Located in the picturesque North end amongst narrow alleyways, it's a bustling place filled with lipsmacking cannolis, cakes, pastries, sweet breads and all goodies alike. Tried their famous Florentine cannoli & pistachio one to contrast it. The florentine is unique & delicious with its shell made of almond flour & honey stuffed with creamy sweet ricotta. Loved it! But the pistachio cannoli was a disappointment as it had a very artificial essence like taste and a fake minty green color. Also took a bite of their tiramisu which was really nice too. Good stuff overall. read more
1 year ago
Bova's is is one of the North End staples that's a MUST try if you're in the area. It's open 24/7 so anytime is a good time to visit. There's always a line and the space is small so be ready for a little chaos and be ready to order. They have the best assortment of sweet treats and baked goods. I haven't yet tried something thats not great here. If you're only here for a one time visit I would recommend any of their cannolis. And if you live around here they have great affordable bread. read more
5 months ago
I made a Cannoli tour in Boston North End and visited the big three: Mike's Pastry, Modern Pastry, and Bova's Bakery. For me, Bova's is #1, Modern #2 and the infamous Mike's is #3. This review is for Bova's. The cannolis were prefilled in the display case, but they were FRESHLY filled. The shell was crispy, an important attribute. Most importantly, the Cannoli filling was proper Italian style. It is sweet (of course) but not overly cloying sweet. It has no notes of cream cheese, which some add to their Cannoli filling, to their detriment. FLORINTINE CANNOLI - you don't want to miss this! It was incredible. Florentine is a standard Cannoli style where shell is made with sugar, honey and almonds. The rich, caramelized roaasty flavors add an amazing dimension to the cannoli! Bova's has perfected this style Cannoli. CREME BRULEE CANNOLI - this was super delicious too. This was slightly creamier than standard Cannoli filling. It is a nice subtle twist on a traditional Cannoli. read more
Tried Bova' Bakery in Boston. This bakery is open 24*7 serving amazing & fresh pasteries, puffs, rolls, bread and what not.. We stopped by around 1 AM and this place was packed with folks.. However, it took no time for someone to ask us our order and give it to us.. We ordered their Chocolate Truffle Bomb (the best), Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake (lovely) & Florentine Shell Ricotta Cannoli (my husband loved it).. We also ordered their chicken rolls and they tasted amazing. Their whole menu is available here: http://bovabakeryboston.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bova_Menu.pdf They have plenty of sweet and savory options which means there is something for everyone here. Prices are reasonable. Service is quick. Highly recommend this bakery when in Boston. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
In the heated debate of Mike's vs. Modern... Bova's wins every time for me. It's family owned, open 24/7, and they serve practically everything! From cannoli, to calzone, to creme brulee, to arancini, to endless kinds of cakes and cookies, you will find something for everyone here. It's a teensy bit off the beaten path, but it is well worth trying. It's always busy but the line moves fast, and everything is fresh with the constant turnover. Highly recommend the Florentine cannoli, lobster tails, and arancini. But really you can't go wrong with anything here! This is my go-to bakery in the North End, just be careful bc you might not be able to stop coming read more
24/7 That in it of itself is grounds for awesomeness! They have a nice variety of sweet and savory options. Don't sleep on the giant chocolate chip cookie because it's pretty good--even a few days later. I really enjoyed the florentine cannoli! The shell has a tasty carmelization to it would 100% get that again as well. Tried an arrancini--cheese and meatball and a calzone-buffalo chicken. They were ok. Nice portions but I don't necessarily feel like I need them again. Parking can be challenging in the area but both times I went on my most recent visit I was able to snag a spot down the street. read more
The pistachio cannoli was delicious and so decadent with such rich flavor. We got the pistachio and regular cannoli and they were both wonderful. I'd recommend the pistachio wholly and the crunchy shell was super good and fresh. The service was so friendly too. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Ok this is one of the oldest continuously operated bakeries in the north end. We saw this featured on a TV show before coming to Boston and had to try it out. Excellent cannolis and cookies. The Greek wedding cookies are especially delightful. Lived up to the hype. Can't compare to any other bakeries in the area, leave that up to local experts. But we were very happy here. read more
8 months ago
Wow! If you need something sweet, this is the place. Open 24 hours, it's clean and bright. Better have your order ready when it's your turn. There is so much to choose from and everything looks delicious. I picked the coconut cake and salted caramel cannoli. The coconut cake was so moist with lots of coconut flavor. The cannoli was dipped in chocolate and was so rich. Everything was good. read more
As you probably already know, Bova's Bakery is the only 24-hour bakery in Boston's North End - a historically Italian neighborhood. They've got Italian cookies, pastries, and cakes to appease your sweet tooth. Seeking something savory? They've got you covered with pizza, calzones, subs, and arancini. They do this seven days a week! The selection is impressive. Even more impressive, they are usually pretty well stocked. So how are their baked goods? Everything is pretty damn tasty! I mean, they've been around for 98-ish years, so that's plenty of time to perfect their craft. Personally, I think their cookies are hard to beat and they make excellent gifts if visiting from out of town. I really enjoy their tiramisu, especially the pistachio version. Mike's is my preference for cannolis. Galleria Umberto for arancini and pizza. But still, I've always been perfectly happy with Bova's. Bova's is an excellent bakery and if they were to relocate to any of the places I've lived, they would still be the best Italian bakery in town. As for the ambiance, it's an old-school mom & pop place. There are no tables. There are no chairs. That's fine. Take your baked goods home or eat outside alfresco. Just remember to throw away your trash like a responsible human being. Overall, I like Bova's and I think they are an excellent bakery. I respect the amount of effort it takes to keep that place running. I just think some of their neighbors are a little better. read more
Really good! We got a meatball and cheese calzone and a spinach and cheese arancini. The calzone was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was super doughy and good. The arancini was not my favorite, it had way too much spinach in it. I wish they had one with just the rice and cheese. The eclair was very sweet but the chocolate frosting on top was delicious. There is no seating inside so we took it to some tables a few blocks down. The workers were very friendly. read more
Coolest Italian bakery that I've ever seen! Excellent service; no numbers but customers are served quickly and efficiently. Mouthwatering cookies, cakes, pies, breakfast pastries including about 10 varieties of freshly-made cannoli. We purchased a chocolate covered Milano which was two Milanos with chocolate cream in the middle and dipped in chocolate, a Giant m&m cookie, Oreo cannoli, and S'mores brownie. DEverything was fabulous. Bakery is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hope to return again the next time we're in town. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
We were visiting from Mississippi for the first time. We'd tried a few other local dessert places and were left very underwhelmed. A local friend suggested Bova's. It was so fantastic, we walked another 30 minute trip back two days later! We'd never tried a cannoli, so we got the chocolate chip. Oh my goodness. No wonder they're so popular! We should have gotten more! If you love apple, the apple dumpling is out of this world. Go ahead and get two. They forgot to give us napkins and forks (no big deal), but definitely grab those. You'll need them! When we visit again, Bova will be at the top of our list! read more
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Okay so I must admit that I didn't get to try my dessert... Our flights were cancelled and I ordered a creme brûlée, we got a bunch of cookies, and then every other member of my family got a 'fancy dessert'. After we all made it to our destination, I realized my dessert did not. My family admitted they ate it on the airplane taking off .. FROM BOSTON, I guess it was too good to wait. I'm not mad. Plan on coming back 10/10 :) I will revise/update this review when that time comes. ((I've had the cannolis from here before and my family moved over to this bakery a couple years back. It's always been consistently GREAT.... I just cannot wait to try their crème brûlée). read more
1 year ago
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The Boston Crème Donut was so good. We got a few different things and they were all fresh and not too heavy. They are also 24 hours so if you're in the mood for a late snack. read more
More info about Bova's Bakery
134 Salem St
Boston, MA 02113
North End
Directions
(617) 523-5601
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http://bovabakeryboston.net
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Ask the Community - Bova's Bakery
Do you accept Apple Pay?
Yes we do thank you for your question, George F Bova Partner/Co Owner…
Is the Florentine cannoli gluten free? Just almond meal?
Hi Charlene, We can not say the Florentines are gluten free. Recipe varies slightly depending on temperature and humidity and sometimes flour is added slightly. In response…
Do they have a ricotta pistachio cake?
I haven’t seen it in the store but you can order it I’m sure I’d be more than happy to make you cakes.
Is this a sit down place?
No. We get ours and then walk to the greenway to eat it
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