Excellent cannoli can be found here. The best in the DMV, says my family. It's freshly made to order, so not sitting about. Another yelper clued me in on this and, really, that is what sets Cornucopia's cannoli apart. When in Bethesda, we always stop by to get some to take home. A most delightful personality in the owner, a transplanted Italian who is equal parts charm and hard work. Food products from Italy (of course) and other European (mostly Western) countries that are difficult to acquire are for sale here. At Christmas time, great stuff comes in. Better attention is needed in how its offerings are displayed and purchases are handled. For example, the cookies and sweets, of which there is quite a selection, are clumsily scattered here and there. The menu board needs some updating; there are too many lists and notices taped about. There is plenty of space inside, but things are not well organized. Also, the small eating nook really does not compel one to sit down to savor an expresso or have one of their sandwiches, etc. Italians are so good at design, just a word to the wise is probably all it will take. I do have a soft spot in my heart for this accurately-named establishment that features authentic delights from the Old World. Delizioso. read more

If you want to be transported to Italy, this is the right place. The gentleman running the shop is very kind and my tuna sandwich was so good. I definitely will be going back. Fresh, made to order sandwiches, food for purchase, a fridge filled with beverages. You can also buy frozen pasta and gelato. Definitely a neighborhood hidden gem. read more

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Amazing pastry from Vaccaro's with authentic Italian deli and specialty grocery is a winner. I've been hearing great things for a while and finally made it in for lunch. I got the "Carnevele" (a classic Italian cold cut sub) and I'm ready to eat lunch there tomorrow. There are a few tables, so think of this for carry-out or at least, not a big lunch group. Also, they close early, so GO EARLY if you want something to take home for dinner! Five stars on a one time visit may be jumping the gun, but the people who have told me about this and my experience today put Cornucopia on my very short list of top favorites. read more

Cornucopia - Vaccaro's inside! - Delis Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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I've been coming to this place ever since they first opened on Norfolk Avenue many years ago. Still just as good as ever, and the owner is super friendly and welcoming. Excellent selection of imported Italian specialty items, meat, olives, cheeses, and anything else you can think of. The main thing I come here for are the sandwiches. This is not your run-of-the-mill sub shop, so don't expect that sort of typical fare. Prices are a little on the expensive side but you get what you pay for in a big way. Some of the best quality ingredients you can find in this town. Instead of mayo, sandwiches are dressed with balsamic vinaigrette and adorned with roasted sweet peppers and marinated tomatoes. Truly a hidden gem. read more

This places proffers the finest artisanal products from Italy. If you like to eat, you must visit Ebo.

A stunner of a sandwich. The store goods were a bit pricey, but I blame that on the area. Apparently, they're also a great source for fresh bread? I'll be back for that, the gelato, and more sandwiches read more

Best sandwiches prepared with quality ingredients, skill and care. Skip the overpriced restaurants down the street and come here! read more

Cornucopia - Delis Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Such a gift to have this extraordinary little shop in our neighborhood. The fresh food is delicious (holy cannoli!) and the pantry offerings are extensive, high-quality, and unique. Your family will thank you profusely if you bring home any of their incredibly offerings; I experienced this myself. Businesses like this are rare nowadays and it would such a loss if they had to close. Please go visit! read more

This is easily one of our favorite Italian speciality markets in the Washington DC - Maryland area. They have a lot of goodies like yummy pasta sauces, artisanal pastas and some great quality olive oils but my favorite was their baked goods section. Their biscotti collection is to die for. My husband and I picked a couple of biscotti and wanted to pair them with some coffee. The owner was super helpful and suggested that we must go for the cappuccino and said that they're an Italian deli and they do cappuccinos the best. We went with his recommendation and boy was that a good cappuccino. Definitely one of the best ones I've had. We will definitely be back for more cappuccino and the next time we would love to try the deli sandwiches and their fresh cannolis read more

Stopped here after a spa service around the block, wish we would've kept walking. The sandwiches are small, expensive, and not really worth it. It took about 25 minutes to make 2 sandwiches when we were the only ones in the store. The sandwich menu should be elaborated to show what comes on what sandwich. We ordered the Italian Pastrami and the Turkey Classico - both were prepared the same way, same bread, same oils, same balsamic, same vegetables, same cheese, only thing different was the meat. Just wish it would have had more variety to the menu and the prices cheaper for what you get. read more

I stumbled upon this place while exploring my new Bethesda neighborhood, and it pretty much made my day. Let me explain why... I really just came in to browse around, not really knowing where this adventure would take me. I was greeted by every kind of Italian cookie you can think of, all beautifully displayed as I entered the shop. I knew this was gonna be a good decision. After browsing for about 10 minutes I settled on some non-filtered olive oil (mmmm), and a couple of cold cuts. Yes, it is a bit expensive, but it seems that most items are imported directly from Italy. I ordered salumi and speck, because this seemed like the type of place that would offer good dried meats. And, oh boy, was I right. I chatted with Ibo, the shop owner, for a bit and explained that my father is from Northern Italy and we ate a lot of speck when I was growing up. Well, when I got home and tasted the speck I had bought, it was like going back in time to my childhood. To top it off, Ibo was very pleasant and sent me home with a complimentary loaf of bread! All in all, a great experience. read more

We had the caprese sandwiches and they were excellent! Everything was super fresh and the bread was absolutely delicious. The owner helped us (we think) and was really lovely. We'll return when we're in the area again! read more

Good specialty grocers will have your hard-to-find ingredients but memorable places will inspire you to reach new culinary heights. If you leave without wanting to take something novel back to your kitchen, then you might as well head over to Safeway. The reality is that most imported items are now available at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and most mega-supermarkets. To stand out, the specialty grocer must have its own character to entice your patronage. Cornucopia is once such place where its brightly colored interior and in-house cafe makes you feel as if you're spending the afternoon in Italy. Tucked away in a remote corner of downtown Bethesda, Cornucopia is truly one of Bethesda's hidden treasures ... but not for long given its spotlight in the Washington Post (which also attributes to the recent surge of commentators). First a grocery store and second a cafe, you'll find items at Cornucopia like foglie d' autunno (leaves of autumn), which are pastel-colored rustic Italian pasta that resembles dried pea pods. Its selection pales in comparison to the warehouse-like A. Litterati's near Gallaudet but chances are that you're coming to Cornucopia for its abundant selection of pastry treats. With biscotti's, linzer cookies, and Florentine laces, you're reminded that Firehook's double chocolate chips aren't the only cookies in town. The homemade coconut gelato is so thick and creamy, you'll literally have to sink your teeth into it to chew through the coconut shavings. If you're lucky enough to sit at one of its 4 tables, you'll find yourself surrounded by ideas of future dishes yet to be cooked. There's bound to be something that'll catch your eye as you bite into one of Cornucopia's specialty sandwiches. For $7.99, you can't argue against a winning formula of cured meats, provolone, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar served on a baguette. But be sure to ask "Ibo" (the store owner) not to douse your sandwich with balsamic vinegar otherwise the tanginess of the vinegar will make the delicate sweet & spicy flavor of the paper-thin sausages. 4 Stars - I'd definately drop by when I'm in the area. read more

Cornucopia, a deli/gourmet shop, has been featured in Washington Post's Food section as well as in the Washingtonian Magazine as a great find. It's in a corner of Bethesda that you probably have never been, and you'll wonder why once you go there. The sandwiches are high-quality with meat that's sliced paper-thin and bread that is just right. It's a small, inexpensive place (around $7-8 for a sandwich) where you can find goodies like chocolates, cookies, pastries, etc. Yum! read more

I love this place. They have the best sandwiches in the DMV with great quality Italian ingredients. I always add balsamic to my sandwiches. I love the tuna sandwich or a simple prosciutto with roasted red peppers and balsamic. The items in their grocery section are also very good quality. Please visit this gem!! Would be very sad if it closed. read more

3.5 stars Some of their sandwiches are delicious -- and and some other Italian culinary delights as well -- a little off the beaten path, and a little bit on the expensive side. As mentioned, some of the pastries, cookies and sweets are delicious and worth the trip! read more

Wow. I need to wander aimlessly through the "other" side of Bethesda more often -- between Cornucopia and Just Cakes alone, the walk would be more than justified. I dragged my co-worker, Anne, in with me for a look around, and was immediately pleased to see a row of tasty-looking gelato (sadly unlabeled, or I would tell you what flavors they offer). A sign by the door advertised two scoops for $4.50 -- not terrible, given the Bethesda location of the store. I next noticed the deli in front of me and scanned the list of sandwiches, which fell in the range of $7-10 (again, pretty standard unless you're aiming for Potbelly's or Subway). The fresh meats, cheeses and herbs sounded tantalizing, and I'm definitely coming back to try some combinations out. The limited seating has been mentioned, so I won't go into it. As for other merchandise, Cornucopia offers a huge assortment of pastries, designer teas (I looooove Mighty Leaf, and they stock it), hard to find pastas (including Orchidee, which Anne said is extremely rare) and this absolutely delicious mango salsa made by Desert Pepper company (they also had raspberry chipotle and double garlic olive dip by DP-- I have to try those out, too!). All in all, I am inspired to return, and continue my summertime rambles on the other side of the B-town tracks. read more

The sandwich is small, and the prices are high ($12.99+ tax). Cornucopia does use pretty good meats in the Italian cold cut, however, it's unreasonable to wait 20+ minutes for a sandwich when no one else is in the store. A business is not sustainable when there is a lot of inventory sitting on the shelves in the store with a 20+ minute wait time. read more

Food - 3 stars: I'd heard good things about this place for months, so I stopped in to pick up a sandwich en route to work. I got a turkey sandwich, and, having just finished it, all i can say is....meh. I found it rather underwhelming, especially for $8. A little part of me wishes that I had decided to try eating a cannoli for lunch instead (who says you can't, anyway). I may stop in here later to try a dessert, but I think i will stick to the less-gourmet but highly-satisfying ranks of subway or potbelly's next time I want a turkey sub. Service: 5 stars - Sandwich aside, the people who work there were really nice. read more

The prices are far too high for the quality, portion sizes, and service. If you saved money from shopping off and on at this place for a year, you could visit actual Italy. The small store has potential, because some offerings are good, but it suffers from too much variety and insufficient staffing. Things are not labeled and priced reliably. The arrangement of goods is very chaotic (like that of a flea market) for the prices being charged. It was a 1-man show the several times I visited, so (very long waits with no apology for the wait. who does he think he is, the seinfeld soup nazi?) there wasn't enough attention paid to who arrived first in line. If I were management, I'd begin by cutting the inventory in half and hire a happy assistant or two with perfect handwriting and good organization skills. Another star off for upset stomach. read more

I first happened upon this lovely little store thanks to the BF (once again) since he lives right there. The first time I went in, I was pleasantly taken aback when the owner (who's pictures in newspaper interviews are plastered all over) shouted a happy hello. The selection in this wonderful little gem is outstanding. While I was there, I saw no less than 4 awesome looking party trays go out with lucky owners. The pastry and sweet counter is filled with all kinds of delights. Me...I stick with the cannoli, filling piped into it right in front of me. It is SO good. We've had bread from Conucopia so many times with dinner, it's ridiculous. And I seriously have to keep my hands away from the olives because I will (oh yes) eat them all. This is a neat little store with something for everyone. Gifts, fresh sandwiches, treats...you gotta check this place out. read more

4.5 Stars The best place for sandwiches I've found in the DC area. Sandwiches are made with high-quality Italian cold cuts and cheeses and expertly constructed; the ingredients are proportioned in the right amounts. Simple, fresh, delicious food - as Italian food should be. Portion sizes are perfect for me, but if you're very hungry or like large portions, you might want an accompaniment with the sandwich. Cornucopia has a good assortment of speciality Italian items: imported Italian olive oils, balsamic vinegars, canned tomatoes, specialty coffee and brands of rice and pasta. These items are not cheap, but when I'm cooking an Italian dish that I want to make extra special, I will often go here to pick up some high-quality ingredients (arborio rice and dried porcini mushrooms for risotto, imported canned Italian tuna, etc). I also enjoy the Italian pastries. If you are familiar with Italian pastries and enjoy them, then you will like the ones here. Ibo (shop owner) is very friendly, personable and accommodating. He will recommend items that he thinks you will like and he will give you a money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with the item (but I always am). Ibo's neighborly attitude and investment in product quality makes Cornucopia a great find in Bethesda and DC. read more

Stopped in on a stroll. Well stocked store. Friendly and helpful owner. Looking forward to checking in again. read more

4 stars is based solely on the sandwiches and cookies. The sandwiches are great. Crusty bread, fresh ingredients, etc. A bit on the expensive side but worth it. I wouldn't bother trying to eat here as the place has maybe 3 tables inside and 1 outside. I personally like the hot soprasetta w/ peppers, but i haven't really had a bad sandwich here. Staff is very helpful if you have any questions about the groceries. //edit - tried buying some baguettes to eat for breakfast and they're fantastic. So far the best ones i've bought from my, admittedly, limited number of places (whole foods, balducci's, safeway, etc) read more

I have been coming to this store for many years. And initially I thought that it was a great addition the Bethesda landscape. They had and continue to have a wide variety of breads, meats, cheese, pastries, pastas, sweets, and preserved items. But sadly I think that the wide selection has actually led to a problem, namely that I dont think that they have high enough turnover rate on all the products and so some of them get old and stale while on display. When you go in, you will always see a wide variety of pastries out on display, and it seems to never change, which leads one to wonder about the freshness. However, to be fair I never come into here for sweets so I cant say for certain if things are stale. There is one definite negative that I can give. And it is regarding the salumi. I remember years ago, I would come into the store to get some prosciutto or some other cured meat, and everything would be sliced to order right in front of me, just as its should be. But recently (on every single visit over the past few years) I have found that the meats are presliced and stored wrapped. Then if a customer asks for some prosciutto you find that the meat is weighed out from the presliced quantities and put into a new wrapping. This is sad on a number of levels. First, cured meats are best when freshly sliced, secondly, many of these meats are delicate and need to be placed in a non-overlapping manner when taken home so that they retain their shape and texture when serving at home. Both of these qualities are lost when served in the manner which they seem to have adopted. Frankly its a shame, and its even more of a shame because they have a Berkel slicer, which is the creme de la creme of slicers. Overall though the store has a great selection of items. Some might be slightly overpriced ($40/lb Bresaola ...). But some are reasonably priced (good baguettes at under $4). I think with a little more thought into the storing and serving aspects of the business there is a great potential here. read more

Great sandwiches for lunch and a nice, quiet spot to have real Italian coffee and cookies in the afternoon. You can tell the ingredients higher quality right away. read more

It's true that this is the best Italian sandwich shop around, by a wide margin. The ingredients are fresh, the cheese is superb, the balsamic vinegar perfect, and even the drizzled olive oil is top notch. Additionally, this places makes the best cannoli I have ever had.. anywhere. Including the stuff you find in the usual Little Italy's. I've converted Cannoli-haters by bringing them here. Finally, the gentleman who owns and runs this place, Ibo, is a real class act who loves food takes his work seriously. This place is awesome. read more

This is a really cute place to grab a sandwich or a snack or pick up an Italian dinner to go. It is like an upscale Vace's (but similar in price). Platters of European cookies and pastries piled high, big glass bins of olives for your choosing. I had a sandwich and they were very generous with the meat. It reminded me a lot like Vace's but cleaner, brighter ambience, and the staff is very friendly and helpful (whereas at Vace's sometimes they can be a little abrupt.) I'm so glad I found this place! read more

I had never been here before and swung by to grab a coffee. The shop was closed, so I updated the hours on yelp and was ready to pull away when I saw someone coming to the door and unlocking the shop. I poked my head in and asked how soon he might be ready to prepare a coffee thinking I would come back in 30 minutes. The owner was extremely sweet, apologize that the store has been closed this morning due to a family emergency, and didn't mediately offer to prepare me a cappuccino and handed me cookies to munch on while I waited. I should mention they were very good Amaretti - I had a hard time waiting for my cappuccino to arrive! He sent me off with my cappuccino, and a bag of assorted delicious Italian cookies. I will definitely be back! read more

I came in looking for mascarpone and amaro for a Christmas tiramisu. Unfortunately, they didn't sell liquor and it later turned out to be a particularly grainy variety of mascarpone that ruined the filling--not expired, just oddly textured. The clerk was very helpful and gave my sister delicious samples of some other cheeses, but it was frustrating to go out of our way to find a specialty store, only to then have to go buy more functional ingredients from the local grocery store. read more

Oh my god do we love Ebo. Fantastic pastries, delicious cannoli, a solid selection of meats and cheeses, strong coffee, a huge selection of olives (not my cuppa tea but my GF loves 'em), and a variety of Italian specialty groceries. Oh, and the baguettes, when he has them, are the real thing. But the real prize here is Ebo, a charming and fascinating gentleman-scholar, who is friendly and generous. If you stop in, tell him Brooklyn Girl and I say hi! read more

Delicious sandwiches, very fresh ingredients and portion was perfect. Service was fantastic too!

My daughter and I stopped in Cornucopia a few years ago when we were painting her room -- it is across from a paint store. We each ordered a deli sandwich -- both were delicious. Since then we went back a few times -- she loves their fresh mozzarella, basil, roasted pepper sandwich. The bread is excellent. The owner seems very friendly (I've met him since my first visit), but I was not impressed with some of the people that worked there when we went in the first time. It is an upscale kind of deli and I felt as if I didn't fit in with the intended clientele. read more

We stopped by here before going to our water rafting trip in Pennsylvania. It's a cute place with a nice view of greenery. The service was slow which is why I am not rating this as a 4 star. Otherwise the food was good. The cheese assortment was good and the arugula salad with Parmesan was also good. The peach lemonade looked good too. read more

I finally got a chance to see what Cornucopia was all about. Its not a large store, but they do well with their space. You're greeted by a wonderful assortment of cookies as you walk in, as well as probably the best French bread I've had in the states. You can just tell as you squeeze it, this is as close to the real thing as you're gonna get. Seriously, its worth going for the bread alone. The selection of pasta's and sauces is great, but a bit on the expensive side. For some things, like the olive oil, I'll be going here from now on. For others, you can probably get similar products elsewhere for less. We also ordered a couple sandwiches and ate them in the store. They were delicious, and a different style than you'd find at the Italian Store in northern Virginia. These were simpler, felt more authentic, and again, the bread made a huge difference. I love the Italian Store, but their sub's are more Italian style Philly hoagie's, fine if that's your thing. The owner (or manager maybe) was wonderful, gave us free samples of a italian pastrami, their connoli's, and even sent us on our way with some free almond pastry's. I imagine we'll be going there on a sunday every now and then for some food, incredibly delicious cookies, and that wonderful bread. read more

Crunchy baguette, fresh ingredients, and amazing olive oil. I really enjoyed my caprese sandwich!

This place is wonderful - not only do they have delicious pastries that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere in the DMV (most places just stare at you when you ask for sfogliatelle) and a great selection of specialty groceries, but the customer service is beyond wonderful. On a recent visit, there weren't any baked sfogliatelles (and I wasn't able to take a frozen one with me), so the gentleman put two (amazing) almond cookies in with my cannoli as a consolation prize. He was beyond helpful and kind. This shop not only has the goods but truly cares about and looks out for its customers. I'll be back again sooner than later! read more

Got the Bresaloa sandwich. Great bread and ingredients. The gentleman said they are having issues with Italy to get the coldcuts they want. No Italian cold cuts here. Besides that, the reason I could only give 4 stars is the price. Regardless of being in Bethesda, $13.77 for a 9" sandwich is WAY too much money. read more

One of the best collection of Italian food in the area. Everything is authentic and good, including their vast selection of sweet treats. The coffee is amazing and their sandwiches are really good and truly Italian. Only caveat: Its too damn expensive. $12.99 for a sandwich! $12.99 for a sandwich is too much for a market/deli like setup. I think for that price you can have lunch entrees at sit down restaurants. I would go there again, but I would really like to see prices being more in line with other places in Bethesda. read more

This place is off the charts for authenticity, quality and deliciousness. It should be mobbed but it's usually quiet when I come. When I am in Bethesda, I eat here. read more