Bought 3 items on my visit. Linzer tart was hard and stale; napolean was dry and hard; lobster tail had a good amount of cream, but cream was sour. Very disappointing experience. Wasted my $15. Will not be patronizing this bakery. read more

Italian bakery in Lafayette ave. They have everything that your sweet tooth may be craving. Gained weight just looking at the display cases. The Italian pastries are to die for, too many to list. Cookies, cakes made to order for all occasions. Everything freshly made. Trying to convince owner to re-locate to SW Florida, unfortunately he's not budging and says he likes the cold weather. Stop by and indulge yourself, you will not be disappointed. read more

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Service to me is a large part of the experience when dining or shopping. In II Dolce's case my overall experience was exceptional. I assume it was the owner who served me in my early morning visit. Super friendly and promptly served. As for the establishment itself, it was clean and uncluttered. Finally, it was my first time trying the pastries and I was not disappointed. I purchased an assortment of minis and each one was better than the next. read more

Everything I ever bought there was fresh and delicious. The pastry is amazing and the biscotti are top notch. As for the people complaining about the prices, check out what your paying for eggs and butter the next time you go shopping If you want a quality product, don't complain about the price. read more

I enjoy visiting my Friday I'll Dolce authentic Sicilian Italian bakery. We live there Cassata Cake one of the best we tasted anywhere. Our Sunday treat! read more

Amazing cakes and pastries! Well worth the visit! Love the place! Top notch! Wouldn't go anywhere else! Yum!!

First visit here in a ton of years. But the Italian cookies are excellent - not the industrial factory ones you get most other places. Had one pasty - the Baba and it was sensational although too sweet but that is the American preference it seems. Otherwise very nicely done brioche and soaked with nice rum flavored syrup. Looking at all the other pastries on display to my eye they all Looked many cuts above other places - reminds me of the local shops in the city where I grew up a century ago .. will be back for a more general sampling !! read more

A MUST for all your pastry needs! They are a full-service Italian bakery and pastry shop. Their cheesecake with strawberries on top is perfect, cannoli's on point, biscotti's awesome and cookies yummy! Always look forward to going back. read more

Great prices. Excellent selection. Everything is delicious. One stop shop for anything you could need from a north jersey bakery! read more

Il Dolce - Bakeries Near Me - Hawthorne, New Jersey

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In the search for Italian butter cookies for Christmas and Il Dolce was recommended by a close friend. We had gone on Christmas Eve and right when we arrived at the bakery there was a short line in front of the store. We had found parking on the street and waited on line. We waited about 15 minutes before it was our turn to finally enter. They limit the amount of guests to 4 at a time. Upon entering there were cases of cakes, cookies, fruit tarts, and pastries. They all looked sooo good! We were immediately welcomed by the ladies at the counter. We had ordered a variety of the butter cookies. They had sprinkles, jelly, and mini cookie sandwiches. They also had almond cookies. We had as well ordered cannolis. We were in and out of the bakery in 5 minutes with our order. The cookies were all delicious and not too sweet. My sister had enjoyed the cannolis especially the chocolate covered one. The cookies were enjoyed by my entire family and I shamelessly plugged Il Dolce to them. I will definitely be back again for those butter cookies and there were some pastries that I definitely wanted to try like the cream puff and fruit tart and tiramisu. read more

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Ok first review of 2021. These St Joesph's pastry come from a place recommended by many. Il Dolce, I was greeted by the owner who was very nice and asked how everyone was doing (I've never been here). Very nice shop with everything stocked for the day, I was there around 9am. Both types had the same donut shaped base and he did not have the Sicilian Sfincia zeppole you see at some locations. One had an airy vanilla cream topped with a cherry but none inside and the other had a ricotta cream that was not overly sweet so you still had that little tang. The zeppoli were both fresh with no defrosted taste. Really enjoyed both but the Vanilla Cream was my favorite. I give them my recommendation. They're not to far off Route 208 so it was a 15 min drive from the Paramus area. Worth the trip. -- at Il Dolce Bakery. read more

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Il Dolce has been my go-to for special occasion cakes and pastries for many many years. The shop smells amazing when you walk in the door, and the selection is tempting. Their baked goods are always fresh and delicious, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The cake I bought today was no exception. Highly recommend!! read more

I ordered a strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream for my daughter's birthday. The owner took my order. The cake had no strawberries on top at all. The total amount of sliced strawberries inside the cake was severely disappointing. More whipped cream than fruit. It was not worth the $39. I paid. I feel that it was done cheaply and will not return. I would have been happy to pay more for a decent strawberry shortcake for my daughter. read more

Love everything here; so delicious and true Italian pastries are amazing. Cannolis, cakes, cookies, rum balls, you can't beat this place.

If you are nearby, and you want Italian pastries, check this place out. Some of it is pretty good. First, I came here for cassatas. They were just alright. They are round Italian pastries combining cake, cannoli cream or ricotta, orange peel, marzipan, royal icing, and a cherry on top. They are becoming very hard to find in NJ. Il Dolce carries the mini green version (Sicilian), as opposed to the white version which is dipped in royal icing (sometimes known as minne de vergine). Unfortunately, I prefer the white version. Oh well! However, the lobster tails were perfect. They were in a mini size, and the layers are crisp but not so dry that they cut your mouth (unlike the Carlos' bakery version I've had). The baba was also great. I've had great babas in Italy and bad babas in the U.S. Il Dolce does not skimp on the rum. It was just like how I had it in Naples. The cannoli cream version was a nice touch. I also got a almond-chocolate bomb - decent if you like very rich desserts and amaretto - and a napoleon pastry, which was bland, but I'm starting to think that's part of the recipe, heh. read more

Il Dolce - Green cassata pastry with marzipan and cannoli cream - Bakeries Near Me - Hawthorne, New Jersey

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This bakery is underrated in Hawthorne. We got the Hazelnut chiffon cake. It looked yummy with wafers and hazelnuts on top. So we decided to give it a try for my husband's friends birthday. It was sweet, but not overpowering. Very delicate and delicious. We also tried their eclairs, which were different. Instead of a cream inside, it had custard. It was so delicious, my mouth is watering while I type this review. Give them a try, they'll satisfy your sweet tooth. read more

At every gathering in my house, large or small, I always look forward to these desserts. They are fantastic! I've never had a bad or tasteless treat. Some other Yelpers claim the manager is rude sometimes or they've had old desserts sold to them, but I have never encountered this issue. If I do, I'll be sure to update this post. Overall, I can't give it 5 stars because I never had an exceptional experience at the place, but the assorted desserts are always perfect for after a meal. Personal favorite - cannoli's duh? read more

First time customer at this bakery And I have known it's been at this location for at least 16 yrs. Living in this area , and pressed for time I decided to try Il Dolce A Rispoli customer for over 5 decades, mind you But my time took priority. I bought a lot ! Over 100.00 ! Apple strudel - froze it, bc family said I had too many items - But I'll let you know Cassata - Not as I remember a Cassata cake to be. Jelly cookies - no flavor in dough Sesame Cookies - Also no flavor in dough, sesames tasted old. Ricotta/Spinach/Mozzarella Bread - this was very good ! Birthday Cake - THE reason for the visit Old fashioned Italian Rum Cake , My husband 77th Birthday and his fave. chocolate custard layer And vanilla custard layer, whipped cream for frosting with slivers of almonds - where should I begin..... This is Not the Old School Italian Rum Cake we are used too You could barely taste rum The sponge cake was good, but the custards were flavorless. The Almonds were stale ! 14 people, and only half of the cake was tasted, no one finished their portion. Very disappointed, sorry Back to Rispoli's read more

This place has the best pastries in New Jersey. Although expensive, I cannot stress enough how incredible they are. I always get a box when Im in the area. read more

I was introduced to II Dolce by a co worker when I was looking for a good bakery in town. Living in Fair Lawn we have a few bakeries but none that make good Italian pastries. II Dolce is the place to go. They have plenty to choose from and everything we tried was excellent. They are the only bakery around here that understands that you do not need to stuff everything with cannoli cream. Lobster tails with French cream are rare in NJ and II Dolce serves them up. We found our new bakery and cant wait for Christmas so we can blow everyone minds when dessert comes out. Thank you read more

One of the best bakeries in town! Great little Italian bakery. I come in for the Italian bread and cannoli primarily! Can't go wrong with this place! read more

Il Dolce - Chocolate covered cannoli - Bakeries Near Me - Hawthorne, New Jersey

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This is my go to place for Italian pastries and cookies for every special occasion. Everything is perfection and I love the old school vibe here. Very nice employees, also. Must try! read more

I was very disappointed in the quality of product that was overpriced. After coming back the next day and telling the owner that his cookies were very stale he put together another box of cookies less expensive and threw the box at me. Frankly I wanted to take the box and stick it were the sun don't shine, and I almost did. I would not recommended this pastry shop to anyone who is looking for a smiling or professional baker who is an idiot and totally unprofessional for mediocre and overpriced bake goods. . read more

This is hands down the best Italian Bakery in the area. Their savoirdi is the best I have tasted outside Brooklyn. The cannolis are AMAZING... We have their pastries at every holiday. read more

Absolutely the best Italian bakery around. Forget Cake Boss. Always thinking about there lobster tails read more

Il Dolce - So effing good - Bakeries Near Me - Hawthorne, New Jersey

The cookies were hard and the I'm pretty sure the cannoli cream in my cannoli was bad. Didn't taste right. Very disappointing since everything looked great through the display. read more

Fantastic. When the owner makes you a cappuccino I can safely say it is the best I've ever had in my life. There is a Huge selection of little bite sized pastries and seasonal things also. The rum babas are so strong they give u a little buzz. read more

One of the best pastry shops in NJ hands down! We use il dolci exclusively. Their cakes are amazing, esp special order cakes for parties. Everything from st Joseph's to lobster tails, all top notch. Excellent cappuccino too. The owners are a wonderful family who are always there and eager to help and welcome us into their shop. read more

I'm not kidding when I say I could sit and eat an entire 2lb box of the raspberry filled cookies--on my own. We stop here for these cookies every holiday. The other pastries I've had were great as well. The cookies, however, are what keep me going back. read more

This bakery/ Italian pastry shop will not disappoint. pricey but worth the price.

Every time I want to treat myself I stop into Il Dolce. They have a pretty decent selection of pastries. My all time favorite is the lobster tail with french cream. Amazing! It's crunchy outside, creamy inside, it's heaven in your mouth. My favorite cookies are the jelly filled ones they keep in the fridge. And they have this mini pastry thats an amaretto cookie topped with cannoli cream and covered in chocolate. All their pastries and cookies etc are very delicious. Yum! The only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars is because the owner is creepy. I know this for a fact because my sister worked for him briefly a few years ago. He asked her to dance for him among other weird requests. Needless to say she quit quickly. read more

Stopped in to pick up some lobster tails and cannolis. Staff was friendly, but the pastries were not so great. They tasted like yesterday's or even two yesterday's cannolis and lobster tails. Pastry shells were tough and chewy. It was disappointing, as I was really looking forward to having some lobster tails. Also, I bought these for company from out of town and could tell they felt the same way as me. read more

Let me say right off the bat that I'm SO glad they're close by. This is my go-to bakery whenever I have company or just want to indulge a little bit. The staff is very friendly, the store is clean as a whistle, and everything they make is great. My favorite things are the raspberry-filled cookies, linzer tarts, baba rums, and lobster tails. The only reason I'm not giving this wonderful establishment five stars is because: 1. sometimes (rarely) the pastries taste a day old, and 2. I believe, but can't confirm, that they changed the cannoli cream for the babas recently (it seems more fluffy and kind of like Twinkie filling). This is being very picky, though....I love this bakery! read more

I honestly don't know where to begin. If you like Italian pastries, this place is for you....everything is delicious and fresh, great biscotti, cannolis, pastries, tiramisu cake, mini fresh fruit pastries, cookies, every single item is mouthwatering.... Go....you won't be disappointed.... read more

BEST. CANNOLIS. EVER!!! Unreal how delicious their pastries are. And, they have a bunch of smaller pastries which is great for a sampling of more items. My boyfriend and I pop in here most Sundays after mass for these almond cookie things with cannoli cream on top and completely covered in dark chocolate. AMAZING! read more

The cannoli are to die for...just scrumptious. A true Italian bakery & good strong coffee to go

This place is tied for first with all of the great Italian Pastry shops in Brooklyn. I love it and feel luck to have it nearby. You will be hard pressed to find a better place. read more

Everything here always looks incredible. My boyfriend and I stopped on our way to his family's house for dinner and picked up a box of mixed goodies. Everything was incredible. We went back a few more times to pick up miscellaneous goodies and I have never been disappointed. Parking is never an issue, and they do accept credit cards after a $10 purchase. Wonderful! read more

really wanted to like this place i got 4 pieces of tiramisu ate half of one and threw out the rest. the marscapone was overwhelmed by the coffee they added. so the whole thing tasted like a coffee falvored cake rather than individual layers of yummy-ness. the tiramisu at shoprite is way better. had high expectations for this italian bakery. read more

Excellent! Absolutely, perfect old school Italian beautiful and delicious pastries. Very few Italian pastry shops remain that are as amazingly authentic in how they present the pastries and the ingredients used here. The people who work here are very helpful and so nice. read more