Stella Pastry & Cafe

Stella Pastry & Café has peddled breads and cakes out of Little Italy since 1942. While the bakery may be best known for its Sacripantina—a rum-laced sponge cake so special, Stella’s owns the patent on it—we were taken by a dark horse that stood out from stiff competition around the city: the cannoli. Unlike cream-filled imposters, this tubular treasure boasts a sweet-tart ricotta filling studded with chocolate chips. The pastry crust is golden, bubbly, and thick enough that you can take a solid bite without crushing the remainder of your treat; a generous dusting of powdered sugar completes this Sicilian staple. Get yours with a cup of espresso on a lazy afternoon, or take advantage of Stella’s long open hours to satisfy a midnight craving.