Holiday season is here, and bakeries and cafes all over Boston are gearing up. Take a break from shopping and stop over at one of these eight spots to grab something festive and sweet.
Bova’s Bakery
Photo by Ethan Cappello
Located in the North End, Bova’s Bakery is the spot for Italian favorites. Although it may look small from the outside, Bova’s has a wide variety of pastries, including lots of yummy Italian cookies. Buy a bunch of different kinds, and definitely make sure to grab some red and green ones.
Mike’s Pastry
Photo by Ethan Cappello
Everyone knows Mike’s for their cannolis, but be sure to stop by during the month of December to try a traditional Italian Christmas treat, struffoli, which are little fried balls of dough made with honey. The best part is they’re small so you can buy a whole bag and have sweets for days (if you can keep yourself from eating them all in one sitting). Mike’s is well known for their location in the North End, but don’t forget they also have a location in Harvard Square.
Sweet
Sweet is a super cute cupcake bakery chain that has locations in Back Bay, Downtown, Beacon Hill, Harvard Square, and Chestnut Hill Square. Treat yourself to some of their special holiday flavors like gingerbread, candy cane, and eggnog. Hurry though, they’re only available until December 31st.
Modern Pastry
Photo by Ethan Cappello
Modern Pastry, located in the North End, always decorates their shop for holidays, and Christmas is no exception. Walk in anytime in December and you’ll see displays full of panettone boxes and other traditional Italian treats. During the holiday season, be sure to try their mustacciuoli, a type of Christmas cookie that are dipped in chocolate and are either served plain or are stuffed with candied fruit.
Flour
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Well known for their sticky buns, Flour has a special holiday menu with treats ranging from cranberry orange scones to old fashioned gingerbread with coffee glaze. With locations in Fort Point, Cambridge, Back Bay, and the South End, you’ll never be too far from something sweet.
Boston Public Market
Swing by the Boston Public Market, located steps away from City Hall and Quincy Market, for lots of festive finds. Besides all the permanent vendors (at which you may be able to score some awesome gifts for any foodies in your family or friends group), Lakota Bakery, from Arlington, is temporarily set up for the holidays selling all kinds of Christmas cookies in all different flavors, shapes, and designs.
Cafe Madeleine
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Cafe Madeleine is the perfect stop for you to make after shopping around at any holiday markets in the South End. This cute French patisserie serves croissants, breads, and pastries; around the holidays, they serve bûche de noël, a classic French holiday dessert resembling a yule log type cake.
Cafe Madeleine allows you to order whole cakes or order by the slice. The different flavors include vanilla bean dream, la framboise (which includes raspberry mousse and white chocolate), the nutcracker (which includes hazelnuts, almond cake, and milk chocolate ganache), and pure chocolate.
Maria’s Pastry Shop
Photo by Ethan Cappello
To tie up the list, here’s one more family-owned pastry shop located in the North End. In addition to all the other Italian classics, Maria’s serves up mini panettone, usually only available in large boxes. The smaller size is perfect for just one person to enjoy. Like Modern Pastry, Maria’s also sells mustaccioli, which are those yummy chocolate dipped cookies.