A North End institution since 1946, Mike's Pastry is famous for its enormous cannoli filled to order with sweet ricotta and dipped in chocolate chips. The pasticceria also offers sfogliatelle, tiramisu, and Italian cookies. Expect a line.
Mike's Pastry at 300 Hanover Street in Boston's North End has been a neighborhood institution since 1946, drawing visitors and locals alike for Italian pastries that represent some of the finest versions of their kind in New England. The pasticceria was founded by Mike Mercogliano and has remained a family business, preserving the traditions of Italian-American baking through generations of ownership. The cannoli are the signature item and the reason most people queue outside: the shells are fried to order and filled with sweet, lightly sweetened ricotta that is piped in fresh at the point of purchase. The result is a substantially different texture from pre-filled cannoli that have softened in refrigeration. Chocolate chip varieties — with the chips pressed into the filled ricotta — are the most popular configuration. Beyond cannoli, the display cases are stocked with sfogliatelle, the flaky shell-shaped Neapolitan pastry with a semolina and ricotta filling; lobster tails; tiramisu; amaretti; and an extensive selection of Italian cookies sold by weight. The North End storefront draws significant foot traffic from tourists exploring Boston's Italian heritage neighborhood, and the line that frequently extends onto Hanover Street has become part of the aesthetic. Staff work at speed and the system moves efficiently despite the volume. Mike's Pastry is a non-negotiable stop on any tour of Boston's North End.
Good to know
- Hours
- Sun-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm
- Reservations
- No reservations
Location
300 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
Highlights
- Cannoli filled to order with fresh ricotta — shells fried and assembled at point of purchase for optimal texture
- Family-owned Italian pasticceria operating in the North End since 1946
- Sfogliatelle, lobster tails, tiramisu, and Italian cookies sold by weight alongside the cannoli
- Iconic Hanover Street storefront that has become a visual landmark of Boston's Italian neighborhood
- One of the most photographed and visited pastry shops in Massachusetts
Tips for visiting
- Ask for the cannoli to be filled when purchased rather than taking pre-filled versions from the case — freshness is the defining difference
- The chocolate chip cannoli with chips pressed into the ricotta is the classic configuration and the most popular order
- Lines are shortest on weekday mornings before 10am and after 8pm on weeknights
- Sfogliatelle are best consumed within an hour of purchase before the flaky pastry softens
- North End rival Modern Pastry is a few doors away; visiting both is a legitimate and enjoyable comparison exercise
Accessibility
Mike's Pastry has a street-level storefront on Hanover Street with no steps at the entrance. The interior is narrow and very busy at peak times, which can make it challenging to navigate with a wheelchair when the queue is active. Off-peak visits during quieter hours are more navigable for mobility-limited guests.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Mike's Pastry cannoli different?
Cannoli at Mike's are filled to order with fresh ricotta, which prevents the shell from softening. The texture contrast between the crisp fried shell and the cool, sweet filling is at its best immediately after assembly.
How long has Mike's Pastry been open?
Mike's Pastry has operated on Hanover Street in Boston's North End since 1946, making it one of the oldest continuously operating pasticcerias in Massachusetts.
What other pastries are available besides cannoli?
The bakery offers sfogliatelle, lobster tails, tiramisu, pignoli cookies, anise biscotti, rainbow cookies, amaretti, and a wide range of Italian cookies sold by weight. The full case is worth a slow examination before ordering.
Is there seating at Mike's Pastry?
No. Mike's Pastry is a stand-and-eat or takeaway operation. Most visitors eat their pastries on the sidewalk outside or in nearby Christopher Columbus Park.