Boston North End Dessert Crawl

With its abundance of Italian food, Boston's oldest residential neighborhood lured us with the promise of culinary bliss. Indeed, the aromas wafting from bread and pizza ovens captivated our team as we strolled along the historic enclave's winding brick lanes. Lo and behold, the author's sweet tooth prevailed, and "Little Italy's" pastry shops became sugary fodder for this article. Here are a few fun things to do when you travel here:

Bova’s Bakery

134 Salem St.

Though Bova’s packs a plethora of Italian cookies, cakes and other enticing treats into its little corner space, it’s the bread that beckons Bostonians. The cornucopia of yeasty delights includes crusty Tuscan-style loafs as well as seasonal specialties. Dessert crawlers in search of lunch take note: This is the perfect place to grab some pizza or a sub on the go. We liked the calzones, stuffed to the brim with tasty meats and cheeses.

Caffé Paradiso

255 Hanover St.

Plenty of tables invite weary travelers to take a load off and indulge in a quick pick-me-up. Order an espresso or cappuccino, and pair it with an assortment of tempting biscotti—for fun, try the rainbow-colored variety. Or, cool down on a warm day with house-made artisanal gelato. Mix and match a plate of profiteroles, luscious tarts and other delectables and share with friends (or not).

Mike's Pastry

300 Hanover St.

Who is tops in the North End, Mike’s or Modern? Everyone has a different opinion, but for sheer volume, Mike’s has it going on. Glass cases shelter a seemingly endless assortment of Italian pastries, while you can also order classic American indulgences like a chocolate walnut brownie. The author sampled a piece of the city’s iconic Boston cream pie and found the combination of creamy custard, moist cake and chocolaty goodness to be a heavenly taste sensation. Read More

AAA/Suzanne Lemon

Modern Pastry

257 Hanover St.Modern, another contender in Boston polls for North End bragging rights, is recognizable by its funkily retro red-and-green neon sign. Confections such as photo-worthy fruit tarts and panforte packed with almonds adorn its display cases, and seating is available to savor an Italian pastry with coffee. Treat yourself to a slice of creamy ricotta cheesecake you won’t soon forget, and if you’re a fan of pistachio macaroons, this is the place! Read More

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