13 Can't Miss Cannolis in New York City (Local's Guide)

Veniero’s Pasticceria has been around since 1894, (yes you read that correctly) they truly don’t make East Village bakeries like they used to! This old-school Italian bakery is family-owned and operated, over 120 years later. What originally started as a pool hall serving espresso and candy, eventually shifted from billiards to baked good (lucky us!).

Using fresh ingredients, this East Village bakery serves every treat under the moon you can think of including one of the best cannoli in NYC. You want a cookie? Veniero’s has you covered. You want a cheesecake? Veniero’s has you covered. You want a full sized cake for the party you’re having next week? Guess what, Veniero’s has you covered.

A visit to Caffe Palermo is a non-negotiable when visiting Manhattan’s Little Italy. The New York institution has been serving a can’t miss cannoli in NYC for more than 50 years! The cafe is run by pastry chef “Baby” John DeLutro whose been dubbed the NYC Cannoli King. The place isn’t hard to miss either, there’s a giant glowing sign that reads Cannoli King at its entrance drawing folks in like a magnet.

The sweet-treats are made fresh and in house daily and the flavor translates with each bite. I will mention two draw-backs to. The first is that there is often a line, but luckily it moves quickly.

The second is that these puppies cost a pretty penny ($5+) but you’re also paying for the location, name and reputation. Caffe Palermo makes an iconic NYC cannoli and you won’t want to miss it, remember you’re paying for the experience not just the treat!

Looking for the best cannoli in NYC? It’s waiting for you at Villabate Alba in Bensonhurst, one of the best bakeries in Brooklyn. The bakery was opened in 1979 by Angelo Alaimo and his son who are from Sicily, the birthplace of cannolis.

It’s not hard to tell the bake shop is Italian, with green white and red decorating the walls and the pastries. The only thing missing is flag-themed cannoli, but they’re so tasty at Villabate Alba I don’t care what they look like. The cream filling is rich thanks to the fresh ricotta cheese imported from Sicily. Add in the sweetness from the powdered sugar and the crunch from the fried dough for the best cannoli NYC has to offer!

Opened in 1892 Ferrara’s has been a neighborhood favorite for generations and a spot folks know to visit when searching for the best cannoli in NYC. The secret to their success lies in part thanks to the Great Depression. Hear me out – in order to reduce waste, the cafe started baking small batches of pastries multiple times a day, and since the treats were always fresh Ferrara’s popularity grew.

The family owned business is now being ran by its fifth generation. By staying true to the principles that grew the business they’ve been one of the best Lower East Side bakeries for more than 100 years.

I’m going to let you in on a local secret. Although Ferrara Bakery & Cafe is widely known for being one of the best spots for a cannoli in NYC, their sfogliatelle (also called lobster. Tail) is what other professional bakers rave about. Each bite sends flakes flying and I’d put the silky cream-filling on everything if they sold it in bulk.

I used to tease my mom’s cooking show obsession, but when Cake Boss aired, I found myself just as hooked. The show featured Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, a century-old establishment. Luckily we no longer need to travel across state lines for sweet-treats from Carlo’s Bakery. After the success of the show they opened a shop in Times Square where they sell one of the most iconic cannolis in New York City.

Truthfully it isn’t be the best cannoli NYC has to offer but it scratches an itch for the Italian delicacy. The cannolis are delicious, I just think that since Carlo’s is world-famous they can’t afford to take their time like small bakeries. Whenever friends visit the city I make an effort to end the night at Times Square, and since Carlo’s is open until midnight swinging by is a no-brainer.

Bushwick Brooklyn is lucky to have Circo’s (pronounced chirkos), I’m so lucky I live far away. While writing this post I’m starting to realize I lack self-control when it comes to these flakey, golden tubes of fried goodness. They make me weak in the knees and if I was close by, I’d be in there multiple times a day for the best cannoli in NYC!

Owned and operated by a family from Sicily tradition lives on at Circo’s. Not only do they have the best cannolis in NYC but there are a tons of other italian delicacies like sfogliatelle (also known as lobster tails), zeppoles, and cookies.

Circo’s Pastry Shop also makes the only “family sized” cannoli in NYC. And before you have to worry about sharing bites with your weird aunt Linda, all you do is crack the outer shell of the giant cannoli and you’ll find about 30 mini cannoli inside.