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    Bova's Bakery

    4.3 (2k reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Bova's Bakery Takeout or Delivery

    Bova's Bakery Photos

    BOVA'S BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Tiana G.

    We came here all the way from Utah and it just does not disappoint!! Everything we tried was just SO wonderful!! My favorite was the Boston Cream Pie! The cannoli's were amazing! Service was great! We went back twice! Wish we lived closer - but for the scale's sake it's best that we don't!

    Sam F.

    There's a reason this bakery has been around 100 years! Forget the other two and head off the beaten path for the original! The Boston Cream Pie is delicious too! Small footprint and there can be a crazy line but it's worth the wait!

    Tiramisu Cake
    Audrey L.

    The tiramisu!! The cherry on top was delectable. It added a great flavor. Love and live moves quick. Accepts Apple Pay. Pizza also looked good. People working there were very nice.

    Sweet treats!
    Angela C.

    Rating only for the lobster roll! Bova's is the 7-11 of Italian bakeries in the North end, it's open 24 hours! It has such an old school mom & pop shop vibe, and an endless array of desserts in the case. They all looked amazing. My friend ordered a lobster roll for us to try. Unfortunately it wasn't something I enjoyed. I didn't like the cream inside and the pastry itself was bland. However with so many other delicious looking pastries and cakes available I'm sure that something would've been better suited to my tastebuds. Next time!

    Sandy P.

    Cash only! So many delicious items to choose from. 24/7 which is so cool and they offer late night bites too. This place has existed for years and family owned; BEST CANNOLI EVER. Can't go wrong with the original cannoli, the coffee one was yummy as well. Get their coconut cake because wow! Staff was friendly too and quick.

    James H.

    My wife was waiting in line at Bova's while I was getting subs at Monica's, next door. She said the line moved a lot quicker than imagined and she had the pastires before I had the sandwiches, despite there being no line at Monica's. Honestly, everything that my wife picked out was a big hit with the family! And we would recommend this to anybody visiting the North End!

    Salted Caramel Cannoli, Nutella Cannoli, Creme Brulee Cannoli, and Chocolate Chip Cannoli
    Payton H.

    Bova's bakery is exactly what I pictured a longstanding, family-owned Italian bakery to be like. Even during a snow storm it was open and jam-packed with so many desserts to choose from. I got the salted caramel, Nutella, crème brûlée, and chocolate chip cannolis to try. My favorite was the chocolate chip. The cannoli fillings were decadent, silky, and creamy. The pastry shell had the perfect crunch, while not falling apart the second you take a bite. I wish I could've tried more of their treats!

    Classic & pistachio cannolis
    Carmela S.

    OMG--my colleagues and I were in Boston for a conference, and while wandering around after dinner, we stumbled upon this bakery and had to stop in. There was a long line (always a good sign), and even though we were originally looking for Mike's, this place caught our eye. We came for the cannolis and tried a few: salted caramel chocolate, pistachio, classic, and mocha. Every single one was delicious! What we loved most was that they weren't overly sweet--something that can easily ruin a cannoli. These were light, perfectly flavored, and had just the right amount of sweetness that kept you going back for more. We took our box back to the hotel to share and do a little taste test. We had planned to compare them to Mike's, but a blizzard rolled into town and we never made it there. That said, we did compare them to cannolis from our hotel, and hands-down, these were 1000% better. I can't say if they're the best in all of Boston, but they were absolutely the best cannolis we've ever had. Totally worth the wait in line--we were that determined to try them, and they did not disappoint. Highly recommend!

    Cookie Monster
    Rachael P.

    OMG. The friendliest people ever here just stopped in to get my sister a last-minute birthday pastry, and they were so accommodating. They even gave me a candle. this overall just made my day being in the store. The vibe here is so fun, you can tell everybody appreciates and is happy to work here. Overall, I will be recommending this much more to my coworkers that visit Boston.

    Lobster Tail
    Ying X.

    This Italian bakery celebrating its centennial this year! I randomly visited on Wednesday evening and just walked in; later, a friend said there's always a long queue... Lobster Tail: Their signature item, actually a cream-filled croissant. The bread was crisp but a bit hard, but the cream wasn't surprisingly sweet! A pleasant surprise! Creme Brulee: So delicious it brought tears to my eyes lol! Extremely delicate and silky yet still slightly springy, with an incredibly rich egg and milk flavor, and a gentle vanilla aroma. A bit unexpected was that the caramel was the kind of syrup used in crème caramel. But I don't really like the caramel coating of the original that may stick on teeth, so it's fine! It's a plus! I brought the same items for my roommates, and they both thought they were delicious too

    Cannoli - so many flavors!
    Susan C.

    They accept credit cards here! They are open 24 hours a day. Which is crazy to me but I can see walking in here after a fun late night in the area! This was the first pastry shop we went to in North End. It's family owned - I think it's been around 100 years! It's homey - not fancy. No tables or chairs inside. It's all take out. Some items are labeled, some are not. Some items have prices, but some do not. I didn't ask but I'm sure they're happy to help you. Everything looked so delicious! So many options. There's a whole case of cannolis but I skipped those and got the coconut cake and a lemon pastry. We took ours back to our hotel and ate a few bites that night. It was so delicious! We had plenty left and flew back home only to throw them out. They did not travel well and got squished.

    katey a.

    Each cannoli was $5. The filling is creamy, I wasn't the biggest fan of the pistachio taste but I know it would be someone's! We were in and out of the bakery because of how smooth the lines were. Definitely thinking of coming back and trying more items. Service is straight to the point and I love it. Get what ya need and get out

    Lobster Tail
    Emily X.

    LOVE. Perfect for late-night cravings and everything in between. I've tried a bunch of different things here and they've all been amazing. A true Boston classic and an absolute must-visit. My favorite is the lobster tail -- I love the crunch of the pastry with the creamy filling. The cakes are great too. If you're in the mood for something savory, the rice balls hit the spot.

    Chocolate Bomb

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    10 days ago

    What a great spot. Everything was delicious and it's no wonder why there's always a line outside. Pick Bova's over Mike's any day.

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    20 days ago

    Wish I had gotten 100 more rainbow cookies, so so good!! The line moved quick and the options are overwhelming amazing

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    Bova's Bakery Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bova's Bakery

    Do you accept Apple Pay?

    Yes we do thank you for your question, George F Bova Partner/Co Owner… Read more

    Is the Florentine cannoli gluten free? Just almond meal?

    Hi Charlene, We can not say the Florentines are gluten free. Recipe varies slightly depending on temperature and humidity and sometimes flour is added slightly. In response… Read more

    Do they have a ricotta pistachio cake?

    I haven’t seen it in the store but you can order it I’m sure I’d be more than happy to make you cakes.

    Is this a sit down place?

    No. We get ours and then walk to the greenway to eat it

    View All 6 Questions

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    Uncle Tetsu

    Uncle Tetsu

    3.9
    (103 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Stopped by the Boston location after hearing so much about Uncle Tetsu's famous Japanese…read morecheesecake. There was a short wait since they bake the cheesecakes fresh in batches, but it moved pretty quickly. The Original Japanese Cheesecake was warm, soft, and definitely lived up to its signature "jiggle." It's very different from a traditional cheesecake--much lighter, fluffier, and less sweet, almost like a cross between a soufflé and a sponge cake. If you're expecting a rich New York-style cheesecake, this isn't that. Personally, I enjoyed how light it was, and it didn't leave me feeling overly full. The staff was friendly, and the shop was clean and well organized. My only suggestion would be to have a few more seating options since it's mostly grab-and-go. Overall, it's worth checking out if you're in downtown Boston or curious about Japanese-style cheesecake. I'd come back again and would like to try some of their other pastries next time.

    I visited this place on a Sunday morning . When I walked in, there was no staff present and I had…read moreto wait a few minutes before someone came to assist me. I ordered an Ube cheesecake and repeated my order as it seemed there might have been some miscommunication. I was in a bit of a rush due to limited parking and unfortunately didn't check my bag before leaving. When I got home, I realized I had been given a different cheesecake than what I ordered. I decided to keep it rather than return, as going back to Chinatown wasn't convenient at the time. The cheesecake itself was also disappointing in texture and freshness--it felt quite soggy and not as fresh as expected. Overall, the experience did not meet my expectations, and I don't think I would return.

    Photos
    Uncle Tetsu
    Honey madeleine
    Honey madeleine
    Entrance

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    Entrance
    Corner Cafe Bakery

    Corner Cafe Bakery

    4.1
    (122 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $

    The Chinese name is "Juxiang Mianbao Fang聚香麵包坊". It had the taste of an old-fashioned bakery and…read morewas very cost-effective. Portuguese Egg Tart葡撻: The shop keeps the egg tarts in a warming box, which is very thoughtful. I've always preferred the cookie crust of old-fashioned Hongkongese egg tarts; they don't crumble or feel sticky in your throat. The custard filling looked a bit overbaked on the surface, but it was still smooth and creamy inside. The milk and egg flavors were qualified, and it was not too sweet. While not particularly amazing, it definitely deserved 4 stars, especially for a Cantonese person like me who hasn't had egg tarts in a long time. Hongkongese Egg Tart蛋撻: The crust is the same as the Portuguese egg tart, but the custard filling seems a bit more diluted, with a lighter milk flavor and a stronger egg flavor. People who aren't used to it might find it a bit eggy. I still prefer the former. Custard Bread奶黃包: Recommended by the owner, and it was definitely the best thing there! I ate it the next morning, but the bread was still soft, and the crust wasn't dry. The custard filling was generous, sweet, creamy, moist, and had a slightly grainy texture. Sausage Bread腸仔包: The seasoning was quite interesting, with a hint of wasabi (?). However, the sausage itself was just average, with a slightly starchy texture. Breads generally cost $2-4 each, and here four items were only $8+, enough to last me all day Important Reminder: Cash only for orders of $10 or less.

    Solid egg tarts, but remember to bring cash because there's a minimum for credit card. Can never go…read morewrong. I've never tried any of their other items though I would assume they are reliable and delicious as well.

    Photos
    Cafe Corner on Harrison
    Cafe Corner on Harrison
    Outside
    Outside
    Corner Cafe Bakery

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    Tora Japanese Restaurant

    Tora Japanese Restaurant

    4.4
    (944 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Extremely fresh fish with generous portions in a casual, underground space…read more I think this is a reasonably priced establishment for the level of fish (phenomenal) and service (reasonable and attentive, but not like a fancier sit down restaurant) that you get. I am always surprised at how full I am when I leave! I'm stuffed every time. There is complementary miso soup with all of the bowls I've tried, outlined below. I really loved all of the bowls I've tried but my favorites are probably the Sake Aisuru Don and Kuromon Don. I just prefer more salmon to more tuna though, and they're all very good! Food: - Sake Aisuru Don: their classic all-salmon bowl! I loved the larger cuts of salmon, and I was pleasantly surprised that even the more pulverized salmon was flavorful! - Kuromon Don: loved the yellowtail in this! Each fish comes with two pieces (except the mackerel for which there are four), and I liked the sampler style for the salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and izumidai. - Maguro Toro Don: so much tuna! And all such high quality. The otoro was so fatty that it practically melted in my mouth without chewing. - Sake Maguro Hamachi Don: a mix of salmon, blue fin tuna, and yellowtail. I liked the yellowtail in this a lot and found that it stood out the most from the other two fish in this particular bowl!

    Came to Boston for a work trip and really wanted to eat something light and healthier. I loved it…read moreso much I came back twice! I came during lunchtime on a Monday. It was adequately busy but still had seats open. The lunch menu is very affordable! If you can, I'd highly recommend going for lunch instead of dinner. Service was really quick! Received my meal in like 5-7 mins after ordering. Fish was super fresh and I really liked the different textures in the Hoseki Don. I also added in negitoro. They gave me a big clump of it! The second time I went back, I ordered take out so I could eat it at the airport for dinner. I ordered the Sake Maguro Hamachi don, added ikura and negitoro. Again, so impressed with the quality of the fish and the size of it. They didn't skimp out and really enjoyed the thickness of the sashimi despite it only being 3 pieces. It was a very satiating bowl. Cant wait to come back next time again!

    Photos
    Inside!
    Inside!
    K11. Sake Maguro Hamachi Don
    K11. Sake Maguro Hamachi Don
    LR2 Lunch menu

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    LR2 Lunch menu
    Top Bread

    Top Bread

    3.8
    (151 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I'm quite curious about the relationship between the three bakeries in Chinatown…read more(Corner/Top/Taiwan). Although their names seem to have nothing to do with each other, they share paper bags and some products. Are they sister shops run by the same team? Egg Tart蛋撻: Since there was no insulated box, it was cold, which is a shame compared to Corner Cafe. The egg and milk aromas were masked, but there was a slight eggy smell. Portuguese Egg Tart葡撻: Although it was also cold, I preferred the baking. It had a thin crust, and the filling was still smooth and delicate, with a richer egg, milk, and sweet flavor. Butter Bun奶香包: The best product, but I forgot to take a picture... I unexpectedly encountered "Little Swell bread微波麵包," something that has disappeared in China for a long time. It was exactly the soft and moist texture I remembered, and the milk, butter, and salt flavors were even stronger.

    Solid bakery in Boston's Chinatown. Would rate it a 3.5. Everything is individually packaged so…read moreit's nice being able to try a selection of pastries. They've gotten expensive over the years (now it's about $4-5 for a bun) and the quality can be hit or miss. Some things are fantastic such as their milk bread loaves or taro buns. Other items are just okay such as their raisin coconut bread & bolo baos. Those tend to be dry & flavorless. Like many other Chinatown businesses they require a $10 minimum to pay with card, so definitely more convenient to bring cash.

    Photos
    Top Bread
    Portuguese Egg Tart
    Portuguese Egg Tart
    Tiramisu cake

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    Tiramisu cake

    Bova's Bakery - bakeries - Updated July 2026

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