This sandwich was so delicious! The baguette had a golden crispy crust with little pockets inside that absorbed the fig jam that went so well with the freshly sliced prosciutto, Italian cream and mozzarella. It was a flavor bomb. The ratio of espresso to milk and foam was perfect for the cappuccino, and one of the things that I appreciated was that the lid was not plastic; it was made of paper like the cup. They are an Italian bakery, so they had many delicious looking pastries, which I'll have try next time. They're located in a little shopping center, so there's plenty of parking. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Vesuvio Sandwich Baguette - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Apparently this place is all over Instagram as a must try so we gave it a go. Located about 10 minutes inland off the 5 freeway near La Costa/ Encinitas area.. easy to find and located in a good sized center with lots of other stores. Parking is super easy. If you have ever done a drive through rural Italy and stopped in at a roadside cafe then this will take you right back to those wonderful places. Just like in Italy there are 5 to 7 different sandwiches to choose from as well as a large variety of bakery items and cafe drinks. Sandwiches were fantastic! Highly recommend going to try this place. Tables inside or outside. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Inside where you order - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Very good pastries and delicious sandwiches!! No need to go to Los Angeles to Mammi's any longer as we found our place for Italian sandwiches!!! Does feel like a piece of Italy that we just returned from this summer read more

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My wife saw their viral reel on IG and we were in the area, so decided to try it for lunch. I got a sandwich and watched them slice the prosciutto fresh. The fig jam is lovely and the baguette is firm, chewy and has a lovely taste. I love a simple Italian sandwiches and this one hits. My wife got the fettuccini and she loved it. The owner came to talk to us for a bit, she's super funny. Come support local spot. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Vesuvio Sandwich Baguette , Ciabatta - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

This place is 10/10!!! Talk about authentic Italian sandwiches and pastries! I ordered the Vesuvio sandwich and it's my Italian sandwich dream!! The saltyness of the prosciutto + seeet of fig jam is a to die for combo! I'll definitely be a regular customer read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - The Vesuvio Sandwich - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I tried several different things and it was all authentic, fresh, and absolutely delish. The male owner was there and was so friendly, kind, and helpful too. Highly recommend this place! read more

Saw the YouTube review & was jonesing for the Vesuvio sandwich, which is prosciutto, arugula, fig spread, Italian cream & mozzarella. You can choose baguette or ciabatta for your bread. The baguette had the right amount of crust & chew. My friend ordered the Napolentano (prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh arugula) on baguette. We split the sandwiches so we could taste each one. I thought the Vesuvio was better balanced. There's not a big pile of meat & cheese on these sandwiches, but they tasted good. At $18+ a little pricey, but each ingredient including the olive oil was great quality. We looked at the pastry case which was full of beautifully made pastries. Was tempted to try the pistachio gelato, but was too full... maybe next time. They also make coffees and have a selection of soft drinks & bottled water. There is patio seating as well as 3 or 4 tables inside (air-conditioned). They only make the sandwiches on the menu & will only allow you to add/alter one ingredient - so don't expect them to cater to your change requests. There were only 2 guys working the counter (1 of which crafted the sandwiches), so you might have to wait a bit as he slices each meat to order. I'll be back to try the mortadella w/pesto sandwich. Sounds right up my alley. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Napoletano Sandwich $18.25 prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh arugula on baguette. - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Affogato, napoletano, tiramisu is soooooooo goood and authentic. Clean bakery. Staff is so nice. Well priced for quality.

This place is legit! We recently went to Italy and had delicious sandwiches and gelato and have been craving them ever since. So happy to find this place as the owners are from Naples and they make them just like the ones we got it Italy. Can't wait to go back and eat more from their menu! read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Pistachio gelato! - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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This is the closest thing you can find that actually tastes like Italy!! Cornetto con crema and sfogliatella were amazing. I haven't had pastries this good since I visited Calabria. Owners were also very nice!! We will definitely be back! read more

I don't know where to start. This is just such an amazing bakery. The food is so fresh, light and unlike anything I've had before. It transcends you to Italy ! We tried multiple items and I can not pick just one favorite. The people working were so friendly and fun to talk to with. I can't say enough about the quality of food and treats here, 100 % recommend visiting and trying all the things, we will be back read more

I finally stopped by this Italian bakery, and it did not disappoint! They offer an impressive selection of pastries from cornetti and cannoli to tarts, mille foglie, and cake by the slice. Everything looked fresh, beautifully made, and absolutely scrumptious. I ordered a cappuccino with a hazelnut crostatine and two cornetti (hazelnut and crema della casa). The coffee was excellent and hot, the crostatine had a perfectly flaky crust, and the cornetti were light, airy, and generously filled. I appreciated that the pastries weren't overly sweet. Beyond pastries, they also serve sandwiches, risotto, pasta, and gelato. Whole cakes are available too, though those need to be ordered in advance. Service was friendly and quick. You pay at the register and they make your food right away. There's plenty of seating as there's both indoor and outdoor seating. I can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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I was looking for an Italian bakery nearby and Yelp led me to this hidden gem in La Costa Town Square Center. Inside, I can tell it's family-owned which is awesome because I felt right at home. They were sooo welcoming and friendly. It took me down memory lane when I was in Italy a few years ago. I couldn't resist myself but to eat lunch because I wanted to try their authentic pasta. I didn't have to wait too long for my pasta combo meal. And let me tell you Yelp Community, it was SUPER DELISH...kinda wish the slices of bread were warmed up or lightly toasted. Then, I ate my zeppole and that was SUPER HEAVENLY. I'm really grateful there's an Italian bakery around. I'll be back to try the other goodies! Highly recommend Dolce Aroma!! read more

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This place is a must, if you are looking for authentic Italian food. Pastries, sandwiches & more! Owner is very sweet!

Absolutely in love with this place!! The food is incredible and the owners have been so lovely each time we've visited. Our sandwiches were so big we had half for lunch and half later for dinner. The bread, the prosciutto, to mozz, pesto, all of it. Everything is so fresh and full of flavor. I've taken my husband here a few times and he enjoys catching up with them in Italian. I took an out of town friend for some ravioli and she said they were incredible. For her desert she chose the Sfogliatella and said it tasted like being back in Italy. They have a few tables inside and out, however we've watched most people take their orders to go. If you're gonna get the ravioli made sure you stay and enjoy it while it's right out of the kitchen. Tucked in the back corner of the shopping center this shop is an absolute gem. Grazie Amelie!! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Oh my goodness! Try this place! We went in to just grab a small bite of something to tide us over until dinner. We got the Capri sandwich (yum) and the pear tart. Ok, that pear tart was amazing! I don't know how they get their pasty so light and tasty. I definitely need to try more of their deliciousness. read more

Amazing food and what I like is that most ingredients are brought from Italy, according to the owner. Everything is so fresh and delicious , and I usually have a hard time making a decision on my order because everything looks incredible!! Amazing food and what I like is that most ingredients are brought from Italy, according to the owner. Everything is so fresh and delicious , and I usually have a hard time making a decision on my order because everything looks incredible!! read more

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They have an extensive array of pastries to choose from and a pretty small coffee selection. The pastries were pretty expensive. I think I ended up spending $19 for two pastries and an espresso. The pastries were not to my taste. They were very thick and very heavy not like pastries I 'm used to. It could be just the two that I ordered that are like this, but I'm not sure if I would come back again. The man who took my order was very nice and there is some outside seating available read more

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I recently discovered a wonderful bakery specializing in gluten-free options and authentic Italian dishes and pastries. The flavors were genuinely impressive, and I felt fully satisfied with both the food and the overall experience. The cappuccino, prepared by Pino, was truly remarkable--one of the best I've had. Ken, who I believe is the owner, was extremely personable and kind, which made the visit even more enjoyable. If you're seeking quality cuisine and great customer service, I highly recommend visiting this bakery. It's clear that the staff cares deeply about both their food and their guests. Don't miss out on their delicious Italian pastries and outstanding cappuccino! read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I was looking forward to coming here for a few weeks since my Italian mother in law sent it to me. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. Not sure how my $17 sandwich came out to $21.. Also, I got it on ciabatta which I would not recommend if you're looking to fill up because it was very small. The sandwich was good, but I'd probably recommend getting it on a baguette because, from the photos I've seen, it's a much better size for the price. read more

Cute little pastry place that also serves gelato, pasta and sandwiches. Just a couple tables and chairs inside but it's on the corner with a little courtyard on the side with 5 tables/patio umbrellas (also a couple outdoor high chairs for the babies). Friendly service that was quick and ready to take my order as soon as I walked in. You can pay by tap. My son choose the red velvet cake but he didn't like it that much. (To their credit it just came out of the fridge (or freezer) so it was still hard and he's used to super sweet desserts like Nothing Bundt). The Bomboloni was good with plenty of filling (similar to a filled malasada). Hoping to come back and try the pasta too. read more

I was looking for authentic tiramisu nearby and Dolce Aroma came up as one of the search results. I ended up getting tiramisu and torta de pistacchio. Both cakes ended up being delicious. read more

What do you say about perfect food?!? The sandwich - a fresh baguette with mozzarella, tomato and arugula with the right amount of balsamic vinegar. The star of day is the sfogliatella. A pastry so light, with a hint of orange in a sweet ricotta filling. The owner/baker Monica is welcoming with a friendly smile and actually took the time to come chat with us. If you don't go try this place you're missing a delicious experience!!! read more

A quaint, authentic, upscale Italian bakery in the La Costa Town Center known for its freshly handcrafted pastries. I ordered an Americano and a few Cornetti Dolces, essentially brioche-based pastries filled with a sweet indulgence. Their Cornetti Dolce is flaky, buttery, and filled with Nutella. It was a little pricey at $6.50 apiece. They are wonderful to enjoy with an Americano or cappuccino. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Cornetti Dolce - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Finally came after I saw the instagram reel. This place is legit. I love Italian sandwiches and pasta and have been to Italy so wanted to see if it was close to the real deal and it was. Got the mortadella baguette, the pasta with pepper and cheese (forgot the name), a Nutella and custard bamboloni, and a sfogliatella. Baguette was fresh and tasty and pesto was on point. The pasta was moist and flavorful. The bamboloni's warmed up were a must have but the favorite was by far the crunch on the sfogliatella. You absolutely cannot try everything in one stop so definitely coming back till I try it all. This place is an authentic laid back family vibe and Monica and her staff are cool. As for the pricing it is not to crazy for $18 for an Italian sando, a few dollars more than most but if you want Jersey Mike pricing this place is not for you. As for the pastries we headed in about 2pm and they were still great. If you want fresh as with any pastry place you have to hit it at the right time. Anybody should know at the end of the day some just don't stay fresh so some people just need to chill on the reviews. If you want authentic good Italian food this place is it. Moved to my number one spot for Sandwiches and pastry. Definitely something Carlsbad really needed. read more

My wife and I are visiting California from Dallas, TX, we also live part time in Calabria, Italy and we're delighted to find this Authentic Italian coffee bar & Ristorante while staying in Encinitas! We have been trying to find true Italiano coffee espresso and this place is the real deal. Everything from the bakery/ sweets, baguette/ panini sandwiches, Fresh Cornettos/ croissants were spot on Italiano perfect/perfetto! The owner Ken & Navy Veteran ( Thank you for your service) and his brother-in- law from Napoli (per sempre Diego Maradona!) Guiseppe were absolutely welcoming, great service excellent food and you can tell it all comes from their heart with love, pure food of love and Italian passion! Ken e Guiseppe, grazie mille per averci fatto sentire come se fossimo tornati in Italia, ci è piaciuto assaggiare il vostro cibo e il vostro caffè e non vediamo l'ora di tornare a praticare il mio italiano e ci siamo goduti la vostra compagnia. Ciao Sharif @ Stacie, Semper Fi del Marine del Texas! read more

Best. Sandwiches. Ever. The baguettes are freshly made daily, it's heavenly. The pastry are also incredible, but the sandwiches are AMAZING!! read more

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Stopped by and ordered a latte from here before a movie and it was delicious. Just a latte either milk and it tasted great! The pastries looked delicious as well, although we did not try any. We will definitely be back another day to try those. read more

Popped into Dolce Aroma for a bite to eat on my way North. The owner and his brother in law (Italian) were working at the shop at the time and were very helpful in giving recommendations on what to eat. I chose the Vesuvio Sandwich Baguette on the owners recommendation which consisted of Prosciutto, Italian cream, fig spread, mozzarella and arugula. The bread is made daily in house and was delicious as was the rest of the sandwich. The salty prosciutto contrasting well with the sweet fig spread, very well balanced. I also ended up picking some pastries for a friend. Great spot to have lunch at or to pickup some unique Italian pastries. The shop has a few tables inside and a couple outside if you want to eat on site. read more

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WOW! Monica has created a true GEM in San Diego county.... we wanted to share with our foodie friends as they love true Italian pastries and bread as much as we do. Oh yes, do not forget the gelato! Also, the espresso is how only 1 out of maybe 10 bakeries and coffee places serve them.... creamy, NOT bitter and bold in flavor. That alone will make me want to come back again and again. Service? Oh man, just "personal" does not cover it, if you'd want to spend a bit of time, you'll get to know the hostess and her story on how the bakery came to fruition. Well worth it. The place itself is cozy and the food gets all the glory as it's all fully displayed. For anyone that wants to see how a proper bakery is set up, go have a look here. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

We went yesterday on a whim since we were craving some pastries and Dolce Aroma came up on our search. We were greeted with kindness by Monica and her Brother Giuseppe. They took the time to speak to our daughters as well and get to know us. I had the cannolo and sfogliatella, my wife had the affogato and my daughters had some tarts and Gelato. They were kind, personable, and the food and espresso was amazing. We will definitely be back to try more! read more

I have been coming to this bakery for over a year now, and I've introduced several friends to it as well. The baked goods and sandwiches are quite good, and the staff has always been kind and welcoming Today was such a horrendous experience that I will not ever return to here, and I've already shared today's experience with any person I've brought here in the past. The female co-owner was beyond rude, and she displayed behavior of a typical mean girl, not of an cafe owner. My friend and I arrived at the café at 9:40, and ordered pastries and coffee. This is an order/pay at the cashier, and find somewhere to sit either inside or outside. The outside tables are not blocked off for the bakery, and are in a public area; there are also several concrete sitting areas in the same courtyard. In the past my friends and I have stayed several hours eating and talking; please note that this is a self service café and not a sit down restaurant. In the past the owners have told us to stay as long as we wanted and enjoy each other's company bc their an Italian cafe (after I apologized for staying long). Today we chose a table outside, and after about an 1 hour and 45 minutes (2 other outside tables were there longer than us so this is common for ppl to sit, chat, and enjoy the day in the courtyard), a customer from the bakery came out and rudely asked if we were done with the table. When we said we weren't, but that he could take our extra chairs or sit at any of the sitting areas in the courtyard, he became agitated, and went back inside. He obviously complained that we wouldn't leave bc shortly thereafter, the female owner came out and asked us to move (again 2 other tables were there longer than us). We moved 10ft away to one of the public seating areas. She then came back outside 2 minutes later, and loudly complained to every other table and seating area that we had been there for 3 hours (they hadn't even been open 3 hours) ; that we needed to get up etc etc.. no one said anything to her. Several tables emptied out as soon as she went inside. No one ever sat at our table, and when we left the area 10 minutes later 4 tables were open. Complaining about customers to other patrons is beyond unacceptable. Doing it so loudly that anyone within a 20ft radius can hear themselves being berated is disgusting. If you're looking for a relaxed Italian café experience, don't come here. read more

Excellent authentic Italian pastries in a very welcoming atmosphere. Loved stumbling upon this piece of joy when looking for a capuccino and I was in the area. I could practice my still awesome Italian (I studied for real;) with Monica the owner as well as with her brother, the pastry maker, and their parents who recently moved from Napoli. I learned a lot about a variety of pastries that are new to me and I could tell they were already delicious by their name. Funny, I was doing a live video for my Facebook when an Italian friend saw it and called the owner immediately to say 'i am friends with Carmen who is there right now and just want to know if you will have pastiera napolitana d'or Easter'. Call it the power of social networking! I had fun interfacing with Italian customers too! They also sell gelato (not sure if made in house) and there are several tables to sit outside too. read more

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I saw a video of this bakery on Instagram and decided to check to it out but I was extremely disappointed. I came in on Sunday and nothing looked like what they show online. There were no pastries in the display case and the deli slicer was absolutely filthy. I ordered a prosciutto sandwich but when I got it, it didn't have arugula although their pictures online show they come with arugula. So I asked the person helping me why it didn't have it and she rudely said "you have to ask for it." So then I asked if she could add it. At the same time, I had given her cash to pay for my sandwich. With the same exact hand she used to grab the money from me, she reached into a container of unwashed arugula and put it on my sandwich. I was upset and addressed it to her, but she didn't respond and ignored me. Then my boyfriend and I sat outside to eat, realizing we didn't get our change back. We saw an employee outside and explained we didn't get our money back. He then went inside and the lady who initially helped us said "when you eat here, you have to pay taxes." And walked away. She kept MY change. After everything I was so upset and I've never experienced such rude and unprofessional behavior from a business. I advise people to never visit. I would give it negative stars if I could. read more

This small Italian bakery is easy to miss but it's definitely worth seeking out. The pastries are delicious. We tried three different ines and the cannoli (the "mini" version) was the standout. I've heard great things about their sandwiches so that will be next for us. Plenty of free parking everywhere in the shopping center. read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Terrific pastries. That mini cannoli was outstanding. - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

UPDATE: I initially tried calling 3 times to resolve it with no call back. She then saw my review called my number and screamed at me. I was told that the reason is was bitter was the balsamic and that's exactly how arugula should look. Stay away! Don't come here save your time and money. Got in here and the owner and chef were chilling at a table(no problem) I ordered my foot 20 dollars + 2 dollar tip. And he starts making my sandwich to my knowledge he did not wash his hands or wear gloves. He itched his nose on his wrist multiple times and touched meat and then my food. As a vegetarian this bothered me. I got my food and said thank you. First bite it I notice a very bitter taste. I open up my sandwich to find spoiled arugula. Called to try to get a re fund and no one picked up! read more

Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery - Gelato Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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This is the greatest Italian bakery. Carlsbad, California is a long way from Naples, but feels much closer after my visit to Dolce Aroma. We were greeted by the sounds of the staff speaking Italian to each other and were greeted with a "Bon Giorno". We had the ham and cheese croissant, coffee, cannoli and all was amazingly good. Our favorite was definitely the lemoncello cake. The food was excellent, but the experience was even better! Highly recommend this bakery! read more

Pretty authentic family-owned Italian bakery/sandwich shop. Quality, freshness, and taste were on point. 4/5 only because I dont think I can afford to go back. I would have loved to try some baked items but after the cost of the sandwich, I just couldnt go for it. If you are a customer willing to pay for the authenticity and quality then go for it. You wont be disappointed. read more

Fabulous fabulous fabulous. A genuine Italian bakery luncheonette run by a family. I'm talking Monica the owner, her brother cooking and her mother and father sitting watching everything going on. Everyone's from Italy, of course I cannot rave enough about the pastries about the bread about the pasta about the freshness the simplicity this is an unbelievable treasure read more

Pastries tasted like they had been sitting out for days. One tiny cannoli for $4. Womp womp