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    Italian Centre Shop

    4.6 (172 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Italian Centre Shop Bakeries Photos

    Business Info

    ITALIAN CENTRE SHOP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Italian Centre Shop

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    a pizza on a table
    Jennie L.

    So I love this place, but I spend too much money here! If you are looking for old world food products or hard to find ingrediants this is the place for you. The produce is amazing. Super fresh and often they have unique things that you can't find anywhere else. The meat and cheese selection is phenominal. And often they have samples which I find fun :) Best staff. Friendly and will help you find what you need and refer you if they don't have it. They don't have just Italian things, they have many other things from Europe including Romania, Serbia, Poland, and Ukrainain. But we stopped to have pizzas today (okay I may of have picked up a few things) but I wanted to try these. Even though there was only two of us, we decided on three pizzas. Pizza makes good leftovers - Classic Margherita (cheese and fresh basil) , Massimo (mozza, sausage, and capicollo), and the feature pizza of the month inverno pizza - zucchini, mushrooms, smoked beef, mozza, and gruyere cheese. The place is a cafe so not much for atmosphere. However, a great place to grab lunch if you are already shopping. Friendly staff but the pizzas took quite a while to get to our table. I am going to say half and hour. Pizza were excellent. Amazing chewy crust. A great mix of cheese to topping ratio, and really for me, I only ate half of mine. Hubby ate everything but one piece. I liked them all but the pizza of the month with the mushrooms and smoked beef was the best. If pizzas aren't your thing, they also have sandwiches and soup. Definately worth checking out.

    a man cooking food on a grill
    Erika G.

    Institution of institutions, the Italian Centre has been around since 1959. That's 63 years. Opened by Italian immigrant Frank Spinelli, the roots of this store couldn't be more authentic. The original shop is located in Edmonton's Little Italy (in the McCauley neighbourhood) and there are now a total of four stores in and around Edmonton and one in Calgary. "My store" is the southside one because it's only a few blocks away from my house and I frequent the shop often! When EDify Magazine named the Italian Centre for having the Best Sandwich 2022 no one was surprised. Edmontonians have known this for many years. It's a classic and everyone knows about it. The Italian Centre Shop is mostly a specialty grocery store that focuses on Italian and European ingredients. It's a wonderful store and you are always met with a strong sense of community during each visit. Attached to each store is a Spinelli Bar Italia, named in honour of the store's founder. This cafe was the first place to ever serve lattes and cappuccinos in Edmonton. These restaurant areas of each store location serve coffee, pastries, and light fare. It's a really lovely way to round out the entire experience and to make the shop more than just a "grocery store." I decided to visit the original Little Italy location (for the first time!) on a Sunday afternoon and was prepared to take in all of the sights and sounds. I was also curious to compare the OG store to the southside one, which I'm much more familiar with. It was immediately apparent to me that the Little Italy shop is a type of mecca. It's the mothership. The store itself is larger than the southside one and the buzz is palpable. Packed with the same incredible products and ingredients, the impressive deli, cheese, and bakery departments were firing on all cylinders. So the sandwich. THEE SANDWICH. You will find it within the grocery store, wrapped in brown paper, in one of the coolers. Once you learn the location of the sandwiches in each individual store, you will always find it in the same place. There are three types available; mild, hot, and vegetarian. (In my opinion, "hot" is the only acceptable choice, but to each their own.) They don't sell this sandwich in the cafe. I'm not sure why they don't, but they don't. You have to grab one, pre-made and wrapped, from the cooler and then you can either take it home or take it to the cafe to sit down and eat it. You can pay for it in the cafe though. Once I secured my sandwich, I went into Spinelli Bar Italia to order other items so that I could make a whole meal out of it. The staff is friendly and helpful, quickly gathering all of the requested food. The cafe has a nice feeling to it, bustling with energy. There are old photographs on the walls which add a nice touch. In addition to the indoor seating, each cafe also has an outdoor patio area that I especially enjoy. It reminds me of Italy, sitting outside on a terrazza, sipping cappuccino. (But only before 11am.) I picked up my order and found a table. I will say that the outdoor patio area of the Little Italy location was quite noisy, mainly because of the "colourful" people hanging around the storefront. The southside location is more peaceful and laidback. It also seems a bit more put together, in general. For those reasons I favour it. A coffee is a must. Italian Centre offers a really delicious crema caffe in the summer months and I had to get my hands on one before they're off the menu for the winter. There are three types to choose from and I went for the classic Crema Caffe Original ($3.00) made with Kimbo crema. What a delight!!! This little 4oz glass is filled with a creamy and refreshing dream! It's sort of like an iced cappuccino, except actually done properly. Cool and smooth, it tastes like a high-quality coffee and feels like an ideal treat for a hot summer's day. Highly recommend trying this before it gets too cold out! Next, lets get straight down to business with THE SANDWICH. Spinelli's Original Hot Panino Sandwich (Layers of Italian-style deli meats, provolone, Gloria spread, olive oil and dried oregano - $10.00), to be exact. This is it. The famous sandwich that serves as an old stand-by to many an Edmontonian. You can unwrap it and eat it as-is, or you can take it home and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to get the cheese all melty. Either way makes for a good time. The Italian bread is soft yet crusty, the perfect hug for the sandwich's contents. The array of delicious meats within are generously piled and your tastebuds will definitely meet like likes of spicy salami and mortadella. The cheese is mild and sprinkled with herbs. And the Gloria spread (which has slightly mystified me for years - is this a product in a jar that can be purchased??) is made up of a tasty mix of red pepper and eggplant. It's a classic Italian sandwich and everything about it is just right. Not only is it Italian, but it's Edmontonian. Hot tip! An old friend taught me this. "Pani

    Andrea W.

    I think that everything has been said already about the amazing Italian Centre. Today let me write about their pizzas! During these months, we have ordered so many of these delicious pizzas! Like many, we were not ready to take risks, but we allowed ourselves to drive to the Italian center, get in, order a pizza, wait outside for it, go back in and take the pizza home to enjoy a movie.. well, not every time we were able to do that. A couple of times, my husband and I went back to the car and while still in the parking lot we enjoyed our pizza! It was like a date night in the middle of the pandemic! We have tried Calabrese, Margherita, Calabrese, Diavola, Prosciutto, Roma, Marinara, and more, they are always delicious, with perfect ingredients, the dough is perfectly cooked and the cheese una delicia!

    Took a chance in their $12 fruit cake.  Mistake.  It's not very good.

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    4 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Incredible!! The best place ever! Have been going since I was a little girl the best food and grocery in the city!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Good food and great ambience at the original location in Little Italy. Service is efficient and friendly.

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    4 years ago

    A city of Edmonton staple. No question, always the absolute best. . Easter is my favourite time but all year round is recommended.

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    3 years ago

    The best deli in the city and not to expensive. Also in my mind, the best Italian sandwich.

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great selection of ethnic foods and customer service. Very clean and organized. Great deli and produce.

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    3 years ago

    Good place to shop: choice and great bread.

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    4 years ago

    Always great place to get your deli meat and cheese. Baked goods are also a must. This is a usual stop for us to get good Italian products.

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    12 years ago

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    5 years ago

    It's been far too long since I've been there. I really MUST go again soon to check out the bakery.

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    8 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

    Review Highlights - Italian Centre Shop

    A visit to any location of the Italian Center is always a special treat, something I always look forward to.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Hong Kong Bakery - Fruit cocktail cake 6"

    Hong Kong Bakery

    3.8(12 reviews)
    0.6 km
    $

    So I grabbed a fruit cocktail cake from Hong Kong Bakery. It was Chinatown Dining week. Which is…read moresuch good bang for your buck. Also, it gives highlight to an delicious food scene, which otherwise can be overlooked because of the area of town that Chinatown is located in. I really believe in the area, and even if it is not Chinatown Dining Week, I still go there often because the food is amazing (at numerous places on 96th street), and the families who have food establishments are really friendly, and care about they do. The staff here are friendly and care about what they do, (as all of the other locations on the street), but english is not their first language, so be patient! The women here running the bakery were fantastic, but we needed to do some charades to get what we wanted. Our fruit cocktail cake was only 20 bucks (for downtown dining week, it is slightly higher regularly), which is cheaper than many Costco cakes. It was so delicious. Light and fluffy, full of fruit and delectable whipped cream. I am not a super sweet fan, but I had three pieces of cake the first night. So lovely. They also have a tonne of other baked goods that are worth checking out. You should. Check out Chinatown. Check out the food. And check out the people that are in this resilient community.

    Lots of good baked goods to get here, including buns filled with sweet and savoury goodness, egg…read moretarts, and cakes. I don't think I have had something here that I didn't think was ok to good. My issue the last time was that they add the prices in their head and didn't issue a receipt. They usually use a calculator but I don't recall if they ever give a receipt from the til. This time they didn't use and charged almost $30 for baked goods, which I think was a few dollars off. My suggestion is if you go, add up the items beforehand or ask for a receipt to ensure the price charged is what it should be.

    Photos
    Hong Kong Bakery - Fruit cocktail cake. So delicous!

    Fruit cocktail cake. So delicous!

    Hong Kong Bakery - Chinatown Dining Week 2021 - $10 special: 2 BBQ pork buns, 2 coconut buns, 4 macarons

    Chinatown Dining Week 2021 - $10 special: 2 BBQ pork buns, 2 coconut buns, 4 macarons

    Hong Kong Bakery - Most things are behind the counter - good thing cuz this customer didn't put her mask on until staff reminded her

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    Most things are behind the counter - good thing cuz this customer didn't put her mask on until staff reminded her

    Popular Bakery - Winterfest on 118 Avenue. January 13, 2018.

    Popular Bakery

    3.5(13 reviews)
    1.6 km
    $

    Popular Bakery has it's name cut out for it, on the corner with it's big bold black sign with 3…read moredifferent names making it super confusing for any newbies out here. I didn't quite know what to expect walking in, if it was more of a takeout bakery style or a sit down and enjoy sandwich and chicken eatery? Well, we got to try it out and 100% more of a take out shop than anything else. Similar setup to Handy with breads and desserts displayed on the center glass counter display with a few shelves on the side acting as a mini market, the backboard had a few food food items but nothing special. The space is roomier with plenty of seating, but with a feeling of more of a concrete room as opposed to being more welcoming as Handy. We left with a few Portuguese tarts and they were cold? She didn't offer to warm them up or anything either, so my cold tarts were pretty disappointing. Though the filling did taste really good. Maybe we need to visit again on a busier peak time for some better service? Not in a rush to try this place again though.

    Popular Bakery is many things - including living up to its name. It is a bakery, grocery store,…read moresandwich shop, cafe, and hang out, all in one. Located on Alberta Avenue, Popular Bakery fits well into the multicultural atmosphere of the area as a Portuguese bakery and restaurant. One of the few places where one can sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy conversation with friends (except when community coffeehouse The Carrot is open), Portuguese Bakery sells fresh baked goods, sandwiches made to order, and a few hot entree items such as Portuguese flame-grilled chicken and pork. A cooler contains a variety of beverages, both domestic and imported from Portugal, and there are a few short aisles of groceries, again, mostly Portuguese. Despite being large and spacious, tables are precious few. I can imagine this place getting very full at lunch time, and doing a mostly take-out business. I was there around four in the afternoon, and the tables were around half full, mostly with older Portuguese men and women sitting around enjoying coffee and pastries, speaking in their mother tongue. My server was Portuguese, and I really felt like I had stepped into another culture - which is exactly what I want when I am visiting an ethnic establishment. I ordered a quarter chicken meal with french fries (my other choice was rice) and a salad (which comes with the meal). I was asked if I wanted my food served regular or spicy and I opted for regular. My food was brought out to me a few minutes later, and consisted of a large plate almost overflowing with chicken, fries, and salad. The salad was a mix of vegetables in a light, almost Italian style vinagrette with a bit of a salty kick to it. The fries were average, but crispy. I thought perhaps they might make their own here, but I was wrong. The chicken, however, was the star of the show. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, the meat was infused with a tangy season mix in oil, accented with salt and garlic. The grilled flavour of the chicken came through as well. Instead of giving me an entire dark or white quarter, I had a wing, a chunk of thigh, and two chunks of white meat. I enjoyed the variety, and it also made the meal easier to eat. For dessert, I decided to try one of the many tempting treats in the bakery's showcase. An egg tart is a standard Portuguese favourite of mine and they were here, but looked rather burned. Some of the other items, such as danishes, eclairs, and other pastries looked delicious, but a bit too much to follow the meal I had. I opted for what looked like a smaller dessert - a slice of caramel pudding. As soon as my server handed me the plate, I thought my arm would drop. It was heavy for such a small slice! I also had a cup of coffee to accompany my dessert and keep me occupied as I finished reading a book. The pudding reminded me of the filling of an egg tart, very firm in texture. The caramel part was probably the light syrup at the bottom of the slice, which tasted more like a lightly burned sugar than caramel. It was good, though, and it took me a while to fork my way through it. The big disappointment of the afternoon was the coffee. It was very, very average. However, it was also inexpensive. The price for a meal is in the $7-$10 range. The sandwiches are on fresh bread or rolls and include a variety of meats. There is also soup. I plan to come here again to have more chicken and try the rice. Portuguese Bakery closes daily at 6:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

    Photos
    Popular Bakery - During the Kaleido Festival September 12, 2015.

    During the Kaleido Festival September 12, 2015.

    Popular Bakery
    Popular Bakery - Beautiful Mural on the Est Side of the Store. September 12, 2015.

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    Beautiful Mural on the Est Side of the Store. September 12, 2015.

    Italian Centre Shop - bakeries - Updated June 2026

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