We have supported this bakery for over 40 years, and it is time to offer a review. This Jay Street icon in Schenectady has the best Italian bread. It comes in round or loaf shapes and in one or two pound sizes. It is available in many local stores including the Niskayuna Co-op. True story: Jack Nicholson was filming in the area and found out about the delicious bread from his driver. He got the bread several times and thought it was great. He had it mailed to him. Photos of Nicholson and a related newspaper article are on display. The bread, rolls, and Tomato pie are baked in a coal fired brick oven from Italy. Besides the bread, there are other outstanding offerings including: Rolls! Breadsticks made at the bakery Bread Crumbs for cutlets and meatballs Tomato Pie -- so popular it often sells out Panini Sandwiches made fresh daily for grab & go. Italian olives and cheeses in the case. Italian cookies Parking in front and in a side lot shared with Cornell's Restaurant. read more

Stopped in for some pepper sticks and bought some cannoli too. Omg, they are the best I ever had. Better than the ones I used to get on Wooster Street in New Haven CT. First time in the bakery, I'll be back for the bread and cannoli! read more

Perrecca's Bakery + More Perrecca's = Schenectady royalty First things first: full disclosure -- my son is a server here. Yes, I'm biased. But also... facts are facts and the facts are DELICIOUS. It was a full-on snowstorm, the weird dead zone after Christmas where everyone else is like "nah, we're closing early," and Perrecca's was like: "We ride." Just me and the wife, snow coming down sideways, and this place is warm, welcoming, and absolutely cranking out hot food. And I mean HOT hot -- not "restaurant hot," but "careful-that-plate-is-trying-to-burn-your fingerprints-off" hot. Love to see it. Food? Super tasty. No notes. Service? Solid across the board. Bathrooms? Clean enough to eat off of (I didn't, but I could've). Parking? Plenty of off-street, no parallel parking Olympics required. Now let's talk about the hostess -- because WOW. She works the room like she personally built the place brick by brick. Touches every table, warm, friendly, checking in -- you'd swear her name was on the sign out front. Absolute pro. Hospitality Hall of Fame behavior. Between the legendary bakery, the attached restaurant, and the fact that they stayed open when the weather said "stay home," this place is a must-see Schenectady institution. Come hungry. Leave happy. Possibly leave with extra bread you didn't plan on buying but somehow needed. Would go back in a blizzard. Would go back tomorrow. Would go back just for the vibes. read more

Sooooooooooo good, 100% recommend. Everything about Perrecas is amazing. Amazing food, drinks, and atmosphere

i've always wanted to visit Schnectady, from the radio days of "Big John and Sparky." I'm not sure whether the show featured Schenectady, because that's the town where General Electric (Thomas Edison) was located, but anyways, we were there, and I happened to see a sign for Little Italy. That led me to this tiny bakery storefront, Perreca's Bakery, which was stocked full of breads, cookies, and all sorts of deliciousness. We bought a rectangle of pizza, and a clam shell and canoli pastries. They were totally original tasting, and the women behind the counter took such great pride in everything they made. I just wish that we had more time to eat the bread and try even more items. One customer I talked to, said that she came down from Saratoga Springs just for the bread!!! What a find!! read more

Perreca's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

The modest facade and interior definitely didn't prepare us for the extraordinary food they have! Sure, the single staff manning the shop may have caused a 15-minute wait in line, but she was friendly and helpful, and by the time we took our first bites oyf the tomato pie there was not a complaint. The pasta soup was no minestrone, and it had a depth of flavour that I hadn't had in a while. The fact that they sold out sandwiches, which was THE reason for our first visit here, initially disappointed but that soup with perfect soup bread had me gushing until the last drop of broth. The tomato pie lived up to the perceived popularity, and once again the chunky topping was full of flavour which was way beyond what I thought might simply be a layer of cheese and marinara on a piece of bread. The only question is when, but if, we'll go back. read more

See all

I was raised in Schenectady and was in town with a sick family member. I left Ellis Hospital on a sultry night and was famished. I stopped by to purchase a Caesar salad to go and it was quite busy. A young gentleman working the floor told me he'd be right with me. After :10, a brash woman approached me and when I told her what I was looking for she said, and very rudely, "we don't have time for that", and walked away. The people behind me were stunned! I have eaten in the North End, Little Italy and North Beach over the years. I wouldn't go to Perecca's again if my meal was free. Find a place where your patronage and money are welcomed and respected.The place is a joke. read more

Having enjoyed amazing food in New Orleans such as the famed Muffaletta sammich recently, my girlfriend and I have been seeking out this delicious food locally. After scouring yelp and Google reviews I found that Perrecca's Bakery in Schenectady sold this sandwich. And we were not disappointed. The flavor of this sandwich surpassed our expectations, even beating out the ones that we had in New Orleans. It's great to know that we could drive an extra distance from the Troy area and get this amazing muffaletta whenever we want. They have other sandwiches and baked goods as well. We got a hunk of their red velvet cake which was also delicious. This bakery has been there for over 100 years and it is easy to see why, they know how to make great stuff. read more

Perreca's Bakery - Muffaletta sandwich soooo good - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

I go out of my way for the bread and tomato pie. Always worth the trip. Next time I need to try one of the pre made sandwiches.

An institution! Everything is great! Bread is amazing and the cupcakes are unbelievable!

Only a few more to 1000, and then it is off to greener pastures. This is a favorite of actor Jack Nicholson. With that resounding praise, how can I not try this out? Their famous tomato pie is absolutely delicious. You are supposed to eat this as room temperature and it tastes great with the tomato, Pecorino Romano cheese, and hearty crust go well together. Get two pieces because it will do you best later. A true treat if you want a little adventure. read more

Hello. World famous Perreca's bread!?! What's not to like. Get a muffuletta or prosciutto sandwich too. Seriously great bread from 115 yr old coal fired oven. read more

Although we come in once per week, I am truly thankful we don't live closer. I'd be 600 pounds. Everything about Perreca's is right: the look, the feel, the food, the everything. So, like I said, we go once per week, and we eat sandwiches and tomato pie in the car like a bunch of animals, and then get food for the next day. GOD BLESS PERRECA'S. OLD SCHOOL. DON'T EVER CHANGE. read more

I used to basically live at this bakery - I spent so much time there. They have the absolute best Italian bread on the planet. I used to be there when they first opened in the morning. The many loaves of bread were just coming out of the oven and were almost too hot to hold. I have not been here for over a year due to Covid but I am eagerly awaiting my comeback. Their pizza is also top of the line. read more

Every time I'm in town I stop by for Perecca's treats. Everything they do is supreme. I load up on bread, for my suitcase and a pastry and sandwich to eat on the airplane. A highlight every time I visit Schenectady. I hope they're around for another 100 years. read more

(4.5 stars) Not gonna lie, I'm slightly obsessed with the tomato pie. I regret not getting a second slice. The bread was a bit chewy, but loved the tomato sauce and after a train ride up here, it was the perfect hold-me-over snack. read more

Perreca's Bakery - Tomato pie - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

More Perrecas is always excellent. I highly recommend it. Love their tomato pie and it is worth the trip to get a loaf of Perrecas bread.

AMAZING italian food! Came to Schenectady for the weekend and had to have Italian food at the restaurant restaurant that accompanies Perreca's Bakery. The fresh pasta was incredible and I was wowed. Definitely recommend coming by for a plate of pasta and a glass of wine when passing through the area or visiting. read more

Perreca's Bakery - Gnocchi with sausage - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

"This tomato pie is such a heart Perreca." Hailing from Schenectady, I think of Perreca's as the Italian grandmother I never had. It's always been a dream of mine to have an Italian grandma; carbs are my best friend, and Italian food is loaded with them: spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli, macaroni... you name it, they've got it. Just think of those delicious Italian recipes buried away in Mama Perreca's head... For everyone else, Perreca's is an area institution known for its famous Italian bread, of which Jack Nicholson and I are huge fans. It also makes a saucy, perhaps lesser known, little snack that will force you to rethink pizza as you know it, and embrace the tomato pie. Tomato pie is an Italian-American baked good consisting of a thick, porous, focaccia-like dough covered with tomato sauce, and typically sprinkled with love, romano cheese, and/or oregano. It's not usually served straight from the oven, but allowed to cool and then consumed at room temperature or reheated. The perfect grab 'n go meal. Picking up a pre-ordered half pie to send on the road with my father who was heading down to my sister's place in Westchester for some football Sunday snacks, I grabbed a few individual slices for myself to snack on over the weekend (the bakery is closed on Sunday), and they *really* hit the spot. I'm usually not a huge fan of soft pizza with a thick, bread-like crust, when it comes to Perreca's tomato pie, it's just all about appreciating that simple goodness: the bread and sauce. Mmmm, mangia! Not only did the tomato pie satisfy my weekend craving, but fast forward to lunchtime on Monday, and I brought my remaining tomato pie squares to school, unwrapping them with a smile to "ooohs" and "ahhhs" in the break room, and feeling like my Italian grandmother would be proud of my lunch. Thanks, Perreca's -- I loaf you! read more

See all

Great bread and service! Very tasty food with a old school vibe. It was a great time and very quick service read more

Perreca's Bakery - Special!! Chicken Caprice panini - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

Ok came on sat morning to get fresh bread. The girl I side told us what to eat next door for breakfast. So we went to have the eggs purgatory. Omg delish. Grabbed a sleigh belle too. So anywho came back to the bakery and got more sleigh bells ( well that's what we call them) with the fillo dough and lemon ricotta filling) ,biscotti, and procute!! Snacks in hotel for later! Ok came back 2 yrs later now in town again. Ate next door first thank goodness haha. We are leaving town today. We are drivers and brought "Beautiful" the Carol King story into the Proctors Theatre. We just HAD to come in and get Bread, Pruchuto, cupcake, and the (can't pronounce ) filled with ricotta and lemon filling. I also got my free cannoli for bringing in our receipt from next door! Yeah!! We were able to park our big truck in the back yahoo. Love this place always. There was a big rush today in the Bakery. People were picking up third Easter goodies for Sunday. Leaving with boxes of goodies!!! read more

Perreca's Bakery - Eggs purgatory (both) with side of sausage n potatoes - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

If I were a cat, I'd "perr" at how good this stuff is. What to get: Cupcakes, Cannoli. What else: Leave the gun. Take the cupcake and the cannoli. I've only had one experience at Perraca's so far, just before closing. They open at 5am and close early around 5, and I was happy that they hooked me up with a cheap cannoli and an incredible chocolatey cupcake. I'm not even into cupcakes and this one was great. I'll be back literally the next time I'm in Albany, to try the famous Muffaletta, and maybe a different sandwich and some other stuff. A pizza slice perhaps. Luckily they are open on Sundays because I'll be in Albany this Sunday and maybe I'll be able to stop by. If not, then I'll just have to let them down. I'm such a heartperreca. read more

Perreca's Bakery - Cats love purrrrreca's - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Always amazing for years and years a truly fantastic family tradition for all holidays

Every now and again I forget myself. I'll complain that there is no good bread to be had in the Capital Region. Fortunately I'm friends with lots of dedicated Yelpers, and recently when I was on one of my tirades, Steve N. reminded me about Perreca's. It doesn't help that I'm a bit of a bread snob, with distinct stylistic preferences. I'm predisposed towards French bread, with its long fermentation time, deep flavor, elastic crumb, and crackling crust. Perreca's isn't that. Locally, Perreca's is the best Italian bread that I have found. It's really good, with a serious crust. So while this may not be quite the bead I'm looking for, that doesn't make it excellent for what it is. A bakery should be judged on its bread. So I'm going to ignore the comically large cupcakes that the place also sells. And I know that other people really enjoy the tomato pie, but I've always preferred the crispier style served across the street to the doughier one at this more famous shop. I just wish the bakery was open on Sundays so I could get this bread on the day that I'm generally in Schenectady. Or maybe one of these days, the local convenience store chain will start carrying loaves from this Electric City institution. In the meantime, I'll try to swing by and pick up loaves as often as I can. read more

I had greens & beans today with that fabulous bread. I would give 10 Stars if I could was hands down the best I've ever had since my elderly Italian aunt passed away 7 years ago. Reasonably priced easy parking very polite staff packed a napkin and a spoon without even asking in my to go package well done all the way around and absolutely delicious. read more

BEST THIN TOMATO PIE EVER!!!!! And delicious real Italian bread!! Great paninis too etc

We stopped in before dinner next door at Cornells and stocked up on hard crusted Italian bread and tomato pie. This bread freezes surprisingly well. When it thaws I pop it into the oven for a few minutes at 200 degrees and it is divine!!! read more

First of all I don't know why Yelp doesn't have 2 separate accounts for Perreca's and More Perreca's anymore but this update is based on recent visits to the restaurant. I finally got a chance to come for dinner and I got to take advantage of their free birthday promotion, which is a great deal btw. But I'm starting to get consistently disappointed by this place. I don't think it's being run well. We went on a Monday night so it wasn't super busy but they only had like one actual waiter and someone to help him so they were really working their ass off and therefore not overly friendly. We weren't told about any specials and two of the things my dad wanted to order they were out of. What we did get was really good and exceeded my expectations though. The vodka sauce was surprisingly spicy. The chicken Marsala was nice and sweet. The service was quick but like I said a little curt. I'm not gonna hold that against them. I also came for breakfast on Saturday only to find out they ran out of oranges so no fresh squeezed oj and also overheard they were out of French toast. C'mon on Perreca's get it together. You have been open long enough that you shouldn't be running out of things. My eggs purgatory were super overcooked. Poached eggs are supposed to be a little runny. These were practically hard boiled. I felt stupid sending it back but having poached eggs is what makes that dish so good. The yolk mixing in with the sauce is amazing. Hopefully they take notice and correct the problems because they aren't that major but I'm not willing to drive 20-30 mins to be let down much longer. read more

ObSESSED for years with the tomato pie and red pepper/fontinella(?) sandwiches on big hunky chunks of their house-made Italian bread. Always grab a loaf to take home for crusty, buttery toast in the morning or dipping in olive oil and balsamic. Yum! read more

Best. Bread. EVER! Their tomato pie is amazing. Their cupcakes are the size of your head. If I worked here, I'd be 800ls. Best tomato pie in the 518, by far. read more

I loved everything about my breakfast here. Really cute atmosphere, friendly waiters, and amazing food. I just got classic scrambled eggs with bacon, toast, and home fries, but it was really an elevated meal. I loved how their toast was on homemade Italian bread - such an awesome twist from the limp toast that you usually get when you go out to breakfast. The bacon was crispy and the eggs were flavorful, so those were great too. Shoutout to the home fries, which were actually crispy on the outside unlike typical home fries. They came with peppers, which I avoided, but overall had a great flavor and were a good complement to the rest of the meal. Honestly a great breakfast and wish I could go back. read more

Perreca's Bakery - Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, home fries - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Went to get some of my Mariana's favorite bread, she literally dreams about it at night Windy and Joan made a special trip, extra special! Their customer service was amazing and they gave both my girls an experience they will remember and talk about for a long, long time! Thank you! Everything was absolutely delicious! read more

Perreca's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

See all

I had read and heard about this place since we moved here a few months ago and we were super excited to have the best cannoli in the capital region. Well they were okay. I was surprised to see that they were pre-filled and just sitting in the display case. Guess that's how they do it. We purchased 2 cannoli one was soggy the other had some crunch. (That ladies and gentlemen is why you don't pre-fill). One of the best things about a cannoli is the crispy crunch on the outside. Purchased a few other items, she got the cupcake order wrong, (we only ordered 4, but hey guess that phone call she took while waiting on us got her confused), but luckily it was a flavor we didn't mind eating. Overall not bad, but the cost about knocked me over. Maybe it was just bad timing to go on a Friday afternoon.... Won't go out of my way to go there again, but if I do I will be sure to ask how long their cannoli have been sitting out. read more

Best Italian food in Schenectady hands down. I would eat every meal here if I could!!

The best bread and Taralli's ever. The also have great pizza and cold cuts and cookies!

Bought a whole tomato pie a few weeks back, so excited ( haven't had one since pre covid!) - came home and it was almost as thin as a regular pie. Very hard to eat and the ratio of sauce to bread ( thin overworked tough dough ) was way off. It ( the dough) was way over worked and not at all good slices:( super disappointing and may not visit again. Not sure who's making them but they need some help read more

No seating. Italian pies, cold cuts, pastry an bread. Get the Italian bread that Jack Nicholson couldn't live without.

Literally the BEST BREAD OF ALL TIME. I'm not joking. It's basically a requirement to go to Perreca's if you live in Schenectady. Their bread is delicious. I don't know the secret and I even worked there for a summer. It remains to be literally (I'm saying it again) the best bread I have EVER eaten. They also have delicious tomato pie (basically pizza) which is served cold and is just the right amount of tomato-y and bread-y. If you ever find yourself in Schenectady, NY or within a reasonable distance to Schenectady, please, for your own sake, go to Perreca's. Tell Maria I sent you. read more

Perreca's Bakery - Bread! - Bakeries Near Me - Schenectady, New York

I had a short layover on Amtrak in Schenectady and wanted to stock up before the 8 hour trip up to Montreal. This was a good place to do so. Firstly, the bread is delicious and cost-effective (it did get noticeably staler over the course of the journey, but that just reflects how fresh it was in the morning). Super nice crunchy crust. Tomato pie was surprisingly tasty given that I'm not usually a huge fan of room temperature moisture like that. And, the buried lede: sfogliatelle were perhaps the best I've had anywhere. Incredibly crunchy, perfect texture in filling. read more

I usually get my tomato pie in Utica, but if I get the hankering for some (I don't mean nervous twitching or night sweats)...this place is the solution and well worth the 20 plus mile ride to get some... Schenectady has some wonderful cultural offerings and a pretty eclectic dining scene, but sometimes you just need some red saucy carb laden goodies. Perreca's and Ferrari's are my go to in Schenectady. read more