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BakeryAmerican cakes, cupcakes and breakfast pastrySouth EndWalk-in only
South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue has run a bakery counter and cafe in Boston's South End since 2005. Open daily 07:00-21:00. At 314 Shawmut Ave.
Worth the queueSea salt brownie
TipThe bakery counter at the front is the fast take-away; the bistro at the back is the brunch room. Sea salt brownies sell out by 15:00.
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BakeryIrish breads, soda bread and Irish breakfastDorchesterWalk-in only
Greenhills Traditional Irish Bakery on Adams Street in Dorchester's Adams Village has baked Irish breads and pastries in Boston since 1991. At 780 Adams St.
Worth the queueBrown bread and raisin soda bread
TipBread sells out by mid-morning Saturday; arrive before 09:00 for the brown loaf.
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BakerySicilian-style cannoli, filled to orderNorth EndWalk-in only
Mike's Pastry on Hanover Street has filled cannoli to order in Boston's North End since 1946. 19 cannoli flavours, cash and card, white string-tied box.
Worth the queueRicotta cannoli with chocolate chips
TipThe line on weekends runs 20 minutes; the inside-counter line moves faster than the to-go window. Cash and card both.
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BakeryItalian American pastry and chocolate-dipped cannoliNorth EndWalk-in only
Modern Pastry on Hanover Street has filled cannoli to order in Boston's North End since 1930. Chocolate-dipped shells, lighter ricotta cream.
Worth the queueChocolate-dipped cannoli with sweet cream
TipLocals line up at Modern; tourists at Mike's. The chocolate-dipped shell is the headline item; Italian rum cake is the under-ordered cake.
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BakerySticky buns, sandwiches, French and American pastrySouth EndWalk-in only
Joanne Chang opened Flour on Washington Street in Boston's South End in 2000; the city's pastry empire grew to 10 locations across Boston and Cambridge.
Worth the queueSticky bun with pecans and caramel
TipSticky buns sell out by 14:00 weekends. Order ahead online; the South End original is the calmest of the 10 locations on weekdays.
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BakeryIsraeli-style pastry, shakshuka brunchBeacon HillWalk-in only
Tzurit Or's Tatte runs an Israeli-style bakery-cafe across Boston and Cambridge since 2007. Located in Beacon Hill. Open daily 07:00-19:00. At 70 Charles St.
Worth the queueShakshuka with feta and herbs
TipShakshuka books out by 11:00 weekends. The Charles Street and Harvard Square branches keep the strongest pastry selection late.