Bakery$cambridgeTue-Sun 07:00-17:00, closed MondayWalk-in onlyHand-mixed European breads and pies
Rene Becker's Hi-Rise on Concord Avenue in Huron Village Cambridge has baked hand-mixed levain bread in Boston since 1996. Sandwiches at the counter.
Tip: The country sourdough sells out by 13:00 most days; pies are the under-ordered savoury order.
Worth the queue: Country sourdough boule
Bakery$north-endTue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed MondayWalk-in onlyHand-cut fresh pasta and Italian salumi
Frank DePasquale's Bricco Salumeria behind Bricco Ristorante on Hanover Street in Boston's North End hand-cuts fresh pasta and slices imported Italian salumi.
Tip: Tagliatelle, pappardelle and gnocchi are the daily fresh pastas; closed Monday. Cash and card both.
Worth the queue: Fresh tagliatelle, sold by weight
Bakery$south-endDaily 07:00-21:00Walk-in onlyAmerican cakes, cupcakes and breakfast pastry
South End Buttery on Shawmut Avenue has run a bakery counter and cafe in Boston's South End since 2005. Open daily 07:00-21:00. At 314 Shawmut Ave.
Tip: The bakery counter at the front is the fast take-away; the bistro at the back is the brunch room. Sea salt brownies sell out by 15:00.
Worth the queue: Sea salt brownie
Bakery$dorchesterDaily 05:00-15:00Walk-in onlyIrish breads, soda bread and Irish breakfast
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.
Tip: Bread sells out by mid-morning Saturday; arrive before 09:00 for the brown loaf.
Worth the queue: Brown bread and raisin soda bread
Bakery$north-endSun-Thu 08:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-23:30Walk-in onlySicilian-style cannoli, filled to order
Mike's Pastry on Hanover Street has filled cannoli to order in Boston's North End since 1946. 19 cannoli flavours, cash and card, white string-tied box.
Tip: The line on weekends runs 20 minutes; the inside-counter line moves faster than the to-go window. Cash and card both.
Worth the queue: Ricotta cannoli with chocolate chips
Bakery$north-endSun-Thu 08:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-24:00Walk-in onlyItalian American pastry and chocolate-dipped cannoli
Modern Pastry on Hanover Street has filled cannoli to order in Boston's North End since 1930. Chocolate-dipped shells, lighter ricotta cream.
Tip: Locals line up at Modern; tourists at Mike's. The chocolate-dipped shell is the headline item; Italian rum cake is the under-ordered cake.
Worth the queue: Chocolate-dipped cannoli with sweet cream