$$$$BakeryNorth EndSun-Thu 08:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-24:00
Modern Pastry on Hanover Street has filled cannoli to order in Boston's North End since 1930. Chocolate-dipped shells, lighter ricotta cream.
TipLocals line up at Modern; tourists at Mike's. The chocolate-dipped shell is the headline item; Italian rum cake is the under-ordered cake.
$$$$BakerySouth EndDaily 07:00-19:00
Joanne Chang opened Flour on Washington Street in Boston's South End in 2000; the city's pastry empire grew to 10 locations across Boston and Cambridge.
TipSticky buns sell out by 14:00 weekends. Order ahead online; the South End original is the calmest of the 10 locations on weekdays.
$$$$BakeryCambridgeMon-Fri 08:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00
Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick's Sofra on Belmont Street in Huron Village Cambridge has run an Eastern Mediterranean bakery and cafe in Boston since 2008.
TipPark on a side street; the bakery's car park fills by 09:00. Ginger morning bun and za'atar manaeesh are the two breakfast orders.
$$$$BakeryNorth EndSun-Thu 08:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-23:30
Mike's Pastry on Hanover Street has filled cannoli to order in Boston's North End since 1946. 19 cannoli flavours, cash and card, white string-tied box.
TipThe line on weekends runs 20 minutes; the inside-counter line moves faster than the to-go window. Cash and card both.
$$$$BakeryCambridgeMon-Sat 07:00-17:00, Sun 07:00-16:00
Igor and Ludmilla Ivanovic's Iggy's on Fawcett Street near Fresh Pond has baked hearth breads in Cambridge since 1994. Supplies most Boston-area restaurants.
TipThe 5kg Francese miche is the showpiece bake; ask for a half-loaf cut. Pastry counter at the front, breads at the back.
$$$$BakeryNorth EndTue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Monday
Frank DePasquale's Bricco Salumeria behind Bricco Ristorante on Hanover Street in Boston's North End hand-cuts fresh pasta and slices imported Italian salumi.
TipTagliatelle, pappardelle and gnocchi are the daily fresh pastas; closed Monday. Cash and card both.
$$$$BakeryBeacon HillDaily 07:00-19:00
Tzurit Or's Tatte runs an Israeli-style bakery-cafe across Boston and Cambridge since 2007. Located in Beacon Hill. Open daily 07:00-19:00. At 70 Charles St.
TipShakshuka books out by 11:00 weekends. The Charles Street and Harvard Square branches keep the strongest pastry selection late.
$$$$BakeryCambridgeTue-Sun 07:00-17:00, closed Monday
Rene Becker's Hi-Rise on Concord Avenue in Huron Village Cambridge has baked hand-mixed levain bread in Boston since 1996. Sandwiches at the counter.
TipThe country sourdough sells out by 13:00 most days; pies are the under-ordered savoury order.
$$$$BakeryDorchesterDaily 05:00-15:00
Greenhills Traditional Irish Bakery on Adams Street in Dorchester's Adams Village has baked Irish breads and pastries in Boston since 1991. At 780 Adams St.
TipBread sells out by mid-morning Saturday; arrive before 09:00 for the brown loaf.
$$$$BakerySouth EndDaily 07:00-21:00
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.
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.