Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop is not the place to top off a big meal with a little something sweet — the gigantic offerings at this dessert shop and cafe are meals unto themselves. A native of Palermo, Italy, Gioacchino "Mr. Jimmy" Vaccaro introduced authentic Sicilian pastries to Baltimore in 1956. Today, be prepared to wait in line on weekends and to fight for the small tables located inside and out. Still, it’s more than worth it for specialties such as ricotta-stuffed cannoli, creamy tiramisu and rum cake. Plenty of other delights abound: layered Napoleons, chocolate éclairs, cream puffs and almond cookies. There are also 15 flavors of gelato, Italy’s version of ice cream, from chocolate hazelnut to apple pie. But insiders know the best way to sample multiple delights is to order one of the super-sized house specialties, such as the Italian-style "Death by Chocolate," which tops a slice of chocolate cannoli cake or cheesecake with chocolate chip gelato, hot fudge and whipped cream. For a lighter treat, try an Italian ice.
Full bar. Serving during late breakfast, lunch and dinner hours daily. Late-night Fri–Sat.
"No matter how full you may be, Vaccaro's is a must stop."
— The Baltimore Sun
Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop is not the place to top off a big meal with a little something sweet — the gigantic offerings at this dessert shop and cafe are meals unto themselves. A native of Palermo, Italy, Gioacchino "Mr. Jimmy" Vaccaro introduced authentic Sicilian pastries to Baltimore in 1956. Today, be prepared to wait in line on weekends and to fight for the small tables located inside and out. Still, it’s more than worth it for specialties such as ricotta-stuffed cannoli, creamy tiramisu and rum cake. Plenty of other delights abound: layered Napoleons, chocolate éclairs, cream puffs and almond cookies. There are also 15 flavors of gelato, Italy’s version of ice cream, from chocolate hazelnut to apple pie. But insiders know the best way to sample multiple delights is to order one of the super-sized house specialties, such as the Italian-style "Death by Chocolate," which tops a slice of chocolate cannoli cake or cheesecake with chocolate chip gelato, hot fudge and whipped cream. For a lighter treat, try an Italian ice.
Full bar. Serving during late breakfast, lunch and dinner hours daily. Late-night Fri–Sat.
"No matter how full you may be, Vaccaro's is a must stop."
— The Baltimore Sun