Mike's vs. Modern: Boston's Great Cannoli Debate, Explained

Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry sit a short stroll apart on Hanover Street, and picking between them is Boston's favorite low-stakes argument. This guide gives you the facts on both, a few other North End bakeries worth knowing, and a plan for the trip. Best tip: skip the choosing. Hit both, then form your own opinion like a proper Bostonian.

Why Boston argues about this

Every city has a food fight. Philly has cheesesteaks, Chicago has pizza, and Boston has two pastry shops on the same street with a lot of loyal fans.

The debate has run for decades, and it's mostly friendly. You'll hear it from coworkers, college kids, tour guides and your uncle who "only goes to one place." Nobody wins. That's the fun part.

We're not picking a winner for you. We'll give you what each bakery says about itself, and the practical stuff that actually changes your afternoon.

Mike's Pastry: the facts

Mike's is the one with the bigger footprint. According to Mike's own history page, it was founded in 1946 by Michael Mercogliano, the "Mike" in the name, who later handed the business to his stepson, Angelo Papa.

The flagship is at 300 Hanover St., open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., per the Mike's locations page (as of Sept. 2026). It's also the chain of the two. Mike's expanded to Harvard Square and Assembly Row in 2017 and opened at TD Garden in 2020:

• Cambridge: 11 Dunster St., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sundays until 9 p.m.)
• Somerville: 445 Revolution Dr. at Assembly Row, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Sundays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• TD Garden: 100 Legends Way, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

All hours as of Sept. 2026. Mike's also ships nationwide through Goldbelly, per its homepage, and its FAQ says cannoli kits must go next-day to arrive fresh.

Prices not posted online, check in store · Haymarket (Orange/Green Line) · Daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Hanover St.

Modern Pastry: the facts

Modern is the smaller, family-run contender. Its Our Story page says it was established in 1930 on Hanover Street by the Picariello family, who came from Italy with their recipes.

The North End shop is at 257 and 263 Hanover St. According to the Modern Pastry homepage, it's open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday (as of Sept. 2026). There's a second shop at 20 Salem St. in Medford with shorter hours, and a downstairs dining room called Modern Underground.

Here's the detail fans bring up most: Modern says its cannoli are "made to order." Its cannoli page lets you build your own from four shells (plain, chocolate dipped, chocolate covered, mini), five fillings (traditional ricotta, vanilla custard, chocolate custard, whipped cream, Chantilly cream) and three toppings (chocolate chips, pistachios, almonds). Gluten-free cannoli come with a plain shell and ricotta only.

Prices not posted online, check in store · Haymarket (Orange/Green Line) · Daily from 7 a.m., late on weekends

The practical differences

Since we won't settle the taste question, here's what actually differs on paper:

• Age: Modern dates to 1930, Mike's to 1946. Bragging rights, if you care about that sort of thing.
• Reach: Mike's has four locations, including Harvard Square and TD Garden. Modern has two, the North End and Medford.
• Filling: Modern officially says its cannoli are made to order. Mike's site doesn't say either way, so we won't guess.
• Menu transparency: Modern lists its cannoli options online. Mike's site doesn't list cannoli flavors, so you'll see the lineup at the counter.
• Late nights: Modern's North End shop stays open later, until 11 p.m. or midnight, versus 10 p.m. at Mike's Hanover Street flagship.

One thing neither site spells out: payment. Neither bakery lists accepted payment methods online, so carry some cash as a backup and you won't be the person holding up the line.

Other North End stops people name

The two big names aren't the whole neighborhood. A few other spots come up constantly.

Bova's Bakery

Bova's says it's been family-owned and operated since 1926, selling Italian cookies, cannoli, pastries, pies and bread. Its listing page says it's open 24 hours, every day (as of Sept. 2026). That makes it the answer to "where can I get a cannoli at 2 a.m.?" Call (617) 523-5601 to confirm before a late-night mission.

Prices not posted online · Haymarket (Orange/Green Line), a short walk into the North End · 24/7 per its listing

Caffé Vittoria

If you'd rather sit down with an espresso, Caffé Vittoria says it was established in 1929 and calls itself the first Italian cafe in Boston. It's at 290–296 Hanover St., open daily 8 a.m. to midnight (as of Sept. 2026), with coffee, cannoli, gelato, cordials and more.

Prices not posted on the homepage · Haymarket (Orange/Green Line) · Daily, 8 a.m. to midnight

Parziale's Bakery

Parziale's, at 80 Prince St., dates to 1907 and bills itself as "Boston's First Pizza." Heads up: its site currently says a remodel is delaying its reopening, with no date given. Check before you go.

Prices not posted · Haymarket (Orange/Green Line) · Closed for remodel, check its site

A note on Maria's Pastry

Maria's Pastry Shop on Cross Street often shows up on older lists. CBS Boston reported that it closed in September 2019 when owner Maria Merola retired. We couldn't confirm any 2026 reopening, so don't plan around it.

How to do the North End cannoli run

Getting there. Take the Orange or Green Line to Haymarket, then walk a few minutes into the North End toward Hanover Street. North Station (Orange and Green lines, plus commuter rail) also works, and it's right next to Mike's TD Garden outpost.

Timing. Lines at the Hanover Street shops can get long, especially on weekend afternoons and evenings, and around big events. In general, weekday mornings tend to be calmer. No promises, though. This is the North End, and the North End does what it wants.

Game plan. Split one cannoli from each shop with a friend. You'll have an actual opinion instead of a secondhand one, and you won't need a nap on the Greenway.

Can't face the crowds? Mike's has shops in Harvard Square (Red Line) and Assembly Row (Orange Line), and Modern has one in Medford. Same names, different scenery.

Taking them home? Cannoli shells and filling don't love waiting around, which is exactly why Modern fills to order and Mike's ships its kits overnight. Eat them soon.

Pick a side (or don't)

Here's the honest truth: we can't tell you which one's better, and neither can anyone else, not really. It's a matter of taste, loyalty and whose grandmother went where.

So pick a team, defend it at every dinner party, and change your mind at least once. That's the Boston way.

The short version

• Mike's Pastry: founded 1946, 300 Hanover St., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus Cambridge, Somerville and TD Garden locations.
• Modern Pastry: founded 1930, 257 and 263 Hanover St., open until 11 p.m. or midnight, cannoli made to order.
• Late-night backup: Bova's lists itself as open 24 hours.
• Coffee and a seat: Caffé Vittoria, 290–296 Hanover St., until midnight.
• Get there: Haymarket on the Orange or Green Line, then walk.
• Pro move: try both, bring a friend and some cash, and go early on a weekday. Hours as of Sept. 2026, check before you go.

Sources

• Mike's Pastry: Homepage
• Mike's Pastry: History
• Mike's Pastry: Locations
• Mike's Pastry: FAQs
• Modern Pastry: Homepage
• Modern Pastry: Our Story
• Modern Pastry: Cannoli
• Bova's Bakery
• Bova's Bakery: hours listing
• Caffé Vittoria
• Parziale's Bakery
• CBS Boston: Maria's Pastry Shop closing
• MBTA: Haymarket
• MBTA: North Station

Prices, hours and schedules change. Tap through to the official source before you go, and if we got something wrong, tell us. We log every fix on our corrections page.