Modern Pastry

great service and tastes amazing!

Reviewed on Facebook

YUMMMMMY. My boyfriend and I visited this shop after a lovely Italian lunch in the North End. This was the perfect end to a delicious Italian meal. When we walked in, the place was already packed with people standing in line to place to go orders and sitting at small cafe tables in one corner of the shop. We were quickly seated in the only available table. We waited a little bit to order our desserts (a cannoli and peanut butter cupcake), but we expected the slower service, given that it's a popular pastry shop, and all of the staff were clearly helping people. The cannoli: You get to pick the base, insides, and toppings. I got a regular outside, with the traditional ricotta cheese inside, and pistachios on top. Mmm mmm delish. It was a big cannoli too. The cupcake: "Absolutely incredible" in the words of my boyfriend who says that it was truly the best peanut butter cupcake he's ever had, which is high praise for someone who loves peanut butter. Downsides: The place only takes cash. I wish they posted the signs for this by the front door and not just above the to go line. We were also not given the right amount of change back after paying. We were going to use that for the tip anyway, so it wasn't worth asking for it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Nice vibe, fast service, great variety all for a reasonable price! So nice not to feel ripped off just bc it’s a touristy spot.

Reviewed on Facebook

Busy Friday night but we were in and out in only 10 minutes. I didn't understand the process of picking your shell, filling and extras but the guy was very nice about it! We got black and white cookies, two cannolis and a pecan turtle. Everything was delicious, but the black and white cookie was the best. I have had much better cannolis but the other baked items were delicious. Cash only. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

For dessert, this is the place to go to if you want to have a seat. They have lots of desserts in the display cases. Staff isn't the friendliest, but move pretty quick here. There are lots of tables to enjoy your treat, and it's pretty clean and tidy here. Also, it's not as chaotic here during prime time, compared to other places on the street. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Some of the best cannolis I have ever had. The line was down the block but it's so worth it! They have a lot of different Italian and French desserts so there's something for everyone. 4 cannolis and a tiramisu for $20, what more can you ask for? More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The pastries and cappuccino are the best!!! ❤️

Reviewed on Facebook

First time going and I got this pastry glazed in rum. When I tell you, I never knew some rum could taste so sweet (I'm from the Caribbean too) and it was completely out of this world

Reviewed on Yelp

It was an awesome experience in the North End.  Cannoli's were very yummy and it was nice for a hot August afternoon.

Reviewed on Yelp

I've been going here for years and have never been disappointed. They make their cannolis to order, so you never get a soggy one and can specify any way you want. Their peanut butter cups have a thick chocolate layer and the creamiest pb filling. Their black and white cookies are traditional as can. Honestly you can't go wrong food wise, same with their coffee. Just be prepared that the line may be out the door, they are very efficient though and it does keep moving. (A million times better than Mike's) More...

Reviewed on Yelp

One word: Delicious

Reviewed on Google Maps

The clerk was so kind. I could relax because of talking with the staff. I was surprised the cost of cakes. They were cheaper than those of other cafe.

Reviewed on Google Maps

The pastries are delicious - you can't go wrong no matter what you choose. We had the strawberry cheesecake, limoncello, cannoli, and a macaroon. Big portions and great flavor. Our only complaint - and hopefully management (John P) sees this - was in the two gentleman doing the seating. Gino and Giovanni. Gino has his headphones in the entire time he served us and his other table which seemed extremely unprofessional. Giovanni seemed completely uninterested in helping anybody - he muttered cuss words about the customers at another table and wouldn't even make eye contact when we asked for a to go box. Meanwhile several female employees were working hard to serve all of the other customers and had great charisma. These two don't fit in; they looked like they were dodging work and didn't want to be there at all. One of the female employees was clearly frustrated with their performance and had some words with both of them. They snickered and rolled their eyes as she resumed serving folks.Bakery itself is great, just needs to replace a few employees! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My first trip to Boston and I was intrigued by the lobster tail pastry. Before we visitoe my husband and I searched reviews and decided on Mikes Pastry. We went and were very disappointed. On our walk back to our hotel we passed Modern Pasty. My husband  convinced me to try another lobster tail.  The one I had just tried from Mikes was thrown out since it was inedible.  So we spent another $6.50 just to compare.  Thankfully it was delicious.  The pastry was flaky and the custard in the middle was rich and delicious!  The atmosphere at Modern Pasty was also what you would expect from a pastry shop. If you are going to Boston walk right by Mikes and go to Modern Pastry instead. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I have always loved Modern Pastry and will take any excuse to visit the North End so when I decided to have a birthday party for my mom across the street I couldn't wait to order the cake from Modern. When I ran in to pick it up it was already boxed so I just handed the box over to the waitress at the restaurant we were at and never saw the cake until it came to the table while the staff sang Happy Birthday. At first I was upset and disappointed that the cake was not decorated the way I had specifically requested but when they cut it and served it I forgot all about the decorations as this was one of the best cakes I have ever had and I typically don't care for bakery cake! Seriously amazing! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Believe the hype. This Boston staple is amazing. My friends and I were fortunate enough to grab a table, some espressos and desserts. They take cash only and host a comedy club in their basement. It's a win win. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Although, there's a lot of speculation on where to go for cannolis, I loved going to Modern Pastry Shop. I haven't never been to a place where cannolis are made to order. At other places on the central east coast, there are just the cannolis that sit on the shelf behiNd a glass container. I think that really helped with the texture of the cannoli because it was just so fresh. I decided to get a normal cannoli with vanilla cream and pistachios. Let me just paint the picture, I walked to the Public Boston Gardens right on the water and just people waTched while eating my cannoli. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I owe to how good that cannoli was. I can't comment on *ahem* other Bostonian pastry shops, but I wouldn't pass up Modern! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I liked this spot a lot.Good sweet selection!Here's the rundown:-Bring cash-Lots of other things in addition to the cannoli-Cannolis are made to order so you choose the outside, filling and topping which is unique to this shop-There is a to-go option where you go up and order -There is a sit down section where you can eat in (and have your treats with coffee/tea) which was nice-Enjoy!

Reviewed on Yelp

Rated #1 in Boston loved it

Reviewed on Facebook

Great cupcakes, cheesecake and cannolis and best of all they have whoopi pies, my wife loves these I had never tried one until this and it is so good I see what all the fuss is about.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I was hesitant about the line being out the door but I was getting my order in about 10 minutes. So worth the wait too! Their cannoli are the best I have ever had! Highly recommended.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic pastry!This place is top notch for any pastry and sweet they offer.Love that they have a place to enjoy their products and a coffee and/or espresso.Get there early to avoid the lines.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Wow! Fresh! Best cookies ever! Ricotta in cannolis was super fresh! It was very busy but the staff was nice. My favorite dessert is the pistachio cookie! This is a cash only place. So many yummy options definitely would recommend this place or some of the other ones. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The cannoli’s are delicious! You won’t be disappointed.

Reviewed on Facebook

Nice cozy coffee place with great desserts to enjoy.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Best coffee I've had in the US (I'm not American)

Reviewed on Google Maps

Went to both Modern and Mike's to do a taste challenge. Modern wins! The cannoli had a bunch better ratio of the filling to pastry and the filling was a bit sweeter which I preferred. Definitely a bit more manageable of a cannoli to eat (though for the same price, you are getting a smaller cannoli). You also don't need to wait nearly as long here vs. Mike's which is nice. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I know there's an ongoing difference of opinion on Modern vs Mike's, but IMHO Modern wins on the canolli front. Just much more refined and not overly done. Straight up, Modern wins in my book. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Had a cannoli and tiramisu.Cannoli - very good. Comparing to Mike's.  A little smaller, and less flavors to choose from. But because it's made to order, the shell is very crispy and fresh.  Tiramisu - I love tiramisu and try it everywhere I go. This one is one of the best I have every had and so cheap ($4)! You can really taste the espresso and liquor. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Every local I talked to recommended Modern over Mike's. I should have tried Mike's to compare! But my next visit I will. I was in a rush to get to the airport. There are so many pastry items I wanted to try them all! Of course I went for some cannolis and tiramisu togo. Both did not disappoint! I ate it all before getting on the flight! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

5 Stars for the Boston Cream cup cake, wow! Moist, sweet cream filling, and chocolaty top. The cannoli are good too, just note that they are bigger than normal cannoli. The other stand out was the carrot cake! So good too!Y'all need to come out and try both pastry shops on this block and see which one you like. I like them both!Cash only and nice service and small table to rest while having you sweet treats. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Showed up here while waiting to go to Neptune Oyster. Learned an easy way eat the awesome pastries here that apparently some Baby Boomers didn't know and wrote crappy reviews:1. Cash Only2. You don't have to wait if you don't want to eat inside.I know how to read, so I already knew about the cash. When I walked in, if I wasn't wanting to sit in the tables they had setup there, then you can just walk in, get your pastries, and leave. I got a cannoli because there's a battle in Boston between Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry. I'm a Team Modern fan. Place is awesome, people are friendly, just go outside and eat your cannoli like a hobo in the corner like I did. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The best pastry’s in Boston by far. Great selection of pastry’s and other deserts. They have a few tables you can sit down and enjoy some pastry’s and cappuccino.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Soooo...apparently there's a cannoli war in Boston. Mikes v. Modern, plus a ton of other lesser-known-but-probably-equally-as-good cannoli outposts. What delicious decisions to make?!There's a bit less commotion at Modern Pastry as compared to Mike's, and seems more as a traditionally-run shop. One huge plus to the Modern experience is that the cannolis are freshly filled-to-order, and when you get them to-go, they put them in a lovely, string-tied box. Without even tasting the cannoli I got, I had a solid feeling every aspect of it was made with care. So, in order to fairly judge, you have to (at least) start with the regular, no pizzazz, plain ricotta cannoli. And it was decadent and delicious! The ricotta was tad bit sweeter than Mike's, but a real treat nonetheless!Modern is a requisite stop on the Boston cannoli trail. Just do it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I wanted authentic Italian pastries, and between Modern and Mike's, Modern won the coin toss. You can stand in a fairly fast moving line for delicious and fresh to go pastries or take a seat and enjoy the same with table service and an opportunity to order a drink (soft or hard) or a traditional Italian coffee drink. The espresso had me up for days! So smooth, deep and delicious but with a caffeine bite that gave the jitters to this serious coffee hound. But it pairs so well with a pastry that it is a must have (or a cappuccino, latte, etc). After a nice Italian dinner in the North End, take a walk around the block to burn a calorie or two and make room for the next course- dessert! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Easily the best macaroons in Boston. It's worth a visit just for that!

Reviewed on Yelp

Best pastry shop in Boston by far. Have to get the lobster tails.

Reviewed on Facebook

Delicious cannoli on the go or after dinner.

Reviewed on Facebook

We must have eaten here three times while we visited Boston and I just cannot say enough wonderful things! The bakery is clean and organized, the staff is friendly and the pastries are freaking fantastic. Try Mike’s if you want but Modern has the better cannoli – hands down. Instead of making 15 different kinds of cannoli like Mike’s, Modern has made a perfected cannoli shell, three perfect fillings and three options for toppings. We also had their breakfast which was quite good as well. We had desserts all over Boston during our visit but we always gravitated back to Modern. I’m not sure how much they would charge to express mail cannoli’s to Tulsa, Oklahoma but I’m not even ashamed to say I would probably pay it! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I was visiting Boston and asked a friend who was born and raised there where to get a cannoli. She (and her boyfriend, who is also from the area) both recommended Modern. Cash only, filled with locals, in the middle of North End. Half the customers were speaking Italian. The cannoli was cheap, delicious, and exactly what I wanted. If I had been hungrier, I would have gotten one of everything in the display case. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

#canoles this is just the way they have to be.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Worth the wait! The cannolis were very good. The coffee was tasty. There is a long line for "to go" but there was the option to eat in with no wait! Will definitely return.

Reviewed on Yelp

Outstanding pastries, excellent coffee and very reasonably priced.

Reviewed on Facebook

Very busy! Very good! Will be going back!

Reviewed on Facebook

If you plan to eat anything in Boston, this (or Mike’s Pastry) should be at the top of list! Line moves quick and your patience will be rewarded. There is no line too long for pastries of this quality. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps