The Little Cannoli Bakery — Restaurant in Salem

I currently utilize a coworking space in downtown Salem a couple times a week. Street parking in this area is free but limited to three hours per block from 8am-8pm. So around lunch time, I must move my car. I know, I know, #firstworldproblems, but it’s really annoying! One day, I found a space right out front of Little Cannoli Bakery. I hadn’t even known a bakery was in such close proximity, and what a way to cheer me out of my grumbly re-parking mood!

Due to COVID, they currently are not allowing customers in shop. Instead, their treats are on display in cases pressed against the glass storefront. There are French macarons of every color, tarts, eclairs, napoleons, brownies, pies, cookies….well, you get the idea! They had a couple coffees available, and a menu for a few savory items, mostly breakfast sandwiches and individual pizzas. An employee takes your order, gathers your goodies, and off you go! Quite convenient.

Of course, I had to get their namesake treat, though if there is a cannoli on offer, I’m always going to get it as I love them so. Thus, I’ve had my fair share and I’m ready to declare this the best one yet! They are fresh filled to order with one side dipped in pistachio dust, the other in chocolate chips. The shells are extraordinarily crispy, even more so as they are coated in a caramelized sugar crust. Whew! My rainbow cookie was dense, but moist. It had that familiar flavor all rainbow cookies have. I don’t know how to describe it, except that it reminds me of boxed cake mix batter, but in a good way. Lastly, the dalmation cheesecake was not only adorably named, but absolutely delicious. Not too sweet + so plush and creamy.

Prices felt a tad high though not enough to keep me away, and everything was wonderful so I’d say it’s worth it. I’ll certainly be back for more cannolis, and I desperately want to try the bag of giant chocolate...

Nice little place. Rainbow cookies are pretty decent. But... The cannoli? Awful. Might be the worst I've ever had. Maybe the fact that I'm Italian, from NYC and lived in Italy at one point is the problem with these cannoli. I appreciated the traditional touch of the crushed pistachios on the end. Very nice touch. The fact that they fill the shells at the time of purchase is another good sign. Unfortunately, by day two in the refrigerator, the shell disintegrated into mush. The ricotta overpowered by bitter taste of the shell (I think it was toffee). The shell should be plain with MAYBE some sprinkle of powdered sugar. The ricotta should be the star of this pastry. I spooned out the center of the cannoli, the part that wasn't touching the shell. Very underwhelming. Hardly any flavor at all. Not sure if this is a new bakery, and I hate to bash a local business, which I'm not, but if you're going to put cannoli in the name of your business you'll need to step up your game. It was virtually unpalatable. If that was the first cannoli I had ever had, I wouldn't ever try a second one. I realize getting Italian pastries in the west is always a challenge. There is a place in Phoenix AZ that is a local business who makes the perfect cannoli. It might be worth the trip for the owner to test one out. I will go back in a couple of months and see if they have improved their cannoli game but for...

[After trying the cannoli, I've edited this to tell you all about it ] This is a delightful quaint bakery! The gentleman was ever so nice and made pleasant small talk while assiting me with my selection. His recommendations were spot on. These are THE BEST EVER MACAROONS! I'm quite a fan of them and this coconut has the most delicious flavor and perfect texture. I don't think they could be any better. I can hardly wait to return for lunch to try their take on pizza! Now that I've taken in the full experience of the Little Cannoli Bakery's star, I must share with you this is the very 1st cannoli I've ever had. You must have perfected this recipe because you aced this experience! Some past comments don't give the best rating but I'm curious, are there several ways to make this? Personally, I'm quite fond of this recipe. The filling was smooth and creamy. It wasn't very sweet but that is one of the favorite things I liked about it. It was the best accompaniment for the sweet, honey-almond shell! Topping one end were miniature chocolate chips and the other end, finely chopped pistachios-yum yum 😋! I could not say anything negative about it. Any other cannoli in my future has a big job to do if they want to impress me and get my vote! For now, my choice is The Little Cannoli Bakery! I'm excited for...