Ferrara's Island Bakery — Restaurant in Ship Bottom

Beware this place does not enforce social distancing. There are often more than a dozen people crowded into this very small room with lines often scrunched together. Basically it’s up to you to have the presence of mind to not enter if the place is already crowded. I stand outside the front door if I see a lot of people in the store to wait for it to become less crowded, and they will tolerate that although when I did so one of the elderly gentleman employees encouraged me to come inside to which I respectfully declined.

The donuts and other pastries are tasty. The selection of cookies is limited compared to most bakeries. Regrettably, they stopped carrying whole wheat and whole grain baguettes; I think they were the only place on the island to carry any sort of whole-grain baguettes. So one has to go to Acme to get their whole wheat sub rolls which are not...

While visiting LBI/Ship Bottom with family, I'd gone for an early morning walk one day, and owner, Charlie, was standing out front of his bakery. We said good morning to each other as I passed, and he invited me in; super nice guy! I didn't have any intention of buying donuts before then, but after stepping inside, I was blown away by the beautiful display and diversity of the baked goods Ferrara's offered. I was compelled to order, and after a few boxes of Donuts (including the "Best Jelly Donut on the Planet"), Apple Fritters, and Danish, I left with a bag full of goodies for breakfast. I quickly became the hero of the day, with many members of the family exclaiming that these baked goods were far better, and fresher, than other local Goodies at the Shore... We went back multiple times that week... The entire family highly recommends! Thank you for inviting me...

I was ready to love the big, delicious looking apple fritter I waited on line for. Then I sat outside to dig in with a cup of coffee. I kept ripping off pieces of fried dough, looking for the apple filling. Finally, I ripped it open to find one, solitary, small piece of apple with no moisture. That's it. One tiny square with no glaze or cinnamon or sweetness. I brought it in to show someone behind the counter.

She said they definitely put apples in there. It depends what sticks. I've never heard of such a thing. I said: there really are no apples in this apple fritter. Only this. She said: I guess it is a fritter then.

I walked away, thinking: You shouldn't call it an apple fritter then. I threw away the rest. Guess I won't be going back...