Pastore's Italian Deli in Baltimore: Where to Find Cannoli and Imported Sweets in Fells Point

Pastore's Italian Deli is a counter-service dessert and grocery shop in Fells Point that specializes in cannoli, Italian pastries, and imported confections alongside a small selection of prepared foods and hard-to-find Italian pantry items. It occupies a narrow storefront on a block where foot traffic and proximity to restaurants make it a destination for both casual walk-ins and people planning ahead for dessert.

What Pastore's actually is

This is not a sit-down cafe or a bakery that makes everything fresh daily. Pastore's functions as a deli counter paired with a retail grocery section. The dessert case features cannoli (the signature item), sfogliatelle, Italian cookies, and seasonal pastries, most sourced from established Italian bakeries rather than made in-house. The shop also stocks imported pasta, oils, cheeses, cured meats, and specialty items that serve both home cooks and people looking for a quick lunch. Regulars come for specific items; first-time visitors often come because they're already in Fells Point and want dessert without sitting down.

Cannoli, pastries, and pricing

Pastore's cannoli run $3 to $4 each depending on size and filling (standard ricotta, chocolate chip, or pistachio). A box of assorted Italian cookies costs $8 to $15. Sfogliatelle and other filled pastries are similarly priced. The deli counter offers sandwiches on Italian bread for $9 to $13 (confirm current pricing, as deli costs shift seasonally). Because inventory depends partly on what's delivered from suppliers, not every item is always available, which is why regulars call ahead or visit often.

The cannoli shells stay crisp because they're filled to order. This matters: a pre-filled cannoli left in a case for hours becomes soggy. At Pastore's, you order, they fill it in front of you, and you eat it within an hour or two.

How it compares to other Baltimore dessert stops

Pastore's is one of the few places in Baltimore dedicated specifically to Italian pastries and sweets. Charm City Cakes (on Hudson Street in Fells Point) sells American-style decorated cakes and cupcakes, not Italian cannoli or sfogliatelle. Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop, also in the city, operates more as a full bakery with a sit-down cafe and offers a broader Italian dessert range, including cakes made fresh daily; it's a destination in itself, whereas Pastore's is a quick stop. For cannoli specifically, Pastore's is more convenient if you're already in Fells Point and need something in under five minutes. Vaccaro's is the choice if you want to sit down or need a whole cake.

Who it suits and who it doesn't

Pastore's works best for people walking around Fells Point who want a genuine Italian pastry without searching. It suits those who know what they want (cannoli, specific cookies, imported pasta) or who are willing to browse the case and ask questions. It does not suit anyone wanting to sit and linger, order espresso, or expect a full menu of options. It's not a destination for someone seeking vegan or gluten-free desserts; the menu is traditionally Italian and dairy-heavy.

What the first visit involves

Walk in, look at the glass case. If the cannoli shells are visible, they're available that day. Ask if you want help deciding between fillings. The staff will fill the cannoli while you wait. Pay at the register. If you also want lunch, order at the deli counter and wait a few minutes. The whole transaction takes 5 to 10 minutes. The shop is small enough that you may have to step aside if more than three people enter at once.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Pastore's is located on Aliceanna Street in Fells Point, a neighborhood with street parking (often tight during weekends and summer). Hours are typically 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; Monday is closed. Verify hours before visiting, as deli hours sometimes shift seasonally or for holidays. The shop is not wheelchair-accessible without assistance due to a single step at the entrance. It is a five-minute walk from the Fells Point waterfront and the main tourist corridor.

Pastore's fills the specific role of a neighborhood Italian deli where dessert takes priority over novelty. For people in Fells Point who want cannoli made the traditional way and don't want to commit to a sit-down meal, it remains the standard choice.