Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop in Baltimore: Cannoli and Sfogliatelle by the Pound
A third-generation Italian pastry counter in Little Italy, Vaccaro's sells hand-rolled cannoli, cream-filled sfogliatelle, biscotti, and whole cakes from a storefront that has occupied the same East Pratt Street corner since 1927. The operation is retail-only (no seating or espresso service), and the pastries are priced individually or by the pound, making it equally functional for a single dessert or a party order.
What Vaccaro's actually is
Vaccaro's is an old-school Italian bakery in the mold of Northeast neighborhood corner shops that have survived modernization by staying narrow in focus. The shop makes no attempt at café culture or Instagram presentation. What it does: Sicilian pastries made fresh daily, cannoli shells filled to order so they stay crisp, and custom cakes ordered in advance. The clientele is split between neighborhood regulars who stop in on errands and people driving into Little Italy specifically for dessert.
Menu and pricing
Cannoli (both regular and mini versions) run roughly $2 to $3 each, depending on size and filling. Sfogliatelle, the crispy shell pastry with ricotta filling that is the signature item, cost around $3 to $4 per piece. A pound of assorted biscotti runs approximately $12 to $15. Custom cakes and larger orders require advance notice and are quoted by phone; prices depend on size and decoration. Verify current pricing by calling ahead, as ingredient costs shift seasonally.
Fillings include traditional ricotta-based options and chocolate or pistachio variants. The ricotta is noticeably creamy without the grainy texture common in mass-produced versions, a difference that matters if you've only had supermarket cannoli.
How it compares to other Baltimore dessert spots
For single-serve Italian pastries, Vaccaro's is the baseline comparison. Rheb's Bakery, also in Baltimore and family-run since 1927, offers German and Eastern European cakes and tortes; choose Rheb's for layer cakes and celebration orders, Vaccaro's for quick cannoli. Albaneseanna's, another Little Italy fixture, makes focaccia and Italian bread primarily and has a smaller pastry section. For non-Italian European desserts or macarons, you would go elsewhere. Vaccaro's has no rival for Sicilian sfogliatelle quality in the city.
Who it suits and who it does not
Vaccaro's works for people wanting an authentic cannoli (crisp shell, good ricotta, no added sugar overload) without ceremony or wait times typical of newer pastry shops. It suits last-minute dessert needs before dinner, neighborhood walking errands, and people ordering cakes for events who want to avoid chain bakeries. It does not suit anyone looking for a sit-down experience, coffee, lunch, or novel flavor combinations. There are no vegan options, dietary accommodations beyond the standard menu, or takeout beverages.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, order directly at the counter (no line management system), pay cash or card. If you want a cannoli, the staff fills it on the spot. If you're ordering a custom cake or large party box, expect to be asked to call ahead or return another day. The storefront is small; peak times (weekend afternoons, holidays) can be crowded. In that case, go early or on a weekday morning.
Hours and logistics
Vaccaro's operates Monday through Saturday, typically 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though hours have shifted in recent years; verify before visiting. The shop is located at 222 East Pratt Street in Little Italy. Street parking is available on Pratt Street and nearby side streets; no dedicated lot. The corner is foot-traffic friendly and walkable from the Inner Harbor (about a 10-minute walk).
Vaccaro's survives in Baltimore because it has never tried to be anything other than what it is: a pastry counter that fills cannoli fresh and makes sfogliatelle the way Sicilian families expect to find them. That consistency, across nearly a century, is the reason people go there instead of newer alternatives.
