Scittino's Italian Market in Baltimore: Where to Buy Imported Goods and Fresh Italian Staples
Scittino's is a full-service Italian market and deli counter in Highlandtown that stocks imported pasta, cured meats, cheeses, and prepared foods alongside a modest selection of fresh produce and pantry basics. It functions as a neighborhood grocer with a narrow specialty focus rather than a one-stop shop, and it draws regulars seeking hard-to-find Italian brands and house-made or imported items at prices that reflect their origin and quality.
What Scittino's actually is
The market occupies a corner storefront on Eastern Avenue in the heart of Baltimore's historically Italian neighborhood. The front windows display cured meats and imported goods. Inside, narrow aisles lead past a deli counter where staff cut prosciutto, mortadella, and sausages to order, and shelves line three walls with dried pasta, canned tomatoes, olive oils, olives, and Italian cheeses in vacuum-sealed packages. A small produce section near the entrance carries seasonal vegetables. The business operates more like a specialty importer with a deli license than a conventional grocery; it does not carry significant quantities of mainstream American brands or a wide frozen-food section.
Stock and pricing
Imported pasta (De Cecco, Rustichella d'Abruzzo, and others) runs $1.50 to $4 per box depending on shape and origin. Canned San Marzano tomatoes cost $2 to $3 per can; bulk prices apply for boxes of six or twelve. Deli meats are priced by weight; imported prosciutto di Parma typically runs $18 to $22 per pound, while house-made sausage is closer to $10 to $12 per pound. Whole imported cheeses (aged provolone, pecorino Romano) and pre-cut selections span $8 to $18 per pound. Olive oils range from $8 for basic blends to $30 or more for first-cold-press imports. Confirm current pricing by phone, as meat and cheese prices shift with supplier costs.
How it compares to other Baltimore grocers
Scittino's differs from conventional supermarkets (Giant, Safeway) in selection depth and price point. A Giant carries Italian pasta and canned tomatoes at lower per-unit cost, but inventory skews toward mass-market brands; Scittino's prioritizes regional Italian producers and imports that Giants do not stock. For specialty goods alone, Scittino's is cheaper and more direct than buying at boutique grocery chains like Whole Foods, where imported Italian items carry retail markups. It also competes indirectly with Baltimore's other Italian markets: Trinacria on Mulberry Street (closed as of recent years, though its legacy as a Highlandtown institution remains strong in resident memory) and smaller Italian delis attached to restaurants. Unlike those venues, Scittino's operates as a standalone grocer with no seating or prepared-meal service beyond the deli counter. Choose Scittino's if you cook Italian regularly and value imported ingredients; choose a conventional supermarket if you need variety and quick shopping across multiple categories.
Who it suits and who it does not
Scittino's serves home cooks who follow Italian recipes closely, Italian households restocking pantry staples, and food professionals sourcing authentic ingredients for restaurants or catering. It suits people in or near Highlandtown who value walking distance or those willing to make a special trip for items they cannot find elsewhere. It does not suit people seeking one-stop grocery shopping, those without experience cooking with Italian imports, or shoppers on very tight budgets who prioritize the lowest per-unit cost above all. It also does not serve dietary restrictions well; gluten-free, organic, and allergen-specific items are minimal.
What the first visit involves
Enter and move directly to the deli counter if you need fresh-cut meats; staff can take orders while you browse shelves. If shopping for pantry goods only, you can self-navigate and ask staff to locate items if sections are unclear. Checkout is near the front door. The store is small enough to scan entirely in five to ten minutes if you have a shopping list. Many regulars call ahead to ask whether specific imported brands are in stock, since selection varies and special items may need to be ordered.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Scittino's operates Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (verify current hours by phone, as holiday closures and seasonal changes occur). Street parking is available on Eastern Avenue and nearby side streets, though spots can be tight during midday. The storefront is accessible by car and bus; the Highlandtown neighborhood is not walkable from downtown, so plan travel time. Confirm these details before visiting, as hours may shift.
Scittino's survives in a neighborhood where fewer families cook traditional Italian meals at home than in decades past, which makes its persistence as a full-market operation a marker of lasting ethnic commerce on Eastern Avenue rather than a trendy comeback. It remains essential for people for whom Italian cooking is not a novelty but a weekly practice.
