Insider Pages Reviews for Modern Pastry Shop

5 Stars: Modern runs the North End, end of story... (by Anthony C.)

Anthony C. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:29:00 GMT

Interesting story...

Growing up in Boston, my friends and family mostly took me to Mike's Pastry on Hanover (the main competition for Modern). I got many cakes there, even the one for my high school graduation!

Then one day I was walking down the street and some chubby actor or comedian was recording a video with a crew, and though he had a New York accent, he was familiar with Boston.

And he says into the camera, loudly: "In Boston people say 'it's Mike's, it's Mike's, it's Mikes' and it is... for tourists... but locals know it's all about Modern."

My interest was peaked.

Then my Italian uncle (who is an exceptional cook) had us over for dinner and served dessert... fresh cannolis that he was hand-filling. Where were the amazing shells from? Modern.

When I started working down on the waterfront, I started going... and though Mike's has a broader assortment... Modern is superior to all others in what it does offer.

Modern "creates" while others just "make". I recommend you try both places. I bring a lot of visitors to Hanover Street and have them get cannolis from both, along with other sweets, and then have a tasting party back at the house. It's a lot of fun!

4 Stars: One of the best pastry shops in the North End! (by Eugenia C.)

Eugenia C. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:03:00 GMT

Great pastry shop. Hard to decide what to get because everything is yummy! Also, coming from an Italian family, I can confirm that their pastries are the real thing!!!

4 Stars: Yummy pastries! (by Nicole M.)

Nicole M. — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:15:00 GMT

Every time I go to my in-laws, we always go into the West End and get pastries from Modern Pastry. The almond macaroons are amazing! The only complaint I have is that it's always really hard to find a parking space that doesn't cost us an arm and a leg.

1 Stars: Frozen Foods (by mattL78)

mattL78 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I have gone here last year and was disapointed. It is a small dirty place. With over priced food. The day that I went I asked certain dessert and was given it by the owners wife. When I sat down and tried it I noticed it had been frozen. I can tell this because it lacked flavor. So I asked the woman in charge if she had any thing that was fresh. She gave me a very rude answer. She said that I wouldnt know the difference between fresh and frozen anyway. So with that I left and havent gone back. So if you like frozen over priced food given to you with a dirty look go here. Otherwise go to Mikes its much better.

5 Stars: Best Bakery in Boston's North End (by Pamela B.)

Pamela B. — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 08:18:00 GMT

This is my favorite bakery of all time! I lived in the North End for 14 years and this was always my favorite. All the locals used this bakery. The cannolli's are amazing and fresh. They fill them when you order them so you don't have to worry how long they have been sitting. Their handmade chocolates and torrone are the best I've had. I still travel from Westfield, Massachusetts, a good 2 hours, when I want a ricotta pie or cannolli's and torrone for a special occasion. The prices are great!

4 Stars: Mmmmm Canoli's (by jay8440)

jay8440 — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Im not going to lie I have a terrible sweet tooth, so pretty much anything with frosting usually gets the job done for me. But modern pastery is actually worth the trip. For 20 bucks I got 6 canolis and 4 cup cakes that were the size of my fist. It was great, and like I said I have the type of sweet tooth that can usually be satisfied by a crueller at Dunks, but Modern Pastry is worth the trip into the North End

2 Stars: Disappointing (by ged76)

ged76 — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

After many glowing reviews, we stopped off here tonight for coffee and dessert. Sadly, despite their self-imposed view that they are coffee kings, Americans make terrible coffee, and Modern are no exception. Burnt coffee, burnt milk, overall an undrinkable latte. I'd expect more from the North End. The creme brulee was sad, lumpy custard with a gelatine top. We also ordered a bizzare brown and white tart (which we thought was a Neinish Tart) but turned out to be a simple, dry sponge cake with a sugary icing. Very sad. To finish it off, the staff were surly and rude.
I'm not quite sure why Mike's and Moderns get sucj great reviews, very mediocre in my opinion, I'd much prefer Lulu's cupcakes which are moist and flavoursome, their coffeee is proper Italian espresso too.

5 Stars: Best Bakery in the North End! (by tylersloan)

tylersloan — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Modern Pastry has finished its renovations and has the long line to prove it! Unlike Mike's Pastry; Modern Pastry has an organized line and the staff wait on who's first in the line. Plus, the line does move quickly. The cannolis at Modern are the best in the North End. They even offer a smaller size cannolis for guiltless pleasure! Their cookies and fruit pies are yummy too!

4 Stars: Skip the rude service at Cafe Dello Sport (by chowfiend34)

chowfiend34 — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Modern Pastry has gone, well, modern with their new look. The renovation has attracted lines, unfortunately. Still, I'd go here rather than Mike's (can we say tourist trap) or to Cafe Dello Sport. Unless you want completely rude service at Cafe Dello Sport, the line at Modern is well worth the wait.

5 Stars: MARY'S NORTH END (by ladylucerne)

ladylucerne — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

LIVED FOR 17 YRS. BUT STILL SHOP MODERN FOR PASTRY.THE BEST AROUND

5 Stars: Superior pastries and shorter lines (by theduke37)

theduke37 — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Superior to Mike's in overall quality of the pastries, in my opinion, Modern sports top shelf tiramisu, canolis and ricotta pie (these are the three I can speak for). Lines are also generally shorter, so Modern as far as I'm concerned is the place to go. FYI, there's no space to sit down. I recommend Cafe Dello Sport if you're looking to do that.

5 Stars: Great cannolis (by saturnbabi)

saturnbabi — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Avoid the rush at other places in town and come here. I am a cannoli snob but these are great.

5 Stars: Best Italian Pastry Shop (by chickie2727)

chickie2727 — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Modern is by far the BEST italian pastry shop in the north end. Their cannolis are the best I have ever had. You can wait in line at Mike's for an OK cannoli, or you can go right across the street and get the best cannoli ever without waiting in lines