Mara’s Italian Pastry, San Francisco
North Beach is often a hit-or-miss neighborhood who suffers from its own popularity. Some places are quite overrated and not very authentic, but here and there you will find some amazing stores “with heart”, where the same family has been carrying on the business for several generation and where, while some things are very Italian American, others are just like being home.
Mara’s Italian pastry is one of such places. In its second generation of ownership, the family who runs it comes originally from Southern Italy, Calabria. They make an incredible variety of pastries, cookies and focaccia daily, which are a great draw for the local neighborhood. In addition they carry some holiday favorites like pandoro and panettone (from Bauli, nonetheless!, and Le Tre Marie!) and homemade torrone. A must-stop for the holidays, and the place where I buy breakfast pastries when I am in North Beach! (oh, yes, and they also make cannoli!)
Mara’s Italian Pastry
503 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 397-9435
Filed under: Bakeries and Pasticcerie, San Francisco
OK, this is ridiculous - you really DO have Italy in SF. yum, yum, and yum. Do they fill the cannoli in advance, or when you order them? There are less than a handful of places that sell cannoli in Calgary, but they are often soggy
Which is too bad, because sometimes it is the most fun purchase to make!
I don’t think Mara’s fills cannoli to order, but many other venues in the area do, like Romolo’s in San Mateo and La Biscotteria in Redwood City. I know this doesn’t help too much, Gail, as neither is close to Calgary!! a funny fact to dispel: you can’t eat cannoli in Italy other than in Sicily. I find it hilarious that people who go to Tuscany are disappointed about the lack of cannoli, because sweets are so incredibly regional you can’t get something made in one place in another, with very few exceptions! Cannoli are such a type of sweets, along with sfogliatelle (from Campania, the region of Naples) and even what here is called “biscotti” (originally from Tuscany under the name cantucci or cantuccini).
Help…….I need help in finding the very best/flavorfull panettone……..my bakery can no longer import…….its just not christmas at our house with out it
please help
thanks
Hi Lori,
I would go and check Mara’s as Tre Marie are considered the best panettoni other than the artisanal ones… AG Ferrari carries a few artisanal panettoni, but they are overpriced in my opinion…
I always end up with the Madi panettone at Costco, as it is a brand from Maina, another well-known brand… they are always fresh and delicious!
Good luck, and happy holidays!
Vanessa