From traditional ricotta-filled favorites to modern flavor twists, explore the top spots in Philly serving up the city's best cannoli.
Philadelphia is known for its rich Italian heritage, and one of the best ways to experience that is through its cannoli.
Whether you're a local or just visiting, there’s no shortage of bakeries offering these crispy, creamy, and utterly satisfying treats.
From traditional ricotta-filled shells to creative new twists, we’ve rounded up the best spots in the city to grab a cannoli that will leave you craving more. Check out these must-visit bakeries for a taste of Philly’s finest cannoli.
Located in South Philly, Isgro Pastries is a family-owned bakery that's been around for over a century. Known for their award-winning pastries, it's the cannoli that have kept people coming back since 1904. Their Sicilian-inspired recipe offers flavors like ricotta, vanilla, chocolate, mascarpone, and chocolate mousse. For a fun at-home experience, you can grab a package with six cannoli shells, ricotta filling, and chocolate chips for $30.
With three locations across Philly, Termini Brothers is a go-to spot for handmade cannoli. You can choose from vanilla cream, chocolate cream, or ricotta-filled options. They offer singles, a bundle with a dozen shells and ricotta filling, petite cannoli, and even a party platter with 24 petite cannoli, priced between $5 and $65. If you're really craving cannoli, they deliver nationally, sending six to 12 shells with up to two filling options right to your door ($60-$80).
At Varallo Brothers Bakery, cannoli comes in both classic and specialty versions. You can choose from chocolate cream, vanilla cream, or ricotta filling, all served in a traditional crispy egg shell or a chocolate-covered version. People on Reddit suggest that if you want a modern twist, try their specialty cannoli with creamy ricotta, light cream, and a touch of Strega liqueur, paired with chocolate-tipped shells. You can also order a half-dozen shells and filling shipped nationwide for $41.
Cafe Roma is a cash-only spot known for its fresh, excellent cannoli. The three main flavors—vanilla, chocolate, and ricotta with chocolate chips—have a nice zest that balances perfectly with the chips. The ricotta cannoli is a crowd favorite on Google reviews. Pair your pastry with their coffee, espresso, or cappuccinos. And don’t miss out on their donuts, which are also a big hit.
Sarcone's Bakery is another South Philly gem, known for using high-quality ingredients and sticking to authentic Italian recipes. Their cannoli are a must-try, with just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of citrus zest. It’s a simple take—just a few chocolate chips, nothing too fancy like some modern spots. The shell is crispy with great texture, and the cream is light, not too sweet, with a fresh dairy flavor.
Frangelli's may be famous for their donuts, but their cannoli are just as impressive. These large, generously filled treats come packed with creamy ricotta. People on Facebook suggest trying the Frannoli—a sliced donut filled with cannoli cream and chocolate chips. The salted caramel and powdered donuts with cannoli cream filling are personal favorites. The cannoli filling is light and creamy, and the staff is always friendly, offering great recommendations for both donuts and pastries.
Gran Caffe L’Aquila is an upscale Italian cafe offering a variety of cannoli flavors, including traditional ricotta, pistachio, and chocolate. Made with high-quality ingredients and beautifully presented.
Cacia’s Bakery is known for its delicious chocolate and ricotta cannoli, made fresh right in front of you. Whether you're there for the cannoli or their pizza pies, both are hard to beat. People on Reddit say the service is usually quick, and the staff is always friendly. Their freshly filled cannoli are a real treat and some of the best in South Philly.
At Oteri’s Italian Bakery, the cannoli are made fresh to order, ensuring the shells stay crisp and perfect. Their vanilla cannoli is a standout, and the cream filling is exceptional. With three flavors to choose from—chocolate, vanilla, and ricotta cheese with chocolate chips—the ricotta with chocolate chips tends to be a crowd favorite among people on Google reviews.
Rim Cafe offers a wide variety of authentic Italian cannoli flavors, making it tough to pick just one. The mascarpone filling is generous, and both the classic and toasted almond cannoli are crowd-pleasers.
Pro tip: Their cinnamon crunch cannoli is also a must-try.
Every cannoli is filled fresh upon order, so the shell stays perfectly crisp—not too hard and not crumbly. With unique flavors like Nutella and espresso, this spot is a must for cannoli lovers. The friendly service is an added bonus.
At Fiorino Cucina Italiano, the desserts are a highlight, especially the cannoli and gelato. Many people have said on Google reviews that the chocolate chip cannoli is a standout, pairing perfectly with their excellent coffee.
Anthony’s Italian Coffee House and Chocolate House
This cozy cafe is a local favorite for coffee, pastries, and desserts. Their cannoli, with a light and fluffy ricotta filling and a perfectly crisp shell, is a must-try. Made fresh to order, the cannoli is generously filled and nicely balanced with chocolate chips. Many people online suggest pairing it with their delicious salted caramel gelato. Their coffee and hot chocolate goes well with it too.
Holy Cannoli Cafe puts a fun spin on the classic cannoli, offering flavors like Nutella, cookies and cream, and even pumpkin spice. Their fresh, in-house cannoli shells are crisp and perfectly hold the generous, flavorful cream. The pistachio cannoli is a fan favorite, and they also rotate specialty flavors packed with creativity. Plus, they don’t skimp on the chocolate chips, which is always a bonus.
Nonna & Pop’s is a cozy cafe offering a range of Italian pastries, with their cannoli being a standout. Made fresh daily, both the shells and fillings use high-quality ingredients.
