Philadelphia Bakeries: Italian, Jewish, Neighborhood

Philadelphia bakeries carry several traditions at once: Italian cookies and cannoli, Jewish rye and rugelach, Pennsylvania Dutch sticky buns, hoagie rolls and the neighborhood cake shops that bake for birthdays. A good loaf or tray is a cheap, quick reason to cross town. Look for a full case, a short list of specialties and a counter that smells of butter.

What kinds of Philadelphia bakeries are there?

Four broad families. Italian bakeries sell cannoli, sfogliatelle, biscotti, rainbow cookies, pizzelle and crusty loaves. Jewish bakeries sell rye, challah, babka, rugelach, black and white cookies and hamantaschen in season. Neighborhood bakeries make layer cakes, cupcakes, pies, muffins and morning pastries. And the newer cafes bake bread and croissants on site for the coffee crowd.

The distinction matters because each does something different well. If you want a loaf for a sandwich, the roll-making bakeries are the answer, since Philadelphia's sandwiches depend on a particular kind of crusty, soft-centered roll. If you want a dessert for a dinner party, an Italian counter is a safe bet.

What should you buy at an Italian bakery in Philadelphia?

Start with the cookies. A mixed box of Italian cookies, with almond paste, jam, pistachio and chocolate varieties, is a classic gift and sells by weight. Cannoli should be filled to order, so the shell stays crisp, and sfogliatelle should be flaky and fragrant.

Add a loaf of Italian bread, a tray of pizza by the square or a couple of rolls for the next day. Ask staff what came out of the oven that morning, and buy it. In South Philadelphia the Italian Market guide shows where several bakeries sit among the cheese shops and butchers.

What is Philadelphia pastry known for?

A mix of traditions and a few local specialties. Soft pretzels are the best known, and the soft pretzels and water ice guide covers them in full. Sticky buns, a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty, are sweet, dark and gooey. Rugelach, babka and cinnamon rolls fill the Jewish and neighborhood bakery cases.

For breakfast, look for a croissant, a morning bun or a scone from a cafe bakery with a short, seasonal menu. For afternoon, a slice of cake with coffee is a time-honored Philadelphia habit. Prices vary, and freshness matters more than fame: the best pastry is the one that came out of the oven that morning.

How do you order a Philadelphia birthday cake bakery order?

Plan ahead and ask questions. Call or visit the bakery several days before the date, say how many people you need to serve, choose flavors and fillings, and ask about writing on the cake. Every bakery sets its own lead times, so ask early.

Ask for a tasting if the bakery offers one, and be clear about allergies. A tag in an app is never a guarantee, so speak directly with the baker if a guest has a nut, egg or gluten allergy. Pick up the cake yourself if you can, and carry it flat in the car, on the floor, away from the sun.

How can you tell fresh bread from stale?

By sight, smell and feel. A fresh loaf has a crisp crust that crackles when squeezed, a warm and yeasty smell and a soft, springy center. Day-old bread feels harder and smells dull. Rolls should give a little when pressed and spring back.

Buy bread the day you plan to eat it, and store it in a paper bag, not plastic, to keep the crust crisp. Slice and freeze what you will not finish. A bakery that sells out by noon is usually a good sign.

A bakery trip works best as a small plan. Go early, when the cases are full and the bread is still warm, and bring a bag and a little cash in case a counter prefers it. Order one thing to eat on the spot and a box to take home, since the first bite tells you what the second will be. Ask staff what they bake for a particular day or season, because many bakeries make certain pastries only for holidays, such as Easter breads, Christmas cookies and braided loaves for the Jewish holidays. A friendly question often brings a taste of something you would not have chosen, and it is the best way to learn a neighborhood bakery.

What does the Bakery tag mean?

Raters in the Mosey app add the Bakery tag when they rate a place that bakes, and diners look for it in the Find sheet. It is a note from someone who was there and never a promise about what is in the case that day. Rate the item by the dish, such as the rye, the cannoli or the sticky bun. Make a list called Philly bakery run with a note on each stop, and share it with a friend. The Jewish delis guide and the late night food guide pair well with a bakery morning.

Where next in Philadelphia?

For something cold after the pastry, the ice cream shops guide covers scoops old and new. The US food guides hold the rest of the country, and the Pennsylvania hub links the state's towns.

On the way home with your box, open the Mosey app, rate what you bought by the dish and add the bakery to a list for the next time.