Don't know where to score your zeppole? Try these 10 Rhode Island bakeries
Editor's note: This story was updated with all the most recent zeppole information in the spring of 2024.
March 19 in Rhode Island is all about zeppole, a pastry some say is in the shape of St. Joseph’s hammer. It's his feast day that is celebrated this week. It used to be that zeppole could only be had on the one day. But no more as they are a seasonal treat.
Zeppole resemble a cream puff that’s been flattened, filled with cream and topped with more cream and a cherry. Traditional ones are filled with pastry cream. Others are made with ricotta cheese, chocolate cream or whipped cream and fruit. The feast’s close proximity to St. Patrick’s Day has given rise to the epic Irish cream zeppole.
It seems that every bakery in Rhode Island, some restaurants and even grocery stores, make zeppole. But all are not created equal.
Here's a guide on how to find your favorite. By the way, zeppole is plural and you never add an s. A single one, and no one can eat just one each season, is zeppola.
Classic Providence zeppole
You can't go wrong at three traditional hotspots in Providence.
LaSalle Bakery, 993 Smith St., Providence, (401) 831-9563, and 685 Admiral St., Providence, (401) 228-0081, lasallebakery.net, has been owned by the Manni family since 1975. Their baked Irish cream zeppole is always a dream with light and fluffy cream tasting just like a sip of the liqueur. The pastry is flaky and pleasing. The size is nice and they are always fresh.
DeLuise Bakery, 1251 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, (401) 351-5826, on Facebook, has been run by the same family for 83 years, the DeLuise and Bozzi bakers. They still offer both fried and baked zeppole. Not only does the chocolate zeppole have the creamiest texture and most natural flavoring, it's one of the prettiest. They are offering mini zeppole by pre-order this year.
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Scialos Bros. Bakery, 257 Atwells Ave., (401) 421-0986, has a history that goes back to 1916 and you absorb that sense of place in their pastry. Though no longer owned or managed by the family that founded it, they still turn out their stellar zeppole from the same, historic kitchen.
The best artisan zeppole
You'll find the best artisan zeppole from baker Allyson Mansfield. She's the owner and chef at Vesta Bakery, 47 Railroad Ave., Westerly, (401) 348-7055, vestabakery.com. Flaky, fresh and delicious pastry is only the beginning. Each zeppole one also has homemade candied cherries on top of a whipped cream garnish. She also offers a wide variety of flavors including caramel (amazing), vanilla, chocolate, Irish cream, ricotta, Neapolitan and banana. Call ahead to order or you will return home with regret. Choose from large or mini.
Best zeppole around the state
Antonio's Bakery and Charlie's Deli, 2448 West Shore Rd, Warwick, (401) 738-3727, antoniosbakery.net, is one of the best-stocked bakeries and a deli, too. They have traditional pastry cream, strawberry cream and chocolate during the week. Ricotta and Irish cream are sold on the weekend.
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Felicia’s Coffee, 5757 Post Rd., East Greenwich, (401) 886-4141, feliciascoffee.com, has the largest zeppole and they are always baked. They have pastry cream, whipped cream and whipped Irish cream, and a combo of ricotta, mascarpone and rum or whipped cream. You can special order a smaller version of each variety by the dozen.
The Original Italian Bakery, 915 Atwood Ave, Johnston, (401) 919-5777, is where you need to buy one of each kind of zeppole. Share sure, but enjoy at least one or two bites each of pastry cream, ricotta, chocolate, pistachio, Irish cream and whipped cream with raspberry.
Borrelli's Pastry Shop, 765 Tiogue Ave., Coventry, (401) 821-0130, on Facebook, has a great lineup of delicious zeppole that include traditional, Ricotta Cannoli, Irish cream, Strawberries and Cream, and Chocolate Mousse.
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Wright's Dairy Farm & Bakery, 200 Woonsocket Hill Rd., North Smithfield, (401) 767-3014, wrightsdairyfarm.com, has a traditional zeppole but it sounds amazing with house-made creamy custard, ricotta cheese and rum flavoring. They also have a zeppole with Oreo whipped cream that is topped with chocolate ganache and Oreo pieces. The third choice is a chocolate pudding zeppole.
Ivy & Lace Bake Shop, 546 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, (401) 349-5003, on Facebook, has a classic zeppole but you want to try their cannoli zeppole which has a light ricotta filling and chocolate coated top. You might also score one of their cupcakes topped with a mini zeppole.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Where to find zeppole in RI? 10 bakeries to try on St. Joseph's Day
