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Name: Bova’s Bakery
Address: 134 Salem St, Boston, MA, 02113
Telephone: (617) 523-5601
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.14

Bova’s Bakery

134 Salem St, Boston, MA, 02113

(617) 523-5601
Store is closed

Bova’s Bakery Menu

Subs

Bova Special

Sicilian Special

Italian

Eggplant Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan

Meatball

Roast Beef

Roasted Turkey

Ham & Cheese

Albacore Tuna Fish

Rollups
Calzones

Ham & Cheese

Roast Beef & Cheese

Spinach & Cheese

Turkey & Cheese

Chicken Parmesan

Cold Cut & Cheese

Eggplant Parmesan

Meatball & Cheese

Sausage & Cheese
Pizza

Cheese

Pepperoni

Mushroom

Pepper & Onion
Whole Pizza

Cheese

Toppings
Party Subs

Plain

Filled
Deli - Cold Meat

Prosciutto

Roast Beef

Turkey

Danish Ham

Smoked Honey Ham

Cappicola

Pepperoni & Sticks

Genoa Salami

Mortadella

Sopressata
Deli - Cheese

American

Provolone

Mozzarella

Swiss

Fresh Mozzarella Balls
Pastries

Moose Cups

Fruit Tarts

Creme Puffs

Apple Dumpling

Whoopie Pies

Neapolitans

Eclairs

Congo Bars

Half Moons

Fruit Squares

Flaky Turnovers

Pie Crust Turnovers

Rum Bar

Paragini

Bismarks

Mini - Pastries

Fancy Pastries
Flaky Pastry

Pinwheels

Sticks

Elephant Ears

Oreo Treats

Rice Krispie Treats
Tiramisu

Cups

Medium Tray

Large Tray
Cakes

By The Slice
Cheese Cakes

Strawberry

Cherry

Blue Berry

Ricotta

Plain
Whole Cakes

Whipped Cream

Frosting

Cheese Cake Plain

Cheese Cake

Ricotta Pie

Birthday Cakes

Rum Cakes (serves 10-12)

Boston Cream

White Or Chocolate
Cannolis

Chocolate Bavarian Ricotta

Ricotta

Ricotta Dipped In Chocolate
Breads

Scala

Sliced

Bostoni

Stubby

Tuscan White

Tuscan Wheat

Round

Ring

French

Eggwash

Soup Bowls
Specialty Breads

Cinnamon

Raisin

Whole Wheat

Multi Grain

Low Carb

Foccacia Round
Mixed Cookies

By The Container

Snow Balls

Pizzella (in bag)

Snow Balls

Brownies

Pkg. Brownies

Hermits

Pkg. Hermits
Single Cookies

Milano Dipped In Chocolate

Almond Biscotti Dipped

Pizzelle Dipped In Choc

Peanut Butter Log

Large Cookies

Available Dipped Half In Chocolate
Cookies by The Pound

Almond Biscotti

Almond

White Greek

Chocolate Chip

Choc Chocolate Chip

Fig Bars

Raspberry Bars

Half Moon

Macaroons

Sesame

Anise Biscotti

Raspberry Sandwich

Milano

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bova’s Bakery

Subs

Bova Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sicilian Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meatball [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ham & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Albacore Tuna Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rollups [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Calzones

Ham & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cold Cut & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meatball & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizza

Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepperoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepper & Onion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Whole Pizza

Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toppings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Party Subs

Plain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filled [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Deli - Cold Meat

Prosciutto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Danish Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Honey Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappicola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepperoni & Sticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Genoa Salami [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mortadella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopressata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Deli - Cheese

American [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Provolone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swiss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Mozzarella Balls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pastries

Moose Cups [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Tarts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Creme Puffs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple Dumpling [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whoopie Pies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Neapolitans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eclairs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Congo Bars [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half Moons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Squares [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flaky Turnovers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pie Crust Turnovers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rum Bar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paragini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bismarks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini - Pastries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fancy Pastries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Flaky Pastry

Pinwheels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Elephant Ears [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oreo Treats [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice Krispie Treats [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tiramisu

Cups [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medium Tray [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Large Tray [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cakes

By The Slice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cheese Cakes

Strawberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cherry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Berry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Whole Cakes

Whipped Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frosting [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Cake Plain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Birthday Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rum Cakes (serves 10-12) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Boston Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

White Or Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cannolis

Chocolate Bavarian Ricotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta Dipped In Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Breads

Scala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sliced [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bostoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stubby [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuscan White [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuscan Wheat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Round [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ring [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggwash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Bowls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialty Breads

Cinnamon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raisin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Wheat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Multi Grain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Low Carb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Foccacia Round [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mixed Cookies

By The Container [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snow Balls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizzella (in bag) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snow Balls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brownies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pkg. Brownies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hermits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pkg. Hermits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Single Cookies

Milano Dipped In Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Almond Biscotti Dipped [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizzelle Dipped In Choc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peanut Butter Log [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Large Cookies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Available Dipped Half In Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cookies by The Pound

Almond Biscotti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Almond [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

White Greek [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Choc Chocolate Chip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fig Bars [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raspberry Bars [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half Moon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anise Biscotti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raspberry Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Diane D.

A friend of mine who recently moved to the area looked at me with a puzzled look and told me that she was asked at work whether she was a "Mikes, Modern or Bova's girl". I couldn't even explain to her what it was because I was just like, wait! when did Bova's get added to that question? No offense Bova's, it's just that your pastries still aren't quite as good as either of those no matter how you look at it. However! Bova's. I do SO appreciate you. Usually this appreciation comes more at odd hours of the day, such as between 1-4 am when I have found myself wandering around the North End craving late night food after a night out. And Bova's fills a huge void in Boston life in general, which is 24-hour food! Also, for reasonable prices, you can get a variety of Italian specialties here outside of just pastries, including excellent fresh bread, subs, and panino. And if you do happen to be in the mood for a pastry during a time that the lines are particularly long at Mikes or Modern, Bova's is a fine standby more frequented by locals.
(4)
Courtney N.

I was visitng from out of town, there for 4 days and went to Bova 2x (the person from Boston is a food addict. no seriously, this guy talks about where we'll go for dinner and first and second course desserts DURING LUNCH!...haha, fun in small doses but the long term effect could be hazardous to your health). Anyway, back to Bova...how can you not love a place open 24/7 365 days a year that serves kick-ass desserts??? Among the 3 of us and 2 trips I have tried the following (ranked fav to least fav) 1. chocolate mousse--simple, delicious. 2. the strawberry-topped layered white cake--GIGANTIC! enough for 3 people 3. the chocolate mousse filled chocolate ganache ball thingee--a little heavy on the chocolate for me, but it was well-received by the other 2 4. chocolate cake with "jimmys" (us west coasters call them sprinkles)--moist, delicious, huge 5. black and white cookie--soft cookie, the black was better than the white part. Simply put: go there. eat. return any time of day to repeat. Note: $10 min for credit
(5)
Coco P.

Love Bova's Bakery! It is small but easy to get in and out of. You cannot eat there. They have large portions for reasonable prices. Love the lobster tails and especially appreciate that they have 2 sizes because I can definitely eat the large one without difficulty but the small one is better for my waistline! Everything we have had from Bova's has been delicious and the calzone's they put out look amazing but we have yet to have one. Some day we are going for a calzone and pastry rather than pastry after dinner out!! And I love that they are open 24 hours! To sum it up: YUM!
(4)
X X.

I love you, Bova's! And I swear I'm not just saying that because I can't get pastries nearly as good as yours out here in the Rockies. On top of supplying the world with yummy goodness, you're open 24/7. How thoughtful of you to think of our tummies after long nights of drinking.... How I miss you. But I will be back, oh yes, I will!!! Save me cream puff and lemon square please ;)
(4)
AJ F.

Open 24hrs!!.....Thats all you need to really know!! In my opinion the best late night place to go. Been here numerous times after nites of drinkin and typical Boston Shenanigans. Before you could go in get Pizza slice and Calzones. Now its Rice Balls and Croissant Calzone type of things. Can get your typical Italian Deserts as well. Def. Hits the spot after a long nite of drinkin!!
(5)
Christopher R.

Nothing like a family owned and operated, authentic Italian bakery. OPEN 24 HOURS! Let the tourists have Mike's. Let them stand in lines outside the block. Bova's is a hidden gem, and it's all mine. My preeecccccioussss! I go bonkers for thier Pizelles. Hmmmmmmm. They also have pretty good cupcakes even though they dont look so pretty or gourmet.
(5)
Christina K.

MMMM italian pastry... WAHHHHHH long lines at Mike's and Modern.. Solution? Bova's!!!! Bova's is great. Good cookies, good pastries, good bread, REALLY good ricotta pie. Open ALL the time. PERFECT.
(4)
Alexis M.

So everyone is always going to Mike's Pastry but I don't think it comes close to Bova's. Their canolis are an mouth watering. Their chocolate mousse should be renamed death by chocolate. Their tiramisu is the best. I love the fact that it is open 24 hours. Great pasteries at an affordable prices 24 hours a day. Can you get any better?
(5)
J M.

I love that they are open 24 hours a day, it makes it so convenient. I would recommend the coconut cake. And going later at note usually means an easy parking spot.
(5)
Lauren B.

There's no contest - this is my favorite bakery in the North End. When I have a craving for cannoli at eleven p.m., Bova's is there for me. Everyone there is extremely nice, and there are so many delicious desserts that I always end up getting something different. The Lobster Tails are amazing, as are the cream puffs and of course, the cannolis. I've frequented this place for the past three years and I've never had a stale or "off" pastry - they are consistently yummy. I usually end up at Bova's for dessert so I haven't tried any of their subs or calzones, but they look very tasty. It's a good thing I don't live in the North End, or else I'd be in Bova's every day. Not good for my health or for my wallet.
(5)
Johnny B.

I love Bova's! So do all of my out of state friends! So much better than the over hyped Mike's Pastry! Let all those fools stand in long lines, that means less lines for me at Bova's!
(5)
Jessica R.

After seeing some greasy employee stick his finger in a vat of batter, lick his finger, dip it back in and lick it again, then say, "I could eat a whole tub of that." --- I will never, ever be back.
(1)
Kathleen M.

Love Bova's. If you are insomniac it is 24/7 except one night. The place is run by several brothers or cousins, I forget which. Each runs the bakery for a year exactly. An accountant comes in totals up and swaps the books and the new brother or cousin is in for the next year. Wish I had a job like this. One year on two years off. They each come with their own staff. Which is why one night a year the whole thing changes. My favorite server works as much of the 24/7 possible one year and takes the off year off. I like the raspberry filled dipped chocolate cookies and the bread. The Thanksgiving cornucopia breads are cool.
(5)
Sarah B.

Yes please. The lobster tail was delicious and the people who work there were SO FRIENDLY, which I love. I was looking for an alternative to the popular Mike's Pastry, and liked the reviews of Bova I found on Yelp. Lines out the door just aren't my thing, unless there is nothing else like it in the world, and from what I hear about Mike's, that's just not the case. I loved Bova. Overall it was a great experience and my lobster tail was not rubbery at all! We also tried a few other things - all were great!
(5)
Erik S.

I ate my first canoli(s) here. Bova's is open 24 hours a day and as tons of good stuff to eat.
(4)
Stephanie B.

yes, yes, a thousand times yes! 24 HOURS is all my review should say, but there are other aspects of bova's that are way worth mentioning. their calzones are heavy as hell, perfect for ending a long night of drinking, but start early, since they sell out. bova's was my introduction to lobster tails. oh my god. better than the other bakeries around. granted, their cannoli are not as good as mike's, but there are so many other amazing goodies that it totally doesn't matter. i've been known to eat a pack of their assorted italian cookies for dessert, breakfast, and lunch.
(5)
Dragony F.

My never-ending pursuit and weekly mission for good bread VS. An enormous Tuscan whole wheat round Who wins this round of bread exploration? The Tuscan round! Tuscan round specs = gigantic oval loaf with a thick, pleasantly chewy crust surrounding a hearty, slightly sweet wholesome interior laced with beautiful golden wheat flecks I spent my train ride home constantly opening the bag and tearing off pieces to eat, eventually I had wrap and tape the bag to prevent myself from eating any more Great alone but FANTASTIC with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar They also carry other breads (Italian, cinnamon) plus plenty of sweets. If you're looking for good bread, avoid the tourist mobs at Mike's Pastries and head over to Bova's; the people are super nice and they're open 24 hours (24 hours!!) I'll give it the 5th star once I try their sweet goods...
(4)
Will N.

Great little 24-hour bakery in the North End, though I've only ever been here late at night. A great place to go after eating in Boston or going to a game or something and you're guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Prices are reasonable, the place is very informal and selection is pretty good. The cannolis are great as should be expected at any Italian bakery. This is a quirky little place and my favorite in Boston. This won't be a headliner, but it'll surely add to your night.
(4)
Anonymous P.

I have had one thing here, a cannoli. It was easily the worst I've had in Boston. The shell was soggy. Not slightly uncrisp, soggy. The ricotta filling was marginally acceptable; I had to search for the flavor. Perhaps everything else is wonderful, but guilt by association is fair when you serve subpar rubbish. Edit: I feel guilty about bad ratings, so I decided to try something else. I tried a raspberry pinwheel. It was marginally acceptable. Tasted stale and basically just really sweet. But hey, good enough to bump up a star! I'm factoring in the 24-hours thing and giving the benefit of the doubt here.
(2)
Lillian W.

I finally came here for the first time the other weekend... probably at about 1am or so. All I got was a raspberry twist and oh man was it good. I can't wait to try their other pastries... perhaps during the day. ...so I don't need to dodge the teenage mutant ninja rats hanging out in the north end.
(4)
Michael N.

I moved from Boston three years ago and have finally digested the last calzone I took down at Bova's...Why is this place open before Midnight? Would give them one more star, but Mikey Mumbles behind the counter always rocks a yankees hat.
(3)
Justin G.

When I lived in the North End this was one of my stops on the way home every night after I parked my car. Bova's is great! They are open 24 hours a day and everything is always pretty fresh. While in college this was a great place to come when we needed something sweet after a hard night of drinking. The quality of their pastry isn't the best but it isn't the worst either, and it's pretty cheap. I am not a big fan of their non-pastry foods although they make a decent Italian sub.
(4)
Nick R.

I really want to like this place, if for no other reason than it is 2 blocks away, open 24-hours, and far less commercial/touristy than the shops on Hanover. Unfortunately, it has been hit-or-miss, so I just haven't been that impressed. Here's what I've tried: Strawberry cheesecake: I'm a fan, I'd eat it again. It is moist and has great flavor. Strawberry shortcake mousse: I was way excited, but got home to find the strawberry on top was starting to mold. The mousse was no better. "Reese's" bars: other than some concern with trademark infringement, these are very tasty versions of the famous peanut butter cups, but in giant form "Almond Joy" bars: I'd rather have the real thing Red Velvet Cake: it looked terrific. Next time I'll take a picture. It was dry and surprisingly flavorless. Black and White cookie: skip it and wait until Modern is open, their's is the best I've had. Lobster Tail: if you're new to New England, it's important to know that these have nothing to do with lobster, other than the shape. It is a delicious creme-filled pastry with a flaky crust, and I recently discovered it is one of my favorites. If you don't have the appetite for a large, they carry mini versions that are great. Fresh bread: noetter places to buy bread in the North End during regular t so fresh. Better than nothing at 2am, but there are much bhours, some within 2 doors of this place. For around $3 a slice, I think Mike's or Modern are better choices for most things on the menu. I just don't like their lines and hours! I'll go back, if for no other reason than almost anything tastes good at 2 in the morning after a night of drinking. The more I drink, the more I like it. Unfortunately, I don't think that's a good thing.
(2)
Arestia R.

Bova's is my favorite bakery, above Mike's and above Modern. It's off the tourist path that is Hanover St. and open 24 hours a day. They have delicious, inexpensive bread and little anise cookies along with the obligatory cannolis that are made to perfection. I've never had actual food there, but the sandwiches look good and I spotted HUGE arancini balls there the other day that I hadn't noticed before. I'm definitely getting one next time. The staff is quick and attentive. I just love it there.
(5)
Mandy H.

The best thing I could hope for at 1am after a night of riding choppers through the greater Boston area was a sweet, sugary cupcake. Bova is tantalizing. Their window display of soft ,delicious breads and light, puffy pastries does not decieve. Bova is the genuine article in terms of North End delights. Not only do they have a variety of beautifully executed baked goods, but they also have substandial slices of pizza. Their greatest advantage, however, is their extensive operating hours. I would reccommend any flavor of cupcake as well as the eclair and canoli. *bellisima*
(4)
Mike G.

bite size cannoli's, creamy cream pies, light tiramisu and eclairs. these are a few of my favorite things here!
(4)
Mariam A.

Bova's has some of the best desserts I have ever eaten. It's open 24 hours a day, the staff are extremely friendly and the food is out of the world. Lobster tail is a must try. They make their cream fresh at the place and it's incredible. Must try this at least once.
(5)
Matt K.

It will make you fatter than Jabba the hut but you'll sure as hell have a good time doing it
(5)
Kira M.

A friend turned me onto this place... I love it. The coconut cake is out of this world and so are the mini cannolis.
(5)
Eve L.

This place has THE BEST CANNOLIS IN BOSTON. It's not even a contest. Don't believe the hype about Mike's or Modern Pastry. It's all about Bova's. Plus, they're open 24 hours a day. How freaking cool is that? Cannolis at any hour of the day. Mmmmm, cannolis. We chose them for our wedding - in lieu of wedding cake, which always tastes disgusting, we got about 3 billion cannolis. They were a big hit. My spouse tells me their sub sandwiches are amazing too, but they're pretty much all meat, so I've never tried them. Besides, why eat real food when there's cannolis around? Did I mention the cannolis yet? Mmmmmmmm.
(5)
Jen K.

Sandwiches were pretty good but the pastries are out of this world! I especially loved the eclairs - to die for. Best part about them is they're open 24 hours, perfect for that after the bars snack.
(4)
Jennifer D.

Florentine out of this world! Cannolli's delicious! Service wonderful. Bakery was crowded and I didn't feel rushed or pressured to make a decision quickly. I will go back. definately better than Mike's Pastry.
(4)
TJ M.

I used to live above Bova, so I know its food well... almost too well. Here is my advice... stick to the deserts and bread... the pizza and calzones are a grade above dog food. However, the chocolate eclairs are the best in the city... yes, they are the best.. better than Mike's Pastries. Bovas is most well known for its bread so you can't go wrong. If you want a good meal go next door to Monica's and pick up a dinner to heat up at home.
(3)
Courtney J.

Went here tonight for the 1st time, I knew there was some bakery open 24hrs but I could NEVER remember the name or location so on to Mike's I went. Tonight the line was an INSANE (official start to Summer tourism) line so my friend knew about Bova's, we drove around and finally found it..yeah! I got a tiramisu cup and canoli, well the tiramisu cup was nice but tasted a little on the alcoholic side...weird because I love alcohol, haha! But the canoli saved the review. It was the tiny canoli with chocolate chips were amazing and will be the reason of me always going back :-) PS there was hot food and a line for it..hmmm can't wait to try that too!!
(5)
StanLee T.

BEST CUPCAKES in BOSTON!!! Best bakery in the North End as well. Most people flock to Mike's Pastry not realizing a better bakery is a short walk away. Short lines, better prices, and open 24hrs a day. Sometimes you need a cupcake or strawberry shortcake at 3 in the morning. I also highly recommend the subs. They take a little while to make but are worth the wait. The staff is always friendly and eager to fatten you up!
(5)
Clara S.

This place is one that I take anyone who's visiting. My friend pushes the lobster tails (pastry version) and I push the chocolate "bomb." It's off the beaten Hanover St path, so it's not the pushy hell-hole of Mike's (and I find it better). And it's open 24 hrs a day. I've also had their calzones which are on the greasy side, but pretty delicious. I will have to try a sandwich one of these days.
(5)
Bonnie B.

We have come to Boston numerous times, and always gone to Mikes. This time we walked into Bova's Bakery and had a splendid surprise. We are currently sitting on our hotel bed enjoying a slice of coconut cake, eclair and fruit tart. I look forward to the almond cookies and wedding cookies with my coffee in the morning. Diana took good care of us and we will recommend and return to Bova's next time
(4)
Natalia T.

good place to go when you're craving a cream puff at 2 am ... or 3 am ... or 5am ;) fruit cups are not too bad either there're much better places, but for a 24-hr one this on is not too bad
(4)
Lala L.

Good place to go to after a night of drinking and craving munchies. Good luck with the parking, or double park and have a friend run in for food. Warm croissant-like pastries with ham&cheese were memorable. Almost like a hot pocket. Pizza was a disappointment, but hey, when you're buzzed, you'll eat anything, right?
(3)
Jennifer T.

On a recent trip to Boston, I wanted to try some tasty Italian treats, but didn't want to stand in line at Mike's or Modern. So a friend took us to 24-hour Bova's bakery, and it was wonderful -- probably the best cannoli I've ever had. And I don't even like cannolis! We went back to Bova's the next day because we couldn't get enough.
(5)
Jessica M.

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to lunch: I'll have a collection of Things I Shall Eat and stay pretty much within that range. I went to school just down the street ( nbss.org ) and Bova's was on my list; specifically, their Italian sub. My lunch break was a scant half-hour, and they were always pretty quick about constructing a delicious sandwich... a HUGE, delicious sandwich of which I'd save half for the next day. Because I am that creature of habit (aka, boring when it comes to some things) I never really explored their other food options once I discovered the Italian. I've enjoyed their cookies too.
(4)
Beth H.

This quiet unassuming place has decent pastries. When I first walked into this small place it was disconcerting to see a full deli right next to the desserts. I don't know about you, but for me ham and chocolate frosting just don't go together. The place was busy without any clear line to order in. It seemed like there were three different ones in there. Eventually we pushed through and just called out what we wanted.
(3)
Amanda L.

I miss living on Beacon Hill ONLY because I would get the Scali bread from Bova's every week. Living in Brighton, it's difficult, though not impossible if i feel like getting off my couch to do it. The place is great especially in a city that doesn't have many things that are open past 1, never mind 24 hours. Bova's gets 5 stars just for that. It doesn't hurt that everything is awesome there!
(5)
Michele G.

Not the biggest fan of their cakes, but I don't come here for them. I come for the Italian bread and the crackalicious Italian cookies. Coming from an Italian family, this is the real deal. Soon I'll be living within a 5-10 minute walk away from this place..... That's a delight and yet a scary thought. More visits to the gym are in my future, I suspect.
(4)
Doris K.

What attracted me the most was that this is a 24 hour bakery stocked with desserts and breads. The fruit tart wasn't that great but I'm open to coming back and sampling more desserts. I would stick to the breads since they looked so yummy and avoid the pizza like everyone else has noted. They do take credit cards but it's a $5 minimum. Parking is a pain but what place isn't in the north end.
(3)
Samuel T.

I love this place so much. Whether my friends and I are here to celebrate the end of the semester, the safe return from a trip to New York, a birthday or to blow money, we have always found something that fit our moods. I have never gotten the same thing twice here, because my urge to try everything once is simply too strong. The service is here is incredibly friendly and the fact that it's open 24 hours a day means that it will always be open to serve you with something sweet, savory or simple and delicious.
(5)
John D.

How can you not love Bova's that is open 24 hours? So fantastic. The calzones are flippin' fantastic and aren't really that expensive either. They sell cold cuts as well as sweets, and the sweets are rockin'. This is just a great place all around.
(5)
Doika P.

Really nice pastry shop. Comparable to Mike's Pastries. Haven't been there enough to really say definitively which is better. However I do know that the craziness of Mike's is not here and they are open 24 hours. There is really no place to sit inside so it is really a "to go" place. Can't wait to go back and try more....
(4)
Misty D.

I miss you old friend - 24 hour Italian bakery! Really? Does it get any better than that...NO it doesn't.
(5)
ChianWen T.

The store doesn't look as put together as other bakeries in the North End. They are open 24/7, so when you are drunk and it's late at night, would you really care?
(4)
michelle c.

24 hours & chocolate cake............so good.
(5)
Kim R.

oh bova's how many nights have you saved me from starvation when all hope was lost. get a chocolate bomb or an eclair or the rum cake or or orrrrrr ps. MAD AT YOU FOR SUDDENLY NOT SERVING TASTY PIZZA AND CALZONES AFTER 1 AM. lost a star!
(4)
Jeff D.

I'm sorry Kelly but if you don't like sugar and such, go to a vegetarian pizza place! Bova's has great pastries and canolis, and great calzones! i'm sorry but I love their calzones and pizza!!! And they have very cheap slices compared to the rest of the north end who expects you to buy a whole pizza or a small pizza . At least Bova's offers slices, unlike Regina's which you have to buy a whole pizza! C'mon more slices please!!!! Bova's staff is friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The feel of italy gives the place a charm as well. It is in the heart of the north end!!!! Park at Sullivan Square and come in on the orange line to Haymarket. That is your best bet :) Bovas is a a great stop before A celtics/Bruins game for a quick bite to eat.
(5)
J B.

I love this place, I love that they are open 24 hours, I love their sweets. Fond memories of going here late night.
(4)
Avril d.

so, bova's gets one star for being open 24 hours a day... that is the only thing that bova's get a star for though. when my friend and i walked in, the man behind the counter took our order (1 spinach and mozz calzone, 1 rum cake, 1 cannoli). we excitedly found a stoop and started eating. the calzone was gross and had almost no taste. the rum cake was not rum cake, it looked like day old bread soaked in simple syrup and tasted like it too. but, i maintained hope when biting into the cannoli...WRONG! their ricotta filling was disgusting and the cannoli shell was stale!?!? how do you mess up a cannoli?!?! i was so bummed out with this place.
(1)
Marisa L.

I found out about this 24 hour italian bakery through a friend and thought it was genius! Been here a few times, one late night and once in the daytime...and my one complaint is that the counter girls had major attitudes both times I went. Ask a question such as 'do you think a 1/2 lb. of cookies is enough for 6 people?' and you'll get the whole bit...rolling eyes and the 'oh please' sigh...bitter about working in a bakery at 2am on a saturday? perhaps. The pastries and italian cookies are decent though, they just need to lighten up in there....really.
(3)
Bonnie O.

Baked goods game on fleek. I give Bova's ALL OF THE STARS. Mikes & Modern are for tourists. Bova's is the best and the real deal. I trust Bova's with all my bakery needs. Killer almond macaroons. The creme brÃ»lÃ©e cannoli is so heavenly that even non-cannolli-fans are obsessed.
(5)
Jonathan S.

This place is great and should be a definite spot to hit up. First of all, everything in Boston closes early, so I didn't even believe it when people said this place was open 24 hours. IT'S TRUE! Food offerings are great and the cannoli are definitely a must-try: a bit softer than what's at Mike's and Modern, but I really appreciate the filling--lighter and more flavorful here. If you're in the North End and have already tried the tourist favorites, hit this place up next. Why not 5-star? Well. It's got a definite soup-nazi vibe, but I say the (potential) abuse is worth it.
(4)
Melissa L.

This is an old school, family run Italian bakery. It's on the small side and can get cramped fast but they have so many varieties of pastries, cookies, cannoli, bread, calzone and sandwiches. There were plenty of folks to help out so this is not a time to be shy - ask questions! I picked up some of their Italian cookies, which I found to be tender, buttery and fresh. The intent was to take them home with me but they never made it that far....in fact they never made it onto the airplane home. The temptation was just too great to sample one or two cookies, which then led to the entire container being consumed.
(4)
Derek D.

Pros: Coconut cake was delish, cannelloni was amazing, cream puff very good, short line that moved quickly relative to other bakeries. Cons: Chocolate cupcake was forgettable. Verdict: Would recommend. NOTE: I did not make these purchases so cannot speak to their pricing.
(4)
Jim Y.

Our go-to Mike's was closed so we got pistachio macaroons from Bova's and now we have a new favorite place! Wanted cannoli but didn't think they'd survive the plane trip to SoCal. Macaroons were bigger, soft and chewy in the center, and not too sweet but balanced for a stronger pistachio taste. Now if only I can get back soon to get the cannoli and everything here!
(5)
Nicole M.

There are a few trendy bakeries in the North End, but I recommend skipping those and heading straight to Bova's. They are the real deal with traditional Italian cookies, and a great variety of breads. Bova's has the best cannoli in town, and the lobster tails are out of this world. My must have when I go there? The pistachio macaroons. They are GENIUS. Open 24 hours, lots of love and passion for the product, pastries are authentic and delicious. This is the North End bakery you want to go to. Now pardon me while I go eat pistachio macaroons for breakfast.
(5)
M T.

Service: 5/5, Variety: 5/5, Location: 5/5, Food: 2/5 Bova's is overrated because the building across the street is the most beautiful thing in North End, Boston. When I looked up photos for Bova's, 80% of the photos are about the green and brown building across the street. Accept credit for $10 and up order. Opens 24h. It is a cute bakery. But it is not an excellent must-go attraction for Boston. It is true that Bova's has many kinds of Italian goodies, but unless you have an extremely sweet tooth, I don't think it is healthy to come here every week. Everything is super creamy and sugary. Whatever I tried, the tastes are very similar. There is nothing special about the choice of ingredients or flavors.
(2)
Meizi H.

They do have tasty cannoli. I used to go at least 2-3 times a week; maybe I used to get some loyal customer price. However, in the past two times, I got charged by two different prices in cannoli. I am not sure if they cost $3.5 a piece or at $4. It would be better if they do have some price sign!
(4)
Paul M.

Great 24 hour bakery in Boston's North End. They've got it all, friendly service, good selection, tasty treats, Easter breads (around Easter of course)... They've got it all and wow it smells soooooo good!! You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Abby R.

Bova's is an experience. You walk in to what initially looks like a small corner store, only to discover vast counters of pastries, breads, stromboli, and assorted groceries. It's definitely owned by wizards because it's way bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. The other evidence that it's owned by wizards is that everything there and I mean ev.ry.thing. is amazing. Get a quick 'lil stromboli warmed up for you on the spot, eat it for lunch, you're golden. You're actually shining with a golden stromboli glow. Buy bread, buy cannolis, get it all to go, take it on the road, eat it all. Stuff it in your face and come back for more. I haven't told you the best part though, which is that at any time you might be craving some kind of Italian foody goodness, they're there for you. Like a good neighbor, Bova's is there. Twenty-four hours a day. If it's 4:30 in the morning and your tummy is craving the sweet sweet lovin' of a bag of Italian cookies, you know where to go. Bova's. Go to Bova's. Eat. Be happy.
(5)
Katie C.

My feet were killing me last night due to my impeccable taste in footwear, however, one look at their beautiful trays of cannolis made me forget the pain. We got a giant cannoli with a buttery shell, I think maybe florentine cannoli? I. Can't. Even. The German chocolate cake was just bomb. I had to focus on eating it slowly enough to savor the flavor but fast enough to ensure I got the most bites. Lastly, there's the red velvet cupcake and it just paled in comparison to the cannoli and German chocolate cake.
(5)
Jessica R.

I had been craving something sweet and stumbled upon this Italian bakery haven. How does one make a decision when everything looks so good!! We had finally made a decision: - large red velvet whoopie pie: I destroyed it!! - cappacino cannoli: divine, super creamy - large chocolate chip cookie: it's hard to make a giant cookie still chewy and they succeeded! Loved it here
(5)
Kara M.

Peanut butter chocolate cupcake is the best thing. Not a fan of the other cupcake flavors (chocolate, vanilla are boring comparatively). Lemon square is also yummy.
(5)
Boyo I.

What's the big deal? Let's assume that it was the best cannoli ever. It was still just a cannoli. I suppose if you love cannolis, then go. The chocolate mini whoopee pie was flavorless. The Boston hipster in a Dartmouth T-shirt working behind the counter looked right at me when it was my turn to order and then ignored me and skipped to the lady behind me. I get it--you're cool and I'm a tourist. 3 stars for being an authentic family-run place. Take the gun, leave the cannoli.
(3)
Amy D.

Love it here!! Lines aren't long like at Mike's, but don't let that deceive you! The cannolis are amazing, as is everything else there!! We go there every time we're in Boston. We usually get some cannolis to take home, and everyone at home is always impressed! Another hidden gem in the North End!
(5)
Glen F.

I couldn't decide between the Peanut Butter and Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e cannoli. (There are many other varieties). The staff recommended Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e. My friend chose the Florentine. Mine came in a standard shell, which was light and crunchy, and broke into small pieces-making it easy to eat while walking the streets of the North End. The filling was an explosion of taste and creaminess--not too sweet, not too thick--that has me mourning the fact that I can't have one today. "Dude, you have to try this cannoli." And so it was with the Florentine. A caramelized sugar shell and rich creamy filling. Oh my word. Beware: these cannolis are like crack.
(5)
Doug N.

Forget about any Italian bakery on Hanover Street. Bova's Bakery, on Salem Street, is the real deal, they're open 24/7, and you don't have to wait on line for over an hour, for an $8 cannolis. At $4 bucks a cannolis they are pricey enough, and you bet they are worth it. As a native New Yorker who relishes going to Arthur Avenue every year when we go see the Red Sox play at Yankee Stadium, Bova's rates right up there. So, if you live in, or visit Boston, you're in for a real treat. You will find whatever your favorite Italian pastry might be, at Bova's, because their fresh baked offerings are all encompassing. You will not be disappointed when you get home, or back to your hotel room, and take a bite! Enjoy!
(5)
Jen M.

I am just now realizing that I've never left a review for Bova's before, which needs to change! I have been visiting this bakery since 2010 whenever I am craving cannoli and need a place I can trust. One of my best friends from high school introduced me to Bova's, and I am so glad she did because I love it here. They have a wonderful selection of cannoli and pastries, as well as sandwiches and drinks too. Usually when I visit Bova's, I get a regular cannoli dipped in chocolate chips. The most recent time I visited Bova's, my date got a cappuccino cannoli, which I had a bite of and it was so delicious. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a "ma and pa" shop in the North End that isn't filled with tourists. Five word version: Bova's over Mike's any day.
(5)
Toyo K.

Stumbled in here looking to grab a bite while doing laundry nearby. While I was looking around a nice old lady came and spoke to me and said she was the owner. She was very kind and pleasant and told me a little history about her shop. I ordered the meatball sandwich and a cannoli. Both were so good....I mean, that meatball sandwich was maybe the best I ever had. They have a variety of other foods and desserts too. If you are in the area looking for a quick bite, go here! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Stefanie G.

THE HOMETOWN CLASSIC! First off, its one of the only quality bakeries open 24 hours. It's located perfectly on the corner like a neighborhood stop shop filled with delicious canoli's, fruit tarts, pizza, calzones, chocolates, etc. For all the gluten-free heads out there, you NEED a pistachio cookie. The emerald green play-doh looking cookie bursts with the real flavor of ground up pistachios and sugar. I haven't had one in a year and I still remember the taste. If you're a square, they have chocolate covered strawberries. If you're more adventures they have bomb Tiramisu and Macaroons. When you can smell the freshness and can buy it at anytime of the day/night, you couldn't ask for more.
(5)
Mr. Bean Z.

What a better way to start the weekend than listening to tunes from The Weeknd, meeting up in Little Italy with good friends to burn some wood, enjoy an authentic dinner and indulge in desserts in Bova's Bakery? I think it's safe to say that we don't fuck around. Let's get it. I may have been a little blunted, but I swear she was checking me out - the shortcake that is...... of the strawberry variety. She evidently spit some hard game right through the glass counter because she ended up home with me, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. The wonders of thick whipped cream. Get 'em Daddy. *Beantowns Finest*
(4)
Kelley A.

Given the other reviews, it seems like our experience is perhaps a fluke because Bova's was horrendous. My mother-in-law and I were on a quest to find the Italian Easter delicacy Pastiera di Grano. What better place to find this than the North End? We wander into Bova's and were immediately met with Pastieras for sale. They look great; my mother-in-law is thrilled. We purchase one and request a two other small pastries from the main display case. We bring our confections home, open our big Bova's bag to see a puddle of milky, soupy liquid sloshing about. My mother-in-law says that this should only happen if the pie is undercooked. We cut into it. Not only is it undercooked, it's actually raw. We bake it for an hour, hoping to salvage it. The texture improves to about where it should be, but then we took a bite. Absolutely inedible. It was very clear that Bova's skimped on both the production and the ingredients, selling us what was basically very expensive floury doughy mush. Of the two other things we'd ordered: some tricolor cake cookies and what was supposed to be a reece's whoopie pie, only the cookies were both correct (what we'd actually ordered) and tasty. Again, maybe we just got unlucky, but definitely don't get their pastiera di grano.
(1)
Nathan T.

Incredible. Incredible! Now I'm not newbie when it comes to pastry - I've been there as they say in the biz. I know good and I know crap - cause I've had plenty of both my friends, PLENTY. This place knows what it's doing - so don't listen to the haters. Not only is the staff incredibly friendly, more importantly the baked goods are divine I tell you, divine. My highest recommendations to: The Florentine cannoli. Holy Mother bleeping Amazing! The pistachio cookies. Seriously. How are these possible? The apple dumpling. Yum. Go here, you won't regret it!
(4)
Adam P.

Love Bova's. Thought I had written a review for this place years ago... apparently I didn't, so I'm righting that wrong right now! Every time I'm in the North End with my girlfriend (usually to eat at La Famiglia Giorgio's), we ALWAYS stop by Bova's for cannolis before heading home. Doesn't matter how stuffed we are, there's always room for a chocolate covered chocolate chip cannoli from Bova's. I've actually had a few other desserts and enjoyed them (namely the chocolate mousse thing), but none can compete with their cannolis. Rich, creamy ricotta cheese caught in a flaky wonderland... all destined for my belly. The price is right too and you never have to wait in line like other North End bakeries. A must-try!
(5)
Meg T.

Bova's bakery is always a must-see stop whenever my family is visiting Boston. We love looking at all the yummy bakery goods and LOVE the sandwiches (I always grab one for the plane ride back from Boston) and frozen entrees (which I also have taken back from Boston - still frozen when I got back to California!). Everyone is also so nice and helpful. When I'm back in Boston I'll be stopping by again!
(4)
D L.

We were visiting from Los Angeles and our hotel doorman suggested Bova's over Mike's Pastry. So we went -- and returned three times in one week! Everything we tried was delicious. Particular standouts include: -all the cannolis, but especially the peanut butter -the cream puff (and I am not a big time cream puff eater) -this amazing chocolate peanut butter candy/brownie thing. It lasted three days and the whole family loved it -the traditional sprinkled Italian cookies We never made it to Mike's - didn't see any reason to waste the time in line!
(5)
Sam K.

Bovas cannolis are better than mikes by a mile. The bakery isn't much to look at but that's not what I care about. Chocolate dipped shell is my personal heaven. All the people in the long lines at the tourist trap bakeries are missing out.
(5)
Deb L.

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE, is it the huge amount of choices they have? , is it the authentic Italian deli/ bakery feel ? Is it the open 24 hour policy ? Is it all those little cutsey italian cookies I remember my italian friends eating as a kid? Who the heck cares ? I love their eclairs and other assorted goodies. I would walk out of my way to get to this place. And I did! If I lived near here they would have to roll me up Salem Street to get my sugary fix. This is the real deal , don't expect to sit and eat here, or fancy boxes or any pretty decor ..this is strictly cases of Italian bakery goods.
(4)
Bryan D.

I stopped in here on a whim and I am glad I did. We only got a few cannoli to try it out. They aren't filled to order but they have a LARGE variety. Including a florentine shell cannoli. The florentine was the best thing I have ever had from a bakery in the north end. Of the two other cannoli the fillings were very good and one shell wasn't crispy from being filled too long ago. We will definitely go back to try more of their giant variety of sweets
(4)
Chelsea R.

Bovas has become a weekly thing for me as I live nearby. I can't resist the chocolate chip cannolis, the lobster tails, or the Congo bars! My absolute favorite is the jumbo florentine cannoli. Everything tastes so fresh and they always greet me with a smile. I refuse to go to mikes and modern down the street. Bovas has the homemade family touch of a great Italian bakery.
(5)
Danni D.

No trip to Boston is complete without visiting Bova's. No lines out the door and down the block. It's a functional bakery serving delicious bakery staples, without all the hype and hysteria found with other local bakeries. Visiting the North End on a Saturday night and seeing the insanity that is the lines of Mike's and Modern make me love Bova's that much more. I'll take a monster whoopie pie over a dueling cannoli any day. Plus, they're open 24/7. Whenever the urge for Italian cookies strikes, they've got you covered.
(4)
Amanda L.

Open 24 hours which is dangerous/ amazing, especially when you live a short walk away. They have a huge variety of pastries, all of which are really good! My favorites are the chocolate oreo cake and the chocolate strawberries. The cake slices are HUGE and are so delicious (about 4-5$).They also package their lemon cookies in small boxes, which I have brought to work potlucks and they are always a hit. There is also usually no line- unlike Mike's and Modern. They also accept credit cards although there is a 10$ minimum.
(5)
Thomas H.

Strolled in here on a crisp Monday afternoon having had a hankering for an Italian sandwich. The interior of this place is nothing to write home about, but it has a nice old-school feel to it. I ordered a Bova's Special for $8.50 and carried it out (there aren't any accommodations for dining in -- fine with me). The sandwich was fantastic.. loaded with prosciutto and I think some other kinds of meat, tons of mozzarella (the good kind, from the ball), and some kind of olive oil-based dressing. The bread was awesome, soft with a nice crust -- they obviously bake it there. Might have been the best Italian I've ever had, but granted that's probably not saying much for me. Good stuff... I'll definitely be back to see what else they have to offer.
(4)
Doug G.

Hands down the best bakery on the North End.
(5)
Debora L.

I love Italian bakeries. Like, love more than Fabio love. And during my mini North End Bakery tour, this one came out as a surprising.number 1 (2 was Mikes). The huge assortment of cookies, cakes, and other pastries knocks.me out. I felt like I was in willy wonka territory. After several minutes of glorious indecision (sans the harrassment I experienced at Mikes) I settled on the almond biscotti, mini whoopie pie, and a small selection of cookies. I liked that there were some smaller versions of the desserts, because some at other shops were too big. Plus I like a little of everything! Of course cash only, but cheaper than the bigger competition (mikes, modern pastry). I spent $5 total for a meals worth of sweets. I guess that means Santa is skipping me this year... Oh well, this was worth it!
(5)
Ryan P.

May be blasphemy but why wait in line at Mike's when the cannoli is just as good here - and you don't feel like you're at the Soup Nazi...
(4)
Rachel L.

Their sweets are to DIE for. Their pistachio cookies in particular, as well as their coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate are musts for purchasing. Their freshly baked breads they put out daily are as classically Italian as can be, and the person that rung us up was this little boy was was 10 and worked for his family (cute! took his job seriously! hahah and good with counting change!). Skip the line at Mike's and head to Bova's is my suggestion.
(4)
Himanshu S.

I went into this place complete accident. Great homely shop with great staff. Pastries at display were out of the world. I tried something friend rice, spinach balls which were great. Great place to hang out while you wait in line to get into other restaurants on the street.
(5)
Patrick M.

Bova's... I used to talk about you as if you were my supermodel girlfriend. How the mighty have fallen. Used to have the best cannoli's in town, now you can't even make a cannoli that tops mike's or modern... and certainly can't even come close to Parziale's right beside you. There was a time that I would walk from faneuil hall, the Garden or even the financial district to have your wonderful after hours spinach pies. They would soak up all the alcohol before my ride home and get me home safe and sound. Even your rice balls and calzones were the bomb. Today... a shell of your former self. The spinach pies that used to be legendary taste like they are days old and lack feta flavor or crispiness. The calzones... made the night before and sit on the counter until sold. Cannoli's... oh the humanity! What the hell happened to your cannoli's... they suck now! Soggy pastry, too much sugar and not the right consistency for filling... go visit your neighbors to see how to really do it. The prices for the pastries is also very expensive now as well... the only reason to go to Bova's is that they are 24 hours. The second reason to go is that they lack a line out the door like Mike's... but then again you can just walk next door to Parziale's to avoid that and actually get good food. I feel like the food that used to be made with love has lost that lovin feeling. What I taste now is tiredness, mass production and resting on laurels. Sorry Bova's... you are dead to me like Fredo.
(2)
Mike L.

Everything I've had here is delicious. Their Italian cookies are just like my grandma's I had when I was a kid. They are never as busy as Mike's or Modern and, in my opinion, better. It's almost like standing in line at Geno's in Philly for a cheese steak when there are others that are 10 times better just around the corner (with no waiting). Stop by next time you are in the north end. Just a block away from Hanover St. (The "main drag"). Worth it.
(5)
caley t.

Alright, the place, and the people who work here, have personality. But Come on, that's what makes it Bovas! And did I mention that they're open twenty four hours?! Need a sub at four am? Got it, no questions asked. Why not grab some milk and a few s'mores bars or black and white cookies while you're at it. Don't touch anything in the fridge thing up front. The sign says ask for assistance, and you will get yelled at if you don't. Not that I know from experience or anything.... When I move I will certainly miss being able to swing by this place in the drunk walk home.
(5)
Zach K.

Bova's is one of the reasons I love Boston so much. I don't even think New York City has a 24-hour bakery. Bomb choices: Apple pinwheels, tiramisu cup, eggplant parmesan sub, and black and white cookies. But really, it's all good.
(5)
Adeline M.

I had the cheesecake there, it was the worst cheesecake i had ever eaten. All pastries look very artificial with bright colors. The place does not feel inviting at all
(1)
Young L.

tried the hot pocket, rice ball and a few pastries. food was decent but not stellar. rice ball was lukewarm. unfortunately the service was unnecessarily rude, not going back.
(1)
Vivian C.

Popped into this corner bakery down on Salem Street one cold evening and headed towards the counter at the end on the left - ah, there's the calzones! Hmmm... and that must be the arancini ($4 each/$4.50 including marinara) rice balls; they're a pretty decent size. Spinach calzone please. Yes, please heat it up. A half calzone is $7.50. The whole ones being twice the size and twice the price. My dinner was still hot by the time I got to where I was going a T ride and a cold walk away. Grease spots covered the paperbag, so be careful! The half calzone was a good portion and pretty yummy cheesy with a tender bread crust. Jan 2010 add-on: 2nd trip to Bova's. Meatball Arancini with sauce $4.50; Sicilian Pepper Pizza corner slice $2.50. Both were heated up for me, but I didn't get to eat them till I got back to work. I was hoping the arancini would be crispy crunchy on the outside - nope, but I don't know if it was they way they warmed it up or the time in the styrofoam box during the commute. Half a meatball inside. Tasty though. Pizza was crispier, but a little tough to cut on the outside corner where it was all crust. A pretty filling, and carb heavy lunch, I'd say.
(3)
Guillermo M.

I once tried a whipped cream filled bread and it was amazing. Tried some cookies that didn't love but would come back for the whipped cream bread.
(4)
Lou J.

we love the pizza and calzone..however the place is so tiny and crowded and the help is so rude that we avoid this place..they run a fan overhead even in winter that makes it like torture to stand and wait for an order..and there is an older woman there who is so nasty, she basically rushes you through your order and throws it at you..it is apparent she hates being there and that attitude makes the customer hate being there too! this is not the kind of place one comes to eat unless everything else is closed..
(3)
Keith S.

Killer calzones. Grab one, have them heat it up and go walk the neighborhood while you eat greatness. I had the spinach and cheese and the mrs. opted for the meatball...both chart toppers. A must do when walking the North End.
(5)
Diana G.

Who wants to wait in line at Mike's Pastry when you can go to Bova's? And, who doesn't crave a piece of coconut cake or a peanut butter ball at 3am? Thank God for the gym!
(5)
Patti C.

I have no idea why people are wasting their time waiting in line at Mikes or Modern Pastry. Bova's Bakery is, hands down, THE best bakery in the North End, nay Boston. I would also add that it has THE best cookies I have tasted in my US travels so far. Go there. It's the BEST. Expect an attitude, it's worth it.
(5)
Always C.

I have lived in the North End and this place is just "mey." I was particularly incensed last night when one of the bakers, coming off the street, "lovingly" called his friend a "faggot." I was aghast, as was the elderly couple waiting for an order (Interestingly, the young woman in front of me walked out with no product even before this event). I immediately left and will never return. Artisans on Hanover is much better anyway. And, really, unless you're drunk, who-other than misinformed tourists-gets any pastry here?
(1)
Robert M.

So here is the deal. I travel to Boston regularly. I am not from Boston, do not live in Boston and certainly am not from the North End. I do go to Bova's every time I am here though. The things they make are fantastic. I also ship stuff to Texas for a friend of mine because Bova's does not ship for some silly reason. So for the food, two big thumbs up. So Bob, why 3 stars. Well, because I am not from the North End and I refuse to think that every Bostonian is as rude as the folks that work there. I have never once gone in there where anyone working there would answer any of my questions, explain what I was looking at or have any kind of conversation, even when it was just my wife, and I standing there. It usually goes something like this, "What would you like", well, can you tell me what this is? "It is a (insert name), do you want it?" Well, I think I would like one of these, and let me see.... "I will get back with you when you know what you want, ... Next!" So sometimes, the service really want to make me walk around the block to the other guys, and I have. But the food here guys is really good. So credit where credit is good.
(3)
Cori B.

Love love love the pizza here. Very good! I feel the canoli is just average. The cookies are decent. The chocolate cake is good. The pizza I would go for any time! Can't beat somewhere thats open late either!
(4)
Craig Z.

OK, but not as good as the place next door; and the service was kind of rude.
(3)
Ross G.

Bova's is located in the back part of the North End away from the Tourist Traps. This is the best kept secret in all of the North End. While everyone tries to cram into Mikes or Modern, sneak away and head to Bova's, you will not be disappointed. The selection is very large, with 5-7 different types of cannolis, anise cookies, macaroons, cakes, tiramisu, sandwiches, aroncini, the list goes on. They have deserts and food too. The longest I have ever had to wait was 10 minutes, and that was because two people in front of me were getting massive orders. The Cannolis are to die for. The Caramel/Almond Cannoli (tastes like both but I am not sure what it is called) is delicious with mini chocolate chips on the ends. The filling is solid too. Anise cookies are delicious and you can see them being made in the back. Pizzelles are a good offering, and the Italian cookies are always fresh. Skip the others and make your way here to the Bova brothers, you will not be unhappy.
(5)
Barry W.

Forget standing in line at Mike's. One street over from Hanover St. is this local bakery with a huge selection of both sweet and savory baked goods. The staff is absolutely friendly and helpful with suggestions and explanations. Their prices are hard to beat.
(5)
Adrianne H.

PLEASE order the pistachio and rainbow (sprinkles rimmed on the outside) cookies. I can't rave enough about the pistachio cookies: soft, very almondy/pistachio tasting, chunks of pistachio throughout, and larger than the pistachio cookies offered at Modern Pastry. Service is way better than both Mike's and Modern Pastry and you will be in and out in no time. I agree with Patti C.: Not sure why people are so goo-goo gaga over Modern/Mike's Pastry. This bakery blows them out of the water.
(5)
Heath M.

When I walk past the lines outside of Mike's Pastry and also, more recently, the Modern, I can't help but laugh. If any of those tourists or visitors from the 508 had any sense they would just hoof it a block around the corner and get instant gratification. Bova's may not look like much, but it's a North End institution that's been spiking the blood-sugar of Boston around the clock for decades. Add to that, in a city where even most convenience stores lock up for the night, Bova's is 24/7. I repeat, 24-7. Now you may think to yourself "after an evening of drinking, I don't want a loaf of bread or a cannoli." Well, when it's 2 AM and you're completely "sfatto," take heed...Bova's usually has all sorts of savory treats: pizzas, calzone, etc. But of course, while you're at it, you should get some pastry -- I love the coconut cake, the red velvet woopie pies, the cannoli, Oh and the sfogliatelle is out of this world. And maybe get some bread for tomorrow's dinner. You know, since you're there and everything.
(5)
Phil C.

Bova's is okay, but not the best bakery over in the North End. Part of the attraction to this bakery is that it's open 24-hours, which is a rarity around Boston. The bakery isn't outstanding in the cleanliness department but it's not unbelievably dirty. The service is okay...nothing special about it. I tried the pinwheel, which was a pastry swirl with raspberry filling. It was moist and reasonably tasty. Plus it was huge, making it a good value. The cannoli, however, was rather disappointing. I got a regular mini-cannoli with ricotta (that yellow cream stuff is disgusting). First, for $2, it's rather pricey, especially for a cannoli the size of a thumb. Second, the filling was lukewarm, which didn't make it appetizing. Thridly, the ricotta is a bit grainy. Lastly, it was pre-filled, which I generally don't care for. Overall, Bova's is a decent place and a good spot to stop by if you're hungry late.
(3)
Harry H.

The selection at this 24-hour bakery is staggering, which made me less nervous that I'd be able to but more overwhelmed about making decisions in an effort to redeem a FourSquare Amex checkin special (spend $10, get a $10 statement credit) - to be honest, I was shocked they accept plastic here. Just went over the cusp with the bro's PB/chocolate B&W-esque cookie, an eclair, and a lemon meringue tartlet (unsure of the official moniker*) - nothing particularly memorable, unfortunately. There was little to no hullabaloo during our browsing, perhaps because the volume is spread out across said 24 hours, or because they just skew less popular, being slightly recessed from the proverbial strip. *Two staffmembers, one willing to help but struggling to communicate, the other indifferent but shockingly personable when she swoops in to help resolve unanswered questions.
(3)
Rob P.

I usually do my bova-regina's combo from time to time, when I am feeling real skinny. No waiting outside, which means it is not on hanover street. My go to are the lobster tails. Cannolis are good too! Was not impressed with italian cookies. They have late night food too. It is a little confusing as there is usually no line, just a mass of people looking at each other.
(4)
Anthony M.

From the days of visiting friends in the North End in college, to nearly 10 years later, this place is hands down amazing. Mom and Pops shops are a thing of a beauty, where each piece of baked goods, pizza, or anything else for that matter is filled with love and special attention. After visiting this past weekend, we came across Mike's around the corner with a line out the door...and for what? Bova's is hands down just as good if not better in the department of Italian baked goods, cannolis, and pizza! In and out we left with some cannoli, pizza, and Italian cookies for under 10 bucks...no brainer! Don't waste your time around the corner at the "Hot Spot", the food is just as hot here :)
(5)
Mike S.

I have always preferred Bova's to both Mike's and Modern. They have awesome authentic pasteries and fantastic calzones. They also stock some pretty tasty and creative non-Italian pasteries also. And since they are not on Hanover St you don't have to wait an hour in line :-) ... and they are always open (24/7)!
(5)
Lauren S.

This place serves calzones and cream cheese brownies at 4AM in a city with a seriously early bed-time. By day, Bova's is one bakery among many. But at night, it transforms into a otherworldly Italian Pleasure Island. Its delicious smells draw tired waitstaff, drunk club rats, cramming college students, insomniacs, and off-duty strippers like a chocolate-chip siren song. It's not about being better than the other bakeries. North End pastries are pretty much all created equally--they're all pretty much great. It's about atmosphere, and Bova's has the best. As the most likely place to find yourself stuck in the middle of a feuding Italian family at 1AM, Bova's takes the cake for my favorite North End bakery. BONUS: $1 for fresh loaves of bread = the greatest meal-stretcher of all time.
(5)
Robert B.

Bova's is kind of like an overly friendly neighbor. Whenever I step out the door or wander home drunk - bam, there it is, in my face. It's all like, "Hey! What's up, neighbor?" And I'm all like, "Mumble... mumble.." and put my head down and walk quicker, or ignore it altogether. It has good pastries that when eaten are delicious, and it has bad pastries that when eaten are still good and not terrible. Because it's better than nothing, at the time. It's not about it being gourmet or upscale, it's not meant to be a religious experience. It caters to the community, really. it's all about convenience and affordability. It's cheap enough and it's open all the time. Makes it a winning combination when it's past midnight -- okay, fine, 2AM -- and you are craving something sweet.
(3)
Missy B.

We ordered as much as we could carry from this bakery. The butter cookies with raspberry jam was out of this world. My friend couldn't stop talking about these since she has tried them at other Italian bakeries and found them too dry. These were the best she had ever had. We chowed down on lobster tails, cakes, and more. The jelly roll cake was pretty but chewy. It had been a while since eating this type of cake, so we just chalk it up as a cake we probably wouldn't like. Everyone was friendly and extremely helpful.
(4)
Camden H.

This place is open 24 hours, so if you're a fatty at heart, much like myself, you can head in and get something with way too many calories at 3 am. Definitely worth stopping by. The fresh baked bread is delicious and if you get there before the deli counter closes the Bova Special will blow you away. It's basically a Caprese but much with a couple more touches. I recommend stopping by Bova. Any time I am in the north end I always make it my last stop to grab a late night snack and a loaf of bread to bring home to my beautiful mother.
(4)
K M.

While walking in the North End neighborhood of Boston, I somehow found myself charmed by the outside of Bova's Bakery. It's not fancy at all, but the old, outdated exterior seemed to make it look more authentic than the other bakeries that I passed in the area. Since it was lunch time, I opted for an eggplant parmesan calzone to go. The woman warmed it for me in the oven. I also ordered some greek wedding cookies to go and also 2 mini cannolis. I thought everything was good especially the calzone. I've heard the breads here are very good as well. The cannolis were also very good, and I'm not a cannoli person. It was better than most that I've tried in my life. Are they better than those at Mike's Pastry? Probably not, but to know for sure I'd have to taste both side by side. The inside is much like the outside. It isn't fancy at all, and the pastries don't look as polished as the ones you see at Mike's Pastry. Nonetheless, the service was friendly, and you've got to love the fact that Bova's is open 24/7. If I'm ever looking for a quick bite, I'd definitely stop in here!
(4)
Uncle K.

Why people stand in line for Mikes with this gem around the corner, I will never understand. We had cannolis, eclairs, cookies, pizzelles, Congo bars, tiramisu, you name it! The girl working was very friendly and great with the kids. Added to my "Every Time" list.
(5)
Bailey F.

Bova's is not Mike's or Modern Pastry and i am grateful for it. They are not on tourist trap Hanover St. so you will have to deviate from the Freedom Trail just for a moment, i assure you its worth it because its one of the few eateries open 24-hours and they carry your usual bakery breads and pastries and there's also some sandwiches and pizza. Its not huge but its not small, the crowds in there disperse quickly, the staff is efficient and know their food, DO NOT try to drive here, the streets are narrow, there is no cheap parking, and you will hate yourself for even trying.
(4)
Ute L.

Let me just say I'm glad I don't have one of these bakeries in my neighborhood or I would be packing on the pounds. Small family owned bakery with super friendly service. The line is much shorter than Mike's. They have a savory section, a cookie & bread section and of course the pastry section with traditional Italian canoli, lobster claws, cheese cakes and an array of others. Everything looks decadent, it's so hard to choose. We went with what we knew, some canoli, a huge lobster claw an and apple pastries. Canoli- this is a good traditional canoli, be sure to have them sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Lobster claw- huge puff pastry filled with cream. Share it with 4-5 people. The cream is super rich and I'd rather not know the fat content. I thought it lacked a bit in flavor, pretty much just tasted like whipped heavy cream. The pastry also gets rubbery after a day in the fridge, so eat it while it's fresh. Apple pastry- was very good although a tad sweet for my taste. Nuke it in the microwave for 15 seconds to really bring out the flavor. I personally prefer French, German or Austrian pastries as they are less creamy and less sugary. However, I give this bakery 4 stars not for taste, but for friendly service and presentation.
(4)
Louise B.

Bova has been my favorite bakery since the 1970's, what happened? The vanilla chocolate chip are now a sickly yellow crumbly (cornmeal)? mess. So bad I wanted to spit it out but I didn't want an unsuspecting pigeon to eat it. The chocolate chip can hardly be called a cookie, maybe a speck of cookie ingredients. I don't know what happened but I won't be making the 100 mile round trip any time soon. Goodbye my love!
(1)
J K.

I roll my eyes at anyone walking around with Mike's Pastry boxes. People who go to Mike's are people who aren't from Boston. Yep, I'm one of those yelpers. And I'm okay with it. Bova is awesome. The pastries are incredible, the red velvet cupcakes are grand, and the reese's bar with the questionable white cream in it (really, though, the white stuff in it totally looks like, well... yknow) are AMAZING. God. I could just. They're just. I'm speechless. Go to Bova's. Just do it. And stock up for a week's worth of delicious desserts.
(5)
Kate S.

I almost don't want to review this place because it's so good and there's never a line, and I don't want that to change. However, I'll do the right thing and tell you that I LOVE A Bova & Son's. I went to school in Boston and I have absolutely no idea how many times I took pastries and other goodies home from this place. They have awesome looking calzones too. (I admit I've always gone straight for the desserts.) The people are friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the desserts... oh... the desserts... AMAZING! Simple facts: You can stand in line all day to get an overpriced cannoli from Mike's or you can saunter down the few blocks to Bova's and get three for the same price, and they will be made with love. :) Oh yeah, they're OPEN 24 HOURS! :)
(5)
T.M. C.

Over priced yes but very delicious. Awesome assortment of baked goods and deserts. Staff was helpful. Pistachio cookies were to die for! Cannoli was good too. I also dried a champagne cookie that was rainbow colored. Not too bad either :) I did order a ricotta and spinach rice ball which was awful. $5 for a rice ball $5 for a cannoli... Worth the stop for deserts. Ordering was a little confusing.
(4)
Sissy K.

I visited Boston in 2013, and I am STILL raving about Bova's. Their cannolis are so delicious, but my absolute favorite life changing experience was with their lobster tail pastries. They are perfect in every way. I wish I could eat one EVERY DAY! We tried Mike's after Bova's since everyone on the street was holding a box, but they were too sweet and they were more expensive. I met a local couple later who told me many of their friends and family also prefer Bova's. I definitely agree, and hope to find a reason to re-visit Boston so I can have their lobster tails again! UPDATE on 08/11/15: Ralph from Bova's sent me a really nice message after I posted my review. I LOVE it when owners read and respond to their Yelp reviews. It let's me know they are of aware of, and care about, what their customers think. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bova's even more now! The only way I can love them more is if I they started delivering/mailing their lobster tail pastries. I guess I'll just have to find an excuse to go back to Boston and have fresh lobster tails and cannolis at Bova's! :)
(5)
Lin L.

Kind service manners! It also a scene of a movie "what's your number", lovely bakery shop. Don't miss it when you come to north end of Boston! Nice place for ur sweet tooth.
(5)
Andrew M.

You can keep your Mike's and Modern, this is the place to go after dinner or drinks. Not only is it open 24 hours which is amazing in and of itself but the selection is amazing. My wife loves the cookies and I will stop to pick some up for her if I'm working late. The cakes are delicious. The Boston cream pie has the thickest layer of ganache on top. If you've been out at the bars stop in for a calzone to munch on while you walk home. Make sure you pick up a loaf of beard too, you can thank me later.
(5)
Rob B.

I have been to Bova on many occasions when I'm in the north end. It's convenient when dining at some of the restaurants on Salem Street. I dined nearby last night and we stopped by Bovas to order cannolis. I was very surprised that they were $4 APIECE? I hesitated, but since we had guests out of town I went ahead and made the purchase. Still, four dollars for an average size cannoli seems pretty steep. Out of curiosity I went back and looked at the menu later where it shows them for $1.50-$2.00 (view menu.com ). They tasted fine, but the price left a bad taste in my mouth, and perhaps I was overcharged?
(3)
Nicole W.

Maybe i just don't visit enough bakeries... but we found this place to be amazing! We got: cream puff, chocolate covered macaroon, whoopie pie, and some amazing "bars" - smore, toffee - we enjoyed them all (except the whoopie pie - hubby didn't really know what it was, but not the places fault) Staff was very friendly and they packed our sweets safely! If we lived closer this would definitely be a weekly stop!
(5)
Colleen F.

This is a great spot for after the bar/club since it is open 24 hours; or if all the other bakeries are packed with tourists. I love supporting local family run places so I tend to go here more than any other bakery in the North End. There are a ton of pastries to choose from..a little overwhelming actually. I have only had a couple of the pastries here so I will speak on that. . Lemon bar- Shortbread underneath is awesome but the lemon curd itself lacks any REAL lemon flavor. Its overly sweet and gelatinous. It needs to have some actual lemon zest/juice in there to break up the pure sugar taste. The powdered sugar on top is a little over the top..I accidentally breathed in when going in for a bite and choked on the powder that I inhaled. lol The Peanut butter chocolate cake cookie- The cake "cookie" itself was dull and dry. The topping itself (half chocolate icing half peanut butter icing) tasted great but there was way too much of it. The coconut cake- AMAZING. Sooooo good and sooo creamy. I have to admit though, it was overly sweet after about 4 bites. Lets just say I didn't leave my couch after eating that slice..or the toilet. Totally worth it though ;) Chicken parm filled croissant- Eh. It was good to eat while I was drunk but there was way more pastry than filling and it took me two large bites to get to the chicken inside. Chicken was dry and the tomato sauce surrounding It tasted as If it was out of a can. Didn't see any cheese in there either.. Overall, I do enjoy visiting but I do believe they can make some simple changes to make the above products worth purchasing.
(3)
Zarina M.

Absolutely love Bova's. The staff are nice and friendly, except if you go there at 2am on a saturday - which is understandable because drunk people are a-holes. Come for their tiramisu and creme brulee, and lobster tails... you won't regret it.
(5)
Mike H.

Cappuccino Cannoli!!!! Fantastic! I've always enjoyed Mike's but it simply is too crowded to enjoy anymore. A friend at work said Bova's is the way to go, and they were right. Quick in/out with an amazing selection of items to choose from. Highly recommended and look forward to going back and trying something new.
(4)
Mimi T.

I've passed by a few times without ever going in. Then someone tells me they have really good cannolis, so I decided to give them a try. I walk in and just hear the young employees just get really rowdy about some argument. It was quite immature for my tast, so I was a bit annoyed. I told them I wanted the 1 cannoli with powdered sugar. I handed her a $10 bill and received $6 cash back. I was quite surprised that the cannoli is $4. And it was pre-made and placed in the case. I was good, but not $4 good. A little too sweet for my taste. My #1 pick for cannoli is the bakery just right next door: Parziale's Bakery. They fill it fresh as you order so the shell doesn't get soggy. And it's around $2ish.
(2)
Stephanie T.

Great for a late night snack in the north end. The calzones and (popovers?) not sure the correct name but they are little savory flaky pastries, are a great snack after a night out. Open super late which is amazing. There are better options when everything is open, but the late night hours and quick service make this place my go to late night snack spot in the north end.
(3)
Major G.

Awesome - better and cheaper than Mike's. Must visit. Got Nutella Cannoli, Boston Cream Pie, and even more! Great friendly service. All was great!
(5)
Jill S.

Spinach pie hits the spot post-bar! Their arancini was delicious but the star is their marinara sauce YUM I wish I could have the recipe! Chicken broccoli calzone was delicious as well. Only sweet I've tried is the lemon bar and I did not love it, but I admit that is not the pastry to judge an Italian bakery on, so I guesssss I will have to go back and get some cannolis :P
(4)
Bruce K.

A little crowded on a Saturday afternoon with a good queue of folks getting a sandwich made and a few bakery orders. I'd already had lunch but this stop was to get some sfogliatelle to take home. Lo and behold, they have a $10 minimum on credit card purchases so I had to get a canoli as well. Damn, that was good.
(5)
Nick L.

Came into this store with the rumor that they had the best baklava and boy was I not disappointed! Amazing crispy and sweet baklava. Unfortunately I was stuffed after my little treat, just when I saw the table of calzones in rows upon rows. I vowed I had to return and i did a few weeks later. My asparagus and prosciutto calzone was cooked to perfection and filled my stomach with warmth and happiness. Highly recommend!
(5)
Anastasia M.

Hands down my favorite bakery in the North End, and probably all of Boston. Open 24/7!!!! hard to find around these parts. everything I've tried has been super delicious, but the peanut butter chocolate balls definitely stand out (not sure what the proper name is..). do yourself a favor and come here instead of mikes or modern pastry around the corner!
(5)
Thomas B.

Options galore. It was too hard for me to pick something so I picked a couple items, all were delicious. Nice little corner shop that is open 24 hrs, I just wish it was more conveniently located because it is squeezed into the depths of the North End. I ended up taking a seat over in the Kennedy Park which was beautiful at night with all the lights of the sky scrappers in the background. I highly recommend if already in the North End and it was more friendly than Mike's, which is just around the corner and down the street.
(5)
Heather G.

Helloooo Boston! Found my favorite place! Made a quick stop here on a fast walking tour of this part of the city- and I'm so glad. We grabbed a couple cannoli for immediate and future consumption as well as arancini to split. I could have spent way more time examining the crazy cookie selection and wish I had time to. Next time I'm in town, it will be a mandatory stop!
(5)
Martin R.

This is the true locals go-to. Great staff, and a delicious variety of food.
(5)
Michael W.

Listen up, if you are into standing in line with idiot tourists keep going to Mikes Pastry or the Modern. Don't get me wrong, both icons of the North End are fantastic but they are always inundated with dipshits who hold up the line as they try to learn what a cannoli is or what it's made of.....Bovas is great, they make great desserts and the nice thing is that the line is generally Bostonians who know that this is the place! Great spot for dessert! Now the true star at Bovas is their bread, it is the best you're going to find in the area!
(4)
Kim K.

I don't even want to write an excellent review for Bova's because I would hate to see a line in front line Mike's or Modern. Still, Bova is making quality pastries and baked goods that can go toe to toe with any other Italian bakery in the North End. They are simply amazing. Great staff too!
(5)
Nina H.

Best bakery in North End! Their cannoli is delish - not too sweet and the cream is so light! Rice balls are a must for sure! It's comfort food made right! I've been coming there for over four years and never had a bad experience!
(5)
Matthew Z.

My go-to bakery in the North End. Better cannoli and lobster tail than Mike's. Always take visitors here, and they are impressed. Not much more to say except a night in the North End should always end at Bova's!
(5)
Carlos B.

Better that Mike's. I'm not kidding. Amazing cannoli, try the chocolate dipped with regular cream filling. Perfect dessert after dinner at Al Dente across the street!
(5)
Giselle T.

Great eclairs. Great place if you don't want to stand in line at Mikes or Modern Pastry. Open 24 hrs.
(4)
Julia K.

This is a nice North End bakery that has great baked goods and virtually no line. I was being a little calorie conscious, so I initially ordered the miniature lobster tail only to find out that it was $3! Seriously!? Literally, the miniature is two (big) bites and 1/5 the size of the large which is a whopping $4! Don't go for the mini -- go full size for the superb value! I wish I had a pic to compare the mini to the regular sized lobster tail...
(3)
Ted H.

Why wait at Mikes?! Just around the corner is this slice of deliciousness! A two minute line and a friendly "Can I help you" from across the counter despite the hustle and bustle. Competetive price and amazing treats of all kinds. Fresh is an understatement. This place is the real deal.
(5)
Julianne S.

IT'S OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY. That alone should suffice. But I usually go there to satiate my cannoli craving that seems to come around once a month. They have a huge selection of desserts but I think I've also drunkenly had pizza there one night. My out of town guests love that it is a hidden gem tucked away in the residential area. It's super easy to find as it is right on Salem Street. You could pretend that you never read this review and waste many hours waiting in line at Modern or Mike's or you could be wise and go to Bova's. Up to you.
(5)
Kirsten H.

The reeses peanut butter cup bar is great! I didn't like the cookie crumble on the bottom, but the peanut butter and chocolate layer on top was perfect. The guys behind the counter were really unfriendly, but it was busy and a bunch of people were trying to look at the pastry options so I image that was because of the lack of organization.
(3)
Ralph P.

I really dont know where to begin with this place. Well ok maybe i do. CLUTCH. My girlfriend and i went into the north end looking to get a quick riceball from Cafe Pompei. So we get there and the place was bought out and under new management and they no longer served rice balls or had the same menu. So now were wandering the north end looking at menus outside of restraunts just trying to find a friggen riceball!! With no luck and thinking about leaving empty handed, we come across Bova and well.. Wow. Talk about bakery pornography. The place is filled with just about every delicious piece of baked good you can think of from cannolis to cheesecake to whoopie pies and oh ya u guessed it. The most delicious riceball ive ever eaten, and how could i not leave without a piece of blueberry cheesecake. You saved the day Bovas. Round of applause to you
(5)
Melissa W.

Although I am a big fan of the usual tourist traps (Mike's, Pompeii, etc.), Bova is the hidden gem of the North End. It's open 24/7, so if you find yourself craving a cannoli, slice of sheet pizza, italian cookies, stuffed croissants, whatever, Bova's got your back. After 11 pm they start serving the stuffed croissants-- do not miss them. Chicken parm, spinach, steak and cheese, amongst others, are absolutely to die for.
(5)
Rick T.

I just pointed to all the goodies that looked good, and they did not disappoint me in the lest. The older man that was talking to us and taking our order was later featured on several new food shows about Boston ! I think old school when I walk in here and I think I better be respectful or I might find myself picking myself off the ground lol !
(4)
JoAnne F.

The service was fast and easy. They were very helpful to all the people in the shop trying to make decisions. And, luckily, they kept things moving so I didn't have to wait very long. I got a few items, and one was the cannoli. To be honest, I was not a cannoli person before this. I had them from other places and had been disappointed. But people rave about them, so I figured I just hadn't had a good one yet and this would be a great place to try while visiting Boston. And, I loved it!!!! They made me a cannoli fan. Now I wish I had gotten more before leaving Boston.
(5)
Niraj P.

A friend of mine introduced me to this place and I was so happy with it in the beginning. The lobster tails here were phenomenal. But over the last two years I have been disappointed. I normally get a regular and a large lobster tail for me and my wife and it is a hit or miss on how they taste. The last 5 times we have gone we have had an issue where one or both are stale ( no crunch and/or filling tastes awful). The last few times I went in I asked when they were made and am always told they are made fresh daily. Again, when they are fresh they are amazing, but I lately we have stopped going just because one of us is always disappointed.
(2)
Gwen B.

There are so many good things about Bova. - Pastries are top notch. I've tried many cannolis in the North End, and IMHO Bova's is superior. I also love their cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. Don't just limit yourself to the cannoli! ; ) - They're open 24 hours, so when you're done for the night and just need a quick slice of pizza, Bova's got ya. Their Sicilian style pizza is my fave in the entire North End. They also serve tasty arancini, and will warm it up for you. - On weekend mornings, I like to grab a fresh sub roll for my breakfast sandwich. If you get them right out of the oven, they're still warm and soft. They're also only $1 and they're huge! -The staff are always so nice, friendly, and helpful. Mike's is good, but where the tourists go. Bova is where the locals go, and more authentic. If you want to experience the North End like the locals do, go to Bova.
(5)
Leah K.

I just wanted to thank Bova's for being really nice to my drunk friend. Well she did purchase $30 worth of arancini, so maybe that's why...at any rate, she was able to eat one, and use the rest to pay for her cab ride to Braintree. We stopped at Bova's around 2 am to grab some much needed sustenance. I sprung for a small whoopie pie, and my friends got pizza, cannoli, and arancini. Luckily my boyfriend allowed me to eat half of his slice, or else I would have had to go back to get my own. Their pizza (square, sort of sciilian-y) is really good. Perfect for a late night snack (or last minute lunch). They warm it up and it's delicious. As always, their cannoli is top notch, especially the $5 florentine cannoli. Yes it's worth the $5.
(5)
Ayelet R.

Those of you who have read my previous reviews may know I have been enduring the extremely difficult task of determining once and for all which cannolo will rule the North End. I had previously visited the three Ms: Maria's, Mike's and Modern and figured yesterday that when better to reconcile my Jewish-Italian heritage and finally finish this expedition than on Shavuot, the dairy festival. I had heard quite a bit of word of mouth about Bova's, mostly stories involving the wee hours of the morning and a teensy bit of alcohol, but what I really wanted to know is whether or not Bova's cannoli would hold up in broad daylight and sober. Either way, I gotta give them props for being open 24 hours just because it's practically unheard of in Boston. And now that the T actually runs late on weekends, it's totally a viable option to grab something sweet at 2 AM. I got the chocolate dipped ricotta cannolo, though I was tempted by the creme brulee flavored roll. And well, it tasted pre-filled. I think this expedition has made me into more of a cannoli snob than I was before; while I used to think that pre-filled was acceptable, though not preferable, the difference has become more and more pronounced with every filled-to-order roll I eat. The shell becomes soft and overall not optimal as a vehicle for the ricotta. The top half that was dipped in chocolate did a decent job at masking the subpar shell, and the chocolate itself was delicious. The ricotta was just okay - better than Mike's, but not quite on par with Modern or Maria's. I will say that the staff seems very nice and exemplify the family-owned business ideals that the North End is all about. At least during the day there was no line, which does make me wonder why they can't fill the cannoli to order, although it may be because they're more crowded at night. They do have a lot of options both sweet and savory which I just might have to try another time. So, my updated ratings: 1. Maria's 2. Modern 3. Bova's 4. Mike's
(3)
Angel M.

I come here often, and its really pretty good. I got a cappucino canolli and it was air whipped or something stupid and it made me really sad. I also got a rice ball without the marinara which pissed me off. The traditional canolli is good. The stromboli type fellas are good. The cream puff was meh. They had one brand of water which was unusual. Acqua? Small space - cute. Bad lighting - makes me not cute. Somewhat friendly staff. Cool corner location.
(3)
Lynn J.

Bova is the real deal. .. Where the locals get their pastry and cookies winery Sunday. Always eat where the locals eat. They also offer calzone type sandwiches. The deal: don't leave with just one piece. Life is too short... and this is too good!
(5)
Tom L.

Their Cannoli's are as good as Mike's and with much shorter lines. And unlike Mike's they have a large selection of other baked goods and sandwiches.
(5)
Darren F.

Parziale's bakery next door is the go to for anyone in the know and who wants to avoid the lines and lesser quality bakeries in the North End. This place is fine, but the staff has never been the best. It seems you're either assaulted with questions or ignored completely. The selection size in undeniably big, but there's nothing super special about this place besides that. Take the trip next door.
(2)
Sam P.

Changing to 5 stars. As I've reviewed more, I now realize that my earlier standards were a little out of whack. This is a great place, one of my favorite places in Boston. I felt compelled to do this when I got off the plane at Logan and realized that I wanted nothing more than to stop by Bova.
(5)
Judith S.

I prefer Mike's and Modern slightly, but this is a close second to them for no other reason that the food is good and the line isn't obscene. They have great sandwiches out to buy as well. Plus they have some fun other items that are great like peanut butter/chocolate bars and rice crispy treats. I like the pistachio cannoli for something different.
(4)
Lauren C.

I can hardly control myself when I go into Bova's Bakery. There are so many delicious things and I only have 2 hands to carry them in. The cupcakes are amazing - best buttercream cupcake I've had in a while that wasn't just average "I'm eating a cupcake, this tastes good by default". Ordered a couple of chocolate chip cannolis, marshmallow bar, and some other pastries. 100% recommend to those adventuring in the North End.
(4)
Giovanni O.

Bova's has the best cannoli I have ever had. Forget the tourist traps a few blocks away. Do yourself the favor and come here. Try a regular and a Napoletana. The rest of the pastries and biscotti are great as well.
(5)
Scot C.

Bova's is a North End Boston tradition. Locals rave that this is the best place to stop for authentic East Coast Italiano treats and delicacies. After making an impromptu stop, I'd have to fully agree. I've got a sweet-tooth dilemma like nobody's business. So of course, I can't resist a place like Bova's. The cannolis are excellent, cream-cakes looked on-point, and the whoopie pies were dynamite. What's even better is that these Italian treats are easy on the pocketbook. We got a sampling of goodies and hit the bricks to go enjoy them overlooking the beautiful Boston Harbor. Get a coffee to go to compliment your pastry. If you find yourself wandering around the North End, be sure to stop and pay Bova's a visit. The locals would agree, and so do I.
(4)
Trey M.

Bova's has the best lobster tails on the north end. And we've been to some of the other "best" places over on Hanover street. Their other offerings are fantastic. I can vouch for the cannoli and the florentine cookies. Wow and wow. Stop wasting your time anywhere else and come to Bova's for an authentic Italian flavor and atmosphere.
(5)
Michelle R.

Amazing Italian sandwiches!!! I got the Sicilian and it was so yummy and light! I didn't try their pastries but I highly recommend their deli sandwiches! Everything in their display cases looked delicious!
(5)
Gina-Marie M.

Open 24/hours you really can't beat that. I rarely find myself in Bova's before 11pm. I love getting my late night pizza or sweet tooth craving taken care of here. The rice balls are my favorite but the last few times I was in there it looked like they are making fewer types which is disappointing. The canollis are made well and are very delicious. They switch up the flavors too so you can try a new one every time you visit. Staff is always friendly and happy to help. Next time you find yourself getting out of the bar hungry, grab a cab to Bova's!
(3)
Amy D.

Definitely a place to make a tradition of visiting every time I find myself near the North End. I was staying at the Navy yard & happened to walk by this place with aquaintences after a disappointing dinner at Rabia's. This place was PACKED and curiosity got the best of us. It took a little time to get to the counter, but it was well worth the wait in tight quarters. I got a cappuccino cannoli and blissfully ate it on the walk back over the bridge. It was heaven! We were all so impressed that we went out of our way to stop by again the following night, after having a satisfying dinner at the Grand Canal. I picked up an assortment of Italian cookies to bring home for my daughter to try. We had fun sharing some of them this week and they brought me fond memories of the Italian cookies my grandmother used to make. They tasted fresh and flavorful. The assortment included some bowties, tortes, rugalas, milanos, chocolate covered pizelles, and a few others. All for just 10 bucks - which I thought was a bargain since I had a big container and a small container filled. I meant to get some macaroons as well, but forgot because they were in another case...they looked amazing. Next time for sure!
(5)
Jenny G.

My friend and I are self-employed and work strange hours into the middle of the night. Our chats online often look like this: *2am* Friend: You awake? I'm hungry/need to take a break. Me: Me too. I'm pulling my hair out over here. Could use a sanity break. Friend: Where do you wanna go? Me: Um, bovas? Friend: Done. Pick me up in 5. Once when we went at 3am, we were fortunate enough to start chatting with one of the owners, and he told us all about their goods and operations. I'm in the food industry as well, so we had some good conversations about food in the area. He asked us if we wanted a tour of the bakery in the back. We looked at each other and responded "hell yes!" He chuckled and lead us to the back, where some older bakers were hard at work with rock music blasting (so cool!). Was such a cool experience. Of course we ordered a bunch of pastries, brought them back to our respective offices and stuffed our faces. My favorites are the fruit tart and creme brulee. My friend swears by their lobster tails. I've yet to try their calzones, but I look forward to it.
(5)
Irene N.

On the other side of the block from Mikes Pastries. I was never a huge fan of Mike's. My friend and I were looking good desserts and yelped this amazing place.- First time to this place, got a fruit tart and peanut butter pie (?). THEY WERE AMAZING~. I can't really remember if the peanut butter pie is what its called but it's just too delicious! It's definitely recommended for pb lovers. It had perfect portions of each ingredient. It's the exact amount of sweetness to get you hooked! I went with my friend and we wished we each had our own! The fruit tart was on point as well! Fresh fruits, amazing crust. Again, perfect sweetness. I wanna give it 10 stars for being open 24/7. Now I can get comfort whenever needed!!!
(5)
Kio K.

I was in Boston for business and I got a rec to come here from gal working at Fenway. Thanks! :) I enjoyed the stromboli and anise pizelles. My only regret is that I didn't have more time / larger stomach.... I want to try everything!!!!
(5)
Kari S.

We had always been fans of Mike's, before they became a tourist attraction. Now we ONLY go to Bova's for the best canolies and Italian pastries. Wonderful, friendly personal service. When in the North End don't waste your time going anywhere else, head straight to Bova's !!
(5)
Sha P.

For the first time in my life I had a cannoli that I liked. We bought 4 different kinds of pastries and all tasted good. I'll definitely go back for some more. Everything looked amazing and tasted really good! If you're looking for authentic Italian pastries that taste good and are well made, should give this place a try.
(5)
Yuk L.

The only bakery to hit in the North End! Fresh cannoli shells with equally fresh cannoli cream. The red velvet whoopie pie is perfect for sharing! Their fresh loaves of bread can't be beat. It's worth the walk into the North End.
(5)
Cameron P.

Are you looking for the best bakery in the North End? Have you been mislead to believe that the Mike's and Modern Hanover Street rivalry is all there is too it? Well let me dispel some myths for you. This is THE North Ends bakery. None of that touristy waiting in line crap here. Fast service. Good food (pizza, arancini, calzones). Incredible pastry selection. Family owned AND operated. This is the real deal. I failed to mention the most important thing...they're open 24 HOURS 365 DAYS A YEAR. Yes, even Christmas and Thanksgiving and I know this for a fact. If you want real, authentic, good, quality dessert, a quick meal, or to impress your friends and family look no further. Bova's is 2 blocks off of Hanover Street which is the main reason you may have never heard of it. My personal recommendations are the pecan squares, German chocolate cake, red velvet cake, black and white cookies, cannolis of any variety. Say goodbye to Mike's and Modern and make the right choice. For dates, holidays, friends, family, every one and every occasion. Don't screw it up.
(5)
Ada L.

With the recommendation of a friend, I made sure to stop by here during my recent trip to Boston. I bought a regular cannoli, pistachio cannoli, and carrot cake. The regular cannoli was delicious! I've bought cannoli from both Mike's and Modern Pastry (spread out about a year apart from each other so I may not be giving the most accurate judgment...), and Bova's cannoli filling tasted the best to me. It was creamy and sweet (but not overly sweet like other cannoli) and I really liked how I could taste the cheese. My only complaint would be that the cannoli shell wasn't as crisp as it should've been. It would be nice if they waited to pipe the cannoli when they're ordered. The pistachio cannoli had a nice flavor, although the bright green color did kind of turn me off. I bought the carrot cake for my fiance, and he really enjoyed it. Service was alright. The guy who took our orders seemed like he was either impatient or just in a bad mood. My friend and I stood there for awhile to try and decide what to order (they make a ton of bakery items). The lady who helped us at the end seemed friendly. I would definitely come back again for the cannoli and to try out other items!
(4)
Courtney S.

Amazing little hole in the wall pastry shop! It's kinda hidden, which makes it nice. It is open 24 hours so you can get your chocolate macaroon or cannoli fix at any time. They do pre-fill the cannolis but it does not take away from the taste. They also sell calzones, pizza slices, etc. We only had dessert and it was amazing! Just a delight. Completely made up for the wretched dinner we had 30 minutes prior at Mother Anna's.
(5)
Scott B.

The best bread cookies pastries and everything else! We always stop in on the way home and get a loaf of bread and some Italian cookies
(5)
Mike R.

On a trip to Boston, my wife and I went to the North end for Italian food. After dinner we went looking for somewhere to get something for dessert. Initially we were looking for Mike's Pastry. When we pulled up the line was unreal so we decided to try our luck somewhere else. In this case our luck turned out to be good as we stumbled on this gem in North Boston. There were seriously had so many choices it was almost impossible to choose. We decided on a coconut cake and a Florentine cannoli. Oh my gosh, I thought the coconut cake was the best thing I had ever tasted until I tried the cannoli. We can't wait to go back tonight.
(5)
Phu M.

Gonna have to knock a star off as I've come to realize after living in the North End now for 3 years that Bova's has lost its original luster for me. For certain things, I'll still come here (Oreo Brick, Congo Bar, Coconut Cake, and those lemon italian cookies with white glaze and sprinkles on them). However, their canolli's are by far the worst I've had in the North End. Cupcakes, whoopie pies and cheesecake are all dry. The pizza is good if you get it fresh out of the oven. In a pinch, I'll stop in for something if I'm hungry and craving something and everything else in the neighborhood is closed but as a local now, Maria's Pastry is THE place to go to for traditional Italian pastry.
(4)
Sarah S.

Italian bakery with calzones and Sicilian style pizza. I had the eggplant calzone and it was delicious. The crust was so good - more like a bread - and the stuffing was wonderful too. The dessert case was full of tasty treats! But the cannoli had already been pre stuffed with cream (it seems at other authentic Italian places they do this when you order it). Regardless, everything looked delicious!
(4)
Jenny N.

Went to the north end to check out a few bakeries. On the list of Italian bakeries to try was this place, Mike's pastry, and Modern Pastry. At Bova's I got one chocolate pretezel, 2 pistachio macaroon and 2 chocolate nut macaroon. The pretzel was delicious, not too sweet and just the right crunchiness. The macaroon look and taste different from the french macaroon. These Italian macaroons have their own flare. I loved the chocolate nut macaroon as it was just the right sweetness with a soft inside and crunchy outside. The pistachio macaroon however was a different story, I would not recommend that. It was super sweet, very green and artificial in color and didn't have the pistachio flavor at all. The macaroon were not cheap. They are $18/lb and the pretzel was $2.50 each. My 4 macaroon came out to be $8. Basically more than what I was expecting to pay.
(4)
Kevin R.

Yes!! So hard to find a bakery open later in the evening. This place is a gem. They don't label their products very well, but who cares? Cannoli!!! Have to go back.
(5)
Chelsea M.

We trudged through the "polar vortex" in Boston just to get to these treasures. And it was absolutely worth it. I got a red velvet woopie pie and a chocolate chip cannoli. Both were spectacular and rich. The cannoli filling was like a frosting, which I prefer over Mike Bakery's lighter cannoli filling. Only disappointment was that they didn't let me take pictures in their awesome bakery! Also, no credit cards for purchases under $10.
(4)
Steven L.

Stumbled on Bova's while walking around the North End during a snowstorm. The bakery doesn't shock you with how nice it is but it enough for us to walk in. We got some coffee and hands down the best canoli I've ever had. Don't waste your time waiting in line at Mike's or one of the other famous spots - this place is more authentic and better.
(5)
Jennifer L.

Great corner location with a good variety of pastries! People are friendly & hospitality is super! Canolis are great!
(4)
Sarah M.

I love Bova's. It's just around from the famous Mike's Pastry but never has the ridiculous line and is just as tasty. The cannolis are good but personally, I love their fruit tarts. If you're in the North End and want a post-dinner treat, I suggest going to Bova's.
(5)
Dylan M.

I don't understand the obsession with mike's and modern. Bova's is the clear number one when it comes to Italian bakeries in the north end. Open 24 hours and their selection can't be beat
(5)
Elle P.

I really wanted to LoVe Bova's. I bookmarked it for our east coast adventure. I am a sucker for a good Italian Bakery. In San Francisco I really like Stella, In NYC I fell for La Bella Ferrara. We had one night in Boston and I was so looking forward to Bova's. I love the location. The North End. Trendy, busy narrow streets, lots of foot traffic. But the store itself was a bit of a disappointment. Clean enough. Nothing special. Plus it doubles as a deli. Go figure. But it's open 24/7; that's a plus for the locals and night owls... Call me a bakery traditionalist, but I want my $20.00 haul of Italian cookies in a box, wrapped in twine. Not clear plastic to-go containers. I know. Picky, picky, picky... We bought some cannoli. They were okay. But not "holy cannoli...oh my gosh, I've died and gone to pastry heaven..." Certainly not worthy of "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." Italian cookies are not meant to be super sweet and they usually are hardish (which I happen to like. A lot). The cookies we tasted from Bravo were a bit on the bland side. But still decent. Glad I got to try this local favorite. The next time we get to visit Boston, we will definitely be trying ANOTHER Bakery in our quest for my favorite Boston Italian bakery. .
(2)
Alena G.

Let tourists flock to Mike's while you confidently strut your stuff to Bova's. Superior pastries and breads - I can't even pick out a favorite, but be sure to snag a lobster tail while you're here. Or a black and white cookie. Or an eclair. Or a cup of tiramisu... You get the point. If their subs are good enough for Chris Evans' character in "What's Your Number?", they're good enough for me.
(5)
Randy C.

This Bakery is the real deal in the North End! Forget the two "M" bakeries and standing in line for their mediocre fare. The cupcakes, cannoli, and cookies here are fresher and just plain better! The servers will give you just enough of a hard time to make being there fun. Open 24 hours, all in a row!
(5)
Shannon R.

Really good, authentic, no-frills Italian bakery. All the baked goods we tried were top-notch. The stromboli/calzone things were also delicious! If I'm comparing to Mike's, Bova's wins hands-down.
(5)
Wanda C.

We were in Boston for the day and wanted a great Italian Pastry. We've heard all about Mike's, so stopped in and waited a bit in a line. Once in I had a look around and wasn't impressed. I grew up in an Italian town and have a degree in Baking (yes they do have them!) Wandered around and ended up at Bova's, this impressed me! Anyone can make a cannolli, good bread is another story. I ended up having a Sfogliatelle, (lobster tail). This was the best thing ever!!! Next time I am in town, I will get two, and a few other things. Mike's is for tourists, Bova's is the place if you want good pastry.
(5)
Daniel K.

Kind of disappointed. I feel like their lobster tails pastries are 1/2 the size they were two years ago, but the prices are the same. Still, I rate Bova's over the other pastry shops in the area as Bova's has creamy, less sugary pastries.
(4)
Xiao Z.

Wow, totally surprised by this little, or rather giant gem in the North End. Unlike its larger and generic cousins such as Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry, this establishment encompasses a greater variety of Italian desserts, cannolis and larger lobster tail. The smell of the bakery is overwhelmingly delicious and the staff are very friendly and informative. The cannolis are prefilled, and a little too sweet for my taste and I would still vouch for Maria's pastry shop for the best cannoli in Boston. That being said, this place has more variety and I would recommend walking around North End and experiencing this place for yourself!
(4)
Josh S.

The best pastry place in the North End, much better than the Tourist traps & such great service. Thanks Vickie!
(5)
Paula B.

On a recent trip to Boston, we found ourselves at Bova's every chance we got. The cannoli is the best ever!!!!! Mike's doesn't compare and is also more expensive. We tried Mike's and were back at Bova's the next day. We have pined for Bova's since our return home. I wish cannoli could be shipped!!
(5)
Lauren B.

Bova's is fantastic. Open 24/7, every bakery treasure you can imagine, and everything is amazing! The cakes are so rich, their Italian cookies are authentic and because they're always open it's always fresh! Parking in the North End can be a pain in the ass, but if you take advantage of this place NEVER being closed you'll see that at 2 or 3 am there are far fewer people around to get in the way.
(5)
Kyra M.

I'm really not understanding all the five star reviews for Bova's, and even more bummed out that a friend and long-time Boston resident told me this place was better than Mike's. Who can I trust in this town??? Had a friend visiting from out of town and spent Sunday afternoon walking around the North End. I personally really loved the cannoli I devoured at Mike's a couple months ago, but was getting a lot of "Don't fall into the tourist trap!" comments from locals, and my out-of-town visitor doesn't even like cannolis, so I thought Bova would be just right for a Sunday afternoon treat. Wrong. We walked in and the line wasn't very long but the bakery is small. A huge chunk of the floor space was being taken up by two long folding tables full of a variety stromboli (uncovered!), in all their meat and cheese glory, so vulnerable to contamination out in the open air. My friend and I thought that was pretty strange (and gross). The pastries, fortunately, are refrigerated in pastry cases. There were a few different types of cannolis, tons of whoopie pies, cupcakes, and all sorts of tasty looking treats. I feel like the pastries had far better presentation than delivery. My cannoli was ok, but that's about it. My friend ordered a cupcake and said it was overly refrigerated, so much so that the frosting became it's own entity, maintaining its own shape when removed from the cake. I got a slice of carrot cake to go for my partner, and his rating was similar to my friend's. Also, while they do accept credit cards, they have a $10 minimum, which I'm pretty sure violates the terms of agreement set forth by credit card companies. They are open 24 hours, so I can see where the excitement of eating sweets might get them some inflated ratings, but I was not at all impressed with my experience at Bova's.
(3)
Jen H.

We stumbled upon this place by accident and grabbed a slice of pizza. We later went back because I couldn't stop thinking about all their delicious looking baked foods! This place is authentic Italian pastries. Seriously delicious. I have such a sweet tooth and this place takes the gold star!!! The rugala cookie is incredible. And- the staff is nice. They are open 24 hours!!! Added bonus:)
(5)
Jim K.

So we went to the cannoli place everyone recommends on Hanover, and it was great - I wrote a review of it. But a local said that we should try Bova's, and so we did. Let me just say that if there were a 6th star to rate a place it would go to Bova's. Their selection of cannolis wasn't quite as varied as the "other place", but the taste was even better. We got a pumpkin and a florentine (with a shell made out of some kind of delicious cookie/candy). These cannoli's were the best we've ever had, in the US or in Italy. Bova's is a short walk off of Hanover, and so worth the trip. In fact, after you eat the cannolis, or any of their other delicious baked goods, you'll probably wish the walk was further so you could burn off some of the many calories you just packed on.
(5)
David S.

A deli that smells of subs and pizza. Smells good... Was told the subs were pretty good. The cannoli was on the heavier side. Pre dipped and filled. The ricotta was heavier. We got the chocolate dipped. I'm definitely liking the chocolate dipped... It's on the higher end of my list. I have to go back for the subs...
(4)
Joscelyn A.

Great desserts! So many choices and always open I got the chocolate mouse cake and it was delicious!
(4)
Sharra C.

Reigning supreme as my favorite bakery in Boston, is Bova's (all hail)! Although I have been here many times, this was the first time trying their Tiramisu. Oh. My. GOODNESS!!! It was rich. It was decadent. The lady fingers were SOAKED in rum. I was in glucose HEAVEN! I made an attempt to walk away from eating it in its entirety, and THAT operation failed. It was truly a glorious experience for me!!!! My friend went with a chocolate mousse ball. Think of a baseball-sized dessert, chocolate coated, FILLED with dense, creamy, chocolaty goodness!!!! That's the mousse ball! I took a couple of bites and determined that, teamed with carton of milk, this could get me 'chocolate wasted'!!!!! YUM. We returned Sunday AM (12am), and ordered cheesecake, coconut cake, and 3 rice balls. Everything was as it should be: lip-snacking, spoon-licking, eye-rolling, goodness! Unfortunately, due to the Columbus Day parade, I was not able to stop by Bova's on my way to the airport (a tradition of mine) and take treats home with me. Next time! Thank you for another impeccable experience.
(5)
Bela S.

If you are here, you have probably already heard of Mike's. Well, this is the local's secret as it's got a lot of what Mike's has, is arguably tastier, and it's cheaper too (though I wouldn't label Mike's expensive). The shop is small, and when it's packed, it's PACKED. As others have said, their cookies are probably their specialty. They do take cards, which is awesome! I hate carrying cash, so this is where we stop when we are low on green at the end of the night. If you have a chance to stop in for breakfast or lunch they sell an awesome spinache and cheese... I don't know what you call it. A bit like a calzone but made with croissant dough. Delish!
(5)
Dan G.

I can't believe I have never been here. When the lines for Mike's and Modern are out the door, which is usually, any smart person would say F this, and find some place else that is just as good, albeit, out of the way. Yeah, it's not on the hopping Hanover st, in fact, Bova's is in the deadest area of Salem st you could imagine, but that doesn't mean its dead inside! Nope, this 24 hour bakery has it all, including pizza and calzones! I really just wanted rainbow cookies, that's all and didn't see them...until, I closely looked at their refrigerator case (the one that tells you to ask someone to get what you want) and low and behold the rainbow cookies! Much bolder in color than others, but delicious! Their cheese cannoli filling is delicious, and if you want to try something different, look for that reaaaally long cannoli with the dark brown and bubbly shell....I can't remember the name for it but its like a burnt caramel almost and is amazing with the cheese! Oh, and then thank me later. Oh last thing, to all you self-proclaimed "foodies"....its Cannoli no matter where you are in the USA, one cannoli, two cannoli, three cannoli, FOUR!
(4)
S And N.

The worst tiramisu that I have ever had. We also got a couple of the pistachio cookies. They were terrible too. Way way too sweet and fake tasting.
(1)
Noel D.

Great food and great service as long as disgruntled man is not behind counter. He is not helpful in fact he is rude and should recognize people do not just come there for the food. He is also not very nice to his co- workers. He is bad for business.
(3)
Sarah M.

I went here today, a gorgeous Saturday in the summer, at about 12:30 pm-- NO LINE. And to think: people were probably twenty or thirty deep, or maybe more, in line at Mike's or Modern! And this place is just as good, if not better! Whenever I'm at Bova's, I feel like I've won the lottery. I'm pretty obsessed with their cannoli. They also have yummy, cheap bread. I can't wait to try their sandwiches and pizza. The 24-hour thing is pretty great, although it would be better if the T ran later than, like, midnight. But that's not Bova's fault. Five stars.
(5)
Sarah K.

I ran into this place by accident while waiting for a seat at a nearby restaurant and boy did I find the best cannolis! You must try the Florentine cannolis here... it is orgasmic!
(4)
Sam G.

24 Hour! Nice people. Had Buffalo Chicken and Chicken parm pies and the only rice ball I've ever enjoyed. I'll go back next time we want to get a late night snack.
(4)
Thomas R.

They're open 24/7/365. That's pretty amazing. If you live nearby, the best advice I can give you is this - ask the staff which bread is in the oven or will be done soon or what just came out and is still hot. If you plan it right, you can get the best italian bread right as it comes out of the oven and is still hot and fresh. You can't beat it. Their calzones are also great. The pizza is good but you can do much better in the neighborhood. Avoid this place after 11pm any weekend night, especially when there is a bruins or celtics game or Justin Beiber concert at the garden. It's a drunk moron magnet. You will be tempted to hit people really hard. It's not worth it.
(5)
David S.

Open 24 hours. Great coffee and a mouth-watering selection, even at 4:00 AM. This is now my go-to place.
(4)
Robert C.

I purchased 2 cupcakes from Bova's Bakery, a vanilla and a chocolate. The cake of the vanilla cupcake was light and fluffy, exactly what I would expect from a box mix but the frosting was a bit gritty and not as smooth as I would have liked. The cake of the chocolate cupcake was burnt and it tasted like a box mix as well. The frosting on this one was a little better, but not enough to make up for the burnt taste of the cake. Also, the cupcake itself wasn't even so it kept rolling over onto the top (frosting side) whenever you tried to put it down. The girl working behind the counter did know if their cupcakes were baked from scratch or if they used a box mix. From the taste and texture alone I'd say it was a box mix because they tasted like what you would get from an elementary school cupcake sale. When you pay that much for cupcake you should get more than a generic product.
(2)
Lucie M.

Their arancini were mostly horrible, soggy, congealed rice although the meatball at the center of one wasn't bad but the marinara was disappointing. Their whoopie pie was crumbly and fell apart in my hands. Their pecan pie was sugar on a flavorless crust. Way over priced!
(2)
Derek C.

My Italian great-grandparents had been going here since the 1930's and it's still there. It's another North End gem. It is smaller and not within the tourist trap Hanover Street craze. They have a great selection of pastries, pies and calzones. It's a smaller selection than some of the other bakeries, but the calzones and ricotta pies are my fave.
(4)
Marcy L.

Setting: North End, Boston Time: Saturday night, 10pm Mission Objective: pastry Plan of action: bring cash to Modern Pastry *FAILED - line around the block and rations running low* Plan of action: painfully resort to Mike's Pastry *FAILED - packed full of tourists* Plan of action: locate pastry shop of legend (supposedly open late) *ACCOMPLISHED* Excuse me, Bova, but where have you been all my life?! A bakery with a MASSIVE selection (cookies, breads, fresh pastas, cakes, pastry, deli, sandwiches, pizza) that is miraculously open 24/7 (...my backside is thankful that I don't live within walking distance). Located at the corner of Prince and Salem Streets, Bova has been an established sweet spot for eighty years! The prices are reasonable (the same or slightly lower than Hanover Street fixtures) and they take cash OR card (mwahahahah - I never carry cash and I always love an anise cookie). When I happened to visit, Nick (kind of a cheeky bloke, but still courteous) took my order and gathered up all the goodies for me. Our treat selection included: a mini Ã©clair (perfectly sweet cream), a Reese's peanut butter bar (my brother said that it was one of the best he's had), a piece of peanut butter pie (kind of a dry crust and VERY sweet, but what else was he expecting?), and one chocolate-dipped pizzelle for the walk back to the car, thanks! I think that the "grand total" ended up being something like 12$ (not bad for all that loot!). At 10pm on a clear and unseasonably warm Saturday evening, there was NO line (one person in front of me) so there was no pressure to make a hasty and often somewhat underwhelming selection - amazing and unheard-of on Hanover. The selection was HUGE (and they were bringing out fresh reinforcements while I was browsing); whoopee pies, giant cookies, lobster tails, cream puffs, carrot cake, hand pies, cannoli, pizza dolce, and on and on and on! It just goes to show you what is out there, beyond the "tourist Boston." Explore the side streets, and you may just find one or two hidden gems you've been searching for all the while.
(4)
Jenn B.

Pizza is good for a late night snack but count your change! Twice I was given the wrong amount of change. First time I chalked it up to a mistake but when it happen again I was leery of going back.
(2)
Amber B.

SKIP THE LONG LINES AT MIKE'S AND MODERN PASTRY...walk a few extra steps to BOVA'S! I have been telling people this for years. Down narrow Salem Street in the North End, just on the abyss of residences and classic restaurants like LoConte's, is this great pastry shop. They sell dinner plates as well, but I have been craving their colorful cookies (pistachio macaroons, YUM!) at all hours for a long time now. This is fine though, because they are open 24 hours! Please try next time you're in the North End. You'll convert too!
(4)
Mark G.

WOW!! Bova's is awesome. All the locals recommended we go to Bova's instead of Mikes. Have no made it to Mike's yet, but Bova's was amazing. Amazing selection of canoli's in addition to every other type of pastry you can imagine. We bought a sample pack of cookies and every one of them was delicious. We also bought a pistachio and an Oreo canoli that were both excellent. I had to drag the wife out of there because she was a kid in a cake shop :). While we were in there, many, many, locals visited and made recommendations to us. The owners/folks behind the counter were a little frustrated because no-one could decide what they wanted. Recommend Bova's!!!
(4)
Craig F.

Skip the overcrowded touristy bakeries of the North End and walk one street over to Bova's! The quality of baked goods, cookies, and most importantly the cannoli's are top notch and I believe better than Mike's. The service provided at Bova's is very friendly and they are willing to help a customer more than just make a sale. We had wanted to take cannoli's home to Mom and since our hotel did not have a refrigerator in the room I asked if they would keep overnight at room temperature. The employee was honest and said they would not keep and wouldn't recommend me buying them. Since Bova's is open 24hrs he said to stop by in the morning and then keep them in the trunk and they would be fine. This is what I did and Mom loved them! Step over to Salem Street and make Bova's your new North end Bakery!
(5)
Kelly B.

A group of 5 of us went out for a team dinner and decided to stop in after dinner. Love that they are open late and service was just like it should be during the day. Fantastic!!! Tons of items to choose from and its very hard to just buy one dessert and leave. We were all like kids in a candy store!!! Great new find on my Boston restaurant hit list:)
(5)
Kayla C.

This place is my favorite North End bakery. Seriously, don't wait in line at Mike's or Modern. And this place is 24 hours. Uh, yes please. Everything I've gotten here has been delicious. My typical go-tos are chocolate chip cannolis and chocolate-covered strawberries. I've also had the seasonal pumpkin cannoli, cream puff, peanut butter ball, apple turnover, chocolate cheesecake of some sort, and cupcakes. All were phenomenal. The only down side is how small this place is. While it makes it cute and proves how family-run it actually is, it also makes it difficult for many people to be there at once making pastry decisions. Doesn't matter though; all of the staff is friendly and rather patient, considering the crowd that wanders in sometimes. Seriously, go here. Walk further down Salem and make it happen.
(5)
Brian R.

Amazing old school bakery packed with people but, with stuff this good, you can understand why. Killer strudel, btw.
(5)
Liliana C.

Everything we got was totally SO-SO--except for the FLORENTINE CANNOLI. It looks kind of ugly, so we asked what it was out of pure curiosity's sake. Turns out, it's TOTALLY AND INCREDIBLY AMAZING. Also, this place is open 24 hours. Weird, but great. Yes, the florentine cannoli was worth all 5 stars.
(5)
Ambrose C.

It's 3:50 AM in the darkest period of the night, and you are still in the city after a fun and adventurous night that might have involved a lot of action. Suddenly, you have this hunger to get something to eat, maybe something sweet. Where should you go? Finding something that's available and really good at that time of night is really rough, especially in the somewhat decent city of Boston where the 24 hour eatery is extremely hard to find, but if you end up in a situation that dire, and you are still in the city, this place should have your answer. Open 24 hours per day, this place serves a huge variety of desserts, and pre-made ready to eat Italian-American dishes. If you just want some creamy desserts, their cannoli and their Sfogliatelle pastry are great choices. The cannoli is pre-made but the ricotta cream has a nice sweetness and creaminess. The shell is a little hard, but has a nice crisp that made the cannoli tasty. They do not put powdered sugar on it, so you may have to ask. The Sfogliatelle is also a great alternative. Sfogliatelle is the more Italian term to describe the Italian-American "lobster tail" pastry. This is a shell-shaped pastry usually filled with ricotta cream in Italy, but this version is filled with French cream. I really liked the sweetness of the French cream, tasted fairly fresh. Combined with the chewy texture of the pastry, and this was a great dessert. A great advantage this place has is that they serve this pastry in various sizes, from a small snack-sized version to a big version for a few people. As for hot meals, they have a huge selection of pasta dinners for you to take home and eat. They also serve Arancini (fried rice balls) as well, but this place is not high on my recommendations to get Arancini even though they look really tasty to eat. Why? I actually ordered a spinach and cheese Arancino, and when I started eating it, I was really disappointed in the texture. The Arancino was brittle, did not have that crispiness that I was looking for. It's probably not worth spending $4.50 for a piece. The calzones they serve here are better, but they do not heat them up thoroughly. I had a Chicken Parmigiana calzone here, and I really liked the warm chewiness of the bread, and the chicken was decently good, but the center of the calzone was a little cold. Despite this, I was able to get my stomach full from a calzone. They are a little expensive at $7.50 a piece. Overall, this bakery is a great choice if you need something to eat after a night out in the city, but the Arancini is not that great. The major advantage this place has is that it is open 24 hours per day, and the quality of the food is significantly better than getting food from a convenience store like a 7-Eleven but somewhat better than a great convenience store like a Wawa. Good quality desserts and adequately good Italian-American meals served 24 hours per day. Now that's what I call client dedication right there. If they can improve on serving the hot Italian-American dishes, this could have a lot of potential to be the best 24 hour eatery in Boston.
(4)
Faith D.

Open 24/7. Need I say more? As you enter you are greeted by sweet smells of pastries. The glass cases are stocked with beautifully decorated cookies, cannolis, and cakes. Makes you feel like a kid, wide eyed, excited, and wanting it all! My husband and I stayed in the North End on our trip to Boston and stopped here every night after our long days of walking the city. It was a great way to end the day.
(5)
James D.

Good as Mike's, but you aren't forced to wait in a ridiculously long line for 2+ hours. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
John J.

I love this place and used to go by once a week for bread. Their Italian cookies are the best in the North End. I always go a slice of pizza as well and it is delicious cold. Needless to say there is no parking so park outside the North End. Once in a while you get an employee who does not feel like slicing a fresh loaf. Stand your ground unless it is hot right out of the oven.
(4)
Nick F.

I can't say enough good things about Bova's. Coming from an Italian family on Long Island and going to school in Boston- Bova's was my home away from home. Every time I walked in I was greeted with a boisterous hello and treated like royalty. Customer service aside- the food was some of the best I've ever had- desserts and non-desserts alike. My favorite was their varieties of Arancini.
(5)
Rachel R.

Bova's has every kind of Italian food you'd expect/hope for from a bakery in the North End. From a hundred kind of cookies, to ricotta pies, souffles, cakes, breads, a deli, and pastas, they've pretty much got you covered. It's not top-quality in any way, shape, or form, but it's all there. However, that's not the important part. There are TONS of bakeries in the area that could offer you the exact same thing. But do they offer you all of that at 3 a.m.? At 11 p.m.? At 1 a.m.? (but most importantly, 3 a.m.) Bova's can. 'Nuff said.
(3)
Rob L.

Just can't beat a 24hr bakery. Come here late at night for some rice balls and stromboli or get some of the neighborhoods best pastries. The lobster tail and Boston cream cake are some of the best I've ever had. This place is off the main drag in the north end and worth the extra walk.
(5)
Melinda H.

Skip crazy busy Mike's and Modern to come to this other amazing bakery. Staff is very friendly and helpful, and everything we got was delicious. There is a chocolate cake that is life changing, and the cannolis are also great. Also, open 24 hours a day!
(5)
Bianca B.

I never knew cannoli could be so good. While waiting for our dinner reservations at Neptune, we explored the snow-covered neighborhood. It was still an hour until dinner, so to keep our stomachs quiet, we wandered into Bova's. The smells hit me 1st. Sweet, sugary wafting between garlic and fresh bread, aka heaven-scent! Since dinner was soon, we decided to share a pistachio cannoli. It was so delicious, that after we were stuffed full of great oyster and lobster, we went back for 6 more cannoli and a prosciutto and asparagus calzone. We thought we would bring them back home to share, but at the rate we are going, they may all be gone tonight! The staff were very efficient at what they do and it was easy to sense the pride they all took in their products and service. After leaving this place, we noticed several folks walking around with boxes from Mikes. After yelping and walking by mikes, we knew we picked the right bakery. We surely will return to Bova's any time we are in Boston.
(5)
David C.

How does this place get away with being more expensive than Modern and Mike's when it's not even half as good (or popular)? Maybe it's the whole being open 24/7/365 thing. Some people must just need stale cannoli and lobster tails at 3 am on Thanksgiving.
(2)
Peter K.

Great old time Italian bakery in the Italian North End of Boston. Big selection of Italian pastries, cookies, and cannolis. Open 24/7
(5)
Thomas S.

We were walking to Modern Pastry when we walked by Bova's. We peeked inside and decided to stop here instead. There was no line and looked less touristy. We got chocolate biscotti, peanut butter cheese cake, and a loaf of scala bread. The server was very friendly and showed a lot of patience with us. We enjoyed the cheesecake the most. Definitely a neighborhood gem.
(4)
Kelly B.

Way better than Mike's pastry. The locals go here.....no line and open 24 hours. No lines also. The have stromboli....pizza too. The coconut cake was ok. I am a southern girl and I think we make it better. It lacked a coconut taste to me. The cannolis of course were heaven and the eclairs.
(5)
ricardo j.

personally, I cannot respect any bakery with PRE-STUFFED cannolis! NO WAY! that crosses out MIKE'S, VITTORIO'S and BOVA'S! Left standing are MODERN PASTRY (still the best!), Caffe Parsdiso and a few others.
(3)
Tom S.

Fruit tart was okay, fruit was fresh but custard was just so so and the crust was soft and not very tasty. Boston creme cake was alright. Disappointed after reading the good reviews.
(3)
Lily C.

My friends got my birthday cake from here! It was a delicious strawberry cake and it was huge. People argue over whether Bova's has better cannoli than Mike's. I'm no expert but I despise lines, so Bova's wins by a longshot. They're also open 24 hours so they get an extra star. The selection is gigantic so if you're in the mood for cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, bread... they have it all. Not feeling sweets? There's sandwiches, calzones, pizza.. makes me wonder how they can produce so many different types of things and still make it taste decent - but it works!
(4)
Lucy W.

The girl behind the counter was understandably confused when I asked for 2 cookies. I guess everyone that goes in there orders pounds of pastries and sweets, and I can't blame them! This bakery looks like they have a large variety of delicious cookies, pastries, and other Italian baked goods...it took a lot of willpower not to buy out the whole bakery case. I was wandering around North End and just needed a snack. Great value, and the raspberry bowtie cookies were delicious. There was a funny moment going on in the background during my transaction...one of the employees (or owner?) was recounting a previous customer experience...apparently, a woman had come into the bakery earlier that day asking if they had gluten and butter free baked goods...the employee's reaction was "um, you know we're an Italian bakery that uses flour &butter, right?" Seriously...if you need special baked goods, check out a specialty bakery or Whole Foods...don't change a thing, Bova's!
(4)
Emma F.

Don't waste your time waiting in the long lines for other main street bakeries. This was absolutely delicious and off the beaten path. We got the german chocolate cake, a red velvet whoopie pie, and strawberry cream parfait. They were divine!
(5)
Anthony M.

I have to consider myself pretty lucky to live about 2 minutes from this great bakery. First off, ITS OPEN 24 HOURS! Yes, thats right, 24 hours. The place never closes. The bakery is stacked with bread, cookies, cakes, various deserts, pizzas, calzones and arancinis (rice balls, for you non-italians ;). All made in house, what could would better?! Well the only problem is that the place is pretty damn packed for the most part and the place is fairly small, so navigating through can be difficult. Not nearly as crowded as Mike's Pastry, but its just as good! Seriously go here instead! There is nothing better than grabbing a piece of pizza or a calzone at 2am post bar night, along with a piece of cake for that matter. Everything is fairly inexpensive and is very affordable even for the average college student. So if you're ever in the North End, Salem Street to be exact, do yourself a favor and stop by. You wont be disappointed!
(5)
Travis C.

Most amazing Italian sub I have ever tasted. The bread on this sandwich was extraordinary. Highly recommended! Very inexpensive as well. $ 7.50 for large sandwich.
(5)
Kim D.

Bova's has amazing pastries! A calzone from Bova's is always great too. Can't say enough about this place
(5)
Alissa S.

Forget Mikes or Modern. This place is like going into Willy Wonka's candy store. Huge selection of beautiful pastries and cookies, everything fresh, never a long wait. Black & white cookies are my favorite- today they had some kind of version only with peanut butter/chocolate and crumbled Reeses. WHAT!? They clearly know the key to my heart.
(5)
Yasmine S.

I come here often especially because its open 24 hours! My favorite is the chocolate cake and chocolate mousse, I love it because the chocolate is rich. The cake is always moist and the mousse is always soft. They are always fresh. However, the service isn't always the best, they could be a little nicer.
(4)
Niki Elizabeth W.

I'm tired of your rude "i dont owe you anything attitude." Your food isnt that great, your pastry's are terrible... The only two things you have going for your is the fact that your open 24 hours, and that your bread is pretty good and most always fresh when you need it. Other than that, there are so many other hidden gems int he North End. This place is a gathering nest for every drunk girl/guy @ 2am.
(3)
Jack H.

Forget standing in line at the other two famous bakeries...they are good, but this place is THE BEST!!! The owner Ralph is frequently on location and will treat you and your children like royalty-frequently offering you tastes of his favorites. A true class act and throwback to what the North End is really all about. You can't leave Boston with a Regina's pizza or Bova's cannoli!
(5)
Kevin L.

i went here the other night and all i can say is why did i not come here sooner. wide variety of goods . the pizza is the bomb,strawberry shortcake is to die for as well as the cheesecake and cookies and if its available get the bread pudding you will not be disapointed
(5)
Catherine H.

This place is such an amazing find! I come here every Saturday after I go to Haymarket to buy some fresh bread. They even slice it for you for a quarter! The sweets are really good too
(5)
Brandy W.

Well, well, well. Perhaps the best thing we ate in all of Boston were two cookies from this joint. The place was packed and it didn't seem like there was anyone running the show. A bit confusing, but there are two cases of desserts and a refrigerator. I wanted cookies from the fridge, but of course no one was manning that area. I was standing near some kid (maybe 10?) and his mom who seemed to work there. I asked the kid who I talk to about getting cookies from the fridge. Like he owns the place, he walks over with swagger, nods his head for me to follow him, and cuts through the line to grab a couple cookies for me. I pay him my $2 and head on my way. Weird experience. But whatever. Because about 3.5 seconds later, my husband and I were indulging in what could be the most amazing cookies we'd ever had. A coconut macroon dipped halfway in chocolate and a vanilla-almond cookie covered with sliced almonds. Lordy. TWO measly cookies and we're still talking about them a week later.
(5)
Katy M.

This place is definitely overlooked in comparison to Mike's, and it shouldn't be-the pastries and treats are really good. Definitely a nice hidden gem.
(4)
Robert H.

Since I was working nearby I had occasion to get an Italian Sub a few times, it was superb every time. excellent roll, way above par meat. My only problem is the wait.
(4)
Ian C.

Bova's is a little family run bakery filled with a variety of sweets and other goods. I tried several different bakeries in the area looking for good cannolis. While many of the bakeries offered more variety when it came to flavors the consistency and balance of the chocolate filled cannoli I ordered was perfect in my opinion. Even if you're not looking for cannolis I'm sure you will find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.
(5)
Rachel M.

If you're in Boston, near the North End, and plastered after the bars...trot on down to Salem Street to Bova's and munch on some yummy goodness. Or even if you're sober, hell, go here. It's delicious. I've come here to get cupcakes & cannoli around the feasts. So good. Hits the spot when you want a late night snack (they're open 24 hours). I deducted a star because they didn't serve pizza past a certain time...and my friends and I were hankering for some at 2:30am after driving back from Fitchburg. Some random drunk dudes outside offered us $20 for pizza. I declined twice -- I'm not one to take money from randoms. How awful would that be to wake up and be like "dude, I'm $20 short?! What happened?" My friend, on the other hand, snatched it up and we moseyed on over a few streets to a restaurant where they served pizza til like, 4am. I didn't have any guilt, because I didn't take his money. Poor dude's friend probably was like "you offered it to some girls to buy pizza. One girl didn't want to take it, but her friend did. And pizza is what they had". So moral of the story is you can get a cupcake or something here past 2am, but not pizza. :(
(4)
Jason M.

In the Battle for Cannoli Supremacy, Bova's wins every time. First and foremost, Bova's is open 24 hours a day. So, when I decide I want a cannoli at 3:30am, I can go to Bova's and no one will judge me. Secondly, Bova's isn't crawling with tourists and screaming children who are covered in cannoli cream, touching everything and getting their icky mid-western germs on you. Third, while some bakeries rely upon having unusual pastry cream flavors, Bova's is more than some gimmicky flavored cream... the're filled to the brim with other pastries, cookies, treats, breads and more. Plus, pizzas and sandwiches? Perfect. Finally, 24 hours. Did I mention that?
(5)
Claire J.

3.5 stars a bakery that's open 24 hours. We came here twice and it was late night. Expect some drunks during those times. Service is so-so except for this guy who says he's half vietnamese. He provided better service and talked to us. Stuff we tried: cannoli - my friend thinks it's the best one, I can't tell compared to Modern Pastry pistachio cookies - inedible because they use fake flavoring and it was sooo strong i couldn't really eat it other cookie - almond i think, better than the pistachio. sandwiches - for late night munchies, it was okay. You eat it because you're either drunk, tired from dancing, sleepy or just hungry. Never been here in the daytime, but late night can get busy but not really.
(3)
Andrea B.

Okay, we all know that the cannoli at Bova's are not filled to order. They're not as fresh as what you'd get elsewhere in the North End. But are they still delicious? You betcha! I love their peanut butter cannoli in particular. Try them, and you'll be a very happy camper indeed. The PB filling is neither too light nor too heavy. It's just perfect. I'm definitely not the biggest cannoli fan on the planet, but I've never wolfed down anything as fast as I gobbled up that piece of peanut buttery goodness. It was not a pretty sight. It's probably a good thing that Bova's is open 24/7, because me eating anything with that much ferocity is probably not something that should be seen in broad daylight.
(4)
Vicky H.

There are so many pastry places in the North End and this definitely isn't one of my favorites. There is a big variety here that you can choose from, from pastries to food but what's lacking is social skills, or perhaps that's how these folks talk to customers and perhaps i am not used to it. It's sorta how Chinese folks talk/behave when eating in Chinatown. Regardless, i love the variety, the location but I don't particularly like the service and there is no place to eat what you buy so you'd have to take out. Yesterday, I tried the Rice Balls Arancini. They had a good variety but at the same time they were out most of the stuff i liked. Here's a list of what was offered: Meatball, Pepperoni, Beef, Buffalo Chicken, Prosciutto and Spinach. They were out all except Pepperoni, Buffalo Chicken and Prosciutto so I got the pepperoni. She had to microwave it in the oven because it was already cold. I had her cut it for me because it would have been amazingly hard to eat a baseball size rice ball. I asked about cheese or sauce but they don't have cheese to top it and to add some extra pasta/marinara sauce was an extra 50 cents. WOW, really? the rice ball was already $4!!! and mind you, it wasn't worth it at all. You're better off with just getting a slice of pizza or something instead. And this was, again, CASH ONLY place!
(2)
Tyler R.

"Um, excuse me, I - I think you forgot my bread. Bread, two dollars extra. Two dollars? But everyone in front of me got free bread. You want bread? Yes, please. Three dollars! What? "No soup for you!" While Bova's isn't quite the same as the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld, I can't help but compare some of my experiences here... See, Bova's makes a kick-ass sub, in fact, the best Italian I've ever had. (Such a strange, wonderful combination of meats, the best bread, and just the right about of hots, tomatoes, and lettuce.) I've come here from high and low, (even out of state) to get a delicious, delicious monster meal. CAVEAT. They make the best subs, but most of the people behind the counter hate making them. Hate like big sighs, eye rolls, and even a flat out NO here and there, depending on how crowded it is. (NO meaning wait until I take care of the line first.) Sub creation really is quite a process - they slice all the meats (and make the tuna) to order, add the toppings just so, wrap it up nicely...a good sub can take anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes. This is a mega deviation from the usual pick up a loaf of bread / a slice of 'za / a few pastries get in and get out business. To get the most out of your sub creating experience, I recommend you simply call ahead and order over the phone. Give them time to make it on their schedule, and all parties are pleased. If not...I recommend lots of comments, lots of flattery, and a cash tip. Get your face out there. Bat those eyes. Smile that smiley smile. The more you talk and be nice and say please, the more apt they are to make your sandwich with a smile on their face - or at the very least, a muted look of mild content. Get a sub and end it with a giant black and white cookie. I dare you not to enjoy that. I've had a variety of pastries, cookies, brownies, etc...and I definitely think Bova's has a giant leg up on Mike's or Modern Pastry. Don't forget a party pack of biscotti on your way out after you've ordered everything else. -- so, so good. It's like dessert after your dessert. Plus, they are open 24-hours. So after a night of drinking that ends promptly at 2am, head over for some bread, pastries, and maybe even a slice of pizza. Just don't think about ordering a sandwich - that's not likely to happen. They clean and close that slicer somewhere between 9 and 10pm (sometimes earlier, sometimes later) every night, so while Bova's itself doesn't close, a late arrival almost guarantees no sandwich for you. Other tips: Don't talk about Bova's with your family so much so that they ask you to bring home a sub for everyone on your way back to CT. Ordering 6 sandwiches at a time is nonsense. Don't even bother trying to find a space. Take the T or park elsewhere and just walk. I can count on the fingers and toes of several, several hands and feet how many times I visited Bova's when I lived in the area, and probably count on the fingers of two hands how many times I actually found a legit spot. And by legit, I mean in North End Resident parking, crossing my fingers I wouldn't get a ticket.
(5)
Marissa C.

It's open late! It has whoopie pies that look like the Cookie Monster! You can get bread, hot food, and pastries, all in the same place! The only thing that I haven't cared for here were the peanut butter bars (not peanut buttery enough!), but everything else has been delish!
(4)
Julia K.

They have pumpkin cannoli, which really says it all. You can find every Italian pastry under the sun here. What you won't find are the crazy crowds seen at Mike's, even though Bova's is just around the corner and down the street. I'm not sure about the sandwiches sitting out there on the table, but I know that the lobster tails and the cannoli were delicious, and the service was excellent. It's a small space but it is chock-a-block. Plus, open 24 hours? Amazing! Reasonable prices - you pay for quality.
(5)
Stephan B.

So I was exploring Boston's North End last night with a couple of my buddies and we came across this place, I ordered an Italian calzone and sheesh, I'll tell you first hand that it was the best calzone I've ever had, the quality of the meats was great, the dough was amazing, downright delicious. I didn't have any pastries, and after reading reviews of this place and how great they are, I'm kind of kicking myself for it! Oh well, that just gives me an excuse to pop back in next time I'm up there! I work at an Italian market down in providence and your food blows mine out of the water! Nice friendly people there too! Thanks!
(5)
L J.

This Bakery is the real deal in the North End! Forget the other bakeries and standing in line for their mediocre fare. This is a hidden gem a native friend told me about. I ordered an arancini, baklava, and a cannoli. As soon as I walked out, I dug into the spinach arancini ball! It was amaze ball! So good and filling. The dessert pastries are fresh and delightful! They offer calzones and pizza that looked Delish. Open 24 hours, how much better can a bakery get? I'll need to do a stop off before leaving Boston...
(4)
Dawn B.

If you want real Italian cookies or a good sandwich Bova's is the place for you. I figured I had to be able to comment about a wide variety food options so I bought some bread, cookies and a calzone. Ok, ok in reality I'm an American with Italian grandparents and have been since birth taught to obsess over good Italian baked goods, you caught me. The aroma outside of the bakery will lure in any individual with a good concept of Italian baking. The Italian bread was baked correctly was the perfect consistency; soft inside and crisper crust. The calzone had the perfect ratio of cheese to broccoli and chicken and really made you want more. And finally the cookies were so tasty as the ones I purchased were a mix between biscotti and chocolate chip cookies. If you love biscotti this cookie was made for you. One word to the wise however, in minutes the lines here got long mostly because the bakery owners take the time and attention to take eat order and talk to their customers. The people in front of me took 10min to finish ordering, but the baked goods and food was definitely worth the wait.
(4)
Todd G.

Yahtzee! I've been sneaking over to this place after hitting Regina's for over 20 years. It remains the planet's best kept secret for Italian pastry junkies, such as myself. Tucked away one street over from Hanover, (the main drag where you're sure to find the bumbling herd fighting to get into both Mike's and Modern), Bova's is the real deal-Italian-backstreet-neighborhood-bakery. But don't take my word for it. Try either of the Ms and then swing down to Salem Street and hit Bova's; once you do, you'll never need to haunt Hanover again.
(5)
Gordon B.

I love Bova's, but today I was treated with such disdain by a bald employee. The nice woman helped us get our arancini and calzones. We told her we would be getting some baked goods as well. We waited at the baked goods counter, where the bald employee ask if anyone was helping us. "Well, that woman was, but she's helping someone else now." He told us she would help us, an asked who was next, as if he wasn't able to help us. So i ordered my sweets, and when he asked if there was anything else, I said yes, the arancini and calzones. And then he got mad at me because he helped me when he thought he shouldn't have, I guess. I was talking to my wife as he stared me down and demanded that I say, "I'm done." before he would stop staring me down. Great food, and usually an excellent Customer service experience - except for the angry bald man who stares down customers
(3)
Toni F.

Great cannoli, sfugliatelle! And their Stromboli sandwiches are huge and filled with anything from chicken to eggplant to italian meats to asparagus and prosciutto. AMAZING! Much better than Mike's Pastry in my opinion. And they are open 24 hours!
(5)
Stacey C.

Those cannolis were absolutely amazing. I'll be making the 50 mile drive again soon! Well worth it!!
(4)
Natalie T.

This place is nothing short of incredible! Tons of different options for pastries, calzones, and pizzas. Cookies the size of your head! Everything is delicious and the staff is very nice and patient. There isn't really a line to this place, and it is kinda small so if you're near an employee who's not busy, go to them. Make sure to get a slice of pizza and a sweet!
(5)
Anthony P.

1.) Just to warm you up: You ever had an experience at a place, where, you walk out and think about it every time after that? It was a late night and my boys and I were hungry for something saucy and cheesy, so we decided to come to this place. 2.) What your eyes may see: A nice deli style place with pastries and other food displayed. There were pastries stacked on top of each other. I loved the massive amount of pastries. They were not serving calzones or slices. Damn! ;( 3.) Food: They served hot pockets in styro foam boxes. I got a chicken parm hot pocket and the cannoli. The chicken parm hot pocket was thick with chicken, so you get for what you pay for.....a great amount of chicken. Then there was the.......ahhhhhhhh *heavenly sound*....... The cannoli. It was so rich, so creamy, so awesome! I thought about it the day after. This cannoli was in my dreams. The cream was more of an ice cream consistency. 4.) Impressions: I came back again the next day just to get the cannoli!!! You already know, I am back!!
(4)
Theresa M.

A 24 hr. bakery in the North End!!! What's not to love!!! This is a great place to hit up after a night on the town; bring your friends. I don't go there often, but I'm always happy after a Bova's run. Don't be surprised at how busy it is in the wee hours of the morning...my recommendation for treats: calzone and Oreo cake!!! Delicious...
(5)
Thom G.

So fresh, so delicious, so Italian. Mmmmm
(5)
Jessica S.

one star just for being open all the time, pretty cool. Amazing variety of stuff at any given time. Good cannoli. Red velvet whoopie pie is really good, none of that sickly sweet stiff cream in the middle. light and airy. cherry cheesecake is good, not as sweet as some, very good cherries. the strawberry shortcake was fresh but had few strawberries, weird. it was mostly a strawberry sauce, not cool. it was like they added a few strawberries to the edge to make it look good but the entire center was just sauce soaked into the cake. no go. cake squares of all types there are way too big. i prefer normal sized portions. meatball cheese calzone was good once i added marinara at home but they dont give it to you. maybe if you ask for it? plain meatballs arent good in general so add sauce. the staff was very nice and helpful and they take credit cards
(3)
Weronika P.

love love love that place. The best pastry ever!!!
(5)
Adrianna C.

As a North End resident, I don't really get the hype of Mike's Pastry, and I'd rather not wait in a ridiculous line for tourists to decide over what pastry they want. With that said....Bova's is every college kid's dream, a 24 hour bakery! It's even open on snowy days (I went in and stocked up on pastries for the snow storm Nemo) and holidays. I love that it's family owned, and I went to high school with the Bova family so of course I need to support a hometown business. They are always speedy even when there's a line, and sometimes they know my order for a red velvet slice. Whenever I host parties, I always make sure to get a loaf of their bread, it's phenomenal and so fresh (amazing when it's warm). I also like the late night pizzas, and everything is reasonably priced! They accept debit/credit but it's a $10 minimum. Love Bova's!!!
(5)
Robert M.

While walking around in the North End neighborhood of Boston (before catching a plane at Logan Airport), I somehow found myself drawn to the outside exterior of Bova's Bakery. This place isn't fancy, in fact, the old, weather worn exterior seemed to authenticate it and elevate it above than the other bakeries that I passed by in the area. Great bakery and sub shop on Salem St. The chocolate chip cannoli is fantastic ($2.75 a piece). There is no place to sit and eat so you have to be content to take your oder to go.
(4)
Joelle K.

Bova's has the BEST sandwiches around, hands down! The bread is always fresh out of the oven and so so tasty! I get a turkey sandwich every time and could go back every day. I don't go there for pastries very often, but have been happy with the cookies and cakes that I have had so far.
(5)
Brian K.

Cannolis are pre-made but still delicious. I don't know about the other stuff. Maria's is still the best.
(4)
Keith B.

Good memories of going here. Dating back many years on a wintery night, I recently returned for work and eat in the North end and went to Bova afterwards for a cannoli. Smell is great. Can't wait to go again.
(4)
Alyn P.

Tried out this place after a late night out on a Friday night. They have a lot of stuff at this bakery and I got their plain cannoli. I thought it was pretty good, but nothing special really about it. I also think this may have been because I came through this place around 1 AM, so don't think what they had out was fresh anymore. The cool thing about this place is it's 24/7. So if you have a late night craving for some pastries / sweets, this is an option. However in terms of location it's a bit sketchy if you're not from Boston like myself and unfamiliar with the area. I felt like I had to go through a few dark streets to get to this place and that didn't give me the best sense of security. Overall, think the flavor of their stuff is okay. But it's definitely good to know that it's there when you have those weird hour cravings.
(3)
Sarah A.

Only place in Boston I know of that you can get cannoli's 24/7 just in case you live in The North End and need your pastry fix at 3am. I went there tonight for the first time in years. Everything looked very fresh and the guy at the counter was very nice. They have a large selection of pastries and cookies. If you want something other then sweets you can also order a sub. I got a black and white cookie. I had a small piece of it and it was very yummy will save the rest for another day since it was so big. Definitely a hidden gem in The North End.
(4)
Andrea S.

Forget about Mike's Pastry... Bova's is absolutely the best. Open all night long, they offer everything you could ever want for a post night out feast and more. Never have to wait in a line which is awesome! Great quality and incredibly friendly staff. (They don't mind if your a bit tipsy and indecisive) I make sure to always bring out of town guests here for the best North End experience.
(4)
Mairead N.

We came here to get some treats and boy were we not disappointed at all. In the summer is is hot as hell, like they do not have AC. But that does not stop it from being busy, busy! The staff are friendly and so accommodating. We ordered eclair and cannoli and they were delicious...need I say more? Just go and see for yourself, delish!
(5)
Erika G.

One early morning- think 2am- I am awoken by my boyfriend who has finally decided to stumble his drunk self home. While this would normally annoy me, this time he came bearing gifts: 2 aranchinis, 2 cannolis, 6 rainbow cookies, and 2 slices of cheesecake. I know I was delirious from my abrupt awakening, but I immediately stuffed my face and was happy. Two weeks later, we are out together, wandering the streets on our way to the mecca of drunken delight. The scene there is similar to "late night" at college- you know, when the dining hall is open and all they serve is chicken fingers and fries. Well trade your fried food for Italian specialties but keep the drunk/ stoned kids and you get Bova's. We got an amazing spread of food all for 23 dollars. So I would say, its also pretty cheap. Can I say that it is the best Italian bakery in the city? Absolutely not. In fact if you plan on walking in sober- DONT. But its the best Italian bakery that's open after midnight, and for that we give it 3 stars.
(3)
Leslie A.

Bova's is open 24 hours which is way too convenient for that unhealthy delicious bakery food you shouldn't be eating at all hours of the night but is way too good to pass up.
(4)
Kemberli P.

SO GOOD. Never a long line. Open 24 hours, even on holidays. Delicious cannoli's & lobster tails - our two faves! Credit cards only accepted for transactions over $10!
(5)
Catherine K.

I lived down the street from Bova's and swear by their baked goods. Their chocolate cake, mini cannolis, and gigantic whoopie pies are the best. Also, if you find yourself looking for a late night bite to eat they have tasty Sicilian pizza slices and if you are lucky they sometimes make spinach mozzarella pastry turnovers. They are sooo good! I almost never go to Mike's Pastry anymore.
(5)
Danielle K.

Bova's is my favorite bakery in the North End. As an added bonus, they're open 24 hours. When friends who don't know any better want to go to Mike's, I stear them to Bova's instead and avoid the line from the tourist trap on Hanover St. I've never had a friend be disappointed. I always order a chocolate covered strawberry. My fiance is a fan of the half moon cookie. The minimum to pay with a credit card is pretty high, so be sure to save some cash for pastry at the end of the night. Or, you could do what my friends have done and just buy some more goodies to take home.
(5)
Jake L.

soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good, get the lobster tail delicious pastry filled with marscapone cheese and whipped cream. parking sucks, but i always go with two people so i can just get dropped off, do a run, and come back out
(5)
L. B.

I thought their pastries a bit lighter then Mikes, which were too heavy for me.
(4)
Ryan S.

Great cannoli and tiramisu. All homemade and fresh. Get some to go for family or friends ( if you can resist eating it all yourself!)
(4)
Mike C.

I like Bova's anisette biscuits. Dropped by two days ago to get a couple along with a few cookies. On the way out I noticed red velvet whoopie pies. It's been a few weeks since I swore off chocolate whoopie pies. Pumpkin whoopie pies were a loophole, and boy am I glad because I was able to get red velvet whoopie pies through the same loophole. The red velvet is no ordinary whoopie pie. Forget the cupcake craze. The quest ends here with the best cream cheese frosting you've probably ever tasted layered thickly between dense, moist, perfectly baked red velvet half-moons. I shouldn't be broadcasting this to the world because next time I wake up at 4am with wanderlust, how sad will it be if they're sold out!? You can choose regular size or mini. The mini is about as big as a cheeseburger, the regular looks like a whopper. I get the minis because I do a lot of yoga. Today I stocked up. Pretty stupid thing to do actually. Standing inside Bova's with visions of sharing inspires me to order five. As I put them in my backpack and hop on my bicycle, the little voice inside my head that knows what I'm up to wants to know who I plan to share them with. Supplies are dwindling and I still don't have an answer. Who wants a whoopie pie? I feel like sharing.
(5)
Sara C.

The bread here is delicious. You must try the scali bread. It's my favorite bread in the North End. I get a large loaf and serve up half for dinner. Then use the rest the next day for French toast. Other greats? Mini cannolis - I mean how great is that. Ricotta pie, chocolate bombes, baklava.... All taste treats! TIP: No matter where you get a cannoli in the North End get the traditional filling. The other fillings are like vanilla and chocolate instant pudding. (This is true for all the pastry shops.) Things I don't recommend: the sfogliatella (lobstertail) and the red velvet cake. The sfogliatella filling is too sweet and heavy, and the red velvet is dry and tasteless. Their "calzones" are more like bread pocket sandwiches. They are okay and will do in a pinch. For a while, they left them out on a table where people could fondle them. It grossed me out, but thankfully, they are now behind glass where they belong. Credit cards are accepted if you spend $10 or more.
(5)
Elizabeth G.

When you happen upon the fresh stuff it is great mostly stale and overpriced but open 24hrs.... go to place when White Hen is closed
(2)
Joe B.

My goodness. After eating a sub and a cannoli here tonight, I don't think I'll ever stand in line at Mike's or Modern again. That is, unless I'm on a date where she really twists my arm to go. Though, I think she'd appreciate the Bova's experience as well. Bova's Bakery is a decent trip down Salem Street, past some of the more "local" and less touristy restaurants and shops. There's no seating inside (*whomp whomp*) but that just disciplines you to wait until you get to a place where you can really enjoy your meal. They have a pastry counter and a meat counter, and there's a huge assortment of fresh pastries and bread to choose from. I ordered the Bova's sub, which contained prosciutto, mozzarella, and a very tasty oil. It was quite a bit of food - good thing that I walked the 2+ miles from work to "earn" my meal. Everything was incredibly fresh tasting and each ingredient complemented the others perfectly. This ranks up there with Bob's Italian Food Store in Medford as one of the best subs in the Boston area. I got a chocolate-covered chocolate chip cannoli as well. The shell was a little softer than I usually get, but I found that to be a pleasant surprise. The ricotta tasted nice and fresh, too. There were only about three other people there at 7pm on a Friday night, and only one was in front of me. The people behind the counter were friendlier than most other places I've been to in the North End. When I dropped a dollar from my change into the tip cup, the lady said, "Thank you very much, we really appreciate it." How often does that happen? I don't live in the North End, but I think I know where I"ll go after hours if I am ever hungry in the middle of the night. It seems like a great place to go regardless of the time of day. Stop in and enjoy!
(5)
H T.

This place is popular because it is trendy for yuppies who want to say they buy fresh baked bread, and drunk college students who are to drunk to tell how bad stuff is the chocolate cake has no chocolate. it is probably made from artificial chocolate flavoring and brown food coloring. the cheesecake is waaaay to sweet. doesnt even taste like cheesecake. The calzone i got was burnt on the bottom, and the pudding tastes like it came from a can. I've had better pudding from a Snak Pack. DO NOT be fooled by the other reviews. this place is terrible. total waste of 20 dollars and I'm never going back.
(1)
Roberta R.

This local icon of a shop is one block off the "main drag" on Salem Street. It is the perfect place to pick up a few treats at any hour of the day or night. The calzones are terrific. You can pick up a large, eat some while walking around the neighborhood, then take the rest home for dinner the next day. Where else can you find a good meal in the North End for under $10? The late hours also make it a good place to stop after the bars have closed and you just need a little something to munch on during the walk back home to your condo, apartment, boat or hotel. Need some bread for a special family gathering? Pick it up at your convenience. The breads here make a great hostess gift when wine won't suit. Will need a bottle of wine to go with that fantastic bread? Monica's next door has a simple but sufficient selection.
(3)
Sean S.

We love this place better than Mike's OR Modern Pastry. Never crowded with tourists. No frills, just great tasting pastries!
(4)
Sasha M.

LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I've been to this bakery about 5 times these last few weeks...the owner is adorable and cheerful, the desserts are BOMBB. I always the the Tiramisu & Boston Cream Pie Cakes. I have a major sweet tooth and my cravings are always late late night so it's also great that it's open 24/7. BTW, if the owner is reading this, "It's me Anh! The little asian girl that comes in around 3 or 4am and buys out most your store! =) "
(5)
Kristen F.

I am in love! Mikes? Modern? No way. Bova's has my heart. From red velvet whoopie pies to baklava (spelling?) to giant cookie monster cookies to fruit tarts... mmm mmm good. Just thinking about it all my heart is about to beat out of my chest! Open all day everyday, everything is fresh, staff is nice... I'll say it again. Bova's I am in love with you!
(5)
Ann A.

Best calzones I've had in my life! Yummy cakes and pastries and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they're open 24 hours!
(5)
Marge F.

This place is the best bakery in the North End that I have experienced. I tried the most popular ones and was never overly impressed. We just sort of stumbled upon Bova's and were treated to a feast of choices. Yes, the ordering was a bit confusing..but like a normal person, we asked someone behind the counter if they could help us. And, like magic they came out and took the cookies from the fridge and got the rest of our order too. Cash only, I believe. We chose about five items, a pistachio cookie (amazing!), a couple of cream filled pastries (ah ah orgasmic!), and some sort of nut/chocolate cookie (to die for). We licked our fingers and shoved our faces while sitting at the waterfront looking like a pair of savages....but it was so worth it!
(4)
Sarah I.

bovas is the reason why i am now so curvy in the best way possible. hands down the best sweets 24/7 (amazing!!!!)
(5)
Irene L.

Not too sweet and the bakery is special, I will go again.
(4)
Toni M.

Pastries at 3AM- whats better than that?!?! Large selection of pastries, cookies, sandwiches and pizza all day and night for your convenience. YUM
(4)
Sean J.

Reason's to go here instead of Mike's: 1. Much shorter lines 2. Equally if not better tasting pastries 3. Cheaper 4. No hype to live up to Seriously, go here instead and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Linda C.

Cute place n great cookies. I love how its tucked away from the tourist section. However mikes pastry still have the best cannoli in town
(4)
Dan W.

I don't care what anyone says, Bova's rules! Those mini-lobster tails (pastry shaped like a lobster tail) are insane at 2 in the morning. The sandwiches aren't half bad either. I also like the cheap coffee in the styrofoam cups. Open 24 hours! In the north end, where most shit closes early, it's great that this place exists.
(4)
Ella B.

Pluses: open 24 hours, lots of choices, convenient location. Negatives: sorta on a pricey side and I got a whole wheat tuscan loaf and it was meh. the other pastries are pretty good and they have mini cannollis, got a few of the biscotti and a mini red velvet whoopi cake. Overall, very happy with most of my purchases but the bread could use a little "oomph". $15 total purchase.
(4)
Sarah S.

Went there during feast of St Anthony for some pastries. biscotti was absolutely inedilble! Also had a black and white cookie which was extremely dry. whoopie pie was good and so wasn't the canoli. Maybe just a bad night to try a new bakery. Line at Mikes was three blocks.
(2)
Meridith H.

The bakery is small but popular, especially among the late night crowds. The fare, from pre-made cannoli to generous slices of red velvet cake to boxes of cookies to rice balls and calzones, is ok; it tastes better after a 16-hour work day or a late night out (hence the late night popularity). The service, however, is Bova's stumbling block. Many of the people who work here are helpful and pleasant. They know their customer base: tourists during the day and drunken 20-somethings at night, with the occasional local sweet-seeker darting in when the coast is clear. There are a couple of older employees, though, that will go out of their way to make you feel unwelcome. My husband & I frequent Bova's, and thought it would be fine to bring my mother there during her visit. The folks behind the counter were snippy and rude throughout our visit, answering my mother's question (is the cannoli filled with frosting or cheese - a reasonable question if you're coming from the Midwest) in a patronizing tone. They also had a miscommunication with my husband about his order, which was also dealt with in a patronizing tone (obviously just rectifying the problem was too hard without getting a dig in to my husband). After we left, my mother was generous to them, thinking that they must have had a bad day. I disagree; if you can't treat your customers with respect even after a bad day, you need to get out of the business. ADVICE: If you want to purchase Bova's treats without being insulted, peek in through the doorway to see who's working the counter. The young women are the nicest & most helpful, and the young men will do the job without putting you down. If there are middle-aged folks back there, try again later. Bova's treats are not good enough to risk ruining your mood for the day.
(2)
Chris C.

24 hour Italian bakery need I say more? So anytime you are out late in Boston and have that craving for something sweet they are there to help you out. So skip the overpriced tourist trap that is Mike's and support the true local North End bakery. Its also cheaper, the food is bettter and they offer way more options. The best option is the canoli, but I have liked everything I've ever ordered here. So I don't think you can go wrong.
(5)
Melissa G.

I don't know what happened between the last time I purchased bread and what I got yesterday, but I don't think I'll be buying Scali bread from Bova's again. I purchased one large and one small loaf, both unsliced, and regrettably, both entirely inedible. The breads were bone dry and flavorless. I usually can't wait for the bread to toast, so I eat a piece or two while waiting for pieces in toaster to cook. One word "Blech!" So bad I tried to think of ways to use the bread other than for sandwiches and toast....but I couldn't. Didn't want to waste my time making croutons or bread crumbs. I hope they were just having a bad day, but next time, I'm going to stick with my usual Scali bread supplier, Parziale's Bakery on Prince St.
(1)
Jimmy C.

The cannoli's are spot on!
(5)
Chip S.

A great spot in the north end. Walked in at lunch time and fresh cookies had just come out. The very nice woman gave me a super warm cookie to try and it was delicious. Grabbed a lobster tail and crushed it before I got back to the car. Was creamy and awesome.
(4)
Dora M.

the pizza was really good! One of the cheapest foods we had while in boston! I recommend their cannolis and the baklava and the biscotti! MUST GO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR CHEAP BUT GOOD FOOD IN BOSTON!
(4)
Melissa P.

Good pastries, good prices, open 24:7.
(4)
Lisette W.

Bova's is awesome...most definitely the best kept secret of the North End. The original cannoli with chocolate chips and cappuccino cannoli were delicious. Best part about Bova's is that they are open 24/7! Can't wait to try the chicken parm calzone and spinach arancini.
(5)
Corwin P.

Yes- Bread, Red Velvet anything, Yellow filled Canoli's No- Calzone, Italian Sub, Chicken Parm
(3)
Rebecca M.

My mom and I discovered Bova's on our walk through the North End and were very excited to try it. Especially because when walking through Boston one mostly see's Mike's Pastry boxes. However, we got to talk to the owners and he answered any question on everything in the place! Not to mention, this place is open 24 hours a day, it's almost unbeatable. My mom had one of their almond biscotti's and I had a cannoli (my first!!) and a whoopie pie (also my first). The biscotti and cannoli were amazing. Seriously, I am now afraid to eat one somewhere else. The only reason that this was not a five star rating was the whoopie pie, the chocolate cake was a bit dry and the filling was way overpowering. I think that this place is worth looking at and makes me want to try everything that they have! Thanks Bovas!!
(4)
Jim W.

Our favorite bakery in the North End. It seems like everyone has a favorite in this area. Some swear by Michael's or Modern. We've tried them and prefer Bova's. Bottom line in the North End-I still haven't found a bakery I didn't like. I'll try though, every time I'm in the North End. Sometimes when we're there we just go from shop to shop, buy a cannoli, step outside, eat it, move on to the next shop, buy a cannoli, repeat...
(4)
Courtney R.

They need smaller pastries so I can try more. I bought two and ate about three bites of each, but it took me about 15 minutes in the store to choose those two. Amazing. And it's 24 hours!! I walked here at 11:30 at night and it was heavenly.
(4)
rose n.

I love Bova. So much. I got lost in the North End my freshman year (yes, I know realize that's kind of sad, and mostly impossible) and found you. Now, after dinner, while my friends are waiting in line at Mike's, I go grab some Bova delights to take home. I don't loooove the cannolis, but I think I am skewed by the freaking amazing oreo cake. It's pricey (around $5-6) but you get a giant slab (5 inches by 5 inches at least!). It's layers of cake and mousse with oreos mixed into the mousse and sprinkled on top. I am so glad I don't live closer to the North End because I would go daily. The people who work there are super nice and not as abrasive as I remember the people at Modern or Mike's.
(5)
David R.

Having a 24-hour bakery within a half-mile walk of our hotel was too good to be true, we thought. We were right, because the quality here just didn't live up to the hype. We tried three items and found them all subpar. The cake part of the whoopie pie was spongy and lacking in chocolate flavor, although the icing was good. The eclair's custard had a strange, almost chemicaley taste. Worst of all, the famous cannoli was severely underwhelming, both the crust and the filling. The place deserves another shake, and I had intended to go back to get a sub and a few more pastries to take on the plane with me yesterday afternoon, but I filled up on Ernesto's pizza and couldn't imagine eating anything else within the next few hours. I'll try Bova's again on my next trip to Boston, but for now I chalk it up as a disappointment. Oh, and when you get your pastries to go in a "box," it is actually a plastic tray. How about some greener choices, Bova's?
(2)
Paul N.

Bova's Bakery is the absolute best in the North End. If you want the freshest cannolis, Italian cookies, and cakes, this is the place. Their pizza and calzone (try the chicken parm calzone) is delicious and their sliced Italian scali bread is to die for, its on my table every holiday. Every time I visit the North End ( which is often) I always stop here and get some dessert and usually some food for the next day Their staff is always very helpful, and polite. I just recently found out they are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! So sure, you can try Mike's Pastry, but this place tops it, and its been a staple in the Italian district for decades. Also has been a staple in my house since I was a kid. I always recommend this bakery to anyone coming to visit Boston, and I always steer my friends and coworkers to check out Bova's Bakery.
(5)
Sara S.

I found this place based on reviews. Visited on a monday afternoon, and it was pretty empty. my friend and I got a lobster tail, a canolli, and a piece of boston cream pie. The Grande total was about 8bucks. Wow! Definitely could have charged more and I wouldn't have known different. The lobstah tail filling was delicious, as was the ricotta cream in the canolli. Both "shells" left something to be desired. Kind of cold and stale tasting I guess? I probably won't go back, seeing as how I live 2 hours away and can't get down there enough to waste the visit. :(
(3)
Shannon E.

My husband and I stayed in the North End for our first ever trip to Boston. We walked all over and tried Mike's, Lyndelle's and Bova's (yeah, we were really serious about our North End pastries)! We went to Bova's the first night for pastries, and then back again for lunch the next day because we had to try those rice balls after we saw them. AGREE with the lobster tail being so awesome. I'm usually not one for the cream-filled (tho I did try Mike's cannoli a day later, which was rad), but Bova's lobster cream filling is light and perfect. I also got the chocolate-covered PB cookie, which - dipped in coffee back at our hotel - was out of this world. BUT: Here's the thing you have to try at Bova's. It's a cinnamon apple dumpling. Looks like a big fat biscuit, but there's a whole apple inside. If God were a pastry, this would be it. Or I guess it's the Devil's pastry, with the apple and all. Either way, it tastes like it was made by angels. Just do yourself a friggin' favor and get this pastry. We really liked the rice balls the next day (I got the spinach one, my husband got the meatball one), and one of those calzones with the asparagus and cheese. Good thing we walked ourselves all over Boston because obviously we made up for it in food... Bova's was prompt, no line, asked if we wanted the lunch warmed up (in an oven not a microwave, so bread doesn't get all chewy). Extra convenient, delicious stuff, great service. Do it!
(5)
Amy X.

Everything here looks so tantalizing, I had a really hard time picking just one dessert. The Chocolate Bomb (chocolate cake and mousse covered with ganache) is a solid choice for diehard chocoholics, but I somewhat regretted taking the cashier's recommendation instead of going for the Key Lime Bomb, which my friend said is really good. The Grape Nut Pudding is not bad, but it's not sweet, especially compared to the other decadent desserts. The Boston Creme Pie is tasty, but not that different from others I've had. The Red Velvet Cake is delicious.
(4)
Andrew R.

Bova, you're open late, and that's why you're a 3.5 in my book. Better than Mike's, slightly behind Modern and Maria's, you've got a cute pastry shop plus a nice real food offering as well. Beyond late night never had a better Italian pastry shop for a friend. I also love your grapenut pudding. Keep doing that.
(4)
Meliza Anne M.

This is it. Love of my cannoli life. Love of my late-night-sweets-craving life. Marry me, please? Lot's of tourists seem to skip this litte North End gem, but I always try to point them to this land of a million sweets: best cannoli in Boston (cannoli shells and filling are to die for), bear claws, almond cookies, whoopie pies, fruit tarts, fresh breads... I could go on forever! Keep on keeping on, Bova's!
(5)
Leah C.

Oh 24-hour bakery how I wanted to love you...but I will likely be back for another at the mentioned "god like pastry" After having Mike's canolis I was sadly disappointed in my soggy little pastries sans flavor. The lobster tail was a bit rubbery (I wasn't in the rain that long, I swear) but the filling was delish - definitely something to come back for. The no wait, family neighborhood bakery feel is definitely more apealing but looks like I'll have to keep munching through the menu to find to tasty treats.
(3)
Dina C.

I will let the fools wait in line at Mike's while I sneak behind the street and get my Italian bakery fix at Bova. I used to come here when I lived in MA and I always return when I travel to MA. Nothing against Mike's as it is also fabulous, but it is way too crowded. Bova has great cookies, breads, and calzones. They also have a fridge where they sell lasagna and other goodies that you can take home. They also have an area where they can make you sandwiches with imported Italian deli meats, Does it get any better? I don't think so.
(5)
Peter P.

Went here recently to get a couple pounds of assorted cookies for a Yankee Cookie Swap and left completely satisfied. Despite the hussle and bussle of a weekend morning, the service from the staff was impeccable and the selection of baked goods is always delicious and astounding. It's a no frills experience, but good food always speaks for itself. Parking though, as usual in the North End, is tricky.
(5)
Cherie C.

Maybe 3.5 stars since they are open 24 hours. But they don't offer all food in the wee hours. Got a sfogliatelle--my favorite Italian pastry--and it was just okay. The pizza slice was fine. The pastry I got for a friend was just fine. The bread is good for sandwiches and made fresh. Everything here is just fine.
(3)
Susan S.

I was going to this place for a last minute run to grab treats for a party, so I figured to beat the crowds, I would go to Bova's. I was looking for cannoli's mainly but this shop has a lot of other options like fruit tarts and cream puffs. I've had their fruit tarts and cream puffs a while back and they were really good. My review is really based on how much I liked their cannolis and lemon meringue pie. I thought the cannolis weren't as good as Mike's Pastries in my opinion. I at first thought that the filling tasted also like banana? I did like that the thickness was kind of lighter but I feel the taste/flavor was simply not there. There was not as much ricotta cheese flavor as I would have liked. And I feel that they are a little smaller than Mike's Cannolis even though they are pretty similar in prices. Mike's is 3.50 while theirs is 3.25. The lemon meringue pie was really nice looking. When the pie was cut, the lemon filling was 2/3 of the pie while the rest was meringue. I thought that the lemon flavor was more artificial tasting and I didn't find the flavor to be amazing. It was also a little too sweet and unbalanced in that sense. It just mostly tasted of sugar and artificial lemon syrup. It was kind of cheap at $10.50. It was a decent size, maybe 10 inches. They also had this awesome looking chocolate mousse cake with strawberries on top for 15 dollars, which is probably a better value than the lemon meringue pie. I'll probably get that next time if I go there.
(3)
Maya G.

Great pastry, bread, and coffee. Forget touristy "Mike's." Deducted one star for the (just so-so) almond poppy-seed muffins. Friendly service.
(4)
David B.

With the madness that is the North End bakery scene at Mike's and Modern, Bova and Sons is a breath of semi-fresh air. No lines and touristy cravings, just a local bakery in the 'hood. I've purchased some of their bread in the past and, most recently, Italian cookies. The cookies were a cut above you get in the grocery store, but not by much. Although tasty, the most recent batch I purchased were little pebbles....they were as hard as a rock, an anise flavored rock. I'm guessing the pastry in the case falls into the category of 'look better than they taste.' Still I have a soft spot in my heart for local bakeries. When the lines are long, head up Salem for some sweet noshing a Bova and Sons.
(3)
Nic H.

I've been to Bova's several times now. A bakery in the north end that takes credit cards is VERY useful. Their prices are fair and the food is quite good... very rich when it needs to be, tart when appropriate. The tiramisu is overloaded with a liqueur, but whatever. I'd go for the fourth star if either 1) they'd be more consistent with using gloves when handling my food (yes they use paper, but when the girl put it in the box last time, I saw her adjust it with her bare hand) or 2) they'd fill their cannoli on-the-spot rather than beforehand. Changing both of these would probably push them up to five stars. Place isn't the cleanest I've seen, but the selection is large and quality. I'd recommend this place for fulfillment of your dirty little addiction, and not for 'date night'... go to Cafe Vittoria for upscale. Parking is a nightmare... get dropped off or walk/T to Bova's.
(3)
Aboud Y.

Believe the hype! This place is the real deal...my favorite place to pick up real bread (not pastries but loaves to serve with dinner or for sandwiches).
(4)
Erica D.

Please, continue to line up around the block for whatever scraps you can get at Mike's "we've been resting on our grossly over-inflated reputation forever" Pastry, thinking you are slick and getting the 'best' in Boston. More Bova for me. Unfortunately I can't tell you about the whoopie pies or chocolate chip cookies because why would I get anything other than Italian pastry and bread there? The Italian things they have are great. Even if you're entertaining relatives in town from Ohio or you've just come in from the suburbs and are trying to be a bigshot to your date, I still recommend this 24-hour hole in the wall over that overblown Hanover Street monstrosity. A few rules for Bova: - Bring cash. - Do not bitch about the cupcakes. You don't buy cupcakes here for the same reason you don't order pad thai at a Chinese restaurant. - Try the scala bread. I know it's not as alluring as the pastry but give it a shot.
(4)
Hayley M.

Don't you just love stumbling into an all-night eatery and slurring, "thanks for being open?" I sure do. I worried that the movie "Fever Pitch," where Jimmy Fallon lived above it, would turn Bova's into a tourist trap, but fortunately no one saw that crappy movie. Thank you, Bova, for being open 24 hours a day. You should consider chipping in for my gym membership. I love your sandwiches, and the chocolate peanut butter bar blew my mind. That tiramisu? It was history about 10 minutes after I got home. Same with the carrot cake. The cannolis are good, plus you have a shorter line than Mikes, which is not open 24/7. So thanks for being you, Bova's. You truly add to the neighborhood's flavor.
(4)
Michael R.

Definitely have to like the whole 24-hour deal that Bova's has got going on. But the reason I was told to drop by was the bread from their famous bakery. While it was good, it didn't live up the the substantial hype. The two loaves of scala bread I ordered weren't fresh. They still tasted good, but I was really left wanting more. Although their prices were dirt cheap for "fresh" bread baked in the North End. Also, I haven't tried their pastries yet, although I'm still planning on going back to do so. Visually though, they did look pretty good, so if you're not one to wait in the long lines at Mike's, then Bova's is probably your place to go.
(3)
b l.

based on the reviews here, you'd expect that the cannoli here would be better than mikes and modern right? wrong, and terribly wrong. the casing could've been more fresh. another thing was that i'm pretty sure the freshness of the casing isnt the only thing that could've been fresh: the filling. the only one that i liked, was the cappucino flavored one. the peanut butter didn't taste right, and the chocolate one was, well didnt taste like milk chocolate. best to not go to this place for cannolis.
(2)
Amanda B.

Mike's is overrated. Go to Bova's. We swing by here whenever we're in the North End. Something that we need to have: the sliced Italian bread. We'll pick up two loaves just to stash in the freezer. They make decent arancini and sicilian slices. The desserts are great. Lobster Tails and ricotta pie- Yum!! The cake slices are eh- I wish the frosting was lighter and not so sugary. They've also got Italian cookies. Love 'em. One thing that's kinda hilarious: it always seems like they have their 13 year olds working no matter what time of day we're there. I mean, it's a family business, right? Did I mention the best thing about Bova's? No? Oh, well, they're open 24 HOURS. Yes, you read that right. So if you've been out closing Goody Glovers, you can head over to Bova's before grabbing that cab home. Hey, a 24-hour anything is a treasure in this town. Give Bova's a chance!
(4)
Sara V.

A bakery that's open 24 hours? Ok. I'm in! Bova's is the quintissential Italian bakery. All family working... Mama walked around in her slippers yelling at the men.... the place everyone knows your name and your story. ;-) Their pastries are delicious. Their cookies are mouth watering. They have so much to choose from. If I could've eaten everything in the pastry cases, I would've. Prices are super reasonable. And it's not ridiculously packed. Skip Mike's. Visit Bova's!
(5)
Jimmy P.

Any Italian bakery that employees Vietnamese-Bostonians as their Bakers get an A+ in my book. Being that I am Viet-na-Italian as my wife says. This place was like eating my Grandma's cookies. Friendly behind the counter folk make this place even better. Hands down a genuine bakery with great people.
(5)
Sam L.

So I just moved to the North End and have been having a lot of late nights trying to unpack. I always crave something sweet after dinner, and since this place is on the corner of my street, it is the perfect convenience! It's open 24 hours and offers such a wide selection of pastries and you can even make your own sub all day. My roommate stumbled upon this place first after having an unsatisfying red velvet cupcake from Lulu's (also on Salem), and said that the red velvet cupcake here hit the spot. So far I've had a red velvet cookie, a cannoli, and a lobster tail...all were delicious! I've never had a lobster tail before so I don't have anything to compare it to and I hear the one at Mike's Pastry is really good, so I'll have to try it. I really love this place because Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry always have lines out the door thanks to tourism season and this place satisfies my Italian pastry cravings just as well. Probably a little too well...let's hope I don't gain weight from living here in the North End!
(5)
Kendra H.

Easily as good as Mike's or Modern, if not solidly better, without the wait and the idiot tourists. Skip Hanover St and head to Bova's.
(4)
Kate G.

After a night out in Boston with the hubby we were walking through the North End and could smell Bova's from all the way up Salem Street. We were needing a snack and decided Bova's was where we had to go. Walking in was a treat in itself, although the store itself is small it is loaded with freshly baked goods, delicious pizza and even at 10PM there were people already making products for the next morning. The staff was so nice, and everything was a downright steal for the quality and flavor. You cannot beat the prices here anywhere in Boston or even the North Shore. The fact that it is open 24 hours is awesome and convenient.
(4)
Jimmy H.

I have never tried anything but a loaf of Italian bread. And that alone worth 4 stars, I think. Existence of this 24-hours-bakery becomes very precious after 2am when you are highly intoxicated and hungry. It's good alternative to getting greasy cheap Chinese food. And yes. I have bought bread when I was sober and tasted very good. So it's not alcohol talking.
(4)
Dan G.

Best bakery in the North End and best pastries I've ever had. The selection is really expansive and the service is amazing. The pastries are really good and you don't have wait in a huge line like at Mike's or Modern. They also have a great selection of non-pastries and their calzones are ridiculous. I loved the asparagus and peppered salami calzone and the chicken parm calzone. We went back to Bova's three times during our visit and every time it seemed to get better. The lobster tails are freaking amazing, but a word to the wise - the pastries don't keep well after about 5 hours. We tried to grab a box to take with us twice and both times the butter soaked through the pastry and made it chewy. Yum yum easter bread too!!! Regardless, Bova's is absolutely ridiculous and this will one of the first stops every time we're in Boston from now on.
(5)
Alex S.

Nice corner pastry shop that also serves pizza, apparently. When you come in you'll immediately notice the loaves of baked bread on the shelves which look artisan-made (not sure about the quality or taste because I haven't tried any.) Pastry assortment is typical and similar to Mike's, although they carry more elaborate cake slices. My eclair had a tasty filling and flavorful dark choclate icing. My friends seemed to enjoy their lobstertail and cannolli. Not too pricey. Going to come here again.
(4)
Richard L.

So many other bakeries in the area do pastries exceptionally well so Bova's is really up against some stiff competition, but what NO ONE has are Bova's Mile High Apple Pies! If you've never had it, just get it. Same goes for their Christmas pistachio cookies. Nothing more needs to be said.
(4)
Michael S.

Ahh Bova's. This place reminds me of Peter Sciortino's in Milwaukee, albeit larger. Bova's, in my opinion, is much better than Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry, and this is why: 1. Lines are much shorter. The last thing I want to do is wait for a bunch of tourists to have their picture taken in front of Mike's with those lame white boxes with the blue writing and string holding them together just so they can leave it at some crap bar near Faneuil Hall. 2. Building off that point, because Bova's is open 24 hours a day, waiting in line at Mike's for a cannolo the size of my face after 5 too many beers sounds like Hell to me. You? 3. This place has character, something that I feel is missing at other establishments around the North End. It doesn't look pretty at all, with aluminum trim, etc. I love it! They don't care how they look, they care how the food tastes, which is how it should be, and it is delicious- and relatively cheap, to boot. Go here for your pastries and Italian bread. It is 2 blocks from Mike's and about 5 from Modern. It is worth the extra walk, trust me.
(4)
Chris W.

Lobster Tail...get one. Seriously, I'm sick and tired of having to defend Bova's to the naysayers. I have had lobster tails from Mike's and Modern and neither are as good as Bova's. I'm not saying overall Bova's is better than either of those two places, but if one looks at the big picture including price, hours and lack of lines, Bova is a contender. And how could I forget, the stromboli factor. Yeah, Bova's got 'em.
(4)
Rachael L.

Contrary to these reviews, Bova's IS the best bakery in the North End! The cannoli call to me, the lobster tails call to me, this place haunts my dreams. There's never a line here like there is at Mike's, which is crazy because it's so much better. Their filling is perfect -- it's not too sweet, which makes for the perfect pastry. At Mike's, the cannoli are so sweet I can hardly eat half of the cannoli, but at Bova's, the filling is more cheese than sugar and it just makes the perfect dessert. Or breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. Or snack.
(5)
Jolene S.

If the Hanover St. bakeries are open and the lines aren't bad, I would take a pass on the pastries at Bova's. But at lunchtime today I discovered the delicious bread and calzones (7.50) here. I had a very late lunch so the chicken parm. calzones were warm (they'll reheat them for you) and I was able to eat 2/3 of one at Copp's Hill Terrace Park. But when I reheated the remainder for dinner, I was really happy. So eat the calzones piping hot and you won't be disappointed.
(3)
Adam G.

Came back here on my way home from Harvard Square when I decided to grab a quick cannoli in the North End. I didn't realize Bova's was open 24/7 until my return. (It was 11 at night when places start to shut down and options get sharply limited) I got another Chocolate Chip Cannoli and it was as delicious as one during the day. The staff was super friendly and helpful. This place seems to be very consistent.
(5)
DD T.

Open 24 hours, fresh bakery, no crowded lines with tourists and children, almost completely hidden and unknown to even people who live in Boston. At night, it's perfect to just grab a cup of tiramisu and loiter on the pavement.
(4)
Shani C.

Stopped in tonight to pick up a pastry while walking around in the North End. Cannoli was pre-filled and felt soggy. I'll give it another chance sometime soon, but perhaps I'll try something else.
(2)
Daniel T.

Thought I'd grab something sweet for breakfast from Mikes Pastry, and on the way I cut through a side-street and saw this place. OLD looking exterior in an area where you can see little old Italian guys sitting on a chair right in the street. It just felt like the right place to try instead- and hey, less walking! WOW, I'm glad I stopped in! I had some type of flaky pastry with mix of creams baked into it that almost tasted like a ricotta pie wrapped inside of FILO dough. SOOOOOO GOOD! a mind blowing selection of cookies, I couldn't make my mind up so I picked the Raspberry Rugala, the Chocolate Chip Rugala, and the Wedding cookies, plus some type of almond cookie that the nice older woman suggested was the fresh, and her favorite. Man, all we're good! The place is old, dank, dingey, but CLEAN ENOUGH TOMEAT OFF THE FLOOR. I'd gave another star if they had decent take-away packages for traveling home on the train without the little flimsy plastic container popping open and dumping the contents. I chose a bag- so,I'll have cookies, just a some that are crushed together. I WILL be back! And I'll never be at Mikes or Modern ever again!
(4)
Matt H.

I'm sorry but why are people giving Bova's 5 and 4 stars? Look I get that it is open 24 hours a day and people probably have had a few too many adult beverages prior to going to Bova's, which makes everything taste better (It's science the more 21+ drinks you have the better food taste) but c'mon people! This is a 2 Star place at best. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you. There are literally one hundred better places within a square mile that has better food, a friendlier staff and isn't populated with tourists (day time) and drunk college students (night time). My theory is that there are too many people brought up on Olive Garden and Applebee's and when they eat at Bova's it boggles their mind. 'How can food be this good?' they ask themselves. Answer: It's not; it's just better than the sludge you've been feeding your kids in the suburbs.' I understand that when you go to Bova's you are not going for the elegance but instead the cheap food but that's no excuse, Dino's is literally across the street and their food is awesome (yes I have them on speed dial and I'm biased towards their subs, so what?). When you are in the North End pick up a rock, throw it and wherever it lands the food will be much better quality then at Bova's. That being said I have had Bova's pizza and I actually kind of like it (Whatever, it's America, I can have multiple opinions).
(2)
Mark A.

3am cannoli craving? No problem! Love bovas, love their riceballs, love their always friendly and patient staff (yes even at 3am). SIMPLY LOVE.
(5)
Darren P.

Bova's gets 5 stars from me and my family. The pastries are very tasty and look so good. But they look so homemade good, not "perfectly" decorated good. The people are always friendly. They don't mind kids looking around trying to decide what they want. They not on Hanover so you are forced to at least look around the North End some. Reasonably priced. Favorites so far: cookie monster, lobster tail, red velvet whoopee pie, eclair and cannoli. One day I want to try their calzone. They look so good. All you need to do is give Bova's a try. You will be hook.
(5)
Kristen M.

I've been to this bakery at all hours and despite what time I'm strolling in the food and desert is always consistently fresh and delicious. I love grabbing a half of a calzone for dinner or going in for just some deserts. Im not a huge cannoli lover but their cannolis are delicious!! I had a mini cannoli with chocolate chips and a chocolate cake which after 8 seconds in the microwave was to die for!!! love this place!!
(5)
Nikki F.

Nice shop, very friendly staff (so much so that I hate to only give them 3 stars!). The Italian cookies were really tasty & there were a lot to choose from. But I also bought a couple of pastries that didn't do anything for me. The raspberry turnover tasted so awful that I threw it away -- the filling was bland & tasted nothing like any sort of berry & the pastry itself had a strange plasticky after taste. The cannoli tasted a lot better than the turnover but the filling was a bit runny & a little bland. Sorry, wanted to like it, but I probably won't go back.
(3)
Marilyn T.

It's a bakery where you can get the absolute best Italian sub around. I know...sounds crazy....I get that alot. Try the "Sicilian." You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Michele A.

Honestly, I am not debating the food here is good because I have never had it but what you guys should know before going here is that they have been there since my mother was a kid in the early 60's. From then, until today, they have been closed down by the board of health more than 30 times. They are dirty, there are always rats coming out of there, the people take your money then hand you your food with no hand washing in between mind you. It is nasty.
(1)
David A.

Went first thing in morning. Great looking calzones, bread and pastries. The lobster roll(pastry version:) ) is unbelievable! Ate this on the way to Regina Pizzeria! Will be back to try more.
(5)
Liz D.

Got cannoli and an eclair. $5 total. The cannoli is covered in chocolate. It's ok, but basic. No hint or depth of additional flavors in the ricotta filling -- no vanilla, no almond, no cinnamon, nothing at all -- and a very standard shell. Not bad, but not something I'll seek out again. The eclair frosting was very sweet, the custard very egg-y and strong...not exactly a delicate affair like top-notch eclairs I've had in the past. I'd go back to try their cookies and other cakes/pastries sometime. The lack of a long line certainly made it more appealing than waiting at Modern Pastry, where I usually go. But is Bova's the best in the North End? No.
(3)
steve j.

I'm a big fan of Bova, especially since it is open 24/7. Also, it is open every day of the year, including Christmas! This is huge for me because I work midnights and tend to work holidays. They are always friendly to me and I would give the food a 4 out of 5. I also prefer it because it is low key and away from the tourists traps in the North End like Mike's Pastery. (I hope this positive reviews gets me a free black&white cookie)
(4)
Tani S.

Ah yelpers led me astray... I've been looking for a good cupcake bakery locally for my little one's going away party at school. We stopped by on a Saturday night with good expectations and bought one of their chocolate cupcakes and one of their vanilla cupcakes both which had sprinkles. The chocolate one was dry and had an odd icing, tasted like karo syrup not true chocolate frosting. The vanilla one was dry again but the icing was at least good... We ended up tossing the remains into the garbage... They were friendly but not going back, our search for cupcakes continues.
(2)
Janie W.

It's dangerous to be near a 24/7 bakery filled with tasty sugary treats. I tried their strawberry shortcake. It was expensive - $6 a slice - but the cake was so big that I couldn't eat it all in one sitting, so I guess that worked itself out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if I lived near this bakery I would put on another 20 pounds.
(4)
Lisa I.

A 24-hour bakery in the North End?? YES PLEASE! Forget Mike's or Modern. Bova's is just as good, minus the lines and with nicer service. Their pastries are YUMMMY.
(4)
Marisa C.

Open 24 hours, no line (like Mike's Pastry), and cheap.... what more could you ask for?? Whoopie pies are huge! And I highly recommend the cannoli with chocolate chips. Also since you are going.... pick up a fresh loaf of scala bread... sliced or unsliced the whole loaf will be gone before you get home :-)
(5)
Julie R.

Next time, I'm trying those calzones. I wasn't impressed with the pastries on my first visit. I got a couple cupcakes and a small cannoli. The cupcakes are not worth the $2.75 price each. They were generic spongy mix with shortening frosting, the same kind you can get at shaw's. Way overpriced. The cannoli I devoured was crispy with smooth filling but had a refrigerated taste to it. Service was very friendly. The place was like an institution with food and workers everywhere. They jump on you quick even though it looks to be a line. I liked the vast selection of bread, I'll go back to try the Italian food they have out like the arancini, pizza, sandwiches and calzones. They sure smelled good!
(3)
Lauren L.

I live less than a block away from Bova's. I've tried every bakery in the North End, as anyone else who lives here has, and Bova's is just the best. The tastiest, friendliest, and cheapest. Rarely has lines (which is the opposite of stupid Mike's Pastry). Everyone that works at Bova's is so nice, friendly and helpful. Many times when I get bread there they stop me and tell me if I wait five minutes, they'll give me a fresh loaf out of the oven. I mean, who else does that? Also, their pastries are unbelievably delicious and fresh. Bova's is the best bakery in the North End by FAR - said by a North End resident. Oh, and it's open 24/7 so I go there very often at 1am for some late night dessert!
(5)
Stephanie Elena G.

While on a quest to find some tasty treats with some friends, we avoided Mike's and Modern pastry due to insane crowds in the North End and marathoners carbo-loading for the next day. We stumbled upon Bova's Bakery and oh what a stumble. They are open 24 hours, so if you're walking home after the bars, why bother with terrible Boston pizza? I'd go straight for the fresh baked bread and delicious looking Italian cookies! I sampled the Napoleon and another chocolate moose cake. Both were delicious. I've had better Napoleons but this was still a tasty treat and with a nice cheap price too. I'm normally not into chocolaty desserts, but this chocolate moose cake was moist, creamy yet light and fluffy. Yumtastic! Give Bova a thought if you need pastry to go- or are not in the mood to fight the tourists on Hanover.
(4)
Bethany C.

No idea what they're officially called, but those little white frosted cookies with the gorgeous array of rainbow sprinkles will be the death of me. When I talk to my out of town friends about coming down for visits, we speak not of museums or concerts, but of these cookies. The spinich calzone is also decadent--highly recommend. Avoid the chicken calzones, though, very dry. One star off because one of the guys there gave my friend a really hard time over payment when he messed up the calculations (they add up your total on the spot) The rest of the team is great though, very casual which is refreshing amongst all the frou frou of the tourist haven that is the North End.
(4)
Roscoe R.

Bova is my favorite pastry shop/bakery in the North End. I think the food is a bit better than Modern and certainly better than Mike's. Their florentine cookies are sinfully delicious, as are many of their other cakes. I wish some of their items were less expensive, but it's the North End (and they're open late), so I suppose they're not outrageously priced. Bova is my "go-to" dessert place whenever I'm in the North End.
(4)
seth w.

The Bread Is Amazing! and always fresh! However their pastries don't compare to the other North End establishments
(4)
Corey F.

What's the point of making Sicilian pizza if you're just going to heat it up in the microwave? And not even heat it up enough to eat? It brought two words to mind: cafeteria food. But okay, they say they're a bakery, so I tried the goodies, too. The Reese's Peanut Butter bar was tasty, but not half as rich as it looked, and not worth $3.50. The Honey Nut Cheerio Treats are a great idea to try instead of Rice Krispy Treats, at least in theory: but the Cheerios actually get soggy, and all the marshmallow fluff or whatever they use condenses at the bottom and forms a gooey mess. Flip them over every day or two, or firm them up, or just stop being cute and use the puffed rice. The guys inside are nice, but the place is dreadfully inefficient. There's no flow, people just run into each other once it gets busy, only half the baked goods are marked, nobody seems to know how much anything costs and the prices seem to fluctuate wildly, and getting served takes forever. Yes, they're open 24 hours, so they're there for you when you get the drunken munchies. But any other time of day, it's not worth the effort to find parking.
(2)
Elizabeth G.

This is where it's at if you want fresh bread: crunch on the outside, thick and hefty on the inside--basically bread made the way it was always meant to be. My one friend wasn't allowed to come visit me unless he came bearing a loaf of my favorite wheat as an offering. Their desserts are delicious as well (and closer to bite-sized than other bakeries, which honestly makes it that much more delectable).
(4)
LeeAnn T.

The worst calzone I have ever had. EVER. I think the brick of chicken parm is still in me somewhere! Scary but true. Their cookies are OK, but the awfulness of their calzones is the reason for the 2 star rating. Anywhere that would serve those things is dangerous in a very bad way.
(2)
Jay and Jenn O.

After dinner in the North End, go here to pick up a large Tuscan Round and some pastries. Open 24 hours.
(4)
Ben L.

What is there to not love about a 24 hour bakery. I mean come on folks 24 hours. Bova's is so awesome that I unilaterally divert my full attention to anyone that brings up the name of this fantabulistic place. Think of it. It's 4:18 in the morning and you suddenly need a loaf of bread and some cold cut's. Don't lie you know that this has happened to you. What the hell while you're in there why not grab yourself, a cannoli for the walk home and a bag of pizzelle for later. Wait, take the comma out of that last sentence. If you are having trouble understanding how great this is you should head over the the basketball court at midnight, shoot some hoops with friends and then head to Bova's for a snack afterwards. Just don't do this when I am there or I might have to throw down. If you have problems staying up after 9pm just stop by during the day and try this, walk up to the bread counter and ask them if they have any fresh loafs of bread. Mmmm. The straight-bakery+24hours What's good-24hours and they are a good bakery The slap-now if only they had more locations.....
(5)
Korri Leigh C.

The only reason why Bova's gets 3 stars is because they're open all night and the staff is friendly. Quite frankly though, the pastries are worse than any other North End Bakery. Sorry.
(3)
Tina L.

gotta love the access to a square slice at any hour!! yummy calzones, and almond cookies!
(5)
Shanna R.

bovas, you're a block away and always have a few old arancini's laying out at 3am for me to pay $5 for, so thanks for that. you're black and white cookies are amazing, even though you admitted you didn't think they were that great (like what?? you're knocking your own product in your own store to your own customer?? whatttt????) and you're staff needs to be a little happier about charging people an arm and a leg for a freakin calzone because that profit margin is too high to not smile about. but i'll continue to come here for your cookies and cupcakes b/c i have a sweet tooth that could put a 500 pound man to shame.
(3)
Nick K.

This place is great! The sandwiches here are very good and huge for the prices. The desserts are what earned this place 5 stars for me. I love sweets so I was in heaven when I walked in here. Tried a few things and they were all outstanding. The connollis and chocolate eclairs were outstanding and the cream puffs were very good. Another day, I also tried some sort of pastry with raspberry filling which was good but not as good as the others. The other great thing about this place is that they are open 24 hours and even though they dont serve their deli sandwiches, pizza, and other food, you can still get some delicious dessert.
(5)
J A.

My brother made a point of introducing me to Bova's when I first moved here to prove that there was something in Boston that stayed open past sundown. I got a damn delicious italian sub for about $6 and it was big enough to turn into two meals. Plus, they take debit/credit which is surprisingly hard to find here
(4)
Mina I.

Small plain cannoli = $1.50.. which I thought was a little pricey considering I ate it in three polite bites.. it was average.. but! I mostly came here for a loaf of Italian Bread which it boasts to be the best place to go for. All together $3.50 which really isn't too bad. It was fun to look around at the yummy looking sweets but I felt kind of ignored by the staff who kept recognizing other people who came in and tending right to them. I would be up to trying them again and hopefully will have a better experience to report.
(3)
Amy Jo A.

Stopped in to get some takeout lunch. Calzone was heated and not too warm. My son ate a slice of pizza which was good. We got some baked goods and they were wonderful. Service took long. Someone came in and double parked and got a 75$ ticket so dont do it. Have someone run in for you. Parking is bad. Worth the stop.
(4)
David R.

For italian sandwiches, this is one of the best. I simply love the "Bova's Special!" (I would stay away from the calzones though as they are simply pre-made and re-heated on demand) They have a huge selection of breads, pastries, and deserts and the one's I've had are great. The best part is they are open after everywhere else is closed. I believe they're open 24/7 (although sandwiches are only served until maybe 11:00pm or so).
(5)
CB B.

They get credit for being open 24-7. Best thing there, though, is the egg-wash bread with seeds. They don't always have it out on the counter, so make sure to ask for it.
(5)
Rochelle R.

One of my good friend's lived in Boston for a few years while she went to Wellesley and Harvard. She recommended that I try Bova's since they make the best dainty cookies (aka Italian Wedding Cookies). This place was down the street from Neptune's Oyster and would be a nice place to grab dessert after dinner. I got some cookies to take back home to my friend since she is back in LA. I also noticed that they had some cannolis, miniature ones. I still wanted to give cannolis another chance. So, I bought a vanilla and a chocolate cannoli. Back at the hotel I tried the cannolis which were very good. Way better than Mike's Pastry and the cookies were very tasty. My friend was so happy to get the cookies since she has not had them in awhile. Bova's was so quaint, very family oriented. It was nice to see that. It is also good to know that this place is open 24 hours, so when I want to get my sweet on when I am back in Boston, I can do it anytime!
(4)
Michael T.

Besides being the scene stealer in the movie "Fever Pitch," this place is rediculous being open 24/7 and the counter ppl are friendly as heck. The cupcakes are great (one of the best in town) and def. worth a trip alone. Mike's is way too tourisy...ppl in the know and locals, go to Bova's. Being a single guy in the N/End, Bova's is my first stop when coming home for calzones (try the eggplant parm) and pizza. But the pastries and breads are def. their specialty. No carb diet, what?
(5)
Daisy K.

perfect place for the late night/early morn munchies. wandered in here with a craving for chocolate + salt ... got my fix with this mocha mouse choco cake with a sweet strawberry on the top & the cheezy calzone. perhaps due to my haze i wasnt able to discern too greasy from just right but that's a good thing. mmm.
(4)
Kristen L.

i agree with the double parking because thats all you can really do thats why i give it a 4 but that doesn't mean anything about the pastry im a fan of the strawberry shortcake and chocolate covered strawberrys and the mini cannoli's very good late night dessert its worth the double parking
(4)
Brandy S.

As everyone has mentioned, it is open 24/7, so if you are hungry at 4am, head here. The pastries and breads are freshly made, and the cannolis are the best.
(4)
Brenden L.

The pastries here are just as good as those at Mike's and this place is even open 24/7 to boot. The calzones and pizza are also pretty good (make sure they heat them up though), especially at 5 in the morning.
(4)
Jo B.

Since moving to the Boston area, I've been making my way through all the pastry shops, sampling as many as possible. I have to start out by saying that I reaaally wanted to like Bova. I wanted it to be the hidden gem bakery that you bypass Mike's and Modern for. You know, the one you go to and think, "hahaha, those suckers are waiting on line on Hanover Street for nothing" But much to my dismay, this was not the case. I never like to judge a place a one visit since everyone has an off day now and then. But, after at least 5 visits, I don't think I will be going back. Each time I've gone, the lobster tail crusts have been burnt but not cripsy. Also, the cannolis were soft and just not very good. I've had better cannolis in San Diego. Yes, San Diego of all places....certainly not the benchmark city by which to judge Italian pastries, but better than Bova. The bread was also disappointing....no freshly baked crispy crust, just sort of like grocery store bread. I give it two stars because the clerks have always been friendly to me when I go in there and the cookies are pretty decent. There is never really a line, but I guess the reason for that is pretty obvious.
(2)
Ebrahim B.

open 24/7, always got something to eat. always something fresh being made, huge variety. Try the cupcakes, the vanilla in specific. The fruit tarts are great as well, although the pizza and calzones aren't worth it unless they're fresh.
(4)
kristyn m.

If you are sick of going to Mikes', try Bova's. It is open all night and i think the pastries are even better than Mike's. The fruit tarts are awesome and the chocolate decedance is superb.
(4)
Marc H.

As much as I like Modern Pastry and Mike's, I tend to go to Bova's more often when I'm in the North End, partly because it is a bit off the beaten path (and hence less crowded), and also because they are open 24 hours on weekends, which is when I usually go to the North End. The help is mostly nice, though sometimes you get a bit of an attitude. The pastries are about as good as what you'll get at Modern and Mike's (though not always), and the breads are fantastic. My favorite items there are the soft and hard biscottis, I'd say.
(4)
Steve H.

One of my favorite bakeries in the North End.
(4)
Samantha T.

What a find - amazing desserts and sweet treats AND open 24 hours a day. If you are craving something more meal like (especially at 2am) the arancinis are a MUST. Otherwise, my favorites are the wide selection of Italian cookies, where I can choose just a handful of each kind and make my own variety box. Service is friendly and helpful, and prices are reasonable.
(5)
Alicia C.

Back from a late night of bachelorette shenanigans... still wide awake and hungry... what to do, what to do? This place may not have been anywhere close to where we were staying, but it was definitely worth it (especially since I waited back at the hotel while others went out for the food run!) Though we intended to get some calzones, they were out... but the guy at the counter (sorry don't know his name since I wasn't the one to pick up the food) was very helpful and was able to come up with something for our famished, partied-out souls. The croissant my friends came back with served very nicely as post-party snacks. We had some steak and cheese and some spinach and cheese. Oh, and can't forget the eclairs! Very yummy! If ever I found myself in the area again and in need of a late night bite, this place will definitely be at the top of my list! eclaires
(4)
Bryan M.

Giving you guys a 1 star with the hopes the owner reads these things. I live on Prince Street and frequent Bova's often. However - the one thing that rubs me the wrong way is - when it's crowded - the employees show no hustle whatsoever - leisurely filling out orders at a snails pace. C'mon guys! It's happened enough now that I have to post this.
(1)
Banafsheh P.

I blame this place for the extra pounds I gained living around the corner! They're open 'late' night and I tell you...you want pastries, pizza, cal zone, etc. this is your spot! and yes I know I shouldn't admit this, but for the smokers out there...who are looking for a pack late night and everything is closed...there is a machine in the back! hit it up while you're picking up that late night snack ;)
(4)
Kara N.

My go to place for something delicious and quick! Calzones are delicious but the desserts are ridiculous. PLUS IT'S A 24 HOUR ITALIAN BAKERY IN THE NORTH END OF BOSTON!! You really can't beat it! Their strawberry shortcake- cake is outrageous and I have gotten so many people hooked on it. OBSESSED.
(5)
Colleen B.

If I lived in the North End near this 24hr bakery I'd easily be 500lbs. The selection of cookies and cakes and canoli's and all other sugary confection you and dream of is INCREDIBLE. I wasn't wowed by the cannoli though. The ones with the chocolate chips were better than the ones without. It just seemed a little flavorless. The half moon is ginormous and much better. Frosting is A+! Cash is king here, but if you can find a way to spend over $10 (which isn't hard cuz of the selection and slightly touristy prices) you can use your card.
(3)
Caroline A.

A trip to Boston is not complete without a 3am trip to Bova's. I used to come here all the time for chocolate eclairs, but decided to go with the carrot cake this time (I have to be semi-healthy, right?). The cream cheese frosting was one of the best I've ever had and the cake was rich and moist. I could not finish the whole thing (because I had a bite of my friend's eclair too), but it was delicious. Next time, I might try the ricotta pie or cannoli. This place is dangerous. The people are SO SO SO nice too. I remember one time, I came in a drunken stupor and the nice guy gave me a fruit tart for free because I mentioned that the berries looked so fresh.
(4)
Aleks R.

Going to Bova's is like going to your Italian aunt's kitchen for delicious pastries. The workers are helpful, friendly, and welcoming. Get the pistachio cookies.
(5)
Riki G.

Absolutely the best pastries and desserts and rice balls in the North End. Also open 24 hours. I live down the street, and this places is making me a fat-ass. Not really a big fan of the pizza or sandwiches, but you don't go there for pizza or sandwiches, so it doesn't really matter. Credit cards accepted over $10.
(5)
G J J.

Pretty mediocre stuff. Why is the bread so overrated? I got a tuscan loaf, nothing like the bread you get in Tuscany. Have the people who run the shop even been to Italy?
(2)
Ruby O.

They're open 24/7 even during the holidays! And the cakes are glorious!
(4)
Aly N.

I love bread but i LOVE LOVE LOVE Bova's bread! All the bread! Bova has the freshest, crispy on the outside/soft on the inside, delicious bread I've ever tasted. Bova is bread heaven!
(5)
Kevin D.

Always a great place for bread! Going here for years!
(4)
Michael L.

We were doing a late tour of the area, just checking things out. Seeing this place was still open we went in. Wow what a great variety of savory and sweet. After getting a few things to go we had a feast in out hotel room with scrumptious tid bits.
(5)
Helen Y.

I went down to Boston for the Fishermans' Feast and ended up wandering into this bakery on Prince St. I was riveted by the size of the whoopie pies--a humongous cream filled cake that was at least 6-7 inches in diameter. I ended up buying raisin bread after explaining to the very friendly owner how I couldn't eat another bite(after a meal of fried calamari, zeppole and gelato--the later which was still in the cup my hand) and didn't want to haul baked goods around. The man, ever wise, said, "why don't you hold the gelato in one hand and eat the cake in the other." He told me it was the best whipped cream sandwich in the world. I should have listened to the man--afterall, a discussion we had on fried calamari already proved to me that he KNEW his food. But hauling baked goods while I wandered throughout Boston was not my idea of building muscle. Well, that whoopie pie haunted my thoughts for the entire time I roamed Beacon Hill, the Public Garden, Chinatown, the Financial District, Quincy Market..."do not leave without me!!! " said the whoopie pie and that cry shadowed me until after hours of roaming, I had to go back for that whoopie pie, or two, rather. And it was one darn good whoopie pie, light devil's food cake with an excellent whipped cream filling. I will go back and try the other baked goods based on how good that cake was. It was definitely not just a sales pitch. That whoopie pie was a hit with the grateful folks I deigned to share them with. Oh, the raisin bread, was okay also--not terrrific, but then, it was prepackaged and not made fresh. I didn't sample the other freshly made breads)Stick to the pastries--when I went early there as no line. Later in the evening, there was a wait, with customers raving about the lobster tails and other assorted goodies. The owner wasn't there but there was a slew of help, probably his children and grandchildren as it was definitely a family run business. Prices are very reasonable and the wait is not as long as the other bakeries..Mikes, Modern etc. I am already dreaming of the next whoopie pie excursion--this time, I might bring a wheeling suitcase to hold them and save all the hard labor for my stomach.
(4)
Christian L.

The place could be called Old World Charm. Mini canollis...awesome. Lobster Tails... superb Calzone... so good, I just stopped in the alley and wolffed it down. Loved the old lady that seem to run the joint. Loved that they had an 8 year old kid running the register. They treated me like a local and a friend. Free food and all. Thanks Bova's, you're one of the reasons I'm moving to Boston.
(5)
Dara C.

I keep trying to claim that my Freshman Fifteen was some sort of genetic fluke, but really, Bova's is to blame. It's my favorite bakery in the North End. Mike's doesn't hold a cannoli to this place. Speaking of which, their cannoli is perfect, not too sweet but crisp and delicious and creamy. Their bread is always good, true Italian bread (and if it has trans fats, so sue me, I'ma eat it. With lots of olive oil and sea salt and if I die, I will die with a happy face.) I have had their tiramisu cup (decent, but I've never been a big fan of tiramisu) and various cookies, all of which have been outstanding. As for savories, I have only tried their chicken parm, which was all right, and their pizza, which tasted amazing, if a wee bit chewy for my liking. Whatever; I can get pizza at Ernesto's. Bova's will always be my sweets-and-carbs place. (The fact that Bova's is more readily available than your average Boston drug dealer is good to note. Why become addicted to expensive substances that you have to wait for, when you can have insta-Bova's? Baked goods, not drugs!)
(4)
Lisa O.

It's a bakery in the North End that's open 24 hours. What else do you need to know?!
(5)
Jon G.

My gratitude to Bova's Bakery exceeds the scope of gratitude I ever imagined I could extend to a business of any kind. It must be true, then, that the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. There is little turnover among the staff, I recognize the same friendly faces each time I visit. There are many charming small businesses around Boston where part-time college students come and go, and they suffer adversely. I agree completely with previous reviewers who say Bova's is much better than Mike's Pastry. Mike's Pastry is the SUPERLATIVE TOURIST TRAP in the North End. It makes perfect sense to me that since most bakeries are in the business of baking 24 hours a day that this shop can sell pastries, bread, calzones and so much more during those same 24 hours. The cannoli aren't always perfect, but the tiramisu, chocolate mousse, cream puffs and innumerable tarts have always been enjoyed. If there is a leitmotif to my visits, it is showing up after midnight and enjoying one of their flawless desserts. In fact, I can't say that I've visited the bakery in the daytime, and I appreciate their desserts far more than anything else this fine place makes with tender loving care. I look forward to my next late night visit!
(4)
Karen S.

A bakery open 24 hours! That's my idea of heaven. Tried the cannoli as part of a taste test with Mike's & Modern (Bova came in 3rd, sorry). But, got some assorted cookies and biscotti to take out which were very good. I love those little butter cookies with the sprinkles! Impossible to find in Minneapolis! This also was the most authentic Italian bakery we visited in the North End, a no-frills joint with shelves full of fresh made breads, cookies and pastries, and old sassy ladies working the counter.
(4)
Amanda V.

Bova's is the best bakery in the North End. The cannolis are to die for, as well as the Italian calzones that i can never leave without. Every time I go on a Saturday with my friends I'm greeted with a hug and a tour of the kitchen. The icing on the cake is that it's 24 hours. I'm in love with Bova's!
(5)
Dan G.

I love this place so dearly I almost don't want to review it (as if it would stay all mine). A 24 hour bakery that also makes excellent subs and calzones. ka-CHING! Don't change a thing, Bova's Bakery!!
(5)
Jay T.

You know, I have to say that I haven't been too impressed with Bova's. This is good in my case since I just moved in one block away and was a little nervous considering my occasional insomnia and consistent craving for carbs... Could have been a fattening combination for me. First thing I got from here was an Italian loaf. Absolutely nothing special about it. Could have come from a Stop and Shop bakery. I stopped by around 3 AM a few nights ago wanting something savory, like a sandwich or calzone. They stop serving such things at 1 AM apparently, which seems like a really bad idea to me. I'd bet they could make a fortune selling pizza and subs after the bars close. There were a bunch of drunken douchebags in there, so I quickly decided on coconut cake. Horrible. It was about 2/3 DENSE icing and the rest was DENSE cake. I couldn't taste anything but sugar. Shit was cloying for real. I took two bites, inspected it under a streetlamp to make sure I wasn't just eating a hunk of icing, and threw it away. It takes a lot for me to throw edible food away. For some reason, I'm still considering giving their calzones and subs a shot. Perhaps its because I really wanted to like the place.
(2)
Colleen C.

Came here when I booked a flight for two days too many. We stopped in Boston with only a rental car and no money for a room, so instead we sat in our car and attempted to find a discrete alley to hide out on until we could drive to the airport at 4am. I was hungry and wanted something sweet so I Yelp'd 24 hour and sure enough this place popped up. So as we drove through the last stragglers from the Bruins game - this was during the finals, or playoffs, one of the two, we finally found an empty place to park. So around one o'clock we emerged from our car, after hiding from some drunk fans by reclining our seats as far back as possible (sounding like a 12 year old right now). As we approached the entrance, my first thought was, well this is a bit sketch.. but it didn't matter. The workers were very friendly despite our disheveled appearances, and answered any questions we had. We got our treats, me: a lobster claw and a red velvet cupcake..and a flaky cream dessert, and my sister, some breakfast type croissant and a slice of cheesecake - the lobster claw dessert was hugeeee - and delicious - and I even had some left over when I returned home. As we scampered back to the car, we sat in the dark feasting on our delectable treasures. I can't say I am a huge fan of Boston, but this place was delicious. P.S. I enjoyed hearing the worker say "Bavarian cream" and "Yorkshire cream" with the Bostonian accent.
(4)
Jaime M.

I think it's awesome that this place is open 24 hours... and the pastries are definitely good! I've had the s'mores brownie (to die) and a fruit tart. Both delish!
(3)
Jamie G.

Still craving dessert we headed to the North End and visited Bova's, open 24 hours a day, so no chance of them closing early (see my updated Posto review)! We got a chocolate covered canoli, plain cheesecake, red velvet cake, and tiramisu. All very delicious, and not too expensive. Cheesecake was a little too sweet for me, red velvet cake looked WAY better than it tasted, and the tiramisu didn't have that alcohol flavor I enjoy so much, but it totally satsified my sweet tooth and I would definitely come back again for Italian delicacies in the middle of the night.
(4)
Daphne H.

OMG. I was very drunk and very hungry. J and I found ourselves hanging out a someone's apartment and they bought Bova's at 4am. I can't remember exactly what I had..I do remember amidst my drunken state, yummy spinach or veggie samosas and others filled with ham and cheese or something to that effect. We also had some yummy sweets. Cannolis? I dunno..what they were, I cannot for the life of me remember...but perhaps its time for a visit, to stir some memories... :P
(4)
Keith M.

Cinnamon roll, cupcake, coconut bar, cannoli and 6 other things. Bova's has anything you want, plus more. Even better, it's open 24x7 and there is never a line out the door.
(4)
Jessie C.

I give this place major stars for being open 24 hours and for making me sentimental, which is a hard thing to do because my ex boyfriend is an idiot. This place has typical Italian baked goods and uses ingredients that tend to lean towards lard or Crisco instead of top shelf fresh goodness. Nonetheless, anywhere you can get cupcakes or calzones after midnight erases any gourmet snobiness. Especially after the movies (shortish walk from the AMC) or a night of dancing (RIP Penalty Box's mod night). Fair prices that tend to fluctuate depending on who's working and time of day, but this is also normal when you pay in cash in the North End. I originally found this place because of a boyfriend I had that lived up the street with a rooftop that overlooked a church steeple. He used to be on a first name basis with the bakers who worked overnight and we would often have yelled conversations that lasted the walk up the street home. Then again, he also got stopped by the cops one night because he was dressed similarly to a mugger that was in the area. Who knows.
(4)
Josaphine B.

The ONLY problem with living close to Bova's is eating too much! It is delicious and fresh, and a really great place in the North End. Before we moved to Boston we would vacation here every year. After trying Bova's on an earlier trip, we forced our 3 children to walk all over the North End until we found it again while on vacation. They all agreed it was worth the effort. They all have moved here too, and just last night everyone came for dinner and was so excited to see we had stopped by Bova's and bought bread to go with the soup and a mixture of cakes for dessert! Thanks for being the best bakery in the North End and a place that our family makes memories.
(5)
Katie L.

Dear Bova's, I used to live less than a block away. We had a nice little thing going. You used to supply me with calzones and those oreo treats (think Rice Krispie treat, but made with oreos). I would pay you in return for these little luxuries. *swoon*. But I had to break it off. Sadly, I moved away. Every time I am back in the north end, I decide to revisit our little relationship. Your door is always open - 24/7. The oreo treats are not a sure thing - you must be sharing them with someone else, or not making them so often. But the bread - (sigh)...the calzones...(sigh)....and the cannoli....(sigh). Bova, you are WAY better than Mike. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. xxoo
(5)
Lynn D.

I just moved into the neighborhood and have begun to try many of the eateries that I had not tried before moving here. I had the Bova's Special sub (something the workers said is their best sub) and it was delicious. It is about a foot long, and has prosciutto, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and dressing. Before moving here, I did try the rice ball and it was also really good. Their walk-up window is open 24 hours, but they do not serve everything on the menu. I was told that they serve croissant sandwiches, and their desserts from the window after the main door is closed (they might serve more, but this is all I remember). I highly recommend a trip to Bovas. I'll be here regularly.
(4)
Chris D.

If you like your cookie touched by the same bare hands that handle cash from tourists from all over the world--- then this is the place for you! Naasty.
(1)
Leor A.

Cheap, open late, unpretentious and has dank fruit tarts. I don't think it really gets better than that.
(5)
Claudia M.

Don't bother waiting on line for Mike's - this place is great and it is open LATE. Headed there after a night of debauchery to stock up on pizza and napoleons - yum! They have a great vartiey of pastries - Boston Cream Pie, Cannolis, Brownies of all sorts. It is a great place for bread too!
(4)
Lynne S.

After reading all the rave reviews here, I was seriously disappointed in my pastries from Bova's Bakery. My lobster claw was soft and soggy. Lobster claws are supposed to be flaky, crunchy and oozing with creamy goodness. Bovas was one of the worst I've ever tasted. And their whoppie pies were bland and boring. Sorry, but I was far from impressed!
(2)
Sara S.

Bova's has a few distinct advantages over Mike's, Modern, or other smaller bakeries in the NE: they accept credit cards, have food other than sweets (love their calzones), open 24 hours a day, and rarely has a huge line. I prefer the cookies, lobster rolls, and cannolis from Modern and Mike's, but the fresh whipped cream whoopie pie from Bova's is delicious! For "good" pastries with less hassle and line, Bova's is the best choice. If you're looking for higher quality, wait at Modern or Mike's.
(3)
Jon S.

Bova's is great when you want late night food or just something to do. Their baked good are amazing and you can't beat the fact that they are open sooo late. With hardly any place open in Boston past 2 a.m., its great to be able to go out, get a little something, and keep the night going. I recommend their fruit tarts, they are some of the best I've ever had. Just as an aside, I've never been in Mike's but I looked in the other day and it seems as though Bova's is less crowded so I would assume its easier to get service.
(4)
Wendy W.

Better than mikes or modern and no wait!! The Cannoli was the BEST!!!
(5)
Jonathan A.

I've only had the calzones; I've never been able to buy anything else. They're so tasty. Words cannot express how delicious they are. An added bonus: they're good in all seasons. The staff was exceptionally helpful and friendly. The place is cramped, but the staff was very nice to my kids and gave them all a complementary cookie, which from their reaction was a delicious one.
(5)
Dan L.

I kind of wish other yelpers wouldn't review this place and keep this place to all the locals, and let the tourists stick to Hanover St. This place is a gem, and is open 24 hours a day. What about that is not to love?! I have had cannoli cravings at 2 AM. and guess what I can go and get it, which rocks. I'm very keen of their pizza and subs, especially the Bova sub. Prosciutto, tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese with a splash of olive oil. Oh so good! Unfortunately I am not a local anymore I can't have this regularly which saddens me, but I will be heading back to Boston, in July and this is a mandatory stop for me!!
(5)
Tyson H.

Solid, if unexceptional, bakery. The cannoli are so-so. I've had two. The first was a little soggy like it had been filled for a while and sitting around. The second was crisp, but the chocolate filling wasn't as good as Maria's. Also, open 24 hours.... odd.
(3)
David W.

I have been to Bova's several times. It is fantastic! The black and white cookies are great.
(5)
Isabella R.

I am devouring a barely warm arancini filled with meat, rice, cheese and peas with a tangy tomato sauce as I write this. On a freezing night of ducking into random Haymarket watering holes, I was steadily becoming sick of the amateur night spectacle and wanting some food. Something warm, savory, sweet, whatever. I engineered that our last spot would be close to Bova's to entice my birthday celebrating gang to go. It's a 24 hour oasis of crunchy creamy and everything in between. We each had a stromboli, mine was full of layers of breaded eggplant. My friend enjoyed his buffalo chicken stromboli, and let me say he wanted me to write things about the way it made him feel that I morally refuse to. I absolutely needed an arancini as well, as I consider myself a ardent researcher of the Italian rice balls. And of course this trip would have been wasted had I not considered dessert, in the form of a small ricotta cannoli speckled with chocolate chips. The baba au rhum looked pretty fine as well but a girl needs to learn when to say no. mmm, Bova.
(5)
Shirley Y.

to avoid the horrific lines at mike's pastry, i searched for other north end neighborhood hidden gems in search of birthday snacks, and boy did i find them! they had a huge variety of baked goodness, unlike parziale's next door. the line was amazingly short. i eyed the amazing-looking calzones, but maintained some measure of self-discipline. not sure how i did it. i bought some cannolis, which were what i originally came for. they offer a nice variety of cannolis. i also purchased a delicious gooey large chunk of rum cake for the birthday girl and spur-of-the-moment lobster tails. the lobster tails melt in your mouth...very memorable. definitely the it bakery of the north end.
(4)
Whitney W.

I am giving Bova's 5 stars because it is the holy grail of Boston: an establishment that is actually open 24 hours a day that has delicious foodstuffs. Having been living far, far away from Boston for the past few months, I was slightly forlorn at my post-midnight options, but remembered last night that there is Bova's. There is something magical about freshly baked bread and any possible delicious Italian pastry item you could want being available at two o'clock in the morning on President's Day, and I managed to bring a friend who has lived in Boston for the better part of five years but NEVER BEEN HERE. Do not let that person be you, especially if you are someone who goes to bed past midnight and sometimes wants a food item past midnight that does not come out of your own pantry. Also of note: if you are not drunk or something at three in the morning, Bova's is STILL delicious, which is important. I would not walk into South Street Diner at four in the afternoon and want to eat there, but I would do this at Bova's.
(5)
Nicole B.

One star for being open 24 hours One star for taking credit card One star for being conveniently located to me let's face it, it's an italian bakery. the food isn't going to suck. it's not as good as Mike's so if you're in the area go there. but if you need a place at 4am that's going to take credit cards, bova is where it's at. here's my issue with bovas though, after a hard day of work sometimes all i want is a cupcake. bovas is on my way home and has cupcakes with more frosting than cake (yum!). so i go and my cupcake is $2.50. next time i go a few weeks later is $2.75. next time, $2.50. the last few times i went it was a whopping $3 for one cupcake!!! my overall issue is keep the prices the same (maybe knock them down a bit too!). EDITED May 8th, 2008: i've been here two times in the past two weeks and each time the cupcakes were $2. did they actually read my review and heed my advice? doubtful. but whatever the reason, i i was happy. don't judge me for loving cupcakes. it's a craving i can't control.
(3)
Stefanie L.

I can't belive that someone below was hating on the coconut cake (my fav thing there) but to each his own. The cookies are awesome, they have every traditional dessert you could want and they are open 24 hours. No brainer. The tourists can keep going to over-rated Mike's.
(5)
Devon S.

So delicious and the blonde woman at the counter was so sweet! My sister and I split a chocolate strawberry (which took on the shape of the cupcake holder), cheesecake with chocolate chips and chocolate/mousse cake. Complimented with a coke. So much to choose from! I recommend it--and the hours are wonderful (24hrs!).
(4)
Josh V.

If there's ever a place you could describe as a lifesaver, then Bova's is it. Picture the scene: 6 am on your girlfriend's birthday, and you don't have a cake. And you know nothing about cake. I called Bova's in this ungodly hour of the morning and not only got a wide-awake and attentive person on the other end, but a good recommendation for what kind and size of cake to order. Everything, including the fact that my girlfriend loves strawberries (the cake ended up being almost stuffed with them) and that I was riding the T back (they provided me with a heavily reinforced box) was taken into account. They even let me place an order for a nonstandard size and shape, to be picked up the same day in less than 3 hours. Oh, and the cake was delicious. 5 stars for the service alone.
(5)
Sean E.

While Modern and Mike's are duking it out for Hanover supremacy, Bova's quietly steals away your heart by not only being open 24/7, but by also clogging your arteries with delicious subs and calzones and pizzas. Since the inconceivably depressing shut-down of Mulligan's I've had to shop elsewhere for my lunch. While Volle Nolle was closed for the holidays and Dino's can be a burden on ye ol' pocketbook I decided to give Bova's a try... and I haven't looked back since. Like Dino's and Mulligans their subs come in one size and one size only. But unlike Dino's they're a couple bucks cheaper even though, like the sign says, each sub contains a min 1/2 pound of cold cuts. I can understand if some people complained when, half way through their sub, your arm begins to tingle and you wonder who can eat this much prosciutto or capiccola in one sitting. Perhaps it would be best to split one of their subs and be a sensible consumer or you might just be content and proud that you didn't come away from Bova's with an extra box full of cheesecake, brownies, cookies and cannolis. I know I'm proud of this fact every afternoon after flirting through the glass with those beautiful looking slices of cake and chocolate thingies while the ingredients of my sandwich are sent through the slicer and fall delicately into the fresh baked bread. Sure, one of these days I will try their salads.
(5)
Shazza J.

Very good cannoli - exactly as it should be, crisp on the outside, mildly sweet and creamy on the inside. It's open late and doesn't have the crowds that Mike's Pastry, around the corner does (although Bova was still crowded , just not insanely so).... ... the let down for me was the tiramisu. It wasn't coffee-ey enough or liqueur-ey enough for my liking. I'm also pretty sure they used just cream rather than mascapone for the filling (but i can't prove that, just a hunch)... I'd go again for the cannoli but skip the tiramisu.
(3)
Jess K.

Craving cannolis at 3:00AM? This pastry shop has a great selection of desserts, pizza and calzone offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bread always smells amazing, but the whole wheat I tried was disappointing. Great cupcakes and check out the BRICK that they call a Rice Krispie treat!
(3)
Mark M.

Three stars for feeding me at 4:30am. The food is alright. I never make a point to pick anything up from here. Pretty friendly. Reasonable prices. It's still a tourists trap.
(3)
Steven P.

I love Bova's...the pastries are just as good as Mike's or Modern...and the atmosphere is WAY cooler. It's real...there's no facade here. Everything is the real deal...the calzones, pastries, cookies and everything. Real and really good. One thing that I didn't expect at all...to be treated nicely. See, I was there with somebody I was dating...and we were holding hands while browsing the goods. Gay guys haven't always been treated nicey nicey in the North End. Mind you, I'm 6'2" and my beau was 6'4"...I don't think anyone was going to screw with us...but it was awfully nice to end a romantic evening out with some treats from Bova, without having to wonder if we were going to be ridiculed or messed with. Charming place, fantastic food, nice people and great prices...what's not to love?
(5)
Liz C.

I used to live around the corner from Bova's in college, and this dastardly place helped turn my "freshman 15" into a "sophomore 25-or-so". Right off the bat, any 24 hour bakery is good in my book. But seriously, this place is just leaps and bounds better than Mike's or Modern. My favorite is the fruit tart -- filled with delicious vanilla-y pudding-y goodness and a gooey glaze covering the kiwis and berries on top -- but you also can't go wrong with the cannolis or eclairs.
(4)
Kelly S.

Quite frankly their pastries are stodgy and heavy-handed. There is nothing subtle about their desserts. Maximum sugar & maximum size seem to be the motto at this bakery. You can forget about adjectives as refined, sophisticated, creative, etc. as soon as you walk in through the door. This is baking with the imagination (and the taste buds) of a ten year old. I find their breads to be slightly sugary and very bland. Texture wise, the crust is soggy, soft and slightly chewy and the crumb is unremarkably light and airy. The hidden jewel at this bakery is their pizza dough (forget their pizzas, they are not winning any prizes either), which you can buy over-the-counter if you ask nicely. They don't advertise them but they are available. They can be worked out to make a very thin and crisp pizza dough once cooked. They also freeze very well.
(2)
R.G. W.

There are maybe only 5 few things I eat here, because to me they are "aBOVA" the rest (ha)... 5. Sfogliatelle (flaky, buttery Italian pastry with cheese inside) 4. Apple Square (make sure to warm it before you eat it, because its usually too chilled) 3. Sicilian slice (best when fresh from oven, but dough is good even when microwaved) 2. Cinnamon bread (get it when it comes out on Wednesday evenings) 1. Steak n cheese turnover (only available btwn 12 midnite and 2 am) And as a bonus, Id say grab some of those raspberry fingers... just 25 cents each. The rest of the stuff... never really had a hankering for; you can get better cupcakes at Lulus, for instance, and better pies from Mikes. I only get the bread when its fresh from the oven, otherwise, I dont bother. What is nice though is that the staff are all chummy and will remember you if you come back again! I like that, and come by several times a week.
(4)
Seth D.

So this is the sweet aroma I smell in coming though my window. I would recommend anyone go here and swear on my life it's the best in the North End. Wanna talk about fresh! I was looking for Italian bread so I grabbed a loaf out of the basket. The Baker/clerk/owner was insulted I wouldn't wait the 13 minutes for the fresh batch. These guys care about quality. Oh and it's open 24/7 so when that late night urge hits, hit Bova's
(5)
Jacqui L.

It's family run, they have all sorts of fresh pastries. It's delicious. Don't bother waiting in line at Mike's. Just go to Bova's, you won't regret it. Did i Mention its 24 hours???
(4)
Kimberly P.

Any 24 hour bakery gets 5 stars in my book. Add that to the fact that they have an amazing assortment and friendly service. My jeans are no longer going to fit in a few months. Oh well... at least my mouth will be happy.
(5)
Tony M.

Great bakery in the north end. Just as good as any other bakery in the neighborhood. Fresh & yummy every time !!
(4)
Ashlee C.

I would rate this place a three, but I really appreciate that they are open 24 hours. It seems like that there is little in the way of 'round the clock eats in Boston, so I am jealous of anyone that lives near Bova's. That being said, nothing you get here is gonna be out of this world amazing. But it will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth after a run through the North End gauntlet, or for a late night treat after the bar. They also have pizza and sandwiches until 10 o'clock or so, a little weird for a bakery, but they looked good enough. I asked the girl working why they did not sell those late night, as they would probably be a big hit for the bar crowd. She said that one of the neighboring ladies complained about the crowd outside the store, so the city said no hot food after 10PM. Too bad, sounds like she ruined a good thing.
(4)
S D.

Ok, yeah this place is open late, but they run out of everything, and on top of that, the people are assholes! I order a slice of pizza, and the dude behind the counter just says "EHHHHHHHH" like a game show buzzer for "wrong answer". I assume maybe he has some kind of tourettes or something? So again i ask for a slice. "NO PIZZA" he screams at me. Um ok. I'll have a calzone. "NO CALZONES!" Ok... Thanks for nothing asshole. Do you have anything here? Then some lady steps in and says they only have croissants. So I order some kind of stuffed croissant or something which was pretty gross. I'd say if your out late and have drunk munchies, I guess it's worth a shot, just go in with low expectations.
(2)
Jackie G.

First off, let me say I ALWAYS get my pastry from Mike's, but Bova's is amazing for so many other reasons. I used to live right next door and I'd be in here at least once a week. They make the best Italian sub. Their cold cuts, calzones are all SO yummy. Now, again for pastry or sweets I usually do not come here but there is one thing that is to DIE FOR. If you like Carrot Cake, you NEED to try Bova's carrot cake. It is so yummy and creamy I don't know fi its the cake, the frosting or both, but I don't care. I miss it. I have a sweet tooth so I used to always run here for it if I needed a fix.
(4)
Fiat V.

If you ever crave for an Italian pastry in the middle of the night, then this 24/7 place is the dive to satisfy your canoli hunger pang!
(4)
Jessica S.

Loved this place! Tried it last night for the first time with some friends - I will never go to Mike's Pastry again! No line, friendly service, prices were great and pastries were amazing!! Thanks, Bova's!!
(5)
Charoline D.

I walked to Bova's today on a yet another lunch/dessert haunt with my fellow conossieur Adam. We typically go to Lulu's on a weekly basis to drool over s'mores cupcakes and eat there FOR LUNCH. Dessert for lunch? Juvenille? Perhaps. Delicious? Definitely. We decided to try somewhere new and it was glorious out so we walked to Bova's. My best friend Steve swears by this place, it was, by far, packed to the brim with various breads, pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts and is open 24 hours (always a plus if you're barhopping in the area) or need something for a birthday emergency. I would like to go back and try the pizza, but for now I'll just review the desserts we tried (before we headed to lulu's for more). I got a keylime pie, which was actually more in a dome shape and consisted more of cake than pie, more like cake with some cream piled on top of it, not too sweet, but not too limey either. Meh, just ok. Adam got a cannoli for portability reasons and it was really nothing special. Sadly, a cannoli from Mike's would've been better and I'm not one to go around touting Mike's....there was a line of about 20 fourth graders piling in there on our walk by. *Shudder...field trips. I'll write more when I have a chance to sample some calzone or pizza, but ehhhhh, Bova's, I'm not too impressed. To be continued..
(3)
C.Michele S.

Bova's is amazing. Way better than the touristy Mike's. They fill their subs so you're never still hungry. All their pastry's are amazing though make sure if you want the cannoli not to get the little ones. It's only a 25cent difference from the big ones. I'd def be 300 pounds if I lived any closer to this place!
(5)
Nick D.

I just had their regular cannoli and it was just ok. Maybe I'll try the chocolate chip cannoli next time.
(3)
Dan B.

The cupcakes at this bakery need to be enshrined into a hall of fame. The cake is soft and moist and the icing is thick and creamy. I love their vanilla on vanilla cupcakes with sprinkles. If that isn't enough to get you to try this place, consider that the cannolis are like crack and the bakery is open 24 hours.
(5)
Douglas B.

Extremely helpful with a fantastic and heavenly assortment of delectable pastries. I would recommend this place to anyone with even a mild sweet-tooth.
(5)
Jeff C.

All I hear is "blah blah blah Mikes" and regardless I'll review them later but when Mikes is closed I wonder what beatiful establishment is still open and serving me pastries? Most nights out in Boston end with the question of, "Bova's?" and a calzone to sober me up to enjoy the pastries I've purchased turns into the highlight of my night.
(4)
matt m.

Me: drunk You: open 24 hours though you don't serve pizza late enough. I love you anyway.
(4)
James L.

Bovas is a bakery. They have great bread. They are not a pastry shop. They are not a deli. Seriously, what real pastry shop puts the Ricotta in the Canoli shell and lets it sit in the glass case? Do they realize it gets soggy?
(3)
Mr. Bean Z.

What a better way to start the weekend than listening to tunes from The Weeknd, meeting up in Little Italy with good friends to burn some wood, enjoy an authentic dinner and indulge in desserts in Bova's Bakery? I think it's safe to say that we don't fuck around. Let's get it. I may have been a little blunted, but I swear she was checking me out - the shortcake that is...... of the strawberry variety. She evidently spit some hard game right through the glass counter because she ended up home with me, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. The wonders of thick whipped cream. Get 'em Daddy. *Beantowns Finest*
(4)
Kelley A.

Given the other reviews, it seems like our experience is perhaps a fluke because Bova's was horrendous. My mother-in-law and I were on a quest to find the Italian Easter delicacy Pastiera di Grano. What better place to find this than the North End? We wander into Bova's and were immediately met with Pastieras for sale. They look great; my mother-in-law is thrilled. We purchase one and request a two other small pastries from the main display case. We bring our confections home, open our big Bova's bag to see a puddle of milky, soupy liquid sloshing about. My mother-in-law says that this should only happen if the pie is undercooked. We cut into it. Not only is it undercooked, it's actually raw. We bake it for an hour, hoping to salvage it. The texture improves to about where it should be, but then we took a bite. Absolutely inedible. It was very clear that Bova's skimped on both the production and the ingredients, selling us what was basically very expensive floury doughy mush. Of the two other things we'd ordered: some tricolor cake cookies and what was supposed to be a reece's whoopie pie, only the cookies were both correct (what we'd actually ordered) and tasty. Again, maybe we just got unlucky, but definitely don't get their pastiera di grano.
(1)
Nathan T.

Incredible. Incredible! Now I'm not newbie when it comes to pastry - I've been there as they say in the biz. I know good and I know crap - cause I've had plenty of both my friends, PLENTY. This place knows what it's doing - so don't listen to the haters. Not only is the staff incredibly friendly, more importantly the baked goods are divine I tell you, divine. My highest recommendations to: The Florentine cannoli. Holy Mother bleeping Amazing! The pistachio cookies. Seriously. How are these possible? The apple dumpling. Yum. Go here, you won't regret it!
(4)
Adam P.

Love Bova's. Thought I had written a review for this place years ago... apparently I didn't, so I'm righting that wrong right now! Every time I'm in the North End with my girlfriend (usually to eat at La Famiglia Giorgio's), we ALWAYS stop by Bova's for cannolis before heading home. Doesn't matter how stuffed we are, there's always room for a chocolate covered chocolate chip cannoli from Bova's. I've actually had a few other desserts and enjoyed them (namely the chocolate mousse thing), but none can compete with their cannolis. Rich, creamy ricotta cheese caught in a flaky wonderland... all destined for my belly. The price is right too and you never have to wait in line like other North End bakeries. A must-try!
(5)
Meg T.

Bova's bakery is always a must-see stop whenever my family is visiting Boston. We love looking at all the yummy bakery goods and LOVE the sandwiches (I always grab one for the plane ride back from Boston) and frozen entrees (which I also have taken back from Boston - still frozen when I got back to California!). Everyone is also so nice and helpful. When I'm back in Boston I'll be stopping by again!
(4)
D L.

We were visiting from Los Angeles and our hotel doorman suggested Bova's over Mike's Pastry. So we went -- and returned three times in one week! Everything we tried was delicious. Particular standouts include: -all the cannolis, but especially the peanut butter -the cream puff (and I am not a big time cream puff eater) -this amazing chocolate peanut butter candy/brownie thing. It lasted three days and the whole family loved it -the traditional sprinkled Italian cookies We never made it to Mike's - didn't see any reason to waste the time in line!
(5)
Sam K.

Bovas cannolis are better than mikes by a mile. The bakery isn't much to look at but that's not what I care about. Chocolate dipped shell is my personal heaven. All the people in the long lines at the tourist trap bakeries are missing out.
(5)
Deb L.

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE, is it the huge amount of choices they have? , is it the authentic Italian deli/ bakery feel ? Is it the open 24 hour policy ? Is it all those little cutsey italian cookies I remember my italian friends eating as a kid? Who the heck cares ? I love their eclairs and other assorted goodies. I would walk out of my way to get to this place. And I did! If I lived near here they would have to roll me up Salem Street to get my sugary fix. This is the real deal , don't expect to sit and eat here, or fancy boxes or any pretty decor ..this is strictly cases of Italian bakery goods.
(4)
Bryan D.

I stopped in here on a whim and I am glad I did. We only got a few cannoli to try it out. They aren't filled to order but they have a LARGE variety. Including a florentine shell cannoli. The florentine was the best thing I have ever had from a bakery in the north end. Of the two other cannoli the fillings were very good and one shell wasn't crispy from being filled too long ago. We will definitely go back to try more of their giant variety of sweets
(4)
Chelsea R.

Bovas has become a weekly thing for me as I live nearby. I can't resist the chocolate chip cannolis, the lobster tails, or the Congo bars! My absolute favorite is the jumbo florentine cannoli. Everything tastes so fresh and they always greet me with a smile. I refuse to go to mikes and modern down the street. Bovas has the homemade family touch of a great Italian bakery.
(5)
Danni D.

No trip to Boston is complete without visiting Bova's. No lines out the door and down the block. It's a functional bakery serving delicious bakery staples, without all the hype and hysteria found with other local bakeries. Visiting the North End on a Saturday night and seeing the insanity that is the lines of Mike's and Modern make me love Bova's that much more. I'll take a monster whoopie pie over a dueling cannoli any day. Plus, they're open 24/7. Whenever the urge for Italian cookies strikes, they've got you covered.
(4)
Amanda L.

Open 24 hours which is dangerous/ amazing, especially when you live a short walk away. They have a huge variety of pastries, all of which are really good! My favorites are the chocolate oreo cake and the chocolate strawberries. The cake slices are HUGE and are so delicious (about 4-5$).They also package their lemon cookies in small boxes, which I have brought to work potlucks and they are always a hit. There is also usually no line- unlike Mike's and Modern. They also accept credit cards although there is a 10$ minimum.
(5)
Thomas H.

Strolled in here on a crisp Monday afternoon having had a hankering for an Italian sandwich. The interior of this place is nothing to write home about, but it has a nice old-school feel to it. I ordered a Bova's Special for $8.50 and carried it out (there aren't any accommodations for dining in -- fine with me). The sandwich was fantastic.. loaded with prosciutto and I think some other kinds of meat, tons of mozzarella (the good kind, from the ball), and some kind of olive oil-based dressing. The bread was awesome, soft with a nice crust -- they obviously bake it there. Might have been the best Italian I've ever had, but granted that's probably not saying much for me. Good stuff... I'll definitely be back to see what else they have to offer.
(4)
Doug G.

Hands down the best bakery on the North End.
(5)
Debora L.

I love Italian bakeries. Like, love more than Fabio love. And during my mini North End Bakery tour, this one came out as a surprising.number 1 (2 was Mikes). The huge assortment of cookies, cakes, and other pastries knocks.me out. I felt like I was in willy wonka territory. After several minutes of glorious indecision (sans the harrassment I experienced at Mikes) I settled on the almond biscotti, mini whoopie pie, and a small selection of cookies. I liked that there were some smaller versions of the desserts, because some at other shops were too big. Plus I like a little of everything! Of course cash only, but cheaper than the bigger competition (mikes, modern pastry). I spent $5 total for a meals worth of sweets. I guess that means Santa is skipping me this year... Oh well, this was worth it!
(5)
Ryan P.

May be blasphemy but why wait in line at Mike's when the cannoli is just as good here - and you don't feel like you're at the Soup Nazi...
(4)
Rachel L.

Their sweets are to DIE for. Their pistachio cookies in particular, as well as their coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate are musts for purchasing. Their freshly baked breads they put out daily are as classically Italian as can be, and the person that rung us up was this little boy was was 10 and worked for his family (cute! took his job seriously! hahah and good with counting change!). Skip the line at Mike's and head to Bova's is my suggestion.
(4)
Himanshu S.

I went into this place complete accident. Great homely shop with great staff. Pastries at display were out of the world. I tried something friend rice, spinach balls which were great. Great place to hang out while you wait in line to get into other restaurants on the street.
(5)
Patrick M.

Bova's... I used to talk about you as if you were my supermodel girlfriend. How the mighty have fallen. Used to have the best cannoli's in town, now you can't even make a cannoli that tops mike's or modern... and certainly can't even come close to Parziale's right beside you. There was a time that I would walk from faneuil hall, the Garden or even the financial district to have your wonderful after hours spinach pies. They would soak up all the alcohol before my ride home and get me home safe and sound. Even your rice balls and calzones were the bomb. Today... a shell of your former self. The spinach pies that used to be legendary taste like they are days old and lack feta flavor or crispiness. The calzones... made the night before and sit on the counter until sold. Cannoli's... oh the humanity! What the hell happened to your cannoli's... they suck now! Soggy pastry, too much sugar and not the right consistency for filling... go visit your neighbors to see how to really do it. The prices for the pastries is also very expensive now as well... the only reason to go to Bova's is that they are 24 hours. The second reason to go is that they lack a line out the door like Mike's... but then again you can just walk next door to Parziale's to avoid that and actually get good food. I feel like the food that used to be made with love has lost that lovin feeling. What I taste now is tiredness, mass production and resting on laurels. Sorry Bova's... you are dead to me like Fredo.
(2)
Mike L.

Everything I've had here is delicious. Their Italian cookies are just like my grandma's I had when I was a kid. They are never as busy as Mike's or Modern and, in my opinion, better. It's almost like standing in line at Geno's in Philly for a cheese steak when there are others that are 10 times better just around the corner (with no waiting). Stop by next time you are in the north end. Just a block away from Hanover St. (The "main drag"). Worth it.
(5)
caley t.

Alright, the place, and the people who work here, have personality. But Come on, that's what makes it Bovas! And did I mention that they're open twenty four hours?! Need a sub at four am? Got it, no questions asked. Why not grab some milk and a few s'mores bars or black and white cookies while you're at it. Don't touch anything in the fridge thing up front. The sign says ask for assistance, and you will get yelled at if you don't. Not that I know from experience or anything.... When I move I will certainly miss being able to swing by this place in the drunk walk home.
(5)
Zach K.

Bova's is one of the reasons I love Boston so much. I don't even think New York City has a 24-hour bakery. Bomb choices: Apple pinwheels, tiramisu cup, eggplant parmesan sub, and black and white cookies. But really, it's all good.
(5)
Vivian C.

Popped into this corner bakery down on Salem Street one cold evening and headed towards the counter at the end on the left - ah, there's the calzones! Hmmm... and that must be the arancini ($4 each/$4.50 including marinara) rice balls; they're a pretty decent size. Spinach calzone please. Yes, please heat it up. A half calzone is $7.50. The whole ones being twice the size and twice the price. My dinner was still hot by the time I got to where I was going a T ride and a cold walk away. Grease spots covered the paperbag, so be careful! The half calzone was a good portion and pretty yummy cheesy with a tender bread crust. Jan 2010 add-on: 2nd trip to Bova's. Meatball Arancini with sauce $4.50; Sicilian Pepper Pizza corner slice $2.50. Both were heated up for me, but I didn't get to eat them till I got back to work. I was hoping the arancini would be crispy crunchy on the outside - nope, but I don't know if it was they way they warmed it up or the time in the styrofoam box during the commute. Half a meatball inside. Tasty though. Pizza was crispier, but a little tough to cut on the outside corner where it was all crust. A pretty filling, and carb heavy lunch, I'd say.
(3)
Guillermo M.

I once tried a whipped cream filled bread and it was amazing. Tried some cookies that didn't love but would come back for the whipped cream bread.
(4)
Lou J.

we love the pizza and calzone..however the place is so tiny and crowded and the help is so rude that we avoid this place..they run a fan overhead even in winter that makes it like torture to stand and wait for an order..and there is an older woman there who is so nasty, she basically rushes you through your order and throws it at you..it is apparent she hates being there and that attitude makes the customer hate being there too! this is not the kind of place one comes to eat unless everything else is closed..
(3)
Keith S.

Killer calzones. Grab one, have them heat it up and go walk the neighborhood while you eat greatness. I had the spinach and cheese and the mrs. opted for the meatball...both chart toppers. A must do when walking the North End.
(5)
Diana G.

Who wants to wait in line at Mike's Pastry when you can go to Bova's? And, who doesn't crave a piece of coconut cake or a peanut butter ball at 3am? Thank God for the gym!
(5)
Patti C.

I have no idea why people are wasting their time waiting in line at Mikes or Modern Pastry. Bova's Bakery is, hands down, THE best bakery in the North End, nay Boston. I would also add that it has THE best cookies I have tasted in my US travels so far. Go there. It's the BEST. Expect an attitude, it's worth it.
(5)
Robert M.

So here is the deal. I travel to Boston regularly. I am not from Boston, do not live in Boston and certainly am not from the North End. I do go to Bova's every time I am here though. The things they make are fantastic. I also ship stuff to Texas for a friend of mine because Bova's does not ship for some silly reason. So for the food, two big thumbs up. So Bob, why 3 stars. Well, because I am not from the North End and I refuse to think that every Bostonian is as rude as the folks that work there. I have never once gone in there where anyone working there would answer any of my questions, explain what I was looking at or have any kind of conversation, even when it was just my wife, and I standing there. It usually goes something like this, "What would you like", well, can you tell me what this is? "It is a (insert name), do you want it?" Well, I think I would like one of these, and let me see.... "I will get back with you when you know what you want, ... Next!" So sometimes, the service really want to make me walk around the block to the other guys, and I have. But the food here guys is really good. So credit where credit is good.
(3)
Cori B.

Love love love the pizza here. Very good! I feel the canoli is just average. The cookies are decent. The chocolate cake is good. The pizza I would go for any time! Can't beat somewhere thats open late either!
(4)
Craig Z.

OK, but not as good as the place next door; and the service was kind of rude.
(3)
Ross G.

Bova's is located in the back part of the North End away from the Tourist Traps. This is the best kept secret in all of the North End. While everyone tries to cram into Mikes or Modern, sneak away and head to Bova's, you will not be disappointed. The selection is very large, with 5-7 different types of cannolis, anise cookies, macaroons, cakes, tiramisu, sandwiches, aroncini, the list goes on. They have deserts and food too. The longest I have ever had to wait was 10 minutes, and that was because two people in front of me were getting massive orders. The Cannolis are to die for. The Caramel/Almond Cannoli (tastes like both but I am not sure what it is called) is delicious with mini chocolate chips on the ends. The filling is solid too. Anise cookies are delicious and you can see them being made in the back. Pizzelles are a good offering, and the Italian cookies are always fresh. Skip the others and make your way here to the Bova brothers, you will not be unhappy.
(5)
Barry W.

Forget standing in line at Mike's. One street over from Hanover St. is this local bakery with a huge selection of both sweet and savory baked goods. The staff is absolutely friendly and helpful with suggestions and explanations. Their prices are hard to beat.
(5)
Adrianne H.

PLEASE order the pistachio and rainbow (sprinkles rimmed on the outside) cookies. I can't rave enough about the pistachio cookies: soft, very almondy/pistachio tasting, chunks of pistachio throughout, and larger than the pistachio cookies offered at Modern Pastry. Service is way better than both Mike's and Modern Pastry and you will be in and out in no time. I agree with Patti C.: Not sure why people are so goo-goo gaga over Modern/Mike's Pastry. This bakery blows them out of the water.
(5)
Always C.

I have lived in the North End and this place is just "mey." I was particularly incensed last night when one of the bakers, coming off the street, "lovingly" called his friend a "faggot." I was aghast, as was the elderly couple waiting for an order (Interestingly, the young woman in front of me walked out with no product even before this event). I immediately left and will never return. Artisans on Hanover is much better anyway. And, really, unless you're drunk, who-other than misinformed tourists-gets any pastry here?
(1)
Adeline M.

I had the cheesecake there, it was the worst cheesecake i had ever eaten. All pastries look very artificial with bright colors. The place does not feel inviting at all
(1)
Young L.

tried the hot pocket, rice ball and a few pastries. food was decent but not stellar. rice ball was lukewarm. unfortunately the service was unnecessarily rude, not going back.
(1)
Heath M.

When I walk past the lines outside of Mike's Pastry and also, more recently, the Modern, I can't help but laugh. If any of those tourists or visitors from the 508 had any sense they would just hoof it a block around the corner and get instant gratification. Bova's may not look like much, but it's a North End institution that's been spiking the blood-sugar of Boston around the clock for decades. Add to that, in a city where even most convenience stores lock up for the night, Bova's is 24/7. I repeat, 24-7. Now you may think to yourself "after an evening of drinking, I don't want a loaf of bread or a cannoli." Well, when it's 2 AM and you're completely "sfatto," take heed...Bova's usually has all sorts of savory treats: pizzas, calzone, etc. But of course, while you're at it, you should get some pastry -- I love the coconut cake, the red velvet woopie pies, the cannoli, Oh and the sfogliatelle is out of this world. And maybe get some bread for tomorrow's dinner. You know, since you're there and everything.
(5)
Phil C.

Bova's is okay, but not the best bakery over in the North End. Part of the attraction to this bakery is that it's open 24-hours, which is a rarity around Boston. The bakery isn't outstanding in the cleanliness department but it's not unbelievably dirty. The service is okay...nothing special about it. I tried the pinwheel, which was a pastry swirl with raspberry filling. It was moist and reasonably tasty. Plus it was huge, making it a good value. The cannoli, however, was rather disappointing. I got a regular mini-cannoli with ricotta (that yellow cream stuff is disgusting). First, for $2, it's rather pricey, especially for a cannoli the size of a thumb. Second, the filling was lukewarm, which didn't make it appetizing. Thridly, the ricotta is a bit grainy. Lastly, it was pre-filled, which I generally don't care for. Overall, Bova's is a decent place and a good spot to stop by if you're hungry late.
(3)
Harry H.

The selection at this 24-hour bakery is staggering, which made me less nervous that I'd be able to but more overwhelmed about making decisions in an effort to redeem a FourSquare Amex checkin special (spend $10, get a $10 statement credit) - to be honest, I was shocked they accept plastic here. Just went over the cusp with the bro's PB/chocolate B&W-esque cookie, an eclair, and a lemon meringue tartlet (unsure of the official moniker*) - nothing particularly memorable, unfortunately. There was little to no hullabaloo during our browsing, perhaps because the volume is spread out across said 24 hours, or because they just skew less popular, being slightly recessed from the proverbial strip. *Two staffmembers, one willing to help but struggling to communicate, the other indifferent but shockingly personable when she swoops in to help resolve unanswered questions.
(3)
Rob P.

I usually do my bova-regina's combo from time to time, when I am feeling real skinny. No waiting outside, which means it is not on hanover street. My go to are the lobster tails. Cannolis are good too! Was not impressed with italian cookies. They have late night food too. It is a little confusing as there is usually no line, just a mass of people looking at each other.
(4)
Anthony M.

From the days of visiting friends in the North End in college, to nearly 10 years later, this place is hands down amazing. Mom and Pops shops are a thing of a beauty, where each piece of baked goods, pizza, or anything else for that matter is filled with love and special attention. After visiting this past weekend, we came across Mike's around the corner with a line out the door...and for what? Bova's is hands down just as good if not better in the department of Italian baked goods, cannolis, and pizza! In and out we left with some cannoli, pizza, and Italian cookies for under 10 bucks...no brainer! Don't waste your time around the corner at the "Hot Spot", the food is just as hot here :)
(5)
Mike S.

I have always preferred Bova's to both Mike's and Modern. They have awesome authentic pasteries and fantastic calzones. They also stock some pretty tasty and creative non-Italian pasteries also. And since they are not on Hanover St you don't have to wait an hour in line :-) ... and they are always open (24/7)!
(5)
Lauren S.

This place serves calzones and cream cheese brownies at 4AM in a city with a seriously early bed-time. By day, Bova's is one bakery among many. But at night, it transforms into a otherworldly Italian Pleasure Island. Its delicious smells draw tired waitstaff, drunk club rats, cramming college students, insomniacs, and off-duty strippers like a chocolate-chip siren song. It's not about being better than the other bakeries. North End pastries are pretty much all created equally--they're all pretty much great. It's about atmosphere, and Bova's has the best. As the most likely place to find yourself stuck in the middle of a feuding Italian family at 1AM, Bova's takes the cake for my favorite North End bakery. BONUS: $1 for fresh loaves of bread = the greatest meal-stretcher of all time.
(5)
Robert B.

Bova's is kind of like an overly friendly neighbor. Whenever I step out the door or wander home drunk - bam, there it is, in my face. It's all like, "Hey! What's up, neighbor?" And I'm all like, "Mumble... mumble.." and put my head down and walk quicker, or ignore it altogether. It has good pastries that when eaten are delicious, and it has bad pastries that when eaten are still good and not terrible. Because it's better than nothing, at the time. It's not about it being gourmet or upscale, it's not meant to be a religious experience. It caters to the community, really. it's all about convenience and affordability. It's cheap enough and it's open all the time. Makes it a winning combination when it's past midnight -- okay, fine, 2AM -- and you are craving something sweet.
(3)
Missy B.

We ordered as much as we could carry from this bakery. The butter cookies with raspberry jam was out of this world. My friend couldn't stop talking about these since she has tried them at other Italian bakeries and found them too dry. These were the best she had ever had. We chowed down on lobster tails, cakes, and more. The jelly roll cake was pretty but chewy. It had been a while since eating this type of cake, so we just chalk it up as a cake we probably wouldn't like. Everyone was friendly and extremely helpful.
(4)
Camden H.

This place is open 24 hours, so if you're a fatty at heart, much like myself, you can head in and get something with way too many calories at 3 am. Definitely worth stopping by. The fresh baked bread is delicious and if you get there before the deli counter closes the Bova Special will blow you away. It's basically a Caprese but much with a couple more touches. I recommend stopping by Bova. Any time I am in the north end I always make it my last stop to grab a late night snack and a loaf of bread to bring home to my beautiful mother.
(4)
K M.

While walking in the North End neighborhood of Boston, I somehow found myself charmed by the outside of Bova's Bakery. It's not fancy at all, but the old, outdated exterior seemed to make it look more authentic than the other bakeries that I passed in the area. Since it was lunch time, I opted for an eggplant parmesan calzone to go. The woman warmed it for me in the oven. I also ordered some greek wedding cookies to go and also 2 mini cannolis. I thought everything was good especially the calzone. I've heard the breads here are very good as well. The cannolis were also very good, and I'm not a cannoli person. It was better than most that I've tried in my life. Are they better than those at Mike's Pastry? Probably not, but to know for sure I'd have to taste both side by side. The inside is much like the outside. It isn't fancy at all, and the pastries don't look as polished as the ones you see at Mike's Pastry. Nonetheless, the service was friendly, and you've got to love the fact that Bova's is open 24/7. If I'm ever looking for a quick bite, I'd definitely stop in here!
(4)
Uncle K.

Why people stand in line for Mikes with this gem around the corner, I will never understand. We had cannolis, eclairs, cookies, pizzelles, Congo bars, tiramisu, you name it! The girl working was very friendly and great with the kids. Added to my "Every Time" list.
(5)
Bailey F.

Bova's is not Mike's or Modern Pastry and i am grateful for it. They are not on tourist trap Hanover St. so you will have to deviate from the Freedom Trail just for a moment, i assure you its worth it because its one of the few eateries open 24-hours and they carry your usual bakery breads and pastries and there's also some sandwiches and pizza. Its not huge but its not small, the crowds in there disperse quickly, the staff is efficient and know their food, DO NOT try to drive here, the streets are narrow, there is no cheap parking, and you will hate yourself for even trying.
(4)
Ute L.

Let me just say I'm glad I don't have one of these bakeries in my neighborhood or I would be packing on the pounds. Small family owned bakery with super friendly service. The line is much shorter than Mike's. They have a savory section, a cookie & bread section and of course the pastry section with traditional Italian canoli, lobster claws, cheese cakes and an array of others. Everything looks decadent, it's so hard to choose. We went with what we knew, some canoli, a huge lobster claw an and apple pastries. Canoli- this is a good traditional canoli, be sure to have them sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Lobster claw- huge puff pastry filled with cream. Share it with 4-5 people. The cream is super rich and I'd rather not know the fat content. I thought it lacked a bit in flavor, pretty much just tasted like whipped heavy cream. The pastry also gets rubbery after a day in the fridge, so eat it while it's fresh. Apple pastry- was very good although a tad sweet for my taste. Nuke it in the microwave for 15 seconds to really bring out the flavor. I personally prefer French, German or Austrian pastries as they are less creamy and less sugary. However, I give this bakery 4 stars not for taste, but for friendly service and presentation.
(4)
Louise B.

Bova has been my favorite bakery since the 1970's, what happened? The vanilla chocolate chip are now a sickly yellow crumbly (cornmeal)? mess. So bad I wanted to spit it out but I didn't want an unsuspecting pigeon to eat it. The chocolate chip can hardly be called a cookie, maybe a speck of cookie ingredients. I don't know what happened but I won't be making the 100 mile round trip any time soon. Goodbye my love!
(1)
J K.

I roll my eyes at anyone walking around with Mike's Pastry boxes. People who go to Mike's are people who aren't from Boston. Yep, I'm one of those yelpers. And I'm okay with it. Bova is awesome. The pastries are incredible, the red velvet cupcakes are grand, and the reese's bar with the questionable white cream in it (really, though, the white stuff in it totally looks like, well... yknow) are AMAZING. God. I could just. They're just. I'm speechless. Go to Bova's. Just do it. And stock up for a week's worth of delicious desserts.
(5)
Kate S.

I almost don't want to review this place because it's so good and there's never a line, and I don't want that to change. However, I'll do the right thing and tell you that I LOVE A Bova & Son's. I went to school in Boston and I have absolutely no idea how many times I took pastries and other goodies home from this place. They have awesome looking calzones too. (I admit I've always gone straight for the desserts.) The people are friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the desserts... oh... the desserts... AMAZING! Simple facts: You can stand in line all day to get an overpriced cannoli from Mike's or you can saunter down the few blocks to Bova's and get three for the same price, and they will be made with love. :) Oh yeah, they're OPEN 24 HOURS! :)
(5)
Stefanie G.

THE HOMETOWN CLASSIC! First off, its one of the only quality bakeries open 24 hours. It's located perfectly on the corner like a neighborhood stop shop filled with delicious canoli's, fruit tarts, pizza, calzones, chocolates, etc. For all the gluten-free heads out there, you NEED a pistachio cookie. The emerald green play-doh looking cookie bursts with the real flavor of ground up pistachios and sugar. I haven't had one in a year and I still remember the taste. If you're a square, they have chocolate covered strawberries. If you're more adventures they have bomb Tiramisu and Macaroons. When you can smell the freshness and can buy it at anytime of the day/night, you couldn't ask for more.
(5)
Bonnie O.

Baked goods game on fleek. I give Bova's ALL OF THE STARS. Mikes & Modern are for tourists. Bova's is the best and the real deal. I trust Bova's with all my bakery needs. Killer almond macaroons. The creme brÃ»lÃ©e cannoli is so heavenly that even non-cannolli-fans are obsessed.
(5)
Jonathan S.

This place is great and should be a definite spot to hit up. First of all, everything in Boston closes early, so I didn't even believe it when people said this place was open 24 hours. IT'S TRUE! Food offerings are great and the cannoli are definitely a must-try: a bit softer than what's at Mike's and Modern, but I really appreciate the filling--lighter and more flavorful here. If you're in the North End and have already tried the tourist favorites, hit this place up next. Why not 5-star? Well. It's got a definite soup-nazi vibe, but I say the (potential) abuse is worth it.
(4)
Melissa L.

This is an old school, family run Italian bakery. It's on the small side and can get cramped fast but they have so many varieties of pastries, cookies, cannoli, bread, calzone and sandwiches. There were plenty of folks to help out so this is not a time to be shy - ask questions! I picked up some of their Italian cookies, which I found to be tender, buttery and fresh. The intent was to take them home with me but they never made it that far....in fact they never made it onto the airplane home. The temptation was just too great to sample one or two cookies, which then led to the entire container being consumed.
(4)
Derek D.

Pros: Coconut cake was delish, cannelloni was amazing, cream puff very good, short line that moved quickly relative to other bakeries. Cons: Chocolate cupcake was forgettable. Verdict: Would recommend. NOTE: I did not make these purchases so cannot speak to their pricing.
(4)
Jim Y.

Our go-to Mike's was closed so we got pistachio macaroons from Bova's and now we have a new favorite place! Wanted cannoli but didn't think they'd survive the plane trip to SoCal. Macaroons were bigger, soft and chewy in the center, and not too sweet but balanced for a stronger pistachio taste. Now if only I can get back soon to get the cannoli and everything here!
(5)
Nicole M.

There are a few trendy bakeries in the North End, but I recommend skipping those and heading straight to Bova's. They are the real deal with traditional Italian cookies, and a great variety of breads. Bova's has the best cannoli in town, and the lobster tails are out of this world. My must have when I go there? The pistachio macaroons. They are GENIUS. Open 24 hours, lots of love and passion for the product, pastries are authentic and delicious. This is the North End bakery you want to go to. Now pardon me while I go eat pistachio macaroons for breakfast.
(5)
M T.

Service: 5/5, Variety: 5/5, Location: 5/5, Food: 2/5 Bova's is overrated because the building across the street is the most beautiful thing in North End, Boston. When I looked up photos for Bova's, 80% of the photos are about the green and brown building across the street. Accept credit for $10 and up order. Opens 24h. It is a cute bakery. But it is not an excellent must-go attraction for Boston. It is true that Bova's has many kinds of Italian goodies, but unless you have an extremely sweet tooth, I don't think it is healthy to come here every week. Everything is super creamy and sugary. Whatever I tried, the tastes are very similar. There is nothing special about the choice of ingredients or flavors.
(2)
Meizi H.

They do have tasty cannoli. I used to go at least 2-3 times a week; maybe I used to get some loyal customer price. However, in the past two times, I got charged by two different prices in cannoli. I am not sure if they cost $3.5 a piece or at $4. It would be better if they do have some price sign!
(4)
Paul M.

Great 24 hour bakery in Boston's North End. They've got it all, friendly service, good selection, tasty treats, Easter breads (around Easter of course)... They've got it all and wow it smells soooooo good!! You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Abby R.

Bova's is an experience. You walk in to what initially looks like a small corner store, only to discover vast counters of pastries, breads, stromboli, and assorted groceries. It's definitely owned by wizards because it's way bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. The other evidence that it's owned by wizards is that everything there and I mean ev.ry.thing. is amazing. Get a quick 'lil stromboli warmed up for you on the spot, eat it for lunch, you're golden. You're actually shining with a golden stromboli glow. Buy bread, buy cannolis, get it all to go, take it on the road, eat it all. Stuff it in your face and come back for more. I haven't told you the best part though, which is that at any time you might be craving some kind of Italian foody goodness, they're there for you. Like a good neighbor, Bova's is there. Twenty-four hours a day. If it's 4:30 in the morning and your tummy is craving the sweet sweet lovin' of a bag of Italian cookies, you know where to go. Bova's. Go to Bova's. Eat. Be happy.
(5)
Katie C.

My feet were killing me last night due to my impeccable taste in footwear, however, one look at their beautiful trays of cannolis made me forget the pain. We got a giant cannoli with a buttery shell, I think maybe florentine cannoli? I. Can't. Even. The German chocolate cake was just bomb. I had to focus on eating it slowly enough to savor the flavor but fast enough to ensure I got the most bites. Lastly, there's the red velvet cupcake and it just paled in comparison to the cannoli and German chocolate cake.
(5)
Jessica R.

I had been craving something sweet and stumbled upon this Italian bakery haven. How does one make a decision when everything looks so good!! We had finally made a decision: - large red velvet whoopie pie: I destroyed it!! - cappacino cannoli: divine, super creamy - large chocolate chip cookie: it's hard to make a giant cookie still chewy and they succeeded! Loved it here
(5)
Kara M.

Peanut butter chocolate cupcake is the best thing. Not a fan of the other cupcake flavors (chocolate, vanilla are boring comparatively). Lemon square is also yummy.
(5)
Boyo I.

What's the big deal? Let's assume that it was the best cannoli ever. It was still just a cannoli. I suppose if you love cannolis, then go. The chocolate mini whoopee pie was flavorless. The Boston hipster in a Dartmouth T-shirt working behind the counter looked right at me when it was my turn to order and then ignored me and skipped to the lady behind me. I get it--you're cool and I'm a tourist. 3 stars for being an authentic family-run place. Take the gun, leave the cannoli.
(3)
Amy D.

Love it here!! Lines aren't long like at Mike's, but don't let that deceive you! The cannolis are amazing, as is everything else there!! We go there every time we're in Boston. We usually get some cannolis to take home, and everyone at home is always impressed! Another hidden gem in the North End!
(5)
Glen F.

I couldn't decide between the Peanut Butter and Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e cannoli. (There are many other varieties). The staff recommended Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e. My friend chose the Florentine. Mine came in a standard shell, which was light and crunchy, and broke into small pieces-making it easy to eat while walking the streets of the North End. The filling was an explosion of taste and creaminess--not too sweet, not too thick--that has me mourning the fact that I can't have one today. "Dude, you have to try this cannoli." And so it was with the Florentine. A caramelized sugar shell and rich creamy filling. Oh my word. Beware: these cannolis are like crack.
(5)
Doug N.

Forget about any Italian bakery on Hanover Street. Bova's Bakery, on Salem Street, is the real deal, they're open 24/7, and you don't have to wait on line for over an hour, for an $8 cannolis. At $4 bucks a cannolis they are pricey enough, and you bet they are worth it. As a native New Yorker who relishes going to Arthur Avenue every year when we go see the Red Sox play at Yankee Stadium, Bova's rates right up there. So, if you live in, or visit Boston, you're in for a real treat. You will find whatever your favorite Italian pastry might be, at Bova's, because their fresh baked offerings are all encompassing. You will not be disappointed when you get home, or back to your hotel room, and take a bite! Enjoy!
(5)
Jen M.

I am just now realizing that I've never left a review for Bova's before, which needs to change! I have been visiting this bakery since 2010 whenever I am craving cannoli and need a place I can trust. One of my best friends from high school introduced me to Bova's, and I am so glad she did because I love it here. They have a wonderful selection of cannoli and pastries, as well as sandwiches and drinks too. Usually when I visit Bova's, I get a regular cannoli dipped in chocolate chips. The most recent time I visited Bova's, my date got a cappuccino cannoli, which I had a bite of and it was so delicious. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a "ma and pa" shop in the North End that isn't filled with tourists. Five word version: Bova's over Mike's any day.
(5)
Sissy K.

I visited Boston in 2013, and I am STILL raving about Bova's. Their cannolis are so delicious, but my absolute favorite life changing experience was with their lobster tail pastries. They are perfect in every way. I wish I could eat one EVERY DAY! We tried Mike's after Bova's since everyone on the street was holding a box, but they were too sweet and they were more expensive. I met a local couple later who told me many of their friends and family also prefer Bova's. I definitely agree, and hope to find a reason to re-visit Boston so I can have their lobster tails again! UPDATE on 08/11/15: Ralph from Bova's sent me a really nice message after I posted my review. I LOVE it when owners read and respond to their Yelp reviews. It let's me know they are of aware of, and care about, what their customers think. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bova's even more now! The only way I can love them more is if I they started delivering/mailing their lobster tail pastries. I guess I'll just have to find an excuse to go back to Boston and have fresh lobster tails and cannolis at Bova's! :)
(5)
Lin L.

Kind service manners! It also a scene of a movie "what's your number", lovely bakery shop. Don't miss it when you come to north end of Boston! Nice place for ur sweet tooth.
(5)
Andrew M.

You can keep your Mike's and Modern, this is the place to go after dinner or drinks. Not only is it open 24 hours which is amazing in and of itself but the selection is amazing. My wife loves the cookies and I will stop to pick some up for her if I'm working late. The cakes are delicious. The Boston cream pie has the thickest layer of ganache on top. If you've been out at the bars stop in for a calzone to munch on while you walk home. Make sure you pick up a loaf of beard too, you can thank me later.
(5)
Rob B.

I have been to Bova on many occasions when I'm in the north end. It's convenient when dining at some of the restaurants on Salem Street. I dined nearby last night and we stopped by Bovas to order cannolis. I was very surprised that they were $4 APIECE? I hesitated, but since we had guests out of town I went ahead and made the purchase. Still, four dollars for an average size cannoli seems pretty steep. Out of curiosity I went back and looked at the menu later where it shows them for $1.50-$2.00 (view menu.com ). They tasted fine, but the price left a bad taste in my mouth, and perhaps I was overcharged?
(3)
Nicole W.

Maybe i just don't visit enough bakeries... but we found this place to be amazing! We got: cream puff, chocolate covered macaroon, whoopie pie, and some amazing "bars" - smore, toffee - we enjoyed them all (except the whoopie pie - hubby didn't really know what it was, but not the places fault) Staff was very friendly and they packed our sweets safely! If we lived closer this would definitely be a weekly stop!
(5)
Colleen F.

This is a great spot for after the bar/club since it is open 24 hours; or if all the other bakeries are packed with tourists. I love supporting local family run places so I tend to go here more than any other bakery in the North End. There are a ton of pastries to choose from..a little overwhelming actually. I have only had a couple of the pastries here so I will speak on that. . Lemon bar- Shortbread underneath is awesome but the lemon curd itself lacks any REAL lemon flavor. Its overly sweet and gelatinous. It needs to have some actual lemon zest/juice in there to break up the pure sugar taste. The powdered sugar on top is a little over the top..I accidentally breathed in when going in for a bite and choked on the powder that I inhaled. lol The Peanut butter chocolate cake cookie- The cake "cookie" itself was dull and dry. The topping itself (half chocolate icing half peanut butter icing) tasted great but there was way too much of it. The coconut cake- AMAZING. Sooooo good and sooo creamy. I have to admit though, it was overly sweet after about 4 bites. Lets just say I didn't leave my couch after eating that slice..or the toilet. Totally worth it though ;) Chicken parm filled croissant- Eh. It was good to eat while I was drunk but there was way more pastry than filling and it took me two large bites to get to the chicken inside. Chicken was dry and the tomato sauce surrounding It tasted as If it was out of a can. Didn't see any cheese in there either.. Overall, I do enjoy visiting but I do believe they can make some simple changes to make the above products worth purchasing.
(3)
Zarina M.

Absolutely love Bova's. The staff are nice and friendly, except if you go there at 2am on a saturday - which is understandable because drunk people are a-holes. Come for their tiramisu and creme brulee, and lobster tails... you won't regret it.
(5)
Mike H.

Cappuccino Cannoli!!!! Fantastic! I've always enjoyed Mike's but it simply is too crowded to enjoy anymore. A friend at work said Bova's is the way to go, and they were right. Quick in/out with an amazing selection of items to choose from. Highly recommended and look forward to going back and trying something new.
(4)
Mimi T.

I've passed by a few times without ever going in. Then someone tells me they have really good cannolis, so I decided to give them a try. I walk in and just hear the young employees just get really rowdy about some argument. It was quite immature for my tast, so I was a bit annoyed. I told them I wanted the 1 cannoli with powdered sugar. I handed her a $10 bill and received $6 cash back. I was quite surprised that the cannoli is $4. And it was pre-made and placed in the case. I was good, but not $4 good. A little too sweet for my taste. My #1 pick for cannoli is the bakery just right next door: Parziale's Bakery. They fill it fresh as you order so the shell doesn't get soggy. And it's around $2ish.
(2)
Stephanie T.

Great for a late night snack in the north end. The calzones and (popovers?) not sure the correct name but they are little savory flaky pastries, are a great snack after a night out. Open super late which is amazing. There are better options when everything is open, but the late night hours and quick service make this place my go to late night snack spot in the north end.
(3)
Toyo K.

Stumbled in here looking to grab a bite while doing laundry nearby. While I was looking around a nice old lady came and spoke to me and said she was the owner. She was very kind and pleasant and told me a little history about her shop. I ordered the meatball sandwich and a cannoli. Both were so good....I mean, that meatball sandwich was maybe the best I ever had. They have a variety of other foods and desserts too. If you are in the area looking for a quick bite, go here! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
T.M. C.

Over priced yes but very delicious. Awesome assortment of baked goods and deserts. Staff was helpful. Pistachio cookies were to die for! Cannoli was good too. I also dried a champagne cookie that was rainbow colored. Not too bad either :) I did order a ricotta and spinach rice ball which was awful. $5 for a rice ball $5 for a cannoli... Worth the stop for deserts. Ordering was a little confusing.
(4)
Major G.

Awesome - better and cheaper than Mike's. Must visit. Got Nutella Cannoli, Boston Cream Pie, and even more! Great friendly service. All was great!
(5)
Jill S.

Spinach pie hits the spot post-bar! Their arancini was delicious but the star is their marinara sauce YUM I wish I could have the recipe! Chicken broccoli calzone was delicious as well. Only sweet I've tried is the lemon bar and I did not love it, but I admit that is not the pastry to judge an Italian bakery on, so I guesssss I will have to go back and get some cannolis :P
(4)
Bruce K.

A little crowded on a Saturday afternoon with a good queue of folks getting a sandwich made and a few bakery orders. I'd already had lunch but this stop was to get some sfogliatelle to take home. Lo and behold, they have a $10 minimum on credit card purchases so I had to get a canoli as well. Damn, that was good.
(5)
Nick L.

Came into this store with the rumor that they had the best baklava and boy was I not disappointed! Amazing crispy and sweet baklava. Unfortunately I was stuffed after my little treat, just when I saw the table of calzones in rows upon rows. I vowed I had to return and i did a few weeks later. My asparagus and prosciutto calzone was cooked to perfection and filled my stomach with warmth and happiness. Highly recommend!
(5)
Anastasia M.

Hands down my favorite bakery in the North End, and probably all of Boston. Open 24/7!!!! hard to find around these parts. everything I've tried has been super delicious, but the peanut butter chocolate balls definitely stand out (not sure what the proper name is..). do yourself a favor and come here instead of mikes or modern pastry around the corner!
(5)
Thomas B.

Options galore. It was too hard for me to pick something so I picked a couple items, all were delicious. Nice little corner shop that is open 24 hrs, I just wish it was more conveniently located because it is squeezed into the depths of the North End. I ended up taking a seat over in the Kennedy Park which was beautiful at night with all the lights of the sky scrappers in the background. I highly recommend if already in the North End and it was more friendly than Mike's, which is just around the corner and down the street.
(5)
Heather G.

Helloooo Boston! Found my favorite place! Made a quick stop here on a fast walking tour of this part of the city- and I'm so glad. We grabbed a couple cannoli for immediate and future consumption as well as arancini to split. I could have spent way more time examining the crazy cookie selection and wish I had time to. Next time I'm in town, it will be a mandatory stop!
(5)
Martin R.

This is the true locals go-to. Great staff, and a delicious variety of food.
(5)
Michael W.

Listen up, if you are into standing in line with idiot tourists keep going to Mikes Pastry or the Modern. Don't get me wrong, both icons of the North End are fantastic but they are always inundated with dipshits who hold up the line as they try to learn what a cannoli is or what it's made of.....Bovas is great, they make great desserts and the nice thing is that the line is generally Bostonians who know that this is the place! Great spot for dessert! Now the true star at Bovas is their bread, it is the best you're going to find in the area!
(4)
Kim K.

I don't even want to write an excellent review for Bova's because I would hate to see a line in front line Mike's or Modern. Still, Bova is making quality pastries and baked goods that can go toe to toe with any other Italian bakery in the North End. They are simply amazing. Great staff too!
(5)
Nina H.

Best bakery in North End! Their cannoli is delish - not too sweet and the cream is so light! Rice balls are a must for sure! It's comfort food made right! I've been coming there for over four years and never had a bad experience!
(5)
Matthew Z.

My go-to bakery in the North End. Better cannoli and lobster tail than Mike's. Always take visitors here, and they are impressed. Not much more to say except a night in the North End should always end at Bova's!
(5)
Carlos B.

Better that Mike's. I'm not kidding. Amazing cannoli, try the chocolate dipped with regular cream filling. Perfect dessert after dinner at Al Dente across the street!
(5)
Giselle T.

Great eclairs. Great place if you don't want to stand in line at Mikes or Modern Pastry. Open 24 hrs.
(4)
Julia K.

This is a nice North End bakery that has great baked goods and virtually no line. I was being a little calorie conscious, so I initially ordered the miniature lobster tail only to find out that it was $3! Seriously!? Literally, the miniature is two (big) bites and 1/5 the size of the large which is a whopping $4! Don't go for the mini -- go full size for the superb value! I wish I had a pic to compare the mini to the regular sized lobster tail...
(3)
Ted H.

Why wait at Mikes?! Just around the corner is this slice of deliciousness! A two minute line and a friendly "Can I help you" from across the counter despite the hustle and bustle. Competetive price and amazing treats of all kinds. Fresh is an understatement. This place is the real deal.
(5)
Julianne S.

IT'S OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY. That alone should suffice. But I usually go there to satiate my cannoli craving that seems to come around once a month. They have a huge selection of desserts but I think I've also drunkenly had pizza there one night. My out of town guests love that it is a hidden gem tucked away in the residential area. It's super easy to find as it is right on Salem Street. You could pretend that you never read this review and waste many hours waiting in line at Modern or Mike's or you could be wise and go to Bova's. Up to you.
(5)
Kirsten H.

The reeses peanut butter cup bar is great! I didn't like the cookie crumble on the bottom, but the peanut butter and chocolate layer on top was perfect. The guys behind the counter were really unfriendly, but it was busy and a bunch of people were trying to look at the pastry options so I image that was because of the lack of organization.
(3)
Ralph P.

I really dont know where to begin with this place. Well ok maybe i do. CLUTCH. My girlfriend and i went into the north end looking to get a quick riceball from Cafe Pompei. So we get there and the place was bought out and under new management and they no longer served rice balls or had the same menu. So now were wandering the north end looking at menus outside of restraunts just trying to find a friggen riceball!! With no luck and thinking about leaving empty handed, we come across Bova and well.. Wow. Talk about bakery pornography. The place is filled with just about every delicious piece of baked good you can think of from cannolis to cheesecake to whoopie pies and oh ya u guessed it. The most delicious riceball ive ever eaten, and how could i not leave without a piece of blueberry cheesecake. You saved the day Bovas. Round of applause to you
(5)
Melissa W.

Although I am a big fan of the usual tourist traps (Mike's, Pompeii, etc.), Bova is the hidden gem of the North End. It's open 24/7, so if you find yourself craving a cannoli, slice of sheet pizza, italian cookies, stuffed croissants, whatever, Bova's got your back. After 11 pm they start serving the stuffed croissants-- do not miss them. Chicken parm, spinach, steak and cheese, amongst others, are absolutely to die for.
(5)
Rick T.

I just pointed to all the goodies that looked good, and they did not disappoint me in the lest. The older man that was talking to us and taking our order was later featured on several new food shows about Boston ! I think old school when I walk in here and I think I better be respectful or I might find myself picking myself off the ground lol !
(4)
JoAnne F.

The service was fast and easy. They were very helpful to all the people in the shop trying to make decisions. And, luckily, they kept things moving so I didn't have to wait very long. I got a few items, and one was the cannoli. To be honest, I was not a cannoli person before this. I had them from other places and had been disappointed. But people rave about them, so I figured I just hadn't had a good one yet and this would be a great place to try while visiting Boston. And, I loved it!!!! They made me a cannoli fan. Now I wish I had gotten more before leaving Boston.
(5)
Niraj P.

A friend of mine introduced me to this place and I was so happy with it in the beginning. The lobster tails here were phenomenal. But over the last two years I have been disappointed. I normally get a regular and a large lobster tail for me and my wife and it is a hit or miss on how they taste. The last 5 times we have gone we have had an issue where one or both are stale ( no crunch and/or filling tastes awful). The last few times I went in I asked when they were made and am always told they are made fresh daily. Again, when they are fresh they are amazing, but I lately we have stopped going just because one of us is always disappointed.
(2)
Gwen B.

There are so many good things about Bova. - Pastries are top notch. I've tried many cannolis in the North End, and IMHO Bova's is superior. I also love their cookies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. Don't just limit yourself to the cannoli! ; ) - They're open 24 hours, so when you're done for the night and just need a quick slice of pizza, Bova's got ya. Their Sicilian style pizza is my fave in the entire North End. They also serve tasty arancini, and will warm it up for you. - On weekend mornings, I like to grab a fresh sub roll for my breakfast sandwich. If you get them right out of the oven, they're still warm and soft. They're also only $1 and they're huge! -The staff are always so nice, friendly, and helpful. Mike's is good, but where the tourists go. Bova is where the locals go, and more authentic. If you want to experience the North End like the locals do, go to Bova.
(5)
Leah K.

I just wanted to thank Bova's for being really nice to my drunk friend. Well she did purchase $30 worth of arancini, so maybe that's why...at any rate, she was able to eat one, and use the rest to pay for her cab ride to Braintree. We stopped at Bova's around 2 am to grab some much needed sustenance. I sprung for a small whoopie pie, and my friends got pizza, cannoli, and arancini. Luckily my boyfriend allowed me to eat half of his slice, or else I would have had to go back to get my own. Their pizza (square, sort of sciilian-y) is really good. Perfect for a late night snack (or last minute lunch). They warm it up and it's delicious. As always, their cannoli is top notch, especially the $5 florentine cannoli. Yes it's worth the $5.
(5)
Ayelet R.

Those of you who have read my previous reviews may know I have been enduring the extremely difficult task of determining once and for all which cannolo will rule the North End. I had previously visited the three Ms: Maria's, Mike's and Modern and figured yesterday that when better to reconcile my Jewish-Italian heritage and finally finish this expedition than on Shavuot, the dairy festival. I had heard quite a bit of word of mouth about Bova's, mostly stories involving the wee hours of the morning and a teensy bit of alcohol, but what I really wanted to know is whether or not Bova's cannoli would hold up in broad daylight and sober. Either way, I gotta give them props for being open 24 hours just because it's practically unheard of in Boston. And now that the T actually runs late on weekends, it's totally a viable option to grab something sweet at 2 AM. I got the chocolate dipped ricotta cannolo, though I was tempted by the creme brulee flavored roll. And well, it tasted pre-filled. I think this expedition has made me into more of a cannoli snob than I was before; while I used to think that pre-filled was acceptable, though not preferable, the difference has become more and more pronounced with every filled-to-order roll I eat. The shell becomes soft and overall not optimal as a vehicle for the ricotta. The top half that was dipped in chocolate did a decent job at masking the subpar shell, and the chocolate itself was delicious. The ricotta was just okay - better than Mike's, but not quite on par with Modern or Maria's. I will say that the staff seems very nice and exemplify the family-owned business ideals that the North End is all about. At least during the day there was no line, which does make me wonder why they can't fill the cannoli to order, although it may be because they're more crowded at night. They do have a lot of options both sweet and savory which I just might have to try another time. So, my updated ratings: 1. Maria's 2. Modern 3. Bova's 4. Mike's
(3)
Angel M.

I come here often, and its really pretty good. I got a cappucino canolli and it was air whipped or something stupid and it made me really sad. I also got a rice ball without the marinara which pissed me off. The traditional canolli is good. The stromboli type fellas are good. The cream puff was meh. They had one brand of water which was unusual. Acqua? Small space - cute. Bad lighting - makes me not cute. Somewhat friendly staff. Cool corner location.
(3)
Lynn J.

Bova is the real deal. .. Where the locals get their pastry and cookies winery Sunday. Always eat where the locals eat. They also offer calzone type sandwiches. The deal: don't leave with just one piece. Life is too short... and this is too good!
(5)
Tom L.

Their Cannoli's are as good as Mike's and with much shorter lines. And unlike Mike's they have a large selection of other baked goods and sandwiches.
(5)
Darren F.

Parziale's bakery next door is the go to for anyone in the know and who wants to avoid the lines and lesser quality bakeries in the North End. This place is fine, but the staff has never been the best. It seems you're either assaulted with questions or ignored completely. The selection size in undeniably big, but there's nothing super special about this place besides that. Take the trip next door.
(2)
Sam P.

Changing to 5 stars. As I've reviewed more, I now realize that my earlier standards were a little out of whack. This is a great place, one of my favorite places in Boston. I felt compelled to do this when I got off the plane at Logan and realized that I wanted nothing more than to stop by Bova.
(5)
Judith S.

I prefer Mike's and Modern slightly, but this is a close second to them for no other reason that the food is good and the line isn't obscene. They have great sandwiches out to buy as well. Plus they have some fun other items that are great like peanut butter/chocolate bars and rice crispy treats. I like the pistachio cannoli for something different.
(4)
Lauren C.

I can hardly control myself when I go into Bova's Bakery. There are so many delicious things and I only have 2 hands to carry them in. The cupcakes are amazing - best buttercream cupcake I've had in a while that wasn't just average "I'm eating a cupcake, this tastes good by default". Ordered a couple of chocolate chip cannolis, marshmallow bar, and some other pastries. 100% recommend to those adventuring in the North End.
(4)
Giovanni O.

Bova's has the best cannoli I have ever had. Forget the tourist traps a few blocks away. Do yourself the favor and come here. Try a regular and a Napoletana. The rest of the pastries and biscotti are great as well.
(5)
Scot C.

Bova's is a North End Boston tradition. Locals rave that this is the best place to stop for authentic East Coast Italiano treats and delicacies. After making an impromptu stop, I'd have to fully agree. I've got a sweet-tooth dilemma like nobody's business. So of course, I can't resist a place like Bova's. The cannolis are excellent, cream-cakes looked on-point, and the whoopie pies were dynamite. What's even better is that these Italian treats are easy on the pocketbook. We got a sampling of goodies and hit the bricks to go enjoy them overlooking the beautiful Boston Harbor. Get a coffee to go to compliment your pastry. If you find yourself wandering around the North End, be sure to stop and pay Bova's a visit. The locals would agree, and so do I.
(4)
Trey M.

Bova's has the best lobster tails on the north end. And we've been to some of the other "best" places over on Hanover street. Their other offerings are fantastic. I can vouch for the cannoli and the florentine cookies. Wow and wow. Stop wasting your time anywhere else and come to Bova's for an authentic Italian flavor and atmosphere.
(5)
Michelle R.

Amazing Italian sandwiches!!! I got the Sicilian and it was so yummy and light! I didn't try their pastries but I highly recommend their deli sandwiches! Everything in their display cases looked delicious!
(5)
Gina-Marie M.

Open 24/hours you really can't beat that. I rarely find myself in Bova's before 11pm. I love getting my late night pizza or sweet tooth craving taken care of here. The rice balls are my favorite but the last few times I was in there it looked like they are making fewer types which is disappointing. The canollis are made well and are very delicious. They switch up the flavors too so you can try a new one every time you visit. Staff is always friendly and happy to help. Next time you find yourself getting out of the bar hungry, grab a cab to Bova's!
(3)
Amy D.

Definitely a place to make a tradition of visiting every time I find myself near the North End. I was staying at the Navy yard & happened to walk by this place with aquaintences after a disappointing dinner at Rabia's. This place was PACKED and curiosity got the best of us. It took a little time to get to the counter, but it was well worth the wait in tight quarters. I got a cappuccino cannoli and blissfully ate it on the walk back over the bridge. It was heaven! We were all so impressed that we went out of our way to stop by again the following night, after having a satisfying dinner at the Grand Canal. I picked up an assortment of Italian cookies to bring home for my daughter to try. We had fun sharing some of them this week and they brought me fond memories of the Italian cookies my grandmother used to make. They tasted fresh and flavorful. The assortment included some bowties, tortes, rugalas, milanos, chocolate covered pizelles, and a few others. All for just 10 bucks - which I thought was a bargain since I had a big container and a small container filled. I meant to get some macaroons as well, but forgot because they were in another case...they looked amazing. Next time for sure!
(5)
Jenny G.

My friend and I are self-employed and work strange hours into the middle of the night. Our chats online often look like this: *2am* Friend: You awake? I'm hungry/need to take a break. Me: Me too. I'm pulling my hair out over here. Could use a sanity break. Friend: Where do you wanna go? Me: Um, bovas? Friend: Done. Pick me up in 5. Once when we went at 3am, we were fortunate enough to start chatting with one of the owners, and he told us all about their goods and operations. I'm in the food industry as well, so we had some good conversations about food in the area. He asked us if we wanted a tour of the bakery in the back. We looked at each other and responded "hell yes!" He chuckled and lead us to the back, where some older bakers were hard at work with rock music blasting (so cool!). Was such a cool experience. Of course we ordered a bunch of pastries, brought them back to our respective offices and stuffed our faces. My favorites are the fruit tart and creme brulee. My friend swears by their lobster tails. I've yet to try their calzones, but I look forward to it.
(5)
Irene N.

On the other side of the block from Mikes Pastries. I was never a huge fan of Mike's. My friend and I were looking good desserts and yelped this amazing place.- First time to this place, got a fruit tart and peanut butter pie (?). THEY WERE AMAZING~. I can't really remember if the peanut butter pie is what its called but it's just too delicious! It's definitely recommended for pb lovers. It had perfect portions of each ingredient. It's the exact amount of sweetness to get you hooked! I went with my friend and we wished we each had our own! The fruit tart was on point as well! Fresh fruits, amazing crust. Again, perfect sweetness. I wanna give it 10 stars for being open 24/7. Now I can get comfort whenever needed!!!
(5)
Kio K.

I was in Boston for business and I got a rec to come here from gal working at Fenway. Thanks! :) I enjoyed the stromboli and anise pizelles. My only regret is that I didn't have more time / larger stomach.... I want to try everything!!!!
(5)
Kari S.

We had always been fans of Mike's, before they became a tourist attraction. Now we ONLY go to Bova's for the best canolies and Italian pastries. Wonderful, friendly personal service. When in the North End don't waste your time going anywhere else, head straight to Bova's !!
(5)
Sha P.

For the first time in my life I had a cannoli that I liked. We bought 4 different kinds of pastries and all tasted good. I'll definitely go back for some more. Everything looked amazing and tasted really good! If you're looking for authentic Italian pastries that taste good and are well made, should give this place a try.
(5)
Yuk L.

The only bakery to hit in the North End! Fresh cannoli shells with equally fresh cannoli cream. The red velvet whoopie pie is perfect for sharing! Their fresh loaves of bread can't be beat. It's worth the walk into the North End.
(5)
Cameron P.

Are you looking for the best bakery in the North End? Have you been mislead to believe that the Mike's and Modern Hanover Street rivalry is all there is too it? Well let me dispel some myths for you. This is THE North Ends bakery. None of that touristy waiting in line crap here. Fast service. Good food (pizza, arancini, calzones). Incredible pastry selection. Family owned AND operated. This is the real deal. I failed to mention the most important thing...they're open 24 HOURS 365 DAYS A YEAR. Yes, even Christmas and Thanksgiving and I know this for a fact. If you want real, authentic, good, quality dessert, a quick meal, or to impress your friends and family look no further. Bova's is 2 blocks off of Hanover Street which is the main reason you may have never heard of it. My personal recommendations are the pecan squares, German chocolate cake, red velvet cake, black and white cookies, cannolis of any variety. Say goodbye to Mike's and Modern and make the right choice. For dates, holidays, friends, family, every one and every occasion. Don't screw it up.
(5)
Ada L.

With the recommendation of a friend, I made sure to stop by here during my recent trip to Boston. I bought a regular cannoli, pistachio cannoli, and carrot cake. The regular cannoli was delicious! I've bought cannoli from both Mike's and Modern Pastry (spread out about a year apart from each other so I may not be giving the most accurate judgment...), and Bova's cannoli filling tasted the best to me. It was creamy and sweet (but not overly sweet like other cannoli) and I really liked how I could taste the cheese. My only complaint would be that the cannoli shell wasn't as crisp as it should've been. It would be nice if they waited to pipe the cannoli when they're ordered. The pistachio cannoli had a nice flavor, although the bright green color did kind of turn me off. I bought the carrot cake for my fiance, and he really enjoyed it. Service was alright. The guy who took our orders seemed like he was either impatient or just in a bad mood. My friend and I stood there for awhile to try and decide what to order (they make a ton of bakery items). The lady who helped us at the end seemed friendly. I would definitely come back again for the cannoli and to try out other items!
(4)
Courtney S.

Amazing little hole in the wall pastry shop! It's kinda hidden, which makes it nice. It is open 24 hours so you can get your chocolate macaroon or cannoli fix at any time. They do pre-fill the cannolis but it does not take away from the taste. They also sell calzones, pizza slices, etc. We only had dessert and it was amazing! Just a delight. Completely made up for the wretched dinner we had 30 minutes prior at Mother Anna's.
(5)
Scott B.

The best bread cookies pastries and everything else! We always stop in on the way home and get a loaf of bread and some Italian cookies
(5)
Mike R.

On a trip to Boston, my wife and I went to the North end for Italian food. After dinner we went looking for somewhere to get something for dessert. Initially we were looking for Mike's Pastry. When we pulled up the line was unreal so we decided to try our luck somewhere else. In this case our luck turned out to be good as we stumbled on this gem in North Boston. There were seriously had so many choices it was almost impossible to choose. We decided on a coconut cake and a Florentine cannoli. Oh my gosh, I thought the coconut cake was the best thing I had ever tasted until I tried the cannoli. We can't wait to go back tonight.
(5)
Phu M.

Gonna have to knock a star off as I've come to realize after living in the North End now for 3 years that Bova's has lost its original luster for me. For certain things, I'll still come here (Oreo Brick, Congo Bar, Coconut Cake, and those lemon italian cookies with white glaze and sprinkles on them). However, their canolli's are by far the worst I've had in the North End. Cupcakes, whoopie pies and cheesecake are all dry. The pizza is good if you get it fresh out of the oven. In a pinch, I'll stop in for something if I'm hungry and craving something and everything else in the neighborhood is closed but as a local now, Maria's Pastry is THE place to go to for traditional Italian pastry.
(4)
Sarah S.

Italian bakery with calzones and Sicilian style pizza. I had the eggplant calzone and it was delicious. The crust was so good - more like a bread - and the stuffing was wonderful too. The dessert case was full of tasty treats! But the cannoli had already been pre stuffed with cream (it seems at other authentic Italian places they do this when you order it). Regardless, everything looked delicious!
(4)
Jenny N.

Went to the north end to check out a few bakeries. On the list of Italian bakeries to try was this place, Mike's pastry, and Modern Pastry. At Bova's I got one chocolate pretezel, 2 pistachio macaroon and 2 chocolate nut macaroon. The pretzel was delicious, not too sweet and just the right crunchiness. The macaroon look and taste different from the french macaroon. These Italian macaroons have their own flare. I loved the chocolate nut macaroon as it was just the right sweetness with a soft inside and crunchy outside. The pistachio macaroon however was a different story, I would not recommend that. It was super sweet, very green and artificial in color and didn't have the pistachio flavor at all. The macaroon were not cheap. They are $18/lb and the pretzel was $2.50 each. My 4 macaroon came out to be $8. Basically more than what I was expecting to pay.
(4)
Kevin R.

Yes!! So hard to find a bakery open later in the evening. This place is a gem. They don't label their products very well, but who cares? Cannoli!!! Have to go back.
(5)
Chelsea M.

We trudged through the "polar vortex" in Boston just to get to these treasures. And it was absolutely worth it. I got a red velvet woopie pie and a chocolate chip cannoli. Both were spectacular and rich. The cannoli filling was like a frosting, which I prefer over Mike Bakery's lighter cannoli filling. Only disappointment was that they didn't let me take pictures in their awesome bakery! Also, no credit cards for purchases under $10.
(4)
Steven L.

Stumbled on Bova's while walking around the North End during a snowstorm. The bakery doesn't shock you with how nice it is but it enough for us to walk in. We got some coffee and hands down the best canoli I've ever had. Don't waste your time waiting in line at Mike's or one of the other famous spots - this place is more authentic and better.
(5)
Jennifer L.

Great corner location with a good variety of pastries! People are friendly & hospitality is super! Canolis are great!
(4)
Sarah M.

I love Bova's. It's just around from the famous Mike's Pastry but never has the ridiculous line and is just as tasty. The cannolis are good but personally, I love their fruit tarts. If you're in the North End and want a post-dinner treat, I suggest going to Bova's.
(5)
Dylan M.

I don't understand the obsession with mike's and modern. Bova's is the clear number one when it comes to Italian bakeries in the north end. Open 24 hours and their selection can't be beat
(5)
Elle P.

I really wanted to LoVe Bova's. I bookmarked it for our east coast adventure. I am a sucker for a good Italian Bakery. In San Francisco I really like Stella, In NYC I fell for La Bella Ferrara. We had one night in Boston and I was so looking forward to Bova's. I love the location. The North End. Trendy, busy narrow streets, lots of foot traffic. But the store itself was a bit of a disappointment. Clean enough. Nothing special. Plus it doubles as a deli. Go figure. But it's open 24/7; that's a plus for the locals and night owls... Call me a bakery traditionalist, but I want my $20.00 haul of Italian cookies in a box, wrapped in twine. Not clear plastic to-go containers. I know. Picky, picky, picky... We bought some cannoli. They were okay. But not "holy cannoli...oh my gosh, I've died and gone to pastry heaven..." Certainly not worthy of "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." Italian cookies are not meant to be super sweet and they usually are hardish (which I happen to like. A lot). The cookies we tasted from Bravo were a bit on the bland side. But still decent. Glad I got to try this local favorite. The next time we get to visit Boston, we will definitely be trying ANOTHER Bakery in our quest for my favorite Boston Italian bakery. .
(2)
Alena G.

Let tourists flock to Mike's while you confidently strut your stuff to Bova's. Superior pastries and breads - I can't even pick out a favorite, but be sure to snag a lobster tail while you're here. Or a black and white cookie. Or an eclair. Or a cup of tiramisu... You get the point. If their subs are good enough for Chris Evans' character in "What's Your Number?", they're good enough for me.
(5)
Randy C.

This Bakery is the real deal in the North End! Forget the two "M" bakeries and standing in line for their mediocre fare. The cupcakes, cannoli, and cookies here are fresher and just plain better! The servers will give you just enough of a hard time to make being there fun. Open 24 hours, all in a row!
(5)
Shannon R.

Really good, authentic, no-frills Italian bakery. All the baked goods we tried were top-notch. The stromboli/calzone things were also delicious! If I'm comparing to Mike's, Bova's wins hands-down.
(5)
Wanda C.

We were in Boston for the day and wanted a great Italian Pastry. We've heard all about Mike's, so stopped in and waited a bit in a line. Once in I had a look around and wasn't impressed. I grew up in an Italian town and have a degree in Baking (yes they do have them!) Wandered around and ended up at Bova's, this impressed me! Anyone can make a cannolli, good bread is another story. I ended up having a Sfogliatelle, (lobster tail). This was the best thing ever!!! Next time I am in town, I will get two, and a few other things. Mike's is for tourists, Bova's is the place if you want good pastry.
(5)
Daniel K.

Kind of disappointed. I feel like their lobster tails pastries are 1/2 the size they were two years ago, but the prices are the same. Still, I rate Bova's over the other pastry shops in the area as Bova's has creamy, less sugary pastries.
(4)
Xiao Z.

Wow, totally surprised by this little, or rather giant gem in the North End. Unlike its larger and generic cousins such as Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry, this establishment encompasses a greater variety of Italian desserts, cannolis and larger lobster tail. The smell of the bakery is overwhelmingly delicious and the staff are very friendly and informative. The cannolis are prefilled, and a little too sweet for my taste and I would still vouch for Maria's pastry shop for the best cannoli in Boston. That being said, this place has more variety and I would recommend walking around North End and experiencing this place for yourself!
(4)
Josh S.

The best pastry place in the North End, much better than the Tourist traps & such great service. Thanks Vickie!
(5)
Paula B.

On a recent trip to Boston, we found ourselves at Bova's every chance we got. The cannoli is the best ever!!!!! Mike's doesn't compare and is also more expensive. We tried Mike's and were back at Bova's the next day. We have pined for Bova's since our return home. I wish cannoli could be shipped!!
(5)
Lauren B.

Bova's is fantastic. Open 24/7, every bakery treasure you can imagine, and everything is amazing! The cakes are so rich, their Italian cookies are authentic and because they're always open it's always fresh! Parking in the North End can be a pain in the ass, but if you take advantage of this place NEVER being closed you'll see that at 2 or 3 am there are far fewer people around to get in the way.
(5)
Kyra M.

I'm really not understanding all the five star reviews for Bova's, and even more bummed out that a friend and long-time Boston resident told me this place was better than Mike's. Who can I trust in this town??? Had a friend visiting from out of town and spent Sunday afternoon walking around the North End. I personally really loved the cannoli I devoured at Mike's a couple months ago, but was getting a lot of "Don't fall into the tourist trap!" comments from locals, and my out-of-town visitor doesn't even like cannolis, so I thought Bova would be just right for a Sunday afternoon treat. Wrong. We walked in and the line wasn't very long but the bakery is small. A huge chunk of the floor space was being taken up by two long folding tables full of a variety stromboli (uncovered!), in all their meat and cheese glory, so vulnerable to contamination out in the open air. My friend and I thought that was pretty strange (and gross). The pastries, fortunately, are refrigerated in pastry cases. There were a few different types of cannolis, tons of whoopie pies, cupcakes, and all sorts of tasty looking treats. I feel like the pastries had far better presentation than delivery. My cannoli was ok, but that's about it. My friend ordered a cupcake and said it was overly refrigerated, so much so that the frosting became it's own entity, maintaining its own shape when removed from the cake. I got a slice of carrot cake to go for my partner, and his rating was similar to my friend's. Also, while they do accept credit cards, they have a $10 minimum, which I'm pretty sure violates the terms of agreement set forth by credit card companies. They are open 24 hours, so I can see where the excitement of eating sweets might get them some inflated ratings, but I was not at all impressed with my experience at Bova's.
(3)
Jen H.

We stumbled upon this place by accident and grabbed a slice of pizza. We later went back because I couldn't stop thinking about all their delicious looking baked foods! This place is authentic Italian pastries. Seriously delicious. I have such a sweet tooth and this place takes the gold star!!! The rugala cookie is incredible. And- the staff is nice. They are open 24 hours!!! Added bonus:)
(5)
Jim K.

So we went to the cannoli place everyone recommends on Hanover, and it was great - I wrote a review of it. But a local said that we should try Bova's, and so we did. Let me just say that if there were a 6th star to rate a place it would go to Bova's. Their selection of cannolis wasn't quite as varied as the "other place", but the taste was even better. We got a pumpkin and a florentine (with a shell made out of some kind of delicious cookie/candy). These cannoli's were the best we've ever had, in the US or in Italy. Bova's is a short walk off of Hanover, and so worth the trip. In fact, after you eat the cannolis, or any of their other delicious baked goods, you'll probably wish the walk was further so you could burn off some of the many calories you just packed on.
(5)
David S.

A deli that smells of subs and pizza. Smells good... Was told the subs were pretty good. The cannoli was on the heavier side. Pre dipped and filled. The ricotta was heavier. We got the chocolate dipped. I'm definitely liking the chocolate dipped... It's on the higher end of my list. I have to go back for the subs...
(4)
Joscelyn A.

Great desserts! So many choices and always open I got the chocolate mouse cake and it was delicious!
(4)
Sharra C.

Reigning supreme as my favorite bakery in Boston, is Bova's (all hail)! Although I have been here many times, this was the first time trying their Tiramisu. Oh. My. GOODNESS!!! It was rich. It was decadent. The lady fingers were SOAKED in rum. I was in glucose HEAVEN! I made an attempt to walk away from eating it in its entirety, and THAT operation failed. It was truly a glorious experience for me!!!! My friend went with a chocolate mousse ball. Think of a baseball-sized dessert, chocolate coated, FILLED with dense, creamy, chocolaty goodness!!!! That's the mousse ball! I took a couple of bites and determined that, teamed with carton of milk, this could get me 'chocolate wasted'!!!!! YUM. We returned Sunday AM (12am), and ordered cheesecake, coconut cake, and 3 rice balls. Everything was as it should be: lip-snacking, spoon-licking, eye-rolling, goodness! Unfortunately, due to the Columbus Day parade, I was not able to stop by Bova's on my way to the airport (a tradition of mine) and take treats home with me. Next time! Thank you for another impeccable experience.
(5)
Bela S.

If you are here, you have probably already heard of Mike's. Well, this is the local's secret as it's got a lot of what Mike's has, is arguably tastier, and it's cheaper too (though I wouldn't label Mike's expensive). The shop is small, and when it's packed, it's PACKED. As others have said, their cookies are probably their specialty. They do take cards, which is awesome! I hate carrying cash, so this is where we stop when we are low on green at the end of the night. If you have a chance to stop in for breakfast or lunch they sell an awesome spinache and cheese... I don't know what you call it. A bit like a calzone but made with croissant dough. Delish!
(5)
Dan G.

I can't believe I have never been here. When the lines for Mike's and Modern are out the door, which is usually, any smart person would say F this, and find some place else that is just as good, albeit, out of the way. Yeah, it's not on the hopping Hanover st, in fact, Bova's is in the deadest area of Salem st you could imagine, but that doesn't mean its dead inside! Nope, this 24 hour bakery has it all, including pizza and calzones! I really just wanted rainbow cookies, that's all and didn't see them...until, I closely looked at their refrigerator case (the one that tells you to ask someone to get what you want) and low and behold the rainbow cookies! Much bolder in color than others, but delicious! Their cheese cannoli filling is delicious, and if you want to try something different, look for that reaaaally long cannoli with the dark brown and bubbly shell....I can't remember the name for it but its like a burnt caramel almost and is amazing with the cheese! Oh, and then thank me later. Oh last thing, to all you self-proclaimed "foodies"....its Cannoli no matter where you are in the USA, one cannoli, two cannoli, three cannoli, FOUR!
(4)
S And N.

The worst tiramisu that I have ever had. We also got a couple of the pistachio cookies. They were terrible too. Way way too sweet and fake tasting.
(1)
Noel D.

Great food and great service as long as disgruntled man is not behind counter. He is not helpful in fact he is rude and should recognize people do not just come there for the food. He is also not very nice to his co- workers. He is bad for business.
(3)
Sarah M.

I went here today, a gorgeous Saturday in the summer, at about 12:30 pm-- NO LINE. And to think: people were probably twenty or thirty deep, or maybe more, in line at Mike's or Modern! And this place is just as good, if not better! Whenever I'm at Bova's, I feel like I've won the lottery. I'm pretty obsessed with their cannoli. They also have yummy, cheap bread. I can't wait to try their sandwiches and pizza. The 24-hour thing is pretty great, although it would be better if the T ran later than, like, midnight. But that's not Bova's fault. Five stars.
(5)
Sarah K.

I ran into this place by accident while waiting for a seat at a nearby restaurant and boy did I find the best cannolis! You must try the Florentine cannolis here... it is orgasmic!
(4)
Sam G.

24 Hour! Nice people. Had Buffalo Chicken and Chicken parm pies and the only rice ball I've ever enjoyed. I'll go back next time we want to get a late night snack.
(4)
Thomas R.

They're open 24/7/365. That's pretty amazing. If you live nearby, the best advice I can give you is this - ask the staff which bread is in the oven or will be done soon or what just came out and is still hot. If you plan it right, you can get the best italian bread right as it comes out of the oven and is still hot and fresh. You can't beat it. Their calzones are also great. The pizza is good but you can do much better in the neighborhood. Avoid this place after 11pm any weekend night, especially when there is a bruins or celtics game or Justin Beiber concert at the garden. It's a drunk moron magnet. You will be tempted to hit people really hard. It's not worth it.
(5)
David S.

Open 24 hours. Great coffee and a mouth-watering selection, even at 4:00 AM. This is now my go-to place.
(4)
Robert C.

I purchased 2 cupcakes from Bova's Bakery, a vanilla and a chocolate. The cake of the vanilla cupcake was light and fluffy, exactly what I would expect from a box mix but the frosting was a bit gritty and not as smooth as I would have liked. The cake of the chocolate cupcake was burnt and it tasted like a box mix as well. The frosting on this one was a little better, but not enough to make up for the burnt taste of the cake. Also, the cupcake itself wasn't even so it kept rolling over onto the top (frosting side) whenever you tried to put it down. The girl working behind the counter did know if their cupcakes were baked from scratch or if they used a box mix. From the taste and texture alone I'd say it was a box mix because they tasted like what you would get from an elementary school cupcake sale. When you pay that much for cupcake you should get more than a generic product.
(2)
Lucie M.

Their arancini were mostly horrible, soggy, congealed rice although the meatball at the center of one wasn't bad but the marinara was disappointing. Their whoopie pie was crumbly and fell apart in my hands. Their pecan pie was sugar on a flavorless crust. Way over priced!
(2)
Derek C.

My Italian great-grandparents had been going here since the 1930's and it's still there. It's another North End gem. It is smaller and not within the tourist trap Hanover Street craze. They have a great selection of pastries, pies and calzones. It's a smaller selection than some of the other bakeries, but the calzones and ricotta pies are my fave.
(4)
Marcy L.

Setting: North End, Boston Time: Saturday night, 10pm Mission Objective: pastry Plan of action: bring cash to Modern Pastry *FAILED - line around the block and rations running low* Plan of action: painfully resort to Mike's Pastry *FAILED - packed full of tourists* Plan of action: locate pastry shop of legend (supposedly open late) *ACCOMPLISHED* Excuse me, Bova, but where have you been all my life?! A bakery with a MASSIVE selection (cookies, breads, fresh pastas, cakes, pastry, deli, sandwiches, pizza) that is miraculously open 24/7 (...my backside is thankful that I don't live within walking distance). Located at the corner of Prince and Salem Streets, Bova has been an established sweet spot for eighty years! The prices are reasonable (the same or slightly lower than Hanover Street fixtures) and they take cash OR card (mwahahahah - I never carry cash and I always love an anise cookie). When I happened to visit, Nick (kind of a cheeky bloke, but still courteous) took my order and gathered up all the goodies for me. Our treat selection included: a mini Ã©clair (perfectly sweet cream), a Reese's peanut butter bar (my brother said that it was one of the best he's had), a piece of peanut butter pie (kind of a dry crust and VERY sweet, but what else was he expecting?), and one chocolate-dipped pizzelle for the walk back to the car, thanks! I think that the "grand total" ended up being something like 12$ (not bad for all that loot!). At 10pm on a clear and unseasonably warm Saturday evening, there was NO line (one person in front of me) so there was no pressure to make a hasty and often somewhat underwhelming selection - amazing and unheard-of on Hanover. The selection was HUGE (and they were bringing out fresh reinforcements while I was browsing); whoopee pies, giant cookies, lobster tails, cream puffs, carrot cake, hand pies, cannoli, pizza dolce, and on and on and on! It just goes to show you what is out there, beyond the "tourist Boston." Explore the side streets, and you may just find one or two hidden gems you've been searching for all the while.
(4)
Jenn B.

Pizza is good for a late night snack but count your change! Twice I was given the wrong amount of change. First time I chalked it up to a mistake but when it happen again I was leery of going back.
(2)
Amber B.

SKIP THE LONG LINES AT MIKE'S AND MODERN PASTRY...walk a few extra steps to BOVA'S! I have been telling people this for years. Down narrow Salem Street in the North End, just on the abyss of residences and classic restaurants like LoConte's, is this great pastry shop. They sell dinner plates as well, but I have been craving their colorful cookies (pistachio macaroons, YUM!) at all hours for a long time now. This is fine though, because they are open 24 hours! Please try next time you're in the North End. You'll convert too!
(4)
Mark G.

WOW!! Bova's is awesome. All the locals recommended we go to Bova's instead of Mikes. Have no made it to Mike's yet, but Bova's was amazing. Amazing selection of canoli's in addition to every other type of pastry you can imagine. We bought a sample pack of cookies and every one of them was delicious. We also bought a pistachio and an Oreo canoli that were both excellent. I had to drag the wife out of there because she was a kid in a cake shop :). While we were in there, many, many, locals visited and made recommendations to us. The owners/folks behind the counter were a little frustrated because no-one could decide what they wanted. Recommend Bova's!!!
(4)
Craig F.

Skip the overcrowded touristy bakeries of the North End and walk one street over to Bova's! The quality of baked goods, cookies, and most importantly the cannoli's are top notch and I believe better than Mike's. The service provided at Bova's is very friendly and they are willing to help a customer more than just make a sale. We had wanted to take cannoli's home to Mom and since our hotel did not have a refrigerator in the room I asked if they would keep overnight at room temperature. The employee was honest and said they would not keep and wouldn't recommend me buying them. Since Bova's is open 24hrs he said to stop by in the morning and then keep them in the trunk and they would be fine. This is what I did and Mom loved them! Step over to Salem Street and make Bova's your new North end Bakery!
(5)
Ambrose C.

It's 3:50 AM in the darkest period of the night, and you are still in the city after a fun and adventurous night that might have involved a lot of action. Suddenly, you have this hunger to get something to eat, maybe something sweet. Where should you go? Finding something that's available and really good at that time of night is really rough, especially in the somewhat decent city of Boston where the 24 hour eatery is extremely hard to find, but if you end up in a situation that dire, and you are still in the city, this place should have your answer. Open 24 hours per day, this place serves a huge variety of desserts, and pre-made ready to eat Italian-American dishes. If you just want some creamy desserts, their cannoli and their Sfogliatelle pastry are great choices. The cannoli is pre-made but the ricotta cream has a nice sweetness and creaminess. The shell is a little hard, but has a nice crisp that made the cannoli tasty. They do not put powdered sugar on it, so you may have to ask. The Sfogliatelle is also a great alternative. Sfogliatelle is the more Italian term to describe the Italian-American "lobster tail" pastry. This is a shell-shaped pastry usually filled with ricotta cream in Italy, but this version is filled with French cream. I really liked the sweetness of the French cream, tasted fairly fresh. Combined with the chewy texture of the pastry, and this was a great dessert. A great advantage this place has is that they serve this pastry in various sizes, from a small snack-sized version to a big version for a few people. As for hot meals, they have a huge selection of pasta dinners for you to take home and eat. They also serve Arancini (fried rice balls) as well, but this place is not high on my recommendations to get Arancini even though they look really tasty to eat. Why? I actually ordered a spinach and cheese Arancino, and when I started eating it, I was really disappointed in the texture. The Arancino was brittle, did not have that crispiness that I was looking for. It's probably not worth spending $4.50 for a piece. The calzones they serve here are better, but they do not heat them up thoroughly. I had a Chicken Parmigiana calzone here, and I really liked the warm chewiness of the bread, and the chicken was decently good, but the center of the calzone was a little cold. Despite this, I was able to get my stomach full from a calzone. They are a little expensive at $7.50 a piece. Overall, this bakery is a great choice if you need something to eat after a night out in the city, but the Arancini is not that great. The major advantage this place has is that it is open 24 hours per day, and the quality of the food is significantly better than getting food from a convenience store like a 7-Eleven but somewhat better than a great convenience store like a Wawa. Good quality desserts and adequately good Italian-American meals served 24 hours per day. Now that's what I call client dedication right there. If they can improve on serving the hot Italian-American dishes, this could have a lot of potential to be the best 24 hour eatery in Boston.
(4)
Faith D.

Open 24/7. Need I say more? As you enter you are greeted by sweet smells of pastries. The glass cases are stocked with beautifully decorated cookies, cannolis, and cakes. Makes you feel like a kid, wide eyed, excited, and wanting it all! My husband and I stayed in the North End on our trip to Boston and stopped here every night after our long days of walking the city. It was a great way to end the day.
(5)
James D.

Good as Mike's, but you aren't forced to wait in a ridiculously long line for 2+ hours. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Kelly B.

A group of 5 of us went out for a team dinner and decided to stop in after dinner. Love that they are open late and service was just like it should be during the day. Fantastic!!! Tons of items to choose from and its very hard to just buy one dessert and leave. We were all like kids in a candy store!!! Great new find on my Boston restaurant hit list:)
(5)
Kayla C.

This place is my favorite North End bakery. Seriously, don't wait in line at Mike's or Modern. And this place is 24 hours. Uh, yes please. Everything I've gotten here has been delicious. My typical go-tos are chocolate chip cannolis and chocolate-covered strawberries. I've also had the seasonal pumpkin cannoli, cream puff, peanut butter ball, apple turnover, chocolate cheesecake of some sort, and cupcakes. All were phenomenal. The only down side is how small this place is. While it makes it cute and proves how family-run it actually is, it also makes it difficult for many people to be there at once making pastry decisions. Doesn't matter though; all of the staff is friendly and rather patient, considering the crowd that wanders in sometimes. Seriously, go here. Walk further down Salem and make it happen.
(5)
Brian R.

Amazing old school bakery packed with people but, with stuff this good, you can understand why. Killer strudel, btw.
(5)
Liliana C.

Everything we got was totally SO-SO--except for the FLORENTINE CANNOLI. It looks kind of ugly, so we asked what it was out of pure curiosity's sake. Turns out, it's TOTALLY AND INCREDIBLY AMAZING. Also, this place is open 24 hours. Weird, but great. Yes, the florentine cannoli was worth all 5 stars.
(5)
John J.

I love this place and used to go by once a week for bread. Their Italian cookies are the best in the North End. I always go a slice of pizza as well and it is delicious cold. Needless to say there is no parking so park outside the North End. Once in a while you get an employee who does not feel like slicing a fresh loaf. Stand your ground unless it is hot right out of the oven.
(4)
Nick F.

I can't say enough good things about Bova's. Coming from an Italian family on Long Island and going to school in Boston- Bova's was my home away from home. Every time I walked in I was greeted with a boisterous hello and treated like royalty. Customer service aside- the food was some of the best I've ever had- desserts and non-desserts alike. My favorite was their varieties of Arancini.
(5)
Rachel R.

Bova's has every kind of Italian food you'd expect/hope for from a bakery in the North End. From a hundred kind of cookies, to ricotta pies, souffles, cakes, breads, a deli, and pastas, they've pretty much got you covered. It's not top-quality in any way, shape, or form, but it's all there. However, that's not the important part. There are TONS of bakeries in the area that could offer you the exact same thing. But do they offer you all of that at 3 a.m.? At 11 p.m.? At 1 a.m.? (but most importantly, 3 a.m.) Bova's can. 'Nuff said.
(3)
Rob L.

Just can't beat a 24hr bakery. Come here late at night for some rice balls and stromboli or get some of the neighborhoods best pastries. The lobster tail and Boston cream cake are some of the best I've ever had. This place is off the main drag in the north end and worth the extra walk.
(5)
Melinda H.

Skip crazy busy Mike's and Modern to come to this other amazing bakery. Staff is very friendly and helpful, and everything we got was delicious. There is a chocolate cake that is life changing, and the cannolis are also great. Also, open 24 hours a day!
(5)
Bianca B.

I never knew cannoli could be so good. While waiting for our dinner reservations at Neptune, we explored the snow-covered neighborhood. It was still an hour until dinner, so to keep our stomachs quiet, we wandered into Bova's. The smells hit me 1st. Sweet, sugary wafting between garlic and fresh bread, aka heaven-scent! Since dinner was soon, we decided to share a pistachio cannoli. It was so delicious, that after we were stuffed full of great oyster and lobster, we went back for 6 more cannoli and a prosciutto and asparagus calzone. We thought we would bring them back home to share, but at the rate we are going, they may all be gone tonight! The staff were very efficient at what they do and it was easy to sense the pride they all took in their products and service. After leaving this place, we noticed several folks walking around with boxes from Mikes. After yelping and walking by mikes, we knew we picked the right bakery. We surely will return to Bova's any time we are in Boston.
(5)
David C.

How does this place get away with being more expensive than Modern and Mike's when it's not even half as good (or popular)? Maybe it's the whole being open 24/7/365 thing. Some people must just need stale cannoli and lobster tails at 3 am on Thanksgiving.
(2)
Peter K.

Great old time Italian bakery in the Italian North End of Boston. Big selection of Italian pastries, cookies, and cannolis. Open 24/7
(5)
Thomas S.

We were walking to Modern Pastry when we walked by Bova's. We peeked inside and decided to stop here instead. There was no line and looked less touristy. We got chocolate biscotti, peanut butter cheese cake, and a loaf of scala bread. The server was very friendly and showed a lot of patience with us. We enjoyed the cheesecake the most. Definitely a neighborhood gem.
(4)
Kelly B.

Way better than Mike's pastry. The locals go here.....no line and open 24 hours. No lines also. The have stromboli....pizza too. The coconut cake was ok. I am a southern girl and I think we make it better. It lacked a coconut taste to me. The cannolis of course were heaven and the eclairs.
(5)
ricardo j.

personally, I cannot respect any bakery with PRE-STUFFED cannolis! NO WAY! that crosses out MIKE'S, VITTORIO'S and BOVA'S! Left standing are MODERN PASTRY (still the best!), Caffe Parsdiso and a few others.
(3)
Tom S.

Fruit tart was okay, fruit was fresh but custard was just so so and the crust was soft and not very tasty. Boston creme cake was alright. Disappointed after reading the good reviews.
(3)
Lily C.

My friends got my birthday cake from here! It was a delicious strawberry cake and it was huge. People argue over whether Bova's has better cannoli than Mike's. I'm no expert but I despise lines, so Bova's wins by a longshot. They're also open 24 hours so they get an extra star. The selection is gigantic so if you're in the mood for cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, bread... they have it all. Not feeling sweets? There's sandwiches, calzones, pizza.. makes me wonder how they can produce so many different types of things and still make it taste decent - but it works!
(4)
Lucy W.

The girl behind the counter was understandably confused when I asked for 2 cookies. I guess everyone that goes in there orders pounds of pastries and sweets, and I can't blame them! This bakery looks like they have a large variety of delicious cookies, pastries, and other Italian baked goods...it took a lot of willpower not to buy out the whole bakery case. I was wandering around North End and just needed a snack. Great value, and the raspberry bowtie cookies were delicious. There was a funny moment going on in the background during my transaction...one of the employees (or owner?) was recounting a previous customer experience...apparently, a woman had come into the bakery earlier that day asking if they had gluten and butter free baked goods...the employee's reaction was "um, you know we're an Italian bakery that uses flour &butter, right?" Seriously...if you need special baked goods, check out a specialty bakery or Whole Foods...don't change a thing, Bova's!
(4)
Emma F.

Don't waste your time waiting in the long lines for other main street bakeries. This was absolutely delicious and off the beaten path. We got the german chocolate cake, a red velvet whoopie pie, and strawberry cream parfait. They were divine!
(5)
Anthony M.

I have to consider myself pretty lucky to live about 2 minutes from this great bakery. First off, ITS OPEN 24 HOURS! Yes, thats right, 24 hours. The place never closes. The bakery is stacked with bread, cookies, cakes, various deserts, pizzas, calzones and arancinis (rice balls, for you non-italians ;). All made in house, what could would better?! Well the only problem is that the place is pretty damn packed for the most part and the place is fairly small, so navigating through can be difficult. Not nearly as crowded as Mike's Pastry, but its just as good! Seriously go here instead! There is nothing better than grabbing a piece of pizza or a calzone at 2am post bar night, along with a piece of cake for that matter. Everything is fairly inexpensive and is very affordable even for the average college student. So if you're ever in the North End, Salem Street to be exact, do yourself a favor and stop by. You wont be disappointed!
(5)
Travis C.

Most amazing Italian sub I have ever tasted. The bread on this sandwich was extraordinary. Highly recommended! Very inexpensive as well. $ 7.50 for large sandwich.
(5)
Kim D.

Bova's has amazing pastries! A calzone from Bova's is always great too. Can't say enough about this place
(5)
Alissa S.

Forget Mikes or Modern. This place is like going into Willy Wonka's candy store. Huge selection of beautiful pastries and cookies, everything fresh, never a long wait. Black & white cookies are my favorite- today they had some kind of version only with peanut butter/chocolate and crumbled Reeses. WHAT!? They clearly know the key to my heart.
(5)
Yasmine S.

I come here often especially because its open 24 hours! My favorite is the chocolate cake and chocolate mousse, I love it because the chocolate is rich. The cake is always moist and the mousse is always soft. They are always fresh. However, the service isn't always the best, they could be a little nicer.
(4)
Niki Elizabeth W.

I'm tired of your rude "i dont owe you anything attitude." Your food isnt that great, your pastry's are terrible... The only two things you have going for your is the fact that your open 24 hours, and that your bread is pretty good and most always fresh when you need it. Other than that, there are so many other hidden gems int he North End. This place is a gathering nest for every drunk girl/guy @ 2am.
(3)
Jack H.

Forget standing in line at the other two famous bakeries...they are good, but this place is THE BEST!!! The owner Ralph is frequently on location and will treat you and your children like royalty-frequently offering you tastes of his favorites. A true class act and throwback to what the North End is really all about. You can't leave Boston with a Regina's pizza or Bova's cannoli!
(5)
Kevin L.

i went here the other night and all i can say is why did i not come here sooner. wide variety of goods . the pizza is the bomb,strawberry shortcake is to die for as well as the cheesecake and cookies and if its available get the bread pudding you will not be disapointed
(5)
Catherine H.

This place is such an amazing find! I come here every Saturday after I go to Haymarket to buy some fresh bread. They even slice it for you for a quarter! The sweets are really good too
(5)
Brandy W.

Well, well, well. Perhaps the best thing we ate in all of Boston were two cookies from this joint. The place was packed and it didn't seem like there was anyone running the show. A bit confusing, but there are two cases of desserts and a refrigerator. I wanted cookies from the fridge, but of course no one was manning that area. I was standing near some kid (maybe 10?) and his mom who seemed to work there. I asked the kid who I talk to about getting cookies from the fridge. Like he owns the place, he walks over with swagger, nods his head for me to follow him, and cuts through the line to grab a couple cookies for me. I pay him my $2 and head on my way. Weird experience. But whatever. Because about 3.5 seconds later, my husband and I were indulging in what could be the most amazing cookies we'd ever had. A coconut macroon dipped halfway in chocolate and a vanilla-almond cookie covered with sliced almonds. Lordy. TWO measly cookies and we're still talking about them a week later.
(5)
Katy M.

This place is definitely overlooked in comparison to Mike's, and it shouldn't be-the pastries and treats are really good. Definitely a nice hidden gem.
(4)
Robert H.

Since I was working nearby I had occasion to get an Italian Sub a few times, it was superb every time. excellent roll, way above par meat. My only problem is the wait.
(4)
Ian C.

Bova's is a little family run bakery filled with a variety of sweets and other goods. I tried several different bakeries in the area looking for good cannolis. While many of the bakeries offered more variety when it came to flavors the consistency and balance of the chocolate filled cannoli I ordered was perfect in my opinion. Even if you're not looking for cannolis I'm sure you will find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.
(5)
Rachel M.

If you're in Boston, near the North End, and plastered after the bars...trot on down to Salem Street to Bova's and munch on some yummy goodness. Or even if you're sober, hell, go here. It's delicious. I've come here to get cupcakes & cannoli around the feasts. So good. Hits the spot when you want a late night snack (they're open 24 hours). I deducted a star because they didn't serve pizza past a certain time...and my friends and I were hankering for some at 2:30am after driving back from Fitchburg. Some random drunk dudes outside offered us $20 for pizza. I declined twice -- I'm not one to take money from randoms. How awful would that be to wake up and be like "dude, I'm $20 short?! What happened?" My friend, on the other hand, snatched it up and we moseyed on over a few streets to a restaurant where they served pizza til like, 4am. I didn't have any guilt, because I didn't take his money. Poor dude's friend probably was like "you offered it to some girls to buy pizza. One girl didn't want to take it, but her friend did. And pizza is what they had". So moral of the story is you can get a cupcake or something here past 2am, but not pizza. :(
(4)
Jason M.

In the Battle for Cannoli Supremacy, Bova's wins every time. First and foremost, Bova's is open 24 hours a day. So, when I decide I want a cannoli at 3:30am, I can go to Bova's and no one will judge me. Secondly, Bova's isn't crawling with tourists and screaming children who are covered in cannoli cream, touching everything and getting their icky mid-western germs on you. Third, while some bakeries rely upon having unusual pastry cream flavors, Bova's is more than some gimmicky flavored cream... the're filled to the brim with other pastries, cookies, treats, breads and more. Plus, pizzas and sandwiches? Perfect. Finally, 24 hours. Did I mention that?
(5)
Claire J.

3.5 stars a bakery that's open 24 hours. We came here twice and it was late night. Expect some drunks during those times. Service is so-so except for this guy who says he's half vietnamese. He provided better service and talked to us. Stuff we tried: cannoli - my friend thinks it's the best one, I can't tell compared to Modern Pastry pistachio cookies - inedible because they use fake flavoring and it was sooo strong i couldn't really eat it other cookie - almond i think, better than the pistachio. sandwiches - for late night munchies, it was okay. You eat it because you're either drunk, tired from dancing, sleepy or just hungry. Never been here in the daytime, but late night can get busy but not really.
(3)
Tyler R.

"Um, excuse me, I - I think you forgot my bread. Bread, two dollars extra. Two dollars? But everyone in front of me got free bread. You want bread? Yes, please. Three dollars! What? "No soup for you!" While Bova's isn't quite the same as the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld, I can't help but compare some of my experiences here... See, Bova's makes a kick-ass sub, in fact, the best Italian I've ever had. (Such a strange, wonderful combination of meats, the best bread, and just the right about of hots, tomatoes, and lettuce.) I've come here from high and low, (even out of state) to get a delicious, delicious monster meal. CAVEAT. They make the best subs, but most of the people behind the counter hate making them. Hate like big sighs, eye rolls, and even a flat out NO here and there, depending on how crowded it is. (NO meaning wait until I take care of the line first.) Sub creation really is quite a process - they slice all the meats (and make the tuna) to order, add the toppings just so, wrap it up nicely...a good sub can take anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes. This is a mega deviation from the usual pick up a loaf of bread / a slice of 'za / a few pastries get in and get out business. To get the most out of your sub creating experience, I recommend you simply call ahead and order over the phone. Give them time to make it on their schedule, and all parties are pleased. If not...I recommend lots of comments, lots of flattery, and a cash tip. Get your face out there. Bat those eyes. Smile that smiley smile. The more you talk and be nice and say please, the more apt they are to make your sandwich with a smile on their face - or at the very least, a muted look of mild content. Get a sub and end it with a giant black and white cookie. I dare you not to enjoy that. I've had a variety of pastries, cookies, brownies, etc...and I definitely think Bova's has a giant leg up on Mike's or Modern Pastry. Don't forget a party pack of biscotti on your way out after you've ordered everything else. -- so, so good. It's like dessert after your dessert. Plus, they are open 24-hours. So after a night of drinking that ends promptly at 2am, head over for some bread, pastries, and maybe even a slice of pizza. Just don't think about ordering a sandwich - that's not likely to happen. They clean and close that slicer somewhere between 9 and 10pm (sometimes earlier, sometimes later) every night, so while Bova's itself doesn't close, a late arrival almost guarantees no sandwich for you. Other tips: Don't talk about Bova's with your family so much so that they ask you to bring home a sub for everyone on your way back to CT. Ordering 6 sandwiches at a time is nonsense. Don't even bother trying to find a space. Take the T or park elsewhere and just walk. I can count on the fingers and toes of several, several hands and feet how many times I visited Bova's when I lived in the area, and probably count on the fingers of two hands how many times I actually found a legit spot. And by legit, I mean in North End Resident parking, crossing my fingers I wouldn't get a ticket.
(5)
Marissa C.

It's open late! It has whoopie pies that look like the Cookie Monster! You can get bread, hot food, and pastries, all in the same place! The only thing that I haven't cared for here were the peanut butter bars (not peanut buttery enough!), but everything else has been delish!
(4)
Andrea B.

Okay, we all know that the cannoli at Bova's are not filled to order. They're not as fresh as what you'd get elsewhere in the North End. But are they still delicious? You betcha! I love their peanut butter cannoli in particular. Try them, and you'll be a very happy camper indeed. The PB filling is neither too light nor too heavy. It's just perfect. I'm definitely not the biggest cannoli fan on the planet, but I've never wolfed down anything as fast as I gobbled up that piece of peanut buttery goodness. It was not a pretty sight. It's probably a good thing that Bova's is open 24/7, because me eating anything with that much ferocity is probably not something that should be seen in broad daylight.
(4)
Vicky H.

There are so many pastry places in the North End and this definitely isn't one of my favorites. There is a big variety here that you can choose from, from pastries to food but what's lacking is social skills, or perhaps that's how these folks talk to customers and perhaps i am not used to it. It's sorta how Chinese folks talk/behave when eating in Chinatown. Regardless, i love the variety, the location but I don't particularly like the service and there is no place to eat what you buy so you'd have to take out. Yesterday, I tried the Rice Balls Arancini. They had a good variety but at the same time they were out most of the stuff i liked. Here's a list of what was offered: Meatball, Pepperoni, Beef, Buffalo Chicken, Prosciutto and Spinach. They were out all except Pepperoni, Buffalo Chicken and Prosciutto so I got the pepperoni. She had to microwave it in the oven because it was already cold. I had her cut it for me because it would have been amazingly hard to eat a baseball size rice ball. I asked about cheese or sauce but they don't have cheese to top it and to add some extra pasta/marinara sauce was an extra 50 cents. WOW, really? the rice ball was already $4!!! and mind you, it wasn't worth it at all. You're better off with just getting a slice of pizza or something instead. And this was, again, CASH ONLY place!
(2)
Julia K.

They have pumpkin cannoli, which really says it all. You can find every Italian pastry under the sun here. What you won't find are the crazy crowds seen at Mike's, even though Bova's is just around the corner and down the street. I'm not sure about the sandwiches sitting out there on the table, but I know that the lobster tails and the cannoli were delicious, and the service was excellent. It's a small space but it is chock-a-block. Plus, open 24 hours? Amazing! Reasonable prices - you pay for quality.
(5)
Stephan B.

So I was exploring Boston's North End last night with a couple of my buddies and we came across this place, I ordered an Italian calzone and sheesh, I'll tell you first hand that it was the best calzone I've ever had, the quality of the meats was great, the dough was amazing, downright delicious. I didn't have any pastries, and after reading reviews of this place and how great they are, I'm kind of kicking myself for it! Oh well, that just gives me an excuse to pop back in next time I'm up there! I work at an Italian market down in providence and your food blows mine out of the water! Nice friendly people there too! Thanks!
(5)
L J.

This Bakery is the real deal in the North End! Forget the other bakeries and standing in line for their mediocre fare. This is a hidden gem a native friend told me about. I ordered an arancini, baklava, and a cannoli. As soon as I walked out, I dug into the spinach arancini ball! It was amaze ball! So good and filling. The dessert pastries are fresh and delightful! They offer calzones and pizza that looked Delish. Open 24 hours, how much better can a bakery get? I'll need to do a stop off before leaving Boston...
(4)
Dawn B.

If you want real Italian cookies or a good sandwich Bova's is the place for you. I figured I had to be able to comment about a wide variety food options so I bought some bread, cookies and a calzone. Ok, ok in reality I'm an American with Italian grandparents and have been since birth taught to obsess over good Italian baked goods, you caught me. The aroma outside of the bakery will lure in any individual with a good concept of Italian baking. The Italian bread was baked correctly was the perfect consistency; soft inside and crisper crust. The calzone had the perfect ratio of cheese to broccoli and chicken and really made you want more. And finally the cookies were so tasty as the ones I purchased were a mix between biscotti and chocolate chip cookies. If you love biscotti this cookie was made for you. One word to the wise however, in minutes the lines here got long mostly because the bakery owners take the time and attention to take eat order and talk to their customers. The people in front of me took 10min to finish ordering, but the baked goods and food was definitely worth the wait.
(4)
Gordon B.

I love Bova's, but today I was treated with such disdain by a bald employee. The nice woman helped us get our arancini and calzones. We told her we would be getting some baked goods as well. We waited at the baked goods counter, where the bald employee ask if anyone was helping us. "Well, that woman was, but she's helping someone else now." He told us she would help us, an asked who was next, as if he wasn't able to help us. So i ordered my sweets, and when he asked if there was anything else, I said yes, the arancini and calzones. And then he got mad at me because he helped me when he thought he shouldn't have, I guess. I was talking to my wife as he stared me down and demanded that I say, "I'm done." before he would stop staring me down. Great food, and usually an excellent Customer service experience - except for the angry bald man who stares down customers
(3)
Toni F.

Great cannoli, sfugliatelle! And their Stromboli sandwiches are huge and filled with anything from chicken to eggplant to italian meats to asparagus and prosciutto. AMAZING! Much better than Mike's Pastry in my opinion. And they are open 24 hours!
(5)
Stacey C.

Those cannolis were absolutely amazing. I'll be making the 50 mile drive again soon! Well worth it!!
(4)
Natalie T.

This place is nothing short of incredible! Tons of different options for pastries, calzones, and pizzas. Cookies the size of your head! Everything is delicious and the staff is very nice and patient. There isn't really a line to this place, and it is kinda small so if you're near an employee who's not busy, go to them. Make sure to get a slice of pizza and a sweet!
(5)
Anthony P.

1.) Just to warm you up: You ever had an experience at a place, where, you walk out and think about it every time after that? It was a late night and my boys and I were hungry for something saucy and cheesy, so we decided to come to this place. 2.) What your eyes may see: A nice deli style place with pastries and other food displayed. There were pastries stacked on top of each other. I loved the massive amount of pastries. They were not serving calzones or slices. Damn! ;( 3.) Food: They served hot pockets in styro foam boxes. I got a chicken parm hot pocket and the cannoli. The chicken parm hot pocket was thick with chicken, so you get for what you pay for.....a great amount of chicken. Then there was the.......ahhhhhhhh *heavenly sound*....... The cannoli. It was so rich, so creamy, so awesome! I thought about it the day after. This cannoli was in my dreams. The cream was more of an ice cream consistency. 4.) Impressions: I came back again the next day just to get the cannoli!!! You already know, I am back!!
(4)
Jessica S.

one star just for being open all the time, pretty cool. Amazing variety of stuff at any given time. Good cannoli. Red velvet whoopie pie is really good, none of that sickly sweet stiff cream in the middle. light and airy. cherry cheesecake is good, not as sweet as some, very good cherries. the strawberry shortcake was fresh but had few strawberries, weird. it was mostly a strawberry sauce, not cool. it was like they added a few strawberries to the edge to make it look good but the entire center was just sauce soaked into the cake. no go. cake squares of all types there are way too big. i prefer normal sized portions. meatball cheese calzone was good once i added marinara at home but they dont give it to you. maybe if you ask for it? plain meatballs arent good in general so add sauce. the staff was very nice and helpful and they take credit cards
(3)
Weronika P.

love love love that place. The best pastry ever!!!
(5)
Adrianna C.

As a North End resident, I don't really get the hype of Mike's Pastry, and I'd rather not wait in a ridiculous line for tourists to decide over what pastry they want. With that said....Bova's is every college kid's dream, a 24 hour bakery! It's even open on snowy days (I went in and stocked up on pastries for the snow storm Nemo) and holidays. I love that it's family owned, and I went to high school with the Bova family so of course I need to support a hometown business. They are always speedy even when there's a line, and sometimes they know my order for a red velvet slice. Whenever I host parties, I always make sure to get a loaf of their bread, it's phenomenal and so fresh (amazing when it's warm). I also like the late night pizzas, and everything is reasonably priced! They accept debit/credit but it's a $10 minimum. Love Bova's!!!
(5)
Robert M.

While walking around in the North End neighborhood of Boston (before catching a plane at Logan Airport), I somehow found myself drawn to the outside exterior of Bova's Bakery. This place isn't fancy, in fact, the old, weather worn exterior seemed to authenticate it and elevate it above than the other bakeries that I passed by in the area. Great bakery and sub shop on Salem St. The chocolate chip cannoli is fantastic ($2.75 a piece). There is no place to sit and eat so you have to be content to take your oder to go.
(4)
Joelle K.

Bova's has the BEST sandwiches around, hands down! The bread is always fresh out of the oven and so so tasty! I get a turkey sandwich every time and could go back every day. I don't go there for pastries very often, but have been happy with the cookies and cakes that I have had so far.
(5)
Brian K.

Cannolis are pre-made but still delicious. I don't know about the other stuff. Maria's is still the best.
(4)
Keith B.

Good memories of going here. Dating back many years on a wintery night, I recently returned for work and eat in the North end and went to Bova afterwards for a cannoli. Smell is great. Can't wait to go again.
(4)
Todd G.

Yahtzee! I've been sneaking over to this place after hitting Regina's for over 20 years. It remains the planet's best kept secret for Italian pastry junkies, such as myself. Tucked away one street over from Hanover, (the main drag where you're sure to find the bumbling herd fighting to get into both Mike's and Modern), Bova's is the real deal-Italian-backstreet-neighborhood-bakery. But don't take my word for it. Try either of the Ms and then swing down to Salem Street and hit Bova's; once you do, you'll never need to haunt Hanover again.
(5)
Alyn P.

Tried out this place after a late night out on a Friday night. They have a lot of stuff at this bakery and I got their plain cannoli. I thought it was pretty good, but nothing special really about it. I also think this may have been because I came through this place around 1 AM, so don't think what they had out was fresh anymore. The cool thing about this place is it's 24/7. So if you have a late night craving for some pastries / sweets, this is an option. However in terms of location it's a bit sketchy if you're not from Boston like myself and unfamiliar with the area. I felt like I had to go through a few dark streets to get to this place and that didn't give me the best sense of security. Overall, think the flavor of their stuff is okay. But it's definitely good to know that it's there when you have those weird hour cravings.
(3)
Sarah A.

Only place in Boston I know of that you can get cannoli's 24/7 just in case you live in The North End and need your pastry fix at 3am. I went there tonight for the first time in years. Everything looked very fresh and the guy at the counter was very nice. They have a large selection of pastries and cookies. If you want something other then sweets you can also order a sub. I got a black and white cookie. I had a small piece of it and it was very yummy will save the rest for another day since it was so big. Definitely a hidden gem in The North End.
(4)
Andrea S.

Forget about Mike's Pastry... Bova's is absolutely the best. Open all night long, they offer everything you could ever want for a post night out feast and more. Never have to wait in a line which is awesome! Great quality and incredibly friendly staff. (They don't mind if your a bit tipsy and indecisive) I make sure to always bring out of town guests here for the best North End experience.
(4)
Mairead N.

We came here to get some treats and boy were we not disappointed at all. In the summer is is hot as hell, like they do not have AC. But that does not stop it from being busy, busy! The staff are friendly and so accommodating. We ordered eclair and cannoli and they were delicious...need I say more? Just go and see for yourself, delish!
(5)
Erika G.

One early morning- think 2am- I am awoken by my boyfriend who has finally decided to stumble his drunk self home. While this would normally annoy me, this time he came bearing gifts: 2 aranchinis, 2 cannolis, 6 rainbow cookies, and 2 slices of cheesecake. I know I was delirious from my abrupt awakening, but I immediately stuffed my face and was happy. Two weeks later, we are out together, wandering the streets on our way to the mecca of drunken delight. The scene there is similar to "late night" at college- you know, when the dining hall is open and all they serve is chicken fingers and fries. Well trade your fried food for Italian specialties but keep the drunk/ stoned kids and you get Bova's. We got an amazing spread of food all for 23 dollars. So I would say, its also pretty cheap. Can I say that it is the best Italian bakery in the city? Absolutely not. In fact if you plan on walking in sober- DONT. But its the best Italian bakery that's open after midnight, and for that we give it 3 stars.
(3)
Theresa M.

A 24 hr. bakery in the North End!!! What's not to love!!! This is a great place to hit up after a night on the town; bring your friends. I don't go there often, but I'm always happy after a Bova's run. Don't be surprised at how busy it is in the wee hours of the morning...my recommendation for treats: calzone and Oreo cake!!! Delicious...
(5)
Thom G.

So fresh, so delicious, so Italian. Mmmmm
(5)
Leslie A.

Bova's is open 24 hours which is way too convenient for that unhealthy delicious bakery food you shouldn't be eating at all hours of the night but is way too good to pass up.
(4)
Kemberli P.

SO GOOD. Never a long line. Open 24 hours, even on holidays. Delicious cannoli's & lobster tails - our two faves! Credit cards only accepted for transactions over $10!
(5)
Catherine K.

I lived down the street from Bova's and swear by their baked goods. Their chocolate cake, mini cannolis, and gigantic whoopie pies are the best. Also, if you find yourself looking for a late night bite to eat they have tasty Sicilian pizza slices and if you are lucky they sometimes make spinach mozzarella pastry turnovers. They are sooo good! I almost never go to Mike's Pastry anymore.
(5)
Danielle K.

Bova's is my favorite bakery in the North End. As an added bonus, they're open 24 hours. When friends who don't know any better want to go to Mike's, I stear them to Bova's instead and avoid the line from the tourist trap on Hanover St. I've never had a friend be disappointed. I always order a chocolate covered strawberry. My fiance is a fan of the half moon cookie. The minimum to pay with a credit card is pretty high, so be sure to save some cash for pastry at the end of the night. Or, you could do what my friends have done and just buy some more goodies to take home.
(5)
Jake L.

soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good, get the lobster tail delicious pastry filled with marscapone cheese and whipped cream. parking sucks, but i always go with two people so i can just get dropped off, do a run, and come back out
(5)
L. B.

I thought their pastries a bit lighter then Mikes, which were too heavy for me.
(4)
Ryan S.

Great cannoli and tiramisu. All homemade and fresh. Get some to go for family or friends ( if you can resist eating it all yourself!)
(4)
Mike C.

I like Bova's anisette biscuits. Dropped by two days ago to get a couple along with a few cookies. On the way out I noticed red velvet whoopie pies. It's been a few weeks since I swore off chocolate whoopie pies. Pumpkin whoopie pies were a loophole, and boy am I glad because I was able to get red velvet whoopie pies through the same loophole. The red velvet is no ordinary whoopie pie. Forget the cupcake craze. The quest ends here with the best cream cheese frosting you've probably ever tasted layered thickly between dense, moist, perfectly baked red velvet half-moons. I shouldn't be broadcasting this to the world because next time I wake up at 4am with wanderlust, how sad will it be if they're sold out!? You can choose regular size or mini. The mini is about as big as a cheeseburger, the regular looks like a whopper. I get the minis because I do a lot of yoga. Today I stocked up. Pretty stupid thing to do actually. Standing inside Bova's with visions of sharing inspires me to order five. As I put them in my backpack and hop on my bicycle, the little voice inside my head that knows what I'm up to wants to know who I plan to share them with. Supplies are dwindling and I still don't have an answer. Who wants a whoopie pie? I feel like sharing.
(5)
Sara C.

The bread here is delicious. You must try the scali bread. It's my favorite bread in the North End. I get a large loaf and serve up half for dinner. Then use the rest the next day for French toast. Other greats? Mini cannolis - I mean how great is that. Ricotta pie, chocolate bombes, baklava.... All taste treats! TIP: No matter where you get a cannoli in the North End get the traditional filling. The other fillings are like vanilla and chocolate instant pudding. (This is true for all the pastry shops.) Things I don't recommend: the sfogliatella (lobstertail) and the red velvet cake. The sfogliatella filling is too sweet and heavy, and the red velvet is dry and tasteless. Their "calzones" are more like bread pocket sandwiches. They are okay and will do in a pinch. For a while, they left them out on a table where people could fondle them. It grossed me out, but thankfully, they are now behind glass where they belong. Credit cards are accepted if you spend $10 or more.
(5)
Elizabeth G.

When you happen upon the fresh stuff it is great mostly stale and overpriced but open 24hrs.... go to place when White Hen is closed
(2)
Joe B.

My goodness. After eating a sub and a cannoli here tonight, I don't think I'll ever stand in line at Mike's or Modern again. That is, unless I'm on a date where she really twists my arm to go. Though, I think she'd appreciate the Bova's experience as well. Bova's Bakery is a decent trip down Salem Street, past some of the more "local" and less touristy restaurants and shops. There's no seating inside (*whomp whomp*) but that just disciplines you to wait until you get to a place where you can really enjoy your meal. They have a pastry counter and a meat counter, and there's a huge assortment of fresh pastries and bread to choose from. I ordered the Bova's sub, which contained prosciutto, mozzarella, and a very tasty oil. It was quite a bit of food - good thing that I walked the 2+ miles from work to "earn" my meal. Everything was incredibly fresh tasting and each ingredient complemented the others perfectly. This ranks up there with Bob's Italian Food Store in Medford as one of the best subs in the Boston area. I got a chocolate-covered chocolate chip cannoli as well. The shell was a little softer than I usually get, but I found that to be a pleasant surprise. The ricotta tasted nice and fresh, too. There were only about three other people there at 7pm on a Friday night, and only one was in front of me. The people behind the counter were friendlier than most other places I've been to in the North End. When I dropped a dollar from my change into the tip cup, the lady said, "Thank you very much, we really appreciate it." How often does that happen? I don't live in the North End, but I think I know where I"ll go after hours if I am ever hungry in the middle of the night. It seems like a great place to go regardless of the time of day. Stop in and enjoy!
(5)
Roberta R.

This local icon of a shop is one block off the "main drag" on Salem Street. It is the perfect place to pick up a few treats at any hour of the day or night. The calzones are terrific. You can pick up a large, eat some while walking around the neighborhood, then take the rest home for dinner the next day. Where else can you find a good meal in the North End for under $10? The late hours also make it a good place to stop after the bars have closed and you just need a little something to munch on during the walk back home to your condo, apartment, boat or hotel. Need some bread for a special family gathering? Pick it up at your convenience. The breads here make a great hostess gift when wine won't suit. Will need a bottle of wine to go with that fantastic bread? Monica's next door has a simple but sufficient selection.
(3)
Sean S.

We love this place better than Mike's OR Modern Pastry. Never crowded with tourists. No frills, just great tasting pastries!
(4)
Sasha M.

LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I've been to this bakery about 5 times these last few weeks...the owner is adorable and cheerful, the desserts are BOMBB. I always the the Tiramisu & Boston Cream Pie Cakes. I have a major sweet tooth and my cravings are always late late night so it's also great that it's open 24/7. BTW, if the owner is reading this, "It's me Anh! The little asian girl that comes in around 3 or 4am and buys out most your store! =) "
(5)
Kristen F.

I am in love! Mikes? Modern? No way. Bova's has my heart. From red velvet whoopie pies to baklava (spelling?) to giant cookie monster cookies to fruit tarts... mmm mmm good. Just thinking about it all my heart is about to beat out of my chest! Open all day everyday, everything is fresh, staff is nice... I'll say it again. Bova's I am in love with you!
(5)
Ann A.

Best calzones I've had in my life! Yummy cakes and pastries and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they're open 24 hours!
(5)
Marge F.

This place is the best bakery in the North End that I have experienced. I tried the most popular ones and was never overly impressed. We just sort of stumbled upon Bova's and were treated to a feast of choices. Yes, the ordering was a bit confusing..but like a normal person, we asked someone behind the counter if they could help us. And, like magic they came out and took the cookies from the fridge and got the rest of our order too. Cash only, I believe. We chose about five items, a pistachio cookie (amazing!), a couple of cream filled pastries (ah ah orgasmic!), and some sort of nut/chocolate cookie (to die for). We licked our fingers and shoved our faces while sitting at the waterfront looking like a pair of savages....but it was so worth it!
(4)
Sarah I.

bovas is the reason why i am now so curvy in the best way possible. hands down the best sweets 24/7 (amazing!!!!)
(5)
Irene L.

Not too sweet and the bakery is special, I will go again.
(4)
Toni M.

Pastries at 3AM- whats better than that?!?! Large selection of pastries, cookies, sandwiches and pizza all day and night for your convenience. YUM
(4)
H T.

This place is popular because it is trendy for yuppies who want to say they buy fresh baked bread, and drunk college students who are to drunk to tell how bad stuff is the chocolate cake has no chocolate. it is probably made from artificial chocolate flavoring and brown food coloring. the cheesecake is waaaay to sweet. doesnt even taste like cheesecake. The calzone i got was burnt on the bottom, and the pudding tastes like it came from a can. I've had better pudding from a Snak Pack. DO NOT be fooled by the other reviews. this place is terrible. total waste of 20 dollars and I'm never going back.
(1)
Sean J.

Reason's to go here instead of Mike's: 1. Much shorter lines 2. Equally if not better tasting pastries 3. Cheaper 4. No hype to live up to Seriously, go here instead and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Linda C.

Cute place n great cookies. I love how its tucked away from the tourist section. However mikes pastry still have the best cannoli in town
(4)
Dan W.

I don't care what anyone says, Bova's rules! Those mini-lobster tails (pastry shaped like a lobster tail) are insane at 2 in the morning. The sandwiches aren't half bad either. I also like the cheap coffee in the styrofoam cups. Open 24 hours! In the north end, where most shit closes early, it's great that this place exists.
(4)
Ella B.

Pluses: open 24 hours, lots of choices, convenient location. Negatives: sorta on a pricey side and I got a whole wheat tuscan loaf and it was meh. the other pastries are pretty good and they have mini cannollis, got a few of the biscotti and a mini red velvet whoopi cake. Overall, very happy with most of my purchases but the bread could use a little "oomph". $15 total purchase.
(4)
Sarah S.

Went there during feast of St Anthony for some pastries. biscotti was absolutely inedilble! Also had a black and white cookie which was extremely dry. whoopie pie was good and so wasn't the canoli. Maybe just a bad night to try a new bakery. Line at Mikes was three blocks.
(2)
Meridith H.

The bakery is small but popular, especially among the late night crowds. The fare, from pre-made cannoli to generous slices of red velvet cake to boxes of cookies to rice balls and calzones, is ok; it tastes better after a 16-hour work day or a late night out (hence the late night popularity). The service, however, is Bova's stumbling block. Many of the people who work here are helpful and pleasant. They know their customer base: tourists during the day and drunken 20-somethings at night, with the occasional local sweet-seeker darting in when the coast is clear. There are a couple of older employees, though, that will go out of their way to make you feel unwelcome. My husband & I frequent Bova's, and thought it would be fine to bring my mother there during her visit. The folks behind the counter were snippy and rude throughout our visit, answering my mother's question (is the cannoli filled with frosting or cheese - a reasonable question if you're coming from the Midwest) in a patronizing tone. They also had a miscommunication with my husband about his order, which was also dealt with in a patronizing tone (obviously just rectifying the problem was too hard without getting a dig in to my husband). After we left, my mother was generous to them, thinking that they must have had a bad day. I disagree; if you can't treat your customers with respect even after a bad day, you need to get out of the business. ADVICE: If you want to purchase Bova's treats without being insulted, peek in through the doorway to see who's working the counter. The young women are the nicest & most helpful, and the young men will do the job without putting you down. If there are middle-aged folks back there, try again later. Bova's treats are not good enough to risk ruining your mood for the day.
(2)
Chris C.

24 hour Italian bakery need I say more? So anytime you are out late in Boston and have that craving for something sweet they are there to help you out. So skip the overpriced tourist trap that is Mike's and support the true local North End bakery. Its also cheaper, the food is bettter and they offer way more options. The best option is the canoli, but I have liked everything I've ever ordered here. So I don't think you can go wrong.
(5)
Melissa G.

I don't know what happened between the last time I purchased bread and what I got yesterday, but I don't think I'll be buying Scali bread from Bova's again. I purchased one large and one small loaf, both unsliced, and regrettably, both entirely inedible. The breads were bone dry and flavorless. I usually can't wait for the bread to toast, so I eat a piece or two while waiting for pieces in toaster to cook. One word "Blech!" So bad I tried to think of ways to use the bread other than for sandwiches and toast....but I couldn't. Didn't want to waste my time making croutons or bread crumbs. I hope they were just having a bad day, but next time, I'm going to stick with my usual Scali bread supplier, Parziale's Bakery on Prince St.
(1)
Jimmy C.

The cannoli's are spot on!
(5)
Chip S.

A great spot in the north end. Walked in at lunch time and fresh cookies had just come out. The very nice woman gave me a super warm cookie to try and it was delicious. Grabbed a lobster tail and crushed it before I got back to the car. Was creamy and awesome.
(4)
Dora M.

the pizza was really good! One of the cheapest foods we had while in boston! I recommend their cannolis and the baklava and the biscotti! MUST GO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR CHEAP BUT GOOD FOOD IN BOSTON!
(4)
Melissa P.

Good pastries, good prices, open 24:7.
(4)
Lisette W.

Bova's is awesome...most definitely the best kept secret of the North End. The original cannoli with chocolate chips and cappuccino cannoli were delicious. Best part about Bova's is that they are open 24/7! Can't wait to try the chicken parm calzone and spinach arancini.
(5)
Corwin P.

Yes- Bread, Red Velvet anything, Yellow filled Canoli's No- Calzone, Italian Sub, Chicken Parm
(3)
Rebecca M.

My mom and I discovered Bova's on our walk through the North End and were very excited to try it. Especially because when walking through Boston one mostly see's Mike's Pastry boxes. However, we got to talk to the owners and he answered any question on everything in the place! Not to mention, this place is open 24 hours a day, it's almost unbeatable. My mom had one of their almond biscotti's and I had a cannoli (my first!!) and a whoopie pie (also my first). The biscotti and cannoli were amazing. Seriously, I am now afraid to eat one somewhere else. The only reason that this was not a five star rating was the whoopie pie, the chocolate cake was a bit dry and the filling was way overpowering. I think that this place is worth looking at and makes me want to try everything that they have! Thanks Bovas!!
(4)
Jim W.

Our favorite bakery in the North End. It seems like everyone has a favorite in this area. Some swear by Michael's or Modern. We've tried them and prefer Bova's. Bottom line in the North End-I still haven't found a bakery I didn't like. I'll try though, every time I'm in the North End. Sometimes when we're there we just go from shop to shop, buy a cannoli, step outside, eat it, move on to the next shop, buy a cannoli, repeat...
(4)
Courtney R.

They need smaller pastries so I can try more. I bought two and ate about three bites of each, but it took me about 15 minutes in the store to choose those two. Amazing. And it's 24 hours!! I walked here at 11:30 at night and it was heavenly.
(4)
rose n.

I love Bova. So much. I got lost in the North End my freshman year (yes, I know realize that's kind of sad, and mostly impossible) and found you. Now, after dinner, while my friends are waiting in line at Mike's, I go grab some Bova delights to take home. I don't loooove the cannolis, but I think I am skewed by the freaking amazing oreo cake. It's pricey (around $5-6) but you get a giant slab (5 inches by 5 inches at least!). It's layers of cake and mousse with oreos mixed into the mousse and sprinkled on top. I am so glad I don't live closer to the North End because I would go daily. The people who work there are super nice and not as abrasive as I remember the people at Modern or Mike's.
(5)
David R.

Having a 24-hour bakery within a half-mile walk of our hotel was too good to be true, we thought. We were right, because the quality here just didn't live up to the hype. We tried three items and found them all subpar. The cake part of the whoopie pie was spongy and lacking in chocolate flavor, although the icing was good. The eclair's custard had a strange, almost chemicaley taste. Worst of all, the famous cannoli was severely underwhelming, both the crust and the filling. The place deserves another shake, and I had intended to go back to get a sub and a few more pastries to take on the plane with me yesterday afternoon, but I filled up on Ernesto's pizza and couldn't imagine eating anything else within the next few hours. I'll try Bova's again on my next trip to Boston, but for now I chalk it up as a disappointment. Oh, and when you get your pastries to go in a "box," it is actually a plastic tray. How about some greener choices, Bova's?
(2)
Paul N.

Bova's Bakery is the absolute best in the North End. If you want the freshest cannolis, Italian cookies, and cakes, this is the place. Their pizza and calzone (try the chicken parm calzone) is delicious and their sliced Italian scali bread is to die for, its on my table every holiday. Every time I visit the North End ( which is often) I always stop here and get some dessert and usually some food for the next day Their staff is always very helpful, and polite. I just recently found out they are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! So sure, you can try Mike's Pastry, but this place tops it, and its been a staple in the Italian district for decades. Also has been a staple in my house since I was a kid. I always recommend this bakery to anyone coming to visit Boston, and I always steer my friends and coworkers to check out Bova's Bakery.
(5)
Sara S.

I found this place based on reviews. Visited on a monday afternoon, and it was pretty empty. my friend and I got a lobster tail, a canolli, and a piece of boston cream pie. The Grande total was about 8bucks. Wow! Definitely could have charged more and I wouldn't have known different. The lobstah tail filling was delicious, as was the ricotta cream in the canolli. Both "shells" left something to be desired. Kind of cold and stale tasting I guess? I probably won't go back, seeing as how I live 2 hours away and can't get down there enough to waste the visit. :(
(3)
Shannon E.

My husband and I stayed in the North End for our first ever trip to Boston. We walked all over and tried Mike's, Lyndelle's and Bova's (yeah, we were really serious about our North End pastries)! We went to Bova's the first night for pastries, and then back again for lunch the next day because we had to try those rice balls after we saw them. AGREE with the lobster tail being so awesome. I'm usually not one for the cream-filled (tho I did try Mike's cannoli a day later, which was rad), but Bova's lobster cream filling is light and perfect. I also got the chocolate-covered PB cookie, which - dipped in coffee back at our hotel - was out of this world. BUT: Here's the thing you have to try at Bova's. It's a cinnamon apple dumpling. Looks like a big fat biscuit, but there's a whole apple inside. If God were a pastry, this would be it. Or I guess it's the Devil's pastry, with the apple and all. Either way, it tastes like it was made by angels. Just do yourself a friggin' favor and get this pastry. We really liked the rice balls the next day (I got the spinach one, my husband got the meatball one), and one of those calzones with the asparagus and cheese. Good thing we walked ourselves all over Boston because obviously we made up for it in food... Bova's was prompt, no line, asked if we wanted the lunch warmed up (in an oven not a microwave, so bread doesn't get all chewy). Extra convenient, delicious stuff, great service. Do it!
(5)
Amy X.

Everything here looks so tantalizing, I had a really hard time picking just one dessert. The Chocolate Bomb (chocolate cake and mousse covered with ganache) is a solid choice for diehard chocoholics, but I somewhat regretted taking the cashier's recommendation instead of going for the Key Lime Bomb, which my friend said is really good. The Grape Nut Pudding is not bad, but it's not sweet, especially compared to the other decadent desserts. The Boston Creme Pie is tasty, but not that different from others I've had. The Red Velvet Cake is delicious.
(4)
Andrew R.

Bova, you're open late, and that's why you're a 3.5 in my book. Better than Mike's, slightly behind Modern and Maria's, you've got a cute pastry shop plus a nice real food offering as well. Beyond late night never had a better Italian pastry shop for a friend. I also love your grapenut pudding. Keep doing that.
(4)
Meliza Anne M.

This is it. Love of my cannoli life. Love of my late-night-sweets-craving life. Marry me, please? Lot's of tourists seem to skip this litte North End gem, but I always try to point them to this land of a million sweets: best cannoli in Boston (cannoli shells and filling are to die for), bear claws, almond cookies, whoopie pies, fruit tarts, fresh breads... I could go on forever! Keep on keeping on, Bova's!
(5)
Leah C.

Oh 24-hour bakery how I wanted to love you...but I will likely be back for another at the mentioned "god like pastry" After having Mike's canolis I was sadly disappointed in my soggy little pastries sans flavor. The lobster tail was a bit rubbery (I wasn't in the rain that long, I swear) but the filling was delish - definitely something to come back for. The no wait, family neighborhood bakery feel is definitely more apealing but looks like I'll have to keep munching through the menu to find to tasty treats.
(3)
Dina C.

I will let the fools wait in line at Mike's while I sneak behind the street and get my Italian bakery fix at Bova. I used to come here when I lived in MA and I always return when I travel to MA. Nothing against Mike's as it is also fabulous, but it is way too crowded. Bova has great cookies, breads, and calzones. They also have a fridge where they sell lasagna and other goodies that you can take home. They also have an area where they can make you sandwiches with imported Italian deli meats, Does it get any better? I don't think so.
(5)
Peter P.

Went here recently to get a couple pounds of assorted cookies for a Yankee Cookie Swap and left completely satisfied. Despite the hussle and bussle of a weekend morning, the service from the staff was impeccable and the selection of baked goods is always delicious and astounding. It's a no frills experience, but good food always speaks for itself. Parking though, as usual in the North End, is tricky.
(5)
Cherie C.

Maybe 3.5 stars since they are open 24 hours. But they don't offer all food in the wee hours. Got a sfogliatelle--my favorite Italian pastry--and it was just okay. The pizza slice was fine. The pastry I got for a friend was just fine. The bread is good for sandwiches and made fresh. Everything here is just fine.
(3)
Susan S.

I was going to this place for a last minute run to grab treats for a party, so I figured to beat the crowds, I would go to Bova's. I was looking for cannoli's mainly but this shop has a lot of other options like fruit tarts and cream puffs. I've had their fruit tarts and cream puffs a while back and they were really good. My review is really based on how much I liked their cannolis and lemon meringue pie. I thought the cannolis weren't as good as Mike's Pastries in my opinion. I at first thought that the filling tasted also like banana? I did like that the thickness was kind of lighter but I feel the taste/flavor was simply not there. There was not as much ricotta cheese flavor as I would have liked. And I feel that they are a little smaller than Mike's Cannolis even though they are pretty similar in prices. Mike's is 3.50 while theirs is 3.25. The lemon meringue pie was really nice looking. When the pie was cut, the lemon filling was 2/3 of the pie while the rest was meringue. I thought that the lemon flavor was more artificial tasting and I didn't find the flavor to be amazing. It was also a little too sweet and unbalanced in that sense. It just mostly tasted of sugar and artificial lemon syrup. It was kind of cheap at $10.50. It was a decent size, maybe 10 inches. They also had this awesome looking chocolate mousse cake with strawberries on top for 15 dollars, which is probably a better value than the lemon meringue pie. I'll probably get that next time if I go there.
(3)
Maya G.

Great pastry, bread, and coffee. Forget touristy "Mike's." Deducted one star for the (just so-so) almond poppy-seed muffins. Friendly service.
(4)
David B.

With the madness that is the North End bakery scene at Mike's and Modern, Bova and Sons is a breath of semi-fresh air. No lines and touristy cravings, just a local bakery in the 'hood. I've purchased some of their bread in the past and, most recently, Italian cookies. The cookies were a cut above you get in the grocery store, but not by much. Although tasty, the most recent batch I purchased were little pebbles....they were as hard as a rock, an anise flavored rock. I'm guessing the pastry in the case falls into the category of 'look better than they taste.' Still I have a soft spot in my heart for local bakeries. When the lines are long, head up Salem for some sweet noshing a Bova and Sons.
(3)
Nic H.

I've been to Bova's several times now. A bakery in the north end that takes credit cards is VERY useful. Their prices are fair and the food is quite good... very rich when it needs to be, tart when appropriate. The tiramisu is overloaded with a liqueur, but whatever. I'd go for the fourth star if either 1) they'd be more consistent with using gloves when handling my food (yes they use paper, but when the girl put it in the box last time, I saw her adjust it with her bare hand) or 2) they'd fill their cannoli on-the-spot rather than beforehand. Changing both of these would probably push them up to five stars. Place isn't the cleanest I've seen, but the selection is large and quality. I'd recommend this place for fulfillment of your dirty little addiction, and not for 'date night'... go to Cafe Vittoria for upscale. Parking is a nightmare... get dropped off or walk/T to Bova's.
(3)
Aboud Y.

Believe the hype! This place is the real deal...my favorite place to pick up real bread (not pastries but loaves to serve with dinner or for sandwiches).
(4)
Erica D.

Please, continue to line up around the block for whatever scraps you can get at Mike's "we've been resting on our grossly over-inflated reputation forever" Pastry, thinking you are slick and getting the 'best' in Boston. More Bova for me. Unfortunately I can't tell you about the whoopie pies or chocolate chip cookies because why would I get anything other than Italian pastry and bread there? The Italian things they have are great. Even if you're entertaining relatives in town from Ohio or you've just come in from the suburbs and are trying to be a bigshot to your date, I still recommend this 24-hour hole in the wall over that overblown Hanover Street monstrosity. A few rules for Bova: - Bring cash. - Do not bitch about the cupcakes. You don't buy cupcakes here for the same reason you don't order pad thai at a Chinese restaurant. - Try the scala bread. I know it's not as alluring as the pastry but give it a shot.
(4)
Hayley M.

Don't you just love stumbling into an all-night eatery and slurring, "thanks for being open?" I sure do. I worried that the movie "Fever Pitch," where Jimmy Fallon lived above it, would turn Bova's into a tourist trap, but fortunately no one saw that crappy movie. Thank you, Bova, for being open 24 hours a day. You should consider chipping in for my gym membership. I love your sandwiches, and the chocolate peanut butter bar blew my mind. That tiramisu? It was history about 10 minutes after I got home. Same with the carrot cake. The cannolis are good, plus you have a shorter line than Mikes, which is not open 24/7. So thanks for being you, Bova's. You truly add to the neighborhood's flavor.
(4)
Michael R.

Definitely have to like the whole 24-hour deal that Bova's has got going on. But the reason I was told to drop by was the bread from their famous bakery. While it was good, it didn't live up the the substantial hype. The two loaves of scala bread I ordered weren't fresh. They still tasted good, but I was really left wanting more. Although their prices were dirt cheap for "fresh" bread baked in the North End. Also, I haven't tried their pastries yet, although I'm still planning on going back to do so. Visually though, they did look pretty good, so if you're not one to wait in the long lines at Mike's, then Bova's is probably your place to go.
(3)
b l.

based on the reviews here, you'd expect that the cannoli here would be better than mikes and modern right? wrong, and terribly wrong. the casing could've been more fresh. another thing was that i'm pretty sure the freshness of the casing isnt the only thing that could've been fresh: the filling. the only one that i liked, was the cappucino flavored one. the peanut butter didn't taste right, and the chocolate one was, well didnt taste like milk chocolate. best to not go to this place for cannolis.
(2)
Amanda B.

Mike's is overrated. Go to Bova's. We swing by here whenever we're in the North End. Something that we need to have: the sliced Italian bread. We'll pick up two loaves just to stash in the freezer. They make decent arancini and sicilian slices. The desserts are great. Lobster Tails and ricotta pie- Yum!! The cake slices are eh- I wish the frosting was lighter and not so sugary. They've also got Italian cookies. Love 'em. One thing that's kinda hilarious: it always seems like they have their 13 year olds working no matter what time of day we're there. I mean, it's a family business, right? Did I mention the best thing about Bova's? No? Oh, well, they're open 24 HOURS. Yes, you read that right. So if you've been out closing Goody Glovers, you can head over to Bova's before grabbing that cab home. Hey, a 24-hour anything is a treasure in this town. Give Bova's a chance!
(4)
Sara V.

A bakery that's open 24 hours? Ok. I'm in! Bova's is the quintissential Italian bakery. All family working... Mama walked around in her slippers yelling at the men.... the place everyone knows your name and your story. ;-) Their pastries are delicious. Their cookies are mouth watering. They have so much to choose from. If I could've eaten everything in the pastry cases, I would've. Prices are super reasonable. And it's not ridiculously packed. Skip Mike's. Visit Bova's!
(5)
Jimmy P.

Any Italian bakery that employees Vietnamese-Bostonians as their Bakers get an A+ in my book. Being that I am Viet-na-Italian as my wife says. This place was like eating my Grandma's cookies. Friendly behind the counter folk make this place even better. Hands down a genuine bakery with great people.
(5)
Sam L.

So I just moved to the North End and have been having a lot of late nights trying to unpack. I always crave something sweet after dinner, and since this place is on the corner of my street, it is the perfect convenience! It's open 24 hours and offers such a wide selection of pastries and you can even make your own sub all day. My roommate stumbled upon this place first after having an unsatisfying red velvet cupcake from Lulu's (also on Salem), and said that the red velvet cupcake here hit the spot. So far I've had a red velvet cookie, a cannoli, and a lobster tail...all were delicious! I've never had a lobster tail before so I don't have anything to compare it to and I hear the one at Mike's Pastry is really good, so I'll have to try it. I really love this place because Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry always have lines out the door thanks to tourism season and this place satisfies my Italian pastry cravings just as well. Probably a little too well...let's hope I don't gain weight from living here in the North End!
(5)
Kendra H.

Easily as good as Mike's or Modern, if not solidly better, without the wait and the idiot tourists. Skip Hanover St and head to Bova's.
(4)
Kate G.

After a night out in Boston with the hubby we were walking through the North End and could smell Bova's from all the way up Salem Street. We were needing a snack and decided Bova's was where we had to go. Walking in was a treat in itself, although the store itself is small it is loaded with freshly baked goods, delicious pizza and even at 10PM there were people already making products for the next morning. The staff was so nice, and everything was a downright steal for the quality and flavor. You cannot beat the prices here anywhere in Boston or even the North Shore. The fact that it is open 24 hours is awesome and convenient.
(4)
Jimmy H.

I have never tried anything but a loaf of Italian bread. And that alone worth 4 stars, I think. Existence of this 24-hours-bakery becomes very precious after 2am when you are highly intoxicated and hungry. It's good alternative to getting greasy cheap Chinese food. And yes. I have bought bread when I was sober and tasted very good. So it's not alcohol talking.
(4)
Dan G.

Best bakery in the North End and best pastries I've ever had. The selection is really expansive and the service is amazing. The pastries are really good and you don't have wait in a huge line like at Mike's or Modern. They also have a great selection of non-pastries and their calzones are ridiculous. I loved the asparagus and peppered salami calzone and the chicken parm calzone. We went back to Bova's three times during our visit and every time it seemed to get better. The lobster tails are freaking amazing, but a word to the wise - the pastries don't keep well after about 5 hours. We tried to grab a box to take with us twice and both times the butter soaked through the pastry and made it chewy. Yum yum easter bread too!!! Regardless, Bova's is absolutely ridiculous and this will one of the first stops every time we're in Boston from now on.
(5)
Alex S.

Nice corner pastry shop that also serves pizza, apparently. When you come in you'll immediately notice the loaves of baked bread on the shelves which look artisan-made (not sure about the quality or taste because I haven't tried any.) Pastry assortment is typical and similar to Mike's, although they carry more elaborate cake slices. My eclair had a tasty filling and flavorful dark choclate icing. My friends seemed to enjoy their lobstertail and cannolli. Not too pricey. Going to come here again.
(4)
Richard L.

So many other bakeries in the area do pastries exceptionally well so Bova's is really up against some stiff competition, but what NO ONE has are Bova's Mile High Apple Pies! If you've never had it, just get it. Same goes for their Christmas pistachio cookies. Nothing more needs to be said.
(4)
Michael S.

Ahh Bova's. This place reminds me of Peter Sciortino's in Milwaukee, albeit larger. Bova's, in my opinion, is much better than Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry, and this is why: 1. Lines are much shorter. The last thing I want to do is wait for a bunch of tourists to have their picture taken in front of Mike's with those lame white boxes with the blue writing and string holding them together just so they can leave it at some crap bar near Faneuil Hall. 2. Building off that point, because Bova's is open 24 hours a day, waiting in line at Mike's for a cannolo the size of my face after 5 too many beers sounds like Hell to me. You? 3. This place has character, something that I feel is missing at other establishments around the North End. It doesn't look pretty at all, with aluminum trim, etc. I love it! They don't care how they look, they care how the food tastes, which is how it should be, and it is delicious- and relatively cheap, to boot. Go here for your pastries and Italian bread. It is 2 blocks from Mike's and about 5 from Modern. It is worth the extra walk, trust me.
(4)
Chris W.

Lobster Tail...get one. Seriously, I'm sick and tired of having to defend Bova's to the naysayers. I have had lobster tails from Mike's and Modern and neither are as good as Bova's. I'm not saying overall Bova's is better than either of those two places, but if one looks at the big picture including price, hours and lack of lines, Bova is a contender. And how could I forget, the stromboli factor. Yeah, Bova's got 'em.
(4)
Rachael L.

Contrary to these reviews, Bova's IS the best bakery in the North End! The cannoli call to me, the lobster tails call to me, this place haunts my dreams. There's never a line here like there is at Mike's, which is crazy because it's so much better. Their filling is perfect -- it's not too sweet, which makes for the perfect pastry. At Mike's, the cannoli are so sweet I can hardly eat half of the cannoli, but at Bova's, the filling is more cheese than sugar and it just makes the perfect dessert. Or breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. Or snack.
(5)
Jolene S.

If the Hanover St. bakeries are open and the lines aren't bad, I would take a pass on the pastries at Bova's. But at lunchtime today I discovered the delicious bread and calzones (7.50) here. I had a very late lunch so the chicken parm. calzones were warm (they'll reheat them for you) and I was able to eat 2/3 of one at Copp's Hill Terrace Park. But when I reheated the remainder for dinner, I was really happy. So eat the calzones piping hot and you won't be disappointed.
(3)
Adam G.

Came back here on my way home from Harvard Square when I decided to grab a quick cannoli in the North End. I didn't realize Bova's was open 24/7 until my return. (It was 11 at night when places start to shut down and options get sharply limited) I got another Chocolate Chip Cannoli and it was as delicious as one during the day. The staff was super friendly and helpful. This place seems to be very consistent.
(5)
DD T.

Open 24 hours, fresh bakery, no crowded lines with tourists and children, almost completely hidden and unknown to even people who live in Boston. At night, it's perfect to just grab a cup of tiramisu and loiter on the pavement.
(4)
Shani C.

Stopped in tonight to pick up a pastry while walking around in the North End. Cannoli was pre-filled and felt soggy. I'll give it another chance sometime soon, but perhaps I'll try something else.
(2)
Daniel T.

Thought I'd grab something sweet for breakfast from Mikes Pastry, and on the way I cut through a side-street and saw this place. OLD looking exterior in an area where you can see little old Italian guys sitting on a chair right in the street. It just felt like the right place to try instead- and hey, less walking! WOW, I'm glad I stopped in! I had some type of flaky pastry with mix of creams baked into it that almost tasted like a ricotta pie wrapped inside of FILO dough. SOOOOOO GOOD! a mind blowing selection of cookies, I couldn't make my mind up so I picked the Raspberry Rugala, the Chocolate Chip Rugala, and the Wedding cookies, plus some type of almond cookie that the nice older woman suggested was the fresh, and her favorite. Man, all we're good! The place is old, dank, dingey, but CLEAN ENOUGH TOMEAT OFF THE FLOOR. I'd gave another star if they had decent take-away packages for traveling home on the train without the little flimsy plastic container popping open and dumping the contents. I chose a bag- so,I'll have cookies, just a some that are crushed together. I WILL be back! And I'll never be at Mikes or Modern ever again!
(4)
Matt H.

I'm sorry but why are people giving Bova's 5 and 4 stars? Look I get that it is open 24 hours a day and people probably have had a few too many adult beverages prior to going to Bova's, which makes everything taste better (It's science the more 21+ drinks you have the better food taste) but c'mon people! This is a 2 Star place at best. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you. There are literally one hundred better places within a square mile that has better food, a friendlier staff and isn't populated with tourists (day time) and drunk college students (night time). My theory is that there are too many people brought up on Olive Garden and Applebee's and when they eat at Bova's it boggles their mind. 'How can food be this good?' they ask themselves. Answer: It's not; it's just better than the sludge you've been feeding your kids in the suburbs.' I understand that when you go to Bova's you are not going for the elegance but instead the cheap food but that's no excuse, Dino's is literally across the street and their food is awesome (yes I have them on speed dial and I'm biased towards their subs, so what?). When you are in the North End pick up a rock, throw it and wherever it lands the food will be much better quality then at Bova's. That being said I have had Bova's pizza and I actually kind of like it (Whatever, it's America, I can have multiple opinions).
(2)
Mark A.

3am cannoli craving? No problem! Love bovas, love their riceballs, love their always friendly and patient staff (yes even at 3am). SIMPLY LOVE.
(5)
Darren P.

Bova's gets 5 stars from me and my family. The pastries are very tasty and look so good. But they look so homemade good, not "perfectly" decorated good. The people are always friendly. They don't mind kids looking around trying to decide what they want. They not on Hanover so you are forced to at least look around the North End some. Reasonably priced. Favorites so far: cookie monster, lobster tail, red velvet whoopee pie, eclair and cannoli. One day I want to try their calzone. They look so good. All you need to do is give Bova's a try. You will be hook.
(5)
Kristen M.

I've been to this bakery at all hours and despite what time I'm strolling in the food and desert is always consistently fresh and delicious. I love grabbing a half of a calzone for dinner or going in for just some deserts. Im not a huge cannoli lover but their cannolis are delicious!! I had a mini cannoli with chocolate chips and a chocolate cake which after 8 seconds in the microwave was to die for!!! love this place!!
(5)
Nikki F.

Nice shop, very friendly staff (so much so that I hate to only give them 3 stars!). The Italian cookies were really tasty & there were a lot to choose from. But I also bought a couple of pastries that didn't do anything for me. The raspberry turnover tasted so awful that I threw it away -- the filling was bland & tasted nothing like any sort of berry & the pastry itself had a strange plasticky after taste. The cannoli tasted a lot better than the turnover but the filling was a bit runny & a little bland. Sorry, wanted to like it, but I probably won't go back.
(3)
Marilyn T.

It's a bakery where you can get the absolute best Italian sub around. I know...sounds crazy....I get that alot. Try the "Sicilian." You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Michele A.

Honestly, I am not debating the food here is good because I have never had it but what you guys should know before going here is that they have been there since my mother was a kid in the early 60's. From then, until today, they have been closed down by the board of health more than 30 times. They are dirty, there are always rats coming out of there, the people take your money then hand you your food with no hand washing in between mind you. It is nasty.
(1)
David A.

Went first thing in morning. Great looking calzones, bread and pastries. The lobster roll(pastry version:) ) is unbelievable! Ate this on the way to Regina Pizzeria! Will be back to try more.
(5)
Liz D.

Got cannoli and an eclair. $5 total. The cannoli is covered in chocolate. It's ok, but basic. No hint or depth of additional flavors in the ricotta filling -- no vanilla, no almond, no cinnamon, nothing at all -- and a very standard shell. Not bad, but not something I'll seek out again. The eclair frosting was very sweet, the custard very egg-y and strong...not exactly a delicate affair like top-notch eclairs I've had in the past. I'd go back to try their cookies and other cakes/pastries sometime. The lack of a long line certainly made it more appealing than waiting at Modern Pastry, where I usually go. But is Bova's the best in the North End? No.
(3)
steve j.

I'm a big fan of Bova, especially since it is open 24/7. Also, it is open every day of the year, including Christmas! This is huge for me because I work midnights and tend to work holidays. They are always friendly to me and I would give the food a 4 out of 5. I also prefer it because it is low key and away from the tourists traps in the North End like Mike's Pastery. (I hope this positive reviews gets me a free black&white cookie)
(4)
Tani S.

Ah yelpers led me astray... I've been looking for a good cupcake bakery locally for my little one's going away party at school. We stopped by on a Saturday night with good expectations and bought one of their chocolate cupcakes and one of their vanilla cupcakes both which had sprinkles. The chocolate one was dry and had an odd icing, tasted like karo syrup not true chocolate frosting. The vanilla one was dry again but the icing was at least good... We ended up tossing the remains into the garbage... They were friendly but not going back, our search for cupcakes continues.
(2)
Janie W.

It's dangerous to be near a 24/7 bakery filled with tasty sugary treats. I tried their strawberry shortcake. It was expensive - $6 a slice - but the cake was so big that I couldn't eat it all in one sitting, so I guess that worked itself out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if I lived near this bakery I would put on another 20 pounds.
(4)
Lisa I.

A 24-hour bakery in the North End?? YES PLEASE! Forget Mike's or Modern. Bova's is just as good, minus the lines and with nicer service. Their pastries are YUMMMY.
(4)
Marisa C.

Open 24 hours, no line (like Mike's Pastry), and cheap.... what more could you ask for?? Whoopie pies are huge! And I highly recommend the cannoli with chocolate chips. Also since you are going.... pick up a fresh loaf of scala bread... sliced or unsliced the whole loaf will be gone before you get home :-)
(5)
Julie R.

Next time, I'm trying those calzones. I wasn't impressed with the pastries on my first visit. I got a couple cupcakes and a small cannoli. The cupcakes are not worth the $2.75 price each. They were generic spongy mix with shortening frosting, the same kind you can get at shaw's. Way overpriced. The cannoli I devoured was crispy with smooth filling but had a refrigerated taste to it. Service was very friendly. The place was like an institution with food and workers everywhere. They jump on you quick even though it looks to be a line. I liked the vast selection of bread, I'll go back to try the Italian food they have out like the arancini, pizza, sandwiches and calzones. They sure smelled good!
(3)
Lauren L.

I live less than a block away from Bova's. I've tried every bakery in the North End, as anyone else who lives here has, and Bova's is just the best. The tastiest, friendliest, and cheapest. Rarely has lines (which is the opposite of stupid Mike's Pastry). Everyone that works at Bova's is so nice, friendly and helpful. Many times when I get bread there they stop me and tell me if I wait five minutes, they'll give me a fresh loaf out of the oven. I mean, who else does that? Also, their pastries are unbelievably delicious and fresh. Bova's is the best bakery in the North End by FAR - said by a North End resident. Oh, and it's open 24/7 so I go there very often at 1am for some late night dessert!
(5)
Stephanie Elena G.

While on a quest to find some tasty treats with some friends, we avoided Mike's and Modern pastry due to insane crowds in the North End and marathoners carbo-loading for the next day. We stumbled upon Bova's Bakery and oh what a stumble. They are open 24 hours, so if you're walking home after the bars, why bother with terrible Boston pizza? I'd go straight for the fresh baked bread and delicious looking Italian cookies! I sampled the Napoleon and another chocolate moose cake. Both were delicious. I've had better Napoleons but this was still a tasty treat and with a nice cheap price too. I'm normally not into chocolaty desserts, but this chocolate moose cake was moist, creamy yet light and fluffy. Yumtastic! Give Bova a thought if you need pastry to go- or are not in the mood to fight the tourists on Hanover.
(4)
Bethany C.

No idea what they're officially called, but those little white frosted cookies with the gorgeous array of rainbow sprinkles will be the death of me. When I talk to my out of town friends about coming down for visits, we speak not of museums or concerts, but of these cookies. The spinich calzone is also decadent--highly recommend. Avoid the chicken calzones, though, very dry. One star off because one of the guys there gave my friend a really hard time over payment when he messed up the calculations (they add up your total on the spot) The rest of the team is great though, very casual which is refreshing amongst all the frou frou of the tourist haven that is the North End.
(4)
Roscoe R.

Bova is my favorite pastry shop/bakery in the North End. I think the food is a bit better than Modern and certainly better than Mike's. Their florentine cookies are sinfully delicious, as are many of their other cakes. I wish some of their items were less expensive, but it's the North End (and they're open late), so I suppose they're not outrageously priced. Bova is my "go-to" dessert place whenever I'm in the North End.
(4)
seth w.

The Bread Is Amazing! and always fresh! However their pastries don't compare to the other North End establishments
(4)
Corey F.

What's the point of making Sicilian pizza if you're just going to heat it up in the microwave? And not even heat it up enough to eat? It brought two words to mind: cafeteria food. But okay, they say they're a bakery, so I tried the goodies, too. The Reese's Peanut Butter bar was tasty, but not half as rich as it looked, and not worth $3.50. The Honey Nut Cheerio Treats are a great idea to try instead of Rice Krispy Treats, at least in theory: but the Cheerios actually get soggy, and all the marshmallow fluff or whatever they use condenses at the bottom and forms a gooey mess. Flip them over every day or two, or firm them up, or just stop being cute and use the puffed rice. The guys inside are nice, but the place is dreadfully inefficient. There's no flow, people just run into each other once it gets busy, only half the baked goods are marked, nobody seems to know how much anything costs and the prices seem to fluctuate wildly, and getting served takes forever. Yes, they're open 24 hours, so they're there for you when you get the drunken munchies. But any other time of day, it's not worth the effort to find parking.
(2)
Elizabeth G.

This is where it's at if you want fresh bread: crunch on the outside, thick and hefty on the inside--basically bread made the way it was always meant to be. My one friend wasn't allowed to come visit me unless he came bearing a loaf of my favorite wheat as an offering. Their desserts are delicious as well (and closer to bite-sized than other bakeries, which honestly makes it that much more delectable).
(4)
Marc H.

As much as I like Modern Pastry and Mike's, I tend to go to Bova's more often when I'm in the North End, partly because it is a bit off the beaten path (and hence less crowded), and also because they are open 24 hours on weekends, which is when I usually go to the North End. The help is mostly nice, though sometimes you get a bit of an attitude. The pastries are about as good as what you'll get at Modern and Mike's (though not always), and the breads are fantastic. My favorite items there are the soft and hard biscottis, I'd say.
(4)
Steve H.

One of my favorite bakeries in the North End.
(4)
Samantha T.

What a find - amazing desserts and sweet treats AND open 24 hours a day. If you are craving something more meal like (especially at 2am) the arancinis are a MUST. Otherwise, my favorites are the wide selection of Italian cookies, where I can choose just a handful of each kind and make my own variety box. Service is friendly and helpful, and prices are reasonable.
(5)
Alicia C.

Back from a late night of bachelorette shenanigans... still wide awake and hungry... what to do, what to do? This place may not have been anywhere close to where we were staying, but it was definitely worth it (especially since I waited back at the hotel while others went out for the food run!) Though we intended to get some calzones, they were out... but the guy at the counter (sorry don't know his name since I wasn't the one to pick up the food) was very helpful and was able to come up with something for our famished, partied-out souls. The croissant my friends came back with served very nicely as post-party snacks. We had some steak and cheese and some spinach and cheese. Oh, and can't forget the eclairs! Very yummy! If ever I found myself in the area again and in need of a late night bite, this place will definitely be at the top of my list! eclaires
(4)
Bryan M.

Giving you guys a 1 star with the hopes the owner reads these things. I live on Prince Street and frequent Bova's often. However - the one thing that rubs me the wrong way is - when it's crowded - the employees show no hustle whatsoever - leisurely filling out orders at a snails pace. C'mon guys! It's happened enough now that I have to post this.
(1)
Banafsheh P.

I blame this place for the extra pounds I gained living around the corner! They're open 'late' night and I tell you...you want pastries, pizza, cal zone, etc. this is your spot! and yes I know I shouldn't admit this, but for the smokers out there...who are looking for a pack late night and everything is closed...there is a machine in the back! hit it up while you're picking up that late night snack ;)
(4)
Kara N.

My go to place for something delicious and quick! Calzones are delicious but the desserts are ridiculous. PLUS IT'S A 24 HOUR ITALIAN BAKERY IN THE NORTH END OF BOSTON!! You really can't beat it! Their strawberry shortcake- cake is outrageous and I have gotten so many people hooked on it. OBSESSED.
(5)
Colleen B.

If I lived in the North End near this 24hr bakery I'd easily be 500lbs. The selection of cookies and cakes and canoli's and all other sugary confection you and dream of is INCREDIBLE. I wasn't wowed by the cannoli though. The ones with the chocolate chips were better than the ones without. It just seemed a little flavorless. The half moon is ginormous and much better. Frosting is A+! Cash is king here, but if you can find a way to spend over $10 (which isn't hard cuz of the selection and slightly touristy prices) you can use your card.
(3)
Caroline A.

A trip to Boston is not complete without a 3am trip to Bova's. I used to come here all the time for chocolate eclairs, but decided to go with the carrot cake this time (I have to be semi-healthy, right?). The cream cheese frosting was one of the best I've ever had and the cake was rich and moist. I could not finish the whole thing (because I had a bite of my friend's eclair too), but it was delicious. Next time, I might try the ricotta pie or cannoli. This place is dangerous. The people are SO SO SO nice too. I remember one time, I came in a drunken stupor and the nice guy gave me a fruit tart for free because I mentioned that the berries looked so fresh.
(4)
Aleks R.

Going to Bova's is like going to your Italian aunt's kitchen for delicious pastries. The workers are helpful, friendly, and welcoming. Get the pistachio cookies.
(5)
Riki G.

Absolutely the best pastries and desserts and rice balls in the North End. Also open 24 hours. I live down the street, and this places is making me a fat-ass. Not really a big fan of the pizza or sandwiches, but you don't go there for pizza or sandwiches, so it doesn't really matter. Credit cards accepted over $10.
(5)
G J J.

Pretty mediocre stuff. Why is the bread so overrated? I got a tuscan loaf, nothing like the bread you get in Tuscany. Have the people who run the shop even been to Italy?
(2)
Ruby O.

They're open 24/7 even during the holidays! And the cakes are glorious!
(4)
Aly N.

I love bread but i LOVE LOVE LOVE Bova's bread! All the bread! Bova has the freshest, crispy on the outside/soft on the inside, delicious bread I've ever tasted. Bova is bread heaven!
(5)
Kevin D.

Always a great place for bread! Going here for years!
(4)
Michael L.

We were doing a late tour of the area, just checking things out. Seeing this place was still open we went in. Wow what a great variety of savory and sweet. After getting a few things to go we had a feast in out hotel room with scrumptious tid bits.
(5)
Helen Y.

I went down to Boston for the Fishermans' Feast and ended up wandering into this bakery on Prince St. I was riveted by the size of the whoopie pies--a humongous cream filled cake that was at least 6-7 inches in diameter. I ended up buying raisin bread after explaining to the very friendly owner how I couldn't eat another bite(after a meal of fried calamari, zeppole and gelato--the later which was still in the cup my hand) and didn't want to haul baked goods around. The man, ever wise, said, "why don't you hold the gelato in one hand and eat the cake in the other." He told me it was the best whipped cream sandwich in the world. I should have listened to the man--afterall, a discussion we had on fried calamari already proved to me that he KNEW his food. But hauling baked goods while I wandered throughout Boston was not my idea of building muscle. Well, that whoopie pie haunted my thoughts for the entire time I roamed Beacon Hill, the Public Garden, Chinatown, the Financial District, Quincy Market..."do not leave without me!!! " said the whoopie pie and that cry shadowed me until after hours of roaming, I had to go back for that whoopie pie, or two, rather. And it was one darn good whoopie pie, light devil's food cake with an excellent whipped cream filling. I will go back and try the other baked goods based on how good that cake was. It was definitely not just a sales pitch. That whoopie pie was a hit with the grateful folks I deigned to share them with. Oh, the raisin bread, was okay also--not terrrific, but then, it was prepackaged and not made fresh. I didn't sample the other freshly made breads)Stick to the pastries--when I went early there as no line. Later in the evening, there was a wait, with customers raving about the lobster tails and other assorted goodies. The owner wasn't there but there was a slew of help, probably his children and grandchildren as it was definitely a family run business. Prices are very reasonable and the wait is not as long as the other bakeries..Mikes, Modern etc. I am already dreaming of the next whoopie pie excursion--this time, I might bring a wheeling suitcase to hold them and save all the hard labor for my stomach.
(4)
Christian L.

The place could be called Old World Charm. Mini canollis...awesome. Lobster Tails... superb Calzone... so good, I just stopped in the alley and wolffed it down. Loved the old lady that seem to run the joint. Loved that they had an 8 year old kid running the register. They treated me like a local and a friend. Free food and all. Thanks Bova's, you're one of the reasons I'm moving to Boston.
(5)
Dara C.

I keep trying to claim that my Freshman Fifteen was some sort of genetic fluke, but really, Bova's is to blame. It's my favorite bakery in the North End. Mike's doesn't hold a cannoli to this place. Speaking of which, their cannoli is perfect, not too sweet but crisp and delicious and creamy. Their bread is always good, true Italian bread (and if it has trans fats, so sue me, I'ma eat it. With lots of olive oil and sea salt and if I die, I will die with a happy face.) I have had their tiramisu cup (decent, but I've never been a big fan of tiramisu) and various cookies, all of which have been outstanding. As for savories, I have only tried their chicken parm, which was all right, and their pizza, which tasted amazing, if a wee bit chewy for my liking. Whatever; I can get pizza at Ernesto's. Bova's will always be my sweets-and-carbs place. (The fact that Bova's is more readily available than your average Boston drug dealer is good to note. Why become addicted to expensive substances that you have to wait for, when you can have insta-Bova's? Baked goods, not drugs!)
(4)
Lisa O.

It's a bakery in the North End that's open 24 hours. What else do you need to know?!
(5)
Jon G.

My gratitude to Bova's Bakery exceeds the scope of gratitude I ever imagined I could extend to a business of any kind. It must be true, then, that the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. There is little turnover among the staff, I recognize the same friendly faces each time I visit. There are many charming small businesses around Boston where part-time college students come and go, and they suffer adversely. I agree completely with previous reviewers who say Bova's is much better than Mike's Pastry. Mike's Pastry is the SUPERLATIVE TOURIST TRAP in the North End. It makes perfect sense to me that since most bakeries are in the business of baking 24 hours a day that this shop can sell pastries, bread, calzones and so much more during those same 24 hours. The cannoli aren't always perfect, but the tiramisu, chocolate mousse, cream puffs and innumerable tarts have always been enjoyed. If there is a leitmotif to my visits, it is showing up after midnight and enjoying one of their flawless desserts. In fact, I can't say that I've visited the bakery in the daytime, and I appreciate their desserts far more than anything else this fine place makes with tender loving care. I look forward to my next late night visit!
(4)
Karen S.

A bakery open 24 hours! That's my idea of heaven. Tried the cannoli as part of a taste test with Mike's & Modern (Bova came in 3rd, sorry). But, got some assorted cookies and biscotti to take out which were very good. I love those little butter cookies with the sprinkles! Impossible to find in Minneapolis! This also was the most authentic Italian bakery we visited in the North End, a no-frills joint with shelves full of fresh made breads, cookies and pastries, and old sassy ladies working the counter.
(4)
Amanda V.

Bova's is the best bakery in the North End. The cannolis are to die for, as well as the Italian calzones that i can never leave without. Every time I go on a Saturday with my friends I'm greeted with a hug and a tour of the kitchen. The icing on the cake is that it's 24 hours. I'm in love with Bova's!
(5)
Dan G.

I love this place so dearly I almost don't want to review it (as if it would stay all mine). A 24 hour bakery that also makes excellent subs and calzones. ka-CHING! Don't change a thing, Bova's Bakery!!
(5)
Jay T.

You know, I have to say that I haven't been too impressed with Bova's. This is good in my case since I just moved in one block away and was a little nervous considering my occasional insomnia and consistent craving for carbs... Could have been a fattening combination for me. First thing I got from here was an Italian loaf. Absolutely nothing special about it. Could have come from a Stop and Shop bakery. I stopped by around 3 AM a few nights ago wanting something savory, like a sandwich or calzone. They stop serving such things at 1 AM apparently, which seems like a really bad idea to me. I'd bet they could make a fortune selling pizza and subs after the bars close. There were a bunch of drunken douchebags in there, so I quickly decided on coconut cake. Horrible. It was about 2/3 DENSE icing and the rest was DENSE cake. I couldn't taste anything but sugar. Shit was cloying for real. I took two bites, inspected it under a streetlamp to make sure I wasn't just eating a hunk of icing, and threw it away. It takes a lot for me to throw edible food away. For some reason, I'm still considering giving their calzones and subs a shot. Perhaps its because I really wanted to like the place.
(2)
Colleen C.

Came here when I booked a flight for two days too many. We stopped in Boston with only a rental car and no money for a room, so instead we sat in our car and attempted to find a discrete alley to hide out on until we could drive to the airport at 4am. I was hungry and wanted something sweet so I Yelp'd 24 hour and sure enough this place popped up. So as we drove through the last stragglers from the Bruins game - this was during the finals, or playoffs, one of the two, we finally found an empty place to park. So around one o'clock we emerged from our car, after hiding from some drunk fans by reclining our seats as far back as possible (sounding like a 12 year old right now). As we approached the entrance, my first thought was, well this is a bit sketch.. but it didn't matter. The workers were very friendly despite our disheveled appearances, and answered any questions we had. We got our treats, me: a lobster claw and a red velvet cupcake..and a flaky cream dessert, and my sister, some breakfast type croissant and a slice of cheesecake - the lobster claw dessert was hugeeee - and delicious - and I even had some left over when I returned home. As we scampered back to the car, we sat in the dark feasting on our delectable treasures. I can't say I am a huge fan of Boston, but this place was delicious. P.S. I enjoyed hearing the worker say "Bavarian cream" and "Yorkshire cream" with the Bostonian accent.
(4)
Jaime M.

I think it's awesome that this place is open 24 hours... and the pastries are definitely good! I've had the s'mores brownie (to die) and a fruit tart. Both delish!
(3)
Jamie G.

Still craving dessert we headed to the North End and visited Bova's, open 24 hours a day, so no chance of them closing early (see my updated Posto review)! We got a chocolate covered canoli, plain cheesecake, red velvet cake, and tiramisu. All very delicious, and not too expensive. Cheesecake was a little too sweet for me, red velvet cake looked WAY better than it tasted, and the tiramisu didn't have that alcohol flavor I enjoy so much, but it totally satsified my sweet tooth and I would definitely come back again for Italian delicacies in the middle of the night.
(4)
Daphne H.

OMG. I was very drunk and very hungry. J and I found ourselves hanging out a someone's apartment and they bought Bova's at 4am. I can't remember exactly what I had..I do remember amidst my drunken state, yummy spinach or veggie samosas and others filled with ham and cheese or something to that effect. We also had some yummy sweets. Cannolis? I dunno..what they were, I cannot for the life of me remember...but perhaps its time for a visit, to stir some memories... :P
(4)
Keith M.

Cinnamon roll, cupcake, coconut bar, cannoli and 6 other things. Bova's has anything you want, plus more. Even better, it's open 24x7 and there is never a line out the door.
(4)
Jessie C.

I give this place major stars for being open 24 hours and for making me sentimental, which is a hard thing to do because my ex boyfriend is an idiot. This place has typical Italian baked goods and uses ingredients that tend to lean towards lard or Crisco instead of top shelf fresh goodness. Nonetheless, anywhere you can get cupcakes or calzones after midnight erases any gourmet snobiness. Especially after the movies (shortish walk from the AMC) or a night of dancing (RIP Penalty Box's mod night). Fair prices that tend to fluctuate depending on who's working and time of day, but this is also normal when you pay in cash in the North End. I originally found this place because of a boyfriend I had that lived up the street with a rooftop that overlooked a church steeple. He used to be on a first name basis with the bakers who worked overnight and we would often have yelled conversations that lasted the walk up the street home. Then again, he also got stopped by the cops one night because he was dressed similarly to a mugger that was in the area. Who knows.
(4)
Josaphine B.

The ONLY problem with living close to Bova's is eating too much! It is delicious and fresh, and a really great place in the North End. Before we moved to Boston we would vacation here every year. After trying Bova's on an earlier trip, we forced our 3 children to walk all over the North End until we found it again while on vacation. They all agreed it was worth the effort. They all have moved here too, and just last night everyone came for dinner and was so excited to see we had stopped by Bova's and bought bread to go with the soup and a mixture of cakes for dessert! Thanks for being the best bakery in the North End and a place that our family makes memories.
(5)
Katie L.

Dear Bova's, I used to live less than a block away. We had a nice little thing going. You used to supply me with calzones and those oreo treats (think Rice Krispie treat, but made with oreos). I would pay you in return for these little luxuries. *swoon*. But I had to break it off. Sadly, I moved away. Every time I am back in the north end, I decide to revisit our little relationship. Your door is always open - 24/7. The oreo treats are not a sure thing - you must be sharing them with someone else, or not making them so often. But the bread - (sigh)...the calzones...(sigh)....and the cannoli....(sigh). Bova, you are WAY better than Mike. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. xxoo
(5)
Lynn D.

I just moved into the neighborhood and have begun to try many of the eateries that I had not tried before moving here. I had the Bova's Special sub (something the workers said is their best sub) and it was delicious. It is about a foot long, and has prosciutto, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and dressing. Before moving here, I did try the rice ball and it was also really good. Their walk-up window is open 24 hours, but they do not serve everything on the menu. I was told that they serve croissant sandwiches, and their desserts from the window after the main door is closed (they might serve more, but this is all I remember). I highly recommend a trip to Bovas. I'll be here regularly.
(4)
Chris D.

If you like your cookie touched by the same bare hands that handle cash from tourists from all over the world--- then this is the place for you! Naasty.
(1)
Leor A.

Cheap, open late, unpretentious and has dank fruit tarts. I don't think it really gets better than that.
(5)
Claudia M.

Don't bother waiting on line for Mike's - this place is great and it is open LATE. Headed there after a night of debauchery to stock up on pizza and napoleons - yum! They have a great vartiey of pastries - Boston Cream Pie, Cannolis, Brownies of all sorts. It is a great place for bread too!
(4)
Lynne S.

After reading all the rave reviews here, I was seriously disappointed in my pastries from Bova's Bakery. My lobster claw was soft and soggy. Lobster claws are supposed to be flaky, crunchy and oozing with creamy goodness. Bovas was one of the worst I've ever tasted. And their whoppie pies were bland and boring. Sorry, but I was far from impressed!
(2)
Sara S.

Bova's has a few distinct advantages over Mike's, Modern, or other smaller bakeries in the NE: they accept credit cards, have food other than sweets (love their calzones), open 24 hours a day, and rarely has a huge line. I prefer the cookies, lobster rolls, and cannolis from Modern and Mike's, but the fresh whipped cream whoopie pie from Bova's is delicious! For "good" pastries with less hassle and line, Bova's is the best choice. If you're looking for higher quality, wait at Modern or Mike's.
(3)
Jon S.

Bova's is great when you want late night food or just something to do. Their baked good are amazing and you can't beat the fact that they are open sooo late. With hardly any place open in Boston past 2 a.m., its great to be able to go out, get a little something, and keep the night going. I recommend their fruit tarts, they are some of the best I've ever had. Just as an aside, I've never been in Mike's but I looked in the other day and it seems as though Bova's is less crowded so I would assume its easier to get service.
(4)
Wendy W.

Better than mikes or modern and no wait!! The Cannoli was the BEST!!!
(5)
Jonathan A.

I've only had the calzones; I've never been able to buy anything else. They're so tasty. Words cannot express how delicious they are. An added bonus: they're good in all seasons. The staff was exceptionally helpful and friendly. The place is cramped, but the staff was very nice to my kids and gave them all a complementary cookie, which from their reaction was a delicious one.
(5)
Dan L.

I kind of wish other yelpers wouldn't review this place and keep this place to all the locals, and let the tourists stick to Hanover St. This place is a gem, and is open 24 hours a day. What about that is not to love?! I have had cannoli cravings at 2 AM. and guess what I can go and get it, which rocks. I'm very keen of their pizza and subs, especially the Bova sub. Prosciutto, tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese with a splash of olive oil. Oh so good! Unfortunately I am not a local anymore I can't have this regularly which saddens me, but I will be heading back to Boston, in July and this is a mandatory stop for me!!
(5)
Tyson H.

Solid, if unexceptional, bakery. The cannoli are so-so. I've had two. The first was a little soggy like it had been filled for a while and sitting around. The second was crisp, but the chocolate filling wasn't as good as Maria's. Also, open 24 hours.... odd.
(3)
David W.

I have been to Bova's several times. It is fantastic! The black and white cookies are great.
(5)
Isabella R.

I am devouring a barely warm arancini filled with meat, rice, cheese and peas with a tangy tomato sauce as I write this. On a freezing night of ducking into random Haymarket watering holes, I was steadily becoming sick of the amateur night spectacle and wanting some food. Something warm, savory, sweet, whatever. I engineered that our last spot would be close to Bova's to entice my birthday celebrating gang to go. It's a 24 hour oasis of crunchy creamy and everything in between. We each had a stromboli, mine was full of layers of breaded eggplant. My friend enjoyed his buffalo chicken stromboli, and let me say he wanted me to write things about the way it made him feel that I morally refuse to. I absolutely needed an arancini as well, as I consider myself a ardent researcher of the Italian rice balls. And of course this trip would have been wasted had I not considered dessert, in the form of a small ricotta cannoli speckled with chocolate chips. The baba au rhum looked pretty fine as well but a girl needs to learn when to say no. mmm, Bova.
(5)
Shirley Y.

to avoid the horrific lines at mike's pastry, i searched for other north end neighborhood hidden gems in search of birthday snacks, and boy did i find them! they had a huge variety of baked goodness, unlike parziale's next door. the line was amazingly short. i eyed the amazing-looking calzones, but maintained some measure of self-discipline. not sure how i did it. i bought some cannolis, which were what i originally came for. they offer a nice variety of cannolis. i also purchased a delicious gooey large chunk of rum cake for the birthday girl and spur-of-the-moment lobster tails. the lobster tails melt in your mouth...very memorable. definitely the it bakery of the north end.
(4)
Whitney W.

I am giving Bova's 5 stars because it is the holy grail of Boston: an establishment that is actually open 24 hours a day that has delicious foodstuffs. Having been living far, far away from Boston for the past few months, I was slightly forlorn at my post-midnight options, but remembered last night that there is Bova's. There is something magical about freshly baked bread and any possible delicious Italian pastry item you could want being available at two o'clock in the morning on President's Day, and I managed to bring a friend who has lived in Boston for the better part of five years but NEVER BEEN HERE. Do not let that person be you, especially if you are someone who goes to bed past midnight and sometimes wants a food item past midnight that does not come out of your own pantry. Also of note: if you are not drunk or something at three in the morning, Bova's is STILL delicious, which is important. I would not walk into South Street Diner at four in the afternoon and want to eat there, but I would do this at Bova's.
(5)
Nicole B.

One star for being open 24 hours One star for taking credit card One star for being conveniently located to me let's face it, it's an italian bakery. the food isn't going to suck. it's not as good as Mike's so if you're in the area go there. but if you need a place at 4am that's going to take credit cards, bova is where it's at. here's my issue with bovas though, after a hard day of work sometimes all i want is a cupcake. bovas is on my way home and has cupcakes with more frosting than cake (yum!). so i go and my cupcake is $2.50. next time i go a few weeks later is $2.75. next time, $2.50. the last few times i went it was a whopping $3 for one cupcake!!! my overall issue is keep the prices the same (maybe knock them down a bit too!). EDITED May 8th, 2008: i've been here two times in the past two weeks and each time the cupcakes were $2. did they actually read my review and heed my advice? doubtful. but whatever the reason, i i was happy. don't judge me for loving cupcakes. it's a craving i can't control.
(3)
Stefanie L.

I can't belive that someone below was hating on the coconut cake (my fav thing there) but to each his own. The cookies are awesome, they have every traditional dessert you could want and they are open 24 hours. No brainer. The tourists can keep going to over-rated Mike's.
(5)
Devon S.

So delicious and the blonde woman at the counter was so sweet! My sister and I split a chocolate strawberry (which took on the shape of the cupcake holder), cheesecake with chocolate chips and chocolate/mousse cake. Complimented with a coke. So much to choose from! I recommend it--and the hours are wonderful (24hrs!).
(4)
Josh V.

If there's ever a place you could describe as a lifesaver, then Bova's is it. Picture the scene: 6 am on your girlfriend's birthday, and you don't have a cake. And you know nothing about cake. I called Bova's in this ungodly hour of the morning and not only got a wide-awake and attentive person on the other end, but a good recommendation for what kind and size of cake to order. Everything, including the fact that my girlfriend loves strawberries (the cake ended up being almost stuffed with them) and that I was riding the T back (they provided me with a heavily reinforced box) was taken into account. They even let me place an order for a nonstandard size and shape, to be picked up the same day in less than 3 hours. Oh, and the cake was delicious. 5 stars for the service alone.
(5)
Sean E.

While Modern and Mike's are duking it out for Hanover supremacy, Bova's quietly steals away your heart by not only being open 24/7, but by also clogging your arteries with delicious subs and calzones and pizzas. Since the inconceivably depressing shut-down of Mulligan's I've had to shop elsewhere for my lunch. While Volle Nolle was closed for the holidays and Dino's can be a burden on ye ol' pocketbook I decided to give Bova's a try... and I haven't looked back since. Like Dino's and Mulligans their subs come in one size and one size only. But unlike Dino's they're a couple bucks cheaper even though, like the sign says, each sub contains a min 1/2 pound of cold cuts. I can understand if some people complained when, half way through their sub, your arm begins to tingle and you wonder who can eat this much prosciutto or capiccola in one sitting. Perhaps it would be best to split one of their subs and be a sensible consumer or you might just be content and proud that you didn't come away from Bova's with an extra box full of cheesecake, brownies, cookies and cannolis. I know I'm proud of this fact every afternoon after flirting through the glass with those beautiful looking slices of cake and chocolate thingies while the ingredients of my sandwich are sent through the slicer and fall delicately into the fresh baked bread. Sure, one of these days I will try their salads.
(5)
Shazza J.

Very good cannoli - exactly as it should be, crisp on the outside, mildly sweet and creamy on the inside. It's open late and doesn't have the crowds that Mike's Pastry, around the corner does (although Bova was still crowded , just not insanely so).... ... the let down for me was the tiramisu. It wasn't coffee-ey enough or liqueur-ey enough for my liking. I'm also pretty sure they used just cream rather than mascapone for the filling (but i can't prove that, just a hunch)... I'd go again for the cannoli but skip the tiramisu.
(3)
Jess K.

Craving cannolis at 3:00AM? This pastry shop has a great selection of desserts, pizza and calzone offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bread always smells amazing, but the whole wheat I tried was disappointing. Great cupcakes and check out the BRICK that they call a Rice Krispie treat!
(3)
Mark M.

Three stars for feeding me at 4:30am. The food is alright. I never make a point to pick anything up from here. Pretty friendly. Reasonable prices. It's still a tourists trap.
(3)
Steven P.

I love Bova's...the pastries are just as good as Mike's or Modern...and the atmosphere is WAY cooler. It's real...there's no facade here. Everything is the real deal...the calzones, pastries, cookies and everything. Real and really good. One thing that I didn't expect at all...to be treated nicely. See, I was there with somebody I was dating...and we were holding hands while browsing the goods. Gay guys haven't always been treated nicey nicey in the North End. Mind you, I'm 6'2" and my beau was 6'4"...I don't think anyone was going to screw with us...but it was awfully nice to end a romantic evening out with some treats from Bova, without having to wonder if we were going to be ridiculed or messed with. Charming place, fantastic food, nice people and great prices...what's not to love?
(5)
Liz C.

I used to live around the corner from Bova's in college, and this dastardly place helped turn my "freshman 15" into a "sophomore 25-or-so". Right off the bat, any 24 hour bakery is good in my book. But seriously, this place is just leaps and bounds better than Mike's or Modern. My favorite is the fruit tart -- filled with delicious vanilla-y pudding-y goodness and a gooey glaze covering the kiwis and berries on top -- but you also can't go wrong with the cannolis or eclairs.
(4)
Kelly S.

Quite frankly their pastries are stodgy and heavy-handed. There is nothing subtle about their desserts. Maximum sugar & maximum size seem to be the motto at this bakery. You can forget about adjectives as refined, sophisticated, creative, etc. as soon as you walk in through the door. This is baking with the imagination (and the taste buds) of a ten year old. I find their breads to be slightly sugary and very bland. Texture wise, the crust is soggy, soft and slightly chewy and the crumb is unremarkably light and airy. The hidden jewel at this bakery is their pizza dough (forget their pizzas, they are not winning any prizes either), which you can buy over-the-counter if you ask nicely. They don't advertise them but they are available. They can be worked out to make a very thin and crisp pizza dough once cooked. They also freeze very well.
(2)
R.G. W.

There are maybe only 5 few things I eat here, because to me they are "aBOVA" the rest (ha)... 5. Sfogliatelle (flaky, buttery Italian pastry with cheese inside) 4. Apple Square (make sure to warm it before you eat it, because its usually too chilled) 3. Sicilian slice (best when fresh from oven, but dough is good even when microwaved) 2. Cinnamon bread (get it when it comes out on Wednesday evenings) 1. Steak n cheese turnover (only available btwn 12 midnite and 2 am) And as a bonus, Id say grab some of those raspberry fingers... just 25 cents each. The rest of the stuff... never really had a hankering for; you can get better cupcakes at Lulus, for instance, and better pies from Mikes. I only get the bread when its fresh from the oven, otherwise, I dont bother. What is nice though is that the staff are all chummy and will remember you if you come back again! I like that, and come by several times a week.
(4)
Seth D.

So this is the sweet aroma I smell in coming though my window. I would recommend anyone go here and swear on my life it's the best in the North End. Wanna talk about fresh! I was looking for Italian bread so I grabbed a loaf out of the basket. The Baker/clerk/owner was insulted I wouldn't wait the 13 minutes for the fresh batch. These guys care about quality. Oh and it's open 24/7 so when that late night urge hits, hit Bova's
(5)
Jacqui L.

It's family run, they have all sorts of fresh pastries. It's delicious. Don't bother waiting in line at Mike's. Just go to Bova's, you won't regret it. Did i Mention its 24 hours???
(4)
Kimberly P.

Any 24 hour bakery gets 5 stars in my book. Add that to the fact that they have an amazing assortment and friendly service. My jeans are no longer going to fit in a few months. Oh well... at least my mouth will be happy.
(5)
Tony M.

Great bakery in the north end. Just as good as any other bakery in the neighborhood. Fresh & yummy every time !!
(4)
Ashlee C.

I would rate this place a three, but I really appreciate that they are open 24 hours. It seems like that there is little in the way of 'round the clock eats in Boston, so I am jealous of anyone that lives near Bova's. That being said, nothing you get here is gonna be out of this world amazing. But it will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth after a run through the North End gauntlet, or for a late night treat after the bar. They also have pizza and sandwiches until 10 o'clock or so, a little weird for a bakery, but they looked good enough. I asked the girl working why they did not sell those late night, as they would probably be a big hit for the bar crowd. She said that one of the neighboring ladies complained about the crowd outside the store, so the city said no hot food after 10PM. Too bad, sounds like she ruined a good thing.
(4)
S D.

Ok, yeah this place is open late, but they run out of everything, and on top of that, the people are assholes! I order a slice of pizza, and the dude behind the counter just says "EHHHHHHHH" like a game show buzzer for "wrong answer". I assume maybe he has some kind of tourettes or something? So again i ask for a slice. "NO PIZZA" he screams at me. Um ok. I'll have a calzone. "NO CALZONES!" Ok... Thanks for nothing asshole. Do you have anything here? Then some lady steps in and says they only have croissants. So I order some kind of stuffed croissant or something which was pretty gross. I'd say if your out late and have drunk munchies, I guess it's worth a shot, just go in with low expectations.
(2)
Charoline D.

I walked to Bova's today on a yet another lunch/dessert haunt with my fellow conossieur Adam. We typically go to Lulu's on a weekly basis to drool over s'mores cupcakes and eat there FOR LUNCH. Dessert for lunch? Juvenille? Perhaps. Delicious? Definitely. We decided to try somewhere new and it was glorious out so we walked to Bova's. My best friend Steve swears by this place, it was, by far, packed to the brim with various breads, pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts and is open 24 hours (always a plus if you're barhopping in the area) or need something for a birthday emergency. I would like to go back and try the pizza, but for now I'll just review the desserts we tried (before we headed to lulu's for more). I got a keylime pie, which was actually more in a dome shape and consisted more of cake than pie, more like cake with some cream piled on top of it, not too sweet, but not too limey either. Meh, just ok. Adam got a cannoli for portability reasons and it was really nothing special. Sadly, a cannoli from Mike's would've been better and I'm not one to go around touting Mike's....there was a line of about 20 fourth graders piling in there on our walk by. *Shudder...field trips. I'll write more when I have a chance to sample some calzone or pizza, but ehhhhh, Bova's, I'm not too impressed. To be continued..
(3)
C.Michele S.

Bova's is amazing. Way better than the touristy Mike's. They fill their subs so you're never still hungry. All their pastry's are amazing though make sure if you want the cannoli not to get the little ones. It's only a 25cent difference from the big ones. I'd def be 300 pounds if I lived any closer to this place!
(5)
Nick D.

I just had their regular cannoli and it was just ok. Maybe I'll try the chocolate chip cannoli next time.
(3)
Dan B.

The cupcakes at this bakery need to be enshrined into a hall of fame. The cake is soft and moist and the icing is thick and creamy. I love their vanilla on vanilla cupcakes with sprinkles. If that isn't enough to get you to try this place, consider that the cannolis are like crack and the bakery is open 24 hours.
(5)
Douglas B.

Extremely helpful with a fantastic and heavenly assortment of delectable pastries. I would recommend this place to anyone with even a mild sweet-tooth.
(5)
Jeff C.

All I hear is "blah blah blah Mikes" and regardless I'll review them later but when Mikes is closed I wonder what beatiful establishment is still open and serving me pastries? Most nights out in Boston end with the question of, "Bova's?" and a calzone to sober me up to enjoy the pastries I've purchased turns into the highlight of my night.
(4)
matt m.

Me: drunk You: open 24 hours though you don't serve pizza late enough. I love you anyway.
(4)
Jackie G.

First off, let me say I ALWAYS get my pastry from Mike's, but Bova's is amazing for so many other reasons. I used to live right next door and I'd be in here at least once a week. They make the best Italian sub. Their cold cuts, calzones are all SO yummy. Now, again for pastry or sweets I usually do not come here but there is one thing that is to DIE FOR. If you like Carrot Cake, you NEED to try Bova's carrot cake. It is so yummy and creamy I don't know fi its the cake, the frosting or both, but I don't care. I miss it. I have a sweet tooth so I used to always run here for it if I needed a fix.
(4)
Fiat V.

If you ever crave for an Italian pastry in the middle of the night, then this 24/7 place is the dive to satisfy your canoli hunger pang!
(4)
Jessica S.

Loved this place! Tried it last night for the first time with some friends - I will never go to Mike's Pastry again! No line, friendly service, prices were great and pastries were amazing!! Thanks, Bova's!!
(5)
James L.

Bovas is a bakery. They have great bread. They are not a pastry shop. They are not a deli. Seriously, what real pastry shop puts the Ricotta in the Canoli shell and lets it sit in the glass case? Do they realize it gets soggy?
(3)
Diane D.

A friend of mine who recently moved to the area looked at me with a puzzled look and told me that she was asked at work whether she was a "Mikes, Modern or Bova's girl". I couldn't even explain to her what it was because I was just like, wait! when did Bova's get added to that question? No offense Bova's, it's just that your pastries still aren't quite as good as either of those no matter how you look at it. However! Bova's. I do SO appreciate you. Usually this appreciation comes more at odd hours of the day, such as between 1-4 am when I have found myself wandering around the North End craving late night food after a night out. And Bova's fills a huge void in Boston life in general, which is 24-hour food! Also, for reasonable prices, you can get a variety of Italian specialties here outside of just pastries, including excellent fresh bread, subs, and panino. And if you do happen to be in the mood for a pastry during a time that the lines are particularly long at Mikes or Modern, Bova's is a fine standby more frequented by locals.
(4)
Courtney N.

I was visitng from out of town, there for 4 days and went to Bova 2x (the person from Boston is a food addict. no seriously, this guy talks about where we'll go for dinner and first and second course desserts DURING LUNCH!...haha, fun in small doses but the long term effect could be hazardous to your health). Anyway, back to Bova...how can you not love a place open 24/7 365 days a year that serves kick-ass desserts??? Among the 3 of us and 2 trips I have tried the following (ranked fav to least fav) 1. chocolate mousse--simple, delicious. 2. the strawberry-topped layered white cake--GIGANTIC! enough for 3 people 3. the chocolate mousse filled chocolate ganache ball thingee--a little heavy on the chocolate for me, but it was well-received by the other 2 4. chocolate cake with "jimmys" (us west coasters call them sprinkles)--moist, delicious, huge 5. black and white cookie--soft cookie, the black was better than the white part. Simply put: go there. eat. return any time of day to repeat. Note: $10 min for credit
(5)
Coco P.

Love Bova's Bakery! It is small but easy to get in and out of. You cannot eat there. They have large portions for reasonable prices. Love the lobster tails and especially appreciate that they have 2 sizes because I can definitely eat the large one without difficulty but the small one is better for my waistline! Everything we have had from Bova's has been delicious and the calzone's they put out look amazing but we have yet to have one. Some day we are going for a calzone and pastry rather than pastry after dinner out!! And I love that they are open 24 hours! To sum it up: YUM!
(4)
X X.

I love you, Bova's! And I swear I'm not just saying that because I can't get pastries nearly as good as yours out here in the Rockies. On top of supplying the world with yummy goodness, you're open 24/7. How thoughtful of you to think of our tummies after long nights of drinking.... How I miss you. But I will be back, oh yes, I will!!! Save me cream puff and lemon square please ;)
(4)
AJ F.

Open 24hrs!!.....Thats all you need to really know!! In my opinion the best late night place to go. Been here numerous times after nites of drinkin and typical Boston Shenanigans. Before you could go in get Pizza slice and Calzones. Now its Rice Balls and Croissant Calzone type of things. Can get your typical Italian Deserts as well. Def. Hits the spot after a long nite of drinkin!!
(5)
Christopher R.

Nothing like a family owned and operated, authentic Italian bakery. OPEN 24 HOURS! Let the tourists have Mike's. Let them stand in lines outside the block. Bova's is a hidden gem, and it's all mine. My preeecccccioussss! I go bonkers for thier Pizelles. Hmmmmmmm. They also have pretty good cupcakes even though they dont look so pretty or gourmet.
(5)
Christina K.

MMMM italian pastry... WAHHHHHH long lines at Mike's and Modern.. Solution? Bova's!!!! Bova's is great. Good cookies, good pastries, good bread, REALLY good ricotta pie. Open ALL the time. PERFECT.
(4)
Alexis M.

So everyone is always going to Mike's Pastry but I don't think it comes close to Bova's. Their canolis are an mouth watering. Their chocolate mousse should be renamed death by chocolate. Their tiramisu is the best. I love the fact that it is open 24 hours. Great pasteries at an affordable prices 24 hours a day. Can you get any better?
(5)
J M.

I love that they are open 24 hours a day, it makes it so convenient. I would recommend the coconut cake. And going later at note usually means an easy parking spot.
(5)
Lauren B.

There's no contest - this is my favorite bakery in the North End. When I have a craving for cannoli at eleven p.m., Bova's is there for me. Everyone there is extremely nice, and there are so many delicious desserts that I always end up getting something different. The Lobster Tails are amazing, as are the cream puffs and of course, the cannolis. I've frequented this place for the past three years and I've never had a stale or "off" pastry - they are consistently yummy. I usually end up at Bova's for dessert so I haven't tried any of their subs or calzones, but they look very tasty. It's a good thing I don't live in the North End, or else I'd be in Bova's every day. Not good for my health or for my wallet.
(5)
Johnny B.

I love Bova's! So do all of my out of state friends! So much better than the over hyped Mike's Pastry! Let all those fools stand in long lines, that means less lines for me at Bova's!
(5)
Jessica R.

After seeing some greasy employee stick his finger in a vat of batter, lick his finger, dip it back in and lick it again, then say, "I could eat a whole tub of that." --- I will never, ever be back.
(1)
Kathleen M.

Love Bova's. If you are insomniac it is 24/7 except one night. The place is run by several brothers or cousins, I forget which. Each runs the bakery for a year exactly. An accountant comes in totals up and swaps the books and the new brother or cousin is in for the next year. Wish I had a job like this. One year on two years off. They each come with their own staff. Which is why one night a year the whole thing changes. My favorite server works as much of the 24/7 possible one year and takes the off year off. I like the raspberry filled dipped chocolate cookies and the bread. The Thanksgiving cornucopia breads are cool.
(5)
Sarah B.

Yes please. The lobster tail was delicious and the people who work there were SO FRIENDLY, which I love. I was looking for an alternative to the popular Mike's Pastry, and liked the reviews of Bova I found on Yelp. Lines out the door just aren't my thing, unless there is nothing else like it in the world, and from what I hear about Mike's, that's just not the case. I loved Bova. Overall it was a great experience and my lobster tail was not rubbery at all! We also tried a few other things - all were great!
(5)
Erik S.

I ate my first canoli(s) here. Bova's is open 24 hours a day and as tons of good stuff to eat.
(4)
Stephanie B.

yes, yes, a thousand times yes! 24 HOURS is all my review should say, but there are other aspects of bova's that are way worth mentioning. their calzones are heavy as hell, perfect for ending a long night of drinking, but start early, since they sell out. bova's was my introduction to lobster tails. oh my god. better than the other bakeries around. granted, their cannoli are not as good as mike's, but there are so many other amazing goodies that it totally doesn't matter. i've been known to eat a pack of their assorted italian cookies for dessert, breakfast, and lunch.
(5)
Dragony F.

My never-ending pursuit and weekly mission for good bread VS. An enormous Tuscan whole wheat round Who wins this round of bread exploration? The Tuscan round! Tuscan round specs = gigantic oval loaf with a thick, pleasantly chewy crust surrounding a hearty, slightly sweet wholesome interior laced with beautiful golden wheat flecks I spent my train ride home constantly opening the bag and tearing off pieces to eat, eventually I had wrap and tape the bag to prevent myself from eating any more Great alone but FANTASTIC with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar They also carry other breads (Italian, cinnamon) plus plenty of sweets. If you're looking for good bread, avoid the tourist mobs at Mike's Pastries and head over to Bova's; the people are super nice and they're open 24 hours (24 hours!!) I'll give it the 5th star once I try their sweet goods...
(4)
Will N.

Great little 24-hour bakery in the North End, though I've only ever been here late at night. A great place to go after eating in Boston or going to a game or something and you're guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Prices are reasonable, the place is very informal and selection is pretty good. The cannolis are great as should be expected at any Italian bakery. This is a quirky little place and my favorite in Boston. This won't be a headliner, but it'll surely add to your night.
(4)
Anonymous P.

I have had one thing here, a cannoli. It was easily the worst I've had in Boston. The shell was soggy. Not slightly uncrisp, soggy. The ricotta filling was marginally acceptable; I had to search for the flavor. Perhaps everything else is wonderful, but guilt by association is fair when you serve subpar rubbish. Edit: I feel guilty about bad ratings, so I decided to try something else. I tried a raspberry pinwheel. It was marginally acceptable. Tasted stale and basically just really sweet. But hey, good enough to bump up a star! I'm factoring in the 24-hours thing and giving the benefit of the doubt here.
(2)
Lillian W.

I finally came here for the first time the other weekend... probably at about 1am or so. All I got was a raspberry twist and oh man was it good. I can't wait to try their other pastries... perhaps during the day. ...so I don't need to dodge the teenage mutant ninja rats hanging out in the north end.
(4)
Michael N.

I moved from Boston three years ago and have finally digested the last calzone I took down at Bova's...Why is this place open before Midnight? Would give them one more star, but Mikey Mumbles behind the counter always rocks a yankees hat.
(3)
Justin G.

When I lived in the North End this was one of my stops on the way home every night after I parked my car. Bova's is great! They are open 24 hours a day and everything is always pretty fresh. While in college this was a great place to come when we needed something sweet after a hard night of drinking. The quality of their pastry isn't the best but it isn't the worst either, and it's pretty cheap. I am not a big fan of their non-pastry foods although they make a decent Italian sub.
(4)
Nick R.

I really want to like this place, if for no other reason than it is 2 blocks away, open 24-hours, and far less commercial/touristy than the shops on Hanover. Unfortunately, it has been hit-or-miss, so I just haven't been that impressed. Here's what I've tried: Strawberry cheesecake: I'm a fan, I'd eat it again. It is moist and has great flavor. Strawberry shortcake mousse: I was way excited, but got home to find the strawberry on top was starting to mold. The mousse was no better. "Reese's" bars: other than some concern with trademark infringement, these are very tasty versions of the famous peanut butter cups, but in giant form "Almond Joy" bars: I'd rather have the real thing Red Velvet Cake: it looked terrific. Next time I'll take a picture. It was dry and surprisingly flavorless. Black and White cookie: skip it and wait until Modern is open, their's is the best I've had. Lobster Tail: if you're new to New England, it's important to know that these have nothing to do with lobster, other than the shape. It is a delicious creme-filled pastry with a flaky crust, and I recently discovered it is one of my favorites. If you don't have the appetite for a large, they carry mini versions that are great. Fresh bread: noetter places to buy bread in the North End during regular t so fresh. Better than nothing at 2am, but there are much bhours, some within 2 doors of this place. For around $3 a slice, I think Mike's or Modern are better choices for most things on the menu. I just don't like their lines and hours! I'll go back, if for no other reason than almost anything tastes good at 2 in the morning after a night of drinking. The more I drink, the more I like it. Unfortunately, I don't think that's a good thing.
(2)
Arestia R.

Bova's is my favorite bakery, above Mike's and above Modern. It's off the tourist path that is Hanover St. and open 24 hours a day. They have delicious, inexpensive bread and little anise cookies along with the obligatory cannolis that are made to perfection. I've never had actual food there, but the sandwiches look good and I spotted HUGE arancini balls there the other day that I hadn't noticed before. I'm definitely getting one next time. The staff is quick and attentive. I just love it there.
(5)
Mandy H.

The best thing I could hope for at 1am after a night of riding choppers through the greater Boston area was a sweet, sugary cupcake. Bova is tantalizing. Their window display of soft ,delicious breads and light, puffy pastries does not decieve. Bova is the genuine article in terms of North End delights. Not only do they have a variety of beautifully executed baked goods, but they also have substandial slices of pizza. Their greatest advantage, however, is their extensive operating hours. I would reccommend any flavor of cupcake as well as the eclair and canoli. *bellisima*
(4)
Mike G.

bite size cannoli's, creamy cream pies, light tiramisu and eclairs. these are a few of my favorite things here!
(4)
Mariam A.

Bova's has some of the best desserts I have ever eaten. It's open 24 hours a day, the staff are extremely friendly and the food is out of the world. Lobster tail is a must try. They make their cream fresh at the place and it's incredible. Must try this at least once.
(5)
Matt K.

It will make you fatter than Jabba the hut but you'll sure as hell have a good time doing it
(5)
Kira M.

A friend turned me onto this place... I love it. The coconut cake is out of this world and so are the mini cannolis.
(5)
Eve L.

This place has THE BEST CANNOLIS IN BOSTON. It's not even a contest. Don't believe the hype about Mike's or Modern Pastry. It's all about Bova's. Plus, they're open 24 hours a day. How freaking cool is that? Cannolis at any hour of the day. Mmmmm, cannolis. We chose them for our wedding - in lieu of wedding cake, which always tastes disgusting, we got about 3 billion cannolis. They were a big hit. My spouse tells me their sub sandwiches are amazing too, but they're pretty much all meat, so I've never tried them. Besides, why eat real food when there's cannolis around? Did I mention the cannolis yet? Mmmmmmmm.
(5)
Jen K.

Sandwiches were pretty good but the pastries are out of this world! I especially loved the eclairs - to die for. Best part about them is they're open 24 hours, perfect for that after the bars snack.
(4)
Jennifer D.

Florentine out of this world! Cannolli's delicious! Service wonderful. Bakery was crowded and I didn't feel rushed or pressured to make a decision quickly. I will go back. definately better than Mike's Pastry.
(4)
TJ M.

I used to live above Bova, so I know its food well... almost too well. Here is my advice... stick to the deserts and bread... the pizza and calzones are a grade above dog food. However, the chocolate eclairs are the best in the city... yes, they are the best.. better than Mike's Pastries. Bovas is most well known for its bread so you can't go wrong. If you want a good meal go next door to Monica's and pick up a dinner to heat up at home.
(3)
Courtney J.

Went here tonight for the 1st time, I knew there was some bakery open 24hrs but I could NEVER remember the name or location so on to Mike's I went. Tonight the line was an INSANE (official start to Summer tourism) line so my friend knew about Bova's, we drove around and finally found it..yeah! I got a tiramisu cup and canoli, well the tiramisu cup was nice but tasted a little on the alcoholic side...weird because I love alcohol, haha! But the canoli saved the review. It was the tiny canoli with chocolate chips were amazing and will be the reason of me always going back :-) PS there was hot food and a line for it..hmmm can't wait to try that too!!
(5)
StanLee T.

BEST CUPCAKES in BOSTON!!! Best bakery in the North End as well. Most people flock to Mike's Pastry not realizing a better bakery is a short walk away. Short lines, better prices, and open 24hrs a day. Sometimes you need a cupcake or strawberry shortcake at 3 in the morning. I also highly recommend the subs. They take a little while to make but are worth the wait. The staff is always friendly and eager to fatten you up!
(5)
Clara S.

This place is one that I take anyone who's visiting. My friend pushes the lobster tails (pastry version) and I push the chocolate "bomb." It's off the beaten Hanover St path, so it's not the pushy hell-hole of Mike's (and I find it better). And it's open 24 hrs a day. I've also had their calzones which are on the greasy side, but pretty delicious. I will have to try a sandwich one of these days.
(5)
Bonnie B.

We have come to Boston numerous times, and always gone to Mikes. This time we walked into Bova's Bakery and had a splendid surprise. We are currently sitting on our hotel bed enjoying a slice of coconut cake, eclair and fruit tart. I look forward to the almond cookies and wedding cookies with my coffee in the morning. Diana took good care of us and we will recommend and return to Bova's next time
(4)
Natalia T.

good place to go when you're craving a cream puff at 2 am ... or 3 am ... or 5am ;) fruit cups are not too bad either there're much better places, but for a 24-hr one this on is not too bad
(4)
Lala L.

Good place to go to after a night of drinking and craving munchies. Good luck with the parking, or double park and have a friend run in for food. Warm croissant-like pastries with ham&cheese were memorable. Almost like a hot pocket. Pizza was a disappointment, but hey, when you're buzzed, you'll eat anything, right?
(3)
Jennifer T.

On a recent trip to Boston, I wanted to try some tasty Italian treats, but didn't want to stand in line at Mike's or Modern. So a friend took us to 24-hour Bova's bakery, and it was wonderful -- probably the best cannoli I've ever had. And I don't even like cannolis! We went back to Bova's the next day because we couldn't get enough.
(5)
Jessica M.

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to lunch: I'll have a collection of Things I Shall Eat and stay pretty much within that range. I went to school just down the street ( nbss.org ) and Bova's was on my list; specifically, their Italian sub. My lunch break was a scant half-hour, and they were always pretty quick about constructing a delicious sandwich... a HUGE, delicious sandwich of which I'd save half for the next day. Because I am that creature of habit (aka, boring when it comes to some things) I never really explored their other food options once I discovered the Italian. I've enjoyed their cookies too.
(4)
Beth H.

This quiet unassuming place has decent pastries. When I first walked into this small place it was disconcerting to see a full deli right next to the desserts. I don't know about you, but for me ham and chocolate frosting just don't go together. The place was busy without any clear line to order in. It seemed like there were three different ones in there. Eventually we pushed through and just called out what we wanted.
(3)
Amanda L.

I miss living on Beacon Hill ONLY because I would get the Scali bread from Bova's every week. Living in Brighton, it's difficult, though not impossible if i feel like getting off my couch to do it. The place is great especially in a city that doesn't have many things that are open past 1, never mind 24 hours. Bova's gets 5 stars just for that. It doesn't hurt that everything is awesome there!
(5)
Michele G.

Not the biggest fan of their cakes, but I don't come here for them. I come for the Italian bread and the crackalicious Italian cookies. Coming from an Italian family, this is the real deal. Soon I'll be living within a 5-10 minute walk away from this place..... That's a delight and yet a scary thought. More visits to the gym are in my future, I suspect.
(4)
Doris K.

What attracted me the most was that this is a 24 hour bakery stocked with desserts and breads. The fruit tart wasn't that great but I'm open to coming back and sampling more desserts. I would stick to the breads since they looked so yummy and avoid the pizza like everyone else has noted. They do take credit cards but it's a $5 minimum. Parking is a pain but what place isn't in the north end.
(3)
Samuel T.

I love this place so much. Whether my friends and I are here to celebrate the end of the semester, the safe return from a trip to New York, a birthday or to blow money, we have always found something that fit our moods. I have never gotten the same thing twice here, because my urge to try everything once is simply too strong. The service is here is incredibly friendly and the fact that it's open 24 hours a day means that it will always be open to serve you with something sweet, savory or simple and delicious.
(5)
John D.

How can you not love Bova's that is open 24 hours? So fantastic. The calzones are flippin' fantastic and aren't really that expensive either. They sell cold cuts as well as sweets, and the sweets are rockin'. This is just a great place all around.
(5)
Doika P.

Really nice pastry shop. Comparable to Mike's Pastries. Haven't been there enough to really say definitively which is better. However I do know that the craziness of Mike's is not here and they are open 24 hours. There is really no place to sit inside so it is really a "to go" place. Can't wait to go back and try more....
(4)
Misty D.

I miss you old friend - 24 hour Italian bakery! Really? Does it get any better than that...NO it doesn't.
(5)
ChianWen T.

The store doesn't look as put together as other bakeries in the North End. They are open 24/7, so when you are drunk and it's late at night, would you really care?
(4)
michelle c.

24 hours & chocolate cake............so good.
(5)
Kim R.

oh bova's how many nights have you saved me from starvation when all hope was lost. get a chocolate bomb or an eclair or the rum cake or or orrrrrr ps. MAD AT YOU FOR SUDDENLY NOT SERVING TASTY PIZZA AND CALZONES AFTER 1 AM. lost a star!
(4)
Jeff D.

I'm sorry Kelly but if you don't like sugar and such, go to a vegetarian pizza place! Bova's has great pastries and canolis, and great calzones! i'm sorry but I love their calzones and pizza!!! And they have very cheap slices compared to the rest of the north end who expects you to buy a whole pizza or a small pizza . At least Bova's offers slices, unlike Regina's which you have to buy a whole pizza! C'mon more slices please!!!! Bova's staff is friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The feel of italy gives the place a charm as well. It is in the heart of the north end!!!! Park at Sullivan Square and come in on the orange line to Haymarket. That is your best bet :) Bovas is a a great stop before A celtics/Bruins game for a quick bite to eat.
(5)
J B.

I love this place, I love that they are open 24 hours, I love their sweets. Fond memories of going here late night.
(4)
Avril d.

so, bova's gets one star for being open 24 hours a day... that is the only thing that bova's get a star for though. when my friend and i walked in, the man behind the counter took our order (1 spinach and mozz calzone, 1 rum cake, 1 cannoli). we excitedly found a stoop and started eating. the calzone was gross and had almost no taste. the rum cake was not rum cake, it looked like day old bread soaked in simple syrup and tasted like it too. but, i maintained hope when biting into the cannoli...WRONG! their ricotta filling was disgusting and the cannoli shell was stale!?!? how do you mess up a cannoli?!?! i was so bummed out with this place.
(1)
Marisa L.

I found out about this 24 hour italian bakery through a friend and thought it was genius! Been here a few times, one late night and once in the daytime...and my one complaint is that the counter girls had major attitudes both times I went. Ask a question such as 'do you think a 1/2 lb. of cookies is enough for 6 people?' and you'll get the whole bit...rolling eyes and the 'oh please' sigh...bitter about working in a bakery at 2am on a saturday? perhaps. The pastries and italian cookies are decent though, they just need to lighten up in there....really.
(3)
LeeAnn T.

The worst calzone I have ever had. EVER. I think the brick of chicken parm is still in me somewhere! Scary but true. Their cookies are OK, but the awfulness of their calzones is the reason for the 2 star rating. Anywhere that would serve those things is dangerous in a very bad way.
(2)
Jay and Jenn O.

After dinner in the North End, go here to pick up a large Tuscan Round and some pastries. Open 24 hours.
(4)
Ben L.

What is there to not love about a 24 hour bakery. I mean come on folks 24 hours. Bova's is so awesome that I unilaterally divert my full attention to anyone that brings up the name of this fantabulistic place. Think of it. It's 4:18 in the morning and you suddenly need a loaf of bread and some cold cut's. Don't lie you know that this has happened to you. What the hell while you're in there why not grab yourself, a cannoli for the walk home and a bag of pizzelle for later. Wait, take the comma out of that last sentence. If you are having trouble understanding how great this is you should head over the the basketball court at midnight, shoot some hoops with friends and then head to Bova's for a snack afterwards. Just don't do this when I am there or I might have to throw down. If you have problems staying up after 9pm just stop by during the day and try this, walk up to the bread counter and ask them if they have any fresh loafs of bread. Mmmm. The straight-bakery+24hours What's good-24hours and they are a good bakery The slap-now if only they had more locations.....
(5)
Korri Leigh C.

The only reason why Bova's gets 3 stars is because they're open all night and the staff is friendly. Quite frankly though, the pastries are worse than any other North End Bakery. Sorry.
(3)
Tina L.

gotta love the access to a square slice at any hour!! yummy calzones, and almond cookies!
(5)
Shanna R.

bovas, you're a block away and always have a few old arancini's laying out at 3am for me to pay $5 for, so thanks for that. you're black and white cookies are amazing, even though you admitted you didn't think they were that great (like what?? you're knocking your own product in your own store to your own customer?? whatttt????) and you're staff needs to be a little happier about charging people an arm and a leg for a freakin calzone because that profit margin is too high to not smile about. but i'll continue to come here for your cookies and cupcakes b/c i have a sweet tooth that could put a 500 pound man to shame.
(3)
Nick K.

This place is great! The sandwiches here are very good and huge for the prices. The desserts are what earned this place 5 stars for me. I love sweets so I was in heaven when I walked in here. Tried a few things and they were all outstanding. The connollis and chocolate eclairs were outstanding and the cream puffs were very good. Another day, I also tried some sort of pastry with raspberry filling which was good but not as good as the others. The other great thing about this place is that they are open 24 hours and even though they dont serve their deli sandwiches, pizza, and other food, you can still get some delicious dessert.
(5)
J A.

My brother made a point of introducing me to Bova's when I first moved here to prove that there was something in Boston that stayed open past sundown. I got a damn delicious italian sub for about $6 and it was big enough to turn into two meals. Plus, they take debit/credit which is surprisingly hard to find here
(4)
Mina I.

Small plain cannoli = $1.50.. which I thought was a little pricey considering I ate it in three polite bites.. it was average.. but! I mostly came here for a loaf of Italian Bread which it boasts to be the best place to go for. All together $3.50 which really isn't too bad. It was fun to look around at the yummy looking sweets but I felt kind of ignored by the staff who kept recognizing other people who came in and tending right to them. I would be up to trying them again and hopefully will have a better experience to report.
(3)
Amy Jo A.

Stopped in to get some takeout lunch. Calzone was heated and not too warm. My son ate a slice of pizza which was good. We got some baked goods and they were wonderful. Service took long. Someone came in and double parked and got a 75$ ticket so dont do it. Have someone run in for you. Parking is bad. Worth the stop.
(4)
David R.

For italian sandwiches, this is one of the best. I simply love the "Bova's Special!" (I would stay away from the calzones though as they are simply pre-made and re-heated on demand) They have a huge selection of breads, pastries, and deserts and the one's I've had are great. The best part is they are open after everywhere else is closed. I believe they're open 24/7 (although sandwiches are only served until maybe 11:00pm or so).
(5)
CB B.

They get credit for being open 24-7. Best thing there, though, is the egg-wash bread with seeds. They don't always have it out on the counter, so make sure to ask for it.
(5)
Rochelle R.

One of my good friend's lived in Boston for a few years while she went to Wellesley and Harvard. She recommended that I try Bova's since they make the best dainty cookies (aka Italian Wedding Cookies). This place was down the street from Neptune's Oyster and would be a nice place to grab dessert after dinner. I got some cookies to take back home to my friend since she is back in LA. I also noticed that they had some cannolis, miniature ones. I still wanted to give cannolis another chance. So, I bought a vanilla and a chocolate cannoli. Back at the hotel I tried the cannolis which were very good. Way better than Mike's Pastry and the cookies were very tasty. My friend was so happy to get the cookies since she has not had them in awhile. Bova's was so quaint, very family oriented. It was nice to see that. It is also good to know that this place is open 24 hours, so when I want to get my sweet on when I am back in Boston, I can do it anytime!
(4)
Michael T.

Besides being the scene stealer in the movie "Fever Pitch," this place is rediculous being open 24/7 and the counter ppl are friendly as heck. The cupcakes are great (one of the best in town) and def. worth a trip alone. Mike's is way too tourisy...ppl in the know and locals, go to Bova's. Being a single guy in the N/End, Bova's is my first stop when coming home for calzones (try the eggplant parm) and pizza. But the pastries and breads are def. their specialty. No carb diet, what?
(5)
Daisy K.

perfect place for the late night/early morn munchies. wandered in here with a craving for chocolate + salt ... got my fix with this mocha mouse choco cake with a sweet strawberry on the top & the cheezy calzone. perhaps due to my haze i wasnt able to discern too greasy from just right but that's a good thing. mmm.
(4)
Kristen L.

i agree with the double parking because thats all you can really do thats why i give it a 4 but that doesn't mean anything about the pastry im a fan of the strawberry shortcake and chocolate covered strawberrys and the mini cannoli's very good late night dessert its worth the double parking
(4)
Brandy S.

As everyone has mentioned, it is open 24/7, so if you are hungry at 4am, head here. The pastries and breads are freshly made, and the cannolis are the best.
(4)
Brenden L.

The pastries here are just as good as those at Mike's and this place is even open 24/7 to boot. The calzones and pizza are also pretty good (make sure they heat them up though), especially at 5 in the morning.
(4)
Jo B.

Since moving to the Boston area, I've been making my way through all the pastry shops, sampling as many as possible. I have to start out by saying that I reaaally wanted to like Bova. I wanted it to be the hidden gem bakery that you bypass Mike's and Modern for. You know, the one you go to and think, "hahaha, those suckers are waiting on line on Hanover Street for nothing" But much to my dismay, this was not the case. I never like to judge a place a one visit since everyone has an off day now and then. But, after at least 5 visits, I don't think I will be going back. Each time I've gone, the lobster tail crusts have been burnt but not cripsy. Also, the cannolis were soft and just not very good. I've had better cannolis in San Diego. Yes, San Diego of all places....certainly not the benchmark city by which to judge Italian pastries, but better than Bova. The bread was also disappointing....no freshly baked crispy crust, just sort of like grocery store bread. I give it two stars because the clerks have always been friendly to me when I go in there and the cookies are pretty decent. There is never really a line, but I guess the reason for that is pretty obvious.
(2)
Ebrahim B.

open 24/7, always got something to eat. always something fresh being made, huge variety. Try the cupcakes, the vanilla in specific. The fruit tarts are great as well, although the pizza and calzones aren't worth it unless they're fresh.
(4)
kristyn m.

If you are sick of going to Mikes', try Bova's. It is open all night and i think the pastries are even better than Mike's. The fruit tarts are awesome and the chocolate decedance is superb.
(4)

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Address : 134 Salem St
Boston, MA, 02113
Phone (617) 523-5601
Website https://bovabakeryboston-hub.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :Open 24 hours

Specialities

Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No

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Bova’s Bakery

134 Salem St, Boston, MA, 02113

Bova’s Bakery Menu

Subs

Calzones

Pizza

Whole Pizza

Party Subs

Deli - Cold Meat

Deli - Cheese

Pastries

Flaky Pastry

Tiramisu

Cakes

Cheese Cakes

Whole Cakes

Cannolis

Breads

Specialty Breads

Mixed Cookies

Single Cookies

Cookies by The Pound

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bova’s Bakery

Subs

Calzones

Pizza

Whole Pizza

Party Subs

Deli - Cold Meat

Deli - Cheese

Pastries

Flaky Pastry

Tiramisu

Cakes

Cheese Cakes

Whole Cakes

Cannolis

Breads

Specialty Breads

Mixed Cookies

Single Cookies

Cookies by The Pound

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