Villabate Alba

My dad brings home stuff from this bakery all the time, one of the best I’ve ever had. The inside of this place is stunning as well, beautiful décor with fresh cookies and pastries all around! Some of the best rainbows and pignolis in town. My favorite are the little green pistachio/​almond paste-​y ones. They’re the best!

Too many yummy things to list. My gf took me there for the lobster tail pastry, Holy blank blank blank was it amazing. Beautiful décor and Nice painting on ceiling. Definitely recommended.

I came here to buy my daughter a birthday cake. I approached the counter and waited to be attended only to be ignored by every employee at that counter. But they were quick to attend people that arrived after me. Let’s just say they’ll never see any of my money again.

The pastries here are okay. The customer service is what really sucks. It shouldn’t be that hard to put a smile on your face and be nice to a paying customer. I had no problem ordering, but when it came time to pay the lady at the counter gave me a dirty look and practically threw my change at me. It was probably because I’m Asian.

Not a huge fan of the desserts here, however, the rainbow cookies are probably the best I’ve had. The other desserts are OK, nothing too great, but I have returned multiple times just for the rainbow cookies.

You cannot beat Villabate. It’s the best bakery in Brooklyn that is 100% authentic. Great pastries and cakes, beautifully decorated and the taste is great. The gelato is also delicious in the summer months. The line during the holidays is down the block so come early!

One of my favorite bakeries! Amazing marzipan with beautiful designs. Cappucino is amazing as well. We order from Villabate for every special occasion.

It’s hard to find a true Italian bakery in Bensonhurst these days. Most of them have been bought out since the neighborhood is changing so much. However, Alba is definitely an exception to that. Delicious and solid Italian pastries. Cookies are good, lobster tails, puff pastries and the cheese cake. I didn’t try the gelatins but they look so good too.
If your in the neighborhood and looking for Italian pastries or a cake this is defiantly one of the best in the neighborhood.

I bought a box of goodies to bring home for my parents since it’s the start of a New Year & what better way to remind them of how great of a daughter I am than to deliver some highly Unilocal rated Italian sweets? I had to get the canolis, and also bought 2 eclairs, and a kiwi tart. The canoli was crunchy, not too sweet, and had a near custard filling as did the eclairs. The kiwi tart was topped with a bunch of fruits that were nice to look at and sweet to eat. The tart was more soft than it was crisp, but still very delicious! I wish I bought more so that I would have more for myself…
I would advise against buying coffee here although it was only a dollar for a small cup. I asked for 2 sugars, and it was extremely sweet. My boyfriend ordered 1 sugar and it was only a hint of sweet. 1 pack of sugar should not make that big of a difference… When we got these coffees, they were both lukewarm even when they were made in front of us. How??? I also found an unpleasant surprise as I sipped my coffee and caught a small piece of paper in my mouth.
Other than the coffee, the desserts here were delicious although a bit on the pricy side, and the staff here were really nice! I wish they would put labels for their desserts, but I’m sure that no matter what you order, they’re bound to taste great (except for the coffee).

You cannoli imagine.
5 stars, baby.
Two giant thumbs up.
Villabate Alba has been my go-​to pasticceria in Brooklyn for over 22 years.
There is no competition! Villabate Alba delivers consistent quality in ALL of their products.
Delizioso.

WARNING: It is dangerous to live near Brooklyn’s Little Italy. This bakery will have you addicted. It will leave behind this irresistible desire to come for more or buy more to take home. It will destroy relationships at home when you realize that there is only one last piece of dessert in the box.
Sadly, this is a true story.
A more recent story, however, revolves around the tiramisu cake I ordered from here for my mom’s birthday. They paid close attention to the aesthetics, adding chocolate plates and icing designs. The whipped cream wasn’t overwhelming, but rather it complemented the rich flavor of the cocoa.
Without a doubt, I’ll come back for the cannolis that everyone’s been raving about.

My boyfriend and I revived a package from here this morning and it’s almost gone.
This was by far the best Holliday present that anyone could have asked for after not being in NY for a few months.
The treats don’t have an abundance of sugar like traditional bakeries, but are just sweet enough to satisfy cravings and keep you wanting more.
I think my new favorite treat is in the bag of assorted baked goods that we revived today. A little orange ball with some kind of orange filling in it. I’m going to have to figure out what that is so that I can possibly order more,
This place has defiantly made its way onto my list of favorite places already and I’ve never stepped foot into the establishment.

A-​mazing!
Always check-​in for a free cannoli whenever they have that deal. Not to mention, their cannoli’s are the average $ 2.25 or $ 2.50 but are bigger sized and better tasting (in my opinion) than all the other places along 86^th Street, Bay Parkway, or 18^th Avenue! Trust me, I’ve been cannoli-​hunting.
Cakes are quite beautiful. We usually come here for cakes for special occasions (e.g. tiramisu, red velvet). Plus, you can always sample cookies on the tray at the register. Sometimes we come for gelato in the summer as well.
But lines might be long at times. Sometimes they go around the street corner. Like this past Thanksgiving when I flew back to New York. How I craved for their cannoli…

This is my favorite spot to go to if I’m in the mood for a fresh cannoli or in need of a last-​minute cake. I’ve been going here ever since I moved to Bensonhurst and they never cease to amaze me. The other day I stopped by for a rice ball, and they had just made these cute tiny rum balls that tasted like chocolate heaven. Right now is definitely the time to visit this bakery because they have the best Christmas pastries for the season.

Every year, my parents present a vast array of Italian cakes and pastries for my birthday. Yea I know… diet totally out the window. But its so good that I don’t feel guilty at all.
Villabate has the the BEST RAINBOW COOKIES ever. Both chocolate dipped and regular canolis were fantastic also. They ordered me a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and it was perfection.
Everything was absolutely great except for their cream puffs– we ordered a mix of custard and canoli filling… both were kinda soggy. :(bummer. I’d have to recommend going to Rimini on Bay Parkway for a crisper puff, if that’s your thing too!

Probably the best of its kind in Bensonhurst, I always recommend their cheesecakes, when my studio opened I picked up a 20 inch and brought to the party, even the pickiest crowd loved it. I came here this time for the tiramisu because I’ve been craving for it and I couldn’t find one. single. bakery. that sells tiramisu, let alone good tiramisu. They serve very good gelato and Italian cheesecake, you could find a good assortment of sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth.

I happened to walk into this restaurant while a 65 year old Über driver was ordering a cappuccino. I told the worker that I came from Upper Manhattan to try this place out and had no direction in what to choose. She directed me to the authentic italian dishes, and after some words in italian to the barista, I was served an amazing cappuccino.
The conversation that I had with the locals was by far priceless. I found it especially entertaining when the barista apologized for the old man cracking so many jokes, the two whispering in italian back and forth.
Hands down amazing atmosphere and amazing coffee and pastries. Hit my palate and literally makes me want to go back ASAP. Not to mention it should cost a lot more than $ 8 for all the pastries I got to try. Definitely check this place out! I’m not italian but I love italian culture and this hit the spot.

Villalbate Alba is one «Coutour» Bakery that outstands the others! Located in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, the bakery offers lattes, coffee, tea, breads, cakes, pastries, and one look inside, its hard coming out!
We ordered a Canoli and spongecake for my brother’s birthday. One bite is all it took for your mouth to savor all the sweetness the caKe offers. The cream filling reminded me of an Indian sweet dish called Ras Malai, it is a very rich, juicy sweet dish.
We also ordered canolis, a fruit tart and cheesecake. Everything is fresh, delicious and fills your sweetooth cravings.
I would of given 5 stars, but due to customer service, I gave Villabate Alba, 4 stars.

Scrumptious cookies and pastries. You have to try their lemon drop cookies and raspberry cookies. They melt in your mouth and are so fresh. They last for days if you take it to go. Highly recommend.

This bakery is a Brooklyn and New York City icon as one of if not the best Italian/​Sicilian bakery around. To anyone who has ever gone, it is affectionatly known as Alba’s. Here’s a little backstory:
Alba’s Pastry shop was opened in 1932 by Nicolo Alba. He was joined by his son Salvatore, who later took over the business. For the next half a century, the location has been a staple for all in the neighborhood and abroad. Even celebrities like Donald Trump and Frank Sinatra waited outside on line trying to get in the doors. Sal Alba retired and sold his business to Luigi Di Rosa in March 2004. Luigi, who was already involved in his Dolceria in Staten Island, flipped the property to Emmanuel and Lina Alaimo in June 2004. The Alaimos were the owners of Villabate pastry shop, also on 18^th Ave. The Alaimos completely remodeled, refurbished and expanded the store from the basement on up, and reopened it as the new Villabate Alba, as it is today.
To be clear, this is not a cheap little italian hole in the wall. The pastries are expensive and they rightfully deserve to be so given their amazing flavor and quality. My grandparents came here for the cannoli, my parents came for the cookies, I went for everything else. The mini cannoli are out of this world, everything is made fresh, nothing goes to waste. Everything here is the best in New York City. If you don’t believe me, try it yourself. I cannot even begin to describe the incredible and decadent flavors that come out of this shop.

OMG, you can’t do better than this for pastries, especially when you are bringing them to a customer that lives outside of NYC.
Specifically, when I go to grab pastries here it’s
1)when I am either attending a dinner at someone’s home. I get cursed at afterwards because of leaving the decadent and deadly pastries behind
2) As forementioned, visiting an important client and let me tell you, Ive shown up with Donuts and coffee, the napoleans and canoli’s were devoured in record time
3) I don’t even eat many pastries, I’m can’t do milk/​cream and Im a salt eater. but I know what’s up and got to to get grain pies, and sfiogietelli’s etc for others
4) I went in on a 93 degree day to pick up these presents and they gave me water and paper towels to wipe the sweat from my brow… that’s just love
Bensonhurst’s best export, delivered by an Italian Irish foody. makes me look good everytime. That’s love yo

If you thought Jessica Alba was the most delicious Alba on the planet, you were wrong. She may win the silver medal in the Albaliciousness stakes, but the champion has its own luxury Villa in Coney Island and a collection of Vampire Bats that hang out at the store. You guessed it. It’s Villabate Alba.
What to get: Mini Cannoli for a snack, or full size Cannoli if you’re hungry.
Ooh: Yes, it’s literally one of the best Cannolis you will ever eat.
And: Everything here is made on premises and you can taste it.
What else: Don’t get involved romantically with any of the staff, I heard they all have «Villabaggage.»
If it were «Filling-​paté Alba» then it would sell very heavy, very fatty French gourmet spreads. Luckily it doesn’t.
This Cannoli can be recognized by the cute little fruits they put in each end, which a lot of places don’t do. You can see what I mean from my picture.
If it were «Fell-​aparte Alba» then it would be very soft and crumbly, so as soon as you take a bite, it collapses into pieces. Actually it can be a bit like that, but not if you have a delicate touch, and treat it like your lover. ;)
New York City is where the best Cannolis in North America are to be found, and the very best two are both in the same city. These two are «Villabate Alba» and «Cannoli Plus.» They’re basically within walking distance of each other in Brooklyn, and are both spectacular. VA is a little fancier, on a nice well-​trafficked intersection corner, and has delicious Gelato as well. CP is a little more understated, hidden under subway lines around the block. If you are a fan of Cannoli, you simply must try both.
If it were «Vile-​baddies Alba» then it would be any given James Bond movie. Or a Mafia movie maybe, since this is in the heart of Italian Brooklyn, capisci?
What sets these Cannolis apart is that they have the most amazing crust, the most divine, creamy, not-​too-​sweet filling, and that the come together to form the most delicious Cannoli taste you’ll probably ever experience. In my experience of referring peopel here, most people who try one or both of these two, agree that it’s the best Cannoli they’ve tasted. See for yourself. Come and pop one of these creamy babies in your mouth.
If it were «Village-​idiots Alba» then it would be owned by the Bush family.
Villabate Alba goes one better than Cannoli Plus, because (a) it’s ever so slightly better in my humble opinion, and (b) they have Gelato! Really good gelato too, if you ask me. Possibly some of the best Gelato in NYC. Not as good as Italy (or Belgium), but then can you really expect them to be? Try some of their amazing Gelato and be amazed.
If it were my cousin «Vinnie Alba» then Marisa Tomei would shop here and distract everyone with her knowledge of how to handle a stick… shift.
Service is nice (by NYC standards), and if you’re not too hungry, you can get a very generous «Mini» for as little as a dollar or so. It will serve your purposes perfectly if you have a lot of other things to try. The regular sizes are absolutely huge.
And if it were «Vino-​belly Alba» then it would be dedicated to how pudgy you’ll get if you drink too much alcohol. But then Cannolis and Gelato will have the same effect. And that shouldn’t stop you. Because these may be the best Cannolis you will ever put in your mouth.
And if you’d like to put something else Cannoli-​shaped in your mouth, then I have a suggestion… let me show you.

Vilabate Alba in Brooklyn easily lives up to its reviews. Thank you to my Unilocal friends for cluing me in. Christmas is a great time to stop in. parking can be a challenge for LI’ers so my tip is go when you can have someone wait in the car to avoid a trek.
Prices were surprisingly lower than NYC or LI. How can can canoli’s be $ 2 in the city? Very light with real citrus and perfect light homemade canoli shells.
I really liked the festive feel, presentation and lots of attentive knowledgable people. The woman who assisted me had a real Italian accent and helped me find the right things.
It’s Christmasy in here so head over.

DESSERTS HEAVEN! I love pastries, I love cake, I love gelato. And they have everything! Cakes are sold by slice or by whole. They also sell cookies and cannolis. Their cannolis are so good! Unlike other places, the middle was completely filled. The filling was not too sweet, perfect for me. I also tried gelato, although there weren’t that many flavors, I still enjoyed it.
The girl that served me was very helpful and patient. I was very indecisive and made her walk around the store twice — but she was still very courteous. I love this place. must try the cannoli! I will be back soon!