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italian pastry on plate
Clarke’s zeppole are filled with ricotta, chocolate chips, and almonds.
Clarke/Supplied

Where to Find Montreal’s Finest Zeppole to Celebrate San Giuseppe

Pick up the traditional Italian pastry and new riffs on classic recipes to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day

by Valerie Silva Updated
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Clarke’s zeppole are filled with ricotta, chocolate chips, and almonds.
| Clarke/Supplied
by Valerie Silva Updated

There’s only one way to mark La Fiesta di San Giuseppe, also known as Italian Father’s Day or St. Joseph’s Day — with a zeppola in hand. Though the holiday officially falls on March 19, these deep-fried, ring-shaped pastries traditionally crammed with ricotta and powdered with sugar can be found in Italian bakeries and restaurants across the city until Easter. In other cases (see: Pizzeria Gema), calendar-marking and queue-waiting for a one-day event are part of the experience, so plan judiciously.

Approaches to the Italian pastry differ in shape (circular ring vs. ball-like fritter), cook (deep-fried vs. baked), filling (ricotta, custard, Nutella, pistachio, tiramisu, limoncello, etc.), and topping (to cherry or not?). And the list of variations on the original — widely attributed to a baker from early-1800s Naples — gets longer by the year. See some of the ones available in Montreal on the map below.

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Patisserie St Martin (multiple locations)

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Open since 1988, and with a second location at the Jean-Talon Market, Patisserie St-Martin is a staple for Italian sweets in — and out — of the city. Come spring, it’s slinging zeppole in pistachio, limoncello, and Nutella flavours.

2495 Boul Saint-Martin Est, Laval, QC H7E 4X6, Canada
(450) 629-6202
(450) 629-6202

Gema Pizzeria

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For the eighth year running, Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione’s supremely popular Little Italy pizzeria Gema will be cranking out perhaps the city’s most sought-after zeppole in a one-day, high-intensity affair, known to generate queues snaking down St-Dominique. Mark your calendars: They start at 10 a.m. on March 19 and go on for as long as quantities last.

6827 Rue Saint-Dominique, Montréal, QC H2S 3B1, Canada
(514) 419-4448
(514) 419-4448

Pasticceria Alati-Caserta

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In business since 1968, Little Italy’s highly praised Pasticceria Alati-Caserta is now run by the next generation, but its operation (and sweets) remains just as impressive. Every year, the bakery produces fried and baked zeppole in various flavours, including pistachio ricotta, tiramisu cream, and gianduja (chocolate hazelnut).

277 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1K3, Canada
(514) 271-3013
(514) 271-3013

Also featured in:

La Cornetteria

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Though perhaps best known for its wide selection of cronuts, cannoli, and bomboloni, come spring La Cornetteria is a necessary stop on any zeppole pilgrimage. Crisp, heavy with ricotta, and yet still airy — it’s a tricky equilibrium to master, yet La Cornetteria has done it again.

6528 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C6, Canada
(514) 277-8030
(514) 277-8030

Also featured in:

San Pietro

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This Rosemont bakery has zeppole seekers covered with flavours ranging from ricotta to hazelnut and tiramisu, available up until Easter. While there, get a slab of fresh tomato pizza and a spinach and mozzarella roll to go.

1950 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2E 1T8, Canada
(514) 722-1388
(514) 722-1388

G Sacchetti

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This takeout- and delivery-only NDG pizza spot is expanding on its regular dessert offering in honour of San Giuseppe. On March 19 and 20, it’s selling zeppole filled with citrus-spiked whipped ricotta cream.

5463 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H4A 2E1, Canada
(514) 994-2104
(514) 994-2104

Also featured in:

Boulangerie Pâtisserie La Conca D'oro

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Piped with ricotta, Nutella, custard, and more, the zeppole at this 50-year-old family-run establishment on Jean-Talon East are a long-standing tradition.

2550 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2A 1T9, Canada
(514) 728-2756
(514) 728-2756

Elena

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Elena’s resident pastry chef Michelle Marek succeeds again, this time with a gorgeous spin on the Italian classic. The St-Henri pizzeria’s zeppole are loaded with pistachio cream and topped with a cluster of nuts, plus a cherry for good measure. Available March 18 and 19.

5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T1, Canada
(514) 379-4883
(514) 379-4883

Also featured in:

Pâtisserie & Boulangerie Italia

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Operating out of this St-Leonard pastry shop, Sisterly Sweets has developed a reputation for its worth-the-trip confections, including its take on the deep-fried choux pastry dessert. They’ve got a nice selection of flavours, but ricotta-filled and cherry-topped is where it’s at.

5540 Rue Jean-Talon, Saint-Léonard, QC H1S 1L9, Canada
(514) 259-0746
(514) 259-0746

La Panzeria Café

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This St-Denis spot, an expert in Apulian food traditions, is committed to “selling zeppole in the classic way, exactly like in Italy,” owner Pierpaolo Sansone says. They are filled with a Chantilly cream, topped with an Amarena cherry, and available daily until the end of March. 

4084 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5, Canada
(514) 219-1110
(514) 219-1110

Also featured in:

Parma Café (multiple locations)

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With multiple locations across Montreal, casual Italian eatery and coffee shop Parma Café ensures its zeppole are never too far out of reach. Available until the end of March.

1202 Rue Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E3, Canada
(514) 879-0000
(514) 879-0000

Clarke Café

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Clarke Café caters to those who believe zeppole deserve an entire season, not just one holy day: Its version is filled with ricotta, chocolate chips, and almonds and is available at its Centre Street locale until the end of April.

2483 Rue Centre, Montréal, QC H3K 1J9, Canada
(514) 938-5554
(514) 938-5554

Also featured in:

Rita

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Have a hankering for zeppole in the Verdun area? Rita is among the more recent additions to the city’s zeppole scene, but its version — piped with pastry cream and topped with an Amarena cherry — is classic.

3681 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V1, Canada
(514) 419-1942
(514) 419-1942

Also featured in:

Arte & Farina

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This time of year, Italian pastry chef and Arte & Farina co-owner Sandro Carpene brings his attention to the mighty zeppola. Head to this Village pastry shop for zeppole filled with a ricotta, pistachio, and candied orange cream.

1256 Rue Ontario E, Montréal, QC H2L 1R6, Canada
(514) 999-8922
(514) 999-8922

Also featured in:

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Patisserie St Martin (multiple locations)

2495 Boul Saint-Martin Est, Laval, QC H7E 4X6, Canada

Open since 1988, and with a second location at the Jean-Talon Market, Patisserie St-Martin is a staple for Italian sweets in — and out — of the city. Come spring, it’s slinging zeppole in pistachio, limoncello, and Nutella flavours.

2495 Boul Saint-Martin Est, Laval, QC H7E 4X6, Canada
(450) 629-6202
(450) 629-6202

Gema Pizzeria

6827 Rue Saint-Dominique, Montréal, QC H2S 3B1, Canada

For the eighth year running, Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione’s supremely popular Little Italy pizzeria Gema will be cranking out perhaps the city’s most sought-after zeppole in a one-day, high-intensity affair, known to generate queues snaking down St-Dominique. Mark your calendars: They start at 10 a.m. on March 19 and go on for as long as quantities last.

6827 Rue Saint-Dominique, Montréal, QC H2S 3B1, Canada
(514) 419-4448
(514) 419-4448

Pasticceria Alati-Caserta

277 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1K3, Canada

In business since 1968, Little Italy’s highly praised Pasticceria Alati-Caserta is now run by the next generation, but its operation (and sweets) remains just as impressive. Every year, the bakery produces fried and baked zeppole in various flavours, including pistachio ricotta, tiramisu cream, and gianduja (chocolate hazelnut).

277 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1K3, Canada
(514) 271-3013
(514) 271-3013

La Cornetteria

6528 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C6, Canada

Though perhaps best known for its wide selection of cronuts, cannoli, and bomboloni, come spring La Cornetteria is a necessary stop on any zeppole pilgrimage. Crisp, heavy with ricotta, and yet still airy — it’s a tricky equilibrium to master, yet La Cornetteria has done it again.

6528 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2S 3C6, Canada
(514) 277-8030
(514) 277-8030

San Pietro

1950 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2E 1T8, Canada

This Rosemont bakery has zeppole seekers covered with flavours ranging from ricotta to hazelnut and tiramisu, available up until Easter. While there, get a slab of fresh tomato pizza and a spinach and mozzarella roll to go.

1950 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2E 1T8, Canada
(514) 722-1388
(514) 722-1388

G Sacchetti

5463 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H4A 2E1, Canada

This takeout- and delivery-only NDG pizza spot is expanding on its regular dessert offering in honour of San Giuseppe. On March 19 and 20, it’s selling zeppole filled with citrus-spiked whipped ricotta cream.

5463 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H4A 2E1, Canada
(514) 994-2104
(514) 994-2104

Boulangerie Pâtisserie La Conca D'oro

2550 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2A 1T9, Canada

Piped with ricotta, Nutella, custard, and more, the zeppole at this 50-year-old family-run establishment on Jean-Talon East are a long-standing tradition.

2550 Rue Jean-Talon, Montréal, QC H2A 1T9, Canada
(514) 728-2756
(514) 728-2756

Elena

5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T1, Canada

Elena’s resident pastry chef Michelle Marek succeeds again, this time with a gorgeous spin on the Italian classic. The St-Henri pizzeria’s zeppole are loaded with pistachio cream and topped with a cluster of nuts, plus a cherry for good measure. Available March 18 and 19.

5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1T1, Canada
(514) 379-4883
(514) 379-4883

Pâtisserie & Boulangerie Italia

5540 Rue Jean-Talon, Saint-Léonard, QC H1S 1L9, Canada

Operating out of this St-Leonard pastry shop, Sisterly Sweets has developed a reputation for its worth-the-trip confections, including its take on the deep-fried choux pastry dessert. They’ve got a nice selection of flavours, but ricotta-filled and cherry-topped is where it’s at.

5540 Rue Jean-Talon, Saint-Léonard, QC H1S 1L9, Canada
(514) 259-0746
(514) 259-0746

La Panzeria Café

4084 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5, Canada

This St-Denis spot, an expert in Apulian food traditions, is committed to “selling zeppole in the classic way, exactly like in Italy,” owner Pierpaolo Sansone says. They are filled with a Chantilly cream, topped with an Amarena cherry, and available daily until the end of March. 

4084 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5, Canada
(514) 219-1110
(514) 219-1110

Parma Café (multiple locations)

1202 Rue Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E3, Canada

With multiple locations across Montreal, casual Italian eatery and coffee shop Parma Café ensures its zeppole are never too far out of reach. Available until the end of March.

1202 Rue Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E3, Canada
(514) 879-0000
(514) 879-0000

Clarke Café

2483 Rue Centre, Montréal, QC H3K 1J9, Canada

Clarke Café caters to those who believe zeppole deserve an entire season, not just one holy day: Its version is filled with ricotta, chocolate chips, and almonds and is available at its Centre Street locale until the end of April.

2483 Rue Centre, Montréal, QC H3K 1J9, Canada
(514) 938-5554
(514) 938-5554

Rita

3681 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V1, Canada

Have a hankering for zeppole in the Verdun area? Rita is among the more recent additions to the city’s zeppole scene, but its version — piped with pastry cream and topped with an Amarena cherry — is classic.

3681 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G 1V1, Canada
(514) 419-1942
(514) 419-1942

Arte & Farina

1256 Rue Ontario E, Montréal, QC H2L 1R6, Canada

This time of year, Italian pastry chef and Arte & Farina co-owner Sandro Carpene brings his attention to the mighty zeppola. Head to this Village pastry shop for zeppole filled with a ricotta, pistachio, and candied orange cream.

1256 Rue Ontario E, Montréal, QC H2L 1R6, Canada
(514) 999-8922
(514) 999-8922