Guide: Where to eat dessert in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood - The Boston Globe (2024)

Here is Globe Rhode Island’s guide to dessert in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence.

PASTICHE FINE DESSERTS

Federal Hill is home to one of Providence’s most iconic dessert shops, featuring all the classics from eclairs to cannoli and biscotti, plus at least a dozen cakes you can purchase whole or by the slice.

Owner Amy Foster, who started as a baker in the ‘90s and has worn many hats before taking over as owner two years ago, said the most popular dessert is the fresh fruit tart — “we can’t make enough of them,” she said — perhaps a surprise considering its proximity to so many Italian restaurants (the tiramisu and cannoli are also very popular, of course.) The store stopped its dine-in service during the pandemic and it has never returned, but a steady stream of takeout customers sustain business in the quaint shop on Spruce Street with its recognizable blue storefront.

On top of desserts, the shop sells coffee from Providence-based New Harvest Coffee Roasters and other items like local honey, jams, teas, and various home items; I spotted some tiny brass spoons for sale on my most recent visit. Foster said she’s not planning any changes to the pastry shop, aiming to continue making all the high-quality favorites for years to come. — Steph Machado

Location: 92 Spruce St., Providence, R.I., 401-861-5190, pastichefinedesserts.com.

TERRA NEGRA CANTINA

If you’re bumping around the neighborhood while the sun is still rising, you might catch a glimpse of some staffers walking in through the back cellar door at Terra Negra Cantina to begin the onerous process it takes to make masa for tortillas from scratch — an archaic and fading tradition at most places. The restaurant’s menu is the brainchild of fast-talking chef Amilkar Gonell, who said he’s one of the chefs who has prepared culturally appropriate Latin food for Boston Red Sox players, and his wife Pamela Gonell, a talented pastry chef who previously studied to become a doctor until she was involved with an accident. Order the elote (tender street corn), paella Negra with squid ink and totomoxtle ashes, and any of their tacos.

But something that should not be overlooked is Pamela Gonell’s desserts, where she’s added in her own flavor and whimsical plating designs. Her churros are made with an edible chocolate tea cup filled with a silky dulce de leche. And her dulce de tres leches, an iconic Mexican sponge cake, is plated with edible flowers and a pink sugar dusting. — Alexa Gagosz

Location: 59 DePasquale Ave., Providence, R.I., 401-537-7535, terranegra.restaurant.

SCIALO BROTHERS BAKERY

Walking into this charming little spot on Federal Hill feels a bit like stepping back in time.

Bars, cookies, pastries, pies, and cupcakes are displayed in polished glass cases. Towering whole cakes and thick slices crowd a curved glass case at the back of the small store, and trays of pizza strips and loaves of Italian bread line the counters behind it.

Scialo Brothers Bakery has three claims to fame, besides their top-notch treats. The family-owned and -operated business has catered to generations of Rhode Islanders since 1916. Their authentic Italian baked goods are made on site in oil-fired brick ovens that they say date back to the 1920s. And though it closed and was put up for sale during COVID, it rose from the ashes of the pandemic less than a year later, thanks to an anonymous group of investors who kept the old recipes and hired back the staff — including the former owners (who have since retired).

They do a great job of the Italian standards, including zeppole, torrone, and cannoli, with shells filled to order so the pastry stands up to the cool, creamy ricotta. But there are plenty of other things to try, like pretzel-shaped pastries filled with sticky fig jam, palm-sized tarts bursting with fresh fruit, wedges of cheesecake, and twists of tender crust lined with apple, raspberry, or cinnamon sugar. Try the Aperol spritz cupcakes, which are piled high with a sweet candied-orange-peel flavored frosting. You can also pick up packages of chunky biscotti, powdered-sugar coated butterball cookies, or cookies to go.

But the icing on the cake, for out-of-towners and locals alike: A small lot right next to the building, so you can stop in, ease your cake craving, and be on your way without searching for a parking spot. — Lylah Alphonse

Location: 257 Atwells Ave., Providence, R.I., 401-421-0986, stay updated on Instagram.

CAFE ITALIA

The first draw to Cafe Italia is the design: The blue and gold marble-looking floors were designed to make you think you’re walking through the clouds, past a row of plush, baby pink couches. The ceiling mural depicts scenes of ancient warriors in battle, goddesses floating around temples, and others blowing into golden horns. Bright pink, aqua, lilac, and white flowers adorn the walls as olive trees sit in the middle of the floor inside woven baskets. Two stone statues of Pegasus hang on either side of the cafe. At the top is Italia’s motto, written in a lit-up neon sign: “Embrace your inner goddess.”

Frankly, there’s just a lot to look at. The bright, feminine-forward colors certainly attract those who are looking to simply shoot their next Instagram post, which was done intentionally. But when you dig under the surface, it’s more than a social media backdrop.

Opened in March by Saja Barway, his wife Italia Sousa Barway (the owners of Ours, a neighboring restaurant), and local restauranteur Alex Tomasso, they serve Illy coffee and espresso from Italy, and all the art was done by Ian Johnson, a local artist. They begin in the early morning hours, serving bagels, waffles, croissants, and glasses of lattes and bright green matcha.

Around 3 p.m., Italia shuts down and reopens three hours later to become a martini bar. That’s when their playlist goes from cafe tunes of Léon and Ziggy Alberts to a bit more upbeat. You can order a loaded afternoon pick-me-up in an espresso martini, or order a lighter spritz with snacks that include ricotta meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, charcuterie boards, and beet salads. The after-dinner crowd goes for affogato, or a classic dessert, such as tiramisu and crème brûlée. — Alexa Gagosz

Location: 228 Atwells Ave., Providence, R.I., 401-871-6566, cafeitaliapvd.com.

SCHASTEÂ TEAROOM AND CRÊPERIE

It’s a coffee world we tea lovers live in. At least it can feel that way sometimes (what does America run on?). Fortunately there are places like Schasteâcq tearoom and crêperie in Providence’s West End, where you can get a great cup of tea when you need one.

On a recent visit, there were more than 50 choices of looseleaf tea on the menu, presented according to type: White, green, oolong, herbal, black, Pu’erh, CBD, and “intentional” which the menu explains are blends of teas, herbs, spices, and other botanicals.

There are also “specialty beverages” with additional suggested blends and preparations, including a delicious and not-too-sweet Providence Fog tea latte made with smoky lapsang, earl grey lavender and honey, a riff on the ubiquitous London Fog.

Schasteâ also offers tea co*cktails, including a Juniper Rose made with hibiscus tea, prosecco, and gin, and a Royal Rendezvous made with Earl Grey lavender-infused gin and elderflower liqueur.

If you need something to nosh with your tea, Schasteâ makes both sweet and savory crepes to order, as well as sandwiches, and all can be vegan and/or gluten free. And yes, there’s also coffee, from hot to iced, drip to pour-over, cold brew to nitro, cafe au lait to cappuccino. Schasteâ is open every day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Maria Caporizzo

Location: 300 Broadway, Providence, R.I., 401-432-7202, schastea.com.

HELADO TAIYAKI

One could get their ice cream heaped in a paper bowl or choose to take part in a beloved Japanese tradition originating hundreds of years ago, and order it taiyaki style: batter baked in a metal pan in the shape of a fish, and then stuffed with cheeses, custards, and Nutella. Tai fish are incorporated into Japan’s food culture. Stores often hang pictures of the white fish in their shops for good luck and prosperity. The fish-shaped pastries are presented at festivals and weddings.

Helado Taiyaki offers patrons the perfect treat before walking, talking, and dining on Federal Hill. In addition to its taiyaki, the store also offers three-hour classes teaching the art of tufting — rug weaving — with all materials and equipment provided. — Carlos Muñoz

Location: 102 Dean St., Providence, R.I., 401-699-9537, stay updated on their Instagram.

TRICYCLE ICE CREAM

What’s better than ice cream sandwiches and tacos made of cookies, brownies, and waffle cones? That’s kind of the way of thinking at Tricycle Ice Cream where dessert novelties rule. For my fellow chocolate lovers, try the “cookie compost” ice cream sandwich, which has sweet cream ice cream with chunks of double chocolate brownies, brown butter blondies, and chocolate cookies on cocoa cookies. It’s dipped in Callebaut chocolate and topped with Oreo pieces. If you want to relive your childhood, try a caramelized fruity pebbles ice cream taco made with a vanilla waffle shell. To cool off with something refreshing, order the ube ice cream sandwich that uses toasted coconut cookies and is topped with more shredded toasted coconut. (Ube is a Filipino purple yam, and is high in vitamins A and C, potassium, and antioxidants. So it must be a healthy dessert, right?)

For those searching for their Lactaid pills, don’t fear: They have dairy and wheat-free options.

Warning: These desserts are often crumbly and the ice cream is very hard because of how cold it is when you first get it. Give it a few minutes to soften up, and grab plenty of napkins. — Alexa Gagosz

Location: 70 Battery St., Providence, R.I., 401-741-3549, tricycleicecream.com.

Hungry? Check out our comprehensive guide to restaurants in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood.

This list is not meant to be a complete list of eateries that sell dessert in the neighborhood — there are plenty more. What’s your favorite spot in the Federal Hill neighborhood for something sweet? Let us know by emailing RhodeIslandFoodClub@globe.com.

Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz. Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado. Lylah Alphonse can be reached at lylah.alphonse@globe.com. Follow her @WriteEditRepeat. maria caporizzo can be reached at maria.caporizzo@globe.com. Follow her @mariacap. Carlos Muñoz can be reached at carlos.munoz@globe.com. Follow him @ReadCarlos and on Instagram @Carlosbrknews.