Serving Since

Boston Area

Serving since

1930

96 years in Boston

Modern Pastry

North End · Bakery

Go here for
Cannoli (filled to order) · Tiramisu cake
Why go
Made-to-order cannoli from a Hanover Street bakery owned by the Picariello family for about 90 years.
Local character
Locals + visitors. On the Hanover Street strip with long lines, but a long-time local favorite.
Directions Official website

On Hanover Street since 1930. It has expanded next door (2006, 2013) without moving.

Why it matters

Modern Pastry has been on Hanover Street since 1930. The Picariello family, who came from Italy, has owned it for about 90 years. The shop grew in place rather than moving: it expanded behind the counter in 2006 and took over the building next door in 2013.

In 2020 the city dedicated the street sign "Giovanni Picariello Place" in memory of the late owner. The Boston Preservation Alliance notes its long-running friendly competition with Mike's Pastry.

The story

  1. 1930Opens on Hanover Street2
  2. 2013Expands into the building next door5
  3. 2020Street sign 'Giovanni Picariello Place' dedicated3
  4. TodayStill serving Boston

Notes on the record

  • We haven't confirmed whether the Picariello family opened the shop in 1930 or bought it soon after.

Details

Address
257 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
Neighborhood
North End
Ownership
Family-owned
Status
Open · verified Sep 2026

OldScore

A secondary, editorial measure. The founding year above is the fact that matters most. How it works.

Age27/ 35
Continuity20/ 20
Local significance10/ 20
Local food culture15/ 15
Independence10/ 10
OldScore82/ 100

Local character: Locals + visitors. On the Hanover Street strip with long lines, but a long-time local favorite. This is separate from OldScore: a place can be popular with visitors and still belong here.

More like this

Sources

  1. Modern Pastry (official site) Address, Current status, What to order, Ownership
  2. Modern Pastry, Our Story (official) Founding year, Ownership, History
  3. Modern Pastry blog: Giovanni Picariello Place History, Ownership
  4. Boston Preservation Alliance, Boston's Legacy Businesses: Restaurants & Cafes Founding year, Ownership, History
  5. The Daily Free Press, 'Modern Pastry owners expand into neighbor restaurant' (Oct 25, 2013) History, Ownership