Mark your calendars, the unmissable Festa di San Giuseppe celebrations are just around the corner! Every year, Italian communities (and all pastry lovers) eagerly await this moment. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into Italian culture… with a soft, pillowy zeppola in hand.
In Italy, the Feast of San Giuseppe takes place on March 19th, Father’s Day, coinciding with the religious holiday honoring Saint Joseph. Across the country, people take a sweet break to enjoy these golden treats, sometimes fried, sometimes baked, sometimes filled with cream, sometimes topped with amarena cherries. Known by different names depending on the region, bignè, sfinge, or crispelli, zeppole represent authentic Neapolitan tradition at its finest.
These pastries are made from just a few simple ingredients, carefully crafted by passionate bakers: flour, water, eggs, butter, milk, sugar, and a touch of love. The choux pastry envelops a fragrant cream, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors, the sweetness of the cream, the neutral softness of the dough, and the slight tartness of the cherry. Each bite is a little journey to Italy, a nod to centuries of sweet tradition celebrated with care in every Neapolitan bakery at this time of year.
Here’s a list of where to find the best zeppole in town !
At Alati-Caserta, choosing your zeppole is an experience in itself. From classic versions to seasonal creations, it’s hard to resist trying them all. Melting ricotta, flowing Nutella, delicate nougat cream, or Baci chocolate whipped cream, each bite is pure indulgence.
For over 50 years, this family bakery has kept the tradition alive: three generations have served these golden, generous pastries. By mid-March, the rush to the display cases begins, Saint Joseph’s Day wouldn’t be the same without these beloved treats.
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Pâtisserie Vimont is celebrating Zeppole di San Giuseppe with this beloved Italian pastry traditionally enjoyed for Saint Joseph’s Day. Their zeppole feature a light choux pastry filled with a rich cream and finished with powdered sugar, creating the perfect balance between crisp and creamy.
This year, they are offering several delicious flavours: classic ricotta, pistache, Nutella, Biscoff and banana pudding, giving both purists and those with a sweet tooth plenty of reasons to stop by and celebrate the season.
At Boulangerie Italia, zeppole come in a wide variety of flavors: classic ricotta, flowing Nutella, fresh lemon, tiramisu, pastry cream, ricotta-pistachio, or dulce de leche. You can even combine two fillings in a single pastry for an explosion of flavor. For large families or special occasions, it’s possible to order a giant zeppole, designed as a cake to serve 10 people, a fun and delicious way to share the Saint Joseph tradition.
At Gema Pizzeria, Italy is enjoyed in sweet form too! Alongside their pizzas and antipasti, they prepare zeppole di San Giuseppe each year, a must-try. It’s the perfect spot to combine a savory Italian meal with a sweet tradition in a single visit. But hurry, these treats are very popular: they’re available starting March 19th and go fast, first come, first served!
From March 19th to April 5th, Café San Gennaro offers homemade zeppole, perfect for extending the celebration beyond a single day. Each bite captures the spirit of the tradition with a touch of Montreal-style warmth.
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In the heart of Villeray, Bona Fide combines classic Italian cuisine with contemporary creativity. For Saint Joseph’s Day, the team is offering generous and delicate zeppole, ideal for ending a meal, as they will be served as dessert in the dining room only.
For over forty years, Les Délices Lafrenaie have been a sweet institution in Montreal. Each year, as Saint Joseph’s Day approaches, their display cases fill with zeppole di San Giuseppe, enjoyed until Easter. Light, golden, and generously filled with ricotta, ricotta-Nutella, or custard cream, these pastries sell out quickly, and for good reason!
Early each morning, the team at La Cornetteria prepares their Little Italy classics, including zeppole di San Giuseppe. House-made ricotta, pastry cream, or pistachio, each filling evokes the pleasure of an espresso shared with friends. Orders go fast, so it’s best to arrive early!
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For a vegan version of zeppole, Café dei Campi rises to the challenge brilliantly. Without eggs, butter, or milk, their versions remain soft and delicious. In March, these golden pastries can be preordered with pastry cream or pistachio cream, combining indulgence with discovery.
At La Conca D’Oro, zeppole di San Giuseppe hold a special place among a wide selection of artisanal breads and pastries. Available in boxes of six or twelve, they celebrate a craft passed down through generations and an Italian tradition that never fades.
At Arte Farina, each creation is treated as a work of art. The zeppole here combine delicate pastry, creamy ricotta, candied orange peel, and chocolate shards for a refined indulgence. Available individually or by the box, they honor tradition with a creative twist.
Bombolini Boss specializes in classic Italian fried dough desserts made fresh and served warm. Their light, golden zeppole are dusted with sugar and filled with indulgent creams like classic custard or ricotta, creating a sweet treat that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own, they bring the authentic taste of an Italian dessert to Montreal.
In Lachine, Nonnina pays tribute to family traditions with its artisanal zeppole. Ricotta, Nutella, or pistachio version, these beignets, crisp outside and soft inside, embody the sweetness of Italian heritage shared around the table.
Dining and Cooking