Local pastry scene
Sink your teeth into some sweet sensations.
Whether you’re searching for treats for a special occasion or because you want something sweet, there are so many options in and around the Capital Region that it’s difficult to know where to begin. These small businesses serve delicious doughnuts, cinnamon buns and colorful pastries to enjoy.
Bella Napoli
721 River St., Troy, and 672 New Loudon Road, Latham; bellanapolibakery.com
Since coming to the region, one of my go-to spots has become Bella Napoli. The bakery offers specialty cakes, Italian cookies, fresh breads, hand pies, danishes and, a particular favorite, pastry lobster tails. Made from the same dough as sfogliatelle, Bella Napoli’s lobster tails have a crunchy exterior, with a hint of sea salt, and they’re stuffed with a light, fluffy blend of creamy custard and whipped cream. If you love blueberry desserts, try the blueberry hand pie with a buttery, flaky crust and doughnuts stuffed with blueberry jam.
Birch Bark Eatery 21 Ridge St., Glens Falls; birchbarkeatery.com
Next time you’re heading north, pull into Birch Bark Eatery for vegan fare. The owner, Tania Sharlow, believed the plant-based world was missing good meat substitutes and decided to make her own in 2018. In addition to her plant-based menu, she’s created a variety of doughnuts, from traditional to unique, including Boston cream, strawberry frosted, blueberry pancake, peanut butter chocolate and lavender lemonade. On occasion, the eatery has really unusual flavors, like a savory
everything doughnut or a bomb pop doughnut. Check out the doughnut calendar on Birch Bark Eatery’s website to keep up with the unusual flavors.
Emma Cleary’s Cafe
1926 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands; emmaclearys.com
The cafe has a dessert counter with a selection of scones, muffins and cinnamon buns smothered in glaze. The buns are available only on Saturdays and Sundays, though the cafe will accommodate weekday requests when possible. Emma Cleary’s has pies available in a variety of flavors, and the cookies are huge, some loaded with toppings.
Gracie’s Luncheonette
969 Main St., Leeds; graciestruckny.com
Gracie’s has a retro-hipster vibe, from the luncheonette’s exterior to a menu filled with comfort food, classic milkshakes, ice cream floats and house-made sodas. The food surpasses classic diner dishes in quality, starting with the fact that Gracie’s even makes its own American cheese.
I highly recommend trying the iced coffee fizz, a Gracie’s creation made by topping strong coffee with bubbly seltzer. It's then lightly sweetened and finished with a touch of cream. Gracie’s has a selection of treats, cake doughnuts, slices of pie, stuffed pretzels and beautiful, chewy yeast doughnuts with flavors including passion fruit, hibiscus, strawberry sprinkles, PB&J and banana fritter.