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Chocolate cannoli on a black board
Bisnonna Bakeshop’s scratch cannoli starts with cinnamon-scented dough, stretched and fried into golden tubes.
Bisnonna Bakeshop/Facebook

Where to Find Sweet, Creamy Cannoli in D.C.

Fulfill a ricotta fix with 16 stops for these Sicilian treats

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Bisnonna Bakeshop’s scratch cannoli starts with cinnamon-scented dough, stretched and fried into golden tubes.
|Bisnonna Bakeshop/Facebook

Cannoli snobs may insist that the best versions of the tube-shaped sweets can only be found in iconic Italian neighborhoods in Boston, New York, or Philadelphia. But a strong showing of D.C. restaurants and bakeries make cannoli that swing from trendy to traditional.

In its most basic form, the Sicilian pastry and close friend of the cappuccino typically sports a crisp, flaky shell shaped into a cylinder and filled with ricotta cream, maybe some chocolate chips, or a sprinkling of pistachio dust and powdered sugar. The portable dessert weathered the pandemic quite nicely, thanks to its takeout-friendly and affordable features.

Tried-and-true cannoli can be found at theItalian Store, Filippo’s, andMenomale, for starters. For a creative twist, consider foie gras-filled cannoli at Michelin-ratedMasseriaor limoncello-spiked versions for spring at suburbia’s cannoli-obsessed newcomerBisnonna Bakeshop.

Eater DC chats about the local cannoli game on this week’sHistorical Drama with the Boston Sisterspodcast, commemorating the50th anniversary of cult crime dramaThe Godfatherand its contribution to the rise of cannoli in pop culture.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Filippo's Italian Specialties

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There’s a small Italian deli tucked into the Wheaton Triangle Shopping Center, and it serves one of the best cannoli options in the D.C. area. Owner Filippo Leo stuffs each fresh upon order. Each large tube runs $3.49.

Colorful eggs surrounding a cannoli
Cannoli at Filippo’s
Filippo’s/official

Manoli Canoli

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Manoli Canoli is a small Italian restaurant with a takeout option in Chevy Chase. Cannoli come in two sizes: mini ($2.99) and regular ($4.50).

2 Amys

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Save room for dessert. Cannoli — comprised of homemade shells and candied grapefruit zest added to its ricotta — run $9.50 for two at this Neapolitan pizza lover’s paradise.

Black and white tiles surrounding cannoli
A tin of to-go cannoli at 2 Amys.
2 Amys

Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

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Cannoli are a staple on the dessert menu at this Northeast neighborhood bar. Chef and co-owner Shannan Troncoso uses her grandmother’s recipe to make crispy shells that are stuffed with ricotta, chocolate, and pistachio ($9).

Pistachio cannoli from Brookland’s finest
Pistachio cannoli from Brookland’s Finest.
Scott Suchman/For Brookland’s Finest

Menomale

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In addition to traditional Neapolitan pizzas, Menomale also serves cannoli filled with fresh ricotta and orange zest (two for $8). A new outpost in NoMa has them too.

Masseria

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Of course there are foie gras cannoli in D.C. At Masseria, it's called the 'foienolli' and it comes served in a cocoa cannoli shell filled with foie gras mousse, black truffles, and Sicilian pistachios. This luxury treat was historically only available as part of its tasting menu, but now patrons can build their own at home as part of itsMasseria a Casatakeout menu for two ($33).

Catania Bakery

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Truxton Circle’s treasured bakery, around since 1932, comes from a long line of Sicilian bread makers. With a shift to DMV wholesale orders over the years, retail hours are limited to just Fridays and Saturdays (call ahead). Swing by to tour the bakery before heading home with its famed cannoli.

Stellina Pizzeria

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Thisessentialpizza, panino, and pasta counter in the Union Market district has cannoli Siciliani with ricotta, chocolate, and pistachio ($10 for two). A newer outpost in Shirlington, Virginia serves them, too. In 2019, Stellina’s ownersadded a Union Market pastry stallcalled Annaré that carves out counter space for cannoli alongside gorgeous Italian sweets.

Pistachio and chocolate cannoli from Stellina Pizzeria
Pistachio and chocolate cannoli from Stellina Pizzeria
Stellina Pizzeria

Il Canale

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People swear by the Sicilian cannoli dusted with pistachios at this Italian mainstay on the Georgetown canal. At lunch, a a mini, two-piece order is $5 and at dinner they’re full size and $9.

Sfoglina

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Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s casual pasta house makes a light and delicate cannoli (one for $9, two for $16, three for $24) at its Rosslyn, Van Ness, and downtown locations. It’s filled with sheep’s milk ricotta crema and garnished with candied orange, powdered sugar, Bronte pistachio, and cherry topper.

A cannoli topped with a cherry and powdered sugar
The Sicilian cannoli at Sfoglina.
Sfoglina

The Italian Store

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Known for its subs and New York-style slices, Virginians also flock to Arlington for cannoli at the family-owned Italian Store that’s been around for over 30 years. Pick from trays of fresh cannoli made each day out of its two Arlington locations.

Thompson Italian

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Co-owner and pastry chef extraordinaire Katherine Thompson makes cannoli with ricotta mousse, dark chocolate, candied orange, and pistachios ($10) at her family-friendly suburban hot spot.

Cannoli with dark chocolate, candied orange, and pistachios from Thompson Italian
Cannoli with dark chocolate, candied orange, and pistachios from Thompson Italian.
Thompson Italian

Officina

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The first floor market of chef Nick Stefanelli’s three-story Officina at the Wharf has grab-and-go selections including cannoli with crushed pistachios or chocolate chips ($3.50). The Officina enterprise exploded during the pandemic, adding cafes downtown and Georgetown that offer its cannoli too.

Chocolate and pistachio cannoli from Officina
Chocolate and pistachio cannoli from Officina.
Scott Suchman/For Officina

Caruso's Grocery

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Capitol Hill’sdecidedly unmodern tributeto classic red sauce joints wraps up the meal with cannoli filled to order, featuring a mix of ricotta, hazelnuts, and Nutella ($10.50).

Grazie Grazie

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ThisItalian sandwich shopfrom Taylor Gourmet co-founder Casey Patten offers chocolate cannoli based on his grandmother’s recipe ($4).

A stacked triangle of cannoli from Grazie Grazie
A stacked triangle of cannoli from Grazie Grazie.
Grazie Grazie

Bisnonna Bakeshop

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One of the newest cannoli contenders in town comes from self-taught baker Nicole Liberatore and her New Jersey-born husband, Dominick, who send out sweets from their Annandale ghost kitchen. Bisnonna, which means “great grandmother” in Italian, makes a whopping 10 types of memorable cannoli from scratch. A floral and herby Dubrovnik conjures tastes of a favorite Croatian vacation, while their honeymoon inspires a Thai coffee variety with freshly ground cardamom. And D.C.’s women-owned Marvelous Marj Cocktails spikes a spring option with limoncello. Orderonlinefor pickup or delivery only.

Filippo's Italian Specialties

There’s a small Italian deli tucked into the Wheaton Triangle Shopping Center, and it serves one of the best cannoli options in the D.C. area. Owner Filippo Leo stuffs each fresh upon order. Each large tube runs $3.49.

Colorful eggs surrounding a cannoli
Cannoli at Filippo’s
Filippo’s/official

Manoli Canoli

Manoli Canoli is a small Italian restaurant with a takeout option in Chevy Chase. Cannoli come in two sizes: mini ($2.99) and regular ($4.50).

2 Amys

Save room for dessert. Cannoli — comprised of homemade shells and candied grapefruit zest added to its ricotta — run $9.50 for two at this Neapolitan pizza lover’s paradise.

Black and white tiles surrounding cannoli
A tin of to-go cannoli at 2 Amys.
2 Amys

Brookland's Finest Bar & Kitchen

Cannoli are a staple on the dessert menu at this Northeast neighborhood bar. Chef and co-owner Shannan Troncoso uses her grandmother’s recipe to make crispy shells that are stuffed with ricotta, chocolate, and pistachio ($9).

Pistachio cannoli from Brookland’s finest
Pistachio cannoli from Brookland’s Finest.
Scott Suchman/For Brookland’s Finest

Menomale

In addition to traditional Neapolitan pizzas, Menomale also serves cannoli filled with fresh ricotta and orange zest (two for $8). A new outpost in NoMa has them too.

Masseria

Of course there are foie gras cannoli in D.C. At Masseria, it's called the 'foienolli' and it comes served in a cocoa cannoli shell filled with foie gras mousse, black truffles, and Sicilian pistachios. This luxury treat was historically only available as part of its tasting menu, but now patrons can build their own at home as part of itsMasseria a Casatakeout menu for two ($33).

Catania Bakery

Truxton Circle’s treasured bakery, around since 1932, comes from a long line of Sicilian bread makers. With a shift to DMV wholesale orders over the years, retail hours are limited to just Fridays and Saturdays (call ahead). Swing by to tour the bakery before heading home with its famed cannoli.

Stellina Pizzeria

Thisessentialpizza, panino, and pasta counter in the Union Market district has cannoli Siciliani with ricotta, chocolate, and pistachio ($10 for two). A newer outpost in Shirlington, Virginia serves them, too. In 2019, Stellina’s ownersadded a Union Market pastry stallcalled Annaré that carves out counter space for cannoli alongside gorgeous Italian sweets.

Pistachio and chocolate cannoli from Stellina Pizzeria
Pistachio and chocolate cannoli from Stellina Pizzeria
Stellina Pizzeria

Il Canale

People swear by the Sicilian cannoli dusted with pistachios at this Italian mainstay on the Georgetown canal. At lunch, a a mini, two-piece order is $5 and at dinner they’re full size and $9.

Sfoglina

Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s casual pasta house makes a light and delicate cannoli (one for $9, two for $16, three for $24) at its Rosslyn, Van Ness, and downtown locations. It’s filled with sheep’s milk ricotta crema and garnished with candied orange, powdered sugar, Bronte pistachio, and cherry topper.

A cannoli topped with a cherry and powdered sugar
The Sicilian cannoli at Sfoglina.
Sfoglina

The Italian Store

Known for its subs and New York-style slices, Virginians also flock to Arlington for cannoli at the family-owned Italian Store that’s been around for over 30 years. Pick from trays of fresh cannoli made each day out of its two Arlington locations.

Thompson Italian

Co-owner and pastry chef extraordinaire Katherine Thompson makes cannoli with ricotta mousse, dark chocolate, candied orange, and pistachios ($10) at her family-friendly suburban hot spot.

Cannoli with dark chocolate, candied orange, and pistachios from Thompson Italian
Cannoli with dark chocolate, candied orange, and pistachios from Thompson Italian.
Thompson Italian

Officina

The first floor market of chef Nick Stefanelli’s three-story Officina at the Wharf has grab-and-go selections including cannoli with crushed pistachios or chocolate chips ($3.50). The Officina enterprise exploded during the pandemic, adding cafes downtown and Georgetown that offer its cannoli too.

Chocolate and pistachio cannoli from Officina
Chocolate and pistachio cannoli from Officina.
Scott Suchman/For Officina

Caruso's Grocery

Capitol Hill’sdecidedly unmodern tributeto classic red sauce joints wraps up the meal with cannoli filled to order, featuring a mix of ricotta, hazelnuts, and Nutella ($10.50).

Grazie Grazie

ThisItalian sandwich shopfrom Taylor Gourmet co-founder Casey Patten offers chocolate cannoli based on his grandmother’s recipe ($4).

A stacked triangle of cannoli from Grazie Grazie
A stacked triangle of cannoli from Grazie Grazie.
Grazie Grazie

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Bisnonna Bakeshop

One of the newest cannoli contenders in town comes from self-taught baker Nicole Liberatore and her New Jersey-born husband, Dominick, who send out sweets from their Annandale ghost kitchen. Bisnonna, which means “great grandmother” in Italian, makes a whopping 10 types of memorable cannoli from scratch. A floral and herby Dubrovnik conjures tastes of a favorite Croatian vacation, while their honeymoon inspires a Thai coffee variety with freshly ground cardamom. And D.C.’s women-owned Marvelous Marj Cocktails spikes a spring option with limoncello. Orderonlinefor pickup or delivery only.

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