Stella Pastry & Cafe

The uphill walk to Stella Pastry is worth the hike even if it’s just for a slice of their sacripantina cake. This Northern Italian dessert has been on this North Beach mainstay’s menu since 1942, and for good reason: It’s freaking delicious. The square layers of sponge and zabaglione might look boring compared to the more colorful pastries in the display case, but don’t be fooled. Sheets of cake are soaked in rum with tiers of airy sweet wine custard. Despite all the booze, the flavor is really balanced, not too sugary with a hint of wine and rum without an alcoholic sting.  That’s not to say Stella’s tiramisu, cannolis, and cookies aren’t good, but leaving without a slice of sacripantina is a mistake. Seating can be hard to come by in this narrow cut-out of a bakery with just a handful of first-come, first-served tables, so plan to take your cakes on the road. We suggest a five-minute stroll to Washington Square Park and grabbing a bench. Don’t worry, it’s a flat walk.