Palmieri’s Bakery & Café

I’ve been in their pepper biscuits for over 55 years. My father was eating them for over 30 years before he turned me on to them. They still taste as good as they did when I first tasted them many years ago. Their hard crusted bread is also excellent!

We just walked out of this place and had a terrible experience. They were understaffed with one person running the place until a staff member arrived 25 minutes until our experience. They were out of napkins therefore we got paper towels instead. In addition, they were out of bananas and whipped cream, key ingredients if you are running such an establishment. We waited longer for our order while the one employee prepared hot chocolate and coffees to customers who arrived after us. Walked out of there feel robbed as a customer as the server gave us attitude when we provided her feedback regarding our experience.

I’ve been to Palmieri’s several times, a few times in the summer, a couple in the winter, and I really like it, although they’re very inconsistent.
First, I really like the atmosphere and the décor. It has the small, intimate feel of an authentic Italian bakery. I also like the desserts, but they may not be for everyone…
This is supposed to be an Italian bakery, but their selection seems to be more «Italian American» than authentic italian, which is what you’d expect on the Hill. They have cannoli, lobster tails, etc, but they seem to focus more on huge, sugary frosting laden cakes. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love a huge slice of cake with a lot of sugary buttercream, but not everyone does. The last time I went with a group of friends, this was their main complaint, as we shared several desserts. It really leans toward being less of a «classic» bakery in terms of their selection.
As for the staff: they have always been really nice, but a little on the young side. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone over the age of 16 working there. It kind of gives the appearance of a place that’s run like a college cafeteria. If I were a business owner, I’d be terrified to leave my business exclusively in the hands of teenagers.
That also calls to mind the time I went in, a few hours before close, and half the lights were off and there was hardly anything in the case. We were wondering if the place was closed, but we didn’t get any explanation from anyone, so we left.
Aside from the inconsistencies, I do like coming here and when I want a really sugary treat, which is always, I enjoy what they have to offer.

I just had a glorious breakfast crêpe (The Angely: spinach, tomato, egg, and cheese). Combined with the ambiance, this is the perfect place to sit down, catch up with friends, and eat great food. Ended it with some cannoli’s — would highly recommend!

Lobster tail was ok. Dusted with lots of powdered sugar!
Coffee was meh.
They were overstaffed with people who didn’t know how to make a proper cappuccino. Too much milk, not enough espresso. I could see this place being fun in the summer, when you can sit outdoors, but in the late winter there’s barely any atmosphere.

Crepes, Crepes, Crepes! I was strolling down Federal Hill one night when I walked by Palmieri’s. You almost miss it — a little bakery tucked back behind all those chairs and tables — but its there and it’s a place you don’t want to miss!
I have a love for crepes. Not sure why, or how, but I do. I saw their sign for crepes and cupcakes (oh, i love cupcakes too fyi!) like a beacon calling my name, and I dragged my husband over there. We hadn’t had dinner yet, but why not have dessert first?!
I had a banana foster crêpe, which was fantastic! Pre dinner appetizer? Why not?! He had the nutella one, also delicious. You get to watch the staff make them too, which can be fun. I, instead, chose to gawk at the pastry case and choose my after dinner dessert. I took home some sort of peanut butter chocolate deliciousness. It was decadent, and maybe something I should have shared…
You will notice, despite my love for their crepes I deducted a star because both times I’ve been there the staff seemed truly miserable. We all have bad days, but…

Stopped here for a quick late. Great little spot in the square with indoor and outdoor seating. It was a bit crowded indoors but will check this place out again! There were some very delicious looking treats

I go to this café offten, it always been my stop for coffee before going to work my night shift. However, their customer service was never satisfying, never friendly they just care less about any customer that goes in, since they are a busy place.
It all started with my order that was suppose to be to go but i decided to have it there, so i nicely asked «what seemed to be a manager» for plates that i can transfer my two slices of cake to a plates instead of eating my cake of the box; she gave me the worst time ever, the worst experience i’ve ever got in a place that have respect for a customer. Needless to say the cake was frozen and not even close to a basic bakery level pastry .
Defiantly i do not recommend Palmieri’s to anyone unless if you want to be treated like crab, why would you anyways and Pastiche best pastry place in RI
Is right next door.

My friends and I stopped by Palmieri’s for lunch a few months ago, and we really enjoyed our visit! The paninis among us were delicious– I can’t argue with fresh mozzarella melted onto homemade bread. I took some goodies home, which included a chocolate chip cannoli, tiramisu, and lemon&raspberry cake… mmm mmm mm! A little gluttonous, but worth it. I recommend this sweet bakery to those in the area!

I don’t know how I’ve lived so long in Providence and not added this place into my coffee rotation.
Tucked in the middle of DePasquale square, Palmieri’s is a welcome break from the restaurant scene. I have for years been in love with their décor leading to the café (the big rooster to represent the chicken shop next door and the bird prints painted on the sidewalk) and inside the café (I have window shopped here several times), but today I decided to try out their coffee.
Their mocha was on the sweeter side, but that’s something I expected from the display of cakes and pastries. I was definitely enticed to buy a sweet bite, but I resisted.
Inside is nice and cozy, and their outside extension is a nice way to enjoy the views without the cold weather. I can’t wait to come back and indulge in one of those cupcakes; they look delightful.

I like that Palmieri’s sells Cold Fusion gelato from Newport and is open late when I have a late night sugar craving and/​or a neighboring favorite dessert shop is jam packed or closed. The service is prompt and courteous, the coffee is usually decent but occasionally inconsistent. Cute space and convenient and lively location.

Came in here yesterday because for what has to be the 5^th time I forgot that Pastiche is closed on Mondays. The pumpkin latte was good and at the right temperature. Oreo truffle was good. pistachio gelato had almost no flavor, eh. Apple pie cupcake was not good. The frosting was thick and grainy and tasted like cinnamon red hots. The cake tasted salty, wtf. The brownies look really good but taste like the little debbie stuff in a box, not like real chocolate. Tossed it. The chairs are rickety, but the overall décor is nice. If this place would learn how to bake they would do alright. I was here a year ago and everything was also pretty meh. I liked the cannoli last time but thats it. You screwed me Pastiche… but I still love you

I wandered in here with a friend after dinner and it was a pleasant surprise… they were actually closing but the 2 girls working in there never gave us attitude and took our order with a smile… we got a small chocolate gelato to share and I got a yummy hot chai which was really delicious… yum yum. They also had an array of yummy looking cakes and desserts for your every desire, but I was so full from dinner I was gonna burst from all the hummus I ate– so instead of having someone roll me outside I kept it light and we sat in the outdoor seating area.
By this time all the restaurants in this cute little area were closed but it was nice that they didn’t lock up all the chairs and just left them out for people to linger! That just spells out trouble for this lil asian girl!

This is such a cute little cozy place. We didn’t stay long but their décor is warm and inviting. The girls working there are super friendly. They have a variety of teas and gelato! Yum yum. Extra sitting outside makes it nice in the late spring/​summer/​early fall extra nice. This is definitely a place to go if/​when you’re at DePasquale Square!

Have visited and enjoyed a number of different calzones, pizza and pastries this summer, there have been some negatives such as dry pizza or a stale pastry but overall the cakes and pastries are phenomenal. During the warm weather when the plaza is mobbed, the service is VERY slow. Inconsistency is definitely an appropriate description, but it is still a great little café with a wide array of choices in the panini, and cake and cookie domains.

In love with this place!!! Stopped here for brunch and absolutely loved it! The food was delicious, affordable, friendly staff, and nothing beats eating in the square on a beautiful day.
Would def recommend checking out Palmieri’s, whether it be to grab brunch (in love with their bacon egg and cheese sandwich) or some dessert there’s no going wrong.

Totally adore this place on Federal Hill. This little small café has bar tables and chairs inside with character. There is also outdoor seating. Situated next to the beautiful fountain in the Square, Palmieris is my absolute go-​to place for the best gelato in town!
Favorite flavors: pistachio, hazelnut, and lemon sorbet (super tart!) They’re $ 2/​scoop but I always walk out of this little café with at least double or triple scoops!
Extra points for friendly staff. My husband and I walked in at 8:55pm one night. They were about to close but they were still willing to serve us wholeheartedly! This type of service is certainly appreciated :)

In a cannoli war between Palmieri’s and Scialo Bros Bakery, I’d have to declare Palmieri’s the winner.
On a recent cannoli exploration trip to Federal Hill, I purchased one cannoli from both bakeries and found the Palmieri cannoli to be more to my liking. And no, it wasn’t because the Scialo Bro one was pre-​filled and the Palmieri one was filled at the time of my purchase. That doesn’t matter to me because some of the best cannoli’s I’ve ever had were pre-​filled.
Palmieri’s cannoli simply seemed more like what I’m familiar with regarding cannoli taste and texture. The Scialo Bros cannoli seemed really odd with an oversized shell and fluffy-​like cream filling. I never had a cannoli like the Scialo Bros cannoli before.
This place’s only downside is that I didn’t see too many other Italian pastries. Or at least ones that I recognize. Where were the sfogliatells? The bocconottos? I did see a few lobster tails though.
By the way, this location is not their full bake shop. It’s a small café which serve patrons who mainly want to sit and enjoy DePasquale Square. I imagine all their pastries are made at their mother bake shop on Ridge Road (several blocks away but also on Federal Hill). FYI, that bake shop on Ridge Road has different hours than this location.

I don’t live in Providence, but when I visit here, I sort of take up residence at this particular coffee place.
Palmieri’s is a pint-​sized café with enough character to make you come back again, again and again. Longer than it is wide, with a handful of bar tables and colorful tiffany lamps, Palmieri’s is the perfect spot for gelato or a cannoli. Round mirrors accent handpainted floral wall art, making Palmieri’s such a memorable stop.
In the dead of winter, when the fountain at DiPasquale lies dry, Palmieri’s is a warm and cozy respite. And in the summer, when the restaurants nearby open their umbrellas and the fountain comes to life and the whole square is full of flowers in every color, Palmieri’s fits in perfectly.
I know I sound too flowery. Maybe my praises are too high.
But I do dearly love this place.

I think people have this place confused with the Palmieris at 147 Ridge Street. THIS PALMIERI’S IS THE ONE IN THE PLAZA NEAR THE FOUNTAIN. It is Awesome! One of my favorite places in the summer. The atmosphere is great– theres usually some sort of live music by the fountain and the outdoor seating at Palmieris gives you a great view. You are close enough where you can hear the wonderful sounds of Sinatara, but far enough where you can still have a conversation.
The espresso is great, as well as the cannolis, and gelato. The pistachio gelato is one of my favorites– it has ground up pistachios in it which makes for a great texture.
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