Bovella's Pastry Shoppe Named One Of NJ's Best Bakeries

WESTFIELD, NJ — This might not be news to Westfield locals, but Bovella's Pastry Shoppe is one of the best in the state. No, really— the bakery was named a finalist in NJ.com's search for the best bakery in New Jersey.

The judges said it was one of the best Italian bakeries they had ever visited, and the flourless chocolate cake was "the bomb" and a "standout." In addition, judges also raved about Bovella's cookies, pastries and fruit tarts.

Here's what locals have to say about the bakery, courtesy of Yelp:

• My family had been going to this shop for 40 years. Great job on their Pignoli cookies. Many places try to make these cookies, but often they are harder in the center. Bovella's makes them just right with the center soft.
• As soon as we entered, I got a huge waft of the delicious sweetness being served at this place. Reminded me of the bakeries I had recently visited in Italy.
• Best pignoli cookies I've ever had. One bite and I knew, this is what all other pignoli cookies were dreaming they could be.
• Excellent bakery! We had the butter cookies, rugelach, and crumb cake. All were great but the best was the crumb cake followed by the butter cookies with raspberry filling. Everything was fresh and was as good if not better than any of the NYC bakeries we have been to.

Bovella's was originally located in Plainfield when it opened in 1949 before re-locating to Westfield in 1978.

In 2006, the current owner, Ralph Bencivenga, took over the business after he started working at Bovella's while a student at Westfield High School.

Recently the shoppe expanded to open another location in Mountainside.

Bovella's Pastry Shoppe is open 365 days a year, and is located at 101 E Broad St., in Westfield. For more information call 908-232-4149 or bovellas.com.

(Image via Google Maps)

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