Our Heritage
Romolo & Angela made desserts at home in Vittoria, Sicily. When they came to the Bay Area in the 1960s, they bought a Swensen's Ice Cream Parlor, and Romolo's Cannoli took shape as both gelateria and pasticceria. The couple showcased Italian specialties like spumoni, amaretti, tiramisu and their famous cannoli.
As Italian bakeries in the Bay Area close, Romolo's became the go-to maker for authentic cannoli like you'd find in New York, Boston and Chicago. In 2007, Romolo and Angela retired and handed their masterpiece to their grandson Joe, who creatively kept the tradition while meeting current demands.
Sixty years later, Romolo's Cannoli makes everything the same way, filled to order from the best ingredients available. We offer cannoli kits to fill at home, pistachios, chocolate chips and toffee garnish, and alternative ricotta fillings like lemoncello, chocolate, tiramisu and strawberry. We supply cannoli to restaurants, and deliver every day throughout the Bay Area.
Our Process
Every cannoli that leaves our kitchen follows the same four-step process that Nonno Romolo perfected over six decades. No machines, no mass production — just patience and passion.
Centuries-old recipe — flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and butter for that signature flakiness. Kneaded to the perfect elasticity.
Rolled out and wrapped around metal tubes, then fried in small batches until golden and bubbly.
Fresh ricotta, strained overnight then folded with sugar and spice for the classic velvety texture.
Each cannolo filled to order and garnished beautifully for you and yours.
La Pasticceria
A rotating selection of cannoli, dolci, and gelato — made fresh each morning. For today's live menu, prices, and pickup times, .
Crispy shell filled to order with sweet ricotta
Bite-sized, perfect for sharing
Shells and filling to assemble at home — sold in multiples of 6
Frozen banana dipped in rich chocolate
Amaretti, Rainbow, or Cucidati
Tri-color ice cream with candied fruit & nuts
Chocolate-coated truffle with a molten center
Espresso ladyfingers layered with mascarpone
Italian-style, rotating flavors
Thick, blended with house-made ice cream
Build Your Cannoli
Every cannoli is made to order. Pick your size, shell, filling, and garnish — we fill it fresh while you watch.
Reviews
“It’s probably a good thing I don’t live closer…I can’t get enough of the cannolis! I like the plain cannolis but the wife likes the chocolate dipped ones. Can’t go wrong with the pistachio topping but will have to try with Maraschino cherry on the next visit (was told this is…”
“Having grown up in NJ, so close to NYC I am a snob when it comes to Italian desserts. Could not believe finding this cannoli treasure on the West Coast tucked away on 37th St, off El Camino Real. I remember a few years ago passing it a few times but it was never open when I…”
“Super flavourful and fresh cannolis and spumoni ice cream! At first the business looked empty, little place to sit, a little 90's/retro ambiance, could be better taken care of, fridge shelves in the front were empty, later found out the spumoni, tiramisu, popsicles, almond…”
“Craving an Italian dessert, we were led to this place. Cute small shop, friendly people. Ice cream and desserts in the fridge section, cannolis on the counter. You get choices for each cannoli. Plain or chocolate inside cone. Original, pistachio or chocolate filling. Sides of…”
“A nice little authentic Italian dessert shop with a long history of family ownership. This is my first time here, and I met another very kind customer that give us so many great suggestions. I ended up having a regular shell + pistachio filling + pistachio & toffee garnish. To…”
Get in Touch
Whether you're planning a celebration, have a question about our menu, or just want to say hello — drop us a line. We read every message.
Phone
(650) 574-0625
Hours
Tue — Sat: 11:00 AM — 6:00 PM
Sun: 12:00 PM — 4:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Visit Us
81 W. 37th Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94403
Getting here: Street parking available on W. 37th Ave. and nearby. The Hillsdale Caltrain station is a short walk. We're the shop with the red awning — you can't miss it.
