BAKERY PROFILE

Termini Bros Bakery

★ 4.0599 recorded reviews$10–20

1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA

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Termini Bros Bakery
PLAN THE VISIT

Essential details

Address
1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
Phone
(215) 334-1816
Website
Visit official site
Rating signal
4.0 from 599 recorded reviews
HOURS

Listed operating hours

  • Monday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
About and visit notes

For over a century, Termini Bros Bakery hasn't just been making pastries; it's been crafting a piece of Philadelphia's history. Founded by Sicilian immigrant brothers Giuseppe and Gaetano Termini in 1921, this iconic South Philadelphia establishment has grown into a landmark, beloved by generations of Pennsylvanians for its unwavering commitment to authentic, handmade Italian sweets. If you're looking for the taste of true tradition and quality that has stood the test of time, a visit to this flagship bakery is a quintessential Philly experience.

In a city known for its deep Italian heritage, Termini Bros Bakery leads the pack. The bakery's philosophy, coined by founder Giuseppe Termini, is simple yet powerful: "We make good stuff." This guiding principle is evident in every bite, from the world-famous cannoli to the delicate, almond-fragrant cookies. Now run by the third generation of the Termini family, the business continues to honor the original recipes and techniques, intentionally shying away from automation to ensure every product retains its old-world charm and superior handmade quality. For locals, especially during the holidays, a trip to the 8th Street location is not just an errand—it's an integral part of family tradition.

Location and Accessibility for Pennsylvania Locals

The flagship location of Termini Bros Bakery, where all their signature products are still produced, baked, and shipped daily, is nestled in the heart of South Philadelphia, making it a convenient destination for residents across the region.

The bakery's address is 1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA. This location is situated on the outskirts of the historic 9th Street Italian Market area, a vibrant cultural hub in South Philly.

While the neighborhood is a bustling center of activity, particularly before major holidays when lines can famously stretch down the block, the bakery does offer some accessibility benefits for customers:

  • Parking: Free parking is available in a dedicated lot, and free street parking may also be available nearby, offering options for those driving in from the greater Philadelphia area or other parts of Pennsylvania.
  • Physical Accessibility: The facility includes a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking lot, making the storefront welcoming to all patrons.
  • Experience: The location is perfect for a quick visit, allowing customers to efficiently pick up their favorites, whether they live just blocks away or have traveled from the suburbs or other parts of the state. It's truly a place where you "just get what you get and leave," but with a box of unforgettable Italian sweets in hand.

Termini Bros Bakery also understands the need for convenience, offering delivery services, in-store pickup, and takeout options, ensuring that whether you're planning a party or just craving a cannoli, getting your favorite treat is simple. They also run a coffee shop across the street, which can be a nice spot to enjoy your pastry right after purchase.

Services and Product Offerings

As a versatile and comprehensive Italian bakery, cookie shop, and wholesale bakery, Termini Bros offers a vast array of authentic products and services for both individual and large-scale needs. Their focus remains squarely on traditional Sicilian and Italian recipes, prepared with meticulous care.

The selection is categorized to make finding the perfect dessert, gift, or catering item easy:

  • Iconic Cannoli: The single most celebrated item, available in classic Cheese, Vanilla, and Chocolate flavors. They also offer Unfilled Cannoli (Dozen) for those who prefer to fill them fresh at home (requires 48 hours notice), as well as a 24 Cannoli Halves Tray (requires 48 hours notice) for events.
  • Traditional Cookies: A wide variety of handmade Italian cookies sold by the pound, including:
    • Amaretti (gluten-free almond paste macaroon)
    • Pignoli (almond paste macaroon with pine nuts, a high-end luxury)
    • Cucidati (Sicilian fig cookie with Marsala wine and honey)
    • Blondina (crisp cookie with apricot jam center)
    • Imbutiti (rare, filled Italian cookie with candied fruit and apple butter)
    • Long John (amaretto butter cookie with raspberry preserve)
    • Coconut Macaroon and Pizzelles (traditional waffle cookie)
  • Italian Biscotti: The classic crunchy dipping cookie in seven flavors, including Anisette, Chocolate Almond, Cranberry Pistachio, and Regina.
  • Pastries and Desserts: Featuring classic Italian-American favorites like Sfogliatelle, Lobster Tail, Fig Bar, Eclair, Cream Puffs, Italian Rum Cake Slice, Tiramisu Pastry, and different varieties of Pan Cheesecake and New York Cheesecake.
  • Custom and Standard Cakes: The bakery is renowned for its Italian Cream Cake and offers a range of standard 8" and 10" cakes (like Chocolate Layer, Funfetti, and Tiramisu) with 24 hours notice. Custom Cakes are available in 14 different flavors with a 48-hour notice, serving from 12 to 100 people, perfect for weddings and major celebrations.
  • Gift and Catering Packages: An extensive line of products designed for gifting or large gatherings, including Signature Cookie Trays (Executive, Grandioso, Supremo), Assorted Biscotti Gift Boxes, and their unique Torrone Gift Box (handmade Italian nougat candy).
  • Other Items: Freshly baked breakfast items like Blueberry Lemon Muffin and Pumpkin Muffin, alongside a selection of locally-sourced La Colombe Coffee Beans and even Termini Gear like t-shirts and ornaments for true fans.
Key Features and Highlights

What truly sets Termini Bros Bakery apart from other sweet shops in Pennsylvania is its deep-seated history and its dedication to a time-honored process. It is this authentic experience that draws loyal customers from all corners of the state and beyond.

  • Over a Century of Tradition: Founded in 1921, the bakery has been a constant presence in the changing landscape of Philadelphia for over 100 years. It’s one of the oldest surviving bakeries in the nation.
  • Authentic Sicilian Recipes: The recipes were brought directly from Enna, Sicily, by the founders, Giuseppe and Gaetano Termini. The tradition of using these original, consistent recipes is a point of pride and the key to their long-running success.
  • The Iconic Cannoli: Termini’s cannoli is a benchmark for quality. Customers rave about the creamy, fragrant ricotta filling (which famously includes a touch of red wine in the shell recipe, a secret from the founder), and the perfectly crispy, flavorful shell.
  • Handmade, Traditional Production: The bakery is committed to hand-crafting its products, utilizing original tools and techniques passed down through three generations. Even recent necessary renovations, such as replacing the historic floor tiles, were handled with deep reverence for the building's history, showcasing their dedication to preservation.
  • A True Philadelphia Landmark: The flagship store, opened in 1938, offers a "step back in time" experience. The store's longevity and consistency have made it a cornerstone of the South Philly community and a destination for food tourists. The demand is so high that long lines on holidays, like Christmas Eve, have become a tradition themselves.
  • Extensive Gifting and Wholesale: Beyond the counter service, the bakery serves as a major wholesale producer and offers nationwide shipping for its cookies and cannoli, ensuring Pennsylvania natives who move away can still get a taste of home.

Contact Information

Ready to visit, place a custom order, or inquire about wholesale options? Here is the essential contact information for the flagship location:

  • Address: 1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
  • Phone: (215) 334-1816
  • Secondary Phone: +1 215-334-1816
What is Worth Choosing at Termini Bros Bakery

When you step inside Termini Bros, the sheer volume of choices—from biscotti to cheesecakes—can be overwhelming. However, several items are undisputed must-tries that represent the best of this Philadelphia icon and are well worth the visit for any Pennsylvania resident or visitor.

The absolute top choice is the Cannoli. Whether you choose the Cheese, Vanilla, or Chocolate filling, the hand-pinned, perfectly crunchy shell and the creamy, signature filling are what the bakery is most famous for. Many customers will tell you it is the best cannoli they have ever had, a harmonious blend of crisp texture and rich, fresh filling that achieves a perfect balance.

Another essential choice is their assortment of Italian Cookies. While the Pignoli cookie, made with pure almond paste and imported pine nuts, is a pricer luxury item, it is a fan-favorite and truly represents the authentic Sicilian macaroon tradition. For those seeking variety for a gathering, investing in one of the beautifully arranged Signature Cookie Trays or a Large Signature Cookie Tin provides a curated selection of their time-honored almond, fig, and spiced cookies, perfect for any family celebration.

Finally, for special occasions, consider ordering one of their custom or standard size Italian Cream Cakes. This dessert is part of the legacy, having contributed to the bakery’s exceptional reputation in the neighborhood for special occasion desserts since the 1920s. Termini Bros Bakery is more than just a place to buy dessert—it's a destination where you can taste over 100 years of Philadelphia history, community, and unparalleled Italian culinary tradition.

VISIT FEATURES

Services and accessibility

These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.

Service options

  • Delivery
  • In-store pickup
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings

  • Coffee

Amenities

    Planning

    • Quick visit

    Payments

    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards

    Parking

    • Free parking lot
    • Free street parking
    PHOTOS

    See the bakery

    VISITOR FEEDBACK

    Reviews and recurring themes

    Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.

    cannoli 100italian 35ricotta 13rum cake 11tiramisu 10biscotti 9wedding cake 9sfogliatelle 8easter 6chocolate covered banana 5
    ★ 2.0

    Stopped by to get some pistachio cranberry biscottis. Even I asked the staff about when they were made , she said very fresh but it tastes not fresh.it tasted like they were baked maybe weeks ago. Plus everything very pricey. One lady came back after she left to ask if she was charged correct. And she was shocked. The streets nearby this termini location are all closed for road work so be aware of if you driving the area. Neighborhood is not nice to hang out. You just get what you get and leave. It was a lot better years ago but now losing the taste for me.

    Aug 26 · Oznur Basak
    ★ 5.0

    Everyone we know has been telling us this place has the BEST cannoli and we finally tried it and it is the BEST!!! Sure the ricotta filling is creamy and fragrant and fresh with the perfect consistency, but the crust! The crust (i can smell the spices even just hold it next to my face) is at the perfect balance of crunchiness. It breaks so easily as the reaction to the bite, but it also holds together so well to maintain the shape and avoid the mess. We definitely see ourselves come back again and again and again.P.S. sorry no cannoli pic. We finished them before even thinking about taking one.

    May 18 · Edith
    ★ 5.0

    just the old-school sign and façade tempted me in only to find that these are absolutely the best cannolis anywhere. I love the old school decor, right down to the chin ceilings, old countertops, and historical cash register. now, only if they had a couple of tables and a coffee pot so I could enjoy my cannoli the instant they fill it for me, that would be great. But definitely do not miss this place. Well worth any side trip if you are in Philadelphia

    Aug 6 · Russ Johnson
    ★ 4.0

    Awesome atmosphere this is a Bakery of variety. For my birthday I had a Funfetti Pastry it was fresh and delicious. The service was professional , knowledgeable and kind.

    May 2 · Bridget Brown
    ★ 5.0

    I stopped into the Termini flagship location for some pastries yesterday and had an amazing experience. Stepping into their shop feels like stepping back in time--everything is perfectly preserved to reflect their 100-year history of making Italian pastries from scratch. The girls working were very courteous, polite, and quick to assist me. I ordered a ricotta cannoli, a chocolate banana, and a lobster tail, all of which were fresh and delicious. The crisp on the cannoli shell was like no other and the lobster tail must've weighed close to a pound!If you're looking for the best Italian pastries in Philly, go to Termini!

    Jul 16 · Taylor Kraus
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    About this listing

    This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.

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