The 8 Old School Buffalo, New York Area Bakeries Keeping Traditional Favorites Alive
One family bakery in western New York has been baking since 1920, and the fourth generation is still at the ovens. I love that. A recipe surviving that long feels like a small miracle.
Another shop opened in 1964 with recipes the founder learned from her own mother. Decades later, new owners still bake from that same family playbook. A third bakery changed hands in 2010, and the new owner kept the original recipes instead of reinventing them.
That kind of loyalty is rarer than a quiet snow day around here. Trends come and go, but tomato pie, fig cookies, cannoli, and almond pastries keep showing up exactly as they always have.
So I rounded up the old guard. These bakeries stick with what works, and honestly, I can’t think of a sweeter way to respect the past. Which box would you grab first?
1. Gino’s Italian Bakery
Tomato pie that sells out is a pretty good sign a bakery knows what it’s doing. At Gino’s, the move is to grab a slab and eat it at room temperature, the way it’s usually enjoyed.
Around Buffalo, tomato pie is a bakery classic rather than a pizzeria item. Showing up earlier in the day can only help your odds of snagging some.
Family recipes are the backbone here. One family owned and ran the shop starting in 1990, and when a new owner took over in 2010, those original recipes stayed right where they belonged.
The cookie trays are a big draw, with fig cookies and cucidati leading the Italian lineup. Cannoli, cassata cake, napoleons, éclairs, and cream puffs fill out the dessert case.
Then come the cinnamon buns, which are big enough to count as a group project. You can also pick up almond and fruit-filled pastries, pasticiotti, and fresh bread for the week.
Cartocci are among the Italian pastries associated with Gino’s, but the bakery is closed on Sundays. Cartocci are sweet Italian pastries traditionally filled with ricotta, though availability at the bakery may vary.
Plan ahead, because the bakery is closed on Mondays and keeps short weekend hours. There’s no seating, so think of it as a grab-and-go stop, with curbside parking available along Hertel Avenue.
One big update: Gino’s recently moved to a new home on Hertel Avenue. Same recipes, new address, and a fresh reason to explore this Buffalo, New York street.
Address: 1146 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
2. Mazurek’s Bakery
Polish rye bread on Christmas Eve is a sacred tradition for many South Buffalo families. At Mazurek’s, that tradition has been passed from parents to children for generations.
This long-running bakery has served the Buffalo community since 1933 and has been owned by OLV Human Services since 2020.
Longtime customers remember browsing the cookie cases with their parents as kids, and now they bring their own children back for the same treats.
The rye bread is the anchor of the shelves, dense and flavorful in a way supermarket loaves rarely match. Pick up a loaf for sandwiches or for slicing alongside a holiday dinner.
Donuts here have their own personality. Regulars describe them as different from the usual chain fare, and the earlier you arrive, the better your chances of grabbing a favorite.
Brownies earn plenty of devoted fans as well. Cookies, pastries, pies, and cakes round out a case that feels like a trip back in time.
Celebrations bring out the bakery’s best. Custom cakes for graduations and decorated holiday cookies show up on short notice, and customers praise the warm, personal service that comes with every order.
That old fashioned care is a big part of the charm. In an age of self checkout lanes, this counter still feels like a neighbor helping you plan the perfect party.
Plan an early visit, since popular items go quickly. Mazurek’s Bakery has closed its longtime South Park Avenue storefront, but its traditional baked goods are still available at the OLVHS Café at 790 Ridge Road in Lackawanna, along with seasonal pop-ups and local markets.
3. DiCamillo Bakery
Back in 1920, Tomaso and Addolorata Di Camillo started baking in Niagara Falls, New York. More than a century later, their family is still running the ovens.
The second, third, and fourth generations carry on what the bakery calls an uninterrupted tradition. Recipes pass down through the family instead of getting swapped for trendy shortcuts.
The Williamsville shop opened in 2006 on Main Street. It brought that century-old know-how right into the village.
Consistency is the real flex at a place this old. Bread and pizza that taste the way they did decades ago are rare, and this shop is known for exactly that.
Bread lovers, this one’s for you. The hearth-baked loaves include homestyle bread, hard rolls, and twisty bread with a seriously satisfying chew.
Lunch is easy to solve here too. Grab a slab of Grandma style pizza or tomato pie and you’re set.
The sweet side gets big. Think plain or chocolate-dipped cannoli, sfogliatelle, custard puffs, linzer cookies, and German chocolate cake.
Donut fans can go for apple maple or peanut stick. Cookie fans can hunt down coconut raspberry, oatmeal raisin, or classic sugar cookies.
The shop also sells in-shop made pasta and jarred Italian items. That means dessert and tomorrow’s dinner can leave in the same bag.
Want to stay a minute? Dine-in seating, coffee, and free Wi-Fi make it a smart breakfast stop.
Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest stretch. If you’d rather browse slowly, try a weekday visit instead.
Address: 5329 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
4. Paula’s Donuts
More than three thousand reviews and a near perfect rating tell you plenty about this Tonawanda favorite. Paula’s Donuts has become a Western New York ritual, the kind of place families mention in the same breath as wings and beef on weck.
The display case is enormous, so give yourself a minute before ordering. Rows of glazed rings, frosted classics, and stuffed creations stretch across the glass, and deciding quickly can feel like a test.
Filled donuts are the headliners here. Fans call them a must try, with generous centers that make every bite feel like a small celebration. Still, even the simple chocolate glazed earns raves for tasting fresh and light.
Prices stay reasonable, which makes it easy to grab a dozen for the office or a family brunch. Plenty of out of town visitors stop in because a local friend insisted, and most leave planning their next trip.
Bagels and coffee round out the menu for anyone who wants something savory. A roomy seating area and clean restrooms make it a comfortable place to linger rather than rush out the door.
Weekend mornings bring a steady crowd, but the line usually moves quickly. A big parking lot keeps things simple, even when the shop gets busy.
Doors open every day at 7 AM and close at 5 PM, so an early start pays off for the best selection. You will find Paula’s at 2319 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14150, an easy stop on any drive through the northern suburbs.
5. Eileen’s Centerview Bakery
Donuts made the old-fashioned way, by hand and from scratch, are the calling card at Eileen’s. That’s how Eileen Frick did it when she opened the bakery in 1964.
Her recipes came from her own mother, which makes them older than the bakery itself. The shop still uses those family recipes daily.
Ownership has since passed to a new couple, and they kept the original recipes intact. Honestly, that’s the best kind of handoff.
Start with the almond ring if you’re new. It’s a Danish pastry filled with housemade almond paste, and it’s one of the shop’s best-known specialties.
Pastry hearts and peanut sticks are signature items too. Peanut sticks are a western New York bakery favorite, so trying one here counts as local homework.
The case keeps going from there. Look for coffee cakes, cookies, pies, cheesecakes, cream puffs, eclairs, frycakes, and honeymooners.
Fun names are part of the charm. Keep an eye out for cinnamon bun crunchie donuts, gator rolls, raspberry pretzels, and yellow smiley cookies.
Need something for a party? Custom cakes are on the menu, along with breads and rolls for the dinner table.
Timing matters, since the bakery opens at 6 AM and closes Sundays and Mondays. Saturday mornings get busy, so an early alarm pays off.
There’s no seating, so plan on takeout. The free parking lot makes a quick stop simple.
Address: 465 Center Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224
6. Balistreri’s Pastries Plus
Dessert and dinner in one stop? Balistreri’s Pastries Plus earns that plus by pairing Italian pastries with savory prepared meals.
The family-run bakery once lived on Niagara Street in Buffalo. Today it calls West Seneca home, and the Italian favorites made the trip too.
On the sweet side, cannoli and tiramisu are easy places to start. The pastry case offers other Italian treats if you want to build a mixed box.
Bread here gets serious attention as well. A fresh loaf next to a pastry box feels like a very complete errand.
Now for the savory part. Pizza, meatballs, and sausage are on the lineup, along with ready-to-heat meals and Italian dinners to go.
That makes it a lifesaver on hectic weeknights. You get a hearty dinner without spending an hour at the stove.
Balistreri’s accepts credit cards, making it easy to stop in for pastries or take-home Italian meals. Sorting that out before you leave home saves an awkward detour to the ATM.
A couple of tables are available if you can’t wait to dig in. Most visits are quick, though, and the free parking lot helps.
Watch the calendar, since the bakery is closed on Mondays. Sunday hours run from 9 AM to 2 PM, so a late-morning cannoli run is doable.
Old school in western New York often means simple food done the same way for years. Balistreri’s fits that description with Italian classics from a family operation.
Address: 1757 Orchard Park Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224
7. Caramici’s Bakery
Cannoli filled to order is the kind of detail that separates a real bakery from a grocery aisle. Caramici’s Bakery makes them that way.
The shop has a homey, neighborhood feel on Elmwood Avenue. Its baked goods come from a kitchen, not a factory line.
Italian cookies are a big reason to stop in. They’re the kind of trays that remind people of what their moms used to make.
Cassata cake is another standout. It comes beautifully decorated, so it works as both dessert and centerpiece.
Almond bear claws deserve a spot in your box too. They’re known for a great balance of flaky pastry and almond filling.
Cupcakes bring the playful side. They come in fun flavors, which makes them an easy win for kids and grown-ups alike.
Special occasions are where this bakery shines brightest. Made-to-order cakes cover birthdays, baptisms, holidays, and more.
Wedding cakes are part of the menu as well. Pairing one with a spread of Italian cookies is a classic Buffalo move for a reception.
Planning a big event? Reach out early for custom orders, and remember the bakery is takeout only, with a free parking lot.
Some recipes are worth keeping exactly as they are. At Caramici’s, the Italian cookie tray proves that point one bite at a time.
Address: 3200 Elmwood Ave, Tonawanda, NY 14217
8. Ohlson’s Bakery & Cafe
Wisconsin Kringle in Western New York might sound like a geography mixup. At Ohlson’s, it’s the pastry that keeps people driving in from out of state.
That Danish style ring of flaky, buttery layers is the item regulars mention first. One family bought two to share at a holiday gathering and promised to return the next time they passed through the area.
The case stretches well beyond Kringle. Cookies, breads, cakes, turnovers, and extra large cinnamon rolls fill the shelves, giving you plenty of options for a mixed box.
Here’s a clever touch that sets this bakery apart. Many of the larger desserts come in mini versions, so you can sample a flavor before committing to a whole cake.
The cherry turnover earns special praise for its crisp, layered crust. Brownies come packed with flavor too, and the frozen desserts make easy party contributions when you need something on short notice.
Celebrations are a big part of the business. Customers rave about cakes made for birthdays and events, with guests often asking where they came from before the last slice disappears.
Seating is available, so you can enjoy a pastry and a coffee while the smell of fresh baking drifts through the room. It feels like a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a quick counter stop.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, with a shorter Saturday and Sundays closed. Point your car toward 8500 Sheridan Dr, Amherst, NY 14221, and leave room in the back seat for a Kringle.