This Little Massachusetts Italian Market Is Packed With Imported Sweets, Pasta And Old-World Favorites

Imported Italian cheeses and specialty cured meats fill a deli case just north of Boston. It sits near fennel-seeded finocchiona and Italian soaps, all imported.

The shelves hold pasta, olive oil, canned tomatoes, coffee, and candy from Italy. There’s also a bakery case with cannoli and cakes.

I have to admit, that sounds like a dangerous place to shop hungry.

This compact Massachusetts market also builds sandwiches at its deli counter. One combo stacks pesto, tomato, mozzarella, and prosciutto.

I’d be tempted to order one before even grabbing a basket.

I find the whole idea especially appealing because it skips the airfare. You get a slice of Italy without a passport or a long flight.

A Tiny Shop That Feels Like A Ticket To Italy

Plenty of stores sell a few Italian brands. Italimport Inc and Barbiero Italian Food Store by Stefano Barbiero goes much further, with imported specialties filling a compact space.

Google describes it simply as a small store for imported Italian foods. That modest description undersells how much is packed onto its shelves.

You’ll find pasta, olive oil, cheese, cured meats, canned goods, and candy. Even household items like Italian soaps show up among the groceries.

The store sits in Malden, a short hop north of Boston. It runs as an Italian grocery with a deli and bakery counter inside.

That mix makes it more than a quick errand stop. It works as a pantry restock, a lunch run, and a dessert stop in one trip.

Small size has a real upside here. You can browse every aisle without needing a map or a snack break halfway through.

Shoppers looking for hard-to-find brands should start here. Many products come from different regions of Italy, not just one corner of the boot.

Bring a list, but leave room for surprises. Odds are something unfamiliar will end up in your basket anyway.

Your Sandwich Order Deserves Some Serious Thought

Sandwiches might be the biggest reason people stop in. The deli counter turns imported meats and cheeses into hefty subs to eat there or take to go.

One named option is the Napoli. It layers pesto, tomato, mozzarella, and prosciutto, which sounds like summer in Italy wrapped in bread.

The beauty of a deli like this is the ingredient list behind the counter. Prosciutto di Parma and mortadella are both on hand, so the fillings start strong.

You can also pick up sliced cold cuts to build your own sandwich at home. That’s handy if you have picky eaters or a very specific vision.

Timing matters a bit. The store opens at 9 am daily, closing at 6 pm most days and 2 pm on Sunday.

A late lunch on a Sunday could turn into a missed lunch. Plan around those shorter hours and you’ll be fine.

My advice? Order the sandwich first, then shop while you wait. Just try not to eat half of it before reaching the car.

Cured Meats And Cheeses Worth Crossing Town For

Finocchiona is a fennel-seeded salami from Tuscany, and it’s not common in regular supermarkets. Here, it shares space with plenty of other Italian favorites.

The deli case carries prosciutto di Parma, prosciutto cotto, and mortadella. A rosemary ham is also part of the lineup for anyone wanting a change of pace.

Cheese lovers get their own treasure hunt. Caciocavallo, a stretched cheese shaped a bit like a teardrop, has a spot in the store.

Then there’s the truffle cheese aged under ashes. More than one truffle-flavored cheese is available, which feels almost unfair to your willpower.

Grated Pecorino Romano is another easy grab. It’s a sharp, salty sheep’s milk cheese that wakes up any plate of pasta.

Not sure what to choose? The staff speaks English and Italian, and they’ll explain unfamiliar items.

Building a party board becomes simple with this many options. Pick one mild meat, one bold salami, and a couple of contrasting cheeses.

Add olives and crusty bread, and you’re basically done.

Save Room For Cannoli, Cakes, And Italian Cookies

Sweet tooth, meet your new problem. The store offers a selection of Italian cookies, pastries, and other imported sweets.

Cannoli are crisp fried pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cream. They come from Sicily and have become a favorite treat all over the world.

The cakes get special attention too. They’re a good option when you need a dessert that looks impressive without baking anything yourself.

Italian cookies fill another corner of the sweet side. Think of the kind that pairs nicely with a warm cup of coffee in the afternoon.

The candy shelves add even more temptation. Imported Italian candies sit there, including fizzy kinds that can be tough to find elsewhere in the U.S.

Gelato rounds things out for anyone who prefers dessert cold. It’s an easy pick-up for a summer evening at home.

A quick tip helps here. Bread and baked goods can run low later in the day, so earlier visits give you the best selection.

Nobody wants to show up for cannoli and leave with only regret.

Stock Your Pantry Like An Italian Grandmother

Good Italian cooking starts in the pantry. This shop makes stocking one surprisingly easy.

The pasta selection is big, with plenty of shapes and brands from Italy. Gluten-free pasta is part of the mix too, which is great news for anyone avoiding wheat.

Bottled tomatoes line the shelves for homemade sauce. Pair them with imported extra-virgin olive oil, and you’re halfway to a Sunday gravy.

Jarred goods add easy flavor boosts. Artichokes and sun-dried peppers from Italy can jazz up salads, pasta, or sandwiches in seconds.

Olives deserve a shout as well. The store even supplies big olive containers, so it clearly takes them seriously.

Canned goods, sauces, and other shelf-stable items fill out the aisles. Most will keep for weeks, so stocking up doesn’t mean rushing to use everything.

Here’s a simple plan for beginners. Grab one pasta shape, one jar of tomatoes, a good olive oil, and a wedge of Pecorino.

That’s a classic dinner with very little effort and a lot of flavor.

Coffee Fans, This Aisle Is Calling Your Name

Some people come for the cheese. Others come straight for the coffee aisle and never look back.

This section stands out for its range of Italian coffees. Instant coffee options that are hard to find elsewhere also show up here.

Italians take their coffee seriously, often drinking small, strong espresso shots through the day. Stocking up on authentic brands is one easy way to bring that habit home.

Teas are on the shelves as well. They’re a nice option for anyone who wants something gentler later in the evening.

The drink selection reaches beyond hot cups. Imported beverages include Chinotto by Sanpellegrino, a bittersweet citrus soda that many stores skip.

Chinotto is made from a small, sour citrus fruit. Its flavor is a little like cola mixed with orange peel, which makes it fun to try.

Planning a gift basket? A bag of Italian coffee plus some cookies from the bakery makes a thoughtful combo.

It’s simple, useful, and way more interesting than another generic gift card.

Dinner Is Basically Handled Once You Find The Prepared Foods

Cooking every night is a lot of work. Thankfully, this market has ready-made Italian food that can take some pressure off.

Italian deli specialties are another highlight of the store’s selection. These are golden fried rice balls, usually stuffed with fillings, and they’re a classic Sicilian snack.

The deli also offers Italian meats and cheeses that make preparing meals at home easier. Both make easy weeknight dinners with a box of pasta and a jar of sauce.

Packaged pasta and imported sauces are also convenient options for easy dinners. Shoppers can choose smaller packages of Italian pantry staples when planning meals for one or two people.

Hosting a crowd? Trays and half trays of food are available to go for larger gatherings.

That option can save a party host hours of stress. Just order ahead so the kitchen has time to prepare.

Picking up a few prepared items also lets you taste-test the store. Try some arancini, then decide what to bring home next time.

It’s a low-risk way to find a new family favorite without much effort.

Holiday Season Turns The Shelves Into A Festive Treasure Chest

Italian holidays come with their own lineup of treats. The store stocks an impressive inventory of holiday specialties imported from Italy.

Around the holidays, Italian families often serve special breads, sweets, and cured meats. Having them in one spot makes planning a big meal much less stressful.

Massachusetts has a strong Italian American community, and many families keep old traditions alive. A shop like this helps those traditions stay on the table year after year.

Store staff can also help explain products you don’t recognize. That’s useful when a package is labeled mostly in Italian.

The holiday selection makes the store a great gift destination. Imported treats feel more personal than something grabbed off a big-box shelf.

Shopping earlier in the season is a smart move. Popular items can sell out as celebrations get closer.

Consider building a small holiday basket for a friend. Add a sweet bread, a bag of coffee, and a wedge of cheese.

Wrap it with a ribbon, and you’ve got a gift that tastes as good as it looks.

Plan Your Trip To Broadway In Malden

Finding this spot is easy. The full address is 580 Broadway, Malden, MA 02148, about a short drive north of downtown Boston.

Parking is plentiful, which is a big deal near Boston. Anyone who has circled the North End looking for a space will appreciate that.

Published business listings show different opening times, so shoppers should confirm the current hours before visiting.

Monday through Saturday, it closes at 6 pm. Sunday hours end at 2 pm, so weekend shoppers should go early.

Staff members speak both English and Italian. Feel free to ask questions, especially about products you’ve never tried before.

Massachusetts has plenty of Italian food spots, but few pack this much into one small room. Grab a cart, take your time, and leave space in the trunk.

You’ll probably need it more than you expect.