Any good neighborhood in New York City has its favorite Italian American bakery. You know the ones: family owned, cannolis, rainbow cookies and other sweet pastries piled into starkly lit display cases in an old school space that smells amazing. Where pastries are packed into boxes with classic branding and secured with the twine machine.
Occupying a quiet corner a block in from the always busy Metropolitan Ave, Fortunato Brothers has been a staple in the east side of Williamsburg since 1976. The family-owned shop continues to be a popular neighborhood hang and a spot that draws in visitors from all around the city.
Most come to load up on cookies and pastries, of which they have ample choices in many variations and sizes to fill most cravings. Some items are weighed, some are priced per item. It doesn’t take long to fill up a box. They also have a selection of gelato – is it the best in the city or even the neighborhood? Nope. But does it fit the craving on a hot day? Yes. And it’s notably cheaper than the artisanal ice cream brands we’ve grown accustomed to. Whether coming for a coffee and a sweet pick me up, or buying a bunch of goods to share, Fortunato Brothers is a reliable choice from morning to night.
the details
| Address | 289 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn |
| Website | https://www.fortunatobrothers.com/ |
| Yelp | https://www.yelp.com/biz/fortunato-brothers-brooklyn |
| @fortunatobrosnyc | |
| Hours | 8am – 10pm Sunday – Thursday, 8am – 12am Friday and Saturday |
| Price | $-$$, pretty standard for Italian bakeries in Brooklyn |
| Aesthetic | simple, no-frills but welcoming, inside it feels like you exist out of time, it could be the 90s or 2023 |
good to know
Go here for: all your typical Italian bakery needs, a little something sweet after a meal, a mid-day pick me up, a box of sweets to bring to a party
Order this: cannolis (& the decadent chocolate covered cannoli shot), sfogliatella and lobster tails, rainbow cookies
Amount of time to spend: service is fast so as long as you know what you want you can be in and out in minutes; most come for take out, but they also have indoor and outdoor seating for enjoying there
When to come: whenever you’re in the neighborhood (just give into the temptation to make a little detour)
Getting here: just a block over from the Graham L station, also a short walk from Metropolitan Lorimer G/L
Other things to note:
- They do take card, but there’s a 3.5% surcharge, so pay with cash if you can.
- You can also order ahead for pick up on their website.
Last visited: July 2023
Last updated: July 2023
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