Does Caffé Palermo Cannoli King Make the Best Cannoli on Earth

Photo by Brian Kachejian

Caffé Palermo boldly claims they serve the best cannoli not just in New York City, but in the entire world. That is a serious statement, especially in a city packed with legendary bakeries. And I know that firsthand because I have been to them. My job here was simple. Find out if that claim is true. Does Cannoli King really make the best cannoli in the world?

First, the history.

Caffé Palermo opened in the spring of 1973. Founder John DeLutro, known as “Baby John,” started the business at just seventeen years old with fifty dollars in his pocket. Born and raised on Mulberry Street, he opened it as a small coffee shop in memory of his mother. Twenty years later, he introduced the cannoli recipe that would define the brand. He credits a Neapolitan grandmother’s recipe and a “secret ingredient” for the shop’s decades of success.

Located at 148 Mulberry Street between Hester and Grand, Cannoli King sits right in the heart of Little Italy. They open daily at 11:00 AM, closing at 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and staying open until 11:00 PM or midnight on weekends.

The menu has grown, but the cannoli remains the centerpiece. Large or mini, each one is hand filled to order so the shell stays crisp. The filling uses high grade impastata ricotta and chocolate chips, whipped longer than standard recipes for a specific creamy texture. Beyond that, they offer tiramisu, lobster tails, Italian cheesecake, Frutti Di Bosco cake, cream puffs, gelato, and a full espresso bar.

Now back to the real question.

On February 27, 2028, my wife and I sat down inside the shop to put it to the test. The staff was warm and welcoming. They had no idea I was a journalist. I never announce that. At first they thought we were tourists, but once I spoke, that New York accent gave it away.

We ordered a cannoli, tiramisu, crème brûlée, and coffee.

The Coffee

They served the coffee in glass cups, which immediately told me they cared. I have worked in restaurants for years, and I have heard top chefs say the best coffee is served in glass. This one was fresh, rich, and full bodied. On a cold day, it hits perfectly.

The Tiramisu

Tiramisu is my weakness. If it is on the menu, I am ordering it. This one exceeded expectations. Balanced, creamy, and layered with flavor. It may have been the best tiramisu I have ever tasted. A clear ten.

Crème Brûlée

My wife ordered the crème brûlée. I claimed I needed a bite for the review, but I really just wanted to taste it. It was exceptional. Once she saw my reaction, she pulled it back before I could do real damage. Another ten.

The Cannoli

Now the moment.

Every bakery in Little Italy offers multiple cannoli variations. It reminds me of pizzerias pushing twenty different slice styles. But I always judge the classic. No gimmicks. Just the standard cannoli.

This one delivered in a way that stopped the conversation at the table. The shell was crisp but not hard. The ricotta cream was smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced with the chocolate chips. Earlier that same day I had been tasting cannoli around the neighborhood. Good ones. Some very good ones.

This one separated itself immediately.

This was not hype. This was not nostalgia. This was not marketing.

This was the best cannoli I have ever eaten.

When a place claims to make the best in the world, you expect exaggeration. At Cannoli King, I did not find exaggeration. I found proof.

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