Mazzola Bakery

- 192 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

For New Yorkers, a visit to a classic neighborhood bakery isn't just about buying bread—it's an essential connection to the city's rich, delicious, and diverse heritage. In the heart of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, one establishment stands as a legendary testament to this tradition: Mazzola Bakery. Operating continuously since 1928, Mazzola’s is far more than a simple bakery; it is a living piece of Italian-American culinary history, a multi-generational staple where the recipes are authentic, the service is warm, and the signature offerings are simply unmatched anywhere else in the city.

Mazzola Bakery has cultivated a reputation that extends far beyond the borders of Brooklyn, becoming a destination for New Yorkers seeking a taste of something truly unique. While they offer a full spectrum of high-quality baked goods, the bakery is internationally famous for one specialty in particular: their Lard Bread. This savory, rich loaf is the stuff of local legend, a traditional Italian-American bread that perfectly encapsulates the flavor and spirit of the neighborhood's deep roots. Loyal customers, some of whom have lived in the area for decades, consider this place a non-negotiable staple.

Walking into Mazzola Bakery, you are immediately enveloped in the irresistible aroma of fresh yeast, baking dough, and savory cured meats—a scent that signals you've arrived at an establishment where the craft is taken seriously. The bakery, founded by Nicolo Mazzola after immigrating from Palermo, Italy, has kept its original recipes virtually unchanged, maintaining the integrity and tradition that New York food enthusiasts covet. Today, it’s run by a family who purchased the business from the Mazzola clan in 1980, ensuring its legacy endures as a centerpiece of the Carroll Gardens community.

The atmosphere is exactly what you hope for in a generational New York institution: small, focused on the product, and bursting with local character. It’s a place for a quick visit, whether you’re grabbing a fresh loaf for dinner, a coffee and pastry for breakfast, or tearing into a piece of their legendary Lard Bread right on the two benches outside. One long-time resident remarked on their first visit after ten years, lamenting all the missed years of lard bread, pretzels, and other fresh, delicious baked goods, a powerful endorsement of the bakery's unwavering quality and fair prices. Mazzola Bakery is a true cultural touchstone, keeping a cherished culinary tradition alive for all of New York to enjoy.

Location and Accessibility

Mazzola Bakery is ideally situated at 192 Union Street, right on the corner of Henry Street, in the desirable Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn. This neighborhood is known for its charming brownstones, picturesque streets, and strong sense of community, with a commercial strip that perfectly blends old-world charm with modern appeal.

The location offers excellent accessibility for both local residents and visitors traveling from other boroughs. The bakery is conveniently located near major subway lines, allowing for easy access. The F and G subway lines stop just a short walk away at the Carroll Street station, making it a simple destination for anyone coming from Manhattan or other parts of Brooklyn. This accessibility is crucial for a popular spot that caters to a large customer base, including those making a quick stop on their commute or specifically traveling to purchase their unique signature items.

In terms of physical access, Mazzola Bakery is committed to accommodating all patrons. The property features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that everyone in the community can easily visit and enjoy their fresh-baked goods. While seating is limited to a few benches outside—encouraging the classic New York "grab-and-go" culture—the layout is designed for quick, efficient service, perfect for a fast stop before starting your day.

Services Offered

Mazzola Bakery offers a curated selection of traditional Italian-American baked goods, focusing on freshness, quality, and quick service for the community.

• Signature Lard Bread: The most famous item, a savory, enriched loaf studded with Genoa salami, sharp provolone cheese, and black pepper. It is considered a regional specialty of New York and the surrounding areas.
• Traditional Italian Pastries: An impressive array of classic sweets, including sfogliatelle, biscotti, and other tempting desserts that reflect the bakery’s Sicilian roots.
• Wide Selection of Fresh Bread: Beyond the signature loaf, the bakery produces a full line of traditional Italian and non-Italian breads, including various seeded and flavored loaves, such as Cinnamon Raisin, Asiago, Spinach & Cheese, and Multigrain.
• Seasonal Pies: Offering classic American pies to complement their Italian-American repertoire, including staple varieties such as Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Coconut Pie, and Pecan Pie.
• Assorted Baked Goods: Other popular items include pretzels, non-Italian baked goods like croissants and bagels, and the possibility of savory pizza offerings, depending on the daily menu.
• Coffee Service: Fresh, hot coffee is available to pair with any breakfast pastry or quick bread order, essential for a morning stop.
• Takeout Service: The bakery is primarily structured for takeout, allowing patrons to quickly grab their items and be on their way.
• Payment Flexibility: To ensure efficient transactions, the bakery accepts both cash (as often noted in the classic NYC tradition) and modern debit card payments.
• Early Morning Opening: The shop opens as early as 6:00 AM on weekdays and 6:00 AM on Sundays, catering to the early-bird crowd and commuters who need a quick breakfast.

Features / Highlights

The enduring popularity of Mazzola Bakery is rooted in a blend of history, unique products, and exceptional service that defines a beloved local business.

• Nearly a Century of Operation: Established in 1928, Mazzola Bakery has been a continuous presence in Carroll Gardens for almost 100 years, a true marker of its quality and community value.
• The Legendary Lard Bread: This is the definitive highlight. The lard bread is a unique, savory, tender loaf, rich with rendered fat in the dough, and packed with high-quality Genoa salami, sharp provolone, and black pepper, often described as a savory cake or a distant cousin of fruitcake.
• Authentic Italian-American Tradition: The bakery’s recipes and specialties, particularly the lard bread, represent a specific culinary tradition brought by Italian immigrants from Southern Italy (specifically Sicily in the case of the founder) and nurtured in New York.
• Community and Personal Service: The staff, including the owners like Josefine, are consistently described as "friendly and informative" by customers, contributing to the warm neighborhood atmosphere and sense of welcome.
• Commitment to Freshness: The bakery itself operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring that the bread and baked goods are constantly made fresh and often available hot from the oven.
• Reasonable Prices: Customers frequently mention the "very reasonable prices," which adds to the bakery's accessible and staple status within the high-cost New York market.
• Variety of Offerings: Despite its small size, Mazzola offers a thoughtful combination of signature savory items, classic Italian pastries (sfogliatelle, biscotti), and holiday staples like their assorted pies.

Contact Information

To plan a visit, place an order, or inquire about their daily specials, you can contact Mazzola Bakery using the information below.

Address: 192 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA

Phone: (718) 643-1719

What is Worth Choosing

For any New Yorker, Mazzola Bakery is more than just a place to buy baked goods; it is an essential cultural experience. What makes this bakery an absolute must-visit is the opportunity to taste culinary history in the form of their legendary Lard Bread. This signature loaf is a local specialty that you simply won't find made this well anywhere else, representing a unique Brooklyn Italian-American tradition. The rich, tender dough, the double-barrel blast of black pepper, and the savory chunks of Genoa salami and provolone cheese create a perfect balance of flavors and textures that is truly a meal in itself. It’s highly recommended to grab a fresh, warm loaf right when you arrive—many locals can’t even wait to get home before tearing into it on the benches outside.

Beyond the famous Lard Bread, choosing Mazzola means choosing exceptional quality, traditional Italian pastries like sfogliatelle and biscotti, and a full line of daily fresh-baked breads at fair, neighborhood prices. The service, noted by patrons like Josefine, is welcoming and personal, reinforcing the feeling that you are supporting a family-run institution that cares deeply about its community and its craft. Whether you are a long-time Carroll Gardens resident or a tourist seeking an authentic, delicious piece of New York’s heritage, Mazzola Bakery is the definitive choice for truly outstanding and historically significant baked goods.

Mazzola Bakery

192 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA