Villabate Alba

- 7001 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204

For over four decades, **Villabate Alba** has stood as a Brooklyn institution, serving as a beacon of authentic Sicilian and Italian confectionery. Located in the heart of Bensonhurst, this highly celebrated establishment is far more than just a dessert shop; it is a full-service Italian bakery where Old World traditions are upheld and generations of New Yorkers come to celebrate life's special moments. Founded by the Alaimo family, who brought their rich baking legacy from the small town of Villabate in Sicily, the bakery first opened its doors in 1979.

Villabate Alba offers an overwhelming and delightful sensory experience, famously featuring massive display cases bursting with a rainbow of freshly baked goods. Customers are welcomed into an authentic Italian cafe environment, complete with the comforting aroma of espresso and fresh yeast. The core of its identity is its dedication to genuine Italian baking, specializing in everything from delicate pastries and intricate cakes to rustic bread and traditional savory snacks. It is a necessary destination for anyone in the New York region seeking the real taste of Sicily.

The shop’s extensive menu caters to every craving, from classic cookies like the Pignoli and Rainbow Cookie to impressive, multi-layered celebration cakes. It also honors its Sicilian roots by offering savory items, ensuring it’s a complete culinary stop for locals. This combination of traditional quality, sheer variety, and warm, family-driven service is what cemented Villabate Alba's reputation as "the best, old world, Sicilian/Italian bakery in all of Brooklyn," as attested by loyal customers.

Villabate Alba is conveniently situated at **7001 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204, USA**. This prime location places it directly in the center of the bustling Bensonhurst neighborhood, an area well-known for its deep Italian-American heritage and thriving community life. The shop is easily accessible via both private and public transportation, a key requirement for any beloved New York business.

For those utilizing the subway system, Villabate Alba is only a short walk from the **18th Avenue station** on the **D train line**, providing a direct route for residents commuting from Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, or other parts of the borough. The surrounding blocks also feature excellent bus service, ensuring accessibility from various directions across the neighborhood. The bakery's street-level presence and its location on a major avenue make it highly visible and easy to find.

Furthermore, Villabate Alba has thoughtfully prioritized accessibility for all patrons. The location features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, ensuring that all members of the New York community can comfortably visit and experience the vast array of desserts and baked goods on offer. Its status as a neighborhood anchor means that for most Bensonhurst residents, a quick walk is all it takes to satisfy a craving for authentic Italian treats.

Villabate Alba provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of its diverse and busy New York clientele:

• In-Store Pickup & Takeout: Allowing customers to quickly select and purchase items from the immense display cases for consumption at home or on the go.
• Local Delivery Service: Offering the convenience of bringing their renowned pastries, cakes, and cookies directly to local homes and businesses.
• Onsite Services: Providing a space for customers to enjoy their pastries and coffee immediately, as some customer reviews suggest there is a seating area for a casual, quick visit.
• Custom Cake Orders: Catering to birthdays, holidays, and special events with custom-made Italian cakes, a staple for which they are famous.
• Acceptance of Multiple Payment Methods: Simplifying transactions by accepting Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for a quick checkout experience.

What makes Villabate Alba a standout in the intensely competitive New York dessert scene are several distinct features and highlights that draw customers from across the tri-state area:

• Authentic Sicilian Specialization: The bakery is proudly focused on preserving and serving genuine Sicilian and Southern Italian recipes, a tradition passed down through three generations of the Alaimo family since 1979.
• The Legendary Cannoli: The bakery’s cannoli are often cited as a must-try item, with some reports noting they use ricotta cheese imported directly from Palermo, Sicily, for an unparalleled, authentic flavor.
• The Arancini (Rice Balls): A notable highlight among the savory options, these deep-fried Sicilian rice balls—available stuffed with meat or mozzarella and ham—offer a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness.
• Massive Menu Variety: The inventory is vast, ranging from classic pastries like Sfogiatelle, Lobster Tails, and St. Joseph's Pastry (Zeppole and Sfinge) to dozens of cookie varieties (like Fig Cookie Cuccidati and Rainbow Cookie) and over a dozen cakes, including their famous Cannoli Cake.
• Gelato and Frozen Desserts: Beyond baked goods, the shop offers homemade Gelato, another authentic Italian specialty that customers rave about, especially the Baci flavor.
• Accessibility and Convenience: Offering delivery, takeout, and in-store services, complemented by a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensures they can serve their community efficiently and inclusively.

Villabate Alba can be easily reached using the following details. Visitors are advised to note the single, highly popular Brooklyn location:

• Address: 7001 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204, USA
• Primary Phone: (718) 331-8430
• Mobile Phone: +1 718-331-8430

The shop is open seven days a week, typically from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, providing ample opportunity for New Yorkers to visit for an early morning coffee and pastry or a late evening dessert run. Given its popularity, it is advisable to plan for a quick but potentially busy environment, especially on weekends and holidays.

Choosing Villabate Alba means choosing history, authenticity, and unparalleled quality in the realm of Italian desserts. For New York residents, it’s not just about buying a treat; it’s about participating in a longstanding tradition. The bakery’s commitment to using authentic, high-quality ingredients—like imported Sicilian ricotta for their cannoli—elevates their products far above standard bakery fare. Villabate Alba offers an incredibly rich variety that makes it perfect for any occasion, whether you need a simple Mini Cannoli on the go, an impressive **Miniature Pastry Tray** for a gathering, or a stunning **Seven Layer Cake** for a major celebration.

The sheer scale and dedication to traditional methods, as evidenced by their extensive menu of classic Sicilian bites like **Casatelli** and various Italian cheesecakes, confirm their status as a cultural culinary landmark. When you visit, you are not just getting a dessert; you are experiencing a piece of genuine Italian culture, transported directly to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Given the consistent praise for the freshness, authenticity, and quality of both their sweet and savory items, including the semolina bread and famous **Rice Balls**, Villabate Alba remains the definitive choice for New Yorkers who demand the very best of Italy's dessert artistry.

Villabate Alba

7001 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204, USA