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Rocco's Pastry Shop & Espresso Cafe

4 star rating
based on 136 reviews

Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea  [Edit]

Neighborhood: West Village
243 Bleecker Street
(between Carmine St & Leroy St)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242-6031
Nearest Transit:

W 4th St (A, C, E, B, D, F, V)

Christopher St (1)

Christopher St (PATH)

Price Range:
$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
No

136 reviews for Rocco's Pastry Shop & Espresso Cafe

Review Highlights   

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"I had my first cannoli here, and it was awesome." (in 39 reviews)
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"Yesterday I had the best rainbow cookies, ever." (in 41 reviews)
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"…have really amazing cookies, banana cream pie, fruit tarts, cheesecakes…" (in 5 reviews)
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Photo of Natalie W.

 

30

36

Natalie W.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
12/4/2009

THE BEST BAKERY I'VE EVER GONE TO! Everything I tried here was absolutely amazing to a whole other level. I'd surrender my life to one of obesity and diabetes just to eat here everyday.

We were first introduced to this place on a Greenwich Village Food Walking tour, and I immediately fell in love. From one glance at their window display items (including delicious $7 personal cheesecakes), my mouth started drooling. After walking in I was immediately greeted by the warm sweet smell and sights of all the baked goodies you can imagine - it was like I died and went to bakery heaven. I felt like a fat kid at a candy store, except better.

We sampled the cannolis which are yummy and not too heavy. After dinner at Greenwich Village, we decided to come back for more desserts, and ordered a chocolate and vanilla profiterol cake, 2 hot chocolates, nutella gelato, and some other pastries i can't remember the name of. All I remember is completely surrendering my senses to one scrumptious bite after another and losing all ability to stop.

Rocco's, my heart belongs to you forever.

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Photo of Lily S.

Elite '09

16

100

Lily S.

Bronx, NY

4 star rating
10/29/2009

The warm smell of sweet baking goodness and it's a pretty busy place.  A good amount of freshly baked selection to choose from.  Got some cookies to go...have to come by and try out some more again.

A nice place to sit and chat too.

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Photo of Denise C.

 

28

45

Denise C.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
11/3/2009

Holy Cannoli, I love this place!!!!!

Rocco's is a small italian cafe located in greenwich village, new york and is such a great pastry shop.

Roccos was first introduced to us on a food tour we did in the village and we now stop in there every time we visit NY.

Their cannolis are out of this world.  They add the fresh creme filling as you order and these mouth watering treasures are worth going back time and again.

We ordered various samples of various pastries, cookies, fruit tarts, cakes, etc., and they were all a delightful treat.  They also have great gelato.

I have been told that their coffee is delicious but I'm not a coffee drinker myself but I can vouch for their hot cocoa and teas.

The staff at Roccos are very gracious and best of all, it is very CLEAN!!!!  After a walking around greenwich village this is a great spot to relax , take a few minutes to gather your thoughts and a cannoli.  

I've been back there a few times & will be back again.

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Photo of janice d.

 

3

6

janice d.

San Jose, CA

3 star rating
11/3/2009

Cute little place in the village that has some good little pastry's. I have been there a few times but wasn't thrilled with everything. It was just OK. Cannoli's are their speciality I would say. Red velvet was way to dry with really bad frosting on top, Rainbow marzipan cake... dry.
Not thrilled about this place. Good service and cute packaging but would rather find a new pastry spot for my Italian favorites.

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Photo of Amanda G.

Elite '09

121

610

Amanda G.

Campbell, CA

4 star rating
10/12/2009

This was one of several stops on our food tour,and I LOVED the cannoli. I don't even like cannoli, but theirs were incredible.
By the end of the food tour, I was totally dragging, and desperately in need of caffeine, so we decided to return here for some coffee.

Their coffee was fine, but service was SLOW!!!!!!
My mother-in-law also purchased some rum balls, which I didn't taste, but she loved them.

There were many decadent and delicious looking sweets in their cases, and I was tempted, but had no room left in my tummy after the food tour.

If I was in the neighborhood, I'd definitely stop in here for a snack :)

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Photo of Atif I.

Elite '09

196

253

Atif I.

New York, NY

2 star rating
11/3/2009

"A man is known by the stature of his opponents." (Pashtun saying)

Flashback to 2007: Bleecker Street is the scene of many a pitched battle during the Italian Pastry Wars as Pasticceria Bruno and Rocco's Pastry Shop slug it out for the title of neighborhood champ. # 245 from Northern Italy specializes more in mousse based desserts and marzipan while # 243 next door with its Southern Italian roots is famous for its freshly filled cannoli and cookies. However, given the product overlap, competition is fierce and passions run high. An unsuspecting customer looking to purchase desserts at both bakeries is more likely to suffer a loud and public rebuke than a sweet fate! One has to pick sides and be in one camp or the other. Until one day Bruno pulls out of Bleecker Street leaving the rich spoils of the Village to Rocco's.

Fast forward to 2009: atrophy has set in and Rocco's famed cannoli are falling apart, literally. While the ricotta filling remains delightful as always, the crispy shell is far too quick to break up from its soul mate, perhaps distracted by the generous proportions of the chocolate chips meant to liven up their interactions. The sight of the dozens of chips should invoke the same horror in a self-respecting eater, as a come hither look from a cheap tart dressed to leave nothing to the imagination... unless that is your sort of thing.

But, Tarts aren't the reason for Rocco's decline, they are merely a manifestation of it. It's the accompanying T: Tourists. Yes, while an easy and steady source of income for Rocco's and local stimulation of the economic kind, tourists are also a contributing factor for the bakery resting on its past laurels to become part of the sights and sounds of a walking tour. Tourists, who pay no attention to taste of the monstrous cookies and happily lap them up as Authentic Americana, Tourists who are unable to discern that the pistachios on the cannoli are actually green colored peanuts (!), Tourists who could not tell that the babas, lulus, and cream puffs are no better than a cream filled pastry at a local deli, Tourists who can not identify the liquor used in the Tiramisu, Tourists who wouldn't know gelato from Turkey Hill.... And, all of you that sing the bakery's praises - you might as well wear the T-shirt: There's no future in Time Travel. Or, continue playing Tunnels & Trolls.

With its American, French, Italian, and other European offerings Rocco tries too hard to be all things to all people, but has sadly lost its own identity. It's not a hopeless case YET, for their cannoli are still pretty good. Not the best in the city, but definitely in the Top 10. My advice to you would be to restrain the helpful servers from killing the mood with chocolate chips, unless you believe Toll House makes everything better! It doesn't, except when you're at Max Brenner. But, that's another tour altogether!

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Photo of David G.

 

0

40

David G.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
11/20/2009 3 photos

Don't expect organization or even polite staff here, but do come for a wide selection of delicious and beautiful pastries.  I've never seen a better pastry shop anywhere in America.  My French Lulu was divine!

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Photo of Nicole L.

Elite '09

9

101

Nicole L.

New York, NY

5 star rating
10/19/2009

The goal for Saturday was this: find amazing cannoli.

We accomplished our goal, and our stomachs thanked us for it.  I'm not even a huge cannoli fan, but the ones here, which are filled when you order them, as opposed to before-hand, are delicious.  The filling, which isn't overly sweet, has a whip-like quality, which is delicious, and the shells (we had one regular and one chocolate-coated) are light yet sturdy.

I also bought some regina cookies (my favorite), and they did not disappoint.  

This place was packed at 5pm on a Saturday. I was pretty surprised.  I took my order to-go, but if I hadn't, I might've had to wait for a table.  I guess it's a testament to the quality of the dessert and coffee at Rocco's, and because of that, I will definitely be back.

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Photo of Vasily T.

 

63

22

Vasily T.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
Updated - 10/30/2009

This is probably the only place on the planet I will order from remotely and know with absolute certainly that what they will send to my friends will be ummm, ummm, scrum-diliocious!  I am full of venom, and regularly drink copious amounts of Haterade, so why, why for the love or Jahwey, do I love you guys THIS much?  I am sooooo gay (no homo) for Rocco's!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    7/9/2009

    I came with friends for a cookie, and the vague notion that this place had a kick-ass Italian ice… Read more »

Photo of Barbara O.

 

0

16

Barbara O.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/27/2009

Rocco's saved us in the early morning hours this Thanksgiving.  They had all the traditional pastries in mini and regular size.  They were not pre-filling the cannoli, but did it when orders were placed.  If you don't want chocolate chips on your cannoli, mini or regular, just say so.  We ended up with lovely, traditional items in mini form to take to the day's feast.  This was after we had shlepped to Pasticceria Bruno whose staff had told us by phone that they had mini pastries, which turned out to be petits fours.  Wrong.  Rocco saved us, for which we thank them!

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Photo of Jess L.

Elite '09

79

426

Jess L.

Astoria, NY

4 star rating
10/19/2009

This place looks and feels like an authentic Italian cafe - very busy, smelling great, fun people watching. There is an amazing selection of sweets. I only took food to go, but I really liked the pine nut cookies, which were on top of the counter. Two cost me $1.50. Chewy, sweet, and nutty. I'd come back here again for pastries, but there didn't appear to be any seating on a Saturday night.

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Photo of Pree R.

Elite '09

6

85

Pree R.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/25/2009

Rocco's is really about one thing -- the best cannoli in the city.  Filled to order (or should I say overfilled to order) and surrounded by a perfect shell, I get hungry just thinking about it.  Went to Rocco's on a "munch hunt" -- basically a scavenger hunt built around food -- and the cannoli was on the list.  Thankfully.  The rest of the selection is so-so, but the cannoli makes Rocco's a place worth visiting.

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Photo of Kissmahon e.

 

0

17

Kissmahon e.

New York, NY

5 star rating
10/31/2009

I want to give this place more than 5 stars! I love it here for so many reasons. Everything is so good, the place is super cute, and the staff is nice. They're open late too!
My absolute favorite thing at Rocco's is the Red Velvet Cupcake. The best I've had in the city. They also have 3 kinds of cheesecake, tons of biscotti, cookies and cakes.

People keep talking about the cannolis but really, I have to disagree. The cannolis are my least favorite thing they make (Fortunato Brothers in Brooklyn has THE BEST cannolis!) I guess these will do when you can't make it out to Brooklyn!
One word of warning though- recently I got a cupcake - white cake with chocolate frosting- and the chocolate frosting had a slight orange flavor to it, which I did not enjoy.

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Photo of Ken G.

Elite '09

46

427

Ken G.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
7/22/2009

Rocco's was a pretty good place to head to for Italian pastries.  

I think the only real frustration was that none of the items in the case are named so when you find something you like, you have to point at it...this becomes really inconvenient when you are ordering at the table and you have to get up and show your server what you want...I just think it's a silly thing to do.  

Besides that small frustration, the pastries were pretty good.  I tried a few different items and they were all tasty.  The best was a custard-filled bread that really tasted fresh.  

I'd definitely come back here, but probably not sit down to eat...it's pretty crowded and on a nice day, it's much better to take it to one of the nearby parks.

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Photo of Susan L.

 

4

344

Susan L.

New York, NY

2 star rating
10/4/2009

I went there yesterday afternoon with a friend, and initially everything was fine.  The glass cases had a huge array of very tempting-looking dessert items.  We sat in the rear, where there's a big skylight and a brick wall (very attractive).  Our server was a very sweet young guy.  My pumpkin latte was good, although my (small) piece of Italian cheesecake was barely fair (it tasted rather stale).  Still, I/we would definitely have returned if the following hadn't occurred.

When it was time to leave, I went to use the restroom and discovered there was no toilet paper.  I went to the counter - where several people were working - and told one of the guys.  He was very pleasant and went in search of toilet paper, which turned out to be stored in the next county (somewhere downstairs, as it took a long time before he reappeared - but that certainly wasn't his fault).

When I finally got to use the restroom and then attempted to wash my hands, I used a liberal amount of soap (which actually wasn't even soap; it was liquid detergent) and then discovered there was NO WATER (the faucet is the kind you move your hands underneath, which is certainly the most sanitary).  I tried several times, but there wasn't so much as one drop of water.  Since there were no paper towels (which I think is good, because air drying is more environmentally-friendly) and my hands were then dripping with liquid detergent, I could barely manage to open the door.

Back to the counter - and by then I was definitely perturbed.  As I was telling the (same nice) guy about the water situation, another worker stuck his nose in my business and said (in an unpleasant manner) "Why are you so upset?!"  I replied," I wasn't *talking* to you!"  Meanwhile, I told the nice guy that I'd have to wash off my hands in the sink behind the counter and I proceeded to do so.  When I was asking him for a paper towel (none were in sight), the manager - a woman who appeared to be in her mid-20's - and another female worker angrily told me that only employees were allowed behind the counter and I'd have to get out of there immediately.  I said, "Do you think I'm here by CHOICE?!"  I then told the manager about the non-functioning faucet and she angrily stormed into the restroom (I followed close behind), whereupon she discovered I was *right* (!).  She attempted to get water out of that ridiculous faucet several times without success, and then she said that someone had practically pulled it out of the wall.  I said "You *totally negated* what I'd said (in effect, inferring that I'm a liar), but now you see that I was telling the TRUTH!"  She ignored me and didn't even *apologize* (!).

Meanwhile; after I was yelled at for being behind the counter, that other guy *again* (unpleasantly) said "Why are you so upset?!"  I told him it was none of his business (!).

Today I called the owner and told him the whole story.  The only thing that would have gotten me back there, was if he fell all over himself apologizing and gave me a gift certificate - but all I got was the weakest "apology" I've ever heard (it was virtually nothing).

Rocco's was crowded and presumably they do a great business, but I would never again fork over one CENT of my money to that place.

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Photo of Scott Y.

Elite '09

18

148

Scott Y.

New York, NY

5 star rating
7/10/2009

Have you ever heard a couple tell the story of when they first met, and they tell you that they "took one look and just knew", and they expect you to understand exactly what they mean without them elaborating?  Well, I never really got what they meant.  Then I saw Rocco's and I just knew.

This place has like a billion different types of food that I shouldn't be eating, and they all look fabulous.  I had the chocolate covered canoli.  it was out of this world.  I can't wait to go back.

The only complaint that I would have was that I didn't notice any kinds of labels on anything, which makes it kind of tough to order since they have like a billion different items.

You should definitely stop here if you like cakes, pastries, and other things like that.

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Photo of Dorothy P.

Elite '09

8

52

Dorothy P.

Atlanta, GA

5 star rating
10/11/2009

the cannoli's are to die for! I thought Mike's Pastry in Boston had the best until i came here. they don't put the cream into the cannoli until you order. which is fully apparent when you bite into it and the shell is still crispy and the filling is still oh so soft. their other desserts looked amazing too, but i had no room for more unfortunately...next time!

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Photo of Erica L.

 

1

31

Erica L.

Brooklyn, NY

5 star rating
7/11/2009

Oh. My. God.

You do not understand. I am the biggest sucker for sweets. They are my weakness. And this place just satisfies the needs of anyone with a major sweet tooth! Just like another poster said, "the place has a billion different types of food that I shouldn't be eating". So much to choose from, and I would love to try it all. But its a place I will have to manage to visit only on rare occasions when I feel like treating myself. If you are in the area and looking for sweets, this is your place to go, no doubt about it.

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Photo of Yvonne W.

Elite '09

53

229

Yvonne W.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/10/2009

I love this place. I first heard about this from one of my former classmates about five years ago, and once I heard her rave about how great the cannolis are here, I knew I had to come.

2005 was the first year I came, and I had a mini cannoli with ricotta filling sprinkled with pistachios and powdered sugar -- so good! Since then, I've been a big fan. I love that they have mini versions of everything, from cannoli to eclairs. They're perfect for indulgences that aren't as indulgent as they could be!

Cannolis are good here, as are the cookies and tarts. I once had the tiramisu here, and I thought it was just okay. This is definitely a go-to spot for mini desserts in the area.

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Photo of Brian L.

 

3

46

Brian L.

New York, NY

3 star rating
7/31/2009

Okay, I absolutely LOVE tiramisu!
So I came by here and brought some home.
There was a fruit flavored liquor to it, can't really tell...
But the point it that tiramisu shouldn't have a taste like that.
So I was a bit disappointed there. Their other pastries were good such as their Iced Zombie and eclairs. Overall good, but not so much on the triamisu...

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Photo of paul B.

 

0

1

paul B.

New York, NY

1 star rating
11/2/2009

Thank you Rocco's for keeping me trim and healthy. Today was the 3rd time I've come into your shop (desiring some sugary treats) only to walk out because of not getting helped due to the disorganized chaos you call "a line". Why not just take numbers and keep everyone sane? Granted, the goods are mouthwatering, but the service stinks and your counter help couldn't give two cannoli .  So, thanks, I just saved myself about 850 calories!

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Photo of Arshbir G.

 

23

41

Arshbir G.

Sunnyside, NY

4 star rating
5/27/2009

Overall, this bakery is really good! I think their pastry's, drinks and gelato are all good. I'd be weary of their cheesecake though. I'm a huge cheesecake fan, but Rocco's is just not that good. Everything else is delicious! Especially the mini Cannoli's!

If you go all the way back in the restaurant, there is a cute little seating area.

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Photo of Celia S.

Elite '09

49

107

Celia S.

London N2

UK

5 star rating
Updated - 5/14/2009

I lied--I absolutely LOVE and adore this place and couldn't be happier that it is so close to me!! After the strong Italian coffee they serve up--I honestly cannot drink any other with the same enjoyment!! --I actually just had it with a  shot of sambuco in it the other day--Nice little kick there!! Coffee is only $1.50!!~

Everyone who works here is awesome, I really cannot get enough of this place, all of the cookies are delicious and gotta love those canollis and cream puffs!!

Depending on what kind of cake you want--you can get one of the heavenly choices starting at $12+ --They also deliver and gift wrap!!

It's one of my favorite places, it's a great place to bring friends, and they always welcome my little doggy Star also!!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating
    3/30/2009

    I never thought I could get sweeted-out until I happened upon this place!

    I am the type who HAS to… Read more »

Photo of Sheila B.

 

1

34

Sheila B.

Kulpmont, PA

3 star rating
9/24/2009

I had a chocolate-mint latte that was yummy.  I had a cannoli that was okay.  Not "OMG, I've never had a better cannoli in my life" good, but not bad either.

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Photo of mike c.

 

7

41

mike c.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/19/2009

I stop in for italian ice at least once a week.  $2 for a small cone-$2.50 for a larger one.  You really cant beat that.  They have about 12 flavors.

It is the perfect pick-me up for walking around the village.

I cant attest to the bakery-but the place is usually crowded and everything looks amazing.

Groms is right around the corner and 3 times the price and a ten minute wait-so Roccos will be my reliable standby.

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Photo of Armenoush A.

Elite '09

56

152

Armenoush A.

Bronx, NY

3 star rating
5/10/2009

Rainbow cookies? Yes, they have them, but they're not that great. They're light, fluffy and crumbly. Maybe it's a Bronx thing but I grew up believing that rainbow cookies were supposed to be dense and brownie-like. At something like $15 a pound, assorted cookies were not cheap.

The other annoying thing here was that you can't just walk in and sit down. If you sit, you have to have table service. Of course this translates into a tip which is how they pay their rent in the Village. The employee behind the counter was engaging in a loud personal argument when we were trying to get her to take our order, but everyone has bad days.

The place is beautiful and the colorful pastries look amazing in the glass display cases. I recommend the tiramisu cup. It was $4.50 but excellent. Also, they have gelato, which is cool (also literally). Next time I'm feeling wealthy I'll get table service and maybe a nice cappuccino from their fancy-looking cappuccino machines.

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Photo of JR W.

 

8

124

JR W.

Morris Plains, NJ

3 star rating
9/9/2009 2 photos

this reminds me of Mike's Pastry in Boston but without the crowd.

they have a huge selection, but i'll just comment on what i tried:
1. chocolate french cream injected vanilla cupcake covered in chocolate ganache and sprinkles. there was a disproportionately large amount of cream (kinda heavy) versus cake (see photo).
2. tiramisu cup. again, overdose on the buttery cream vs. lady fingers and other ingredients.
3. chocolate pudding injected eclair covered in chocolate. this looked like a chocolate covered microphone, but was quite good. i liked the textural diff between the pudding and the flakey pastry.

it's worth walking in just to see the large selection, but i think the customer would be better served if they'd just focus on select specialties.

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Photo of Kenny C.

Elite '09

37

70

Kenny C.

New York, NY

1 star rating
1/25/2009 7 photos

I have a massive sweet tooth.  So my inner fat gurl, Lola Eatalot, was in the mood for some deserts.  One of my good friends swears by this place so I say, "lets give it a go".

Walking in Lola thinks, hey...big, lots of light, plenty of "eye candy" in the display case.  Ching, ching jackpot.  That "jackpot" soon turned into a "$1 dollar ticket".  Ugh!

The place is deceptive as it's the entire length of the building.

There are a few folks in line so it gives me an opportunity to get a good look at the offerings.  This is definitely an establishment where quantity overshadows quality.

We order a tiramisu and a key lime pie and coffee.  The coffee was decent, my best friends cake was ok.  My Key Lime pie tasted like wet shit on a shingle!

I take one bit and I thought I'd been punk'd.  The filling looks like play-doh slime and the crust is rock hard.

I ask the waiter to taste and ask if it tastes like this all the time?  Is this the normal recipe?  He just said, "He'll replace it".  HUH??  I ask again and after a pause, he says, "I guess".  This ship is going down fast.

I then ask for a lemon meringue pie.  This too is a disappointment.  No flavor, no nothing.  I take two bites and I'm completely over this place.  Man the lifeboats!

I will never set foot in Rocco's again nor recommended it.  If I could give a "0" this place would get it!

Avoid at all cost!

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Photo of Erica W.

 

0

2

Erica W.

Arlington, VA

5 star rating
6/22/2009

The best cookie of my life.  
A bunch of us stopped after dinner and cocktails for dessert and picked up treats.  I grabbed a huge round almond cookie from the front window with dark chocolate nestled in the indentation in the center.   Upon arriving home I promptly passed out, not remembering the cookie until late the next evening.  I can assure you I will never forget it.  This crumbly almond filled delight is packed with ground and whole almonds and bursting with flavor.  The dark chocolate is a perfect counterpoint and all told this is hands down the best cookie of my life.

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Photo of amanda s.

Elite '09

142

147

amanda s.

Las Colinas

3 star rating
6/29/2009

came here for dessert after eating dinner around the corner at tomoe

we ordered: 2 huge tiramisu slices, 2 mini chocolate canoli, red velvet cupcake, and a fruit tart

1.  tiramisu:  had some type of orange liquor flavoring...maybe gran marnier...just okay

2.  red velvet cupcake:  the frosting did not have enough cream cheese...think it was a combination of buttercream and cream cheese...i prefer pure cream cheese frosting...also, didn't think the cake part was chocolate-y enough

3.  mini chocolate canoli:  standard

4.  fruit tart:  had a whip cream filling...was expecting custard...the pate sucre was waaay to thick...made it very difficult to cut through with a fork...almost needed a industrial strength steak knife

all in all...it was a 2.75 experience...they have a pretty large selection of pastries...but imo, just mediocre in taste...good place to come after dinner with friends since it stays open pretty late and has table service...

next stop... artichoke basille's pizza & brewery

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Photo of Lisa L.

 

11

48

Lisa L.

New York, NY

5 star rating
5/12/2009

I've been coming to place for years!
I love everything they have, even the gelato in the back, never had there Coffees and /Espressos
Let me remind you the cookies are DELICIOUS and the Cannolis are FRESH, they stuff them right there for you with your sprinkle of sugar if you like (regualr and chocolate)

Come to this spot not Veniero's

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Photo of Lee O.

 

3

44

Lee O.

New York, NY

1 star rating
Updated - 5/16/2009

I had to re order my coffee 3 times because the fucking man kept putting milk in it after I said not to!!! 3 TIMES WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? All of the people work here are ASSHOLES with NO HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.

And everything here is stale.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating
    8/13/2008

    The only reason I go to Rocco's is for the coffee, it's absolutely delicious. However, all of the… Read more »

Photo of Chris C.

 

5

38

Chris C.

North Plainfield, NJ

4 star rating
7/16/2009

My dad's Chinese Rest. was down the block from this place, so I have been having their deserts for the better part of 20 years.  I love their dense cheesecakes (better than Junior's), cannollis and Lobster tails which sell out often.  Heck the Italian bakery next door to them closed as they couldn't compete, enough said. Its a great way to spend a post dinner with your date and lazilly have some Italian pastries.

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Elite '09

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214

Stella Y.

New York, NY

3 star rating
4/9/2009 1 photo

Cute place. The cappuccinos are solid. If you having a raging sweet tooth and you're in the mood for something mind-blowingly rich and sweet, get a slice of the the Rocco Choco Pie (pic attached). It's chewy, chocolately, sweet, dense and totally bad for you. I attempted to split the single slice with two other girls and we couldn't even finish half of it. It was totally delicious though.

This place has a cute open/outdoor seating area in the back. Located in the heart of Soho, it's perfect for those spring/summer days when you're taking a break from all the shopping!

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Elite '09

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177

Andrea T.

San Diego, CA

3 star rating
1/1/2009

Meh.

The pastries are nothing to write home about, service is fairly awful, and there's always a line for the bathroom. It's not the worst place I've ever been to by far, but how badly could you possibly screw up pastries? really? There are definitely better places for cookies and pastries around. If you're looking to warm up, use a bathroom, and have a cup of coffee, then by all means, Rocco's is THE place. Other than that, meh.

I will however say that they do have an outstanding Italian Ice selection in the summer.

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Elite '09

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234

Justin L.

New York, NY

3 star rating
8/6/2009

This is a decent, long-standing bakery in the West Village.  Cheap, good pastries to take out or eat in, and everything is made fresh.  Very good to grab an affordable dessert after eating in the Village.  With places like this disappearing fast, its good to have it around.  Also a lot less crowded than Veneiro's if you want a quieter place so you can relax.  Still, won't win any pastry-making competitions.

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31

OD N.

New York, NY

4 star rating
8/26/2009

I stumbled upon this cafe on my search for a fork. I usually pack my own lunch and I forgot a fork. I noticed their huge cookies in the display window. I ended up buying two m&m cookies to share with co-workers. Their cookies are thick and the size of dinner plates and just $2.50! And, I ended up getting a fork too!

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1

9

Mesha T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
11/10/2009

i never knew a cannoli could be so good. i stumbled into Rocco's for some water to sober up and found a lot more.. cutest little pastry shop ever. i HATE coffee, but the cappuccino here was amazeballs.  i also took a small variety of cookies to go and had them the next day.. SO SO SO good! i'd always passed on italian pastry's for some reason, so it was a pleasant surprise.

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kay b.

Jersey City, NJ

4 star rating
8/27/2009

Rocco's is that mix and match staple business where you see Soho enthusiasts harbor their cookie cravings right next to old couples
who sit with well made coffee over long-winded stories.

As a random dessert holiday I gifted to myself and my partner,
I plucked the attention of a cordial server who was informative
and congenial. she smiled at my curiosities and humored
my sweet tooth by suggestions and kindness.  At the end,
I had an Almond Eclair, a snickers chocolate cake, a small
fruit tart, and a Chocolate Mousse Cake.  I decided to range
in textures as well as chocolate, fruity, and cream, y'know, for
the sake of a comprehensive review. My total for all of the
desserts was $15, which I consider to be quite fair.

My partner, a baker in her own right, was thrown off
guard by the intesity of the snickers cake dessert as it
was rich and tumbled with chocolate of various types as
well as caramel.  The Almond  Eclair was one of my favorites as
the custard was light and the oblong pastry a rich and
buttery texture that melted serenely with it's stuffing.

I did not dine inside or try their coffee, so perhaps an updated
review later.  I am impressed by their heaping selection
which may mean more options of delicious or more
options of mediocre.

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Elite '09

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135

Sylwia W.

New York, NY

3 star rating
11/22/2008

Despite only giving it three stars, I actually really like Rocco's because it reminds me of the pastry display case at every single Polish deli I ever frequented as a child. This shop has been around for over 30 years, which explains why it looks so different from most other gleaming, futuristic-modern bakeries in the city nowadays. There's a very long display case with little room behind it for the large groups of employees, and the tables, though plentiful, fill up fast with diners willing to place porcelain plates on glass surfaces and pray chaos does not ensue.

Nevertheless, I am always a little disappointed when I come here. Maybe I just build it up too much, but nothing ever tastes quite as good as I imagine it will. The coffee (when I still drank coffee) was strong, but any variation--latte, mocha, what have you--was significantly weaker. The wide array of cookies is staggering, but too many of them are on the too-dry side. The cheesecakes, from the plain to the strawberry-topped, are good, but not great. And the Oreo cake, which I tried last night, looked so promising but unfortunately fell flat because of a tasteless crust underneath the delicious cream. Their tiramisu, however, is very good, mostly because the alcohol doesn't overpower the entire dessert.

In short, (.5)execution + variety - living up to expectations = three stars.

The staff has gotten nicer over the four years I've been coming here, however. At first, they were all cool, then there was a brief spell where everyone was kind of annoyed and very curt, and now that's gone. I suppose at this point in the recession, any job is a good job.

Bathroom Grade: N/A. Since I only really came here when I lived nearby, I never felt the need to use the bathroom. Story of my life, apparently.

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