How to Order Greater Boston’s Best Pies for Thanksgiving
’Tis the season for apple pies, pumpkin pies, and more—and local restaurants are ready to serve them.
Pies from Petsi Pies. / Photo by Brian Samuels Photography
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s one of the best times of the year to sample some of the region’s best pies. Greater Boston is home to a full roster of delectable options, from chocolate bourbon pecan to Mississippi mud pie, as well as classic slices of pumpkin and apple.
If it’s a flaky, buttery crust you’re craving, read on for some of the best pies to try in and near Boston. Where applicable, we’ve included details below for Thanksgiving 2022 ordering—get on that right away before you miss the deadlines!—but plenty of these pies are also available the rest of the year. (A few of these spots don’t do holiday pie preorders but are still among Greater Boston’s top-tier pie choices and thus worth a visit this holiday season—or anytime.)
Last updated on November 16, 2022.
Alcove
Serving coastal New England fare, Alcove is a waterfront gem in the West End, with chef Charles Draghi of the late, great Erbaluce overseeing the kitchen. Although savory food is typically the main attraction here, don’t knock the dessert menu. In the pie department, Alcove’s selection includes elevated old-time favorites: pumpkin with a toasted oat crumble and a Cortland apple crisp paired with classic vanilla ice cream. But the real star is the chocolate hazelnut pie, sweet and dreamy with a nutty crunch, which arrives topped with whipped cream. Can’t make it to the restaurant? Not to worry. Alcove’s pies—like the much of the extensive menu—are available for takeout, too.
50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Order your Thanksgiving pies by 2 p.m. on Monday, November 21, for pickup on Thursday, November 24, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Bova’s Bakery
This North End bakery is a 24-hour operation, so you can always find a sugar fix here. Though the generations-old business is best known for Italian pastries like cannoli, tiramisu, and lobster tails, the pies are also superb. In particular, the pecan pie stands out with its caramel flavor and glazed top, while cherry and mile-high apple pie are similarly excellent standards available anytime. The pumpkin pie, which has a cinnamon- and nutmeg-flavored filling in a crunchy, flaky shell, is also available year-round, bringing Thanksgiving to March, if you so choose.
134 Salem St., Boston, 617-523-5601, bovabakeryboston.net.
Thanksgiving 2022: Call ahead or visit Bova’s to purchase holiday pies.
Capo
This Italian restaurant’s list of year-round and seasonal pie options warrants a trip to Southie. Bored of old-school pumpkin? With maple pecans in the filling and a golden toasted meringue topping, Capo’s Japanese sweet potato option is an excellent alternative. The tart raspberry–Key lime pie is another favorite, but when we’re looking for fruity flavors, we’re partial to the apple-blueberry crumble, with notes of spiced rum and a cozy brown-sugar crumble. And, calling all chocoholics: The French silk is a triple-chocolate masterpiece, with cocoa in the shortbread crust and filling, as well as a white chocolate–vanilla bean cream to top it off.
443 W. Broadway, Boston, 617-993-8080, caposouthboston.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Preorder pies online until Monday, November 21, at 6 p.m. for pickup from Tuesday, November 22, to Thursday, November 24.
Deluxe Town Diner
Retaining much of the original, classic-diner design that first lured neighborhood folks decades ago, this Watertown fixture has been serving up slices of house-made pies for ages. Customers still come for the quintessential double-crust apple pie and the cherry crumb pie, topped with nuts. But don’t forget to ask the friendly staff about the seasonal special—spoiler: It’s currently a pumpkin pie.
627 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, 617-926-8400, deluxetowndiner.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: You’re out of luck if you were hoping to bring this one home for the holidays; Deluxe just serves pies onsite, and only by the slice. Not a bad idea to swing by this holiday season to enjoy a slice or two, though.
Drive-By Pies
Once upon a time, Drive-By Pies founder Fran Kolenik delivered her customers’ desserts by car straight from her home kitchen. Now she has a brick-and-mortar bakery in Brookline, offering a sumptuous array of toothsome treats—from her fluffy pumpkin cream pie to a pear-and-salted-caramel pie with subtle, buttery undertones. Another highlight is the chocolate cream pie, which arrives with a velvety chocolate and cream filling set within a flaky crust, plus ample heaps of whipped cream on top.
248 Cypress St., Brookline, 617-879-6210, drive-bypies.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Pies are available for purchase in person on a first-come, first-served basis between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23.
Flour Bakery & Cafe
James Beard award–winning pastry chef Joanne Chang is the powerhouse behind the popular Flour empire throughout the Boston area—and unsurprisingly, each location is a quality stop for well-crafted sweets, with the pies as heavenly showstoppers. Take the lemon meringue pie: citrus lemon curd piled high with a foamy meringue that has been torched to yield an even brownness. Then there’s the chocolate cream pie, made of a dark, potent pudding and garnished with milk chocolate curls. And finally, we’re big fans of the coconut cream pie, composed of a delicate, ethereal custard covered in toasted coconut shreds.
1595 Washington St., Boston, 617-267-4300, flourbakery.com; additional locations.
Thanksgiving 2022: Preorder online from Flour’s Thanksgiving menu now until 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 20.
Greenhills Bakery
This Dorchester bakery is where locals head for a tried-and-true lineup of pastries rooted in Irish tradition and family recipes—including myriad pie varieties. The rhubarb pie is an unexpected highlight: It’s made simpler, without the usual strawberries, and features a lightly sweetened crust. (Or go for the more traditional rhubarb with strawberry.) Then there’s the blueberry pie, which combines small Maine wild berries with a splash of lemon juice and a bit of cinnamon, as well as the iconic apple pie, which uses fresh, brightly flavored fruit from an orchard in Attleboro, Massachusetts. One thing they all have in common? They’re clearly made with care.
780 Adams St., Boston, 617-825-8187, greenhillsirishbakery.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Call or visit Greenhills Bakery in person by Sunday, November 20, to place an order and receive pies and treats in time for the holiday.
Pumpkin pie from Greystone Cafe. / Photo courtesy of Greystone Cafe
Greystone Cafe
Tucked among the South End’s signature brownstones, one charming building stands out: Greystone, a mother-daughter café and neighborhood staple offering from-scratch baked goods and local provisions. Year-round, this spot is well known for its pastries—the famous “cheddar bomb” is a savory scone breakfast sandwich exclusively available on weekends—but the seasonal menu is just as great. Pie lovers must try Greystone’s pumpkin option, made with a dreamy all-butter crust and topped with a house-made pepita crunch. If you’re craving sweets on the go, line up among South End locals and dogs on walks to order a vegan pecan-pie bar from the café’s signature walk-up window.
123 Appleton St., Boston, 857-350-4629, greystonecafe.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Preorder online before Friday, November 18, at 2 p.m. to receive them in time for Thanksgiving.
Hi-Rise Bread Company
Cambridge’s Hi-Rise is a bread lover’s dream, known for fresh loaves and 67 unique sandwich options. In the colder weather, this café, bakery, and lunch spot throws cozy seasonal favorites into the mix with a Thanksgiving menu to die for. Consider the traditional apple pie: Every nine-inch tart holds three-and-a-half pounds of fresh local Cortland, Jonagold, and Northern Spy apples. For a nuttier option, you’ll want the corn-syrup-free pecan pie, or go classic with a fool-proof slice of pumpkin.
208 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-876-8766, hi-risebread.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Call or preorder online for pickup on Wednesday, November 23, or Thursday, November 24.
French silk pies from Lionheart Confections. / Photo courtesy of Lionheart Confections
Lionheart Confections
You may be most familiar with pastry chef Kate Holowchik for her doughnuts—under the moniker Lionheart Confections, she’s been popping up around Greater Boston for the last couple of years, offering up irresistible doughnuts with a wide variety of flavors and toppings. But her pastry repertoire includes a lot of other treats, and sometimes, that means pie, from miso apple to classic French silk to ube coconut cream. Whenever they’re available—like for Thanksgiving—do yourself a favor and place an order.
Locations vary, instagram.com/lionheartconfections.
Thanksgiving 2022: Preorder online by Sunday, November 20, at noon; pickup is at Idle Hands in Malden from noon to 5 p.m. on November 23.
Lyndell’s Bakery
Somerville’s Ball Square is home to Lyndell’s Bakery, a neighborhood favorite that has been serving European-style treats since 1887. Lyndell’s offers a delicious range of pie offerings, including blueberry, lemon, and pecan. But allow us to bring your attention to the creamy ricotta pie: Its rustic filling, sweetened and flavored with vanilla essence and lemon zest, marries the taste of a cannoli with the consistency of a cheesecake. If you’re a fan of flan, meanwhile, check out the praise-worthy custard pie, and request that it be topped with toasted coconut. All the pastries are baked from scratch daily and reflect an old-fashioned charm that’s sure to satisfy every sweet tooth.
720 Broadway, Somerville, 617-625-1793, lyndells.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Holiday pies are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers are welcome to call in advance to check pie availability. The last day to purchase before Thanksgiving is Sunday, November 20.
New City Microcreamery
Whoever said ice cream was only for summer has obviously never tried an apple ice cream pie from New City Microcreamery. Made with local ingredients like farm-fresh cream, slow-roasted apples, and a cozy spice mix, set in a house-made waffle cone, this sweet treat will blow guests away. If you prefer your ice cream with a bit of crunch, opt for the pecan pie instead: a rich mix of molasses and pecan ice cream, topped with bourbon-soaked candied pecans. For the traditionalist looking to add some modern flare to the Thanksgiving table, New City’s fall-spiced, caramel-drizzled pumpkin ice cream pie is the way to go.
403 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617- 945-0279, newcitymicrocreamery.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Preorder ice cream pies online by Saturday, November 19. Pickup in Cambridge, Hudson, or Sudbury runs from Tuesday, November 22, to Thursday, November 24.
Petsi Pies
If you’ve spent any time in Somerville, you’ve probably heard of Petsi Pies, a bakery and coffee shop that specializes in truly beautiful pies and pastries. The selection runs the gamut: The chocolate-bourbon-pecan pie—with its rich, dense, luxurious chocolate filling and sprinkling of toasted nuts—is sure to be a favorite. The sweet potato pie, meanwhile, rounds out its smooth texture with warming accents of ginger and brown sugar. And don’t miss out on the apple, pear, and cranberry pie, with its walnut crumb topping, or the Mississippi mud, made with imported Belgian chocolate.
285 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-661-7437, petsipies.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Visit Petsi Pies on Tuesday, November 22, or Wednesday, November 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to purchase pies for the holiday; Petsi is not doing preorders this year.
Seabiscuit
When it comes to the pie scene in Boston, we can’t help but think about Seabiscuit, a waterfront bakery and restaurant in East Boston. It carries on the legacy (and recipes) of KO Pies, the popular Australian restaurant that previously occupied the space and featured a range of meat pies. To that end, grab Seabiscuit’s most popular menu item, a beef stew pie flavored with red wine and stewed for hours until tender. Or, for a more unconventional choice, pick up a cheeseburger pie: a comforting mix of ground beef, peppered beef gravy, Parmesan, and cheddar. On the sugary side, indulge in fall favorites like the pecan pie, set in a buttery shortbread crust and filled with brown sugar caramel and toasted pecans. The sour-cherry crumble is just as noteworthy, beautifully tart with an oat-crumble topping.
256 Marginal St., Building 16, Boston, 617-418-5234, seabiscuitebo.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Thanksgiving pies are available for purchase online and in-store. Visit Seabiscuit’s website for the store’s holiday hours.
A personal-size apple pie with sugar cookie crust from Shirley. / Photo courtesy of Shirley
Shirley
This little Davis Square shop features sandwiches and baked goods filled with “sunshine”—sort of a warming, happy feeling you get from eating food that’s made with love. The menu’s always changing, but whenever you spot the personal-size apple pies on there (made with local apples and a sugar cookie crust), be sure to order.
22A College Ave., Somerville, 617-996-6581, instagram.com/shirleyeatmoresunshine.
Thanksgiving 2022: Shirley is accepting online preorders during the shop’s operating hours of 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Friday, November 18; pickup will be available between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23.
Sofra
In Turkey, “sofra” refers to a picnic or dining table. Here, it means endless sweet and savory treats, all made from scratch in Cambridge and inspired by Turkish, Lebanese, and Greek cuisines. Combining American tradition with Middle Eastern flavors, Sofra’s sesame-caramel-pumpkin pie is a showstopper, featuring a creamy tahini-caramel custard with candied pepitas and a sesame-buckwheat topping for crunch. Don’t miss out on the brown-butter pecan pie—pure decadence, thanks to sweet espresso dates added into the filling—or the creamy dream that is Sofra’s apple-butter custard pie.
One Belmont St., Cambridge, 617-661-3161, sofrabakery.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Order online from Sofra’s Thanksgiving menu for pickup on Tuesday, November 22, or Wednesday, November 23.
Sweet Cheeks Q
Chef, restaurateur, and television personality Tiffani Faison has been bringing Southern hospitality to Fenway since 2011, the year she launched barbecue joint Sweet Cheeks Q. This spot is a go-to for smoky brisket and buttermilk fried chicken, but a message to those with a sweet tooth: Leave room for pastry chef Dee Steffen Chinn’s glorious desserts. Finish your meal with Sweet Cheeks’ gooey apple pie bars or a slice of coconut cream pie, topped with crispy toasted coconut, of course. For the holiday season, the restaurant is offering a stacked Thanksgiving menu, complete with a traditional pumpkin pie and killer turtle pie—a custard delight topped with caramel sauce, chocolate drizzle, and crunchy pecans. Got food allergies? Don’t fret—gluten- and nut-free options are available.
1381 Boylston St., Boston, 617-266-1300, sweetcheeksq.com.
Thanksgiving 2022: Order from the holiday menu online by Wednesday, November 16. Pick up your items on Wednesday, November 23.
