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 2023 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 in November 2023.
Alcove
Serving coastal New England fare, Alcove is a waterfront gem in the West End. Although savory food is typically the main attraction here, don’t knock the dessert menu, which occasionally features items in the pie family: a lemon tart with maple meringue and torched citrus, for example. Come Thanksgiving, the pies really come out to play. This year’s à la carte Thanksgiving takeout menu offers nine-inch pumpkin, chocolate pecan, or oat crumble apple pies at $45 apiece, alongside a full turkey dinner, large-format boozy beverages, raw bar items, floral bouquets, and more.
50 Lovejoy Wharf, West End, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order by 3 p.m. on Monday, November 20, for pickup on Thursday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to 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., North End, Boston, 617-523-5601, bovabakeryboston.net.
Thanksgiving 2023: Call ahead or visit Bova’s to purchase holiday pies.
The Buttery
This South End mainstay offers quite a menu for Thanksgiving takeout, from hearty portions of turkey chili and roasted tomato soup to a full turkey dinner with all the fixings. There are a half dozen pie and tart options this year, available in personal (four-inch) and eight-person (nine-inch) sizes: sweet potato meringue pie, apple frangipane tart, and more.
314 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston, 617-482-1015, southendbuttery.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order for pickup November 22 or 23.
Capo
During any other time of year, you’ll probably want to try this Italian restaurant’s cannoli board for dessert—a dozen shells, ricotta-chocolate-chip filling, and assorted toppings!—but come Thanksgiving, shift your focus to the to-go pies ($30-$55). There are seven options this year, each with a gluten-free counterpart available. The tart raspberry–Key lime pie is an annual favorite, as is 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. Optional add-ons include pints of gelato and whipped cream and jugs of espresso martinis and other holiday-friendly cocktails.
443 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-993-8080, caposouthboston.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order by 6 p.m. on Monday, November 20, for pickup between noon and 8 p.m. on November 21 and 22 or between 8 a.m. and noon on November 23.
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—typically pumpkin pie this time of year.
627 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, 617-926-8400, deluxetowndiner.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: 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 2023: Pre-ordering has reached capacity already, but there may be pies available for walk-ins on November 21 and 22.
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. Anytime of year, watch for 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. For Thanksgiving pickup, you’ll find plenty of holiday classics ($30-$55), from traditional pumpkin to sweet potato. (Can’t choose? Try the “piefecta,” a combo of pecan pie, pumpkin pie, creme fraiche, and brown sugar whipped cream all in one.)
Multiple locations in Boston and Cambridge, flourbakery.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order by 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 19—although some items might sell out before then—for pickup on November 21 or 22.
Gracie’s Ice Cream
Keep things chill with an ice cream pie. This Somerville spot offers ice cream pies for all occasions; cookies and cream is typically available, and you’ll see additional specials from time to time. For Thanksgiving 2023? “Call Me PB.” It’s got black raspberry ice cream with Reese’s Pieces, mini peanut butter cups, crushed Reese’s cups, peanut butter sauce, and peanut butter magic shell. Needless to say, this one’s not for you if you’re allergic to peanuts.
22 Union Sq., Union Square, Somerville, icecreamgracies.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order; schedule for your desired pickup date and time. Local delivery is also available.
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., Dorchester, Boston, 617-825-8187, greenhillsirishbakery.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order by phone or in person by Sunday, November 19.
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. It’s available for Thanksgiving pre-order ($32), meant to serve six to eight people. Might as well throw in a mushroom, leek, and fontina quiche while you’re at it.
123 Appleton St., South End, Boston, 857-350-4629, greystonecafe.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order by 2 p.m. on November 17 for pickup between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. November 20, 21, and 22.
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. The pies ($38-$44) serve eight to 10.
208 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-876-8766, hi-risebread.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order for pickup on November 22 and 23. (Ordering in person and by phone is also available; view the menu here.) There’s no deadline, but items may sell out—Hi-Rise plans to continue to take orders as long as production capacity allows.
La Saison Bakery
From the sourdough to the croissants to the chocolate cake, we’re in love with La Saison year-round. Pies don’t make regular appearances on the menu, but they’re available for Thanksgiving this year—and don’t be fooled by the one simply called “pumpkin.” It’s more elaborate than it sounds, topped with maple-tahini and a candied, roasted mix of pistachio, pecan, and sesame. Also available? Pumpkin cheesecake with a pumpkin cookie crumble.
407 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-0009, lasaison-bakery.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order for pickup on November 22 or 23.
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 few 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 classic French silk to pumpkin spice latte to coconut miso butterfinger. Whenever they’re available—like for Thanksgiving this year ($37.50)—do yourself a favor and place an order.
Locations vary, instagram.com/lionheartconfections.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order by 12 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, for pickup at Idle Hands in Malden on November 22 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Lyndell’s Bakery
Somerville’s Ball Square is home to Lyndell’s Bakery, a neighborhood favorite that has been serving European-style treats for an astoundingly long time—since 1887! Lyndell’s offers a delicious range of pie offerings throughout the year, 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, Ball Square, Somerville, 617-625-1793, lyndells.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Holiday pies are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers are welcome to call in advance to check pie availability.
Mamaleh’s Delicatessen
The chocolate layer cake gets top dessert billing most of the year, but watch Mamaleh’s holiday menus for an influx of tasty pies. Available for Thanksgiving this year, whole or by the slice: chocolate tahini swirl pie, sweet potato pie with torched Fluff, and charoset pie (wine-soaked apples, pears, currants, and golden raisins with walnut streusel).
Multiple locations, mamalehs.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order for pickup at Mamaleh’s Brookline, Cambridge, and Boston locations on November 21 or 22. There are also suburban pickups scheduled for Concord (11/21) and Weston (11/22); these orders can be placed on the Cambridge ordering page. See the Mamaleh’s homepage for more details.
New City Microcreamery
Whoever said ice cream was only for summer has obviously never tried one of the annual Thanksgiving ice cream pies ($35) from New City Microcreamery. A highlight on this year’s menu: apple crisp ice cream pie, featuring spiced ice cream with roasted apples, cinnamon sugar, and oat streusel, nestled in a graham cracker and waffle cone crust. Pumpkin spice ice cream cheesecake and turtle pecan round out the 2023 options.
403 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-945-0279, and other locations, newcitymicrocreamery.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order before midnight on November 19 for pickup November 21 or 22 in Cambridge, Hudson, or Sudbury.
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 Mississippi mud, made with imported Belgian chocolate. (That one’s not on the Thanksgiving menu, but it’s available the rest of the year!)
285 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-661-7437, petsipies.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: No pre-ordering available. Instead, stop by for a fresh pie on November 21 or 22, first come, first served; order and pickup and “take n bake” or “take n thaw” pie before November 16; or visit a number of local farmstands and stores that carry Petsi products. More details here.
Pie in the Sky
Now in its 31st year, Pie in the Sky is the annual bake sale benefitting Community Servings, a Massachusetts and Rhode Island organization that provides medically tailored meals to food- and nutrition-insecure residents experiencing illnesses. Each sale of a pie covers a week of meals for one Community Servings client. It’s a massive undertaking, with bakeries, restaurants, hotels, and caterers acting as baking partners and hundreds of volunteers selling and distributing pies to pickup sites. What this means for you: Apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies are available for order ($35, with various cookbook and donation add-ons available), most likely at a pickup site near you.
Multiple locations, pieinthesky.org.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order; pickup locations, dates, and times vary.
Seabiscuit
We’re going savory with this one: 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 treats like a plum ginger pie or pecan pie, each a five-inch individual size like the meat pies.
256 Marginal St., Building 16, Boston, 617-418-5234, seabiscuitebo.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: No Thanksgiving plans announced yet. Check the website for general takeout and delivery information.
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, cinnamon, maple sugar, and a sugar cookie crust), be sure to order. Those pies are on the 2023 Thanksgiving menu, as well as personal-size carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting; six-inch focaccia rounds; pull-apart brioche buns; and more.
22A College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-996-6581, instagram.com/shirleyeatmoresunshine.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order ASAP for pickup November 23. (As of press time, pies were sold out for the November 22 pickup slot—but you’ll find a variety of other Thanksgiving goodies—and inventory was low for 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. And don’t miss out on the brown-butter pecan pie—pure decadence, thanks to sweet espresso dates added into the filling.
One Belmont St., Cambridge, 617-661-3161, sofrabakery.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order for pickup between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on November 21 and 22.
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 (each $37). Got food allergies? Don’t fret—gluten- and nut-free options are available.
1381 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-266-1300, sweetcheeksq.com.
Thanksgiving 2023: Order for pickup between 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on November 22.
