New to Roslindale, Weesh makes cakes filled with nostalgia and over-the-top indulgence. Flavors include moist, rich renditions of vanilla, chocolate, and funfetti, as well as lemon, coconut, and comforting Chai spice. Buttercream and cream cheese frostings are light and just-right sweet, and the decorating style is whimsical and wild. Weesh offers pre-ordered, custom cakes in multiple sizes, including multi-tiered and mini 4-inch smash cakes. Didn’t order ahead? Visit the shop on a Saturday morning, when Weesh opens up with signature-style “late cakes,” cupcakes, single-serving cakes in a jar, rotating homemade “pop tarts,” and more for grab-and-go. 

Look no further than Manoa Poke Shop for your authentic Hawaiian fix. While we obviously love this small spot’s namesake seafood salad, it’s the Guava Cake that we can’t stop thinking about between visits. An individual-sized dessert that does well as takeout, these cute cakes are topped with whipped guava-cream cheese frosting and a jammy guava compote. The corner cafe in Somerville is currently open Thursday through Sunday offering takeout only with additional catering options and pop-up events. Be sure to follow on Instagram and Manoa’s website for the most up-to-date weekly schedule. 

Founded in 2019 by Boston College student Ilona Znakharchuk and her sister Irina, Solodko is a Ukrainian bakery in the heart of Brighton. Solodko, meaning “sweet” in Ukrainian, is managed under the mission of “dessert should be edible art: exquisite in appearance, delicious in taste.” It comes to life in beautifully intricate cakes, such as the Medovik (honey cake), Spartak (chocolate honey cake), and Prague (Ukrainian chocolate cake), available as both carefully layered whole cakes and individual slices. In addition to the grab-and-go options, Solodko also offers custom-order cakes in a variety of flavors and themes. 

Gȃté Commes Des Filles is a true “treat yourself” moment. By Paris-trained pastry chef Alexandra Whisnant, it’s a chocolate shop with a tiny kitchen and takeout window at Bow Market, which also produces rich hot cocoa and small-batch dessert. Wonderfully warm and melty, the Moelleux au Chocolat avec Glace Au Miel Salé—a molten chocolate cake served with Maine-based Parlor Salty Honey ice cream—is baked to order and gluten-free, too. Be sure to allow 15 minutes to bake—trust us, it will be worth the wait.

For Chinese-style birthday cakes that are as light as air, find the hole-in-the-wall May’s Cake House tucked away in Chinatown. Find the basement bakery off the main drag and enter to find the cases absolutely filled with party-ready cakes. These beauties taste even better than meets the eye (and they’re so pretty!). The chiffon cake is spongy and soft, whipped cream is just a tad sweet, and it’s all decorated with colorful fresh fruit. The cash-only May’s offers mousse cakes and Swiss rolls by the slice, as well as other single-serving centerpieces like pineapple, red bean, and mango mousse cake.

SALT Patisserie is wasting no time making its mark in the Boston pastry scene. Founder and chef Thiago Silva continues to gain the attention of A-listers, most recently crafting luscious chocolate bonbons to send to the Oscars. Behind the glam though, the Newton Centre bakery is the real deal, with daily temptations like laminated pastries and everyday breads. But, back to impressing celebrities: The chef’s custom cakes have celebrated the likes of John Legend and Brooke Shields. Silva does not have a formalized cake menu, preferring to discuss designs and ideas individually to make something special. From birthdays to weddings, cake lovers can expect (but aren’t limited to!) 3D sculpted elements and flavors like chocolate cremeux, strawberry shortcake, and Black Forest Cake.