If you grew up in the North and haven’t had a good cannoli since you moved to Greenville, take heart. Maria Natale comes to the rescue with Gio’s Pastry Shop. Named for her beloved pitbull, Giovanni, Gio’s occupies a tiny Fountain Inn storefront stocked with fresh-baked Italian treats: cannoli—the real thing, with homemade shells—rainbow cookies, bombolone (Italian filled donuts—try the one with Nutella), and clamshell-shaped sfogliatella, its crunchy leaf-like layers of dough wrapped around creamy citrus-scented ricotta. A word to the wise: Gio’s is only open on weekends, so get there before they sell out of your favorites.
$ B, L. Closed Mon–Fri. 218 S Main St, Unit A, Fountain Inn. (864) 724-2058, facebook.com/giospastryshop.
Gio’s Pastry Shop
