Toffino's Italian Bakery & Deli in Columbia: Handmade Pastries and Sandwiches

What Toffino's offers and where to find it

Toffino's Italian Bakery & Deli is a family-run bakery in Columbia that makes its own pastries, breads, and sandwiches daily. The shop sits on Main Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with galleries, restaurants, and vintage shops. You can order at the counter, eat at a few small tables inside, or take food to go.

The bakery specializes in Italian-style baked goods—cannoli, biscotti, sfogliatelle, and cream-filled pastries—alongside American breakfast items like croissants and muffins. The deli side offers hot and cold sandwiches built on house-made bread, Italian meats, and cheeses. Most items are made fresh each morning, which means popular items can sell out by early afternoon, especially on weekends.

Key Takeaways

• Toffino's bakes its own pastries and breads daily, so arriving before noon gives you the widest selection.
• The cannoli and sfogliatelle are made in-house and change seasonally, reflecting what's available and fresh.
• Sandwiches are built to order on house-made bread, with Italian cold cuts and imported cheeses.
• The shop is small with limited seating, so it works best for quick breakfast, lunch, or takeout rather than lingering.
• Toffino's is closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit for Tuesday through Saturday.

The pastry case and what to expect

When you walk in, the pastry case is the first thing you see. On a typical morning, you'll find cannoli with ricotta filling, sfogliatelle (the crispy, layered Neapolitan pastry), cream puffs, éclairs, and Italian cookies like biscotti and amaretti. The selection shifts based on what the bakers made that day and what's sold out, so there's no may provide every item will be there every time.

Seasonal specials appear throughout the year—panettone around the holidays, Easter colomba in spring, and fruit-filled pastries when berries are in season. Prices for individual pastries typically range from a few dollars for a cookie to around ten dollars for a filled pastry. If you want something specific for a special occasion, you can call ahead to reserve it or order a custom cake.

Sandwiches and lunch options

The deli counter offers both hot and cold sandwiches. Cold options include Italian meats like prosciutto, capicola, and mortadella paired with provolone, fresh mozzarella, or other imported cheeses. Hot sandwiches might feature meatballs, sausage, or chicken. Everything is built on bread baked in-house—usually a crusty Italian roll or a softer white bread, depending on what came out of the oven that morning.

Sandwiches are made to order, so you can ask for exactly what you want. Most sandwiches are in the eight- to twelve-dollar range. The shop also stocks Italian sodas, coffee, and a small selection of imported goods like pasta and olive oil if you want to take something home beyond food to eat right away.

Hours, location, and what to bring

Toffino's is located at 2006 Main Street in the Five Points neighborhood of Columbia. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, typically from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., though hours can shift seasonally or for holidays. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. Parking is street parking along Main Street or in nearby lots shared with other Five Points businesses.

The shop accepts both cash and card. Because seating is limited—just a few small tables—most customers order and eat quickly or take food with them. If you're planning to sit and eat, arriving during off-peak times (mid-morning on a weekday, for example) gives you a better chance of finding a table. The neighborhood itself is pleasant for walking, so you can also grab food and eat in nearby parks or at other spots around Five Points.

Why Toffino's matters to Columbia's food scene

Toffino's is one of the few places in Columbia where you can get Italian pastries and breads made fresh daily by hand. The owners have roots in Italian baking traditions, and that shows in the techniques and recipes—the sfogliatelle, for instance, requires skill and time to layer and fill properly. In a city where most bakeries are chains or focus on American-style cakes and cookies, Toffino's fills a specific niche.

The shop also anchors a corner of Five Points that has grown into a destination for local food and culture. It sits near galleries, independent coffee shops, and other locally owned restaurants, making the area a draw for people who want to support small businesses and eat food made nearby. For visitors exploring Columbia's neighborhoods, Toffino's is a good reason to spend time in Five Points.

What to know before you go

Arrive early if you have your heart set on something specific. Popular items like cannoli and certain sandwich fillings can run out by mid-afternoon, especially on Saturdays. If you're visiting on a weekday morning, you'll have the best selection and the shortest wait.

The shop is small and can get crowded during breakfast and lunch rushes. If you're sensitive to noise or prefer a quiet space, consider visiting mid-morning or mid-afternoon. The staff moves quickly, but during peak times you may wait in line. Cash is accepted, but card payment is faster if the line is long.

If you want something custom—a special cake, a large order of pastries for an event, or a specific sandwich—call ahead. The bakers can often accommodate requests if you give them a day or two notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a custom cake or large order from Toffino's?

Yes. Call the shop to discuss what you want, when you need it, and whether they can make it. They typically ask for at least a day or two notice for custom orders. The staff can tell you over the phone what's possible and what the cost would be.

What's the difference between a cannoli and a sfogliatelle?

A cannoli is a tube-shaped pastry shell filled with sweet ricotta cream, often topped with chocolate chips or nuts. A sfogliatelle is a layered, crispy pastry shaped like a shell, also filled with ricotta but with a different texture—more delicate and flaky. Both are Italian classics, and Toffino's makes both fresh.

Is there parking near Toffino's?

Yes. Street parking is available along Main Street, and there are shared parking lots nearby that serve Five Points businesses. It's not always easy to find a spot on busy Saturday mornings, but weekday parking is usually straightforward.

Can I eat inside, or is it takeout only?

There is limited seating inside—a few small tables—so you can eat there, but it's not a full sit-down restaurant. Most people order and eat quickly or take food with them. The Five Points neighborhood has parks and other spots nearby if you want to sit and eat outside.

What days and times is Toffino's open?

Toffino's is open Tuesday through Saturday, typically 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed Sundays and Mondays. Hours can shift for holidays or seasonally, so calling ahead or checking their hours online before a special trip is a good idea.