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A slice of creamy Basque cheesecake with a burnt, blackened top set on top of a white pastry box.
A deeply satisfying slice of Basque cheesecake from Michette.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Where to Order a Single Perfect Slice of Cake Around Boston

When the mood strikes for just one slice of chocolate cake or birthday cake or flan, try one of these local spots

by Tanya Edwards and Rachel Leah Blumenthal Updated
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A deeply satisfying slice of Basque cheesecake from Michette.
| Erika Adams/Eater Boston
by Tanya Edwards and Rachel Leah Blumenthal Updated

Cake versus pie argument aside, we’re just going to state that a slice of cake always feels like a celebration, no matter what the reason. When you’re craving a slice of cake, Boston and its surroundings offer an abundance of sweetness. After trying single slices of cake around the city, we’ve found 11 of the best by-the-slice (or single-serving) cake options. For most of these, no pre-planning or pre-ordering is necessary; just stroll on in, grab a slice, and enjoy.

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Michette

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It seems like Basque cheesecake has been everywhere in the past few years, and we’d be remiss not to feature the best example on this list. Fortunately, we found that example at the recently opened East Somerville boulangerie, Michette. The crustless cheesecake has a deeply caramelized top and a creamy, custardy center that’s quite possibly richer than the combined powers of Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

164 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 201-5873
(617) 201-5873

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Manoa Poke Shop

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This popular Porter Square poke shop serves takeaway Thursday through Saturday. Go for the poke and irresistible fried chicken, and be wowed by the fan-favorite pineapple cake, which comes in individual servings. “Grandma’s recipe,” notes the menu. “Every piece is a corner piece,” meaning you’ll find the ideal balance of chewy and ooey gooey in every bite.

300 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 945-1042
(617) 945-1042

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La Flaneteria Pop-Up

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Often, a day can be improved dramatically by a small, jiggly, joyous piece of flan. Fortunately, La Flaneteria pops up frequently at Buenas at Somerville’s Bow Market, typically restocking on Wednesdays — watch Instagram for ordering details and updates — with a rotating list of flavors, such as pumpkin spice, honey sesame, Twix (yes, the candy bar) and more.

1 Bow Market Way #14, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 764-6993
(617) 764-6993

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Bova's Bakery

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One thing that’s important about a slice of cake, is getting it when you’re in the middle of a cake emergency. Fortunately, North End staple Bova’s Bakery is open 24 hours a day. Those seeking a single slice of cake will typically find a few varieties, such as chocolate cake with sprinkles, coconut cake, carrot cake, and cheesecake, but we’d suggest getting a slice of the shockingly bright red velvet.

134 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-5601
(617) 523-5601

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Sloane’s

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This charming new spot in Allston from Stillwater chef and owner Sarah Wade offers a dessert program for your inner child. Pastry chef Kaitlyn Lloyd’s mile-high funfetti cake is a must, featuring Tahitian vanilla buttercream, strawberry sauce and a big scoop of homemade strawberry white chocolate ice cream. Prepare to be obsessed.

197 N Harvard St, Allston, MA 02134
(617) 693-8220
(617) 693-8220

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Pagu

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A little less intensely sweet than the chocolate cakes, carrot cakes, and coconut cakes of this map, Pagu’s olive oil polenta cake with citrus and a side of maple soft serve, hits all the savory and sweet notes without overpowering. The ideal finisher at this Cambridge restaurant that highlights chef and owner Tracy Chang’s background cooking both Spanish and Japanese cuisine.

310 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 945-9290
(617) 945-9290

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Solodko Boston

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Owned by two sisters, Irina and Ilona Znakharchuk, this Ukrainian bakery opened in 2022. A dream of Ilona’s since she studied at Boston College, the bakery makes tarts, macarons, and more, but the star of the show is the traditional Medovik cake by the slice. Choose between the classic honey cake or the chocolate honey cake for a taste of Ukrainian tradition right in Brighton.

38 Brooks St, Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 300-0368
(617) 300-0368

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Grill 23 & Bar

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There’s just something about steakhouses, and Grill 23 hits all those ephemeral notes. Try to grab a seat at the bar to unwind with a glass of wine and the restaurant’s renowned coconut cake with coconut dulce de leche. The perennial favorite is an excellent finish to dinner, or enjoyed alone.

161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-2255
(617) 542-2255

Lady M Cake Boutique

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This international chain is known for its crepe cakes, each featuring at least 20 crepes with layers of pastry cream in between, available in flavors like passionfruit, green tea, and salted caramel. The Newbury Street location offers the cakes by the slice, with seasonal flavors like pumpkin brûleé being the smart choice. 

304 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 329-5555
(617) 329-5555

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Fiore's Bakery

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Specializing in vegan and gluten-free options – and they offer a lot of them – this Jamaica Plain bakery offers a rotating selection of sweets and baked goods. We can’t promise that they’ll have the vegan carrot or chocolate cake slices on offer, but if they do, you know what to do.

55 South St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-9200
(617) 524-9200

Fratelli's Pastry Shop

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If you haven’t stopped into this local legend to order a birthday cake for a family party, or picked up pastries, consider this a heads-up. Don’t believe us? Swing by anytime for a slice from the counter of any of their classic cakes — we’re partial to the Boston cream and checkerboard cakes.

25 Broad St, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 328-7855
(617) 328-7855

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Michette

164 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

It seems like Basque cheesecake has been everywhere in the past few years, and we’d be remiss not to feature the best example on this list. Fortunately, we found that example at the recently opened East Somerville boulangerie, Michette. The crustless cheesecake has a deeply caramelized top and a creamy, custardy center that’s quite possibly richer than the combined powers of Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

164 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 201-5873
(617) 201-5873

Manoa Poke Shop

300 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143

This popular Porter Square poke shop serves takeaway Thursday through Saturday. Go for the poke and irresistible fried chicken, and be wowed by the fan-favorite pineapple cake, which comes in individual servings. “Grandma’s recipe,” notes the menu. “Every piece is a corner piece,” meaning you’ll find the ideal balance of chewy and ooey gooey in every bite.

300 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 945-1042
(617) 945-1042

La Flaneteria Pop-Up

1 Bow Market Way #14, Somerville, MA 02143

Often, a day can be improved dramatically by a small, jiggly, joyous piece of flan. Fortunately, La Flaneteria pops up frequently at Buenas at Somerville’s Bow Market, typically restocking on Wednesdays — watch Instagram for ordering details and updates — with a rotating list of flavors, such as pumpkin spice, honey sesame, Twix (yes, the candy bar) and more.

1 Bow Market Way #14, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 764-6993
(617) 764-6993

Bova's Bakery

134 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

One thing that’s important about a slice of cake, is getting it when you’re in the middle of a cake emergency. Fortunately, North End staple Bova’s Bakery is open 24 hours a day. Those seeking a single slice of cake will typically find a few varieties, such as chocolate cake with sprinkles, coconut cake, carrot cake, and cheesecake, but we’d suggest getting a slice of the shockingly bright red velvet.

134 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-5601
(617) 523-5601

Sloane’s

197 N Harvard St, Allston, MA 02134

This charming new spot in Allston from Stillwater chef and owner Sarah Wade offers a dessert program for your inner child. Pastry chef Kaitlyn Lloyd’s mile-high funfetti cake is a must, featuring Tahitian vanilla buttercream, strawberry sauce and a big scoop of homemade strawberry white chocolate ice cream. Prepare to be obsessed.

197 N Harvard St, Allston, MA 02134
(617) 693-8220
(617) 693-8220

Pagu

310 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

A little less intensely sweet than the chocolate cakes, carrot cakes, and coconut cakes of this map, Pagu’s olive oil polenta cake with citrus and a side of maple soft serve, hits all the savory and sweet notes without overpowering. The ideal finisher at this Cambridge restaurant that highlights chef and owner Tracy Chang’s background cooking both Spanish and Japanese cuisine.

310 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 945-9290
(617) 945-9290

Solodko Boston

38 Brooks St, Brighton, MA 02135

Owned by two sisters, Irina and Ilona Znakharchuk, this Ukrainian bakery opened in 2022. A dream of Ilona’s since she studied at Boston College, the bakery makes tarts, macarons, and more, but the star of the show is the traditional Medovik cake by the slice. Choose between the classic honey cake or the chocolate honey cake for a taste of Ukrainian tradition right in Brighton.

38 Brooks St, Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 300-0368
(617) 300-0368

Grill 23 & Bar

161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116

There’s just something about steakhouses, and Grill 23 hits all those ephemeral notes. Try to grab a seat at the bar to unwind with a glass of wine and the restaurant’s renowned coconut cake with coconut dulce de leche. The perennial favorite is an excellent finish to dinner, or enjoyed alone.

161 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-2255
(617) 542-2255

Lady M Cake Boutique

304 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

This international chain is known for its crepe cakes, each featuring at least 20 crepes with layers of pastry cream in between, available in flavors like passionfruit, green tea, and salted caramel. The Newbury Street location offers the cakes by the slice, with seasonal flavors like pumpkin brûleé being the smart choice. 

304 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 329-5555
(617) 329-5555

Fiore's Bakery

55 South St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Specializing in vegan and gluten-free options – and they offer a lot of them – this Jamaica Plain bakery offers a rotating selection of sweets and baked goods. We can’t promise that they’ll have the vegan carrot or chocolate cake slices on offer, but if they do, you know what to do.

55 South St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-9200
(617) 524-9200

Fratelli's Pastry Shop

25 Broad St, Quincy, MA 02169

If you haven’t stopped into this local legend to order a birthday cake for a family party, or picked up pastries, consider this a heads-up. Don’t believe us? Swing by anytime for a slice from the counter of any of their classic cakes — we’re partial to the Boston cream and checkerboard cakes.

25 Broad St, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 328-7855
(617) 328-7855

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