Luca Pastry on Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor is one of two locations run by the same family. The business itself was founded in 2019 by Michael and Vince Cangialosi, whose family history in baking goes back generations in Italy.
The Ann Arbor location opened a few years later, in March 2022, bringing those traditions directly to Washtenaw Avenue. The shop occupies a somewhat visible spot near Arborland, and when it opened, it quickly caught the attention of local residents who had been hoping for a more traditional Italian-style bakery in the area. There is also another store located in Canton.
The location felt totally new to us when we visited for lunch and sweet treats one afternoon, but the recipes are not. Many of the desserts sold in Ann Arbor today trace directly back to family recipes brought by earlier generations.
A little family history behind the counter
The story of Luca Pastry is really the story of family. The family is originally from Italy, and baking and restaurant ownership were already part of their lives long before the business expanded to Michigan.
According to the company’s own history, one of the family’s earliest businesses was a pastry shop run by Michael’s grandfather. That tradition passed down through the generations and eventually made its way to the United States, where the family continued to operate restaurants and bakeries in Michigan.
What Luca Pastry is known for
If there is one thing that defines Luca Pastry, it is variety. Their website site describes the bakery as specializing in cakes, cannoli, cookies, macarons and traditional pastries. The shop features traditional ricotta-filled cannoli along with more modern variations, and local reviews often point to them as one of the signature items.
Another standout is the sfogliatella—sometimes called a “lobster tail”—a layered pastry strongly associated with southern Italian baking.
Cakes are also a major focus. From birthday cakes to custom creations, the bakery emphasizes decorated cakes and special-occasion desserts.
Walking into the shop, it is easy to see why it has quickly become popular. The display case is filled with bright macarons, chocolate cakes, fruit tarts, cookies and a wide range of Italian pastries. It feels less like a simple dessert shop and more like a traditional neighborhood bakery—one where customers stop in not just for one item but to look around and see what is fresh that day.
More than a bakery: a place to get lunch
One of the most surprising parts of Luca Pastry, especially for first-time visitors, is that it is not limited to desserts. In addition to pastries, the shop also serves lunch items, including Italian-style subs and sandwiches.
We enjoyed two subs for lunch. One is “The Godfather,” filled with prosciutto, creamy burette, and arugula. The bread was amazing! The price is good, too.
The “Italian” sub had ample cold cuts, lettuce, tomatoes, and that amazing original bread. You can also add pickled hot pepper rings and a pepper relish that feels Old School Italian American.
This combination of sweet and savory offerings makes the shop feel more like a classic Italian neighborhood bakery that you would find in a “Little Italy” enclave in Chicago or New York, where the line between sweet and savory is not as strict as it is in many modern dessert-only shops. It also means the store has become a regular lunch stop for people who work or live nearby, especially those who want something different from the usual chain-restaurant options.
A growing presence in the community
Although it is still relatively new to Ann Arbor, the shop has already built a strong reputation among customers and an expanding loyal following. Online reviews mention the friendly atmosphere, the large selection of desserts and the ability to order custom cakes for special events.
The fact that the business remains family-owned also contributes to that reputation. Many customers appreciate that the bakery is not part of a national chain, but rather part of a small regional business that continues to expand while staying rooted in its original traditions.
A small place with a long story
In many ways, Luca Pastry is a reminder that the most successful food businesses are often the simplest ones: a family recipe, a commitment to quality, and a desire to share something meaningful with a new community.
For people who live nearby, it has become more than just a bakery. It is a place where old-world baking meets modern life, where family tradition is still visible in every recipe, and where a stop for dessert can easily turn into a full meal.
And for a city that values both tradition and creativity, that combination fits perfectly.
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
