Tag's Pastry Shop is one of the oldest full-line bakeries on the North Shore, opening in its current location in 1937. The fact that it is also one of the few remaining bakeries in the area is a testament to both the quantity and quality of baked goods sold in the no-frills shop.

Tag's yellowed, grandmotherly wallpaper and old-fashioned furniture can be deceiving, but the shop caters to the palates and longings of all ages. The thin and crisp, chocolate-coated florentine cookies ($14.95 per pound) are a favorite among those with more mature taste buds, while kids can't keep their hands off the dinosaur-shaped cookies. Scones, muffins, loaves of bread, pies, dozens of kinds of cookies and nearly 20 varieties of coffee cake—all at reasonable prices—are just a sampling of the treasures produced daily in Tag's ovens.

While Tag's decor may not change with the decades, its selection slightly varies by season. Hot dog and hamburger buns are available during the summer grilling months, in addition to honey cake, flourless chocolate cake and banana loaves for Rosh Hashanah and fruitcake for Christmas. Decorated cakes and wedding cakes can also be special ordered with just a few days advance notice required.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Laura Brown