Dolce Bella opens first Suffolk location, in Smithtown

Friends Brandyn Williams and Tim "Big Red" Downey and their colorful cannolis began as a TikTok sensation with roots in a simple Italian ice cart that Williams was running on his own up until 2022. Fast forward four years and to the addition of stuffed, flavored cannolis — the stuff of Long Island dreams — the guys are onto their second shop. Joining the original in Oceanside, a new Dolce Bella cannoli storefront has opened in Suffolk, in Smithtown.

With so many irresistible options, give in to your inner Italian child and order a three-, six- or twelve-cannoli sampler. Mix and match flavors like rainbow cookie, Reese’s (peanut butter cup), Nutella, birthday cake, cookies and cream, fudge cookie butter, pistachio, or for purists, original with plain cannoli cream and chocolate chips adorning the ends. Not too sweet and with just the right creaminess, cannolis run $5 for a regular size, $3.50 for a mini. Mini three-, six- and 12-packs run $10, $18, and $35, respectively. Regular size three-, six- and 12-packs run $14, $26 and $55. If you just want the cream, there are $5 cups, plus gelato starting at $4 per scoop and Italian ice — from The Lemon Ice King of Corona (Queens) — starting at $3. Wash it all down with a dirty soda.

With requisite neon signage for branded Instagram posts, as well as fun flourishes like 3D cannoli art and tongue-in-cheek paintings of Williams and Downey dressed as French cavalrymen, the large shop allows for on-site cannoli consumption. Keep an eye out on social media for wild specials like Hot Cheeto and Maple Bacon.

For such a whimsical invention, Williams and Downey’s past careers were far from playful. Williams was in corporate America and Downey worked for an oil union. Dolce Bella was "a fun side project," Williams said. But the duo quickly realized that "in order for it to be successful, we needed to do this 100%," he said. Pop-ups at Roosevelt Field mall and speakeasies at secret locations followed, and when Oceanside offered a bigger opportunity, it was a "no-brainer."

The pals credit their TikTok presence and personalities for their runaway success. You can catch them doing silly skits, like giving out "free shrugs" and throwing — what else — cannolis, in addition to showing BTS footage of their growing business. The Smithtown opening was a soundtrack of guest "oohs" and "aahs" as Williams and his merry band of cannolistas piped sweet cream of all colors into their waiting crunchy shells.

Now that he’s onto Dolce Bella’s second opening, with an eye toward franchising, Williams laughs at the bumpy road since 2024. "It’s been a rough couple of years," he said, "but we are the odd couple that decided to go forward instead of backward."

Dolce Bella, 85 E. Main St., Smithtown, 516-988-8302, dolcebellany.com; Open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday from Noon to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

By Marie Elena Martinez

marieelena.martinez@newsday.com@mariesworlds

A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.