The best independent bakery in every state
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Bakeries worth your dough
When you want the best bread, the flakiest pastries and comforting cream cakes it's time to turn to the experts. Here are our favourite independent bakeries in every state for tempting treats you wouldn't dare make at home. Some restaurants may be offering limited service due to COVID-19, so check their website before you head out.
Alabama: Dreamcakes, Homewood
This quaint bakery is the go-to place for cupcakes – it has nearly 50 flavours including lemon, key lime pie and honey lavender, and all of them are said to be excellent. Not a cupcake fan? It also serves brownies, pound cakes, macarons, cream pies and cookies. And if you're not in the Homewood area, you can order any of its treats online for pick-up at its café in Hoover.
Alaska: The Bake Shop, Girdwood
This local Alaskan bakery is truly prized in the community. Opened in 1963, you’ll usually find regulars reading the newspaper and eating huge breakfasts. On the menu are freshly-baked loaves, cinnamon rolls and sourdough pancakes. The latter is a must-try as legend has it the sourdough starter culture dates from when the bakery first fired up its ovens.
Arizona: Lior the Baker, Scottsdale
Residents of Arizona know the best place for freshly-baked goods has got to be Lior the Baker. This Israeli-influenced bakery serves fluffy babka, almond challah, rugelach, as well as pastries and croissants. It was even awarded Best Bakery 2019 by Phoenix New Times.
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Arkansas: Community Bakery, Little Rock
Opened in 1947, Community Bakery is a local institution having opened a second branch and relocated a few times in its 70 years. It has received awards in the Arkansas Times Best of Arkansas awards nearly every year since they were established for its range of filled bagels, breakfast pastries, pies and exquisite patisserie. Customers can’t get enough of the glazed doughnuts either.
California: b. patisserie, San Francisco
This San Francisco outlet is widely known as one of the best bakeries in California – if not the country – with owners Belinda Leong and Michel Suas winners of the 2018 James Beard Outstanding Baker award. b. patisserie serves buttery, French-style pastries, as well as cakes, macarons and tartines (open sandwiches). The customer favourite is the kouign amann, an extremely rich and crispy croissant-like pastry. It's open for online ordering and walk-in takeaway orders.
Colorado: Babettes Bakery, Longmont
After closing its outpost at Denver’s food market The Source, Longmont is where you have to go to get hold of Babettes' freshly baked breads, which have a cult following. Customers also absolutely love the flaky pastries, croissants and wood-fired pizza slices, although it serves small plates for take-out too. If you pre-order you can pick up its goods from a few other local businesses in town.
SiftBakeshopMystic/Facebook
Connecticut: Sift Bake Shop, Mystic
This French bake shop in Mystic is the spot everyone is talking about. Its owner Adam Young received Best Baker in America 2018 on Food Network’s baking competition show. On the menu is sourdough baguettes, focaccia and multi-grain loaves, every breakfast pastry imaginable, as well as tortes, tarts, mille-feuille (custard slice) and highly-praised macarons.
Delaware: Bing’s Bakery, Newark
For “cannoli oozing with filling” residents of Delaware know the area’s oldest purveyor of sweet treats Bing’s Bakery, is the place to go. Opened in 1871, it serves cream pies, custom-made cakes, pastries, cheesecakes and cookies. It’s no wonder it has so many returning customers.
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Florida: Versailles, Miami
Calling itself Miami’s most famous Cuban restaurant, Versailles also happens to be home to one of the area’s best bakeries. Busy every day with a steady stream of loyal customers, Miamians flock there for the sweet and savoury pastries, empanadas, Cuban grilled sandwiches, cannoli and friendly service. The Cuban coffee is also a hit.
BackintheDayBakery/Facebook
Georgia: Back in the Day Bakery, Savannah
A nostalgic Southern bakery owned by James Beard-nominated couple Cheryl Day and Griffith Back. At Back in the Day Bakery the signatures are the vanilla cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies and lavender shortbreads, but customers also rave about the biscuits with jelly, banana pudding and brownies. The dining room is currently closed, so order online for home delivery or pick-up.
Hawaii: Liliha Bakery, Honolulu
Operating for 70 years, this bakery and diner is said to be one of the best in America. It has three locations and visitors are passionate about its cream puffs (pastry stuffed with green tea or chocolate-flavoured cream), loco moco (rice topped with a hamburger patty and fried egg), passionfruit doughnuts and banana pancakes.
Idaho: Zeppole Baking Company, Boise
Recipient of Boise Weekly's Best Local Bakery crown nearly every year since 2010, Zeppole Baking Company is the place to go for delicious, freshly-baked bread. The sourdough and sweet breads such as cranberry and chocolate come highly recommended, but it also serves kalamata olive or jalapeño ciabatta, Cheddar scallion loaf, rye bread and challah.
Illinois: Baker Miller, Chicago
Indiana: Milk and Honey, Plainfield
This relatively new French-inspired bakery is said to have the best croissants in the area. Opened in 2017 by Jenna Tucker whose childhood dream was to own a bakery, the menu contains only things she loves to bake. Expect double chocolate shortbread, chocolate chunk cookies, brownies, tarts and macarons.
Iowa: Jaarsma Bakery, Pella
For authentic Dutch treats such as Dutch letters, apple bread, stroopwafels and white walnut bars, Jaarsma Bakery is the place to go. Family-owned and operated since 1898, the recipes are those founder Harmon Jaarsma brought over from Holland. Everything is created daily by the fourth-generation bakers, and customers don’t have a bad word to say.
Kansas: Dolce Bakery, Prairie Village
It’s only good reviews at Dolce Bakery which is known for having some of the best cinnamon rolls in Kansas City (an area surprisingly fanatical about the sweet treat). It also offers orange rolls, pumpkin rolls and caramel pecan rolls for those keen to try something different. Look out for the spectacularly decorated celebration cakes, chewy cookies, iced biscuits and macarons too.
Kentucky: Plehn’s Bakery, Louisville
If you want old school, head to Plehn’s Bakery in Louisville. Established in 1924, it has a nostalgic vibe and serves doughnuts, pies, cakes and cookies using largely the same recipes as when it first opened. Kuchen is one of its most-requested items – it's a sweet dough filled with apple, cherry, cinnamon and butter. It was also a winner of the LEO Weekly Readers’ Choice Award 2019.
Poupart-Bakery-Inc/Facebook
Louisiana: Poupart Bakery, Lafayette
This French bakery is without a doubt one of the best in the state. In operation for over 50 years, it keeps the locals coming back for fresh bread, quiche, cakes and pastries. The traditional Mardi Gras king cakes that go on sale around February are always a big hit. Customers are asked to wear face coverings when visiting its store.
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Maine: Standard Baking Co., Portland
Maryland: Harmony Bakery, Baltimore
Both vegans and non-vegans adore Harmony Bakery in Baltimore for its gluten-free and plant-based sweet and savoury bakes. Top choices include the bagel melt with avocado, roasted mushrooms and cashew mozzarella, the samoa bars (shortbread topped with caramel, coconut and a drizzle of chocolate) and the chocolate-glazed doughnuts. You can order online for pick-up or in person at the walk-up window from Thursday to Sunday.
Massachusetts: Modern Pastry, Boston
For fluffy choux buns stuffed with cream look no further than Modern Pastry in Boston. It’s a family-owned spot customers flock to for traditional Italian sweets such as marzipan fruit, lobster tails (crisp pastry filled with custard cream), ricotta pie, cream puffs, pistachio nougat and éclairs. But the favourite has got to be the cannoli. Find it at two locations, Medford and North End.
Michigan: Sister Pie, Detroit
This bright corner bakery in Detroit quickly gained a reputation for baking the best pies. They have flaky, buttery crusts and incredible sweet and savoury fillings such as apple, sage and gouda, sweet potato apple streusel, and ginger peach. Since the pandemic it has halted normal service, offering a selection of groceries and baked goods for pick-up and sidewalk sale. Keep up to date with the latest on Facebook.
Minnesota: Marc Heu Patisserie Paris, St Paul
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Mississippi: Serious Bread, Bay St Louis
This hidden bakery just behind Bay Book on Main Street has been said to sell the best bread on the East Coast by ardent fans. It offers artisan bakes such as jalapeño cheese sourdough, garlic and rosemary flatbread, and olive levain (a sourdough). While you're there be sure to pick up a giant oatmeal cinnamon raisin cookie.
nathanielreidbakery/Facebook
Missouri: Nathaniel Reid Bakery, St Louis
This Kirkwood bakery specialising in French patisserie and chocolate is run by James Beard-nominated Nathaniel Reid. Customers can't get enough of the chocolate almond croissant and macarons in flavours such as Sicilian pistachio and coconut milk chocolate. In need of some lunch? It also has savoury sandwiches, check out the roast beef on poppy seed bread. Face coverings are required when visiting.
Montana: Bernice’s Bakery, Missoula
Around since 1978, Bernice’s Bakery is where locals go for elegant birthday cakes, Thanksgiving pie orders, bread rolls, sandwiches, breakfast pastries and coffees. Special mentions go to the key lime pie, lemon blueberry muffin and croissants, but everything is better than what you’d find in a supermarket. You can go into the store or opt for curbside pick-up.
Nebraska: Olsen Bake Shop, Omaha
Nevada: Freed’s Bakery, Las Vegas
This third-generation bakery established in 1959 is one of the most famous in Las Vegas. It’s known for its incredible cakes, having featured on Food Network's Vegas Cakes with huge and unforgettable creations. The tiramisu dessert cake with espresso and brandy-soaked sponge, sweet mascarpone cream and espresso whipped cream is one of the favourites. Order online, via email or over the phone for pick-up and delivery, or visit one of three Las Vegas locations (face coverings must be worn).
New Hampshire: Fire Dog Breads, Keene
New Jersey: Sook Pastry, Ridgewood
For stunning French patisserie in New Jersey, head to Sook Pastry in Ridgewood. The small but beautiful café and bakery has cases of fruit tarts, chocolate mousse cakes, pastries, macarons and muffins. It’s not all sweet either as you can pick up a fresh loaf of cinnamon walnut or cheese bread.
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New Mexico: Golden Crown Panaderia, Albuquerque
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New York: Supermoon Bakehouse, New York
North Carolina: Villani's Bakery, Charlotte
If you need a cake in Charlotte, make a beeline for Villani’s. It makes cakes for birthdays and occasions in flavours such as bananas foster, Boston cream pie and red velvet, and its staff are amazingly helpful. It also sells Italian treats including biscotti, cannoli, Napoleon (layers of custard and pastry, topped with a glaze) and sfingi (pastry filled with sweetened ricotta).
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North Dakota: Nichole’s Fine Pastry, Fargo
When in Fargo, Nichole’s Fine Pastry is not to be missed. Gourmet pastry is the order of the day here, expect to see a colourful array of cheesecakes, pies, pastries, truffles, mousse cakes and fruit tarts. It's also worth stopping in for a pulled pork panini or smoked salmon bagel at lunch.
Ohio: Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company, Troy
This bakery and café is known for its artisan breads which it bakes on a weekly schedule. On Monday you might find raisin walnut and honey wholewheat, whereas on Wednesday the offering includes rustic olive and cherry oatmeal. Customers also go mad for the lunch menu which include The New Yorker – corned beef, aged Swiss cheese, house-made slaw and Russian dressing on dark pumpernickel rye.
Front-Porch-Bakery/Facebook
Oklahoma: Front Porch Bakery, Claremore
Heading down Route 66? Love fresh-baked bread and smoked meats? Then stopping in at Front Porch Bakery is a no brainer. Everything you get here is good, be that cinnamon rolls, egg custard pie, peanut butter cookies or custom-made birthday cake. It also has gluten-free options.
Oregon: Ken's Artisan Bakery, Portland
Pennsylvania: Jezabel’s, Philadelphia
This Argentine bakery is a West Philly favourite for a quick lunch. On the menu are mouth-watering treats such as poppy seed bagels filled with mortadella and aioli, lemon pie, torta de ricotta, medialunas (Argentinian croissants) topped with passion fruit custard, and chocolate apple cake with a crispy marshmallow top.
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Rhode Island: Pastiche, Providence
This bright blue bakery in Providence gets glowing reviews from locals and visitors alike. The buttery, custard-filled fruit tart is consistently praised (at the moment it has a festive-looking cranberry and raspberry compote one) and the chocolate torte is said to be so good it ruins all others for you. If that isn’t a recommendation, we don’t know what is.
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South Carolina: Sugar Bakeshop, Charleston
South Dakota: CH Patisserie, Sioux Falls
From world champion pastry chef and winner of the second season of Top Chef, CH Patisserie in Sioux Falls is up there with some of the best bakeries in the country. It serves French macarons in pastel shades almost too good to eat and sweet treats such as pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate chip coffee cupcakes, flourless chocolate cake and caramel brioche.
Texas: Sour Duck Market, Austin
For creative takes on bakery classics such as Danish pastries and croissants, head to the bakery at Sour Duck Market in Austin. The savoury options – which include a Danish with pork and chicken rillettes, and a croissant with pastrami, Swiss cheese and béchamel – are to die for.
Tennessee: Muddy’s Bake Shop, Memphis
The ultimate feel-good bakery, Muddy’s has cupcakes in every colour, such as Prozac (addictive chocolate cake with icing) and Plain Janes (made with the best quality vanilla). At the moment only its Memphis branch is open and you can order online for pick-up or walk in from Thursday to Saturday.
Utah: Carol’s Pastry Shop, Salt Lake City
This old-fashioned pastry shop is one of Salt Lake City's best loved. It’s famous for its éclairs, but you’ll also find bear claws, cinnamon rolls, orange tea rolls, cupcakes and cream puffs. The prices are incredibly reasonable (a brownie costs under a dollar) and the staff are the most thoughtful, friendly people.
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Vermont: Sticky Fingers, West Dover
It’s difficult deciding on the best bakery in the Green Mountain State as there are so many, but Sticky Fingers in West Dover gets great reviews. It serves a variety of loaves such as honey wheat, three-seed, black olive and garlic, and challah. However, customers really go there for the sweet pastries and cinnamon buns.
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Virginia: Blackbird Bakery, Bristol
Washington: Bakery Nouveau, Seattle
This Seattle-based bakery with three outposts is known for serving the best pastries in the city. It goes beyond the classics, with options including a cream cheese and fruit Danish, twice-baked almond croissants (a customer favourite) and a croissant with a layer of spinach and feta.
shepherdstownsweetshop/Facebook
West Virginia: Sweet Shop, Shepherdstown
The oldest town in West Virginia is home to one of the best bakeries in the state, located in a 200-year-old building. Sweet Shop started off specialising in rustic-style breads including pumpernickel, sunflower rye, tomato rosemary bread and sourdough. But more recently the bakery expanded its offering, much to the delight of cupcake, cookie and doughnut fans.
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Wisconsin: The Elegant Farmer, Mukwonago
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Wyoming: Persephone, Jackson