When traveling to or through a new area, it’s sometimes hard to know where to nab the best baked goods. But for the cake, croissant, and fresh-baked bread connoisseurs, getting the low-down on the best local bakeries is a must.
For those who love their sweets and their carbs, we scoured online reviews to bring you the best bakeries in each state so you can stretch your eating-out budget when you travel.
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Alabama: The Continental Bakery (Birmingham)
The Continental Bakery is well-known for its delicious baked breads, with Yelp reviewers raving about everything from the croissants to the cinnamon rolls and beyond.
The crew prides itself on being like a “medieval shop,” where it’s all about the handiwork and art of baking.
Alaska: Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop (Anchorage)
Fire Island is quickly becoming an Anchorage classic, with locals and visitors alike praising the small-batch bakery on TripAdvisor for its scones, bread, and more.
The menu is small but mighty, with plenty of delectable cakes, cookies, rolls, and even sandwiches to choose from.
Arizona: La Purisima Bakery (Glendale)
Since the early ‘80s, La Purisima has been a staple in Arizona, so much so that it now has two locations — one in Glendale and one in North Phoenix.
They serve freshly baked and delicious Mexican pastries and delicacies, with their concha being a particular fan favorite.
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Arkansas: Rick’s Bakery (Fayetteville)
Whether you’re looking for an early morning muffin, Danish or sausage roll, an array of pies from banana cream to apple crumb, or a top-notch selection of gourmet cupcakes, Rick’s Bakery — which has been serving the Fayetteville area since 1980 — has you covered.
California: Acme Bread Company (Berkeley and San Francisco)
As the name suggests, Acme Bread Company is really all about the bread.
Over the past 40 years, they’ve become a Bay Area staple, with a recent Yelp reviewer even noting they have the “best bread I ever had.” They also sell delicious pastries and focaccia.
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Colorado: Babette’s Bakery (Longmont)
Babette’s is stocked with every fresh treat you would expect from a top-notch bakery — including croissants, cakes, cookies, and more.
They also sell delectable mortadella sandwiches and power up the woodfire oven for pizzas Thursdays through Sundays.
Connecticut: Nana’s Bakery & Pizza (Mystic)
Nana’s offers the best of both worlds: all your bakery favorites plus a menu packed with delicious sourdough pizzas.
In addition to fresh bread and a large menu of specialty drinks, they’re also known for their top-notch breakfast offerings and sour doughnuts.
Delaware: Sweet Somethings (Wilmington)
Sweet Somethings has received many accolades in its 25+ year history.
While they are perhaps most known for their delicious cakes — from classic cupcakes to specialty wedding cakes — the menu is also packed with scrumptious tarts, pies, and cookies.
Florida: Yalaha Bakery (Yalaha)
Yalaha Bakery has been bringing high-quality German baked goods to Central Florida for nearly 30 years.
From its delectable breads to its pretzels, pies, and cakes, it’s clear why Yalaha keeps visitors and locals alike coming back.
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Georgia: The Buttery ATL (Atlanta)
In the heart of Atlanta, The Buttery is known for delicious breads, pastries, specialty cakes, and more.
Yelp is filled with reviews praising their croissants and breakfast sandwiches, and if you happen to be in the neighborhood, you may as well grab a slice of cake or pie as well!
Hawaii: Liliha Bakery (Honolulu)
Liliha Bakery has been in business for over 70 years and has five locations throughout Hawaii.
It offers a restaurant menu for visitors looking to dine in, but if you’re just popping by, its famous baked goods, from mochi donuts to “Coco Puffs,” are a must-try.
Idaho: Janjou Pâtisserie (Boise)
It’s everything you could hope for from a French cafe in the middle of Boise, Idaho.
Janjou Pâtisserie was founded more than 15 years ago, and the Boise cafe — where you can find everything from croissants and quiche to fresh tarts and tiramisu — opened in 2013.
Illinois: Lost Larson (Chicago)
Lost Larson has two locations in Chicago — Andersonville and Wicker Park — and is owned and run by renowned pastry chef Bobby Schaffer.
Their Yelp page is filled with rave reviews, but the cinnamon rolls, Danishes, and Tebirkes appear to be particular fan favorites.
Indiana: Amelia’s Bread (Indianapolis)
Amelia’s Bread prides itself on providing delicious, high-quality products to the people of Indianapolis — and several central Indiana restaurants and grocers.
In addition to an array of fresh loaves, baguettes, and more, Amelia’s also sells delicious cookies, croissants, and pastries.
Iowa: Jaarsma Bakery (Pella)
What started as an immigrant from Holland peddling Dutch treats with recipes from back home has grown into a local institution.
From stroopwafels to almond butter cake to Dutch apple bread, it’s nearly impossible to choose just one delicacy from Jaarsma.
Kansas: WheatFields Bakery (Lawrence)
For nearly 30 years, WheatFields Bakery in Lawrence has been churning out delicious breads and pastries.
The bakery also has a breakfast and lunch menu, so if you're looking for something beyond cookies and croissants, come for lunch and choose from more than a dozen delectable sandwiches.
Kentucky: Bluegrass Baking Company (Lexington)
Bluegrass Baking Company has been a staple in the Lexington area for nearly 30 years.
The bakery’s offerings go beyond delicious artisan bread and pastries — its Yelp page is packed with glowing reviews for its cookies and tarts.
Louisiana: Willa Jean (New Orleans)
Willa Jean is both a bakery and a restaurant, well-known to visitors and locals for its delicious take on Southern fare.
Whether you’re looking for a snack like banana bread, a breakfast plate (with grits, of course), or something sweet like cookies + milk, you’ll be satisfied at Willa Jean.
Maine: Standard Baking Co. (Portland)
For nearly 30 years, Standard Baking Co. has been the go-to spot for daily breads and mouth-watering sweets.
From scrumptious baguettes to delicious coffees and teas to chocolate chips and morning buns, Standard has something sweet for everyone.
Maryland: Woodlea Bakery (Baltimore)
Woodlea has been a family-owned and operated bakery since the 1940s — and all those decades of baking experience will be clear when you take a bite of one of their delicious and famed cakes, cookies, donuts, or pastries.
Massachusetts: Mike’s Pastry (Boston)
Mike’s Pastry was founded in 1946 and has since become a Boston staple.
Expect to see a line (possibly out the door) — but once you try one of their famous cannolis, you’ll see it’s worth the wait. They offer a wide array of delicious Italian cookies and pies as well.
Michigan: Sister Pie (Detroit)
From giant cookies and delicious brownies to an array of breakfast pastries and, of course, a large selection of pies, Sister Pie is a staple in Detroit’s West Village.
Their sweet treats and ever-evolving menu are a huge hit, with hundreds of raving Yelp reviews to prove it.
Minnesota: Patisserie 46 (Minneapolis)
Whether you’re looking for sweet, savory, or a morning pick-me-up, Patisserie 46 will not disappoint.
The Minneapolis gem has a menu packed with delicious bread, breakfast pastries, savory items like quiche and a BLT on a baguette, cookies, and much more.
Mississippi: Le Bakery (Biloxi)
Le Bakery is a Vietnamese bakery that, according to many Yelp reviewers, is a must-visit off the beaten path in Biloxi.
Fans praise its breads, pastries (particularly the turnovers), sandwiches, and boba.
Missouri: Nathaniel Reid Bakery (St. Louis)
With an award-winning pastry chef and both traditional and contemporary baked goods, it’s clear why Nathaniel Reid Bakery’s Yelp page is filled with glowing reviews.
Fans rave about their pastries, with the Kouign Amann being a particular favorite, as well as their sandwiches, cookies, and more,
Montana: Wild Crumb (Bozeman)
Wild Crumb is quickly becoming a favorite in the Bozeman area (see its Yelp page, packed with rave reviews of its croissants and pastries, for proof).
It sells a range of artisan breads, breakfast pastries, tarts, and pies and even offers flourless desserts.
Nebraska: Le Quartier Baking Company (Lincoln)
For those looking for the French bakery experience in Nebraska, Le Quartier has locations in Lincoln and Omaha.
They sell fresh bread, an array of pastries, and sandwiches — and Yelp reviewers can’t seem to get enough of the quiche.
Nevada: Délices Gourmands French Bakery (Las Vegas)
You don’t have to step far off The Strip for an authentic French bakery experience. Yelp is packed with reviews praising Délices Gourmands’ beautiful and delectable desserts.
Visitors can find rarities like Palmiers and Lintzer and classics like quiche, omelets, and breads.
New Hampshire: Bread & Chocolate (Concord)
Breach & Chocolate is a simple bakery and cafe that does sweets right. Visitors and locals alike know it’s a go-to spot for pastries, tarts, delicious breads, and, as the name suggests, a killer chocolate cake.
New Jersey: Balthazar Bakery (Englewood)
This bakery is known as one of the best in the area (some would even say it's better than what you can get in nearby NYC).
With an array of fresh breads, from hot cross buns to baguettes and scrumptious breakfast pastries, cookies, bars, and more — you can’t go wrong at Balthazar.
New Mexico: Golden Crown Panaderia (Albuquerque)
A family-owned business and a staple in Albuquerque’s Old Town area, Golden Crown Panaderia offers an array of delicious sandwiches, pizzas, specialty drinks, pastries, cookies, and fresh bread (the famous green chili bread is a must-try).
New York: Mazzola Bakery (New York City)
Mazzola offers the classic NYC Italian bakery experience and has been churning out delicious breads, pastries, and more — including its famous lard bread, packed with genoa salami, provolone, black pepper, and lard — from its Brooklyn location for nearly 100 years.
North Carolina: Boulted Bread (Raleigh)
Boulted Bread is well-known to locals and visitors alike, so expect a crowd if you head there at peak breakfast time.
Raving Yelp reviews praise the bakery for moving quickly and for its delicious croissants, morning buns, brownies, cookies, and more.
North Dakota: Nichole’s Fine Pastry (Fargo)
Located in Downtown Fargo, Nichole’s Fine Pastry and Cafe offers baked goods prepared in European tradition and classic American styles.
The award-winning bakery’s menu is packed with delicious cakes and tarts, savory breakfast sandwiches, quiche, and more.
Ohio: Fox in the Snow Cafe (Columbus)
Fox in the Snow Cafe has three locations throughout Columbus — in the Italian Village, German Village, and New Albany neighborhoods.
The menu is packed with delicious, specialty coffees and teas and a range of sandwiches, pastries, cookies, and beyond.
Oklahoma: The Harvey Bakery & Kitchen (Oklahoma City)
The Harvey is a much-loved breakfast/lunch spot and a top-notch bakery. When it comes to baked goods, visitors will find everything from delectable pastries to fresh baked babka.
The restaurant menu offers an array of sandwiches and salads, and they even have weekend brunch.
Oregon: JinJu Patisserie (Portland)
Located in Portland’s Williams District, JinJu Patisserie is known for its outstanding croissants (butter, chocolate, almond, and beyond).
In addition to breakfast, they offer an array of other sweets, from beautiful fruit tarts to rich cakes, cookies, “Brown-kies,” and more.
Pennsylvania: The Sweet Life Bakeshop (Philadelphia)
This bakeshop is famous for its banana pudding — and they have seven flavors to choose from, plus additional rotating seasonal flavors.
But if pudding is not your jam, they also have excellent cupcakes, cobbler, and a top-notch pineapple upside-down cake (which comes in mini or full size).
Rhode Island: Pastiche (Providence)
Some might just call Pastiche’s menu the best desserts in the state (and some on Yelp have!)
From fresh fruit tarts to creamy and beautifully decorated pies and cakes to cannolis and eclairs, their lineup of sweets really can’t be beat.
South Carolina: Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe & Deli (Greenville)
Strossner’s was founded in the 1940s and has become a staple in Greenville.
They have something for everyone — whether you’re looking for delicious cakes and fresh bread from the bakery, sandwiches, and quiches from the cafe, or prepared foods from the deli.
South Dakota: CH Patisserie (Sioux Falls)
For all the charm of a Parisian bakery in Sioux Falls, CH Patisserie is the place to be.
The much-loved shop offers an array of delicious, flakey breakfast pastries (croissants, beignets, and more), beautifully decorated cakes, and, of course, macarons.
Tennessee: Muddy’s Bake Shop (Memphis)
The vibes are cozy and the cupcakes are delectable at Muddy’s in Memphis.
The menu is packed with beautifully decorated cakes and cookies, plus savory favorites like quiches and chicken pot pie. For aspiring bakers, they also sell DIY cookie kits.
Texas: Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia (San Antonio)
Mi Tierra isn’t just a bakery; it’s a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike for delicious Tex-Mex cuisine.
Founded in the 1940s, the cafe has become a much-loved institution, with a menu packed with delicious breakfast pastries, cakes, cookies, empanadas, churros, and more.
Utah: Filling & Emulsions (Salt Lake City)
With an award-winning pastry chef and a reputation for churning out some of the best sweet treats, meat pies, and more in the area, Filling & Emulsions is a must-try when visiting SLC.
Their cakes and pastries are beautiful and they have a top-notch coffee and sandwich menu as well.
Vermont: Mirabelles Café (Burlington)
Whether you’re looking for a breakfast sandwich or pastry, meat-filled hand pies, delicious cakes, and pies, or mini pastries (like their delectable Crème Brûlée Cup), Mirabelles in Burlington has got you covered. It’s clear why their Yelp page is glowing with rave reviews.
Virginia: MarieBette Cafe & Bakery (Charlottesville)
MarieBette is both a top-notch bakery and a sit-down restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch.
The concept is simple — it’s part bakery, part coffee house — and the products, from pastries and breads to La Colombe coffees to salads and sammies, are delicious.
Washington: Bakery Nouveau (Seattle)
Bakery Nouveau has three locations: West Seattle, Burien, and Capitol Hill. Each offers a menu packed with delicious classics — from flaky breakfast pastries to fresh breads and chocolates to savory sandwiches or focaccia.
West Virginia: Spring Hill Pastry Shop (South Charleston)
Spring Hill Pastry Shop has been a go-to spot for beautifully decorated wedding cakes in South Charleston for 70 years.
In addition to fantastic and flavorful cakes, guests can find delectable pastries, pies, breads, and beyond.
Wisconsin: Rocket Baby Bakery (Wauwatosa)
Rocket Baby specializes in artisanal breads and fresh pastries. Its lineup of top-notch items includes fruit and cream cheese danishes, chocolate croissants, and delicious sourdoughs.
Their Yelp page also has rave reviews about their breakfast sandwiches and coffees.
Wyoming: Persephone Bakery (Jackson)
Persephone Bakery was established in 2010 and has grown to become a much-loved neighborhood cafe.
It offers fresh pastries and artisanal bread baked daily, breakfast all day, an array of lunch options and coffee drinks, and a beer and wine selection.
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