The 50 Best Bakeries in America

The long line, the rough-around-the-edges ambience—it’s all worth it for the decadent flavor combos this place is turning out. Might we suggest the pineapple upside-down cupcake?

1404 S. Decatur St., Montgomery, AL; 334-239-9289 or jzcupcakes.wixsite.com/jozettiescupcakes

You haven’t really had bread until you’ve eaten a slice of this homemade deliciousness. But if it’s sweet you’re after, the pumpkin cream cheese muffin paired with a white pumpkin mocha will do the trick.

1012 Hwy. 65 N., Harrison, AR; 870-741-6455 or neighborsmill.com

The moist, delicious cookies are some of the best you’ll ever try. But the best part has to be the passionate baker, Christa, who sells them all over SF (most notably in Dolores Park).

415-999-0205 or heycookiesf.com

A little slice of Nova Scotia in the Mile High City. Oh, and definitely get a big slice of the homemade quiche of the day (like this bacon, Gruyère and spinach with a side of bacon jam.)

1475 Ivy St., Denver, CO; 720-269-4539 or blunozercafe.com

There’s nothing like an old-school doughnut, but Neil’s “New York-style” mega-sized versions give this classic a new meaning.

83 N. Turnpike Rd., Wallingford, CT; 203-626-1429 or neilsdonuts.com

Ooh, là-là, croissants, éclairs and cream puffs. But the stars of this French bakery are the Merveilleux—meringue sandwiches held together with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

1361 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-721-0099 or yelp.com/biz/un-je-ne-sais-quoi-washington

You can get almost anything you want here—waffles, omelets and sandwiches. But it’s all about the melt-in-your-mouth confections. Two mini cherry pies, please.

7950 E. Redfield Rd., Scottsdale, AZ; 480-948-6210 or sugarjamcookies.com

Sure, Frank and Louie get all the credit. But while everyone’s chowing down on the monster sammies, we’ll be ordering an éclair and a cannoli made by their mother, Diane.

58 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE; 302-227-5777 or yelp.com/biz/frank-and-louies-italian-specialties-rehoboth-beach

Hands down, the best key lime pie in Florida. (And who could possibly pass up a selfie in front of this gem?)

28838 S. Dixie Hwy., Homestead, FL; 786-728-2666 or yelp.com/biz/sweet-delights-key-lime-pies-homestead

This place looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. But the banana bread? It’s completely out of this world.

401 E. Hall St., Savannah, GA; 912-235-2906 or matefactorcafe.com

One taste and you’ll think your grandma was behind the counter (well, if your grandma made a completely kickass apple pie).

1280 S. Kihei Rd., Ste. B101, Kihei, HI; 808-298-0473 or mauipie.com

Since 1898, this beloved spot has been offering up a little taste of Holland. You can’t miss the “Dutch Letters.” (Well, they’re really only one letter: “S.” But the puff pastry wrapped around moist almond paste filling will have you believing the alphabet’s 25 letters too long.) 

727 Franklin St., Pella, IA; 641-628-2940 or jaarsmabakery.com

Tucked right next to Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains and the Salmon River, this place will convince you there is nowhere more picturesque to chow down on some of the best cinnamon rolls you’ve ever had.

Wall St., Stanley, ID; 208-774-6573 or stanleybakingco.com

Look, if we could have wedding cake every day, we would (and we’d eat it here). But since that’s not quite possible, we’ll opt for one of the decadent Chubby Wubby caramel cookies instead.

1635 W. Walnut St., Chicago, IL; 312-850-4530 or cake-chicago.com

The butterscotch latte, homemade croissant and pig in a (fancy) blanket might just change your life. All hail, butter!

401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN; 317-550-5008 or coatcheckcoffee.com

Sure, you can order pie by the slice, but why not just get the whole damn thing?

7943 Santa Fe Dr., Overland Park, KS; 913-642-2999 or uppercrustpiebakery.com

The smell of fresh-baked bread will draw you into this warm and welcoming eatery. But the unexpectedly gourmet dinner menu (think: carrot and saffron orzotto with mussels, scallops and rockfish) and glorious dessert menu (all the cakes, please) will make you want to move in forever.

233 E. Bunnell Ave., Homer, AK; 907-235-2280 or twosistersbakery.net

Three words: maple bacon doughnut. But also, play it safe and just get a dozen. You know, to make sure everything tastes OK.

118 S. Preston St., Louisville, KY; 502-634-0931 or nordsbakery.biz

Here, everything is made by hand, locally sourced and baked on premise in the stone oven. But if that doesn’t sell you, maybe the fact that the pastry chef is a two-time World Baking Cup (La Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie) champion will.

8640 Oak St., New Orleans; 504-475-6265 or breadsonoak.com

You have to try the meat pies at this Lebanese bakery. Vegetarian? Don’t fret, this place also happens to be known for its veggie fare, including a spinach, broccoli and cabbage pie.

256 Flint St., Fall River, MA; 508-674-5422 or yelp.com/biz/sams-bakery-fall-river

This tiny bakery with a big heart might just be the definition of a neighborhood spot; but there’s nothing small-town about the lemon ricotta cookies.

10419 Armory Ave., Kensington, MD; 240-388-9989 or jennycakesbakery.net

Family owned and operated since 1995, the artisanal treats will open your eyes to a world of bread you never knew existed—it’s basically heaven.

75 Commercial St., Portland, ME; 207-773-2112 or standardbakingco.com

As you wait for your brunch table (and trust us, you will have to wait) snack on a freshly baked pastry and a “Koffie” (roasted in-house).

360 Douglas Ave., Holland, MI; 616-396-2253 or deboerbakery.com

Behold the Chocolat—it’s worth the tip to Minneapolis alone. Look. At. Those. Layers.

4552 Grand Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN; 612-354-3257 or patisserie46.com

Every item on the menu here is exquisitely executed. But how can we turn down a croissant hero?

11243 Manchester Rd., Saint Louis, MO; 314-858-1019 or nrbakery.com

Buy some pimento cheese, a loaf of bread and some olive salad and have your own little picnic in the backyard garden.

105 Main St., McComb, MS; 601-600-0248 or topisaw.com

Lemon—that’s a fruit, right? So this meringue pie is basically healthy? We’ll have two slices.

4875 Jackrabbit Ln., Bozeman, MT; 406-388-3921 or riseandshinecafeandbakery.com

Some of the most unique cupcakes you’ll ever eat. Think: habanero, jalapeno, horseradish, wasabi and more. (Ask for an extra glass of water.)

105 S. Front St., Wilmington, NC; 910-399-1088 or thepepperedcupcake.com

This spot doesn’t mess around: It uses locally milled flour and eggs gathered from locally raised, organically fed chickens. (It might even inspire you to eat your treat locally at the counter before you pay.)

13 8th St. S., Fargo, ND; 701-232-6430 or nicholesfinepastry.com

Oh, this? Meet the goudarooni. Get it filled with hamburger, spinach, broccoli or veggies. Then devour it.

621 Pacific St., Omaha, NE; 402-345-3438 or orsibakery.com

Sure, you’re in New Hampshire. But one bite of a rose-flavored macaron and you’re transported to Paris.

121 Congress St., Portsmouth, NH; 603-373-8401 or mnpastry.com

A hole-in-the-wall that’s worth tracking down for one bite of the stuffed sausage bread (it’s a thing) or cinnamon bread...or both.

402 Second St., Jersey City, NJ; 201-420-1793 or yelp.com/biz/second-street-bakery-jersey-city

Everything’s made in-house (yep, including the roasted beans). Need a rec? Order a savory slice of the quiche of the day.

13 Montano Rd. NE Ste. F, Albuquerque, NM; 505-800-7081 or trifectacoffeecompany.com

Call us Goldilocks, but any place that can make the perfect cappuccino art to complement a fresh-baked bear claw is a winner in our book.

292 Kingsbury Grade Ste. 33, Stateline, NV; 775-580-6399 or yelp.com/biz/clydes-coffee-roasting-stateline

Step back in time at this rustic outpost replete with antiques and nostalgia—no Styrofoam or plastic bags here. So order up and plan to stay awhile.

549 Ny-17, Tuxedo Park, NY; 845-915-3088 or dottieaudreys.com

There’s only one word for these individual pizza pastries: genius.

7516 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH; 614-322-9587 or tylerspizzeriaandbakery.com

Banana bread, biscuits, cookies, kouign-amanns, pies, scones and sticky buns are just some of the meticulously prepared baked goods offered here (it also have a gluten-free assortment). Good luck choosing just one.

3116 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, OR; 503-436-4254 or sealevelbakery.com

Not your average cupcake. These tiny cakes are topped with creamy fillings and then hand-dipped and decorated in chocolate ganache. Oh, and they come in about a gajillion different flavors.

3557 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR; 503-764-9921 or toadstoolcupcakes.com

You must, you must, you must order the banana pudding. (And ask for an extra Nilla Wafer.)

740 South St., Philadelphia, PA; 215-717-7770 or yelp.com/biz/the-sweet-life-bakeshop-philadelphia-3

This right here, folks, is a Canadian bacon, egg and cheese-stuffed croissant. Should we all move to Rhode Island?

382 Spring St., Newport, RI; 401-619-3338 or rosemaryandthymecafe.com

The flakiest, the butteriest, the Frenchiest croissants you’ll find on this side of the Atlantic.

536 Belle Station Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC; 843-416-5035 or yelp.com/biz/saveurs-du-monde-cafe-at-belle-station-mount-pleasant

Everything here looks too pretty to eat. But looks can be deceiving—these pastries taste even better than they appear.

309 S. Phillips Ave. Ste 1, Sioux Falls, SD; 605-275-0090 or chpastries.com

Get this: the baked goods are all gluten-free. You read that correctly.

41 Peabody St., Nashville, TN; 615-727-8555 or littlemoskos.com

Filled with fruit (like raspberry, apple or cherry) or something more savory (like sausage and cheese), this Eastern European pastry is something everyone should try at least once.

5404 Telephone Rd., Houston, TX; 713-649-0711 or originalkolache.com

Come for the meat pies. Made from a family recipe for Cuban Picadillo, these sweet and savory, flaky and buttery puff pastries are seriously addictive.

1475 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, UT; 385-229-4228 or fillingsandemulsions.com

If you thought doughnuts were already pretty great, prepare to be shocked—these take doughnut gloriousness to a whole new level.

1414 N. Main St., Blacksburg, VA; 540-552-6706 or yelp.com/biz/carol-lee-donuts-blacksburg

We’ll take one fresh apple tart with streusel hot out of the oven, please.

1689 US Rt. 2, Marshfield, VT; 802-426-3531 or yelp.com/biz/rainbow-sweets-marshfield

C’mon, where else can you get chocolate dobash, Chantilly, mango, guava, passion fruit or haupia-flavored cakes?

6322 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle, WA; 206-763-1151 or cakesofparadisebakery.com

Organic, homemade bagels. Mmm. We have our eyes on the onion.

1589-A Washington St. E., Charleston, WV; 304-205-5920 or starlingswv.com

The best way to enjoy a kouign-amann (aka a French sweetened croissant) in the morning? With a mountain view, of course. 

145 E. Broadway, Jackson, WY; 307-200-6708 or persephonebakery.com