The Best Bakery In Every State

If we were inclined to create a bucket list, one item that might be on there would be a cross-country tour spent sampling all the best bakeries to appear on every "best bakery" list. Since the term "best" is so subjective, relying on one person's tastebuds isn't really a fair way to determine if a bakery is, truly, the best.

As such, to ensure that we have at least a largely accurate account of the best bakeries in every state, we have turned to multiple sources to see who's the cream of the crop. Posted reviews online from websites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook offer a grassroots idea of how much regular customers enjoy a bakery, while local news coverage, esteemed foodie publications, and awards help round things out.

These 50 bakeries vary in quite a lot of ways. Some are nearly a century old, while others have only had a handful of years to make a big impact. Some have had their success grow to such an extent that there was a need for multiple locations, while others have opted to keep things small — often, deliberately so. Regardless of size, each bakery has made a name for itself by creating something delicious, something iconic, and something worth taking that cross-country trip for.

A small shop specializing in muffins, croissants, cookies, cakes, and even ice cream, Hello Bakery's most notable offering may be Marie's Fig Cookies. Named for veteran pastry chef Wim Miree's 90-year-old neighbor, the best-seller has quickly become a favourite among customers. Everything here is made in small batches, and Hello Bakery is frequently mentioned as one of the best bakeries in Birmingham.

instagram.com/hellobakery

(205) 201-5668

1109 Dunston Ave, Birmingham, AL 35213

A small rustic bakery, Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop opened its first location in 2009 before a second shop opened in 2015 — both located in different neighborhoods in Anchorage. The family-run shop specializes in croissants, breads, muffins, and scones, with everything made in-house and baked fresh every morning. The bakery has been written up by the James Beard Foundation, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, the New York Times, and Edible Alaska.

fireislandbread.com

Multiple locations

JL Patisserie offers high-quality, high-end French pastries in three locations across Arizona — two in Phoenix and one in Scottsdale. The bakery specializes in a variety of baked goods, but are best known for the creative croissant flavors. James Beard-nominated pastry chef Jenna Leurquin is the creative powerhouse behind the company, concocting confections like the Biscoff Raspberry Cruffin, black sesame strawberry croissants, and more.

jlpatisserie.com

Multiple locations

Locally owned and operated by Lisa Ford, Wild Sweet Williams has built its reputation on high quality baked goods and encouraging patrons to stay a while and enjoy what's being offered. The cinnamon rolls are especially notable (and voted the best in Arkansas). The bakery also offers breakfast and lunch, so you may as well just spend your whole day here and eat your way through the delicious, rotating menu.

wildsweetwilliams.com

(501) 593-5655

504 S Main St, Searcy, AR 72143

Noted by the New York Times as one of America's best bakeries, Gusto Bread first began as a home-based business for self-taught baker Arturo Enciso before expanding into a brick-and-mortar location in 2020. The pandanerie focuses on stone-milled grains, long fermentation, and ingredients native to the Americas. Gusto Bread has been written up in Food & Wine, the Los Angeles Times, Pastry Arts Mag, and has been nominated for multiple James Beard awards.

gustobread.com

(562) 343-1881

2710 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

If you find yourself in the Rocky Mountain State craving laminated pastry, you'll want to head to Taste of Denmark in Lakewood. The European-style bakery specializes in danishes, kringle, strudels, breads, and more. Available at a reasonable price, all scratch-made pastries are hot out of the oven and ready to go from 7 a.m. Wednesday to Sunday.

tasteofdenmarkco.com

(303) 987-8283

1901 S Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80227

Make time in your schedule to visit Kouign in Connecticut — the small-batch bakery is only open from Friday to Sunday, and only until everything is sold out. The menu changes regularly, and Kouign thrives on innovative flavors, with some notable creations including a spumoni danish with pistachio frangipane, cherry compote, and chocolate ganache, and a guava and cheese croissant.

kouignbakery.com

(203) 678-4646

600 N Colony Rd #11, Wallingford, CT 06492

A Puerto Rican-inspired bakery that was the brainchild of two sisters — Angie and Rous Robles — Sweet Sister's Fault has two locations in Milford and Seaford. The bakery offers staples like cakes, cheesecakes, and brownies, but also offers customers desserts inspired by the sisters' heritage, including tres leches, flan, and quesito, a cream cheese-filled pastry.

instagram.com/sistersfault

Multiple locations

Beginning as a home-based business selling at farmer's markets and pop-up events in 2014, Taissa Rebroff later launched Buttermilk Bakery as a brick-and-mortar shop in 2016 — and has earned raves. The family-run bakery offers both sweet and savory creations and unique creations that combine high and low elements to traditional pastry-making, like a guava cheesecake pop tart and a salty malty financier.

buttermilk-bakery.com

(321) 422-4015

1198 N Orange Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

The only vegan bakery on this list, Flour + Time has earned its spot. The bakery began out of co-owners Michael and Leah's home after they lost their jobs in 2020. It has since expanded into a storefront location serving up delicious plant-based pastries. The menu has all of the classics like cinnamon rolls, croissants, and donuts, as well as an assortment of gluten-free treats.

flourandtimebakery.com

(470) 368-6588

1133 Huff Rd NW Suite F, Atlanta, GA 30318

The Honolulu institution has been around since 1952 and is still going strong today. The most famous offering is the malasada, a Portuguese fried pastry that's similar to a donut.

Leonard's declares itself Hawaii's original malasada bakery. Also on the menu are pies, cookies, muffins, and cakes, as well as pao doce, butter mochi, and more.

leonardshawaii.com

(808) 737-5591

933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

Sunshine Spice Cafe is an Afghan-inspired family-run bakery that fuses American bakery staples with Middle Eastern flavors. The shop is run by four sisters, including one James Beard award semifinalist. Some notable treats are the pistachio baklava and Turkish bagels, as well as any of the drinks, which use ingredients like saffron as flavoring.

instagram.com/sunshine_spice__cafe

Multiple locations

One of Chicago's oldest bakeries, Weber's Bakery has been in operation since 1930. Six days a week, customers can enjoy some of Chicago's finest at Weber's, including donuts, cheesecakes, bear claws, pretzels, cookies, and more. In terms of cake, Weber's is prized for providing truly delicious creations for any event, with an old-school charm that's just as delicious as it was nearly a century ago.

webersbakery.com

(773) 586-1234

7055 W Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638

Established in 1955, Long's Bakery knows a thing or two about the donuts for which it's famous. The company has two locations in Indianapolis, both specializing in the scratch-made baking of cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and more.

It is cash-only, so be sure your wallet is stuffed (before you stuff your face, of course). The award-winning family-owned bakery has been called one of the best bakeries by Food & Wine and has been featured in Thrillist and Martha Stewart.

longsbakery.com

Multiple locations

Founded all the way back in 1898 by Dutch immigrants, Jaarsma Bakery has since become an Iowa institution, moving to its current location in Pella, Iowa, in 1948. The bakery specializes in authentic Dutch treats, like the famed Dutch letters, speculaas (spice cookies), and boter koek (almond butter cake). Even the staff are outfitted in adorable, Dutch-inspired uniforms.

jaarsmabakery.com

Multiple locations

French pastries and donuts are what's on deck at Blackhole Bakery, including unique croissants flavors and mochi donuts, a new specialty. Opening in 2020, the bakeshop has quickly made a name for itself among Kansas City dwellers, thanks to its delicious treats. The shop works on a first come-first serve basis, which means the goodies sell out quickly.

blackholebakery.com

(816) 885-6836

5531 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110

Family owned and operated, European Delights Bakery was developed by two Soviet-era immigrants, who opened the bakery in 2010. If you're looking for laminated pastry, here's where to go.

The store offers cinnamon rolls, croissants, danishes, turnovers, and bear claws, as well as cakes, cookies, pies, scones, and muffins. Italian delights are also available, like cannolis and tiramisu.

europeandelightsbakery.com

(859) 271-7000

221 E Brannon Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356

Voted the best King Cake in New Orleans in 2024 by NOLA.com, Ayu Bakehouse has also popped up in many notable publications. The modern-style bakery offers both sweet and savory dishes, as well as lunch. In addition to the afore-mentioned King Cake, we're also dying to try other confections like the kaya bun — a laminated pastry filled with a coconut pandan custard — and satsuma creamsicle tartlet.

ayubakehouse.com

(504) 302-7985

801 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117

A can't-miss bakery you have to drop by the next time you're in Maine, ZUBakery's reputation is one that's well deserved. Founded in 2000 as a business selling baked goods at markets, it wasn't until 2022 that ZUBakery got its own shop.

In 2024, owner Barak Olins received a James Beard Award for his efforts. The business specializes in bread, pastries, and coffee, with different baked goods appearing on different days — and at different times.

zubakery.com

(207) 409-0117

81 Clark St, Portland, ME 04102

This from-scratch, rustic bakehouse began in 2017 and offers a weekly rotating menu to keep customers coming back. Focusing on seasonal flavors and local ingredients, Deb's is a beloved staple of the Maryland bakery scene.

Some must-try dishes are the King Banana Pie, honey butter biscuit with peach jam, and many more. The shop is only open Thursday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. or until everything sells out — which it does often, so go now!

debsartisanbakehouse.com

(240) 409-9171

402 W Green St, Middletown, MD 21769

If you're in the mood for baklava — and happen to be in Massachusetts — you'll want to make a trip to Yafa Bakery & Cafe in Somerville. The Palestinian bakery has a solid reputation for turning out the best baklava in the state, along with the widest variety.

Currently obsessed with Dubai chocolate? This shop makes plenty of treats featuring knafeh, that crunchy-sweet layer of phyllo pastry found inside.

yafabakerycafe.com

(617) 616-5310

594 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Hinkley Bakery offers old-school charm, from its early hours (it opens at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday) to its cash-only business. In operation since 1913, the scratch-made bakery is most beloved for its handmade donuts, specifically the Chocolate Crescent, which is partly to blame for the lineups that stretch outside the door and around the building.

facebook.com/hinkleybakery

(517) 782-1122

700 S Blackstone St, Jackson, MI 49203

A surefire way to verify that you're one of the best bakeries? Be named as having the best cinnamon rolls in the world.

Isles Bun & Coffee received just that distinction in 2024. But if cinnamon rolls aren't your thing, don't worry. Puppy dog tails (the twisted ends of the cinnamon roll), brownies, scones, cookies, and more are stocked on this scratch-bakery's shelves.

islesbun.com

(612) 870-4466

1424 W 28th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

The simple name of this family-run bakery doesn't give away that inside you'll find Southern, French, and Vietnamese sweets. Opened in 2002, the humble bakery has been voted best bakery and best Vietnamese restaurant multiple years in a row by the community. Fans say must-tries are the breads, turnovers, and banh mi sandwiches — and the famous King Cake, a Mardi Gras must-try if you're around for the season.

facebook.com/LeBakeryBiloxi

(228) 436-0850

280 Oak St, Biloxi, MS 39530

In operation for over 100 years, Missouri Baking Co. has been crafted Italian confections and traditional European-style sweets since 1924. The long lineups show that even after a century, this bakery still knows a thing or two about baking some delicious cannolis.

Other notable treats include the vast array of cookies (particularly the amaretto ones), cream puffs, and much more.

instagram.com/missouribakingco

(314) 773-6566

2027 Edwards St, St. Louis, MO 63110

Ranked as Bozeman's Choice four years in a row, Wild Crumb is the culinary pursuit of twin sisters Caroline Schweitzer and Lauren Heemstra. The bakery focuses almost exclusively on local ingredients to craft its baked goods, which include breads, croissants, pies, tarts, and more, rotating on a regular basis to keep customers coming back for more. According to the owners, huckleberry scones are the sleeper hit among sweet-seekers.

wildcrumb.com

(406) 579-3454

600 N Wallace Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715

Advertising itself as "The Best Bakery in Pepperwood," Omaha-based bakery Le Petit Paris is a much-lauded French bakery that first opened in 2013 under French chef Cedric Fichepain. Le Petit Paris seeks to bring customers a little taste of the City of Light with the help of artisan bread, pure butter pastries, delicate tarts, and colorful macarons in traditional flavors like apricot, pistachio, and more.

lepetitparisfrenchbakery.com

(402) 934-7676

567 N 155th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68154

Nevada — Las Vegas in particular — has no shortage of bakeries to delight tourists and locals. Outside of the gambling haven, though, is Chef Flemming's Bakeshop.

Inspired by Danish heritage, the bakery offers an assortment of pastries and breads as well as custom-order cakes. Sold for a reasonable price, we recommend going authentic and checking out the princess cake.

instagram.com/chef.flemmings.bake.shop

(702) 566-6500

7 S Water St # B, Henderson, NV 89015

Baking from scratch since 2002, Old Village Bakery is still a family-owned and run operation that focuses on fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. In addition to a rotating schedule of freshly baked breads, the shop also offers daily scones, muffins, croissants — even pizza.

For a taste of something simple yet undeniably delicious, this is a must-visit.

oldvillagebakerynh.com

(603) 356-8989

50 Seavey St, North Conway, NH 03860

Founded in 2011 as a cake-only bakery, The Gingered Peach listened to its customers and expanded its repertoire (and changed its name) in 2014. Made from scratch with quality ingredients, customers who visit now can taste gooey cinnamon buns, butter pound cake, and the intriguing-sounding goat cheese brownie.

The next step for self-taught baker Joanne Canady-Brown? Ice cream, at a shop across the street called Melba's.

thegingeredpeach.com

(609) 896-5848

2 Gordon Ave, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

Enjoy a taste of 'pain tradition' at Sage Bakehouse, where bread is hand-formed, naturally leavened, slowly fermented, and baked in a French stone oven. The work of Andreé Falls, this bakery really appreciates the craftsmanship of the creations, focusing on flavor versus appearance, which has a homey appeal. Savory bakes abound, with sandwiches and tartines alongside muffins, tarts, and croissants.

sagebakehouse.com

(505) 820-7243

535 Cerrillos Rd C, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Trying to determine the best bakery in New York is a near-impossible task. With so many options, how could one even begin to choose?

We settled on a donut shop for the purposes of this list. Fan-Fan Doughnuts comes from Fany Gerson, who also opened the popular Dough. The shop bakes small-batch donuts throughout the day in crave-worthy flavors like Mango Lassi, Yuzu Meringue, Milk & Cookies, and many more, including exclusive collaborations with other foodie-minded friends.

fan-fandoughnuts.com

(347) 533-7544

448 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Beginning as a humble three-person operation in 2013, Boulted Bread has since grown into a triple threat: bakery, mill, and coffee shop. The breads, naturally, are the standout, with the grits bread and rye loaf noted by various publications as must-tries when in town. Other notable goodies are the croissants, morning buns, turnovers, and pasteis de nata, a Portuguese treat you have to try at least once.

boultedbread.com

328 Dupont Cir, Raleigh, NC 27603

Nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Bakery in 2024, this Fargo-based shop has been around since 2003. Written up in local and national news (including a featured spot on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"), it's as renowned for its tasty sweets as it is for its breathtaking, photo-ready tiered cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.

nicholesfinepastry.com

(701) 232-6430

13 8th St S, Fargo, ND 58103

A family-owned bakery offering Japanese-inspired French baked goods, this is the spot to go in Ohio if you like something sweet without a sugar overload. Everything is baked in-house from scratch per Japanese traditions. With menu items like the yuzu tart, matcha melon roll, and purple sweet potato dome, it's certainly earned its spot as one of the best bakeries in the country.

bellesbread.japanmarketplace.com

(614) 451-7110

1168 Kenny Centre Mall, Columbus, OH 43220

Baker Cat Cox approaches bread as one would wine, with attention paid to the terroir, as the flavor evolves depending on both time and place. (She even earned a 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker.) Country Bird Bakery sources all of its grains through nearby states to offer robust flavors as well as economical and ecological support. Some delish-looking menu options are the yuzu meringue danish, sumac cinnamon rolls, and many more.

countrybirdbakery.com

countrybirdbakerytulsa@gmail.com

1644 E 3rd St Unit B, Tulsa, OK 74120

For a taste of Japan in Oregon, look no further than Oyatsupan Bakers in Beaverton. Meticulously researched and crafted, the passion project of owner Hiroyuki Horie opened its doors in 2016.

Fan-favorite treats are the pillowy milk bread, melon pan, and the cult fave: the curry donut, which is stuffed with beef curry and fried every few hours. Grab a tray from the cafeteria-style setting and load up!

oyatsupan.com

(503) 941-5251

16025 SW Regatta Ln, Beaverton, OR 97006

A Philadelphia institution, Stocks Bakery has been going strong since 1924. Ever since, the bakery is famous for its long lines — especially on holidays — and its delectable iced pound cake (among other goodies, like fresh-baked donuts). If you're looking to sample the legendary cake, be sure your wallet is full — the bakery is a cash-only operation.

facebook.com/Stocksbakery

(215) 634-7344

2614 E Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

The sweet dream of Syrian immigrant Youssef Akhtarini, Aleppo Sweets is the go-to spot for baklava in Rhode Island, where the flaky dessert receives the proper authentic treatment. There are plenty of delicious savory dishes on the shop's menu, but the baklava is the heart and soul of Aleppo. The Syrian cafe and bakery also offers other traditional treats like bird's nests, baloria, ma'arook, and more.

alepposweets.com

(401) 533-9019

107 Ives St, Providence, RI 02906

Two locations of Hilton Head Social Bakery are in operation, and at both you'll find authentic French creations from award-winning Chef Phillipe Feret. Voted the best bakery in the state on Yelp, we've got our eye on the traditional French sweets like the pear tart, kouign-amann, and the intriguing diplomat banana bread. Everything is made in-house from scratch for the best flavor and quality.

hiltonheadsocialbakery.com

Multiple locations

A new kid on the block having just opened in 2024, The Sour is already baking a name for itself with local and national buzz. What began as a hobby for baker Peter Mitchell has turned into one of the best bakeries in the country with a focus on sourdough. Naturally, the breads are a hit, but so are the pastries, like croissants, cinnamon rolls, and a delightful Earl Grey blondie.

thesoursd.com

thesoursd@gmail.com

510 St Joseph St, Rapid City, SD 57701

You'll want a dozen of everything at this aptly-named bakery, which began in 2009 as a one-woman holiday cookie pop-up for founder Claire Meneely selling to farmer's markets. Now, Dozen is a brick-and-mortar operation selling more than cookies: breads, pastries, and a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and brunch are available. It's even been written up for having the best bread in the state, particularly the weekend-only baguettes.

dozen-nashville.com

(615) 712-8150

2522 Grandview Ave, Nashville, TN 37211

The creative sweets boutique and Black-owned micro-bakery comes from James Beard Award winner Clyde Greenhouse. The cookies are the standouts on the menu, alongside the cinnamon rolls known as Dallas' best (according to the website).

Some bakes are reserved only for weekends, like pop-tarts, banana bread, scones, and croissants, while others — like cookies, blondies, and brownies — are available every day. Not in Dallas? The bakery also ships its sweets with Goldbelly.

kesslerbakingstudio.com

(214) 948-7412

129 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

If you're in Utah and need a treat that's Instagram-ready, visit Fillings & Emulsions in Salt Lake City. The James Beard Award semifinalist shop is home to some seriously viral desserts that are, fortunately, as good as they look.

The show-stoppers are the trompe l'oeil desserts, designed to look like fruits and filled with delicious jams, curds, creams, and more. One spoonful and you'll see why this shop ranks as one of the state's best.

fillingsandemulsions.com

(385) 229-4228

1391 S 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Opened in 1990, Mirabelles Bakery has recently been sold but is still in operation with the same care and commitment to delicious treats. In fact, the bakery has been named the best in the state every year since 2006 by Seven Days, Vermont's largest independent newspaper. European-style pastries are the specialty here, as well as specialty cakes, pies, bars, and tarts.

mirabellesbakery.com

(802) 658-3074

3060 Williston Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403

Opened in 2012, Sub Rosa Bakery is the work of multi-time James Beard Award nominees and siblings Evrim and Evin Dogu. A fire in 2024 devastated the bakery, but the wood-fired shop reopened at the end of 2025 better than ever. The standout breads form the backbone of the bakery, but croissants, tarts, and borek (a Middle Eastern pastry made from layers of dough and savory fillings) are also worth a look — and a taste.

subrosabakery.com

(804) 788-7672

620 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223

A Seattle icon, Bakery Nouveau opened its first location in 2006 under the guidance of self-taught baker William Leaman and his wife, Heather. Now, the shop — and some of its treats, specifically — have received numerous accolades for creative endeavors, including forays into the world of chocolate and confections. Try some of the customer faves like the kugelhopf, carrot cake, and twice-baked croissants, a treat that's been sliced in half, dipped in simple syrup, filled, and topped with slivered almonds, almond cream, and powdered sugar.

bakerynouveau.com

Multiple locations

If you're looking for an all-beef hot dog, this isn't the place. However, if you're looking for the original hot dog pastry, you'll find it here, where it's been made from scratch since 1948.

This eclair-like treat is filled with whipped cream, dusted with powdered sugar, and is a favorite among the locals. For those not into cream-filled treats, the almost 80-year-old family-owned bakery also offers danishes, petit-fours, cakes, and more.

springhillpastry.com

(304) 768-7397

600 Chestnut St, Charleston, WV 25309

Founded in 1934, Bendtsen's Bakery is the oldest and most beloved bakery in Racine. Family-owned for multiple generations, the legendary shop is most well-known for its hand-rolled kringle, which it sells in multiple flavors like apple, apricot, cherry, pecan, and more. While the gigantic, one-of-a-kind Danish pastry is the most beloved of the bakery, other must-try treats include elephant ears, cinnamon rolls, and sweet rolls.

bendtsensbakery.com

(262) 633-0365

3200 Washington Ave, Racine, WI 53405

Step inside either of Persephone Bakery's two locations and be whisked away to France, in both ambience and menu. The family-run shop specializes in Parisian treats and Wyoming classics using local ingredients from nearby farms.

A James Beard Award semifinalist, the bakeries are stocked for breakfast and lunch, including carefully crafted coffees and, naturally, pastries. The baked goods do run out quickly, so we recommend stopping by early if you're in the area to sample some standouts like the cinnamon brioche and kouign-amann.

persephonebakery.com

Multiple locations