Home

 › 

Food

 › 

America’s Best Bakeries and Their Specialties

America’s Best Bakeries and Their Specialties

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread. Walking into a bakery can cause a pleasing sensory overload, with the aroma of browning crusts, buttery pastries, and toasted seeds filling the air, while piles of rolls, danishes, and other specialties entice the eyes. 

The term “bakery” can denote a purveyor of breads, pastries, cookies, and cakes, or many other delicacies. But no matter the wares, if you’re at an esteemed bakery, they’re bound to be something special. Here is the best bakery in every state.

To determine the 32 best bakeries in America, 24/7 Tempo arrived at an informal consensus based on awards and accolades, ratings, and our editorial discretion, consulting articles and rankings on a variety of sites, including Eater, Food & Wine, Thrillist, Time Out, Gotham Magazine, Mashed, and Business Insider, as well as numerous local and regional sources. We focused on bakeries known for their breads, pastries, muffins, etc. 

From wood-fired brick oven bakeries that specialize in slowly-fermented sourdough loaves made from freshly milled grains to French style patisseries that are famous for their flaky kouign amann and tarte tatin featuring local fruit, these bakeries stand out above their competitors. 

They are spread throughout the country, from Seattle to Miami, with a few hot spots, including the San Francisco Bay area, which is home to five of the best bakeries in the U.S., while four are based in New York City. Bagel bakeries and cake, donut, or pie specialists aren’t included, although some bakeries do make these items in addition to their usual spread of goods. (Pie fans, we’ve got you covered. Here is the best pie shop in every state.

Source: Courtesy of Michael W. via Yelp

Acme Bread Company
> Location: Berkeley & San Francisco, CA
> Sample Specialty: Buckwheat meteil bread

Source: Courtesy of Andrew D. via Yelp

Arizmendi
> Location: Berkeley & 4 other Bay Area locations
> Sample Specialty: Fig-fennel sourdough

Source: digdowntowndetroit / Flickr

Avalon International Breads
> Location: Detroit, MI
> Sample Specialty: Vegan granola bars

Source: fri13th / Flickr

b. patisserie
> Location: San Francisco, CA
> Sample Specialty: Kouign amann

Source: Courtesy of Anna G. via Yelp

Babette’s Bakery
> Location: Longmont, CO
> Sample Specialty: Oatmeal porridge loaf

Source: prayitnophotography / Flickr

Bakery Lorraine
> Location: San Antonio & Austin, TX
> Sample Specialty: Opéra cake

Source: Courtesy of Karlo G. via Yelp

Bakery Nouveau
> Location: Seattle, WA
> Sample Specialty: Smoked salmon croissant

Source: wdstock / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Balthazar Bakery
> Location: New York City, NY
> Sample Specialty: Cranberry raisin pecan bread

Source: scaredykat / Flickr

Bien Cuit
> Location: New York City & Brooklyn, NY
> Sample Specialty: Preserved lemon & shallot focaccia

Source: multi-modal / Flickr

Boulted Bread
> Location: Raleigh, NC
> Sample Specialty: Jam pinwheel

Source: Courtesy of Breadfarm via Facebook

Breadfarm
> Location: Bow, WA
> Sample Specialty: Hazelnut-espresso shortbread

Source: Courtesy of The Buttery ATL via Facebook

The Buttery ATL
> Location: Atlanta, GA
> Sample Specialty: German chocolate brownies

Source: Courtesy of Franny S. via Yelp

CH Pâtisserie
> Location: Sioux Falls, SD
> Sample Specialty: Snickerdoodle macaron

Source: Courtesy of Caitlin P. via Yelp

Continental Bakery
> Location: Birmingham, AL
> Sample Specialty: Apple galette

Source: Bettina Buck / iStock via Getty Images

Dominique Ansel Bakery
> Location: New York City, NY
> Sample Specialty: The original Cronut

Source: Courtesy of Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe via Facebook

Dutch Maid Bakery
> Location: Tracy City, TN
> Sample Specialty: Red velvet cake

Source: Courtesy of Elmore Mountain Bread via Facebook

Elmore Mountain Bread
> Location: Wolcott, VT
> Sample Specialty: Foagie (focaccia-hoagie roll)

Source: Courtesy of Hewn via Facebook

Hewn
> Location: Evanston, IL
> Sample Specialty: Polenta, pumpkin seed, & rosemary bread

Source: Courtesy of Levee Baking Co. via Facebook

Levee Baking Co.
> Location: New Orleans, LA
> Sample Specialty: Spiced buttermilk muffin

Source: cityfoodsters / Flickr

Manresa Bread
> Location: Los Gatos, Campbell, Los Altos, and Palo Alto, CA
> Sample Specialty: Blackberry rye scone

Source: Courtesy of Michael U. via Yelp

Nana’s Bakery & Pizza
> Location: Mystic, CT
> Sample Specialty: Cacio e pepe sourdoughnut (made to order)

Source: Courtesy of Proof Bakery via Facebook

Proof Bakery
> Location: Los Angeles, CA
> Sample Specialty: Tanini chocolate tea cake

Source: Courtesy of Seylou via Facebook

Seylou
> Location: Washington, D.C.
> Sample Specialty: Einkorn & corn cake

Source: Courtesy of Squarz Bakery & Café via Yelp

Squarz Bakery & Café
> Location: Tempe & Scottsdale, AZ
> Sample Specialty: Spinach & feta mini-pie

Source: Courtesy of Jason M. via Yelp

Standard Baking Co.
> Location: Portland, ME
> Sample Specialty: Pistachio shortbread

Source: Courtesy of Karina M. via Yelp

Sub Rosa Bakery
> Location: Richmond, VA
> Sample Specialty: Fig and cheese croissant

Source: Courtesy of Joy J. via Yelp

Sullivan Street Bakeery
> Location: New York City, NY, & Miami, FL
> Sample Specialty: Olive oil cake

Source: jenly / Flickr

Tartine Bakery
> Location: San Francisco Bay Area; Santa Monica & Los Angeles, CA; Seoul, South Korea
> Sample Specialty: Country sourdough loaf

Source: Courtesy of Nizel A. via Yelp

Weber’s Bakery
> Location: Chicago, IL
> Sample Specialty: Buttermilk pound cake

Source: jakesjunk / Flickr

Zak the Baker
> Location: Miami, FL
> Sample Specialty: Honey challah

Source: Courtesy of Lena J. via Yelp

Zingerman’s Bakehouse
> Location: Ann Arbor, MI
> Sample Specialty: Jewish rye bread

To top