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.)
Click here to see America’s best bakeries and their specialties
Acme Bread Company
> Location: Berkeley & San Francisco, CA
> Sample Specialty: Buckwheat meteil bread
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Arizmendi
> Location: Berkeley & 4 other Bay Area locations
> Sample Specialty: Fig-fennel sourdough
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Avalon International Breads
> Location: Detroit, MI
> Sample Specialty: Vegan granola bars
b. patisserie
> Location: San Francisco, CA
> Sample Specialty: Kouign amann
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Babette’s Bakery
> Location: Longmont, CO
> Sample Specialty: Oatmeal porridge loaf
Bakery Lorraine
> Location: San Antonio & Austin, TX
> Sample Specialty: Opéra cake
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Bakery Nouveau
> Location: Seattle, WA
> Sample Specialty: Smoked salmon croissant
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Balthazar Bakery
> Location: New York City, NY
> Sample Specialty: Cranberry raisin pecan bread
Bien Cuit
> Location: New York City & Brooklyn, NY
> Sample Specialty: Preserved lemon & shallot focaccia
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Boulted Bread
> Location: Raleigh, NC
> Sample Specialty: Jam pinwheel
Breadfarm
> Location: Bow, WA
> Sample Specialty: Hazelnut-espresso shortbread
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The Buttery ATL
> Location: Atlanta, GA
> Sample Specialty: German chocolate brownies
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CH Pâtisserie
> Location: Sioux Falls, SD
> Sample Specialty: Snickerdoodle macaron
Continental Bakery
> Location: Birmingham, AL
> Sample Specialty: Apple galette
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Dominique Ansel Bakery
> Location: New York City, NY
> Sample Specialty: The original Cronut
Dutch Maid Bakery
> Location: Tracy City, TN
> Sample Specialty: Red velvet cake
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Elmore Mountain Bread
> Location: Wolcott, VT
> Sample Specialty: Foagie (focaccia-hoagie roll)
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Hewn
> Location: Evanston, IL
> Sample Specialty: Polenta, pumpkin seed, & rosemary bread
Levee Baking Co.
> Location: New Orleans, LA
> Sample Specialty: Spiced buttermilk muffin
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Manresa Bread
> Location: Los Gatos, Campbell, Los Altos, and Palo Alto, CA
> Sample Specialty: Blackberry rye scone
Nana’s Bakery & Pizza
> Location: Mystic, CT
> Sample Specialty: Cacio e pepe sourdoughnut (made to order)
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Proof Bakery
> Location: Los Angeles, CA
> Sample Specialty: Tanini chocolate tea cake
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Seylou
> Location: Washington, D.C.
> Sample Specialty: Einkorn & corn cake
Squarz Bakery & Café
> Location: Tempe & Scottsdale, AZ
> Sample Specialty: Spinach & feta mini-pie
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Standard Baking Co.
> Location: Portland, ME
> Sample Specialty: Pistachio shortbread
Sub Rosa Bakery
> Location: Richmond, VA
> Sample Specialty: Fig and cheese croissant
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Sullivan Street Bakeery
> Location: New York City, NY, & Miami, FL
> Sample Specialty: Olive oil cake
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Tartine Bakery
> Location: San Francisco Bay Area; Santa Monica & Los Angeles, CA; Seoul, South Korea
> Sample Specialty: Country sourdough loaf
Weber’s Bakery
> Location: Chicago, IL
> Sample Specialty: Buttermilk pound cake
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Zak the Baker
> Location: Miami, FL
> Sample Specialty: Honey challah
Zingerman’s Bakehouse
> Location: Ann Arbor, MI
> Sample Specialty: Jewish rye bread
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