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
Source: Courtesy of Michael W. via Yelp
Acme Bread Company
> Location: Berkeley & San Francisco, CA
> Sample Specialty: Buckwheat meteil bread
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Source: Courtesy of Andrew D. via Yelp
Arizmendi
> Location: Berkeley & 4 other Bay Area locations
> Sample Specialty: Fig-fennel sourdough
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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Source: Courtesy of Anna G. via Yelp
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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Source: Courtesy of Karlo G. via Yelp
Bakery Nouveau
> Location: Seattle, WA
> Sample Specialty: Smoked salmon croissant
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Source: wdstock / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Source: Courtesy of Breadfarm via Facebook
Breadfarm
> Location: Bow, WA
> Sample Specialty: Hazelnut-espresso shortbread
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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
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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
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Source: Courtesy of Elmore Mountain Bread via Facebook
Elmore Mountain Bread
> Location: Wolcott, VT
> Sample Specialty: Foagie (focaccia-hoagie roll)
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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Source: Courtesy of Joy J. via Yelp
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
Source: Courtesy of Nizel A. via Yelp
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
Source: Courtesy of Lena J. via Yelp
Zingerman’s Bakehouse
> Location: Ann Arbor, MI
> Sample Specialty: Jewish rye bread
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