Whether you’re in the mood for a flaky croissant, a gigantic chocolate chip cookie or a warm slice of pie you have your go-to Long Island bakery. But what about your go-to vacation bakery? Stepping into a good bakery is the adult version of being a kid in a candy shop. Here are nine cities every bakery lover should visit.
Boston, Massachusetts
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Boston with its cobblestone streets steeped in American history is a city to fall in love with on sight. Especially its bakeries. I dare you to walk through the North End neighborhood without stopping in one. Try Modern Pastry for old world charm and don’t miss Joanne Chang’s Flour Bakery where the motto is “eat dessert first.”
Concord, North Carolina
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Home to more bakeries per capita than almost anywhere else in the country, historic Concord, North Carolina just outside of Charlotte is where to head if you’re a lover of cheese straws (a traditional Southern treat of cheese, butter and flour shaped into straws). It’s a sweet meets savory must-have. Pulse Pick: Ritchie Hill Bakery.
Kansas City, Missouri
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The Midwestern city has become a must-visit in the past few years whether it’s for the music scene, barbeque or arts. And bakery fans will find much to rave about. There’s the rainbow selection of perfectly baked macaroons at Sasha’s Baking Co, the unusual flavor combinations like blackberry peach muffin at Scratch Bakery and the beignets at Beignet that will have you thinking you’re in New Orleans.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee downtown skyline at Cumberland River. image: alex grichenko
Barbecue is what you probably think of when you think Nashville but the electric city has plenty to offer in the form of bakeries. Head to Gigi’s for cupcakes, Sweet 16th for basically anything delicious and don’t forget to catch some live music at the Blue Bird.
New Orleans, Louisiana
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Life seems to slow in New Orleans. Meals can last for hours, ideal for savoring a beignet over some hickory coffee. The fried fitters served with powdered sugar are the Crescent City classic. Try one at Café Du Monde, after all no trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the famous spot.
Newport Beach, California
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LA and San Francisco normally get all the bakery love but Newport Beach is home to 5.35 bakeries per capita meaning there’s plenty for sweet tooth’s to try and fall in love with. Order a marble cake, vanilla pound cake with chocolate swirls and chocolate glaze icing, from Susie Cakes.
New York, New York
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No list of cities for bakery lovers would be complete without New York. Nutella milk bread, torched to order frozen s’mores, made-to-order madeleines, you can find all those treats at Dominique Ansel. Densely gooey cookies? It’s got to be Levain Bakery. If that doesn’t have you checking the LIRR schedules, there’s something wrong with you.
Providence, Rhode Island
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The tiny city in the United States’ smallest state has a bustling bakery scene. Here, you’ll find traditional Italian sweets on the North side of the city, get a cannoli at Scialo Bros. Bakery, and bakeries throughout the city using fresh, local ingredients. Bread fans can’t miss Seven Stars Bakery.
Seattle, Washington
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Forget the coffee; okay grab a cup it is Seattle, but afterwards focus on the sweets. Have you ever had sourdough Pain de champagne? You need to and you can get it at Columbia City Bakery. Chocolate lovers can’t miss the double baked chocolate croissants at Bakery Nouveau and if you’re picky about your treats, the husband and wife team behind La Parisienne will custom bake you basically anything.