Where to find the best bakeries in Boston

What it is: Joanne Chang's popular Flour Bakery empire boasts multiple locations throughout the city, so you can satisfy those carb cravings just about wherever you may be. You’ll find cupcakes, tartlettes, pies, sticky buns, cookies and the decadent Tcho chocolate brownie.

Why we love it: This isn’t just a place for sweet treats. Sandwiches are made-to-order on fresh, delicious breads. For home bakers, keep an eye out for Flour’s calendar of classes, which cover everything from cake decorating to making the perfectly laminated croissant. They also ship many of their sweets and baking kits nationwide, in case you’ve got a hankering from afar.

Address: Multiple locations around Boston area.

Opening hours: View website for hours.

What it is: Known for their luscious babkas, this bakery has five spots (Brookline, Newton, Boston’s Quincy Market and Tremont Street, and Cambridge) to grab some of the best in town. Bakey was founded in September 2021 by James Beard Award–nominee Uri Scheft and Or Ohana, inspired by their love for babka, a sweet, braided bread from the Jewish communities of Europe.

Why we love it: From classic Babka to seasonal creations, they had a recent glow up but they still pump out these decadent treats with enthusiasm. Try the ChocoBanana Pecan, only available Thursdays through Sundays.

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: View website for hours.

What it is: Cambridge has been blessed with La Saison, a bakery that was originally opened and operating in Tehran, Iran. Its founder, Soheil Fathi, took his baking business with him when he moved to the United States with his family, setting up shop near Fresh Pond in 2020.

Why we love it: This spot’s stunning selection of loaves includes daily specials in addition to mainstays like its fig-walnut sourdough and a brioche so beautiful that it could make just about anyone cry. Not to be upstaged: classic French pastry offerings, like its pain au chocolat and palmier, an assortment of crunchy house-made crackers and feta-za'atar scones. And the Egg Bun, which is now a daily offerings. On Sundays, try the Brioche Frites, a Sicilian-style brioche filled with vanilla pastry cream and melts in your mouth in seconds. They’ve also have pizza, salads, sandwiches and soft serve. 

Address: 407 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Opening hours: 7am-3pm, except Sat. and Sun. until 4pm

What it is: This small, European-style bakery on the Allston-Brookline border specializes in authentic, fresh breads from France, Germany, and Italy - the German rye, soft pretzels and challah all hold their own next to baguettes, miche and rustic olive rolls.

Why we love it: Fruit tarts, scones and tea cakes are great options for a sweet treat. Morning buns and the baked currant donut are extremely popular and often sell out, while the chocolate chunk cookies may have the most accolades of any of their pastry offerings. Their freshly milled rye, whole wheat, and spelt flour is stone ground and locally sourced. 

Address: 178 Thorndike St, Brookline, MA 02446

Opening hours: Daily 8am-6pm except Sat. and Sun. 9am-6pm

What it is: Boston brunchers and bakery connoisseurs know that the South End is the place to be all weekend. The cafe offers fresh biscuits, muffins, scones, croissants and excellent coffee. For sweet treats, you'll find a tempting selection of cupcakes, cookies, sticky buns, and fudgy brownies.

Why we love it: Signature cupcakes like the Chocolate Salted Caramel and Carrot Cake are favorites with the locals, along with the country biscuit sandwich. They’re also open for brunch on Fridays, in addition to the weekend, as well as dinner until 9pm. There’s a second hopping location on Clarendon.

Address: 314 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Opening hours: Check website for hours.

What it is: Bova’s opened in the North End in 1932 and has remained a family-owned business ever since. Its customary Italian offerings include a wide range of breads—including seasonal varieties that are traditionally enjoyed around holidays like Easter—pastries, cookies, tarts, cakes and pies.

Why we love it: For something more substantial, try a calzone or slice of Sicilian pizza coming straight from the oven. Best of all, Bova’s is open 24 hours a day, so you can get that bakery fix at any time, day or night. 

Address: 134 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

What it is: If you’ve ever welcomed visitors to Boston, it’s likely you’ve waited in line at Mike’s for cannoli.  This beloved North End institution, which always has a line down the block, has more than 19 flavors including Nutella, Oreo and limoncello.

Why we love it: But if you’re not into these crunchy, creamy sweets, you really can’t go wrong with any of the biscotti, lobster tails, cream puffs or macaroons that fill Mike's display cases. There are three other locations besides than the North End – one in Cambridge, one in the TDGarden, and one in Somerville.

Address: Various locations.

Opening hours: Check website for hours.

What it is: Tatte has taken over Boston, and it’s not hard to understand why. Each cafe has a warm, welcoming vibe that’s perfect for chatting with friends over coffee or enjoying a quiet morning with the paper.

Why we love it: Enjoy freshly baked, European-style pastries, cookies, pains au chocolat, kouign amanns, croissants and more. The Shakshuka is well known for when you want a little more than bakery treats. The Brookline location (the company’s first local) features an open kitchen where you can watch the bakers at work.

Address: Various locations.

Opening hours: Check website for hours.

What it is: If you dream of fresh loaves of Irish soda bread, this Adams Village institution is the place to be. Named after owner’s Dermot Quinn’s “Greenhills”, his home in County Offaly, Ireland, this is the perfect spot to pull up a chair and take a seat, and enjoy your baked goods as you listen for an Irish accent in the background. (It’s likely you’ll hear one.)

Why we love it: A beloved piece of Dorchester and history (it’s a tribue to Granny Murphy and the wonderful brown bread she would make), Greenhills’ offerings really run the gamut: from homemade pies to a midday sandwich or salad, they’ve got everything you could need - Traditional Irish breads and scones, hand-made cookies, soups, sandwiches, and freshly baked pies.

Address: 780 Adams St, Dorchester, MA

Opening hours: Daily 6am-3pm

What it is: This family-owned neighborhood bakery crafts high-quality breads and pastries from organic, hand-selected ingredients. Enjoy freshly baked loaves, macarons, pies, filled brioche and more.

Why we love it: Their rustic breads are legendary with locals, as are their morning pastries (their quiches are decadent slices of heaven). Watch all of these carb-heavy creations being made in the open kitchen. They also offer soups, salads and sandwiches, as well as a selection of wine, liquor and beer. 

Address: 208 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm; Sat. 8am-5pm; Sun. 8am-4pm

What it is: The owners of Diesel Café and Bloc Cafe wanted to serve their own baked goods, so they expanded upon their Somerville operations and opened Forge Baking Company.

Why we love it: Stop by this old brick warehouse and choose from a full range of artisanal bagels and breads, as well as sweet treats like scones, pies and ice cream. It has a full coffee bar and also sells a number of provisions and products from fellow local businesses—from fresh pastas and spice blends, to even flowers. They also frequently offer bread making classes, so you can learn the craft yourself.

Address: 626 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Opening hours: Daily 7am-6pm

What it is: Oleana and Sarma’s casual sibling is a great spot for Mediterranean dishes and baked goods. Even the name itself (Turkish for a special table prep of food or a small square Kilim rug for eating) is all about grabbing a tasty bite.

Why we love it: In addition to gözleme, shawarma and börek, you’ll find a whole selection of baked Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese treats. Pita and za’atar breads are made fresh. Sweets run the gamut from Raspberry Rose Turnovers to Bittersweet Chocolate Tahini Tarts. Indulge in cakes and other treats like the tahini-brown butter donut (only available on weekends), almond rose cake and chocolate hazelnut baklava.

Address: 1 Belmont St. Cambridge, MA 02138 and 210 North Harvard St. Boston, MA 02134

 Opening hours: Daily 8am-5pm

What it is: This Somerville spot gets rave reviews for its handmade baked goods featuring local flavors.

Why we love it: Not to be missed are the signature fluffy, chewy English muffins available in multiple varieties, including the classic plain, anadama, oat sesame and French toast. Get a hot one slathered in homemade jam or take a four-pack home to enjoy later.

Address: 222 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Opening hours: Daily 8am-1pm

What it is: It’s nearly impossible to pick just one bakery in Chinatown. However, it’s not hard to understand why you’ll find a line streaming out the door of Corner Cafe Bakery on Harrison Avenue on a Friday night.

Why we love it: Their pastries are top of the line, and serve as the perfect nightcap after a dinner out in Chinatown. Stock up on their baby bundts, lemon bars, cinnamon cream cake, and cream cheese brownies.

Address: 62 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

Opening hours: Daily 6:30am-9:30pm

What it is: Part of the North End’s historical feud with Mike’s, Modern Pastry has a loyal following amongst pastry lovers, who have been flocking to this destination for sweet Italian specialties for close to 100 years. The newest location is in Medford.

Why we love it: American classics like cheesecake and Boston cream cupcake are popular, too. But if you're coming here, you definitely want to stick to the North End basics, like tiramisu, cannoli and sfogliatelle. Don't forget to grab a dozen biscotti, pignoli cookies or macaroons to take home or to dip into a frothy cappuccino made at this family-owned spot's espresso bar. (Pro tip: There’s an underground dining room in the original North End location).

Address: 257 & 263 Hanover St. Boston, MA 02113 and 20 Salem St. Medford, MA 02155

Opening hours: Check website for hours.

What it is: With sister stores throughout coastal Greece, Athan’s is a true authority when it comes to the European- and Mediterranean-inspired specialties that it serves.

Why we love it: Come to this elegant cafe and find drool-worthy indulgences including delicate cakes, sticky sweet baklava, handmade chocolates, pastries, cookies and gelato. As a bonus, this place is open late, which means you can grab baked goods whenever the mood strikes you.

Address: 1621 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446

Opening hours: Daily 7:30am-10pm