Ok Raleigh, if you’re a local and love all things bakery related, or if you’re visiting Raleigh from out of town and searching on your phone for “best Raleigh bakeries near me”, start with this curated list below.
With the expert help of our kids who are our chief researchers when it comes to all things baked goods, we’ve been indulging in sweet and savory pastries, cookies, cupcakes and breads from the best bakeries Raleigh has to offer, and all locally owned.
Yes, we will be adding to this list of where to find the best bakery in Raleigh as we explore more of Wake County, but for now, this is a great start!
Boulted Bread
Listen up bread and pastry lovers. Boulted Bread is that chic, local neighborhood bakery you’ve been craving that features pastries and loaves of bread made with local and organic grains.
Located just outside the western boundary of the Warehouse District, this is one of the most popular Raleigh bakeries with Raleighites (locals) serving craft bread and pastries ranging from their popular flaky croissants, to sweet fruit-filled tarts, and savory breakfast quiches and morning buns.
You can expect phenomenal artisan bread and sweet and savory pastries created in a bright, rustic bakery that might be small in size but is big on quality and run by passionate locals.
Popular items:
The Morning Bun. Chocolate Croissants. Nordic Rye Bread. Seeded Levain bread. And the staff favorite is the Baguette.
Pop in and grab something to go then head to one of our favorite neighborhoods in Raleigh, the Warehouse District.
They do decent coffee here, too. Keep in mind this place is apopular and gets busy, especially on the weekends – arrive close to opening time for the freshest goods and a seat.
Yellow Dog Bread Company
Yellow Dog Bread Company is a coffee shop and Raleigh bakery specializing in handmade artisan breads and southern influenced pastries in another of our favorite areas in downtown Raleigh, the North Person Street neighborhood.
Here you’ll find this small and local neighborhood bakery with fresh baked bread daily, croissants, rolls, sandwiches, cookies, cakes and coffee.
And in pre-pandemic times they had a cute seating area to meet with friends, looking forward to the days when that returns.
If you want to get your coffee and pastry fix whilst on N Person St, look no further than Yellow Dog Bread. This bakery is bright and welcoming offering a full coffee bar.
There’s plenty of parking or bike racks available. Either hang around or get a pastry and coffee to go and wander up and down Person Street or our favorite, Historic Oakwood.
Popular items:
Their bread. Almond croissants. Cranberry pecan scone. Sticky buns. Maple bacon scones. Crostinis. Chocolate chip scone. Homemade pop tarts. Iced chai vanilla latte.
La Farm Bakery
If you’re searching for a “Raleigh French bakery”, La Farm Bakery is a modern day boulangerie (French bakery) as opposed to a pastry shop.
We can’t currently travel to France during this pandemic (our daughter’s bucket list destination), but for the love of French style bread and pastries, put a stop at La Farm Bakery on your list of places to eat in Raleigh.
At this modern day Raleigh bakery, master baker Lionel Vatinet produces 15 different styles of bread (plus seasonal breads throughout the year) from a European-style hearth oven.
They have three locations in Cary, an easy drive from downtown Raleigh.
So if you’re looking for a bakery in Cary, stop in, grab a loaf to take home or pick up a pastry as you enjoy walking around. The original location at 4248 NW Cary Parkway also has an excellent cafe on site serving up breakfast, brunch, lunch/dinner and coffee.
If you visit the one in downtown Cary on W. Chatham Street, check out the cool mural on the backside of the building!
The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery
Got a sweet tooth and looking for tasty cupcakes in Raleigh? Look no further than the Cupcake Shoppe Bakery in Glenwood South.
This cozy and stylish of Raleigh bakeries whipps up bespoke cakes & cupcakes using fresh, high end, local ingredients.
They have daily cupcake flavors, we like the red velvet with cream cheese icing. Plus pastries and confections like cookies, croissants, cinnamon rolls, muffins, brownies and scones. Even the gluten free cupcakes are moist and delicious.
And if you have an upcoming celebration or event, they even create custom celebration cakes (2-3 days notice required).
They also have a coffee bar and proudly serve locally roasted Joe Van Gogh coffee and espresso.
Lucettegrace
When you’re right in downtown, check out the cute Lucettegrace cafe, a contemporary patisserie that specializes in sweet and savory breakfast pastries, and French inspired desserts and light lunches.
Located in a refurbished space on S. Salisbury Street and not far from the NC State Capitol building and Raleigh Convention Center, this eclectic, modern patisserie is led by chef/owner Daniel Benjamin.
After spending 15 years in some of the finest kitchens in the U.S., Daniel put down roots in Raleigh downtown to create a style of pastry built on tradition, but unique to Raleigh.
Most popular for their macaroons, but also cookies and inventive dessert pastries, plus traditional croissants, brownies, baguette’s, and sandwich bread loaf.
Also on the menu are soups, sandwiches, salads and coffee.
Union Special
Union Special is another popular full service cafe and Raleigh bakery located in the recently renovated Gateway Plaza off Capital Blvd.
They produce bread, sweet and savory pastries, cookies, and cafe fare.
Yes, it’s one of the most popular Raleigh bakeries but so much more! They have an evolving cafe menu serving breakfast and lunch, creative sandwiches, vegan options, a kids menu, coffee and even beer.
Most dishes at Union Special are made from scratch. And all the flours are sourced exclusively from Lindley Mills in Graham, NC.
Popular items:
Their top quality daily breads. The Union Egg Sandwich, Blue Corn Cookie, Vegan Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Note: currently only offering curbside pick up, and we suggest you order online ahead of time. We did a walk up order recently and the service was quite slow as they are dealing with many online orders and Doordash orders etc.
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