The East Bay is home to some great restaurants of all kinds. From ethnic cuisine to high-end restaurants, Berkeley has its fair share of great selections in almost every restaurant category. Sometimes though, a pastry, cake, or cupcake is about the only thing that seems to hit the spot. Don’t worry. Berkeley’s culinary excellence extends to its bakeries. Check out the list below to see some of my picks for the best bakeries in town. Did your favorite not make the cut? Do you know a new gem that deserves a spot on the list?
Email me and let me know!
Masse cakes
Masse’s is perhaps best known for its delicious and beautiful macarons, which come in various colors and flavors. However, this is not all they have to offer, and the variety of creative and beautifully prepared cakes and pastries is worth going back to again and again. If you need to order a cake for a special event, Masse’s is a great option, but be sure to call ahead and make sure they have plenty of notice.
Fournee Bakery
For several years, I worked a few doors down from Bread Garden Bakery and often enjoyed what it had to offer. Like many others, I was saddened to hear that it was closing down and was a bit skeptical about the new bakery that would be coming to replace it. Fortunately, Fournee Bakery has turned out to be excellent. While it doesn’t have the same mood or offerings that Bread Garden Bakery had, it’s great in its own right. Better yet, serve pizza five days a week! If you’re in the neighborhood or a fan of the old bakery that still hasn’t managed to overcome that loyalty, come on in, it’s really worth a visit.
Dulce Adeline Bakeshop
Sweet Adeline is open daily and serves a variety of sweet and savory treats. The tasty options mean anytime is worth a visit, not just for a morning cake or the occasional afternoon treat. They also serve sandwiches for lunch and a variety of drinks. In other words, it’s a great place for a full meal rather than just grabbing a cookie or croissant to go. They also sell whole cakes, some of which are seasonal, so they’re a great option if you need a fancy and tasty last-minute dessert for a party or event.
La Farine Bakery (Berkeley location)
Solano Avenue is known for its exceptionally good stores, and La Farine Bakery is no exception. Some of the prices may seem a bit high, but the products are worth it. They manage to be tasty and beautiful. The flavors here tend to be solid, classic flavors rather than the sometimes wacky and experimental options you can find at other bakeries in the area. However, this is not a bad thing: sometimes the classics, perfectly executed, are exactly what hits the spot. While they previously made wedding cakes, this is no longer the case, so don’t count on being able to order one from this particular bakery.
Hopkins Street Bakery
Hopkins Street Bakery, located in that charming cluster of stores on Hopkins Street, changed ownership a few years ago. While some say the quality has dropped noticeably, I think it’s as good as ever and therefore deserves a spot on this list! They have a wide selection of cakes, pastries, cookies, and breads available for immediate purchase. For special occasions and events, such as weddings, you can order custom cakes made with high-quality ingredients and fresh fruit from the nearby Monterey Market.
Nabolom Collective Bakery
If you’re vegan or need (or just prefer) to avoid gluten, but can’t give up on delicious baked goods, Nabolom Collective Bakery is the place to go! They have quite a few gluten free or vegan treats and even a few selections that are both. If your dietary options are more open, there are plenty of traditional bakery options too – you won’t be limited to just vegan or gluten-free selections. Thanks to its location in the charming Elmwood neighborhood, you’ll also have plenty of window shopping options as you stroll enjoying your baked goods.
Love at first bite
Love at First Bite is one of those quaint little cute places that you can live in the area for years without knowing it. It’s hidden a bit, just enough that you won’t see it unless you’re looking specifically for it. That being said, it is worth looking for. The baked goods here are absolutely delicious, and the flavors tend to be creative but not over the top. The selection is more limited than in many other bakeries; You will find yourself choosing primarily from a variety of cupcakes and cake slices.
The flavors available change daily, which means there’s always a good reason to stop by if you’re in the area.
La Bedaine
La Bedaine is more than just a bakery. It also offers some great options for heavier meals, including French favorites like ratatouille, beef bourguignon, and coq au vin. However, in addition to these hearty dishes, you will also find several baked options that tend to follow the overall French theme of the restaurant. Your options will include, for example, a pain au chocolat, a poached pear tart, or a chocolate éclair.
Sconehenge
If you’re like me, you may be more familiar with Sconehenge as a store-bought brand of buns and bun mixes than a full bakery (and restaurant!) In its own right. If you are in the mood for a great Mexican breakfast, this is the place to come. That might not be what you would generally expect to eat at a company restaurant so well known (and named) for its buns, but somehow buns and great Mexican breakfast food go a lot better together than you might think.
Vital Vittles
Vital Vittles focuses more on the breads than the cakes, pastries and muffins that you can find in many other bakeries in the area. If that is what you are looking for, this is the perfect place to go. The breads here are made from organic whole grains with high-quality ingredients. That attention to detail explains the great taste of bread and why you can easily find it in many stores in the Bay Area.
