A good bakery is something to treasure. One of the the nicest things you can do is bring fresh doughnuts to your friends, family, and coworkers. I present this list to highlight real bakeries in the Twin Cities – and to save you from the horror of SuperMom'sTM and other industrial bakeries.
And if you're looking for a Krispy KremeTM franchise, don't bother – doughnuts from Mel-O-Glaze are so very much better. (Don't just take my word for it – read Dara Moskowitz's Doughnut Safari 2002 in the City Pages.)
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| bold: | bakeries or items I heartily recommend
* personal favorite |
plain text: | bakeries or items that are untried or average | italics: | bakeries or items I don't recommend | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | A Baker's Wife |
4200 28th Avenue S, Minneapolis
Prize-winning bakery: pastries, doughnuts, bars, cakes, pies, and more. Great fruit turnovers and the best cake doughnuts in town. |
| Big City Bagels |
Several locations
National chain: Bagels. |
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| Bellaria Bakery |
4430 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park
Upscale bakery: Croissants, scones, pastries, desserts, chocolate truffles (no breads). |
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| * | Birchwood Cafe |
3311 East 25th Street, Minneapolis
Cafe: Bread, scones, pastries, cookies, bars, pies, and other desserts. Everything here is wonderful, especially the carrot cake and the key lime pie. www.birchwoodcafe.com |
| Bittersweet Gluten Free Bakery |
2105 Cliff Road, Eagan
Specialty bakery: Gluten-free items only. www.bittersweetgf.com |
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| Bread & Chocolate |
867 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul
(at Victoria Ave.)
Outpost of Cafe Latte: Croissants, muffins, scones, pastries, cookies, brownies, bars, cakes. Also breakfast paninis and sandwiches. www.cafelatte.com/bread_chocolate.html |
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| Breadsmith |
1579 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul (at Snelling Ave.)
3939 West 50th Street, Edina Colonial Square, Wayzata Small chain bakery: Specialty breads, rolls, cornbread, cookies, scones, pastries, seasonal specialities. www.breadsmith.com |
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| Bruegger's Bagels |
Many locations
National chain: bagels, cookies, bars. www.brueggers.com |
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| Butter |
3544 Grand Ave. S., Minneapolis
Cafe: Muffins, scones, pastries, and biscuits. www.butterbakerycafe.com |
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| * | Cafe Finspang |
Midtown Global Market, Lake Street & Chicago Ave, Minneapolis
Bakery stand: Scandinavian pastries, cookies, desserts, lefsa. www.midtownglobalmarket.com |
| Cafe Latte |
850 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul
(at Victoria Ave.)
Cafe: Bread, scones, bars, and over-the top cakes and tortes. www.cafelatte.com |
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Cecil's Delicatessen |
651 Cleveland Avenue S, Saint Paul
(between Ford Blvd. & Summit Ave.)
Jewish deli: bread, matzoh, rugelach, cookies, pie, cake, apple strudel. www.cecilsdeli.com |
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| Connor's Bakery & Delicatessen |
5411 Penn Avenue S, Minneapolis
Classic bakery. |
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| * | Cupcake |
3338 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis
Coffee shop with soups, sandwiches, and upscale baked goods: bread, scones, croissants, cookies, bars, and, of course, wonderful cupcakes. |
| Danish Pastry Shop |
1193 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul
Classic bakery: Danish specialties, bread, doughnuts, pastries, bars, muffins, cakes. |
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| * | Don Pancho's Bakery |
140 Concord Street, Saint Paul
(between Wabasha and Robert St.)
Mexican self-serve bakery: sweet empanadas, budín de pan (bread-pudding cake), an amazing pastel de tres leches, galetas, y múcho más. |
| Edelweiss Bakery |
16186 Main Av SE, Prior Lake
Rolls, pastries, danishes, and more. www.edelweissbakery.net |
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| Einstein Brothers Bagels |
Several locations
Chain: Bagels, cookies, bars. www.einsteinbros.com |
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| El Burrito Mercado |
175 Concord Street, Saint Paul
Mexican grocery & deli: Mexican pastries, sweet empanadas, cookies, bread. www.elburritomercado.com |
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| Finnish Bistro |
2264 Como Ave, Saint Paul
Finnish-influenced cafe & bakery: doughnuts, bread (including pulla), cakes, pastries. This place is owned by Soile Anderson, the founder of the original "Taste of Scandinavia" bakeries. www.finnishbistro.com |
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| Fishman's Kosher Market & Deli |
4100 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park
Kosher deli with pareve baked goods: bread, pie, cake, strudel, mandelbread, challah, rugelach, kichel, sufganiyot (doughnuts), and more. www.fishmanskosher.com |
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| * | Franklin Street Bakery |
1020 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
Upscale bakery: pastries, muffins, scones, cookies, bars, artisan breads, specialty cakes, tarts, sandwich breads, and rolls. Also savory pastries and individual pizzas. www.franklinstreetbakery.com |
| French Meadow Bakery |
2610 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis
Vegetarian deli: bread, cookies, bars, cakes, desserts. www.frenchmeadow.com |
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| Great Harvest Bread Company |
Many locations
National chain with specialty breads. www.greatharvestmn.com |
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| * | Holy Land Deli |
2513 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis (at Lowry Ave.)
Midtown Global Market, Lake Street & Chicago Ave, Minneapolis Middle-Eastern deli: pita bread, baklava, pastries, other Middle-Eastern bread. (Note: Their hummos and gyros sandwiches are the best in town.) www.holylandbrand.com/index1.htm |
| Isles Bun & Coffee Company |
1422 West 28th Street, Minneapolis
Cafe: Cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, banana bread, pumpkin raisin bread, scones, turnovers (all untried by me, but they get rave reviews). |
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Jerabek's New Bohemian Coffeehouse |
63 Winifred Street W, Saint Paul
Bakery and cafe: Cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, kolaches, meat-filled pasties. www.jerabeks.com |
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| Joe's Bakery |
459 5th Ave, South Saint Paul
Classic bakery: doughnuts, cookies, pastries, cakes. |
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| * | Keefer Court |
326 Cedar Avenue S, Minneapolis
(at Riverside Ave)
Chinese bakery: fortune cookies, cakes, sweet pastries, savory pastries. Bakery: www.me.umn.edu/~woo/bakery.html Fortune cookies: www.keefercourt.com |
| Keys Cafe |
1682 Lexington Avenue (at Larpenteur), Roseville
Restaurant: muffins, caramel rolls, cookies, bars, cakes (best is the rich and wonderful House Chocolate Cake). Note: There are several Keys restaurants; some don't have much of a bakery counter. www.keyscafe.com |
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| La Patisserie |
1570 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul (at Snelling Ave)
European-style bakery: pastries, cakes, cookies, bars, chocolates. |
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| Lucia's Bakery and Take Home |
1428 W. 31st St, Minneapolis
Casual cafe: Muffins, scones, croissants, corn bread, pastries, desserts. Also crepes, frittatas, sandwiches, and take-out meals. www.lucias.com/bakery/bakery_right.asp |
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| * | Mel-O-Glaze Bakery |
4800 28th Avenue S, Minneapolis
Classic bakery: best glazed doughnuts in town, apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, pies. www.meloglaze.com |
| Mercadito Las Americans |
401 East Lake Street, Minneapolis
Mexican bakery: pasteles, galetas, empanadas. |
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| Middle-East Bakery |
535 Snelling Avenue, Saint Paul
Commercial bakery: pita bread. |
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| Moose and Sadie's |
212 3rd Ave N, Minneapolis
Coffee shop: Cookies, bars, pastries, pie, caramel-pecan rolls (those wonders from the old Birchwood). |
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| Muddy Paws Cheesecake |
2528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
Excellent cheesecake in many flavors. (My favorite is chocolate-amaretto.) www.muddypawscheesecake.com |
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| My-T-Fine Bakery/Cafe |
4300 Bryant Avenue S, Minneapolis
Bakery and cafe: Cakes, cookies, pastries, bread. www.my-t-finefood.com |
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| Nathan's Pastries |
922 Main Street, Hopkins
Tarts, cream puffs, eclairs, tortes, cookies. Plus sandwiches and salads. |
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| New French Bakery |
2609 26th Avenue S, Minneapolis
Commercial French bakery: bread, rolls, croissants. www.newfrenchbakery.com |
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| Palm Bakery |
6416 West Lake Street, Saint Louis Park
Classic bakery: doughnuts, cookies, etc. |
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| Panderia El Mexican |
Midtown Global Market, Lake Street & Chicago Ave, Minneapolis
Bakery stand: Mexican pastries, cookies, desserts. www.midtownglobalmarket.com |
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| Panaderia El Rey |
3041 Nicollet Avenue S, Minneapolis
Mexican bakery: Mexican pastries, cookies, vasos de frutas. |
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| Panaderia Marissa |
2750 Nicollet Avenue and
3733 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis
Mexican bakery: Mexican pastries, cookies. |
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Panaderia y Pasteleria |
3343 Nicollet Avenue S, Minneapolis
Mexican bakery. |
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| Patisserie Margo |
5133 Gus Young Lane, Edina (near Hwy 100)
Upscale bakery with French touches: bread, pastries, cakes, cookies. |
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| Patrick's Bakery & Café |
2928 66th St. W, Richfield (at Southdale Square)
6010 Lyndale Ave (inside Bachman's Nursery), Minneapolis 331 Broadway Ave. S, Wayzata French bakery/cafe: Croissants, bread, pastries, cakes, macarons. Plus sandwiches, soups, and quiche. (The Wayzata location is a full-service restaurant.) www.patricksbakerycafe.com |
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| A Piece of Cake |
485 Selby Ave, Saint Paul
Specialty bakery: wedding cakes, cookies, bars, desserts for Bon Vie (across the street). www.apieceofcakebakery.net |
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| PJ Murphy's Bakery |
1279 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul
Classic bakery: doughnuts, cookies, pastries, bars, bread, banana bread. www.pjmurphys.com |
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| Roseville Bakery |
1147 Larpenteur Ave W (at Lexington), Saint Paul
Classic bakery: doughnuts, cookies, scones, pastries, eclairs, deep-fried croissants (!?!?!). |
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| * | Rustica |
816 W. 46th St, Minneapolis
European-style bakery: bread, pastries, cookies, tarts, and more. My vote for the best bakery in town. Everything here is top quality and wonderfully delicious. If you've been pining for the best artisanal bakeries of Europe, this is the place to go. www.rusticabakery.com |
| Saigon Restaurant & Bakery |
601 University Avenue W, Saint Paul
Vietnamese cafe: French bread, pastries, cakes, sandwiches (banh mi). |
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| Sarah Jane's Bakery |
2853 Johnson Street NE, Minneapolis
Classic bakery: bread, doughnuts, pastries, muffins, scones, cakes, coffee cake, candy, seasonal fruitcake. www.fruitcakesandmore.com |
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| Scandia Bake Shop |
5011 34th Avenue S, Minneapolis
Classic bakery with Scandinavian specialties: doughnuts, pastries, cookies, rosettes, cakes, yulakage, kransakage. www.scandiabakeshop.com |
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| Starlight Cafe |
Midtown Global Market, Lake Street & Chicago Ave, Minneapolis
Bakery stand: American and East African desserts, pastries, cookies, bars. Plus great deep-fried sambusi (meat-filled dumplings) and other savory dishes. www.midtownglobalmarket.com |
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| Swede Hollow Cafe |
725 E. 7th Street, St. Paul
Coffee shop/cafe/bakery: Scones, caramel rolls, cinnamon rolls, bars, cookies, pastries, desserts. www.swedehollowcafe.com |
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| Taste of Scandinavia |
Several locations
(North Oaks, Woodbury, Little Canada, & Coon Rapids)
Small chain of used-to-be-Scandinavian cafés: bread, muffins, cookies, pastries, cakes, desserts. (Note: If you're looking for the original Taste of Scandinavia, you want the Finnish Bistro.) www.tasteofscandinavia.com |
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| * | Trotter's Cafe & Bakery |
232 Cleveland Avenue N, Saint Paul
Natural food cafe: banana bread, sweet rolls, cookies, bars, pastries, coffee cakes, Izzy's ice cream sandwiches, Chocolate Chaos cupcakes (wow!). www.trotters-stpaul.com |
| Turtle Bread Company |
3514 West 44th Street, Minneapolis (Linden Hills)
4762 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis One Financial Plaza, Minneapolis (downtown) Gourmet bakery & deli: bread, muffins, pastries, cakes, pies, desserts. www.turtlebread.com |
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| Whole Foods Market |
3060 Excelsior Blvd, Minneapolis
30 South Fairview Ave, St. Paul Health-food grocery chain: bread, muffins, cookies, pastries, desserts. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/bakery |
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| Wuollet Bakery |
2447 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis (offers pareve baked goods)
3608 West 50th Street, Minneapolis 1080 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul 771 East Lake Street, Wayzata Classic bakery: doughnuts, cookies, bars, cakes, bread. www.wuollet.com |
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| Yum! Kitchen & Bakery |
4000 Minnetonka Blvd, Saint Louis Park
Deli and bakery: Cake, cupcakes, bars, cookies, desserts, caramel pull-apart rolls. |
| KEY |
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| bold: | bakeries or items I heartily recommend
* personal favorite |
plain text: | bakeries or items that are untried or average | italics: | bakeries or items I don't recommend | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright 1996-2007 Anne Chenette. All Rights Reserved.