Best Bakeries in Boston (2025)
Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick’s Middle Eastern bakery marries spice, technique, and local grains; featured in The New York Times Restaurant List and frequently praised by Eater Boston. Now with an Allston outpost for added access.
A Brookline institution since 1982, renowned for European-style breads, canelés, and pretzel croissants. The Boston Globe spotlighted its enduring excellence and expansion of offerings without losing neighborhood soul.
Cambridge’s slow-fermented loaves anchor Boston tables; Eater Boston consistently lists Iggy’s among the region’s best bread bakeries. The attached retail shop makes scoring Pullmans, focaccia, and baguettes easy.
Mary Ting Hyatt’s cult bagel shop turns out slow-fermented, sourdough-based bagels that national and local critics love; highlighted by Boston Magazine and widely cited for creative sandwiches.
Family-run since 1978 and integral to Coolidge Corner’s Jewish food culture, Kupel’s is routinely celebrated by Boston Magazine for bagels, challah, and generous schmears.
Vinal Bakery in Union Square serves up the best egg sandwiches in Somerville. The biggest differentiator is their homemade english muffins—these aren’t the leathery pucks you’d find at a corporate conference breakfast spread. Rather, they come out of the oven piping hot with a perfect crust and moist interior, kicking the ass of the stodgy rolls at Target next door. The Miss Maple egg sandwich is easy to love, with its sweet spread of maple butter, as is the more classic Sausage McVinal. We often stock up on a four-pack of english muffins to try all their flavors (the oat sesame and anadama are especially good, but pay special attention to their rotating seasonal flavors, like the potato chive or corn jalapeño). Just know two things: they tend to sell out before noon on weekends, and you should plan to eat your breakfast at one of Union Square’s many public parks, since seating is limited.
From the team behind Diesel and Bloc, Forge is a community hub turning out baguettes, brioches, maple oat rounds, and pastries; featured on Eater Boston’s best bread bakeries list.
Soheil Fathi’s Iranian-born bakery pairs meticulous sourdough with elegant pastries; Boston Magazine awarded Best of Boston Best Bakery, and Eater Boston regularly includes it among top bakeries.
Born from a beloved pastry trike, this JP shop is known for inventive laminated pastries—think kimchi–cheddar croissants—regularly recommended by Eater Boston.
Operating since 1887, this Ball Square landmark keeps classic American pastries alive; WBZ reported its planned redevelopment while continuing service, a testament to its deep local roots.
Family-run in the North End since 1926 and famously open 24/7, Bova’s is an essential stop for sfogliatelle, lobster tails, and hot bread; included on Eater Boston’s essential bakery list.
A petite, family-run patisserie crafting refined éclairs, tarts, and macarons; WBUR readers recently shouted it out among favorite special-occasion sweets, underscoring its growing local following.