"A modern take on regional favorites that crafts king cakes stuffed with mascarpone whipped cream and berries or housemade tropical fillings, blending local flavor with elevated pastry technique." - Regan Stephens
"One of the city’s favorites for king cake is Bywater Bakery, where chef/owner Chaya Conrad hits it out of the park with her Chantilly-filled king cake — light, toothsome, and shot through with either blueberries or strawberries. Preorder king cakes with fillings like praline, frangipane, vegan bourbon cinnamon, and, new in 2025, passionfruit pineapple. You can also stop by the bakery’s walk-up window to pick up; Conrad’s team keeps plenty of cakes in stock daily." - Beth D’Addono
"Chaya Conrad doesn’t just make cakes — she bakes with love and spreads happiness along the way. Bywater Bakery means the world to a slew of regulars; a hub for music, community, and neighborhood support. Conrad, who left large-scale supermarket baking and management to go small and local, makes fantastic cakes for weddings and special moments — the strawberry Chantilly and coconut cake are two winners among many. By the way — Bywater Bakery made Taylor Swift’s birthday cake in 2022." - Clair Lorell
"After years of overseeing the bakery departments of several dozen Rouse’s supermarkets, owner Chaya Conrad traded the corporate model for this bright red corner spot in the funky Bywater. Beyond custom cakes (it made Taylor Swift’s birthday cake in 2022), king cakes, and bagel Fridays, Bywater Bakery is known for breakfast options including breakfast gumbo and tofu scrambles and lunch sandwiches like a tuna brie melt or Croque Madame on perfect country white bread." - Eater Staff
"Bywater Bakery is a sweet spot for breakfast and lunch on Dauphine that (sometimes) offers live music on weekend afternoons. Owner and baker Chaya Conrad, who started baking at Arnaud’s and Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse before overseeing operations at Whole Foods, makes a splash with her king cakes during Carnival season (the Bywater berry chantilly is a big seller). Order a breakfast “go” cup filled with the boudin hash and eggs or shrimp and grits, then choose from sweet and savory pastries and a case full of cakes by the slice. Get the coconut." - Beth D’Addono