Bywater Bakery

"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, Clair Lorell

"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, Clair Lorell

"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, Clair Lorell

"This spunky little neighborhood bakery in the Bywater is famous for its birthday cakes (Taylor Swift ordered hers from here), king cakes during Carnival season, and Chantilly cake, which proprietor Chaya Conrad invented during her time as a Whole Foods baker. It also dishes yak-a-mein for lunch on Thursdays, a steaming cup of beef with a dark, savory broth. Save room for dessert here." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell