Central Bakery

Central Bakery, a charming spot nestled at 732 Cambridge Street, is, in my highly valued opinion and based on the frequent, genuinely satisfied sighs of friends collecting their weekly bread and treats, the absolute definition of an authentic neighborhood institution, delivering consistently fresh, high-quality baked goods that perfectly capture that comforting, traditional taste of a true European bakery. Everyone I’ve spoken with consistently praises the phenomenal texture and flavor of their fresh bread loaves, the delicious, old-world style pastries, and the quick, friendly service provided by the staff, emphasizing that the bakery successfully maintains high standards while offering incredibly competitive prices, making quality accessible to the whole community. I’ve learned from their narratives that the atmosphere is one of homely warmth and focused, unpretentious craft, making it an exceptional, high-value stop for everything from a morning roll to a special occasion cake. My subjective conclusion is that Central Bakery is an irreplaceable, essential source of daily comfort and high-quality baking - a definite local gem - so make sure you stop in early to grab a loaf before they sell out!

Great local spot. Showed up early before they were done setting up and picked up a loaf of the sweet bread. Nice and eggy tasting, made for good toast with marmalade. Friendly staff and service, great neighborhood spot.

A charming Portuguese bakery with a classic, old-school vibe. They focus on freshly-baked bread. The service is quick and straightforward, making for a pleasant and efficient experience.

Best bread I've ever had! I'll drive the hour away now to get their bread, but it's worth it. Just make sure to bring cash. They don't take cards

I absolutely Love Love Love central bakery's scali bread. The only problem is I can't eat seeds because of a medical condition. Every once in a while I will find a loaf without seeds and I'm like a kid opening my gifts at christmas time. I would be so happy if central bakery would put more seedless scali bread in stores.

Have been buying my bread here since the 70s; there isn’t a better bakery in Massachusetts.

GREAT BREAD, EASTER WEEKEND PLACED NO ORDER GOT WHAT I WANTED AFTER POOR SERVICE SOUTH OF BOSTON IT WAS WORTH THE DRIVE AND ROYAL PASTERY NEXT DOOR . ONE STOP SHOPPING.

It’s your townie bakery. Like real Portuguese bakery.

A MUST DO! 4 & 1/2 STARS! Central Bakery is an Old School Italian Bakery that Specializes in Breads & Rolls. This Secret Hidden Gem has been baking bread since 1919. That's over 100 years. They are open very early. They're located on the bottom floor of a 3 decker house on Cambridge St in Cambridge. Central Bakery is just a few doors down from Royal Pastry - another great place. So you can hit them both up at the same time. LOL! There is metered parking out in front. If you come on Sundays parking @ the meters is FREE! Central Bakery has Excellent Scali Bread & Sweet Rolls. They also sell Portuguese Cornbread, Flour, Yeast & other Bread related items. Now, Easter time is a very Special Time here @ Central Bakery & surely one of the Best. They make their own Pane di Pasqua - Delicious Italian Easter Bread with eggs hidden inside & the flavors of citrus & anise. Lots of Delicious Fun & a Holiday Tradition for Easter! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

I come here about every week for bulky Portuguese rolls and long sub rolls. They definitely distribute to many businesses on this street and at night it smells like sweet bread from the street. I have only used cash here and it's pretty cheap so I suggest you do the same.

My family and I have been buying our Massa Sovada bread here for over 30 years. It a great family tradition and Central bakery is a great place to get bread.

Generations have enjoyed the quality and personal touch and taste that is unsurpassed

We came for the pasteis. They don't make the pasteis. The pasteis aren't good either. We didn't love the cornbread either. Fine for dinner rolls. Service was cold at first. They'll warm up to you eventually.

This bread is fresh and delicious. This business has been around for so long in a neighborhood that is growing more and more gentrified. I guess I don't understand when Yelp reviewers give 1 star based on the "customer service". It's a terrible gauge for the quality of the product. These complainers need to get over themselves. For the record, I've never had bad customer service here, just real human interactions in the real world.

Amazing breads! From the outside it is easy to overlook or miss. Great bulkie rolls but the real star is the cornbread. This Portuguese style cornbread is to die for! It is great with just some olive oil or you can toast it with butter. Their prices are also just as amazing and it is all homemade and fresh baked.

The worst customer service I've ever had the displeasure of being involved with. Was not greeted when I walked in (only person there in the tiny shop), was condescended when I tried to make small talk ("pretty hot in here, huh?" "It doesn't feel hot to me.") The bread isn't labeled, so unless you're a bread connoisseur you'll look like an idiot, and be made to feel like one. There are also very few options. There's also no sign on the door, so good luck discerning when they're open and when they're closed. But my recommendation is to just assume they're closed all the time and never go here. Biggest waste of 5 minutes of my life. May your terribly-run business flounder and fail.

I live right behind this place, and the smell of the bread baking drives me crazy - but in a good way. I wish they made a whole grain kind of bread, but once in awhile I treat myself with their yummy Scala bread. It is soooooooo good. I love their sweet rolls, also!

This bakery has a secret weapon ... the Portuguese corn bread. When fresh it is unbeatable. otherwise it needs some toasting or grilling. fresh baked every day except Tuesday and Thursday

my parents have been coming here since the 70s and the place hasn't changed (or raised its prices, really!) since then. get the wonderful Portuguese cornbread, toast it with butter, and you are set. crusty on the outside and a great texture. way better than the overpriced trendy stuff you can get elsewhere. it also freezes well. yes there's barely any sign outside and no there won't be any chatty, hip bread-gurus. just go buy the wonderful cornbread, take it home and enjoy it! and support longtime businesses in the area.

Fantastic neighborhood bakery with cheap but delicious bread! I live right around the corner and could not survive without the bread from here!

If these guys varied the breads they made (less white, more whole wheat and other grains), they could have such a successful business! There just aren't any old time bakeries left and so you end up paying $5 for a loaf of bread at some pretentious bakery or at Whole Foods. The best bread they make is the corn bread ("Pao de milho" in Portuguese). It's hearty and yummy with a little butter or olive oil.

Mostly (Portuguese) breads but those are delicious. Call 1 day in advance for a bag or 2 of their dough to make pizzas, calzones or whatever it is you want ot make. It is really good quality dough for the same price as you'll pay in supermarkets, only better!

i had a deliciously scrumptious, perfectly fluffy and crunchy, just the right amount of cheese infused into and encrusted onto the bread roll here. yum. i went back for more, but turns out they're closed on sundays.

$2.65 for a loaf of "Portuguese corn bread" (no, not like Southern US corn bread) -- unbelievable taste. Fresh baked. Like another reviewer, I've lived behind this bakery as well and the smells...ah the smells! Highly recommended: don't pass up bread that's this full of taste! I've given it as a gift to others, I've brought it to get-togethers and wine-and-cheeses - it's always a hit, and the secret remains with me (and all of you, esteemed readers) that I've paid only $2.65 and I get a load of thanks in return.