From generation-spanning Italian pastry shops to French boulangeries and small-batch cookie havens, North Jersey is an embarrassment of baked riches. But when it comes to those special treats that are never far from our minds, only the best will do. That’s why we put together a list of The 10 Best North Jersey Bakeries featuring all of our favorites.
It’s true, the best pastry chefs in the game are right here in our own neighborhood. These top bakers blend century-old family recipes with viral, modern masterpieces. They are the must-visit spots for massive slices of iconic heavy crumb cake; the masters of authentic, handcrafted Portuguese custard tarts; and the delicate touch behind perfectly piped macarons. Ready to visit The 10 Best North Jersey Bakeries? Keep Scrolling to See the Full List.
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The 10 Best
North Jersey Bakeries
Featured From Bergen County:
Rispoli Pastry Shop
Where: 23 Emerson Plaza E, Emerson
Details: Rispoli has famously served North Jersey for over 90 years. It began in West New York, but many knew them for their flagship Ridgefield location. Now, the beloved pastry shop exclusively serves multiple generations of customers from their Emerson location. Current owners/operators Stasia and Violet Rispoli continue to use the 90-year-old recipes of their great grandparents to give every item its signature and one-of-a-kind flavor! Their signature assortment of baked goods includes cookies, cupcakes, cream puffs, cakes, and even fresh, warm bread that is freshly wrapped. While most regulars swear by the cannolis — for very good reason — our absolute favorite menu item is the lobster tail. (Rispoli fills their lobster tails with an addicting Chantilly cream that is second-to-none.) Other must-try treats include their sfogliatelle, chocolate bombs, and assortment of bars (pistachio, rainbow, tiramisu, and chocolate mousse).
| Visit Their Website | @rispolipastryshop1937 on Instagram | @rispolipastryshop on TikTok | Call 201-265-4009 |
Featured From Warren County:
Talia’s Bakery
Where: 217 W Washington Ave, Washington
Details: This family-owned spot is a hidden treasure for all sorts of breads and baked treats. In particular, Talia’s is the area’s go-to bakery during the holiday season for international specialties. (Think Panettone, Polish Kruschiki, Middle Eastern Baklava, and Italian Struffoli aka honey balls.) Their treats are so popular, they even distribute locally to other nearby small businesses. For example, you can find Talia’s Bakery treats at Belvidere Books, Washington Diner, Jimmy’s Coffee (Clinton), Muheisen Bagels (Washington), Pop’s Bagels (Wharton/Landing), and more. Day-to-day, the bakery offers a full assortment of fresh breads, cookies, pastries, cakes, cake pops, pies, streudels, and cheesecakes. Locals entrust the shop to craft custom cakes for life’s special occasions, from weddings and baby showers to milestone anniversaries. Besides treats, the bakery also brews specialty espresso drinks and coffee.
| Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Call 908-689-4100 |
Baking Mama
Where: Hoboken
Details: When it comes to small-batch bakeries, there is one Hudson County name that is always top of mind. The Baking Mama herself, Tina Rivera, first started baking in 1994. After years of burnt cookies, mushy cupcakes, and leaning cakes, baking finally started to click for Tina. Now, patrons line up for her famous cookies, which come in flavors ranging from Chocolate Chip with Sea Salt and Oatmeal Raisin to Birthday Sprinkle Cake. While it’s hard to beat her classic Chocolate Chip cookies, we also recommend the Banana Pudding cookies.
Balthazar Bakery
Where: Englewood
Details: Balhazar’s French-inspired bakery is the area’s go-to source for fresh baked bread and viennoiserie (yeast-leavened dough). But our favorite thing about this spot is their constant menu refresh for every season/holiday. For instance, Father’s Day highlights included Banoffee Pie (sea-salt caramel, banana diplomat, chocolate, and toffee) and Lemon Mascarpone & Poppyseed Teacakes. Meanwhile, 4th of July treats included Bacon & Sweet Corn Quiche and homemade S’mores (with graham sucrée, chocolate, and burnt marshmallow).
B&W Bakery
Where: Hackensack
Details: B&W Bakery is famously home to the “Heavy Crumb Cake,” which is exactly what it sounds like. This massive slice of cake is heavy on the crumbs and extremely sharable. But the crumb cake isn’t the only massive item on the menu. B&W also bakes a variety of gigantic rings, from Meltaway rings and almond rings to pecan or multifruit rings. Their display case features a rotating selection of pies, cookies, cupcakes, eclairs, cream puffs, and more. In business for about 40 years now, the bakery continues to be a local favorite.
Canela Bakery
Where: Newark
Details: Canela Bakery serves both breakfast and lunch, but there’s one marquee item in particular that customers flock for. The bakery is likely home to the most authentic Pastel de Nata in all of New Jersey. (And maybe beyond.) These Portuguese custard tarts are made with such care, they requires a minimum order of 12 just to bake them. (They also come in batches of 24.) Available by special order only, Canela’s Pastel de Nata are an egg custard tart in a flaky custard. As a lunch option, they also offer cold sandwiches.
Cocoa Bakery
Where: Jersey City
Details: Cocoa Bakery specializes in all the most popular traditional treats, from cupcakes and cookies to brownies. Their signature Crookie is a unique mix of croissant and cookie that is equal parts flaky, chewy, and delicious. Cocoa is always a fan favorite for their cakes, serving as Jersey City’s must trusted bakery for 6″ – 12″ cakes. Their cake flavors include Red Velvet, Orange, Milk Sponge, Lemon, Hazelnut Sponge, Carrot, and classic Chocolate cake. When it comes to cookies, we recommend the Chocolate Chip Walnut.
Fleur de Sel
Where: Chatham
Details: This boutique French patisserie and bistro is renowned for authentic French pastries, croissants, and macarons. Everything is made from scratch daily using only the finest ingredients: Including Belgium chocolate, French butter, fresh eggs, and fresh Madagascan vanilla beans. Fleur de Sel also bakes full size and custom cakes for events and special occasions. We recommend the French macarons, made fresh in their kitchen and piped by hand in classic and seasonal flavors. Keep an eye out for special seasonal/holiday treats.
Le French Dad Boulangerie
Where: Montclair
Details: Arben Gasi, aka the “French Dad” behind Le French Dad Boulangerie, loves baking French bread. Specializing in rustic, leavened bread and viennoiseries (French pastries), the bakery is a trusted go-to spot for desserts and savory items alike. From top-notch Pain Au Chocolate and Apple Turnovers to can’t-miss macarons, there isn’t a bad choice to make. It’s probably a crime to visit without taking home some seeded baguettes, but we also recommend their cheese bread. Pro tip: The Lemon Meringue Tart is also a must-try.
Sook Pastry
Where: Ridgewood
Details: Ridgewood is a competitive town that affords diners with plenty of high-quality choices. Even within the bakery category, the town has more than a few high profile spots. Which makes it all the more impressive that Owner Keum Sook Park stands out among her peers as one of the area’s top bakers. Her signature cake — called “The Ridgewood” — features chocolate mousse, vanilla creme brulee filling, and chocolate sponge. Both the flavor and presentation make it a must-have for any party, and will keep guests talking for weeks.
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North Jersey’s
Best Bakeries FAQs
B&W Bakery (Hackensack) is famously home to the “Heavy Crumb Cake.” This beloved spot has been in business for roughly 40 years and is the gold standard for crumb-heavy cakes. (As well as oversized meltaway rings.)
Balthazar Bakery (Englewood) is renowned for its fresh bread and seasonal French-inspired treats. Additionally, Le French Dad Boulangerie (Montclair) and Fleur de Sel (Chatham) offer scratch-made croissants, macarons, and rustic leavened breads.
Cocoa Bakery is a trusted favorite for 6″ – 12″ custom cakes (offering flavors like Hazelnut Sponge and Red Velvet) as well as their signature Crookie. Over in Hoboken, Baking Mama serves up small-batch cookies in flavors like Birthday Sprinkle Cake and Banana Pudding.
Canela Bakery (Newark) bakes the most authentic Pastel de Nata in all of New Jersey. These flaky, egg custard tarts are available by special order only, requiring a minimum batch of 12.
Rispoli Pastry Shop (Emerson) has been proudly serving North Jersey for over 90 years. Current owners Stasia and Violet Rispoli continue to use their great-grandparents’ original recipes. They offer legendary cannolis, sfogliatelle, and signature lobster tails filled with an addicting Chantilly cream.
Top (Hero) Photo: © Rispoli Pastry Shop / Instagram
