The bakery scene in New Jersey is a sweets lover’s dream. Many of the state’s best bakers have been in business for decades, blending old-world techniques with inventive new flavors. Others are up-and-comers or chefs with a background in fine dining. From breads and babkas to crumb cakes and cream puffs, these are the 20 Best Bakeries in New Jersey.
The spots on this list offer a rich assortment of cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, donuts, eclairs, muffins, tarts, and more. But what ties them all together is a deep respect for craft, community, and flavor. These are the places locals trust for their annual holiday treats, weekend pastries, or just that perfect loaf of bread. They are the best-in-class bakeries for each of their chosen specialties; whether it’s a heavy crumb cake from Hackensack, a pastel de nata from Newark, or a chocolate blackout cake from New Providence.
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| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
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North Jersey
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.
Bread & Salt
Where: Jersey City
Details: There’s really no higher compliment for a bakery than when customers line up just for the bread. So itis no surprise Bread & Salt is a local favorite for sandwiches, focaccia, and bombolones. (They also offer a unique selection of pizzas.) While the limited hours may contribute to an inflated sense of demand – Bread & Salt is only open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm — it’s hard to argue with the quality of their menu. We recommend the vanilla cream bombolone and any of their available crostatas.
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 so popular, the bakery requires a minimum order of 12 just to bake them. Available by special order only, Canela’s Pastel de Nata comes in 4 flavors: Chocolate, Coffee, Passion Fruit, and Berries. Aside from the custard tarts, we also recommend their empanadas.
Dulce de Leche Bakery
Where: Englewood | Jersey City | West New York
Details: This Argentinian bakery boasts a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, and dessert options. From humble beginnings in West New York, the bakery’s success has allowed them to expand throughout North Jersey. (With a fourth location all the way down in Miami, Florida.) For breakfast, their Avocado Grilled Cheese is a definite winner; while their Milanesa Napolitana is a top-tier lunch option. The latter is a beef or chicken cutlet with marinara and mozzarella. As a sweet treat, we recommend the Dulce de Leche Croissant.
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 for desserts and savory items alike. From top-notch Pain Au Chocolate and Apple Turnovers to can’t-miss macarons, there isn’t a weak spot on the menu. It’s probably a crime to visit without taking home some seeded baguettes, but we also recommend their cheese bread. Their Lemon Meringue Tart is also a must-try.
Rispoli’s Pastry Shop
Where: Emerson
Details: Rispoli’s sadly shut down their flagship Ridgefield location in 2024 after over 90 years in operation. However, the Emerson location is still open and serving their signature assortment of baked goods. The pastry shop serves just about everything under the sun, from cookies and cupcakes to cream puffs and cakes. They also bake fresh bread that patrons can pick right off the conveyor belt. While most regulars swear by the cannolis, our absolute favorite menu item is the lobster tail.
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.
Central Jersey
Bakehouse by Joe Murphy
Where: Madison | New Providence
Details: Head Pastry Chef Joe Murphy comes from decades of experience at 5-Star hotels and Michelin-star restaurants. Now, he offers Parisian-style and luxury baked goods from his approachable Bakehouse. His most popular item is the signature Brooklyn Blackout Cake. This indulgent delight is pure cacao powder-infused chocolate cake with layers of chocolate pudding made using Belgian dark chocolate. Chef Joe finishes “the ultimate chocolate cake” with a ganache glaze and homemade chocolate crumble.
Bread & Culture
Where: Flemington
Details: The name Bread & Culture has a double meaning for the team at this artisanal bakery. On one hand, the literal meaning describes the fermentation process and microbial cultures of their breads. On the other hand, it reflects their passion for baking and the importance of bread to our local culture. What started as a small, home kitchen operation has now grown into a successful pillar of Flemington. The team continues to hand-make their naturally-leavened breads, including their signature croissants and sourdough bread.
The Gingered Peach
Where: Lawrenceville
Details: The handcrafted baked goods at The Gingered Peach are all made from scratch in small batches. That means every cinnamon bun, danish, biscuit, muffin, pound cake, and more is always fresh out of the oven. Their chewy scones are never dry, and feature unique flavors like cranberry, butterscotch pecan, cinnamon chip, and pumpkin (seasonally). We also recommend their authentic Polish Bialys. These sort-of-but-not-really bagels are filled with either Fig Jam & Goat Cheese, Mushroom, Onion, & Mozzarella, or Spinach, Feta, & Mozzarella.
LiLLiPiES Bakery
Where: Princeton
Details: The dizzyingly-named LiLLiPiEs specializes in single-serve pies as well as breakfast all day, artisan breads, and sweets. All of their products are made with organic flour and feature locally-sourced ingredients as a celebration of Jersey flavors. Their most popular breads are the sourdough English muffins and Country White Sourdough Loaf, both of which sell out daily. Their dine-in breakfast menu features favorites like the Bacon and Cheddar Melty, Butter & Jam Toast, and Pork Roll with Egg and Cheese on the aforementioned English muffin.
Sweet Melissa Patisserie
Where: Lebanon
Details: Baker Melissa Murphy loves desserts. (Perhaps it’s because she was born on Thanksgiving Day, just after her mother finished baking some pies.) So it’s no surprise she offers both sweet and savory treats at Sweet Melissa Patisserie. Patrons love her hand rolled, all butter croissants that come in a variety of flavors. Other menu favorites include pain au chocolat, ham and Gruyère, raspberry Nutella, and almond croissants. They even have a savory croissant stuffed with a roasted vegetable of the day or a variety of cheeses.
Jersey Shore
Britton’s Gourmet Bakery
Where: Wildwood Crest
Details: This seasonal bakery always makes a point to reopen for holidays throughout the year. Of course, this makes them a go-to destination for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and beyond. In the mad dash to place an order, most locals go straight for their famous donuts and apple fritters. But their cinnamon buns — especially the version baked with raisins and walnuts — are also a must-try. The bakery is a one-stop shop for all the classics, from snowcaps and scones to muffins and lobster tails.
Del Ponte’s Bakery
Where: Bradley Beach
Details: A family-owned favorite that specializes in Italian breads and treats, Del Ponte’s is always a crowd-pleaser. From the biscotti and butter cookies to the blueberry crumb pie, just about everything on the menu is top-tier. Going home with a long stick of classic Italian bread is a guarantee; but we also recommend picking up some apple turnovers, vanilla custard cream puffs, and a graham cracker cheesecake slice. If placing a big order before the holidays, be sure to reach out at least 4 days in advance.
Kohler’s Bakery
Where: Avalon
Details: 75 years of success can’t be a coincidence, and Kohler’s Bakery continues to prove it each year. This seasonal bakery is open 4 days a week during the warm weather months. (They typically close from September through March, except for holiday orders.) Signature favorites from the menu include their vanilla cream puffs, jelly donuts, iced donuts, and cinnamon twists. We highly recommend the vanilla cream puffs, the combination of sweet dough, powdered sugar, and vanilla filling is mouth-watering.
Mueller’s Bakery
Where: Bay Head
Details: The traditions and mission of Mueller’s Bakery hasn’t changed much in over 130 years. But that isn’t to say the bakery is stuck in time. Their baking methods have evolved with the times, allowing them to improve their products without compromising on quality or service. Locals love their holiday fondant cookies shaped for each occasion, like pumpkins or turkeys. But their peanut butter cookie is a must-try. Besides their selection of ready-made treats, Mueller’s is also a trusted spot for wedding and celebration cakes.
Uncle Dood’s Donuts
Where: Toms River
Details: Every donut at Uncle Dood’s specialty donut shop is iced and topped to order. But for those not looking for a custom creation, they also have a favorites menu and monthly specials. For instance, their Bed Rockin’ features White Vanilla icing and Fruity Pebbles. Meanwhile, the French Toast comes with maple icing and cinnamon sugar. Cold weather staples include Smore, Nutella, and banana bread options. But our favorite is the Twixed with chocolate icing, Nilla Wafer crumbles, and caramel drizzle. Donuts are always fresh and made throughout the day.
South Jersey
Featured from Camden County:
Sweet Eats Bakery
Where: 310 S Burnt Mill Rd, Voorhees
Details: Despite the street name, everything at Sweet Eats Bakery is baked to perfection. This family business – started by Marge Davidowich in 1987 – specializes in wedding, birthday, and special occasion cakes. The bakery takes pride in using only the freshest, real ingredients to create over 50 different types of fillings for their cakes. This includes their signature white chocolate cream mixed with chocolate chips, alongside unique buttercream designs to match any vision. Besides these special occasion cakes, Sweet Eats offers a daily assortment of cakes, cookies, pies, and pastries available for purchase. Their display case is brimming with cheesecakes, chocolate silk cakes, daily specials like Butterfinger cake, chocolate-covered pretzels, and more. With so many options it’s tough to choose a favorite, but we recommend trying their Raspberry Cream or Oreo Cheesecake. If ordering a custom cake for a special occasion, the bakery asks for at least 3-4 weeks’ notice. This allows the team to craft a cake that captures each client’s imagination.
| Visit Their Website | Order a Custom Cake | Order via GrubHub | Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Call 856-429-2005 |
L & M Bakery
Where: Delran
Details: Positive word-of-mouth attracts locals and travelers alike to L & M Bakery. The family-owned bakeshop has been serving their famous selection of custom cakes and pastries for over 60 years. In particular, this is one of the area’s best spots for traditional one or two-filling Babka. The full menu includes cookies, pies, donuts, and cupcakes, in addition to their selection of cakes. Pound cake fans who also enjoy whipped cream are especially in luck, as L & M bakes a unique pound cake with whipped cream. (Different from a Whipping Cream pound cake.)
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Top Photo: © Sweet Melissa Patisserie / Instagram