More Maps

20 Essential Boozy Brunches in New Orleans

A Guide to Dining in the Irish Channel

Where to Find Superb Gumbo in New Orleans

More in New Orleans See more maps

A woven white basket full of epi baguettes. — Bellegarde Bakery’s famous epi bread.

These Are New Orleans’s Essential Bakeries

Where to find the best breads, cakes, cookies, and pastries in New Orleans

by Eater Staff and Clair Lorell Updated Mar 24, 2023, 7:45am CDT

View as Map

Bellegarde Bakery’s famous epi bread.

| Katherine Kimball/Eater NOLA

by Eater Staff and Clair Lorell Updated Mar 24, 2023, 7:45am CDT

The New Orleans baking tradition goes back at least to 1722, when a map of the city referenced a baker called Bellegarde. By the early 1900s, New Orleans had over 100 bakeries, but industrialization and the advent of grocery stores changed that soon after.

In recent years, bakeries in New Orleans have multiplied. Think of this list as a snapshot of the excellent bakeries New Orleans has to offer. All the bakeries here have some variety, not just sweets, and not just bread, with a few notable exceptions. And while a number of home bakers have made a splash in New Orleans in the last few years (Katelyn Guerin’s Lagniappe Baking Co. and Viola’s Heritage Breads, for example), for the purposes of this map, we’re sticking to bakery operations with physical shops.

Not seeing your favorite sweet spot on this list? Share the love by leaving sending us a tip.

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Dong Phuong Oriental Bakery

For years this New Orleans East Vietnamese bakery’s perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside take on french bread has been the undisputed reigning champ of po’ boy loaves. Always worth the drive for its banh mi, the bakery also offers a sampling of Vietnamese sweets such as moon cakes, and in season, some of the most sought-after king cakes in town.

14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Celtica Bakery

Lakeview rejoiced at the arrival of this baguette and croissant haven in 2020, the second act for La Boulangerie founder Dominique Rizzo. Rizzo, who grew up in France, has built a smaller, neighborhood-centric spot in Celtica — a more succinct menu of baked goods and a family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to the aforementioned baguettes and croissants, try Celtica’s galette de rois during Carnival season and Rizzo’s specialty French pastries, danishes, tarts, and savory quiches.

218 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Maurice French Pastries

Metairie folks have a big secret— this incredible bakery that’s known for its Galette des Rois and Ponchatoula King Cake (stuffed with strawberries and cream) along with numerous showstoppers year round including the cream puff bedecked Croquembouche and numerous Kugelhopfs.

3501 Hessmer Ave, Metairie, LA 70002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Get King Cake in New Orleans This Carnival Season

Adrians Bakery

“The pride of Gentilly” — that’s this straightforward, family-run bakery founded by Adrian Darby and his wife decades ago. It’s perhaps most loved for Darby’s praline pound cake, cinnamon rolls, and traditional king cake, but special treats like petit fours and cupcakes also draw folks from far and wide. Most of all, it’s an enduring comfort in an ever-changing city.

4710 Paris Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

Visit Website

Buttermilk Drop Bakery

This Seventh Ward bakery is a must-stop for a bag of incredible buttermilk drops, the glazed doughnut hole-like specialty that became famous at the original defunct McKenzie’s but found a beloved second home here.

1781 N Dorgenois St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Buttermilk drops

Also featured in:

Angelo Brocato

Just a short streetcar ride from City Park, this iconic Italian bakery and gelateria is the perfect stop for stocking up on holiday cookies and cannoli or for having a cappuccino and tiramisu before a visit to the oaks in City Park or family and friends. Bring a box of cookies and cannoli and you’ll be a hero.

214 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Leo's Bread

Leo’s is a true labor of love — baker Kate Heller started selling her fantastic bread and bagels brand out of the back of her car years ago, then eventually at farmers' markets, pop-ups, and for home delivery throughout the pandemic. Her joyful bakery cafe on Bell Street is one of the best in town for crusty loaves of daily bread (think semolina, sourdough, and wheat sourdough), bagel and semolina sandwiches, croissants, cookies, and a few sweet pastries.

2438 Bell St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Norma's Sweets Bakery

Norma’s is loved for so many things; its custom cakes, Central American pastries, and other sweets, the imported market goods, prepared meats, and its guava cream cheese king cake during Carnival. While you’re there stocking up, grab one of the famous Cuban sandwiches.

2925 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Guava and cream cheese king cake from Norma’s Sweets Bakery.

Also featured in:

Ayu Bakehouse

This quaint corner shop with a mellow vibe is one of the best new bakeries in New Orleans. Sample savory pastries like a muffuletta breadstick and a shroom broom; pick up seeded sourdough and crusty baguettes to accompany meals; and top it all off with sweets like a kaya bun, croissant, and chocolate chip cookie — everything is excellent. Sandwiches rotate and include a seasonal vegetarian option, and during Carnival season, the bakery serves one of the best new king cakes in town.

801 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bywater Bakery

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 most recent birthday cake), 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.

3624 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Croissant D'Or Patisserie

Look down as you enter to see the tiles embedded in the sidewalk from when this French Quarter storefront said “Angelo Brocato.” Indeed, this charming space with a hidden courtyard once belonged to Angelo Brocato’s, the city's most beloved gelato and cannoli maker. Aside from tarts and mousses, traditional French baked goods include quiches, and of course, croissants. Sandwiches are also available.

Open in Google Maps

617 Ursulines Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

The space occupied by Croissant d’Or

Bellegarde Bakery

Bellegarde is the ubiquitous and beloved bread that’s been found in New Orleans restaurants, grocery stores, and wine shops for years, but now residents can pick up Graison Gill’s remarkable wares direct from the source at his Leonidas bakery. In addition to its famous loaves, Bellegarde sells sweet and savory croissants, cookies, baguette sandwiches, and pizza.

8300 Apple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

Breads at Bellegarde Bakery

Also featured in:

Where to Find Fresh Baked Goods for Takeout or Delivery in New Orleans Right Now

Laurel Street Bakery

Step inside sunny Laurel Street Bakery and it’s hard not to feel an uptick in good vibes. More than anything, it’s bagels that rule the day with a solid selection including spreads, all made in-house. Schmear options include shallot and bacon, date and honey, pimento olive, and lox. And yes, sweets do abound: cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, rolls — you get the picture.

Open in Google Maps

2701 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laurel Street Bakery (@laurelstreetbroad)

Breads On Oak

Warm, woody, and welcoming with seating inside and out, this neighborhood bakery has become a popular weekend breakfast spot for the Riverbend since opening in 2012. Always popular for its vegan and gluten-free options, Breads on Oak made the switch to 100 percent vegan, serving up delicious versions of crusty artisanal rolls, decadent sweet rolls, brioches, quiches, cakes, and hot and cold sandwiches.

8640 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Breads On Oak (@breadsonoak)

Also featured in:

Maple Street Patisserie

Ziggy Cichowski’s dedication to craft and traditional Viennese and French goods is evident in Maple Street’s beautifully rendered cakes, pastries, and repertoire of classic breads. This is a low-key but warm spot to grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast treat (sausage biscuits are divine) or a sandwich on house-baked bread.

7638 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

The blackberry tart at Maple Street Patisserie

Also featured in:

Gracious Bakery (Multiple Locations)

The fact that Gracious now has three locations speaks for itself. It serves up satisfying sandwiches on homemade bread that is ubiquitously used by other shops around the city, particularly the standout ciabatta. Gracious also offers a small breakfast menu and outstanding baked goods outside of breads: pastries, cookies, whole cakes, and pies.

4930 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @graciousbakerynola

Also featured in:

Levee Baking Co.

Christina Balzebre opened her own bakery a few years back to great fanfare, having gained a following at farmer’s markets and then popping up for Saturday brunch at Mosquito Supper Club. In addition to Balzebre’s stunning tarts, pastries, cinnamon rolls, and crusty loaves of bread, Levee currently offers a few breakfast and lunch items (like a garlic croissant bun with prosciutto and asiago cheese wine).

3138 Magazine St Ste D, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

Two peach and blueberry tarts — Seasonal galette

Also featured in:

A Guide to Dining in the Irish Channel

O'Delice French Bakery

Nancy Nguyen’s Uptown bakery flies under the radar, situated in a house set back from the street next to a small shopping center on Magazine, but inside she churns out light-as-a-cloud buttercream cakes. Nguyen is more accommodating than many bakers, often trying to get that last-minute cake ready (and sometimes she has some ready in the case). If committing to a cake is a bit much, be sure to scoop up a few of her lovely petit fours, or organize your visit around lunchtime and leave time to devour the chicken salad on a croissant.

6033 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

King cake from O’Delice

Also featured in:

Wishing Town Bakery Cafe

Wishing Town has emerged as one of the most exciting bakeries in the area in the last few years, originally opened in Metairie and now with a charming location in Uptown. The family-run bakery and restaurant serves show-stopping desserts like green tea, durian, and taro crepe cakes; the playful Wishing Cake; and a gorgeous tiramisu, among other creations — not to mention the incredible dim sum and other savory specialties.

802 Nashville Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

A Wishing Town cake.

Also featured in:

La Boulangerie

No shortage of fanfare has surrounded this longtime Magazine street bakery since Donald Link and partner Stephen Stryjewski took over from the previous (French) owners in 2015. What is undeniable: La Boulangerie’s impressive selection of hearty breads, among them the splurge-worthy olive fougasse, the blue cheese, and rosemary with sea salt loaves. Sandwiches served all day, including Boulangerie’s uptake on the egg McMuffin. Notable: La Boulangerie uses locally milled whole wheat flour, Louisiana honey, and raw sugar.

4600 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by La Boulangerie New Orleans (@laboulangerienola)

Also featured in:

HI-Do Bakery

Family-owned and operated in Terrytown, this Vietnamese bakery is known for its incredible king cakes and breads, which are often baked to order in various wacky shapes, from crawfish to gators to fleur de lis.

Open in Google Maps

Hi-Do Plaza, 439 Terry Pkwy, Terrytown, LA 70056

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Get King Cake in New Orleans This Carnival Season

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Dong Phuong Oriental Bakery

14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129

For years this New Orleans East Vietnamese bakery’s perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside take on french bread has been the undisputed reigning champ of po’ boy loaves. Always worth the drive for its banh mi, the bakery also offers a sampling of Vietnamese sweets such as moon cakes, and in season, some of the most sought-after king cakes in town.

14207 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129

Visit Website

Celtica Bakery

218 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

Lakeview rejoiced at the arrival of this baguette and croissant haven in 2020, the second act for La Boulangerie founder Dominique Rizzo. Rizzo, who grew up in France, has built a smaller, neighborhood-centric spot in Celtica — a more succinct menu of baked goods and a family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to the aforementioned baguettes and croissants, try Celtica’s galette de rois during Carnival season and Rizzo’s specialty French pastries, danishes, tarts, and savory quiches.

218 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

Maurice French Pastries

3501 Hessmer Ave, Metairie, LA 70002

Metairie folks have a big secret— this incredible bakery that’s known for its Galette des Rois and Ponchatoula King Cake (stuffed with strawberries and cream) along with numerous showstoppers year round including the cream puff bedecked Croquembouche and numerous Kugelhopfs.

3501 Hessmer Ave, Metairie, LA 70002

Visit Website

Adrians Bakery

4710 Paris Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

“The pride of Gentilly” — that’s this straightforward, family-run bakery founded by Adrian Darby and his wife decades ago. It’s perhaps most loved for Darby’s praline pound cake, cinnamon rolls, and traditional king cake, but special treats like petit fours and cupcakes also draw folks from far and wide. Most of all, it’s an enduring comfort in an ever-changing city.

4710 Paris Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

Visit Website

Buttermilk Drop Bakery

1781 N Dorgenois St, New Orleans, LA 70119

This Seventh Ward bakery is a must-stop for a bag of incredible buttermilk drops, the glazed doughnut hole-like specialty that became famous at the original defunct McKenzie’s but found a beloved second home here.

1781 N Dorgenois St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Buttermilk drops

Angelo Brocato

214 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Just a short streetcar ride from City Park, this iconic Italian bakery and gelateria is the perfect stop for stocking up on holiday cookies and cannoli or for having a cappuccino and tiramisu before a visit to the oaks in City Park or family and friends. Bring a box of cookies and cannoli and you’ll be a hero.

214 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Leo's Bread

2438 Bell St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Leo’s is a true labor of love — baker Kate Heller started selling her fantastic bread and bagels brand out of the back of her car years ago, then eventually at farmers' markets, pop-ups, and for home delivery throughout the pandemic. Her joyful bakery cafe on Bell Street is one of the best in town for crusty loaves of daily bread (think semolina, sourdough, and wheat sourdough), bagel and semolina sandwiches, croissants, cookies, and a few sweet pastries.

2438 Bell St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Norma's Sweets Bakery

2925 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Norma’s is loved for so many things; its custom cakes, Central American pastries, and other sweets, the imported market goods, prepared meats, and its guava cream cheese king cake during Carnival. While you’re there stocking up, grab one of the famous Cuban sandwiches.

2925 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Guava and cream cheese king cake from Norma’s Sweets Bakery.

Ayu Bakehouse

801 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117

This quaint corner shop with a mellow vibe is one of the best new bakeries in New Orleans. Sample savory pastries like a muffuletta breadstick and a shroom broom; pick up seeded sourdough and crusty baguettes to accompany meals; and top it all off with sweets like a kaya bun, croissant, and chocolate chip cookie — everything is excellent. Sandwiches rotate and include a seasonal vegetarian option, and during Carnival season, the bakery serves one of the best new king cakes in town.

801 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Bywater Bakery

3624 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

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 most recent birthday cake), 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.

3624 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

Croissant D'Or Patisserie

617 Ursulines Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Look down as you enter to see the tiles embedded in the sidewalk from when this French Quarter storefront said “Angelo Brocato.” Indeed, this charming space with a hidden courtyard once belonged to Angelo Brocato’s, the city's most beloved gelato and cannoli maker. Aside from tarts and mousses, traditional French baked goods include quiches, and of course, croissants. Sandwiches are also available.

Open in Google Maps

617 Ursulines Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

The space occupied by Croissant d’Or

Bellegarde Bakery

8300 Apple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Bellegarde is the ubiquitous and beloved bread that’s been found in New Orleans restaurants, grocery stores, and wine shops for years, but now residents can pick up Graison Gill’s remarkable wares direct from the source at his Leonidas bakery. In addition to its famous loaves, Bellegarde sells sweet and savory croissants, cookies, baguette sandwiches, and pizza.

8300 Apple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

Breads at Bellegarde Bakery

Laurel Street Bakery

2701 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

Step inside sunny Laurel Street Bakery and it’s hard not to feel an uptick in good vibes. More than anything, it’s bagels that rule the day with a solid selection including spreads, all made in-house. Schmear options include shallot and bacon, date and honey, pimento olive, and lox. And yes, sweets do abound: cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, rolls — you get the picture.

Open in Google Maps

2701 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laurel Street Bakery (@laurelstreetbroad)

Breads On Oak

8640 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Warm, woody, and welcoming with seating inside and out, this neighborhood bakery has become a popular weekend breakfast spot for the Riverbend since opening in 2012. Always popular for its vegan and gluten-free options, Breads on Oak made the switch to 100 percent vegan, serving up delicious versions of crusty artisanal rolls, decadent sweet rolls, brioches, quiches, cakes, and hot and cold sandwiches.

8640 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Breads On Oak (@breadsonoak)

Maple Street Patisserie

7638 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Ziggy Cichowski’s dedication to craft and traditional Viennese and French goods is evident in Maple Street’s beautifully rendered cakes, pastries, and repertoire of classic breads. This is a low-key but warm spot to grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast treat (sausage biscuits are divine) or a sandwich on house-baked bread.

7638 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

The blackberry tart at Maple Street Patisserie

Related Maps

Gracious Bakery (Multiple Locations)

4930 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115

The fact that Gracious now has three locations speaks for itself. It serves up satisfying sandwiches on homemade bread that is ubiquitously used by other shops around the city, particularly the standout ciabatta. Gracious also offers a small breakfast menu and outstanding baked goods outside of breads: pastries, cookies, whole cakes, and pies.

4930 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @graciousbakerynola

Levee Baking Co.

3138 Magazine St Ste D, New Orleans, LA 70115

Christina Balzebre opened her own bakery a few years back to great fanfare, having gained a following at farmer’s markets and then popping up for Saturday brunch at Mosquito Supper Club. In addition to Balzebre’s stunning tarts, pastries, cinnamon rolls, and crusty loaves of bread, Levee currently offers a few breakfast and lunch items (like a garlic croissant bun with prosciutto and asiago cheese wine).

3138 Magazine St Ste D, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

Two peach and blueberry tarts — Seasonal galette

O'Delice French Bakery

6033 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Nancy Nguyen’s Uptown bakery flies under the radar, situated in a house set back from the street next to a small shopping center on Magazine, but inside she churns out light-as-a-cloud buttercream cakes. Nguyen is more accommodating than many bakers, often trying to get that last-minute cake ready (and sometimes she has some ready in the case). If committing to a cake is a bit much, be sure to scoop up a few of her lovely petit fours, or organize your visit around lunchtime and leave time to devour the chicken salad on a croissant.

6033 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Visit Website

King cake from O’Delice

Wishing Town Bakery Cafe

802 Nashville Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Wishing Town has emerged as one of the most exciting bakeries in the area in the last few years, originally opened in Metairie and now with a charming location in Uptown. The family-run bakery and restaurant serves show-stopping desserts like green tea, durian, and taro crepe cakes; the playful Wishing Cake; and a gorgeous tiramisu, among other creations — not to mention the incredible dim sum and other savory specialties.

802 Nashville Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

A Wishing Town cake.

La Boulangerie

4600 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

No shortage of fanfare has surrounded this longtime Magazine street bakery since Donald Link and partner Stephen Stryjewski took over from the previous (French) owners in 2015. What is undeniable: La Boulangerie’s impressive selection of hearty breads, among them the splurge-worthy olive fougasse, the blue cheese, and rosemary with sea salt loaves. Sandwiches served all day, including Boulangerie’s uptake on the egg McMuffin. Notable: La Boulangerie uses locally milled whole wheat flour, Louisiana honey, and raw sugar.

4600 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by La Boulangerie New Orleans (@laboulangerienola)

HI-Do Bakery

Hi-Do Plaza, 439 Terry Pkwy, Terrytown, LA 70056

Family-owned and operated in Terrytown, this Vietnamese bakery is known for its incredible king cakes and breads, which are often baked to order in various wacky shapes, from crawfish to gators to fleur de lis.

Open in Google Maps

Hi-Do Plaza, 439 Terry Pkwy, Terrytown, LA 70056

Visit Website

Related Maps