Portland is fast becoming a bonafide hotbed for foodies, gourmands, and discriminating drinkers from all around the world.
Consistently appearing on hotlists (like Bon Appétit’s 2018 Best Restaurant City of the Year), Portland’s dining scene has so many unique and spectacular options that we’ve had to break it all down into subcategories…like this one.
It’s not enough that we mention that a certain coffee shop also has fabulous house-made bread, treats, and pastries—because, really, that’s a category of its own.
Map of Portland Bakeries
Having a hankering for fresh bread? This map of the top bakeries in Portland will help guide you to the freshest, crustiest bread around:
The Standard Baking Company
Family-owned, The Standard Baking Company has been serving up artisanal bliss since 1995. You can watch the magic happen in their open kitchen—and if you weren’t planning on buying anything, make no mistake about it: You will, after being exposed to what equates to sensory overload…in the best way.
The aromas of the baking croissants, scones, focaccia, and so much more; the sight of the French baguettes or Standard’s seasonal Cheddar Ale Bread being pulled from the 12-ton oven…there’s no way you’re not ordering anything.
Location: 75 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Standard Baking Company
Tandem Coffee and Bakery
Currently only open for pickup, Tandem’s bakery (they also have a café/roastery at 122 Anderson Street) is just as well known for their coffee as they are for their baked goods…especially their iconic sweet (butter and strawberry jam) or savory (local soft cheese, honey, and black pepper) loaded biscuits.
Scones, biscuits, cookies, loaf cakes, pies…all handmade, from scratch, with love, in their little gas station-turned-bakery.
Location: 742 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Tandem Bakery
Katie Made Bakery
Cakes, cookies, and pies…oh, my! This adorable shop is run by two sisters—Jennifer and Katie Capron—the former being the café chef, and the latter is the baker.
If you are looking for a show-stopping dessert for a special event (or just for dessert tonight), you’ve gotta give the bakery menu a look-see (the Chocolate Rum Cake with chocolate chips and walnuts is apparently the latest sensation).
There is a long list of seasonal pies (like apple, blueberry, key lime, and peanut butter), and three different cheesecakes, including my favorite, the Raspberry Swirl.
Location: 181 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Katie Made Bakery
Two Fat Cats Bakery
When someone says “bakery,” this is the type of place that comes to my mind; at Two Fat Cats, they’re all about the desserts (folks after my own heart), and they know how to do them right.
If you can’t take my word for it, how about from folks in the know like Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, The New York Times, and Travel & Leisure? Since 2005, Two Fat Cats has been making everything from scratch, and aren’t afraid to mess with a classic (like their Black and Blue Pie—a delightful combination of blackberries, wild Maine blueberries, and ginger).
Location: 195 Lancaster St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Two Fat Cats Bakery
Gross Bakery
Since this is a write-up about bakeries, I’ll keep this entry to that end. But it would be a gross (HA!) oversight for me to not mention that Gross has a second location called The Gross Confection Bar (a dessert bar and restaurant—OMG) at 172 Middle Street.
Anyway, the bakery is no less impressive; whether you’re hankering for sweet or savory, you won’t leave hungry. Scones (like their Everything-seasoning-topped Scone filled with cream cheese and apricot jam), biscuits (the jalapeño, scallion, and cheddar option is a must-try), croissants, macaroons…or my favorite, the Sausage and Parmesan Hand Pie. Eat it—NOW.
Location: 57 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Gross Bakery
Norimoto Bakery
With a daily rotating menu, it’s hard to know what you’ll find when you visit Norimoto. But visit, you must—because no matter what they’ve got on display in their shop, you are pretty much guaranteed to find something scrumptiously different.
Sure, there will be some things you are familiar with (cinnamon rolls and croissants), but maybe some not so much, like Kouign Amann (butter cake), Onigiri Rice Balls with pickled plum, and their popular Yuzu ginger buns.
Location: 469 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Norimoto Bakery
Big Sky Bread Company
Making breads, granola, and treats from scratch in an old firehouse since 1994, Big Sky mills their own wheat to use in their products. With over 28 different types of bread to choose from (including Deep South Cornbread, Focaccia, Challah, and Black Olive Garlic…salivating yet?), that alone should be enough to get you in the door.
But wait! There’s more. Their long list of sweet stuff includes tempting treats like Cake Muffins, Brownies, and delightful creations called Cheese Poppers (scone dough with cream cheese filling).
Locations: 536 Deering Ave, Portland, ME 04103; 28 Monument Sq #101, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Big Sky Bread Company
Belleville Bakery
Specializing in croissants (their Chocolate Hazelnut croissant is highly recommended), this Munjoy Hill sweet spot also offers a few other uniquely tasty, finger-licking baked items, like their Pain au Raisin (croissant dough with vanilla pastry cream and raisins), Cardamom Buns (brioche dough and cardamom topped with cardamom sugar), and their own version of Kouign Amann (caramelized sugar croissant).
Location: 1 North St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Belleville Bakery
Tin Pan Bakery
Not a walk-in type of place, Tin Pan only makes their cakes, cupcakes, and cookies to order. Their butter-based cakes come in two sizes (1/4-sheet and 9” layer) and are filled/frosted with their signature, gently-sweet Italian meringue buttercream (as are the cupcakes, which can be ordered by the dozen).
It cannot be overstated how deliciously smooth Tin Pan’s frosting is, or how moist and flavorful the cakes are. But my favorite by far is their Mexican Chocolate Cake—a two-layer chocolate cake with hints of cinnamon and chili, filled and frosted with coffee buttercream. Ay caramba!
Location: 897 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Tin Pan Bakery
Rosemont Market and Bakery
Regardless of which Portland location you visit (they have a shop in Falmouth as well), you’ll be surrounded by smiles, bright colors, and provisions aplenty…and, oh yeah…baked goods!
Their breads (whole wheat sourdough, sourdough boule, Heritage loaf, baguette, and their signature Rosemont Sandwich Bread) are all hugely popular—so much so that Rosemont has joined forces with Botto’s Bakery (a fabulous spot for fresh Italian bread) to assist with keeping up with their sandwich bread orders.
Rosemont’s sweet baked goods (pound cakes, pies, croissants, and cakes) are legendary, and can only be purchased in their markets.
Location: 580 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Rosemont Bakery
Tony’s Donut Shop
I am partial to businesses who trumpet my own life’s motto on their homepage: “Life’s uncertain. Eat dessert first!” There’s also the fact that they make my favorite food group: Donuts (well, cake is my favorite food group…but, hey—what is a donut if not a little ring-shaped cake?)
And in addition to donuts, you never know what might be on offer in their display case of delights…eclairs, crème horns, hot cross buns…and now I need to make a road trip.
Location: 9 Bolton St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Tony’s Donut Shop
The Holy Donut
Another spot for sourcing my biggest weakness, The Holy Donut is a local institution. And yeah, sure…I suppose donuts are actually fried, not baked, and thus, can this actually be referred to as a bakery? Well, this is my article, and I’m going with it.
These flabbergastingly delicious donuts are crafted from scratch with mashed Maine potatoes (they even have DONUT CAKES…whaaaaaat?!), and Holy Donut also has gluten-free, vegan, and sweet potato options on their extensive menu. These donuts are a meal and dessert, all in one.
Location: 194 Park Ave, Portland, ME 04102
Website: The Holy Donut
Tally’s Kitchen
Tally’s is a bakery masquerading as a bistro—although that makes it sound like they’re trying to be something they’re not, which isn’t the case.
Yes, Tally’s has fabulous, house-made sandwiches, ciabattas, wraps, salads, and breakfast offerings. But, really—and I’m sure you’ve picked up on this about me—it’s all about the sweet stuff.
Whoopie pies, sweet breads, fruit squares, brownies, cookies…all homemade, all delicious.
Location: 84 Marginal Way, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Tally’s Kitchen
Well, parting is such sweet (see what I did there?) sorrow—and I’ve run out of room…so here are my bonus picks for your perusal. Baristas & Bites, for nationwide shipping of their delicious, homemade whoopie pies and cookies; Rose Foods, for their famous house-made bagels; My Three Sisters Italian Cookies, for their…well, yeah. Scratch Baking Company, which is closed for renovations until mid-February, has a kick-butt breakfast burrito and a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate croissant.
And if you’re into pottery? Well, how’s this for a pairing: the Portland Pottery Café has classes, sells supplies…and has an in-house bakery, to boot (get Nana’s Chocolate Cake while shopping for your clay…or whatever one shops for in a pottery supply store).
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