Best Bakeries in Atlanta: Where to Find the City’s Top Bread, Pastries, and Sweets

Atlanta’s bakery scene is a mix of old-school Southern traditions, modern European-style patisseries, and creative bakeries that blur the line between café and dessert bar. Whether you live in the city, commute in for work, or are visiting for a weekend, knowing where to find the best bakeries in Atlanta can completely change your breakfast, brunch, or dessert plans.

Below is a practical, neighborhood-focused guide to standout bakeries across Atlanta, plus tips on what to order, when to go, and how to choose the right spot for your taste and schedule.

How to Navigate Atlanta’s Bakery Scene

Atlanta is spread out, and traffic can be unpredictable, so it helps to think about bakeries by area and purpose:

• Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, West Midtown): Great for artisan bread, croissants, and coffee-and-pastry stops.
• Westside & Upper Westside: Trendy bakeries, creative dessert spots, and weekend destinations.
• Suburbs (Decatur, Sandy Springs, Duluth, etc.): Often where you’ll find standout specialty spots (Korean, Chinese, Latin, European).

If you’re planning a bakery crawl, focusing on one cluster—like Old Fourth Ward/Inman Park, or West Midtown/Upper Westside—will save time and parking headaches.

Quick-Glance: Types of Bakeries in Atlanta

Top Artisan & European-Style Bakeries in Atlanta

These are the bakeries Atlantans often seek out for serious bread, laminated pastry, and coffee-friendly sweets.

Little Tart Bakeshop (Multiple Locations – Intown Focus)

A go-to name when people talk about the best bakeries in Atlanta, Little Tart is known for buttery croissants, seasonal tarts, galettes, and scones.

You’ll typically find them in central, walkable neighborhoods such as:

• Grant Park / Summerhill / Old Fourth Ward areas

Best for:

• Morning coffee and pastry
• Picking up a box of pastries for brunch
• Seasonal fruit tarts and galettes in spring and summer

What locals look for:

• Classic butter croissant
• Seasonal danishes and galettes
• Quiches and savory pastries for a light lunch

Tip: Popular items can sell out earlier on weekends, so arriving before mid-morning gives you more choices.

Alon’s Bakery & Market (Virginia-Highland & Dunwoody)

Alon’s is an Atlanta staple, combining a European-style bakery with a gourmet market. You’ll find it in:

• Virginia-Highland area (intown)
• Dunwoody area (north metro)

They’re known for:

• Fresh artisan breads (baguettes, rustic loaves)
• European-style cakes and tarts
• Cookies, macarons, and breakfast pastries

Good uses:

• Grabbing loaves and pastries for a dinner party
• Layer cakes or tarts for birthdays
• A one-stop spot for bread, cheese, and dessert before hosting

Because it functions as both a bakery and market, you can pair baked goods with prepared foods, which is helpful if you’re planning a quick gathering.

Saint Germain Bakery (Ponce City Market / Buckhead Area)

A French-style patisserie located in high-foot-traffic destinations like Ponce City Market and a Buckhead shopping district, Saint Germain specializes in:

• Macarons
• Éclairs, mousse cakes, and French-style desserts
• Croissants and pain au chocolat

Why people go:

• To pair a stroll at Ponce City Market with a high-end pastry
• For giftable sweets like assorted macarons
• For a “treat yourself” dessert after lunch or dinner nearby

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want one easy stop with multiple food options plus a well-known bakery, Ponce City Market with Saint Germain is a straightforward choice.

Best Bread-Focused Bakeries in Atlanta

If you’re planning a weekly bread routine or want a serious sourdough, these spots are frequently on locals’ lists.

Emerald City Bagels (East Atlanta & Markets)

While technically bagel-focused, Emerald City doubles as a beloved bread-and-pastry stop for many in-town residents, especially on weekends.

You’ll usually find:

• Hand-rolled NY-style bagels
• Bagel sandwiches (breakfast and lunch)
• Limited pastries depending on the day

Best for:

• Weekend breakfast runs
• Bringing a dozen bagels to the office
• A quick, filling meal before exploring East Atlanta or nearby areas

Because weekend lines can be long, many locals try to arrive earlier in the morning, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

Bread & Butterfly (Inman Park) – Café With Strong Bakery Program

Located in Inman Park, Bread & Butterfly is first and foremost a café and bistro, but its house-made breads and pastries often land it on bakery shortlists.

You’ll find:

• Croissants, pains au chocolat
• Toast and tartines using house bread
• Simple, elegant cakes or tarts depending on the day

Ideal if you want:

• A sit-down brunch with bakery-level pastry
• A slower, European-style café experience
• A place to combine breakfast, coffee, and people-watching

For pure “grab-and-go” bakery runs, you may prefer more traditional bakeries, but for pastry plus atmosphere, this is a favorite intown.

Best Atlanta Bakeries for Cakes, Cupcakes & Celebrations

When you need a birthday cake, wedding cake, or special dessert, certain Atlanta bakeries are known for reliable, crowd-pleasing options. These places often require advance ordering, especially for custom designs.

Piece of Cake (Multiple Atlanta-Area Locations)

Piece of Cake has become a common stop for Atlantans who want classic layer cakes that travel well and please a group. Locations are spread across the metro, including:

• Buckhead area
• Other intown and suburban locations

Known for:

• Southern-style layer cakes (red velvet, caramel, coconut, and more)
• Cupcakes and slices for walk-in purchases
• Cakes that hold up for office parties and family events

When to use it:

• Last-minute cake pickup (selection varies by day)
• Pre-ordering a full cake for birthdays or holidays
• Bringing a reliably sweet dessert to a potluck

Ordering ahead is recommended for specific flavors or large quantities.

Southern Sweets Bakery (Decatur Area)

Located near Decatur, this bakery leans into pies, cakes, and nostalgic desserts.

You’ll often find:

• Pies (fruit, nut-based, seasonal)
• Classic cakes and bars
• Dense, shareable desserts suited for gatherings

Good for:

• Holiday dessert tables
• Pie-focused celebrations
• Taking sweets to family events east of the city

Decatur is MARTA-accessible and convenient if you’re already on the east side of Atlanta.

Iconic & Southern-Style Atlanta Bakeries

If you’re looking to taste Southern baking traditions—biscuits, cinnamon rolls, sweet potato pies, and dense layer cakes—these bakery-style spots are worth knowing.

Highland Bakery (Multiple Intown Locations)

Highland Bakery operates as a popular brunch spot with a strong bakery case. Locations are typically in or near intown neighborhoods such as:

• Old Fourth Ward
• Midtown/Georgia Tech area

What they’re known for:

• Cinnamon rolls and pastries
• Breads and muffins
• Cakes and cupcakes, often seen at local events

Best scenario:

• Sit-down brunch with a bakery case to pick from afterward
• Mixed group where some want full meals and others just want a pastry
• Ordering cakes with a familiar, local feel

Because it’s also a restaurant, peak times (late weekend mornings) can be busy. If you only want bakery items, going earlier or on a weekday is usually smoother.

Buttermilk Kitchen (Chastain Park Area) – Restaurant With Signature Biscuits

Though not a walk-in bakery in the traditional sense, Buttermilk Kitchen on the north side of town is frequently mentioned for biscuits, pancakes, and house-baked items.

Why it matters for bakery lovers:

• Excellent biscuits and breakfast breads
• A strong example of Southern breakfast baking in Atlanta

If your idea of “best bakeries” includes sit-down Southern brunch with standout baked goods, this is a good candidate—just plan for a wait during peak hours.

Global & Specialty Bakeries Around Atlanta

Atlanta’s diversity shows up clearly in its bakeries. If you want to branch out from standard croissants and cupcakes, these categories are worth exploring.

Korean & Asian Bakeries (Duluth, Doraville, and Beyond)

North of Atlanta, especially around Duluth and Doraville, you’ll find Korean and other Asian bakeries in shopping plazas and food courts.

Common offerings:

• Soft milk breads and loaves
• Cream-filled buns, red bean pastries
• Savory breads with cheese, sausage, or toppings

These bakeries are:

• Great for light, not-too-sweet snacks
• Ideal if you’re exploring Buford Highway or Gwinnett County’s food scene
• Often more affordable than high-end patisseries

If you’re visiting from in-town, combining a trip to a Korean or Chinese bakery with lunch on Buford Highway is a popular day-out pattern.

Latin American Bakeries (Various Neighborhoods)

Latin bakeries in and around Atlanta can offer:

• Conchas and pan dulce
• Tres leches cakes and flan
• Savory items like empanadas or filled breads

They tend to be:

• Casual, grab-and-go spots
• Family-friendly
• Useful for affordable party desserts or snacks

While they may not show up on every “best of” trend list, they’re often local favorites within their communities and can be a great find if you live nearby.

Practical Tips for Visiting Atlanta Bakeries

To get the most out of the best bakeries in Atlanta, it helps to plan around a few local realities: traffic, weekend crowds, and weather.

1. Timing Your Visit

• Morning is king: For croissants, danishes, and specialty loaves, earlier visits usually mean fresher options and more variety.
• Weekends fill fast: Popular intown bakeries can see lines, especially from 9–11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Late-day visits: Some bakeries discount remaining items late in the afternoon, but selection may be limited.

2. Parking & Getting Around

• Intown areas like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward can have tight street parking; leave extra time to park.
• Destination spots like Ponce City Market usually have structured parking for a fee.
• If you’re already taking MARTA or a rideshare into town, combining several food stops in the same neighborhood can be easier than moving your car repeatedly.

3. Ordering Ahead for Special Occasions

For birthdays, weddings, graduations, and holidays in Atlanta:

• Order cakes and large pastry trays in advance, especially during:
  • Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • Graduations (late spring)
  • Major event weekends (college homecomings, big game weekends)
• Ask about:
  • Lead time (often several days to weeks for custom designs)
  • Pickup windows and storage instructions
  • Options for dietary needs (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free), understanding that not all bakeries operate allergen-free kitchens

How to Choose the Best Bakery in Atlanta for Your Needs

With so many options, narrowing down your best bakery in Atlanta depends on what you’re trying to do. Use this quick guide:

• For a visiting food lover
  Focus on intown stops: a French-style bakery (like one in Ponce City Market or Virginia-Highland) plus a Southern-leaning spot (Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, or Decatur).

• For weekly bread and pastry runs
  Choose a bread-focused or artisan shop within 10–15 minutes of your home or office so you’ll actually go regularly.

• For birthdays and office parties
  Look for bakeries known for consistent cakes and easy pickup with multiple metro locations, and always call ahead for whole cakes.

• For exploring global flavors
  Plan a day on Buford Highway / Duluth / Doraville, and include at least one Korean or Latin bakery along with lunch or dinner.

• For brunch plus bakery-level pastry
  Choose café-style spots that bake in-house so you can enjoy both a full meal and dessert-level treats in one visit.

Atlanta’s bakery scene is broad enough that you can match almost any craving—European-style patisserie, Southern comfort baking, global flavors, or simple weekday bread—to a nearby spot. Once you’ve found a bakery that fits your neighborhood and tastes, building it into your regular routine is one of the easiest ways to enjoy what Atlanta’s food culture does best.