Some of Atlanta’s best bakeries have been neighborhood favorites for generations, while other new-on-the-scene shops grew from weekend farmers markets stalls into destinations in their own right. Together, they reflect the city’s ever-evolving food culture, where tradition and innovation sit side by side in the display case.
Whether you’re searching for German bread, vegan sourdough, or Greek desserts, these establishments are setting the standard for how Atlanta bakes right now. From flaky croissants to heirloom loaves and decadent pastries, each is worth a special trip.
Behold the 13 must-visit bakeries in Atlanta worth breaking bread for.
The Little Tart Bakeshop
This beloved French-inspired pastry shop serves up sweet and savory croissants, cookies, and, of course, tarts—the pecan crumb variety pairs especially well with a pick from Little Tart’s full espresso menu. Most production occurs at the original location in Grant Park, but outposts at Krog Street Market and in Summerhill offer the same pastries baked fresh daily. Founder Sarah O’Brien is also the mind behind Big Softie, one of the best ice cream spots in Atlanta. 437 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, littletartatl.com
Southern Sweets Bakery
Any dessert you can imagine is likely available at Southern Sweets, a Decatur staple since 1992. On a menu that spans rich layer cakes, brownies, 10-inch tarts, and cheesecake, the bakery also offers many of its classic flavors in vegan and gluten-free versions. With exclusive options like a gluten-free gingerbread pound cake and vegan chocolate ganache tart, you’re unlikely to find as extensive and inclusive of a dessert menu anywhere else in the city. 186 Rio Cir., Decatur, southernsweets.com
Galette
For founders Morgan Perkins and Ashley Thomas, opening Galette on the Avondale Estates Town Green in 2024 was a full-circle moment. The pair first began selling their small-batch French bread, viennoiserie, and pastries at the Avondale Estates Farmers Market in 2019. We love their sourdough loaves for everyday eats and the chocolate cherry financier for a weekend treat; the namesake galettes filled with seasonal fruit or vegetables are the real pièce de résistance of the cozy shop’s bakery case. 110 N. Avondale Rd., Avondale Estates, galetteatl.com
Colette Bread & Bakeshop
For the freshest naturally-fermented bread in the city, look no further than Colette. The cozy Poncey-Highland space operates as both a wholesale bakery and a retailer of pastries and breads. You might not find the same menu items available daily, but trendy coffee shops like Inman Park’s Harbor and the West End’s Portrait keep their pastry cases stocked with Colette’s goods. For those looking to learn their focaccia fundamentals, check Instagram to get in on Colette’s evening baking classes. 636 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, coletteatl.com
Bernhard’s German Bakery & Deli
German native and mechanical engineer-turned-baker Bernhard Blecken’s Marietta bakery proudly offers more than 50 kinds of breads from the world over, with hearty German bread the natural specialty. Every loaf is preservative-free and made with organic or all-natural ingredients; the bakery also exclusively uses sun-ripened whole grain. In addition to unique German sourdough and Bavarian farmer’s bread, Bernhard’s bakes pretzels, cakes, and pastries (including three flavors of cream puff). 1592 Atlanta Rd. SE, Ste. 110, Marietta, bernhardsgermanbakery.com
Flour + Time Bakery
Flour + Time is a fully vegan establishment, proudly baking up animal product-free sourdough and pastries. Enjoy sweet seasonal offerings that look as good as they taste—last Valentine’s Day brought heart-shaped strawberry Linzer cookies and red velvet cupcakes—or pick up a savory pie or quiche to share. Flour + Time is also Atlanta’s only fully vegan coffee shop, with ample outlets for remote work and a dog-friendly patio. 1133 Huff Rd. NW, Ste. F, Atlanta, flourandtimebakery.com
Saint Germain French Bakery & Café
There is no shortage of French bakeries in Atlanta, but Saint Germain co-founder Mathieu Jourdan-Gassin brings especially impressive experience from his upbringing in the French Riviera and time at the helm of Buckhead bistro Anis. Whether at Ponce, the Interlock, or Buckhead Village, each location offers viennoisserie and patisserie classics (including Atlanta’s best éclairs), a selection of candy-colored macarons, and even a ratatouille tart. Find some of their pastries at Daydreamer Coffee and the Reading Room, too. 3014 Bolling Way NE, Atlanta, stgermainatl.com
Evergreen Butcher & Baker
All of the bread at Evergreen is sourdough made from organic, locally-sourced flour. We love this bakery for their transparency—the website lists mills from which the flour is sourced as well as the ingredients in every loaf, from a multigrain made with organic oats, cornmeal, and poppyseeds to an einkort and spelt hydrated with Halfway Crooks beer and buttermilk. There’s also a trim pastry menu featuring croissants, kouign amans, and danishes. 2011 Hosea L. Williams Dr. NE, Atlanta, evergreenbutcherandbaker.com
White Windmill Bakery and Café
This Korean-French bakery boasts an eclectic collection of baked goods including manju buns in flavors like red bean, sweet potato, and chestnut, right next to delicate croissants, tarts, and cheesecake. White Windmill calls its Doraville shop the HQ; a Midtown location will soon join others in Lindbergh and Duluth. 5881 Buford Hwy. NE, Doraville, whitewbakerycafe.com
Alon’s Bakery & Market
A longtime local favorite for catering, you’ve probably had many an Alon’s lunch at work, but the original location in Morningside is still well worth a visit for its European-market feel and selection of made-from-scratch artisan breads and handmade pastries. The dessert counter here makes gifting easier with its famed French almond macarons and beautifully-decorated cakes. A second location at Phipps Plaza is easily accessible for Buckhead residents, while several coffee shops around the city also sell Alon’s pastries. 1394 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, alons.com
Henri’s Bakery & Deli
Henri Fiscus opened his namesake bakery in 1929 at the corner of 10th and Peachtree, and nearly a century later, generations of the Fiscus family have kept the original Henri’s name alive and thriving across six metro locations. Comforting cookies, coffee cakes, and cinnamon rolls are in good company alongside an elevated French pastry menu and croissants. Multiple locations, Atlanta, henrisbakery.com
International Bakery
This unassuming strip-mall shop on Cheshire Bridge stocks traditional Greek sweets like baklava and melomakarona honey cookies, as well as savory spanakopita and tiropita. International Bakery is also the place to stock up on Greek groceries—think candies, cheeses, honey, and Greek soda—that you won’t be able to find at the supermarket. 2165 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE, Ste. 5, Atlanta
