18 Best Bakeries In Texas

When it comes to food, the Lone Star State is known for much more than just its barbecue. If you're craving something a little more on the sweet side, and you've already finished you pint of Blue Bell, consider stopping by one of Texas's many bakeries. Whether you're in need of artisan sweet bread or a take-home treat, you're likely to find exactly what you're looking for. 

Texas is home to baked good shops of all kinds. In every major city and most small towns, you'll find at least one establishment that offers light, fluffy confections and rich decadent bites that'll make you keep coming back for more. Some restaurants even double as a bakery — or are at least are attached to one — so you'll never miss out on some delicious carbs, no matter what time of day it is. From kolaches and cakes to puff pastries and pies, here are some of the best bakeries in Texas.

Mi Tierra Café y Panadería had humble beginnings as a small café opened by couple Pedro and Cruz Cortez in the '40s. However, today, the restaurant is San Antonio's most popular destination for Tex-Mex food. But, it's not just the meals that draw patrons in — it's the bakery, which was officially added to the eatery in 1955.

Take one step inside, and you'll be embraced by the amazing smell of its fresh baked goods, from the fruit-filled campechanas (turnovers) to sugar-topped sweet bread. Order a treat from the bakery as a sweet dessert after you finish your meal, or stop by to pick up something to-go. You can't go wrong with any of the menu items: Stick to a familiar classic like the blueberry muffins and scones, or try a more traditional Mexican pastry such as the pink pan de paño — a sweet bread with a soft cookie dough and pink sugar topping.

The Texas Hill Country is known for its wine, but you'll also find that the region is immersed in German history and cuisine. The Old German Bakery & Restaurant, located in Fredericksburg, is a popular destination for authentic food from the European country. While the establishment primarily offers breakfast and lunch, it's also well-known for its pastries. 

The strudels, in particular, are crowd favorites; they're served fresh and have the perfect balance of fruit and dough. We recommend trying the apple strudel, as it's a popular traditional German (and Austrian) dessert — with just one taste, you'll immediately see why. The restaurant's danishes are also amazing. They're small bundles of flaky delights that make a satisfying, soft crunch when you bite into them. The blueberry cream cheese flavor is our top choice, but if you're not a fan of the berry, there are also cherry and plain options.

Travel down to Texas' gulf coast and you might stumble upon Sunflower Bakery & Cafe on Galveston Island. The family-owned establishment currently serves breakfast and lunch, but it actually started as a small shop with a much smaller menu of baked goods, sandwiches, and their famous tomato basil soup. Today, it thrives as Galveston's second-best destination for sweet treats  (after the local ice cream shop).

All of the café's pastries will look pretty tempting, but if your sweet tooth is craving something richer in flavor, try the cheesecake brownies or a slice of chocolate-covered pecan pie. Although it sounds like these items could be overkill in the sugar department, the portion sizes are pretty reasonable. (But trust us when we say that one serving is definitely plenty to satisfy any chocolate-lover.)

If Silos Baking Co. sounds familiar, there's a reason: In season 4 of "Fixer Upper," co-hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines purchased and renovated its current building in Waco, formally the home to the town's local flower shop (via HGTV). Today, the bakery takes pride in its delicious pastries, sweets, and other goods — all a result of Joanna's personal and favorite recipes. 

The cupcakes are by far the best menu items for first-time visitors, with season favorites like red velvet or the pumpkin spice. For a more unique variety, we recommend the lemon lavender, which has a surprisingly balanced combination of the two flavors and is available year-round. Due to the shop's popularity, there's usually a line going out the door, so if you're in the mood for some treats, be sure to get there early.

While the Fredericksburg Pie Company may not look like much more than a quaint bakery in a small, transformed house, you'll be surprised to find that it is home to arguably the best pies in town. There are many flavors available, but we can safely say that the coconut meringue will never disappoint. It's got a perfectly flaky crust with a flavorful filling and light topping. Add a scoop of ice cream on the side, and you simply won't help but give it a chef's kiss.

The meringue, in particular, is very popular among customers, so be sure you get to the shop early to claim a slice (or two) before it runs out. However, if you happen to miss it, the bakery's other selections are also very delicious and worth a try. You can purchase the pies whole, in halves, or by the slice.

You know the donuts from a bakery are good when the owners have to rebrand their shop after them! Originally known as Lone Star Bakery when it first opened in 1926, its original owner, Reinhold R. Moehring, wanted to create a doughnut recipe that would really help the establishment stand out. Well, he was definitely successful in that endeavor, because today, the now-named Round Rock Donuts is famous for its hand-rolled yeast doughnuts — so much so that there's now a second location in Cedar Park, and some menu items available to purchase at local convenience stores. If you stop by, grab some fresh, warm, original glazed donuts — they're simple, but they really do melt in your mouth. The bakery's other baked goods, like the apple fritters and cinnamon twists, are also hard to pass up.

Although La Panadería more recently opened its first of multiple locations in San Antonio in 2014, the bakery and café has been churning out impeccable, fresh pastries for generations, starting with the owners' mother's small business in Mexico City. Today, the shop specializes in handmade pan dulce with Mexican, European, and American influences. 

A fan favorite is the bakery's tres leches croissant, which is filled with fresh strawberries and cream and topped with powdered sugar. The bear claw is also a popular menu item with various filling options, such as chocolate, blackberry, and blueberry. La Panadería serves American-style breakfast and brunch as well, with everything from ham and egg sandwiches to avocado toast and a selection of salads and soups. But, the pastries are undoubtedly the star of the show.

Toward the southern tip of the Lone Star State in the Rio Grande Valley, you'll find Lara's Bakery, a small mom and pop shop that regularly has customers lined up outside for its authentic Mexican pan dulce, baked and served fresh daily. Conchas, or sweet bread, with a crumbly cookie dough-like topping and shell-like appearance, is a favorite among patrons. However, it's the sweet pumpkin and pineapple-flavored empanadas that will really keep you coming back for more. 

As you might have guessed, Lara's Bakery runs out of items fast, so it's best to get there as early as possible (the shop opens at 6:30 a.m.) to beat the rest of the crowd. But if you happen to get there a little later, know that the shop's pastries are worth the wait.

If you're craving a more savory baked good, look no further than Slovacek's in West, Texas. Whether you're taking a road trip north towards the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or south to Waco, you can't help but notice the large signage with the two pigs off the side of the freeway — and it's worth stopping to get a closer look. Disguised as an eye-catching convenience store and roadside pit stop, Slovacek's is also part gift shop, café, deli, meat market, and bakery: think Buc-ee's but with a Czech spin.

While the store claims its specialty is its smoked sausage, it's got a hidden gem: its kolaches — and they boast 37 types, to be exact. Customers can select a traditional, fruit, or cream cheese variety, or a modern version with a savory filling. You honestly can't go wrong with any of the options available, but we recommend ordering a fruit and specialty kolache to start.

A bit north of Dallas-Fort Worth, you'll find Ravelin Bakery, a small shop that offers a wide selection of European-style baked goods and specialty desserts. Unlike other establishments on our list, this particular spot is mostly known for its fresh bread. The bakery has a rotating schedule of loaf types, so depending on your mood, you can stop by for a classic like sourdough, or something with a little more of an herby oomph, like the rosemary garlic.

If you get there early, pick up a loaf of French bread, which is available daily. We also recommend the white chocolate lemon (available on Thursdays) — it may sound unusual for a bread flavor, but it actually tastes amazing when it's warmed up and topped with a smear of cream cheese. You can't say that doesn't sound delicious.

Hive Bakery specializes in custom, made-from-scratch cakes and baked goods. And when the owner and former winner on Food Network's "Cakealikes", Haley Popp, says they're "one of a kind," she really does mean it. Though the base menu inside the shop seems pretty simple, the flavors and combinations for the various cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats are always on rotation. Customers have to check out the bakery's website daily to find out what's offered that day — it truly does change that reguarly. If you want a baked good that's not on the schedule for the day, you'll have to place a custom order ahead of time.

With a constantly changing menu, there's always something new you can try at Hive. However, if you had to pick a dessert, try the sugar cookies. They taste cannot be replicated, and have the perfect texture and moisture level.

Out toward western Texas, you'll find La Fiesta Bakery, another small shop that produces fresh pan dulce daily. It's recommended that you stop by early to guarantee that you can get yourself a few loaves of the sweet bread customers continually rave about. But the pan dulce isn't the only popular menu item at La Fiesta. 

Patrons absolutely love their melt-in-your-mouth, flaky pumpkin empanadas, which can be bought individually or by the dozen — perfect for fall pumpkin season! Another fan favorite is the pink cake, which is moist, soft, and fluffy — everything you could possibly love about a baked dessert, and really any pastry for that matter. The icing on top is also smooth and creamy, and with just the right amount of sugar. 

For a truly authentic Czech pastry, look no further than The Orignal Kolache Shoppe in Houston. Open since 1956, the family-owned bakery is dedicated to serving handmade, quality, fresh-baked goods every single day. While the fruit kolaches are worth taking home, it's the savory varieties (Czech klobásníky) that really stand out from the rest. The simple offerings of sausage and cheese — as well as sausage, cheese, and jalapeño — are a great introduction to the pastry. 

However, there's so much more the shop has to offer. For one: their croissants. The chicken fajita with cheese will make you rethink the filling possibilities, and you simply can't walk out without picking up the roast beef with bacon, cheese, and jalapeño. The savory interior and flaky exterior make for the perfect match.

Not to be confused with the city in France, Paris, Texas is home to a bakery of the same name, which unsurprisingly specializes in artisan, naturally-leavened bread. However, patrons enjoy its full menu of loaves and sweet treats alike (though, you shouldn't skip the tasty lunch and dinner options available either, which are actually quite varied for a bake shop).

Customers note that there's nothing at Paris Bakery that isn't good, and it's easy to see why. From the baked goods selection, we particularly enjoyed the cinnamon roll and banana bread, and we've also heard others rave about the chocolate croissant, lemon cupcakes, carrot cake, and key lime pie. No matter what you order, you're sure to enjoy it, so it's worth stopping by the shop if you ever find yourself in this small town.

Cookies may not be the first thing to come to mind when you imagine a traditional bakery, but there's something about Sister2Sister Cookies that will have you starting to think differently. Owned by a sister duo, the shop's baked goods are products of family recipes that have been passed down for generations. One of the bakery's best sellers, the pecan chocolate chip, will certainly not disappoint. 

The ingredients are evenly distributed, so you get a taste of everything in each bite. It also has the perfect balance of textures, from the crunchy nuts to the soft dough and creamy, gooey chocolate. And the best part? They're 100% homemade and baked fresh to perfection daily. Grandma's cookies, look out — we think you've got some competition on your hands.

Oxbow Bakery is a hidden gem that you won't find unless you happen to be exploring the small towns of East Texas, as its camouflaged as a general store inside a renovated mule barn (we really weren't kidding about the hidden part). While the location does function like a general store and has your typical convenience store items, customers who leave the establishment only talk about one thing: the pies.

There are a lot of flavors on our favorites list, including the chocolate and coconut meringues, cherry cream cheese, and coconut. But, if you decide to make the trip out east, you have to pick up a piece of pecan pie. After all, it's considered the state pie of Texas. We aren't the only ones who are fans of Oxbow Bakery's pecan pie either, as it was even featured in Southern Living Magazine.

As you head out west from Houston, you may find Delices de Maurice, a bakery that prides itself on creating and serving French-inspired pastries. However, the shop actually originated in Beirut in 1996, and it wasn't until 2017 that the storefront opened in Katy — and with resounding success. When you visit Delices de Maurice, you go for breakfast and brunch, but stay for the pastries. And they all pair remarkably well with the café's fresh hot coffee. 

Our personal favorite goods are the warm, flaky croissants and the filled baguette, baked to perfection. If you're looking for something a little less carb-heavy, we also recommend the fruit tarts, which are topped with fresh, colorful produce like strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and raspberries.

It's hard to find a shop much more authentic than this. El Bolillo Bakery serves up a variety of made-from-scratch Mexican pastries and bread, sure to satisfy any of your sweet or savory cravings. The conchas are popular menu items and are perfectly fluffy, flavorful, and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Of course, you can't leave the shop without trying one of its namesake items, the bolillo, which is a crusty white loaf that takes after French bread. It tastes great as a side with a bowl of soup or sliced and used in a sandwich. For something on the more sugary side, choose from El Bolillo's impressive selection of tres leches cakes with fresh fruit topping.