Philly’s is a land of pastry magic, seamlessly blending iconic bakeries that have perfected pound cakes and cannoli over many decades with new shops that turn out rich, butter-free vegan delights and other innovations. Here are Philadelphia’s best bakeries for pastries, cakes, and so many other sweet supplies.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65262633/EATER_MachineShop_Dec.17.2021_HR_119.28.jpg)
22 Philly Bakeries for the Most Delicious Pastries, Cakes, and Baked Goods
From old-school cannoli to quince kouign amann, bakeries in Philly serve something for every sweet craving

The Frosted Fox Cake Shop
Cookies, brownies, lemon bars, mini pies, and other pastries delight at the Frosted Fox Cake Shop, but this Mount Airy bakery’s custom cakes really — well — take the cake. Frosted Fox will design a cake to reflect even your heart’s strangest whims (a Guy Fieri-inspired cake, anyone?), making this the go-to for celebrations. You can place custom orders over the phone or stop by the shop to pick up treats of the more handheld variety.
La Caleñita Bakery & Café
All kinds of sweet Colombian treats are available at La Caleñita Bakery in Olney. Whether you’re interested in pan de queso, panderos, or pastel de maiz, you’ll find a tantalizing array of pastries and desserts alongside sandwiches, arepas, and empanadas.
Haegele's Bakery
This old-world German bake shop in Mayfair has been pumping out the same apfelknoedel (apple dumplings), bienenstich (bee sting) cake, and butterkuchen (butter cake) since 1930, and after three generations in the family, Haegele’s hasn’t changed much. Of course, German sweets are the specialty, but don't sleep on the Washington cake — a Philadelphia tradition dating back to the 1700s.
Crust Vegan Bakery
You can’t throw a stone in Philly without hitting a great vegan baked good. Crust Vegan Bakery in Manayunk does it best, though. Chocolate peanut butter pastries inspired by Pop-Tarts and signature cookie sandwiches make this a must-stop on the bakery trail, and the shop’s social justice mission only sweetens the experience.
Also featured in:
Stock's Bakery
At Stock's, pound cake is the name of the game, and it’s the best in town — not shocking since the Port Richmond bakery has been practicing since 1924. The pillowy cake turns to an almost fudge-like consistency as you chew, and the icing on top is good enough to eat alone. Try the marble cake, too.
Also featured in:
New June
Noelle Blizzard is a true baking wizard: At New June, her cottage bakery in Fairmount, Blizzard creates anything from beautiful wedding cakes to wonderful tarts, all decorated and dressed up immaculately. Her custom cakes in flavors like chamomile, orange, and honey cake will make any occasion feel extra special. Place an order through New June’s website.
Cake Life Bake Shop
Cake Life Bake Shop is Fishtown’s destination for all manner of baked goods, from pies and cookies to cakes worthy of a Will Smith book launch and cupcakes that won Cupcake Wars for co-owners Lily Fischer and Nima Etemadi. Weekly pre-orders go live every Sunday at noon on Cake Life’s website, if there’s something in particular you’re looking to secure.
Also featured in:
The Kettle Black
At the Kettle Black in Northern Liberties, husband-and-wife team Marc Basile and Claire Ogilvie make traditional French viennoiseries and breads that are genuinely wonderful — and while it seems far-fetched, the bakery’s croissants, pain au chocolat, and cinnamon buns have just-as-good vegan counterparts. Whatever else you do, don’t miss the bubbly bagels.
Also featured in:
Darnel's
Bakers and chefs Kyle Cuffie-Scott and Joe Loupe serve giant brownies, iced cakes, and other fantastic treats alongside lunch and brunch options at Darnel’s Cakes in Northern Liberties. The icing on the cake is that the bakery uses its business to support the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Jezabel’s
Jezabel Careaga’s eponymous West Philly cafe, bakery, and studio is Philly’s top spot for Argentine sweets like alfajores and custard-and-quince vigilantes. Avoid decision fatigue by preordering a chef’s selection pastry box on the weekends.
K C's Pastries
Taro buns, egg tarts, and sesame red bean balls abound at this Chinese bakery around the corner from Reading Terminal. But custard cream buns — topped with flaky coconut — are the highlight. Wash everything down with a creamy milk tea.
Ramona Susan's Bake Shop (multiple locations)
With one location in Fishtown and another in South Philly, Ramona Susan’s Bake Shop will keep you well-stocked with baked goods, no matter what part of the city you live in. Betty Halpenny and Elly Koenig named the business after Halpenny’s mom, and the menu offers high-quality hits of American nostalgia from galactic brownies to seasonal plays on Dunkaroos. You can preorder for pickup, order custom cakes, and even ship some of the sweets via the bakery’s website.
Small Oven Pastry Shop
If you’ve inhaled a roast pork sandwich from Porco’s, Chad Durkin’s Graduate Hospital sandwich shop, and you still have room for more, head next door to sibling bakery Small Oven Pastry Shop. The menu includes plenty of precious petit fours, chai cinnamon buns, and danishes to end your meal on a high note.
Also featured in:
Isgro Pastries
The ricotta cookies and filled-to-order cannoli are unbeatable at Isgro, an Italian shop dating back to 1904 that you can smell from two blocks away. Be prepared to wait in a long line around holidays, when it seems like everyone in South Philly stops in for a box of assorted butter cookies — that said, Isgro also ships some cookie tins nationwide.
Also featured in:
Essen Bakery
Everything owner Tova du Plessis creates at Essen, her Jewish bakery on East Passyunk Avenue, is impressive, from the famous chocolate babka laced with halva to the black-and-white cookies tinted with just the right bit of orange zest.
Cake and Joe
Elegance is in high supply at Cake and Joe, the Pennsport pastry and coffee shop started by longtime friends Sarah Qi and Trista Tang. The French pastries on offer are magical: Mousse cakes including passion fruit and hazelnut come in colors and shapes so dreamy they feel almost too perfect to eat. Almost. Keep an eye out for a second location coming soon to Fishtown.
Also featured in:
Termini Brothers Bakery (multiple locations)
Known for its killer cannoli and long history in Philadelphia, the flagship Termini Brothers location is still a crucial destination for Italian treats of all kinds. Need someone to translate pignoli, musticiolli, imbutitti, scumetti, and quorasemali? Don't worry, the friendly staff is here to help. You’ll also find Termini in several other locations, including Reading Terminal Market.
Vanilya Bakery
Vanilya Bakery is a little gem tucked between the destination restaurants on East Passyunk Avenue. Owner Bonnie Sarana specializes in custom cakes but also sells slices, cupcakes, cookies, baklava, sweet and savory rolls, bagels, and filled buns.
Also featured in:
Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse
Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse specializes in — you guessed it — delightful Brazilian baked goods, like orange and caramelized milk cake rolls and yuca and coconut cakes. Prefer savory to sweet? The pão de queijo — traditional cheesy tapioca bread — is an excellent option. The shop ships some goodies nationwide, too.
Artisan Boulanger Patissier
Husband-and-wife team Andre Chin and Amanda Eap have been in the business of pastries and bread since 2002, and there’s a reason their South Philly corner shop is such a local favorite. Show up for the flaky pistachio croissants, stay for the crunchy banh mi.
Also featured in:
Second Daughter Baking Co.
Sisters Rhonda Saltzman and Mercedes Brooks are the geniuses behind Second Daughter Baking Co., an artisan bakery that crafts beautiful wedding cakes, elegant tarts, and fudgy, gooey brownies inside the Bok Building. Seriously, don’t miss those brownies. Luckily you don’t have to be in Philly proper to enjoy many of Second Daughter’s treats: Saltzman and Brooks ship some goods like brownies, focaccia, and cookies nationwide.
Machine Shop Boulangerie
When the retail cafe of the Machine Shop pop-up opened in the beginning of 2022, lines formed out the door instantly. Eager Philadelphians gathered at the Bok Building to get a taste of pastry chef Emily Riddell’s quince kouign amann, twice-baked almond croissants, lemon tarts with toasted meringue, and sourdough breads. Every pastry at Machine Shop is worth the wait. Just get there on the early side — Riddell frequently sells out.
Also featured in: