California has 3 of the best bakeries in the US, New York Times says. Where are they?
The United States is experiencing a “golden age of baking” — and three California bakeries are among the nation’s best, according to The New York Times.
Bakers Bench in Los Angeles, Gusto Bread in Long Beach, and Quail & Condor in Healdsburg landed on the Time’s list of the 22 top bakeries in America in 2024, published Dec. 24.
“This is a great time for American bakeries,” Times writer Brian Gallagher wrote before describing “some of the standard bearers we have loved from our travels over the last year.”
Which California bakeries are among the best in US?
The New York Times highlighted Bakers Bench in Los Angeles for its tasty croissants, fruit-stuffed danishes, and non-dairy items.
Jennifer Yee, who launched the vegan viennoiserie bakery as a kiosk before opening a brick-and-mortar store, said on the bakery’s website that she embraces the challenge of “making the best vegan croissant.”
“For those who look forward to the fleeting pleasures of pithivier season, Ms. Yee’s annual take is always a spectacular vision and a thrill — whether you’re vegan or not,” Tejah Rao wrote in the Times.
Recognized for its flavorful conchas, multigrain breads and seasonal pastries, Gusto Bread in Long Beach was touted as a neighborhood panaderia inspired by Mexican and Indigenous traditions. It’s owned by Arturo Enciso and Ana Belén Salatino.
“If it’s hard to imagine an improvement on the kouign-amann — that perfectly caramelized helix of salted butter and dough from Brittany — then it’s time to try the Nixtamal Queen, completely transformed by an addition of sourdough and nixtamalized corn,” Rao said.
The Bay Area was represented on the Times list with Quail & Condor in Healdsburg in Sonoma County wine country.
Described by the Times as a place to find “luscious chocolate Champagne cakes, sourdough smacked with tang and pastries with lamination close to translucent,” Quail & Condor has been a popular spot since it opened at its current location in 2020.
Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey own the bakery, which was lauded for its bread program.
“Seasonal treats like malted strawberry mini cakes and densely moist carrot cake also make the 70-mile drive up from San Francisco very much worthwhile,” Times writer Eleanore Park wrote.
What other bakeries made the New York Times list?
Here are some of the other bakeries —from Maine to Mississippi — identified by the New York Times as the top in the country:
- Banh by Lauren in New York City
- Cafe Mochiko in Cincinnati
- Caracas Bakery in Doral, Florida
- Comadre Panaderia in Austin, Texas
- Country Bird in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Diane’s Place in Minnesota
- Evergreen Butcher and Baker in Atlanta
- Flour & Flower in St. Joseph, Minnesota
- Koffeteria in Houston
- Lagniappe Bakehouse in New Orleans
- Loaf Lounge in Chicago
- Loblolly Bakery in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Lysee in New York City
- Machine Shop in Philadelphia
- The Place in Camden, Maine
- Poulette Bakeshop in Parker, Colorado
- Radio Bakery in New York City
- Saint Bread in Seattle
- The Sour in Rapid City, South Dakota
This story was originally published January 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "California has 3 of the best bakeries in the US, New York Times says. Where are they?."
