Nomsters, if there’s one food category I will never say no to, it’s a good bakery, and after years of eating my way across the state I’ve got a running list of the best bakeries in Maryland that I keep coming back to.
This roundup gathers them in one place, from French patisseries and Hong Kong and Japanese spots to from-scratch cake studios, Eastern Shore donut institutions, and viral bagel windows, spread from Rockville and Bethesda down to Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, and all the way out to Cambridge. As usual, these are in no particular order, just the spots I genuinely love and send friends to.
Jump to a bakery
1. Black Market Bakers
I kicked myself for not getting to Black Market Bakers sooner, because the line out the door in Edgewater is there for a reason. My mom and I went all in and there honestly wasn’t a single miss. The S’mores Cream Bun was the standout, soft, rich, and easily one of the best pastries I’ve ever had, while the Orange Creamsicle Cruffin was flaky and bright and the Dole Whip Danish brought all the tropical vibes.
The real surprise was the Garlic Herb Sourdough, so aromatic I may or may not have eaten five slices in one sitting, lol. They do breakfast and lunch too, not just pastries, parking’s super easy, and everyone there was so kind.
- My must-orders: S’mores Cream Bun, Orange Creamsicle Cruffin, Garlic Herb Sourdough.
- Best for: a weekend pastry run, breakfast and lunch, easy parking.
- Kim’s tip: lines get long but move fast, so go early for first pick.
2. Café Dear Leon
Café Dear Leon’s the tiny Canton bakery behind the viral crab dip bagel, and after a few sold-out strikeouts I finally snagged one. Short answer, it lives up to the hype, loaded with Cajun butter, Old Bay, corn, cheddar, and lump crab for $10.50, rich and cheesy and SO yum.
But I’ll be real with you, if I could only grab one thing, I’d reach for their crab + egg sando instead, which lands a little later in the morning and quietly steals the show. The three owners met at the Culinary Institute of America and are classically trained in French boulangerie, so the croissants and pastries are seriously good too.
- My must-orders: crab + egg sando, the viral crab dip bagel, the French croissants.
- Best for: an early-morning Baltimore pastry mission, crab lovers.
- Kim’s tip: the bagel drops at 7:30am, and sells out fast, so set an alarm.
3. Sunday Morning Bakehouse
Sunday Morning Bakehouse at Pike and Rose is my kind of spot, everything’s baked from scratch in-house every single day and you can taste it. The croissants are the reason to come, and the almond one’s my go-to every time, but this visit the twice-baked banana caramel croissant completely won me over, denser and almost dessert-like!
If you want something savory, the cheddar jalapeño biscuit’s a good shout. They rotate weekend-only treats like a matcha croissant and kouign amann, which is reason enough to show up on a Saturday. There’s a full espresso bar so it doubles as a coffee date or a work morning, though laptops are only allowed in their coworking area. It’s open daily 8 to 6 and budget-friendly.
- My must-orders: almond croissant, twice-baked banana caramel croissant, cheddar jalapeño biscuit.
- Best for: a coffee date or work morning, from-scratch croissant lovers.
- Kim’s tip: come on a weekend to catch the matcha croissant and kouign amann.
4. Ovenbird Bakery
Ovenbird’s a naturally leavened bread bakery first, and that care shows up in everything from the blistered bagels to the laminated pastries. I went with Minje and we walked out with a lox bagel ($10.25) on a za’atar bagel that did a lot of quiet work, a burrata bagel, a tall creamy spinach quiche, and an almond croissant ($5.25) that’s genuinely one of the best you’ll ever have.
Their signature Baltimore Sourdough is the anchor of the whole operation, so don’t leave without a loaf! Founder Keiller Kyle was a bird biologist before he traded fieldwork for flour, and the Little Italy original has grown to three locations. It’s tiny and gets BUSY, so get there early, but they’re super efficient so the wait’s never long. Heads up, prices may have crept up since my visit.
- My must-orders: almond croissant, lox bagel, the Baltimore Sourdough loaf.
- Best for: a low-key weekend morning, bagel and artisan-bread lovers.
- Kim’s tip: it’s walk-in only and gets busy, so go early for first pick of the case.
5. EDSTUDIO
EDSTUDIO in the Kentlands might be the best Asian bakery in Maryland, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s a Hong Kong-style dessert studio run by a baker named Ed, turning out small-batch cream cakes in flavors like pistachio and matcha, that light, not-too-sweet way Asian bakeries do so well.
The warm chocolate lava bun stuffed with Valrhona is best eaten right there in the shop, and the Portuguese egg tarts and panna-cotta-topped milk tea are the classics you come for. They do custom cakes too if you order ahead through their site or app. One real pro tip, a lot of the fresh items aren’t out until early-to-mid afternoon even though they open at 12:30, and the best items sell out, so mid-afternoon’s the sweet spot!
- My must-orders: the cream cakes, chocolate lava bun, egg tarts and milk tea.
- Best for: a not-too-sweet Asian dessert fix, custom celebration cakes.
- Kim’s tip: go mid-afternoon (open Wed to Sun from 12:30) for the best selection.
6. Mirabeau
Mirabeau’s a cozy little French bakery tucked away on Fishers Lane in Rockville, and pastries are my kryptonite, so when my mom was craving something sweet it was an easy yes. We grabbed a bit of everything, and while it was all really solid, the creme brulee donut ($3.95) was my favorite by a mile, it hit me with this wave of nostalgia, almost like a Korean donut, and I now crave it regularly.
The coffee cake ($4.50) was a very close second and what I’d order if the donut sells out, and the caramelized onion scone’s a nice savory change of pace. Everything’s baked in limited batches so popular items go fast, go earlier for the best pick. It’s more than a pastry case too, they do coffee, matcha, and savory sandwiches like a jambon beurre, so you can make it a light lunch. A gem worth knowing about!
- My must-orders: creme brulee donut, coffee cake, caramelized onion scone.
- Best for: a cozy French-bakery moment, a sweet treat with mom.
- Kim’s tip: everything’s baked in small batches, so go earlier before faves sell out.
7. Sacré Sucré
Desserts are my kryptonite and Sacré Sucré’s exactly the kind of place that gets me in trouble, lol. This Fells Point French patisserie is run by Manuel and Dane, a married couple who taught themselves pastry from cookbooks and YouTube after falling for a fig macaron in Lyon, and that obsession shows in every laminated layer.
The Pumpkin Medovik ($15) was the star, a buckwheat honey cake with pumpkin creme fraiche and creme brulee where every layer does something different, and it’s the one that’ll pull me back! The monkey bread ($6) with cardamom sugar and caramel is such a good deal, and the macarons are basically the whole reason the place exists. The Fell Street space feels calm and zen, easy to linger over tea. Popular items sell out, so mornings are your best bet.
- My must-orders: Pumpkin Medovik (if it’s in the case), cardamom monkey bread, the macarons.
- Best for: a proper French pastry fix, a quiet weekday treat.
- Kim’s tip: go in the morning before faves sell out, and they run macaron-making classes.
8. Les Delices Bakery
Les Delices is a Rockville institution that’s been family-owned for over 36 years, and after finally trying their cakes and cookies, it’s absolutely worth every bit of the hype. The Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cake was a game-changer, layers of chocolate cake, mousse, ganache, and a crispy hazelnut base, rich but surprisingly light and hands down one of the best chocolate cakes I’ve had in a long time.
The Mango Passion Pistachio Cake was bright and refreshing without being too sweet, and the cookies (2 for $1.50) are an easy grab, the caramel coconut one reminded me of Samoas. They also do gluten-free desserts, fruit tarts, and mini pastries, so there’s something for every craving. If you’re a chocolate lover, that chocolate cake alone is reason enough to stop in. You can thank me later!
- My must-orders: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cake, Mango Passion Pistachio Cake, caramel coconut cookies.
- Best for: celebration cakes, chocolate lovers, gluten-free options.
- Kim’s tip: the cookies are a budget-friendly grab at 2 for $1.50.
9. Bay Country Bakery
Some spots are worth crossing the Bay Bridge for, and Bay Country in Cambridge is one of them. This family-run Eastern Shore bakery has been turning out fresh donuts in both cake and yeast styles since the late ’90s, and they’re so good it’s almost unfair! Cake donuts are denser and perfect for a coffee dunk, yeast donuts are light and pillowy, so grab a mixed box and get the best of both.
They also do fresh specialty breads a couple of days a week (Tuesdays and Fridays), cookies, pastries, made-to-order custom cakes for birthdays and weddings, and even a grab-and-go lunch. There’s a drive-thru window, which is clutch on a road-trip morning. Fair warning, they close at 1pm and the good stuff goes fast, so this is a get-there-early kind of spot. Worth building your Shore morning around.
- My must-orders: a mixed box of both cake AND yeast donuts.
- Best for: an Eastern Shore road-trip stop, custom celebration cakes.
- Kim’s tip: they close at 1pm and donuts sell out, so set the alarm and go early.
10. Morning My Day
Morning My Day’s a tiny Japanese bakery in downtown Silver Spring that makes everything from scratch daily, and it’s one of my absolute faves. Owners Wendy and Alan are two of the sweetest people you’ll meet, Wendy runs the cakes and Alan handles the fresh breads, so you get delicate cakes AND pillowy made-that-morning buns under one little roof.
The purple yam flower bun is the top seller and what I’d tell any first-timer to get, a soft flower-shaped bun filled with naturally sweet, nutty ube. The black sesame mochi bread’s another must if you love a springy, chewy texture, and the tiramisu proves the cake side’s no afterthought. Do NOT leave without a boba, it’s phenomenal! Ask them to heat up your breads too, it genuinely makes them better.
- My must-orders: purple yam flower bun, black sesame mochi bread, tiramisu.
- Best for: an Asian bakery and boba run, rooting for a family-run spot.
- Kim’s tip: ask them to heat up your breads, it levels the whole order up.
11. Sweet Eden Bakeshop
Sweet Eden’s a Black-owned, woman-owned, from-scratch bakeshop in Severn, and I went a little feral and grabbed a whole haul, so you’re getting the honest breakdown. The cake pops ($2.75) were EXCEPTIONAL and the clear winner, birthday cake and red velvet both so tasty! The cupcakes ($3.75) are a close second, and the eggnog seasonal flavor REALLY tasted like the real deal.
Not everything was a home run, the snickerdoodle cookie was just fine, and the Nutella-raspberry ‘Big Mac’ pastry wasn’t for me personally, though I can see others loving it. Owner Kendra Eden’s a Johnson & Wales-trained pastry chef and that training shows, plus there’s a solid lineup of gluten-free and vegan options. They’re best known for gorgeous custom cakes, so it’s a great pick for a birthday or party. A quick drive from Arundel Mills.
- My must-orders: the cake pops, a seasonal cupcake flavor, custom celebration cakes.
- Best for: birthdays and parties, gluten-free and vegan eaters.
- Kim’s tip: skip the ‘Big Mac’ pastry and start with the cake pops.
12. Kupcakes & Co
Kupcakes & Co in Elkridge is a favorite for anyone with a sweet tooth, known for their cupcakes and custom cakes. I grabbed a half dozen for myself (no shame), and the Shark Attack was easily my top pick, with the Oreo Milkshake and Half Baked cupcakes close seconds.
The presentation’s top-notch and the flavors change frequently, so check their site to see what’s up that day. They were definitely on the pricier side, running $3.50 for signature cupcakes up to $4.75 for the boutique options, but worth every penny IMO, and they offer gluten-free and vegan cupcakes too. What makes me want to support them even more is that they donate cupcakes weekly to local food pantries and shelters. If you’ve got a celebration coming up, their custom cakes are the move.
- My must-orders: the Shark Attack, Oreo Milkshake, and Half Baked cupcakes.
- Best for: custom celebration cakes, gluten-free and vegan cupcake eaters.
- Kim’s tip: flavors rotate often, so check their site before you go.
13. Sweet Hearts Patisserie
A true French patisserie’s rare in Annapolis, and Sweet Hearts has been doing it since 2012. I asked what they’re known for and the answer was macarons and petit fours, so obviously I grabbed both! The macarons ($2.50 each) were a 10/10 for me, that delicate slightly chewy texture that’s hard to nail, and not a sugar bomb in the bunch, the pumpkin spice latte and dark chocolate were standouts.
The petit fours ($13.25 for a box of 4) are tiny hand-decorated cakes they’re one of the only spots around to do, almost too pretty to eat and they come in adorable ribboned packaging. They’re a touch pricy, I won’t pretend otherwise, but macarons are genuinely HARD to make and you can taste the quality. They do full custom cakes and dessert tables too, plus easy free parking.
- My must-orders: the macarons, a box of petit fours.
- Best for: a gift that impresses, custom cakes and wedding dessert tables.
- Kim’s tip: the petit fours make a gorgeous holiday gift, ribbon included.
14. AppleCore’s Bake Shoppe
AppleCore’s is a Black-owned, family-run bakery that spent years building a following before finally opening a permanent Columbia storefront, and it did not disappoint! I came for dessert and left with a new favorite, the Sweet Potato Cheesecake ($10.50), which I’d buy again no hesitation, especially heading into the cozy fall and holiday season.
The banana pudding ($6.75) was SO yum, and I loved that they cut the fresh bananas on top right when you order so they don’t brown. For something savory, the bacon cheddar chive scone’s softer and breadier than a classic flaky scone, so order it for what it is. The desserts lean balanced rather than tooth-achingly sweet, they carry local Taharka Bros ice cream, and they keep vegan and gluten-free options on the menu. It’s tucked in an office park next to Bon Fresco, so punch in the exact address.
- My must-orders: Sweet Potato Cheesecake, the banana pudding.
- Best for: a Columbia dessert mission, vegan and gluten-free eaters.
- Kim’s tip: Google sends you to the old spot, so use 6945 Oakland Mills Road.
So there you have it, Nomsters, 14 of the best bakeries in Maryland worth clearing some room in your weekend (and your stomach) for. Whether you’re chasing a viral crab dip bagel in Baltimore, a not-too-sweet macaron in Annapolis, or a box of hot donuts out on the Shore, there’s a sweet spot on this list for you.
Which ones have you been to, and which am I missing? Drop your favorite Maryland bakery in the comments, and if you’ve got a fellow pastry lover in your life, send this their way so you can plan your next bakery crawl together.