Are you planning a trip to Music City and wondering where to find the absolute best baked goods? You are in the right place. Nashville is famous for hot chicken and country music, but the local bakery scene is just as exciting.
Over the past few years, the city has seen a massive boom in amazing pastry shops. Today, Nashville offers a perfect mix of classic Southern sweets, authentic French pastries, and fresh artisan bread. Whether you want a warm chocolate croissant for breakfast or a massive custom cake for a birthday party, this city has exactly what you need.
In this complete guide, we will walk you through the absolute best bakeries in Nashville. You will discover local favorites, hidden neighborhood spots, and the perfect places to grab a quick treat while exploring downtown.
What Are the Best Bakeries in Nashville?
The best bakeries in Nashville include Dozen Bakery for artisan bread, Five Daughters Bakery for 100-layer donuts, and D’Andrews Bakery for downtown pastries. If you want authentic French treats, Cocorico French Bakery is the top choice. For birthday cakes, Baked on 8th offers the best local options.
Here is why these top spots stand out:
- Fresh Ingredients: The best local shops mill their own flour and use real butter.
- Master Techniques: Many bakers use a three day fermentation process for their bread.
- Neighborhood Charm: These bakeries are beloved local hangouts, not just tourist traps.
Quick List of the Best Bakeries in Nashville
If you are in a hurry, use this quick guide to find exactly what you want.
| Bakery Name | Best Known For | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|
| Dozen Bakery | Flaky croissants and artisan bread | South Nashville |
| Five Daughters Bakery | 100-layer croissant donuts | 12 South / Downtown |
| D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe | Pecan sticky buns | Downtown Nashville |
| Cocorico French Bakery | Authentic French baguettes | Midtown / The Gulch |
| Baked on 8th | Birthday cakes and cookies | Wedgewood Houston |
| Yeast Nashville | Savory and sweet kolaches | East Nashville |
| The Cupcake Collection | Sweet potato cupcakes | Germantown |
Explore the Best Bakeries in Nashville
Let us dive deep into the top pastry shops in the city. We will look at what makes each location special and tell you exactly what you should order.
Dozen Bakery
Located in the South Nashville area, Dozen Bakery is widely considered one of the best overall bakeries in the city. They started as a small holiday baking operation and grew into a wildly popular neighborhood staple.
Their absolute specialty is laminated dough. Why does laminated dough matter? The bakers fold cold butter into the dough over and over again. When it bakes, the water in the butter turns to steam. This steam pushes the layers apart, creating an exceptionally flaky almond croissant or morning bun. You should also try their French country sourdough loaves.
Five Daughters Bakery
If you ask any local where to get a donut, they will point you to Five Daughters Bakery. This family owned business started in the trendy 12 South neighborhood and quickly became a local legend.
They are famous for their 100-layer donuts. These treats perfectly bridge the gap between a flaky croissant and a fried donut. The dough takes three days to make. The bakers then fry it, roll it in sugar, and fill it with thick buttercream or seasonal fruit curds.
D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe
Finding a high quality bakery right in the middle of a busy city center can be tough. D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe is tucked away in Downtown Nashville. The head chef brings years of high level New York experience to Music City.
The James Beard Foundation even recognized this spot as an award semifinalist. Visitors highly celebrate their flawless pecan sticky buns, flaky pain au chocolat, and airy breakfast sandwiches. Because of its location, it is the perfect spot for a morning coffee before exploring Broadway.
Cocorico French Bakery & Cafe
If you want to feel like you are sitting at a cafe in Paris, you need to visit Cocorico. Situated between Midtown and The Gulch, this spot delivers highly authentic French baking.
Locals praise their buttery chocolate croissants and fresh baguette sandwiches. They also bake incredibly rich, gluten-free chocolate cakes. French baking focuses heavily on simple ingredients prepared with perfect technique. Cocorico nails this concept every single day.
Perenn Bakery
Perenn Bakery is a relatively new addition to the city, but it is making a huge impact. Located on Sidco Drive, this shop features a beautiful open concept kitchen. You can actually stand there and watch the bakers hard at work.
What makes Perenn so special? They mill their own flour from local farms. Why is house-milled flour better? Commercial flour strips away the outer layers of the wheat grain. Milling flour in house keeps all the natural oils and nutrients intact. This gives their country sourdough loaves and kouign-amann pastries a much deeper, richer flavor.
Baked on 8th
Found in the Melrose area, Baked on 8th is a trendy, woman owned bakery. It is the absolute go-to spot in Nashville for celebrations.
They serve massive, thick slices of vanilla almond cake right out of the display case. They are also known for rich oatmeal cream pies and perfectly chewy cookies. The bright, fun atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to take kids for an afternoon sugar rush.
Yeast Nashville
Nestled in East Nashville, Yeast Nashville offers something totally different. This rustic shop is the premier destination for authentic Tex-Czech kolaches.
A kolache is a sweet, pillowy pastry dough native to central Europe. Yeast Nashville fills these soft pastries with sweet fruit or savory ingredients like jalapeno, sausage, and cheese. It is a fantastic option if you want a warm, savory breakfast instead of something loaded with sugar.
The Cupcake Collection
Located in historic Germantown, The Cupcake Collection is a beloved family business. They operate out of a charming historic house and bake everything from scratch.
They are most famous for their sweet potato cupcake. It perfectly captures the warm, comforting flavors of classic Southern baking. The cake is incredibly moist, and the icing is light and fluffy without being too sweet.
Brightside Bakeshop
Brightside Bakeshop is an artisan bakery located in East Nashville. They focus almost entirely on laminated pastries. They combine classic French techniques with fun, modern flavors. You will find everything from savory everything bagel croissants to sweet fruit tarts.
Donut Den
Sometimes you just want a classic, no fuss donut. The Donut Den in Green Hills has been serving Nashville for decades. They do not rely on fancy toppings or weird flavors. Instead, they focus on perfecting the basics. Their classic glazed yeast rings and apple fritters are legendary among true Nashville locals.
Mama Bread
Operating in East Nashville, Mama Bread frequently draws large morning crowds. They operate as a neighborhood market and a fresh bread bakery.
They are famous for serving what many consider the best morning buns in town. They are also known for their warm, tender sourdough bread. They use a slow, wild yeast fermentation process. This breaks down the gluten naturally, making the bread much easier to digest while giving it that classic tangy flavor.
Christie Cookie Co.
You cannot talk about Nashville baked goods without mentioning Christie Cookie Co. Located in Germantown, they have been baking gourmet cookies for over 35 years. Their chocolate chip cookies are perfectly crispy on the edges and soft in the middle.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
While this is a larger franchise, the local Nashville locations are incredibly popular for a reason. They offer perfectly uniform, extremely moist bundt cakes topped with thick cream cheese frosting. They are a highly reliable choice for office parties or last minute gifts.
Aunt Pam’s Cookies & Barbara’s Southern Pies
If you want traditional Southern desserts, you need to visit this hidden gem. Visitors and locals constantly rave about their pecan pie. The filling is rich and gooey, while the crust remains perfectly flaky. It feels like a dessert made right in your grandmother’s kitchen.
Parlor Doughnuts
Located near the West End area, Parlor Doughnuts serves a unique style of layered doughnuts. The dough is folded similar to a croissant, making it much lighter than a heavy cake donut. They also serve excellent avocado toast if you need a savory break from the sugar.
SusieCakes
SusieCakes specializes in classic, all American baking. They do not use any artificial preservatives or mixes. Their massive layer cakes look exactly like the ones you see in classic movies. Their southern red velvet cake and classic vanilla celebration cake are massive crowd pleasers.
Fatbelly Pretzel Bakery & Deli
Fatbelly focuses on the savory side of baking. They make incredible, hand rolled soft pretzels. They use these pretzels to create mouth watering deli sandwiches. It is a must visit spot for a quick, filling lunch in East Nashville.
Find the Best Bakeries in Downtown Nashville
If you are staying in a hotel near Broadway, you likely do not want to drive 20 minutes just to get breakfast. Thankfully, you can find incredible bakeries in downtown Nashville.
D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe is your best bet for a sit down breakfast. It is located just a few blocks from the main tourist area. You can grab a freshly baked sandwich and a world class coffee before starting your day.
If you want a quick sugar fix, Five Daughters Bakery has a smaller location inside the Assembly Food Hall right on Broadway. You can easily grab a 100-layer donut while listening to live country music.
For a larger list of local attractions to pair with your morning coffee, check out the Visit Music City website for downtown maps and event schedules.
Discover the Best Cake Bakeries in Nashville
Are you celebrating a special occasion during your visit? Nashville has several amazing cake shops ready to help.
Best Birthday Cakes
If you need a fun, colorful, and delicious birthday cake, Baked on 8th is the top choice. They offer beautiful custom designs and classic flavors. SusieCakes is another fantastic option for traditional layer cakes loaded with sweet buttercream frosting.
Best Custom Cakes and Cupcakes
If you are hosting a smaller party, cupcakes are often easier to manage than a large cake. The Cupcake Collection in Germantown allows you to order massive boxes of mixed flavors. This ensures every guest gets exactly what they want.
Best Wedding Cakes
Many of the artisan bakeries in the city, including Dozen Bakery, offer specialized catering menus for weddings. Because wedding cakes require complex delivery setups, you should always contact these local bakeries at least three months in advance to secure a spot on their schedule.
Visit the Best French Bakeries in Nashville
French baking is an absolute art form. It requires immense patience and perfect temperature control.
Cocorico French Bakery is the most authentic French bakery in Nashville. They import specific ingredients to ensure their bread tastes exactly like it does in France.
Dozen Bakery and Perenn Bakery also use classic French techniques. When you visit these spots, you should always order a plain butter croissant. Why order plain? A plain croissant has nowhere to hide. Without heavy chocolate or fruit to mask the flavor, you can truly taste the quality of the butter and the skill of the baker.
Enjoy the Best Donuts and Sweet Treats in Nashville
Nashville takes donuts very seriously. You have two main styles to choose from when exploring the city.
If you want an extravagant, modern dessert, go to Five Daughters Bakery. Their massive, layered croissant donuts are heavy, filling, and incredibly sweet.
If you prefer a classic, old fashioned experience, drive over to the Donut Den. Their classic yeast rings are light, airy, and melt right in your mouth.
Taste the Best Artisan Bread in Nashville
Making great bread takes time. The best fresh bread bakery in Nashville will always use a long fermentation process.
Mama Bread and Perenn Bakery are the top destinations for a fresh sourdough loaf. Why is artisan bread better than grocery store bread? Commercial bread is made in a few hours using massive amounts of commercial yeast. Artisan bread ferments slowly over 24 to 48 hours. This slow process develops complex acids in the dough, which creates a chewy texture, a crunchy crust, and a deep flavor that factory bread simply cannot copy.
Which Nashville Bakery Is Best for Your Cravings?
Are you still having trouble deciding where to go? Use this simple matching table to find your perfect spot.
| What You Are Craving | Where You Should Go |
|---|---|
| A flaky morning croissant | Dozen Bakery |
| A massive birthday cake | Baked on 8th |
| A quick downtown breakfast | D’Andrews Bakery |
| A classic glazed donut | Donut Den |
| A fresh sourdough loaf | Perenn Bakery |
| A savory breakfast pastry | Yeast Nashville |
| A warm cookie | Christie Cookie Co. |
Real-Life Application: Planning Your Nashville Bakery Tour
Reading about these pastries is great, but applying this knowledge to your trip is even better. Here is how you can build a perfect morning bakery tour.
Step 1: Start Early in East Nashville.
Wake up at 7:30 AM and head straight to Mama Bread. Grab a fresh morning bun right as they come out of the oven. Because artisan bakeries sell out quickly, arriving early guarantees you get the best items.
Step 2: Grab a Savory Snack.
Take a five minute drive over to Yeast Nashville. Buy a warm jalapeno and cheese kolache. This savory treat will perfectly balance out the sweet morning bun you just ate.
Step 3: Head to Downtown Nashville.
Drive downtown and park your car. Walk over to D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe. Order a strong espresso and a pain au chocolat. You can sit down, enjoy the city views, and plan out the rest of your afternoon sightseeing.
By mapping out your stops based on the neighborhood, you save time on driving and get to taste three completely different styles of baking in just one morning.
What Makes Nashville’s Bakery Scene Unique?
Nashville has a very special food culture. It perfectly blends old school Southern baking traditions with high end European pastry techniques.
In the same city, you can find a grandmother baking a classic pecan pie and a James Beard nominated chef folding imported butter into French dough. This amazing variety makes Nashville a premier destination for food lovers. To stay updated on the newest restaurants opening in the city, you can always check local food guides like Eater Nashville.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best bakeries in Nashville?
The top rated bakeries include Dozen Bakery for fresh bread, Five Daughters Bakery for layered donuts, Baked on 8th for custom cakes, and Cocorico for authentic French pastries.
What is the best bakery in downtown Nashville?
D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe is the best bakery located directly in downtown Nashville. It is highly famous for its pecan sticky buns, fresh coffee, and breakfast sandwiches.
Where can I find the best birthday cakes in Nashville?
Baked on 8th and SusieCakes are the most popular spots for birthday cakes. They offer large layer cakes, custom designs, and classic American flavors like vanilla and red velvet.
What is the best French bakery in Nashville?
Cocorico French Bakery & Cafe is the premier French bakery in the city. They specialize in traditional baguettes, plain butter croissants, and rich chocolate desserts.
Which Nashville bakery has the best croissants?
Dozen Bakery in South Nashville is widely known for having the best croissants in the city. They use a strict lamination process to ensure every pastry is incredibly flaky and buttery.
Which bakery is famous in Nashville?
Five Daughters Bakery is arguably the most famous bakery in Nashville. They gained national attention for creating the 100-layer donut, which combines the texture of a croissant with the sweetness of a classic donut.
Where can I buy artisan bread in Nashville?
Perenn Bakery, Mama Bread, and Dozen Bakery are the best places to buy fresh artisan bread. They specialize in slow fermented sourdough and country loaves.
What dessert is Nashville famous for?
While Nashville is famous for Goo Goo Clusters and banana pudding, the city’s most famous bakery dessert is the 100-layer donut from Five Daughters Bakery.
Are there bakeries near Broadway in Nashville?
Yes. D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe is located just a short walk from Broadway. You can also find a smaller Five Daughters Bakery location inside the Assembly Food Hall on Broadway.
Which Nashville bakery is best for donuts?
If you want modern, massive, cream filled donuts, Five Daughters Bakery is the best choice. If you prefer classic, simple yeast and cake donuts, the Donut Den is the top local favorite.
