Best Bakeries in Kansas City: Top Donuts, Pastries & Bread

Kansas City offers a lively baking scene that ranges from long-running heritage shops to new cafés with full coffee programs. Local spots turn out scratch-made pastries, cupcakes, loaves, and cookies that bring people together for morning rituals and weekend treats.

Many bakeries skip preservatives, and several items freeze well after 24 hours. You’ll find artisan bread hubs, classic cinnamon rolls, and modern shops that pair savory menus with house-baked goods.

This guide maps out where to go for flaky pastries, hearty bread, and favorite sweets across town. Expect clear notes on what each place does best, when to arrive for the freshest bakes, and which treats make great next-day snacks.

Key Takeaways

Find a mix of heritage bakeries and modern cafés across Kansas City.
Many items are scratch-made and freeze well after a day.
Look for artisan loaves and signature pastries at morning hotspots.
Selections include sweet treats, savory plates, and reliable breakfast options.
This guide helps plan a bakery crawl or pick spots for special orders.

Today’s best bakeries Kansas City locals love for pastries, bread, and coffee

From flaky croissants to hearty sandwich loaves, these neighborhood spots deliver daily comfort and craft.

Heirloom Bakery & Hearth (Brookside) serves biscuit breakfast sandwiches, playful Pop‑Tart riffs, crackers, breads, cinnamon rolls, and good coffee in a funky former gas station.

McLain’s Bakery (Waldo)

McLain’s Bakery has offered classics since 1945: chocolate cupcookies, butter rolls, cinnamon rolls, and celebration cakes. The shop also serves breakfast and lunch and runs a full coffee bar.

Ibis Bakery

Ibis specializes in au levain loaves, thick artisan toast, flaky croissants, and chocolate‑dipped macaroons. Their technique shows in every item.

Dolce Bakery, Banksia, Le Monde, Sasha’s

Dolce Bakery focuses on nostalgic desserts and stunning cakes. Banksia pairs inventive baked goods with a full menu and cozy coffee vibes. Le Monde turns out French breads and a famous BLT croissant, with expansion plans on the horizon. Sasha’s Baking Co. offers meticulously crafted pastries that make a visit feel special.

Use this short list as a rotation for morning meetups, pastry boxes, or taking out-of-town guests.

pastries kansas city

Shop	Signature Item	Good for	Note
Heirloom Bakery & Hearth	Biscuit sandwich	Breakfast	Funky setting, coffee
McLain’s Bakery	Chocolate cupcookie	Breakfast & lunch	Full coffee bar, cakes
Ibis Bakery	Au levain loaf	Artisan toast	Croissants & macaroons
Dolce / Banksia / Le Monde / Sasha’s	Cakes / Inventive treats / BLT croissant / Pastries	Special orders / Meals / Lunch / Treats	Seasonal nights, expansion plans, pastry chef-crafted items

Sweet tooth standouts: donuts, cupcakes, pies, and desserts around town

If you have a sweet tooth, the metro offers spots that turn classic desserts into local rituals.

Cupcakes to try: Head to Sweet Petites KC in the River Market, Small Cakes in Olathe, or Cupcake A La Mode on the Plaza. Each shop brings different frosting styles and seasonal flavors you can sample.

Pie planning: Upper Crust Pie Bakery and Ashleigh’s Bake Shop keep long flavor lists and take special orders with 48 hours’ notice. That makes them reliable when you need a centerpiece for a celebration.

Homestyle and global picks: Home Sweet Home Bakery serves comfort desserts that travel well for gatherings. Tous Les Jours mixes French and Asian ideas—think warm kimchi croquettes, sweet corn cream twists, and delicate macaroons picked from a case.

Worth a detour: Boulevard Bakery’s Danishes are flaky and fresh, the kind of baked goods that justify a short trip.

Bring cookie boxes, cakes, or hand pies for easy transport.
Visit early in the day for the widest selection of items and treats.

Artisan bread and hearth-baked favorites for breakfast, lunch, and beyond

Start the day with a slice of warm loaf or a crisp baguette from one of the town’s neighborhood ovens.

Fervere is known for its orchard loaf packed with dried fruit and nuts and for iconic cheese slippers—cheese-forward, sourdough-based cheese bread served straight from the bake. These loaves show clear artisan expertise and make bold breakfast toast.

Farm to Market Bread Co. supplies sourdough, Grains Galore, ciabatta, pretzel rolls, and baguettes across the metro. Their range delivers everyday quality for sandwiches, toast, and dinner.

Hearth Bread Company bakes with locally milled grains and turns out 4–6 seasonal loaves midweek through Saturday. On Saturdays you’ll find fried blueberry and apple fritters and occasional beignets that reward early arrivals.

Roma Bakery has been shaping Italian breads in Kansas City since 1923, and its loaves appear in many local grocers. This long-standing location keeps classic recipes on steady rotation.

Trade Routes Bakery & Pak Halal bake pita daily; a quick toast in the oven opens the pocket perfectly for easy sandwich-making and ready-to-eat lunch options.

Tip: Pick a crusty loaf for soups and a soft loaf for sandwiches to cover meals all week.
Pro move: Call ahead for specific items—these baked goods often sell out by mid-morning.

From rustic sourdough to pocket pitas, this group of bread-focused shops pairs consistent quality with distinctive styles for sweet savory mornings and simple dinners.

artisan bread kansas city

Dietary niches, neighborhood gems, and can’t-miss specialties

Find focused offerings across neighborhoods that fit allergies, ethics, and heritage baking all in one route.

Meshuggah Bagels brings New York-style kosher bagels with house schmears—plain, garlic-herb, and salmon—and deli additions like lox and whitefish salad.

Mama Resch’s (Overland Park) turns gluten-free goods into treats that please the whole table. Emily Kate’s Bakery supplies gluten-free cookies and wholesale items to Dolce and several local coffee shops, making safe options easy to find.

Mud Pie is an all-vegan coffeehouse with a case of plant-based baked goods that taste indulgent and fresh.

Strawberry Hill Povitica offers European swirled sweet breads in many flavors—slice, freeze, and pull out for holiday months. Clock Tower Bakery at the Overland Park market is a weekend stop for scones, Cornish pasties, and tiramisu.

“These neighborhood shops make dietary needs feel like choices, not compromises.”

Shop	Specialty	Good for
Meshuggah Bagels	NY-style bagels, lox, schmears	Breakfast & deli
Mama Resch’s	Gluten-free breads and cookies	Allergy-friendly orders
Mud Pie	Vegan pastries	Plant-based desserts
Strawberry Hill Povitica	European swirled breads	Holiday months & gifts

Tip: Pack extra loaves or cookies for gatherings; these local goods are favorite picks that people remember.

Conclusion

Make today’s visit count: many items shine brightest the day they leave the oven, then freeze well within 24 hours for later use.

Pick a mix of artisan crusts and soft loaves so you have options for breakfast toast, lunch sandwiches, and cozy dinners. Plan stops around each location’s peak hours to secure signature goods like Fervere’s cheese slipper or Hearth Bread Company’s milled-grain loaves.

Put Dolce Bakery on your radar for cakes and seasonal cobblers, and count on McLain’s Bakery and Heirloom Bakery & Hearth for reliable morning pastries and coffee pairings. Round out boxes with cookies, croissants, and macaroons to please a crowd.

Use this guide to map a route around town and support local people who turn simple ingredients into remarkable baked goods.

FAQ

Which local shops serve standout pastries and coffee for a morning treat?

Look for neighborhood spots like Heirloom Bakery & Hearth in Brookside, Dolce Bakery in Prairie Village, and Banksia downtown. They pair fresh-baked pastries with strong coffee and cozy seating, making them perfect for breakfast or a mid-morning break.

Where can I find artisan bread and sourdough loaves made with local grains?

Try Farm to Market Bread Co., Hearth Bread Company, and Fervere. These bakeries focus on hearth-baked loaves, seasonal grains, and long fermentation for deep flavor—great for sandwiches, toasts, and hearty breakfasts.

Who makes memorable cakes and special-order celebration desserts?

Dolce Bakery and Le Monde Bakery have strong reputations for custom cakes and celebration desserts. Call ahead to discuss designs, flavors, and lead time—busy weekends fill up quickly.

Which places are best for donuts, cupcakes, and pies across the metro?

For sweets, visit Sweet Petites KC, Small Cakes, and Cupcake A La Mode for cupcakes; Upper Crust Pie Bakery and Ashleigh’s Bake Shop for pies (some require 48-hour notice); and Boulevard Bakery for standout Danishes.

Are there good vegan or gluten-free options available locally?

Yes. Mud Pie offers all-vegan pastries and coffeehouse fare. For gluten-free options, Mama Resch’s and Emily Kate’s Bakery supply reliable items—Emily Kate’s also wholesales to local cafés like Dolce.

Where can I pick up classic regional breads and long-running family recipes?

Roma Bakery is a century-old source for Italian breads and traditional recipes. Other neighborhood favorites such as Trade Routes Bakery and Roma offer dependable, familiar loaves beloved by locals.

Which bakeries offer savory items like biscuit sandwiches, cheese bread, or bagels with lox?

Heirloom Bakery & Hearth excels at biscuit sandwiches and savory riffs. Fervere makes signature cheese bread, and Meshuggah Bagels delivers New York–style bagels with schmears, lox, and whitefish salad.

Can I order wholesale or catering from local bakeries for events?

Many bakeries provide wholesale or catering services. Contact McLain’s Bakery, Emily Kate’s (for gluten-free wholesale), and Sasha’s Baking Co. for pastry trays, while Dolce and Le Monde schedule cake orders and larger event needs.

Where can I find international or specialty baked goods like povitica, macarons, or kimchi croquettes?

Strawberry Hill Povitica is the go-to for traditional Eastern European sweet breads. Tout Les Jours offers French/Asian-inspired pastries and macarons, while select bakeries such as Ibis and Sasha’s rotate inventive, global pastries.

How do I know when a bakery is freshest or has limited-run items that sell out fast?

Follow bakeries on social media or sign up for their email lists—shops like Heirloom, McLain’s, and Banksia post daily updates and special releases. Arrive early on weekends for best selection; many limited items sell out by mid-morning.