The Best Bakeries in Bend

Welcoming the weekend immediately assumes that stopping into a bakery will occur at some point over the course of the two days. Maybe that’s just me, but I have a feeling many of you enjoy this simple luxury as well. After all, it is the French that indulge in a croissant or a specialty bread on the weekends and remain disciplined during the week perhaps only stopping in for a fresh baguette, but nothing buttery and chocolate until the weekend. And with such talent making delicious treats to eat, it is hard to make an excuse not too. (Just stop in after your long weekend jaunt with your good friend or dogs. No guilt. None.)

As someone who thoroughly enjoys spending time in bakeries, patisseries or cafes whether to work on the blog, catch up on some reading or simply lounge with friends or my pups, finding a go-to bakery was a must on my list when I first arrived in Bend last summer as I began settling into my new home town.

Having had the opportunity to taste the buttery goodness of Paris’ croissants and pain au chocolat just to begin to whet your palette, I am nothing but particular when it comes to satiating my pastry cravings. And while I am still exploring the other food venues for dinner, lunch and and everything in between, if there is one thing that I am confident in recommending this early into my time here in Bend, it is bakeries.

As evidenced by more than a few an excessive amount of pics of the bakeries and the goodies they offer found on my Instagram, I have picked my top four bakeries in Bend that I recommend wholeheartedly and am confident you will enjoy depending upon what you are looking for. All are locally owned and two have two destinations to accommodate their booming popularity (each having one on the east and one on the west side of town).

What did I take into consideration when compiling my list? First, where do I spend most of my time? Where do I enjoy going based on the friendliness of the staff, the welcoming aesthetics of the decor and of course the quality and offerings of their goods. Having an accommodating space for pups as well was taken into consideration as Norman and Oscar are usually in tow as we sometimes stop in after a walk.

Okay, so below is the list, in no particular order.

Foxtail Bakeshop

My first experience tasting the talents of chef and owner Nickol Hayden-Cady’s pastries was when I attended a class offered through the Bite of Bend. Needless to say, I came home with four knock-your-socks-off recipes and a sugar high in all the right ways. Hayden-Cady has been in the pastry business for 15 years beginning with her training at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York. And when I discovered she worked at Papa Haydn’s in Portland, Oregon, for two years as their executive pastry chef and consultant, I was a convert if I hadn’t been one already.

(The story of Papa Haydn‘s: 13 years ago I lived on NW 23rd in Portland, one block up from Papa Haydn’s. Papa Haydn’s is renowned for their dessert offerings, and while I didn’t go out to dinner there but once, I would regularly pop in for a sweet dessert. My taste buds were always dancing.)

She is indeed a busy baker with a long list of weddings to bake for this summer and every summer I am sure, but when you pop in you will see why people recommend you stop in to her petite shop just off of Galveston (735 NW Columbia St.). The offerings are unique and full of an abundance of flavor (some images of pastries are below). The seating is primarily outside, but with the location being a side street, the traffic is minimal (but ideally close to the hustle and bustle of Galveston street which is busy with tourists) and there is shade for the pups. If you want her savory treats in the morning, be sure to get there early, as they go quickly. Hours of operation: Foxtail Bakeshop is OPEN: Wed-Sat 10am-5:30pm, Sun-Tues Closed (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays)

~on the table, a lemon and lavender-infused cupcake with mascarpone frosting~

~the chocolate, caramel ganache tart in the center will make your eyes roll back in your head. It is amazing.~

~Norman and Oscar just hanging out, wondering why I am not sitting down and enjoying the lovely outdoor seating with them. “Blog work boys! Blog work that is imperative! People need to know where they can find a good bakery. Priorities!”~

~chef Cady with her Earl Grey Tea-Ra-Misu Tart~

 

 

Nancy P.’s Cafe & Bakery

As someone who has been visiting Bend since I was a young girl, my first visit without my parents to visit my aunt and uncle was almost twenty years ago, and I can vividly remember Nancy P’s Cafe and Bakery. The cozy house with an abundance of green foliage accessorizing the home. Needless to say, one of the first ventures I set out on when I moved here was to find this bakery. Priorities! And while the ownership has changed hands, the bakery is still top notch, just as I remember.

Nestled right off of Newport Ave (1054 NW Milwaukee Ave.) across the street from Newport Market, Nancy P’s is a delight to enjoy nibbling on their food and a hot cup of coffee whether you sit inside or out. If you are looking for classic American desserts (pies especially), frittatas, quiche, muffins, scones, brownies, bars, cookies, taken up to a whole other level of flavor and awesomeness, this is the bakery for you. In fact, their Apple Maple Pecan pie is a perfect example of classic meets exceptional flavor and creativity (see the pie below).

One of the first bakeries I visited when I was exploring Bend a couple of years ago, I can remember my entire experience vividly. From the mouth-watering quiche, perusing the local newspaper and sipping a warm cup of tea as the March weather was still quite chilly. As well, their baked doggie biscuits are something I will pick up for the boys as a special treat from time to time.

Speaking of the boys, sitting out on their patio, which has ample shade, is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. The petite birds that know where to find good food keep customers company with their chirps, and the dogs are easily accommodated as well.  Nancy P’s is OPEN: Monday – Saturday: 7 am – 3 pmSunday: 7 am – 2 pm

 

 

The Village Baker

Each bakery on my list has really found their niche in the bakery community here in Bend. And while all the bakeries (except Foxtail) bake bread, The Village Baker’s bread is at the top of my list. Each day they have a particular specialty bread and every day they have available the popular customer favorites. As well, their sandwiches and classic soups for winter are, well, pair anything with their bread and it’s going to be amazing, but truly, their turkey sandwich with strawberry salsa is my favorite (brie, turkey, strawberry salsa – Yum!). I’ve also heard their chicken salad sandwich is beyond-this-world delicious, but I have a very hard time not choosing my favorite, so let me know in the comments if you can speak to this.