This article shares the best bakeries in Asheville, from where to get delicious croissants to the best macarons and fresh sourdough.
Asheville has no shortage of great bakeries to choose from. You’ll find everything from classic European-style bakeries with full pastry cases, to sourdough-dedicated eateries and even a darling pie shop.
This guide to Asheville’s best bakery includes flaky pastries from OWL, giant Boston Cream donuts from Geraldine’s, vegan treats from Gallivant, perfect macarons from Old Europe, pimento scones from Rabbit Hole, a pie flight at Baked Pie Co and much more.
For related articles, check out the When In Asheville guides to ice cream, donuts and vegan desserts.
Map Of Bakeries In Asheville
Asheville’S Best Bakeries
Below you’ll find our top picks for where to get excellent baked goods in Asheville. Make sure to check out our web story on the best bakeries for a quick glance at a few of our favorites.
Local bakery with elevated baked goods
Old World Levain Bakery (OWL Bakery) is known for elevated pastry and bread offerings.
Whether it’s a savory danish, a morning bun with a hint of orange, a ham + cheese croissant or a loaf of bread, OWL exceeds all expectations.
In addition to sweet and savory pastries, OWL also sells loaves of bread. Their gluten-free Squirrel Bread is worth a try regardless of your relationship with gluten.
Beverages: Full espresso bar and drip coffee (Methodical Coffee), herbal tea, hot chocolate, chai and lemonade.
OWL’s second bakery with a cafe atmosphere
OWL opened a second location in Asheville in October 2022. It’s located on Charlotte Street just north of downtown.
Just like at their original location, OWL North’s menu includes croissants, savory and sweet danishes, strudels and breads.
The daily specials will sometimes differ between the two locations. You can keep up with their offerings on OWL’s Instagram.
The North Asheville bakery is a charming spot, with just a few tables inside. Parking can be tight!
Bakeshop with whole pies and pie flights
Baked Pie Company is an excellent pie shop in South Asheville. It’s charming, smells amazing, everyone is friendly and the pies are unmatched.
You can either buy pie by the slice, a whole pie or get a pie flight with a scoop of ice cream. The pie flight is such a fun thing to do with kids in Asheville.
Their best-selling flavor is honey pecan pie. Other crowd favorites include their coconut cream pie and any of their seasonal fruit pies.
Parking: Baked Pie Co is located in a strip mall with parking spaces.
Beverages: Coffee, tea, milk, lemonade, bottled drinks
European-style dessert cafe in downtown Asheville
Old Europe Pastries is a charming bakery and European-style cafe in downtown Asheville. It’s a great place to enjoy a strong espresso and delicious dessert.
Their pastry cases are full of various cakes, cookies, tiramisu, several flavors of macarons, pie and more. They also offer a daily quiche and croissants.
Apart from exceptional baked goods, Old Europe is also known for great espresso.
Old Europe offers some gluten-free baked goods.
Sourdough takes center stage at Asheville’s Mother
Sourdough is the source of Mother Bakery’s origin (and the inspiration for their name.)
They have two locations in Asheville– one is a charming cafe, wine shop and market in South Slope. And their original location in the River Arts District operates as a bakery retail and wine shop only.
Try any of their focaccias or classic sourdough. They also have bagels, chocolate babka and sourdough pretzels.
West Asheville bakery with amazing cinnamon rolls
Craving a cinnamon roll in Asheville? Head to The West End Bakery! Their crowd-pleasing rolls steal the show, alongside delicious donuts, croissants, and fresh bread.
The West End is a cafe and bakery, so you can also get a savory breakfast or lunch with your pastries.
Their egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on house-made milk bread is a great place to start!
Downtown bakery with Asheville’s best brownie
The Rhu is a cafe and bakery in downtown Asheville. It has a big-city feel and yet also feels like a hidden gem.
In addition to a variety of baked goods (croissants, cookies, danish, muffins, etc.), the Rhu also offers both breakfast and lunch. All of their baked goods are great, but we especially love their brownie.
The shop may feel small upon entering, but there is plenty of seating upstairs. Just take the door to the left to a set of stairs.
Parking: There isn’t any street parking out front, but there are pay to park lots next door and just across the street.
Bakery in Biltmore Village with eclairs and outdoor seating
Well-Bred is a bakeshop and eatery in Biltmore Village. They have a great outdoor seating area that’s especially perfect for people-watching.
The baked goods at Well-Bred range from cookies to cakes, eclairs and crème brulee.
Well-Bred also has a full breakfast menu as well as lunch. For breakfast, try the egg and cheese croissant with bacon. It’s one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Asheville.
Pimento cheese scones at a West Asheville cafe and bakery
Rabbit Hole is a charming bakery and coffee shop in West Asheville. It’s a bit different than others on this list because they offer wine and cocktails.
Their baked goods menu includes cinnamon rolls, muffins, coffee cake, cheesecake and an amazingly unique and delicious pimento cheese scone.
Rabbit Hole sits next to its sister restaurant (and one of Asheville’s best brunch spots) Sunny Point Cafe. It’s a great destination to tide you over if you are waiting for a table at Sunny Point.
Beverages: Coffee, espresso drinks, tea, juice, wine, breakfast cocktails
Authentic NY-style bakery in Asheville
Geraldines is a no-frills bakery in North Asheville with a great pastry selection and breakfast sandwiches. You’ll typically find a loyal and local crowd in line.
The pastry cases at Geraldine’s are full of hand pies, croissants, danishes and donuts. Their crowd-favorite Boston Cream donut typically sells out pretty early.
Apart from sweet pastries, Geraldine’s also has breakfast sandwiches on the menu as well as hashbrowns.
Parking: Geraldine’s has a dedicated parking lot. We haven’t ever had an issue getting a space but it can get busy.
Gourmet cafe and marketplace with fresh cookies
Finch Grocery in Biltmore Village charms with a small, daily selection of baked goods.
Their signature Finch Cookie (scone-like + Levain Bakery-inspired) takes center stage, alongside various daily specials like pecan pie bites and gourmet rice krispie treats.
Local macarons from Beeswax and Butter are also available at Finch Grocery.
Finch is the perfect destination for a girls’ lunch out in Asheville. Enjoy delicious fare, wine and a sweet bite or two!
Yeast and cake donuts at a South Slope donut shop
Vortex is a donut shop in Asheville’s South Slope that serves both yeast and cake donuts. Their donuts are offered in classic and seasonal flavors alongside fresh apple fritters (when available).
Uniquely, most donuts are vegan – they only highlight non-vegan options, like their cream cheese flavors. A few of their donuts do not contain gluten.
Beverages: Full espresso bar and drip coffee available. They brew and sell whole bean coffee from 1000 Faces.
Local bread bakery in North Asheville
City Bakery is a neighborhood bakery in North Asheville. They bake a variety of breads, cookies and pastries.
Apart from baked goods, City Bakery also has breakfast and lunch menus. If you are there for breakfast, make sure to try their cheddar and scallion biscuit!
City Bakery supplies several restaurants in Asheville with bread, so you’ll often see their names on menus around town. You can also buy their bread at a few grocery stores.
Local chocolate shop with cakes, cookies and other sweets
The French Broad Chocolate Lounge is a must-stop in downtown Asheville. It’s a chocolate retail shop and bakery by local chocolatier French Broad Chocolate.
Their baked goods menu includes a variety of cakes, a salted caramel + chocolate tart, chocolate creme brulee, brownies and cookies. They also have ice cream and drinking chocolate on the menu.
French Broad Chocolate’s offers a tour of their factory in North Asheville. It’s such a fun and unique thing to do in Asheville!
126 Elkwood Avenue | Woodfin
Vegan coffee shop with a great selection of baked goods
Though they are first a coffee shop, Gallivant deserves a mention of this list of bakeries in Asheville. It’s run by a husband-wife team that both roasts the coffee and crafts delicious vegan treats.
If you aren’t vegan, don’t let this deter you! Their flaky pop tarts are surprisingly buttery and their croissants are shockingly flaky. Every item on the menu is plant-based and delicious.
