As the first red and yellow leaves start to peek out, we’re cozying up with fresh pastries and warm loaves of bread from our favorite local bakeries. Here are a few must-visit shops chosen by our readers.
More than 10,000 people from across the state weighed in on 101 things they love about Northern Michigan. Their votes determined over 300 Red Hot Best winners and 700 honorable mentions. Here are the top 10 Red Hot Best Northern Michigan pastry shops and bakeries.
Crescent Bakery
First Place: 9 Bean Rows, Suttons Bay
Legendary and super-legit croissants, including, yes, pain au chocolat(!). Also gorgeous (and we do mean flippin’ gorgeous) artisanal loaves.
Second Place: Potter’s Bakery, Traverse City
Find mouthwatering streusels, coffee cakes, donuts and more in this pastry paradise.
Third Place: Crescent Bakery, Frankfort
Creative donuts—nuts for rum and chocolate pomegranate have made appearances on the menu—and a delicious lineup of loaves, rolls and baguettes make this downtown bakery a popular destination.
Barb’s Bakery
More Red Hot Best pastry shops and bakeries in alphabetical order:
- Barb’s Bakery, Northport
- Bay Bread Company, Traverse City
- Flour Pot Bakery, Elk Rapids
- Grand Traverse Pie Company, Traverse City
- Johan’s Pastry Shop, Petoskey
- Patisserie Amie, Traverse City
- Pleasanton Bakery, Traverse City
The absolute best, most wonderful bakery I know of in Northern Michigan (or pretty much anywhere for that matter!! ) is Ruthann’s Gourmet Bakery in Bellaire, Michigan. OMG!!! Her pastries are so beautiful and flavorful, it’s a good thing I don’t live near her shop or I’d have a serious weight issue! Absolutely you must try her cookies and scrumptious cupcakes and beautiful, fabulous cakes and….go! Try!!!
105 N. Bridge St, Suite B Bellaire, Michigan 49615
https://www.ruthannsgourmetbakery.com