There's something undeniably comforting about the aroma of freshly baked goods wafting through a neighborhood bakery. A well-baked croissant should, honestly, be one of the 7 wonders of the modern world, in our professional opinion.
Atlanta’s local bakeries offer so much more than delicious treats — they offer community gathering spaces, a chance to contribute to local businesses and a chance to taste the fruits of the city's diverse culinary talents. From flaky croissants to artisanal sourdough breads and everything in between, Atlanta's bakery scene has exploded in recent years. Here's a guide to some of the best locally-owned bakeries across Decatur, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, Buckhead, Lindbergh and Brookhaven.
7 great local bakeries in Atlanta
Alon's Bakery & Market
Located in both Virginia Highland and Dunwoody, Alon's has been an Atlanta institution since 1992. Founded by Alon Balshan, who was born and raised in Israel, this European-style bakery brings authentic old-world techniques to the heart of Atlanta.
At Alon's Morningside location near Midtown, the display cases are filled with an impressive array of pastries including their signature chocolate espresso beans, almond croissants and French macarons in rotating seasonal flavors. The bakery is particularly renowned for its challah bread, available daily but especially popular for Friday Shabbat.
Beyond sweet treats, Alon's offers artisanal sandwiches on their house-baked breads, wood-fired pizzas and prepared foods. Their coffee program features locally roasted beans, making it a perfect stop for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.
What makes Alon's special is its commitment to quality ingredients and traditional methods. Everything is made from scratch daily, and their expansion into a gourmet market means you can also pick up fine cheeses, wines and specialty groceries alongside your baked goods.
Henri's Bakery & Café
A true Atlanta legacy, Henri's Bakery has been family-owned and operated since 1929. With locations in Buckhead, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside, this bakery represents nearly a century of Atlanta baking tradition.
The Buckhead location offers the full range of Henri's classics, including their famous po' boy sandwiches on house-made bread, decorated cookies and petits fours. Their black and white cookies have achieved legendary status, while their thumbprint cookies filled with raspberry jam bring back childhood memories for many long-time Atlantans.
Henri's is also known for their specialty cakes for celebrations, continuing traditions for families who have been ordering birthday cakes from them for generations. The bakery maintains its old-school charm while continuously attracting new fans with their consistent quality and friendly service.
Southern Sweets Bakery
Located in Decatur, Southern Sweets Bakery has been satisfying Atlanta's sweet tooth since 1992. Owner Nancy Cole focuses on traditional Southern desserts executed with precision and generous portions.
The bakery is perhaps best known for its legendary caramel cake, featuring layers of moist yellow cake covered in a caramel icing that's cooked in copper pots using an old family recipe. Their red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting is another standout, representing Southern baking traditions at their finest.
Southern Sweets also offers excellent pies, including a chocolate pecan pie that combines two Southern favorites and a seasonal strawberry pie when local berries are at their peak. For those with dietary restrictions, the bakery maintains an impressive selection of vegan and gluten-free options without compromising on flavor.
The industrial location isn't fancy, but locals know that the focus here is squarely on the quality of the baked goods, which have earned the bakery coverage in national food publications and a fiercely loyal customer base.
The Little Tart Bakeshop
With locations in Grant Park, Summerhill and Krog Street Market, The Little Tart Bakeshop brings French-inspired pastries with Southern influences to multiple Atlanta neighborhoods. Owner Sarah O'Brien trained in France before bringing her techniques back to Georgia.
The bakery is renowned for its perfectly executed French pastries, particularly the croissants which come in traditional butter, almond and seasonal variations like peach or blackberry when local fruit is available. Their galettes — free-form tarts with seasonal fillings — showcase Georgia produce at its finest.
Little Tart also offers excellent savory options, including a quiche that has been perfected over years with a buttery, flaky crust and creamy interior. Their gougères (cheese puffs) make for an ideal savory snack, while their cookies — especially the brown butter shortbread — have their own devoted following.
What makes Little Tart special is its commitment to local sourcing, with ingredients from nearby farms prominently featured in both sweet and savory offerings. Their partnership with local coffee roasters creates a perfect café experience.
Evergreen Butcher & Baker
Located in Kirkwood near Decatur, Evergreen combines an artisanal butcher shop with a bakery focused on naturally leavened breads and classic pastries. This unique concept comes from husband-and-wife team Sean and Emma Schacke, who bring experience from some of Atlanta's top restaurants.
The bakery side offers exceptional sourdough breads with perfectly developed flavor and crackling crusts. Their country loaf serves as the foundation for their program, while seasonal specialties might include porridge bread studded with local grains or herb-flecked focaccia.
Pastry offerings change daily but often include extraordinary croissants, morning buns dusted with cardamom sugar and savory hand pies. Their chocolate chip cookie has developed a following for its perfect balance of crisp edges and chewy center, enhanced with high-quality chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt.
What makes Evergreen unique is how the butcher shop and bakery complement each other, with house-made sausage rolls and meat pies creating a bridge between the two crafts. This thoughtful integration has earned them recognition as one of Atlanta's most innovative food businesses.
Cafe Intermezzo
With locations in Midtown, Brookhaven and at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Cafe Intermezzo brings European coffeehouse tradition to Atlanta. While not exclusively a bakery, their pastry case is legendary, featuring over 30 varieties of cakes and tortes at any given time.
The Brookhaven location offers a cozy atmosphere with dark wood and old-world charm, making it perfect for enjoying their signature tortes. The Black Forest cake, with layers of chocolate cake, cherry filling and whipped cream, is a perpetual favorite. Their cheesecakes come in multiple variations, including a Bavarian version topped with fresh fruit that's lighter than New York style.
Beyond cakes, Cafe Intermezzo offers excellent croissants, pastries and a full food menu. Their European-style hot chocolate is the perfect accompaniment to any sweet treat, especially during Atlanta's occasional chilly days.
What makes Cafe Intermezzo special is its atmosphere and hours — open late, it provides a sophisticated alternative to bars for evening dessert and coffee, making it a perfect spot for after-dinner indulgence.
Anis Café & Bakery
Tucked away in Buckhead, Anis Café combines a French bistro with a bakery operation that produces some of Atlanta's most authentic French pastries. The bakery reflects the South of France influences that permeate the entire restaurant.
Their pain au chocolat features perfectly laminated dough wrapped around high-quality dark chocolate, while their almond croissants have a devoted following for their delicate texture and rich filling. The bakery also produces excellent baguettes and boules that supply the restaurant and are available for retail purchase.
Beyond morning pastries, Anis creates stunning desserts including a classic tarte-tatin with caramelized apples and a crème brûlée with the perfect crackling sugar top. Their madeleines, the shell-shaped French tea cakes, make for a perfect light sweet with an afternoon espresso.
What makes Anis special is the transported feeling of being in a Provençal village — a vibe which is further enhanced by the charming patio seating area. The combination of authentic French techniques and warm Southern hospitality creates a unique bakery experience.
Many of these establishments also source ingredients their locally, supporting Georgia's varied agricultural economy all while delivering fresher and higher quality flavors. It's their commitment to quality and community that has helped transform neighborhoods and create gathering places that enhance Atlanta's reputation as a food destination.
If you live anywhere near our luxury Atlanta apartments, visiting one of these local bakeries means you can pick up more than a tasty treat — you can experience a taste of the city's diverse culinary heritage and innovation while supporting local bakers, business owners and entrepreneurs! From traditional French pastries to Southern classics and international specialties, Atlanta's bakery scene continues to evolve while honoring baking traditions.
Enjoy!
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Featured photo by Yeh Xintong on Unsplash
Second photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
Third photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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