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. 🙂

But do not forget to try their apple caramel tart, their melt-in-your-mouth scones (a different variety each day) and their seasonal fruit galettes. They also offer brioche rolls (fresh or frozen) as well. The seating area inside is small, but there are also tables and chairs to be found outside on SW Knoll Ave. under the trees. The Village Baker has two locations, all pictures below are from their SW location: 1470 SW Knoll Ave. OPEN: 7:00-4:00 pm daily (extended hours during the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas). 

~turkey time! See, I told you, I have been researching this blog post for a very, very long time.~

~love the ingenuity of the cup and plate to create a pedestal. Brilliant!~

~my favorite of their loaves of bread – Striata. Ideal for crostini~

Sparrow Bakery

Remember how I said my palette has been trained on Parisian croissants. As you might imagine, that puts the bar pretty high. And I will admit, I have been looking for the past three years at least to find a bakery in the states (okay, just in Oregon and Washington and a handful of bakeries in New York City), that could come close to the buttery amazement and decadence of the French. Well, I am here to spread the word: Sparrow Bakery is hands down the bakery that has come the closest with their classic croissants and chocolatines; this is the bakery you want to go to for your touch of France.

So of course, the Francophile that I am adores this bakery, but I also stop in because of the food, the ambiance and the friendliness. They have a very good business model going. They don’t advertise; it’s all word of mouth (or blog spotlights as is my case by bloggers who cannot get enough of their croissants), and on the weekend if you arrive between 8:45 and 10, be prepared to wait in a line out the door (but it’s worth it! Don’t leave, it moves quickly.)

You may remember back in November, I had the opportunity to profile Sparrow Bakery NWX (Northwest Crossing location, their original location which opened 10 years ago this coming August is located at 50 SE Scott St.), you can see even more pics, the entire in-depth profile and their  banana bread recipe which they generously shared here.  Sparrow Bakery NWX is located at 2748 NW Crossing Dr #110 and is OPEN: MON-FRI: 7:OOAM – 5:00PM (until 4pm in the summer) and SAT-SUN: 7:00AM – 3:00PM

~their lemon meringue tart is one of my favorite desserts, but don’t deprive their chocolate caramel tart of your attention. It is just as amazing.~

~one of many IG posts that include a Sparrow Bakery croissant as the highlight on my Sunday mornings enjoyed with papers, tea, sunshine and my boys~

The Bend bakery scene is booming as these are just a handful of the ones located around the city. I have visited approximately eight or nine and these are the four that will not disappoint on all points: quality of food, aesthetics, dog-friendly and welcoming staff. Rest-assured, if I find something new, I will be sharing it here, on the blog, in the future. But in the meantime, see where my tastebuds take me next on Instagram.

~Discover other Bend Destination Recommendations posted on TSLL blog:

~Best Take-Out Spots in Bend, Oregon

~Sparrow Bakery NWX Spotlight

~City Guide: a list of my hand-picked places to visit in Bend, Oregon

~My story, how I came to live in Bend, Oregon: Bend, Sweet Bend

All images captured by TSLL