From artisanal breads to delicate pastries, a great bakery can truly make or break a dining experience. So, what exactly makes a top bakery? Here's our guide to what we look for when rating and writing about the best bakeries.
- Freshly-baked goods: A top bakery should be baking their breads and pastries fresh daily. This ensures that customers are getting the highest quality products that are at their peak flavor and texture.
- Quality ingredients: A bakery that uses high-quality ingredients such as organic flour, premium butter, and natural sweeteners will be able to produce better-tasting breads and pastries.
- Artisanal techniques: A great bakery should have a skilled team of bakers who are trained in artisanal techniques such as fermentation, shaping, and scoring. This helps to create breads and pastries that are visually appealing and have complex flavor profiles.
- Variety: A top bakery should offer a wide variety of breads and pastries, catering to different dietary needs and preferences. This includes gluten-free and vegan options.
- Atmosphere: The ambiance and atmosphere of a bakery can contribute to the overall experience. A top bakery should have a welcoming and inviting space where customers can enjoy their breads and pastries.
Here are a couple of our favorite bakeries from around LA:
Porto's has multiple locations around LA Country where they offer cuban-style pastries. They are extremely popular and serve thousands of people each day at every location!
Santa Monica has two excellent bakeries in Tartine and Huckleberry. Not too far away in Venice there's Gjusta and Lodge Bread Co. Each of these bakeries has incredible lunches to offer in addition to their pastries. They use their bread to make delicious sandwiches or tasty shakshukas.
A top bakery should have a commitment to using the freshest and highest-quality ingredients, skilled bakers using artisanal techniques, a wide variety of breads and pastries, and a welcoming atmosphere. So the next time you're looking for a delicious loaf of bread or a decadent pastry, look for these key factors and you'll be sure to find a top-notch bakery.
