The Best Bakeries in Western New York

Western New York's bakery scene has quietly become one of the best in the country, and locals know it. The region's bakery landscape is defined by independently owned neighborhood spots, and a few of them can hold their own against some of the best bakeries in the country, including big city spots. From a James Beard nominated flour miller in Tonawanda to a hundred year old Italian bakery in Niagara Falls, from worker owned sourdough cooperatives to Puerto Rican and Polish institutions, there is a bakery for every neighborhood and every craving.

Here are some of the best bakeries across Western New York.

Key Takeaways

• Western New York's bakery scene is built on independently owned neighborhood spots rather than chains, and the quality rivals major city bakeries.
• Miller's Thumb in Tonawanda mills its own flour on site, and head baker Stephen Horton has been nominated for a James Beard Award multiple times.
• BreadHive on the West Side is a worker-owned cooperative celebrating a decade in business in 2026.
• Eileen's Centerview Bakery in West Seneca has been family owned since 1964 and was voted the number one best bakery and best pastry for four years in a row.
• DiCamillo Bakery is a fourth generation, hundred year old family business and one of Western New York's most enduring food brands.
• Kaylena Marie's Bakery is the region's homegrown cinnamon roll empire, with locations in Orchard Park, East Amherst, Hamburg, and Downtown Buffalo.

The Flour Millers and Bread Purists Lead the Way

Miller's Thumb Bakery and Cafe at 258 Highland Parkway in Tonawanda is the bakery that bread nerds make pilgrimages for. It mills its own flour on site, and you can watch the process through a window when you walk in. Head baker and owner Stephen Horton has been nominated for a James Beard Award multiple times. The cafe specializes in a variety of loaves, bagels, cookies, scones, and viennoiserie, with excellent coffee from local favorite Overwinter.

BreadHive Bakery and Cafe at 402 Connecticut Street on the West Side is a worker-owned bakery and cafe focused on sourdough bread and bagels, each shaped by hand around a big table that embodies the mission of good bread and good work. Must tries include the pretzels and bagels, which make a perfect base for their pop diva named sandwiches like the Aaliyah and the Britney. As the shop celebrates a decade in business in 2026, they have expanded hours and are now open every day of the week.

Five Points Bakery and Toast Cafe at 44 Brayton Street on the West Side is a cheerful bakeshop devoted to whole grain baking, using wheat sourced only from local farms. Each loaf of whole grain bread takes two days to produce, beginning with a trip to Hamburg to pick up a four hundred pound barrel of wheat from a local farm.

The Old School Institutions Have Deep Roots

Eileen's Centerview Bakery at 465 Center Road in West Seneca has been a cherished institution since 1964. Everything is made from scratch following handed down recipes, including pastry hearts, peanut sticks, handmade donuts, and from scratch breads. The almond ring is the signature. The community voted it the number one best bakery and best pastry for four years in a row, plus best cupcake in 2024.

Mazurek's Bakery in the Old First Ward has been slicing Polish rye since 1933. Ownership shifted to OLV Human Services in 2020, but the recipes stayed put, and the bakery now doubles as a vocational training site for young adults. Seeded rye and New York rye are the headliners. It is worth confirming current status before you go, since the South Park Avenue storefront closed in 2025 to focus on wholesale before reports indicated it was back open in a new capacity.

DiCamillo Bakery in Niagara Falls and Williamsville is a fourth generation, hundred-year-old Italian American bakery and one of Western New York's most beloved food brands. In 2026, they made waves with a limited-edition Sabre Bread, a sword shaped loaf celebrating the Buffalo Sabres playoff run.

The French Inspired Patisseries Offer Something Special

Butter Block at 426 Rhode Island Street on the West Side is a women owned French style bakery and patisserie that has become a fan favorite. Butter Block has a whole section of its menu dedicated to decadent pastries, including pain au chocolat, chocolate hazelnut croissant, pain aux raisins, quiche, and stunning eclairs.

The Grange Outpost at 4236 North Buffalo Road in Orchard Park is the bakery focused sibling of The Grange Community Kitchen. This grab and go style cafe offers house made croissants, palmiers, brioche rolls, and traditional cafe au lait.

Blue Eyed Baker in East Aurora and Hamburg is known for macarons made daily at the bakery, plus brioche cinnamon rolls, croissants, and cafe au lait.

Ginger Snap Patisserie at 6572 East Quaker Street in Orchard Park offers quiche du jour, fresh fruit tarts, macarons, tortes, and eclairs. Fig Tree Patisserie at 3062 Delaware Avenue specializes in gluten free and vegan options, and all of their macarons are gluten free.

The Cinnamon Roll and Donut Destinations Draw a Crowd

Kaylena Marie's Bakery is the region's homegrown cinnamon roll empire, founded by Kaylena Marie Reed in 2014. The cinnamon rolls are described as monster sized and are one of the most popular menu items, attracting cinnamon roll seekers from all over. Locations include Orchard Park, East Amherst, Hamburg, and the newest at 884 Main Street in Downtown Buffalo, which opened in May 2026.

Paula's Donuts has four locations across Western New York and celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2026. It is the go to for paczki on Fat Tuesday.

Mardee's at 9475 Maple Street in Clarence Center is home of the Giant Cinnamon Roll, an aptly named pastry that arrives drenched in gooey glaze and is big enough for an entire table to split.

The Italian and Neighborhood Classics Feel Like Home

Forno E Mercato at 5225 Sheridan Drive in Williamsville is a new Italian bakery and market that opened in early 2026. Everything on the counter is designed for grab and go, including Italian pizza, pastries, fresh bread, sandwiches, and gelato.

The Specialty and Niche Bakeries Cover Every Need

Bee Sweet Cakery at 1006 Grant Street on the West Side is a Black women owned, family run bakery with cakes, cookies, macaroons, and savory favorites like homemade mac and cheese.

Kith and Kin Bakeshop and Bistro at 5850 South Transit Road in Lockport is Niagara County's premier one hundred percent gluten free restaurant and artisan bakery. Sueños de Azucar Bakery at 56 Niagara Street in Downtown Buffalo is a family owned Puerto Rican bakery and cafe serving traditional baked goods and dishes.

The Cider Mill Store and Bakery from Mayer Brothers in West Seneca is open August through November every year, and it is where you go for fresh pressed apple cider, cider slushies, candied apples, secret recipe donuts, and home style baked pies and strudels.

Elm Street Bakery at 72 Elm Street in East Aurora is a family owned bakery, cafe, and market known for brick oven artisan breads, scratch pastries, and a rustic chic atmosphere.

FAQ

Q: What is the best bakery in Western New York?

A: That depends on what you are after. Miller's Thumb in Tonawanda is arguably the most acclaimed, since it mills its own flour and its head baker has been nominated for a James Beard Award multiple times. Eileen's Centerview Bakery in West Seneca was voted number one best bakery and best pastry for four years running. And BreadHive on the West Side is a worker owned cooperative that has become a local institution.

Q: Where can I get the best cinnamon roll in Western New York?

A: Kaylena Marie's Bakery is the name that keeps coming up. Their cinnamon rolls are described as monster sized and attract seekers from all over. Mardee's in Clarence Center serves a Giant Cinnamon Roll big enough for a table to split.

Q: Are there good gluten free bakeries in Western New York?

A: Yes. Kith and Kin Bakeshop and Bistro in Lockport is Niagara County's premier one hundred percent gluten free restaurant and artisan bakery. Fig Tree Patisserie on Delaware Avenue specializes in gluten free and vegan French pastries, with all macarons gluten free.

Q: What is the oldest bakery in Buffalo?

A: Mazurek's Bakery in the Old First Ward has been operating since 1933. DiCamillo Bakery is a hundred year old, fourth generation family business.

Q: Where can I find French pastries in Buffalo?

A: Butter Block on Rhode Island Street is the fan favorite for pain au chocolat, eclairs, and croissants. The Grange Outpost in Orchard Park, Ginger Snap Patisserie, Fig Tree Patisserie, and Blue Eyed Baker are all strong French inspired options.

Q: What bakery is known for paczki in Buffalo?

A: Paula's Donuts and Eileen's Centerview Bakery in West Seneca are the go tos for paczki on Fat Tuesday.

Q: Where can I get Italian pastries in Buffalo?

A: Caramici's Bakery on Elmwood Avenue is known for cannoli with crisp shells and fresh ricotta filling, plus Cassata Cake. DiCamillo Bakery has been making Italian American breads and specialties for a hundred years.

Q: What is the best bakery in Amherst or Williamsville?

A: Wolter's Bakery, founded in 1957, is the old school favorite in Amherst and Williamsville, known for its birthday cakes and pastries. Forno E Mercato is a newer Italian bakery and market on Sheridan Drive. DiCamillo Bakery has a Williamsville location too.