While the aromas of mesquite bonfires and post-monsoon creosote resonate with Tucsonans, one aroma carries near-universal appeal: freshly-baked bread.
Here’s our list of local bakeries to get fresh loaves of bread baked in-house. Make sure to get there early before they sell out.
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
5330 S. 12th Ave.
Alejandro’s isn’t the place to get a baguette or a loaf of sourdough bread. But they are the place to get buns for Sonoran dogs. They also bake birotes, perfect for sopping up menudo and pozole, and teleros, used for making tortas (Mexican sandwiches).
For more information, visit alejandrostortillafactory.com.
August Rhodes Market
2513 E. 6th St.
No longer a stand-alone establishment, that does not mean a shortage of supply for August Rhodes Market. With baked goods now sold from within cousin restaurant Flora’s Market Run, you can get their scratch-made bread from pastries served in the restaurant to loaves available to-go in the grocery section, all are made daily with the quality associated with Ares Collective.
Sourdough and baguettes are the classic go-to options, but keep an eye out for focaccia and Japanese milk bread.
For more information, visit florasmarket.com.
Barrio Bread
18 S. Eastbourne Ave.
To call Barrio Bread “next level” would be an understatement.
Baker Don Guerra, recently nominated as a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2019 Restaurants and Chef Awards, uses local heritage grains and century-old techniques for some of the finest bread money can buy. However, it won’t cost you a fortune.
Favorites include:
- Birote
- Heritage
- Pan au Levain
- Pan Rustico
- Super Seed Whole Wheat
- Cranberry Walnut
- Rustic Olive
- Polish Emmer and Rye
For the bread menu, retailers, and more information, visit barriobread.com.
Beyond Bread
421 W. Ina Rd. • 3026 N. Campbell Ave. • 6260 E. Speedway Blvd.
Beyond Bread features 30 varieties of bread baked daily, including Challah sold after 11 a.m. on Fridays. Quirkier loaves available on certain days of the week include:
- Parsley & Swiss
- Brie, Scallion & Chive
- Ancho, Chipotle & White Cheddar
- Fig & Pistachio
Set a reminder to stop by on Saturdays for discounted prices on select loaves. A crumby weekend ritual, one could call it.
For the bread menu and more information, visit beyondbread.com.
Caravan Grill
2825 N. Country Club Rd.
While the Mediterranean dishes are the main draw, don’t neglect the flatbread and pastry display cases, restocked daily. Try the Manoushe Zaatar, a thin flatbread seasoned with za’atar spices.
For more information, visit caravan-grill.business.site.
NOODIES
1730 E. Speedway Blvd.
Although pasta is the star at Noodies, artisan loaves of bread are also available to purchase at the recently opened sister concept of CERES. The bakery program, led by Scottie Orr, offers vegan and gluten-free options, and all of their bread is perfect on its own or used as a vessel for sopping up sauce.
Keep up with Noodies on Instagram.
Dedicated – A Gluten Free Bakery and Coffee Shop
4500 E. Speedway Blvd. Ste. 41
Dedicated is on a mission to prove that eating gluten-free shouldn’t mean bland food or hefty price tags. This Midtown bakery offers a wide variety of breads and pastries such as bagels, pizza crust, challah, and dinner roll – all mindfully and dedicatedly gluten-free.
For more information, visit dedicatedgf.com.
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
5845 N. Oracle Rd.
Northwest gluten-free bakery, Gourmet Girls, offers a wide selection of pastries and a variety of breads. The weekly selection varies, but some of the standards include baguettes, French loaves, carrot sunflower seed sandwich bread, rosemary sea salt focaccia, breakfast scones, and pizza crusts.
Call ahead for special orders at (520) 408-9000.
For more information, visit gourmetgirlsglutenfree.com.
La Baguette Bakery
1797 E. Prince Rd.
Attached to Ghini’s French Caffe, La Baguette Bakery offers a wide range of bread and other baked goods. The baguette is naturally the star, but grabbing a chocolate croissant or macaroon while you’re there won’t leave you disappointed.
For more information, visit ghiniscafe.com.
La Baguette Parisienne
7851 E. Broadway Blvd.
La Baguette Parisienne has no relation to above-mentioned La Baguette Bakery, but it, too, brings the French flair of Flavortown to Tucson. Old school in both technique and technology, be sure to pack your cash because they do not accept credit cards.
For their rotating bread menu and more information, visit labaguetteparisienne.com.
La Estrella Bakery
5266 S. 12th Ave. • 120 S. Avenida Del Convento Ste. 100
While La Estrella is most famous for its assortment of pan dulces, you can also replenish your stash of birotes, teleras, Virginia rolls, and dinner rolls while you’re there. They’re also one of the few places in Tucson that offer Sonoran hot dog-worthy buns.
For more information, visit laestrellabakeryincaz.com.
Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant
60 N. Alvernon Way
The final piece of the Locale puzzle took form as a lovely cafe nestled into the southeast corner of their Midtown space, and pastry chef Karen Lustig has been dishing out tantalizing baked goods to the community ever since.
Their grab-and-go personal loaves of focaccia, with nooks for days and a $2 price tag, have the unquestionable power to become a highlight of your day.
Visit their website for hours and menus.
Mendez Bakery & Tortillas
1219 S. Sixth Ave.
Located in the former Le Cave’s space on South Sixth Avenue, Mendez Bakery features a range of pan dulce and Mexican breads. In the mood for homemade tortas? Stop by for a loaf of telera bread, super soft, just the way you’d find it at the panaderias in Mexico.
Follow their Facebook page to learn more.
Time Market
444 E. University Blvd.
While the bread menu is small with pain au levain, baguettes, and walnut bread at Time Market, the crusty loaves are exceptional.
Straight from the oven around 10:30 a.m. each morning (and replenished throughout the day), it’s the perfect chance to pick up some fancy cheese or cultured butter from the nearby fridge to enjoy with a fresh slice or ‘wich.
For more information, visit timemarket.xyz.
Viro’s Real Italian Bakery
8301 E. 22nd St.
Serving up traditional Italian bakery and deli items, the fresh fixins and friendly atmosphere of Viro’s will keep you coming back and feeling like famiglia. From loaves of bread to pizza crusts and pastries, you can’t go wrong.
For more information, visit virosbakery.com.
[This article was originally written on November 2, 2018, and most recently updated on June 9, 2022]
