New Zealand’s Top Bakeries to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Palmerston North’s Brick Artisan Bread Company, or BABCO as it is more commonly known, has a great origin story.

One day, husband and wife Alice and Jeremy (the owners) began experimenting with bread baking in their backyard pizza oven. Armed with their knowledge of wine science, YouTube videos and a clear passion, BABCO was born.

Spending time here is a real treat in itself, the shop front is warm and inviting, and that’s before you even reach the cabinet - laden with loaves of bread, croissants and all kinds of different pastries. If you’re a Palmy local, count yourself lucky to have BABCO in town and if you’re not, then a road trip is highly advisable.

Ciabatta in Rotorua is one of those places where you instantly feel at home as soon as you walk through the front doors. This bakery and café have a strong focus on making all their customers feel welcome, from the friendly vibe to their delicious coffee and baked goods. Their pastries are a work of art and their sandwich fillings will leave you feeling set up for the day!

The interior of Hasting’s Ya Bon is a visual aesthetic sensation, just as the baked goods they produce are a taste sensation. Focused on bringing Hawke’s Bay the very best French bakery experience possible and highlighting the values of simplicity, quality and community. Proud of their sourdough, pastries and deli goods selection, there’s something here for every food moment of your day.

New Plymouth’s ‘Quarter Bank’ is a collective of artists, makers and bakers, and it is where Billow’s owners, Jeff and Rosie decided to set up their bakery.

Housed in a former shipping container, this petite storefront promises plenty and delivers 100 percent of the time. Inspired by their travels, Jeff and Rosie have put so much care, time and dedication into Billow and into everything they produce. They take great pride in their small footprint but their products have a big impact on their loyal customers. Their pastries are phenomenal and the sourdough is something special - it is made with a 100-year-old French starter after all!

No road trip through Mackenzie Country in the South Island would be complete without a stop at the Fairlie Bakehouse and trying one of their famous and award-winning pies.

This truly is a story of the little bakehouse that could, beginning life as a small family business, that has grown in size and accolades over the years. With inventive pie fillings such as the salmon and bacon combo, to also offering a range of delicious bakery treats and sandwiches as well. The Bakehouse’s success has seen their pies stocked around the country, so even if you aren’t near Fairlie there’s a chance you can still partake in their pie perfection.

This gem of a bakery is hidden away on Nelson’s Collingwood Street and stepping in here, you quite easily feel transported to a European boulangerie.

With authentically made pastries and loaves of bread, and grade A coffee to boot, the care and focus that goes into everything the team does here are evident to see. If you are planning a visit, the recommendation is to head in early, as the freshly baked pastries don’t last long, there’s a loyal following!

Wānaka local or regular visitor? Chances are you have spent many a morning, afternoon or pitstop at Pembroke Pâtisserie. Well-known and beloved for their sweet and savoury baked goods, Pembroke is ideal for all occasions. Whether you’re out for a bike ride and need a reviving cup of coffee and a pastry (or two!), meeting friends for lunch, or simply packing a picnic lunch with all the bakery essentials.

The city of sails could quite easily be renamed ‘city of carby goodness’ thanks to all the incredible bakeries in and around Auckland.

If you are getting off the train at Britomart station you are in luck, as you are in striking distance of two of the city’s best bakeries. Amano, the well-known restaurant from the Savor Group, conveniently has a bakery on site. It not only keeps the restaurant’s carb needs covered but city workers, residents and visitors alike, line up on the daily to secure the tasty treats in the cabinets inside.

And just a couple of hundred metres down the road is Daily Bread - their Britomart location is one of many bakeries dotted around Auckland, so it never feels like you are far from one - just as well as their sourdough is on point and their pastries will have you drooling.

Still in the city centre but a bit further uptown is Scratch Bakers, who not only have their own shop but also supply many cafes around town with their delicious pies, scones and doughnuts - just to name a few! For all the plant-based eaters out there who often are left behind when it comes to bakery goodness, do yourself a favour and visit Grey Lynn’s Tart Bakery. They are incredibly talented bakers and butter is not missed here when you try their tempting croissants. Speaking of bakeries that cater to dietary needs, The Midnight Baker and their freedom loaves have you covered if you're seeking out bread with natural, unrefined ingredients. 

Our capital is home to some incredible bakers and bakery establishments, after all this is a city that knows how to do good food.

The delightfully stylish Baker Gramercy in the fledgling suburb of Berhamphore would not be out of place in a New York or European laneway. With delicious handcrafted loaves of bread, pastries and coffees, this neighbourhood spot is one to seek out.

It also couldn’t be a Wellington bakery tour without mentioning Left Bank Loaves (which incorporates Wellington Sourdough) - it’s small batch baking at its best, so don’t miss this one off your list.

Christchurch has developed a vibrant food scene and among the many artisan food makers in the city is a range of incredible bakeries. Many had their start at local farmers' markets and have grown so popular that they now have their own storefronts (whilst still showing up at the markets that gave them their starts).

If you are looking for quality sourdough in different pockets of the city, Bohemian Bakery has you covered with a few stores dotted throughout the city. Their pastries and desserts are also pretty hard to go by, so make sure you go there hungry.

If you’re after a French boulangerie vibe it’s pretty hard to go past Le Panier and their daily selection of freshly baked loaves of bread and flaky croissants. More of a bagel and morning bun fan? Then it has to be a stop at Grizzly Baked Goods, the team here are experts at what they do and their sourdough loaves are also pretty hard to go by.

If you’re at the Tannery, then it’s pretty hard to leave here without visiting Bellbird Bakery, there are all the pastry classics you could want, plus they love to experiment so there are always interesting new flavours to try.