Last year I spent six weeks in Portland, Maine and if you have been following me for a while, you know I love baked goods. So, once I got to Portland, I had to map out all the bakeries I was going to visit. I ended up going to eleven bakeries in Portland, Maine. Most were actual bakeries but a couple were cafes that also had baked goods. I’m sharing my favorite bakeries in Portland, Maine and what I ordered at each one. I’m also sharing my overall thoughts on the other bakeries I went to and if I would go back again.
Here are the best bakeries in Portland, Maine
Scratch Baking Company
I guarantee you this place will have a line. Scratch Baking Company is one of the best bakeries I have ever been to and they have a HUGE selection of baked goods and bagels. I have no idea how they make their bagels but they are on par with a New York City bagel. Every pastry I got was so incredibly tasty and to my huge surprise, my favorite one was a savory pastry, specifically a mushroom and brie danish. No matter what you order, I can guarantee it will be delicious.
Norimoto Bakery
My recommendation if you want to go here is to get there early, the earlier the better. They have a limited number of each item and once they are sold out they are gone for the day. Norimoto Bakery is owned by Atsuko Fujimoto, who took home the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker” in 2024. They offer traditional European pastries, with a Japanese twist, and use local ingredients and produce. They frequently change the menu so if you see something that looks interesting, order it or it might be gone forever! My favorite pastries from here were the blueberry hojicha buckle cake and the savory pie with potatoes and leeks.
Big Sky Bread Company
Before you ask why I have a bakery chain on here, they don’t have these in the South and when I drove cross country to Colorado and Utah, I never came across one. Apparently, the Big Sky Bread Company in Portland, Maine started off as a franchise but is now independent. They mill their own wheat and get it from Montana. Their baked goods have a wheat taste to them, while most traditional pastries have a white flour taste to them. The raspberry thumbprint cookie and sticky bun with pecans were my two favorite pastries from here.
Bread and Friends
I ate breakfast and got pastries at Bread and Friends and everything was delicious. They had a really interesting peanut butter and miso cookie with sesame seeds and it was such a unique flavor. I honestly can’t pick a favorite here because each of the pastries I got was really unique. The kougian aman flavor was bananas foster (it rotates each month) so to no surprise, it was amazing. They had an everything pull apart pastry which was similar to monkey bread but savory. It had everything but the bagel seasoning and cream cheese throughout.
Tandem Coffee and Bakery
We originally went here to get coffee and breakfast sammies but because I have zero self control I had to get pastries too. Their cinnamon roll was a true cinnamon roll with icing on top and fluffy. But the real star of the how was their kimchi and sharp cheddar scone. I am usually more of a sweet over savory person but this flavor combo was surprisingly good. I am also not a kimchi fan so I was shocked by how much I loved it. The kimchi was very subtle and not overpowering.
Standard Baking Company
Sorry for the lack of photos at Standard Baking Company, I was so excited to order stuff I barely took any. This place is owned by the same restaurant group that owns Fore Street, Scales, and Street and Co so you already know it’s going to be good. I guarantee you there will be a line out the door and they will sell out of stuff so get there early. They have a great assortment of savory and sweet pastries and my favorite would have to be the morning bun.
Other Bakeries in Portland, Maine
- Two Fat Cats: The baked goods from here were either hit or miss. The mini pie was really good but some of the other baked goods were on the drier side.
- Katie Made Bakery: LOVED the pie I got from here. I randomly popped in while I was walking my dog and unfortunately didn’t get a chance to go back before I left but totally recommend this place.
- Bake Maine Pottery Cafe: I went here twice but didn’t care for anything I got here. In my opinion there are other bakeries/cafes with better treats.
- Forage: This place was like right next door to my airbnb so I went here several times. All their baked goods were delish but make sure you get there early because they will sell out.
- Zu Bakery: I randomly stopped here only to discover they were sold out of like everything so all I was able to get was a scone and a brownie. Both were good but I wish I could have gone back here to try more of their stuff.
- Ugly Duckling: I got donuts from here and they were very flavorful. I prefer the traditional Krispy Kreme donuts but if artisanal donuts are your thing, hit it up!
