How to Find the Best Bakeries in Philadelphia
Just like finding the perfect Philly Cheesesteak, finding the best bakery depend on who you ask. Ask a South Philadelphian and they'll tell you Isgro's or or Termini Brothers -- both staples of Italian baked goods. Ask someone who lives in Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia) and they'll swear by Night Kitchen or Brendenbeck's -- both located on historic Germantown Avenue. But don't despair, there's enough to go around for everyone, whether you're a tourist or a lifelong resident. Does this Spark an idea?
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Finding Best Bakeries in Philadelphia
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There's no map of bakeries in Philadelphia to guide you on your sugar tour, but since this is a City of neighborhoods, that's where you'll find the best cupcakes, key lime pies and chocolate-dipped cookies. Let's start with South Philadelphia, home of the famous 9th Street market, where you can find cheese and Italian specialties stores, Sarcone's breads, produce stands, cheesesteak windows and barrels of olives and herbs. South Philly is home to two of Philadelphia's oldest bakeries: Termini Brothers (also located at Reading Terminal Market) and Isgro's. The original tile work and display cases at Termini's are enough to warrant a visit, but once you see the artistic display of cookies, cannoli and rum cakes, you'll want to sample them all. Both bakeries have lines outside at Easter for their delicious and much coveted ricotta cake.
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If you're visiting South Street to shop at the funky stores or Old City to soak up Philadelphia history, be sure to stop at Pink Rose Pastry Shop on Bainbridge Street. It's like finding a hidden treasure with only a handful of tables and cakes and pastries so beautiful and delicate, you'll hesitate to take a bite. Creamy blueberry muffins, key lime pies and a mile high banana cream pie will heighten your senses as you sit in a pink-themed tea room that mimics the late 1900's. Across the street from Pink Rose, stop into Famous 4th Street Deli for their "famous" chocolate chip cookies. You can also hobnob with all the local politicians who make "Fames" their home for lunch, discussing policy over obscene corn beef sandwiches.
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In Center City proper, along Restaurant Row (otherwise known as Walnut Street), you'll find a French bakery that caters not only to tourists and Philadelphia residents, but their dogs as well. Bring the pooch with you as you enjoy a cafe au lait along with a flaky, authentic croissant. You'll have to fight for one of the two tables, but stand at the counter as the French do or sit at one of the sidewalk tables while you tear apart a still-warm brioche and people watch. Oh, there's a truffle section in the store as well. Walk a bit north on 19th street and visit the Swiss Pastry Shop. The name says it all.
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Head north on historic Germantown Avenue to Bredenbecks and Night Kitchen. Bredenbecks serves old fashioned ice cream on one side of the store and strawberry shortcake slices, tulip-shaped sugar cookies and huge chocolate eclairs on the other. Across the street at Night Kitchen, you'll taste one of the best butter creams in the City and will need a trip to the dentist after indulging in a syrupy, chock-full-of-raisins sticky bun. Head north on Germantown Avenue to the "top of the hill" to visit Metropolitan Bakery (also one located in Center City) for warm French berry bread or south to Baker Street Bread\ Company and watch the bakers do their magic while choosing from a wide selection of artisan breads.
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Travel west to Manayunk's Main Street and enjoy the many shops and galleries. While you're there, stop into LeBus for brunch or lunch and take home some of their famous dark breads, multi grain rolls and muffins. Hop over to Umbria Street for a real Philadelphia treat -- tomato pie, cheese breads and cheesteak pie at Marchiano's Bakery. Oreganata, a hand-rolled dough filled with Italian spices and oils can be filled with pepperoni, broccoli, or spinach. Mention this Philadelphia speciality to an out-of-towner and they'll look at you funny.
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Tips & Warnings
There are too many great bakeries in and around Philadelphia to mention here so search a bit on the web and find those closest to where you'll be staying if you're just visiting. If you live in Philadelphia (and Philadelphians don't like to venture outside of their neighborhood), try something adventurous and travel to a different part of town. You'll discover a whole new world of sugary carbs and it will be well worth the trip.
If you avoid sugar and are watching your carbs, this is not the article for you.
