Baked treats seemed to have surged in popularity in recent years and there are countless businesses offering bespoke brownies, sensational sourdoughs, colossal cookies and much more to hungry customers both in-store and online. However, nothing evokes a carb craving like walking past a bakery and smelling the delicious aromas of freshly baked bread, warm pastries and homemade cakes.
There are loads of brilliant bakeries in York including big chain favourites serving fantastic food-to-go and charming independents boasting counters piled high with the naughtiest of treats. So, whether you’re after something quick and tasty to enjoy on the go or seeking delicious desserts for an afternoon tea at home, York can most certainly provide.
AtThe Yorkshire Press, we’re passionate about supporting the little guys so, to help you find somewhere in the city to bag yourself some freshly made goodies, we’ve put together this list of the best independent bakeries in York…
The Best Independent Bakeries in York
Crumbs Cupcakery
10 College Street, York YO1 7JF
Crumbs Cupcakery is one of the best bakeries in York to buy cakes and it is in an amazing location, right next to the magnificent York Minster. The perfect spot to enjoy a tasty treat whilst marvelling at the grandeur of York’s most iconic building! Owned by twins Charlotte and Jennifer Davison, it’s a gorgeous little bakery specialising in cupcakes. Whether you’re looking for something sweet to munch on as you walk the city walls or you need some cakes for a special occasion, this talented duo offer a vast range of flavours and each of their cupcakes is individually decorated to look as pretty as a picture.
There’s a flavour to suit everyone at Crumbs Cupcakery! Go traditional with their Vanilla 99 which is a simple vanilla sponge cake filled with strawberry jam and topped with velvety buttercream, sprinkles and a chocolate flake. For us, it has to be their Salted Caramel cupcake – a caramel sponge topped with salted caramel buttercream, a caramel drizzle and a square of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Caramel. HEAVEN!
Bluebird Bakery
2 Little Shambles, York YO1 7LY
Bluebird Bakery was launched in 2011 by Al and Nicky Kippax who noticed a demand for quality, handmade bread and began producing and selling their own. Completely free from the nasty additives commonly found in mass-produced loaves, their loaves of bread were an instant hit and demand led to them opening their first bakery in Malton. Their second shop opened not long afterwards and Bluebird Bakery on Little Shambles is now one of the most popular bakeries in York.
Their hand-shaped artisan loaves are available in a number of delicious varieties and they’re all made using local organic flour, wild and organic yeast and traditional fermentation methods. Alongside their famous loaves, they also offer savoury snacks like a Bengali Five-Spice and a selection of sweet treats including Salted Caramels, Lemon Muffins and award-winning Chocolate Brownies!
Little Blondie Bakehouse
66 Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
Here’s another one of the bakeries in York selling phenomenally good sweet treats! Open Wednesday to Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm and on Sundays between 10 am and 4 pm, Little Blondie Bakehouse sells brownies, cakes, cookies and traybakes. They only opened a few months ago but they’ve already built a superb reputation locally and people can’t get enough of their gooey chocolate brownies which they prepare in numerous different flavours.
Their pretty pink exterior is hard to miss as you stroll down Walmgate and you’ll be glad you didn’t once you’ve seen their counter full of goodies! Cadbury Freddo Brownies, Kinder Blondies, Choc Chip Banana Bread, Lemon Drizzle Cake and much more are ready and waiting for you to wash down with a cup of coffee. To be sure their moreish and indulgent bakes can be enjoyed by most, Little Blondie Bakehouse always has a daily selection of vegan and gluten-free treats available too.
Shambles Sausage and Pie
5 Shambles, York YO1 7LX
We’ve tempted you with sweet treats so now it’s on to the savoury and this one is definitely one of the best bakeries in york for pies and pastries! As the name suggests, you’ll find Shambles Sausage and Pie shop on York’s most photographed street. This small independent shop makes and sells sausages, pies and pastries made using the best quality ingredients; most of which are sourced locally. The ale used in their Steak & Ale pies couldn’t be more local – it comes from the Shambles Tavern which is right next door to the shop.
This place is best known for making sensation pork pies. Available in a few different flavours, they are freshly baked daily, using the finest course cut pork which is semi-cured to achieve that familiar pink finish. Be sure to buy more than one as you’re likely to crave another once you have left the city and returned home. They also sell superb homemade sausages so be sure to pick up a dozen of those too!
Little Arras
50 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
Little Arras is a small bakery owned by Arras restaurant. Having made their own bread on-site daily for a number of years, the restaurant team decided to open a bakery so their popular baked goods could be sold and enjoyed at home by the good people of York. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8 am until 5 pm. Little Arras sells all manner of tasty treats alongside an extensive selection of freshly baked bread. They’re best known for their amazing sourdough which comes in a range of varieties like Roasted Spelt and Potato & Rosemary but they also offer other kinds like Foccacia and Ciabatta. If you can’t wait until your get your loaf home to sample the bread from Little Arras, they offer a daily selection of freshly prepared sandwiches so you can enjoy lunch on the go. Other savoury treats like French bread pizzas, quiches and crackers for cheese are also available.
Those with a sweeter tooth will delight in their excellent range of cakes, slices and cookies. On the menu at Little Arras, you’ll find brownies, flapjacks, carrot cake, lemon meringue tarts plus lots of other delicious desserts.
