Bakeries in Albuquerque, NM
Brunch crowds are great, but Albuquerque’s bakery scene is where locals really go to treat themselves. From Old Town icons to small-batch pastry labs, the Duke City is stacked with local bakeries baking everything from biscochitos to laminated beauties, most within a breezy 30-minute drive of just about anywhere in town. Whether you’re hunting flaky croissants, celebration cakes, or a cookie-and-milk moment, here’s your locals-first guide to bakeries and dessert shops that keep Albuquerque sweet.
Golden Crown Panaderia
An Albuquerque original, Golden Crown Panaderia feels like stepping into a neighborhood time capsule in the best way. This Old Town bakery leans into tradition with scratch-made goods and that “everybody knows your name” energy. Expect New Mexican classics (hello, biscochitos) alongside breads, cookies, pastries, and even New Mexico-style pizzas and milkshakes, perfect when your sweet tooth turns into a full meal. If you’re visiting with out-of-towners, bring them here for a taste of local flavor and history in one stop. Pro tip: their love letter to biscochitos doubles as a mini-lesson on the state cookie’s heritage.
The Burque Bakehouse
Small batch and big flavor—that’s the formula at Burque Bakehouse, a walk-up, to-go bakery in the South Broadway neighborhood. They’re known for deeply satisfying laminated pastries, breads, and seasonal sweets, the kind you plan your morning around. Locals routinely shout them out in community threads when “best pastry” debates pop up, and with good reason: the croissants are a benchmark, and rotating specials keep regulars guessing. Hours are limited (think long-weekend mornings), so check before you roll out and get there on the early side. They sell out. It’s the go-to when you want bakery magic without fuss.
ABC Cake Shop & Bakery
When your day calls for celebration, ABC Cake Shop has been an Albuquerque standby for generations. Beyond the wow-factor cakes, you’ll find cookies, cupcakes, pastries, and quick breads, all made with that “party starts here” energy. It’s the spot locals trust for birthdays, graduations, and “just because” dessert runs, open to the public with convenient hours for pickup. Even if you’re not cake-shopping, the pastry case alone is worth a peek. Keep their address and hours handy, then swing by to sweeten any ordinary Tuesday.
La Quiche Parisienne Bistro
Craving a little Paris in ABQ? La Quiche Parisienne is your move for authentic French pastry, croissants, baguettes, quiche, and an ever-tempting bakery case. Owners with serious French baking chops keep the offerings classic and the standards high, and locals regularly name-drop the almond croissant in Reddit threads for good reason. Stop in for a pastry-and-coffee pause or sit down to something savory before you box up dessert for later. It’s a relaxed way to add a touch of European café culture to your day without leaving the 505.
Rude Boy Cookies
Sometimes you just want cookies, playful, decorated, and paired with milk or ice cream, and Rude Boy delivers. This Nob Hill favorite is proudly local and open to all, with a cookie bar vibe that’s fun for families, students, and anyone celebrating a small win. Expect classics alongside custom designs from a prize-winning team; you can grab a few for now and a box for later. It’s a sweet pit stop before or after a stroll on historic Central. Check their listing for location details and hours.
Crème de la Crème (Sawmill Market)
Inside Sawmill Market, Crème de la Crème serves up elegant European-style desserts, from polished petits gâteaux to signature crème brûlée. It’s an easy add to any Old Town outing: browse the market, then finish with something glossy, layered, and photo-worthy. The pastry program is chef-driven and ingredient-focused, so even a quick stop feels like a treat-yourself moment. Bonus: the market setting makes it simple to mix dessert with a coffee or a savory bite from neighboring vendors.
Albuquerque Bakeries
Albuquerque’s bakery bench runs deep, from heritage panaderías to tiny counters making next-level croissants, and all of it sits within an easy 30-minute glide across town. Bookmark this list when you’re planning a weekend pastry crawl, picking up a celebration cake, or just sneaking out for a cookie on your lunch break. The best part? Every stop here is locally owned, open to the public, and feels distinctly “ABQ.” And if you happen to be car-shopping between coffee runs, make a quick detour to Chalmers Ford, because the only thing better than a fresh box of pastries is a smooth ride to go pick them up.
Image by Sarah Elizabeth | Licensed with Unsplash License