Nary do comfort foods pack the sugary, carbohydrate-laden loveliness quite like a decadent, always-there-for-you pastry, pie, muffin, cake and other delightful goodness that is served up in a Cleveland bakery. Here’s a round-up of some of the best bakeries and confectionaries you can roam in The Land. Go ahead and indulge.
No one can ever say that the folks at Rising Star aren’t serious about their coffee. If you want one of the best espresso drinks you can find in town, hit up one of their five locations, the Downtown version of which is in the Hyatt Regency in the Old Arcade. Roasting their own beans and making a perfect espresso drink are things every barista at Rising Star is passionate about. Many locations also carry local baked goods, like the close-to-utopia bagels from Cleveland Bagel Co. and the beautifully rich macarons from Butter Cream and Olive Oil. And, trust us, you will not be disappointed by the professional latte art topping your perfect cup of coffee.
Started in the early 1900s and carried on through four generations of the Presti family, this long-standing bakery in Little Italy, located near University Circle on Cleveland’s east side, is a go-to location of classic Italian cookies and pastries, good breads and even some house-made gelato on the remaining warm days of fall. The current pastry chef is the great-grandson of the original owners, and the family has worked tirelessly for over a hundred years to bring you these treats.
Cleveland baking laws allow sales from home kitchens, and that’s where this wonderful East Side bakery got its start — in the kitchen of the owner in 2014. The bakery had so much success that this location opened a few years back and is going strong with delightful pound cakes, peach cobblers and key lime pies. Don’t miss the seasonal sweet potato pie, a must-have for these long fall nights.
Ever see a cake shaped like a taco? That’s just one of the options you’ll have for custom cakes if you walk into KB Confections in Lakewood, located on the west side of Cleveland. Owner and award-winning cake maker Karen Bosworth had a long-standing dream of opening a confectionary, which became a reality in 2014. Stop in for your pick of cookies, cupcakes, and even banana pudding. Trust us, you won't be disappointed.
For those with dietary restrictions tired of grainy and tasteless baked good options, the Vegan Doughnut Company in Lakewood is the glorious answer to your delicious prayers. With a monthly rotating menu of inventive flavors and the signature “Kharisma’s Bakery Corner,” this spot serves up irresistibly light, fluffy and mouthwatering treats. Founded by sisters Kyra and Kharisma, who went vegan in 2014, the duo recognized Northeast Ohio's lack of vegan dessert options and decided to take matters (and dough) into their own hands. The result? Ohio’s first and only 100% vegan doughnut shop, offering plant-based indulgence with every bite.
A good bakery can make a neighborhood, and Cleveland's AsiaTown hit the jackpot with Koko Bakery. If you're looking for comfort foods, steamed buns are a specialty. You can even get sweet or savory flavors. Don't forget other desserts like Green Tea Mousse and Japanese style cheesecake. We know, you’re already drooling. Us, too.
This James Beard Foundation nominated Eastern European delicatessen and bakery is known for its Jewish deli roots. From knish to pastrami to chocolate babka, they've got your cravings covered. Pro-Tip: The cheesecake is a huge fan favorite. You'll eat it once and think about it for days. We recommend grabbing a few slices to be safe.