Bakery$south-endDaily 07:00-19:00Walk-in onlySticky buns, sandwiches, French and American pastry
Joanne Chang opened Flour on Washington Street in Boston's South End in 2000; the city's pastry empire grew to 10 locations across Boston and Cambridge.
Tip: Sticky buns sell out by 14:00 weekends. Order ahead online; the South End original is the calmest of the 10 locations on weekdays.
Worth the queue: Sticky bun with pecans and caramel
Bakery$beacon-hillDaily 07:00-19:00Walk-in onlyIsraeli-style pastry, shakshuka brunch
Tzurit Or's Tatte runs an Israeli-style bakery-cafe across Boston and Cambridge since 2007. Located in Beacon Hill. Open daily 07:00-19:00. At 70 Charles St.
Tip: Shakshuka books out by 11:00 weekends. The Charles Street and Harvard Square branches keep the strongest pastry selection late.
Worth the queue: Shakshuka with feta and herbs
Bakery$cambridgeMon-Sat 07:00-17:00, Sun 07:00-16:00Walk-in onlyEuropean-style hearth breads and viennoiserie
Igor and Ludmilla Ivanovic's Iggy's on Fawcett Street near Fresh Pond has baked hearth breads in Cambridge since 1994. Supplies most Boston-area restaurants.
Tip: The 5kg Francese miche is the showpiece bake; ask for a half-loaf cut. Pastry counter at the front, breads at the back.
Worth the queue: Francese sourdough miche
Bakery$cambridgeMon-Fri 08:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00Walk-in onlyEastern Mediterranean pastry and meze
Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick's Sofra on Belmont Street in Huron Village Cambridge has run an Eastern Mediterranean bakery and cafe in Boston since 2008.
Tip: Park on a side street; the bakery's car park fills by 09:00. Ginger morning bun and za'atar manaeesh are the two breakfast orders.
Worth the queue: Ginger morning bun and Turkish coffee
Bakery$cambridgeTue-Sun 07:00-17:00, closed MondayWalk-in onlyHand-mixed European breads and pies
Rene Becker's Hi-Rise on Concord Avenue in Huron Village Cambridge has baked hand-mixed levain bread in Boston since 1996. Sandwiches at the counter.
Tip: The country sourdough sells out by 13:00 most days; pies are the under-ordered savoury order.
Worth the queue: Country sourdough boule
Bakery$north-endTue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed MondayWalk-in onlyHand-cut fresh pasta and Italian salumi
Frank DePasquale's Bricco Salumeria behind Bricco Ristorante on Hanover Street in Boston's North End hand-cuts fresh pasta and slices imported Italian salumi.
Tip: Tagliatelle, pappardelle and gnocchi are the daily fresh pastas; closed Monday. Cash and card both.
Worth the queue: Fresh tagliatelle, sold by weight