La Mie Bakery ★ 4.6
Widely cited as Des Moines' finest bakery, La Mie has been producing classic European breads and viennoiserie on 42nd Street since the early 1990s.
Worth the queue: Croissants and rustic sourdough loaves
Bakery counters in Des Moines worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.
Where to queue for bread and pastry
Scenic Route Bakery ★ 4.4
Modern East Village artisan bakery with ample seating and a seasonal pastry rotation. Strong sourdoughs and enriched breads from locally sourced ingredients.
Worth the queue: Seasonal pastries and sourdough loaves
Southern Cross Bakery ★ 4.2
East Village bakery with long-fermented sourdough and Scandinavian-influenced viennoiserie; limited weekend specials with a loyal E Locust Street following.
Worth the queue: Sourdough loaves and Danish pastries
Bauder Pharmacy Soda Fountain ★ 4.3
Bauder Pharmacy, founded in 1916, has paired a working pharmacy with a vintage soda fountain and bakery counter on Ingersoll Avenue since the 1920s.
Worth the queue: Cherry phosphates and house-baked goods
Grande Dolce Pastry ★ 4.1
A small patisserie specialising in French technique applied to American occasions: macarons, entremets and celebration cakes in flavours inspired by
Worth the queue: French macarons and hand-crafted layer cakes
Maxie's Pastry Studio ★ 4.0
Pastry studio near Drake University producing excellent croissants, quiche and rotating seasonal tarts; the tart rotation follows the weekly market produce.
Worth the queue: Croissants and tarts
Oak Park Bakery ★ 4.2
Neighbourhood bakery with devoted following for long-fermentation sourdoughs and flaky croissants; limited production means sell-outs before noon on weekends.
Worth the queue: Long-fermented sourdough and croissants
Gateway Market Bakery ★ 4.0
The in-house bakery at Gateway Market, Des Moines' leading specialty grocery, produces a daily rotation of artisan loaves, muffins and cookies.
Worth the queue: Artisan loaves and house-baked pastries