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
Bauder Pharmacy Soda Fountain is a bakery in The Avenues, Des Moines.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Address: 3802 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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