The counters in Indianapolis worth queuing for: bread, pastry, and the morning ritual.
Bakery counters in Indianapolis worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.
Long's Bakery in Haughville, Indianapolis is the West Side donut counter since 1955. Hot glazed yeast donuts are the breakfast locals queue early to claim.
Order: A dozen hot glazed donuts straight from the fryer.
Tip: Sunday mornings sell out by 10:00. Cash and card accepted.
Worth the queue: Hot glazed donut
Taylor's Bakery on Allisonville Road in Indianapolis since 1913. The sugar cream pie counter where Indianapolis families pick up their Thanksgiving dessert.
Order: A sugar cream pie. Their version is canonical Hoosier.
Tip: Order pies a day ahead for holiday weekends.
Worth the queue: Sugar cream pie
Heidelberg Haus on Pendleton Pike in Indianapolis runs a German cafe, bakery and grocery for over 55 years. The rye for Indianapolis's German tables.
Order: A loaf of pumpernickel, a slice of Black Forest cake and a coffee.
Tip: The gift shop runs the deepest German grocery selection in the region.
Worth the queue: Springerle Christmas cookies
Amelia's is the in-house bakery at Bluebeard on Virginia Avenue. The sourdough that supplies half Indianapolis's kitchens opens to the public at the counter.
Order: A country loaf to take home and an almond croissant for now.
Tip: Loaves move fast on Saturday morning. Get there before 10:00.
Worth the queue: Country sourdough loaf
The Cake Bake Shop on Carrollton in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis is Gwendolyn Rogers's storybook pastry room. Iconic layer cakes, sit-down high tea, full bar.
Order: A slice of Earl's Sugar Cookie Cake and a glass of Champagne.
Tip: Reservations recommended on weekends. Parking is very limited.
Worth the queue: Earl's Sugar Cookie Cake
The Flying Cupcake's Mass Ave shop in Indianapolis bakes scratch cupcakes from local single-origin chocolate. Daily flavors plus seasonal rotations.
Order: A Death by Chocolate and a Hoosier Mama.
Tip: Pre-order for parties; same-day delivery available across the city.
Worth the queue: Death by Chocolate cupcake
Rene's Bakery in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs a French-leaning bakery and deli since 2004. Croissants, country loaves, sandwich lunch counter.
Order: An almond croissant, a baguette, a quiche slice.
Tip: Saturday queue from 9. Sell out by midday for the croissants.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Circle City Sweets at 16 Tech in Indianapolis runs scratch French-style pastries, laminated croissants, kouign-amann, macarons and artisan breads.
Order: A butter croissant and a kouign-amann.
Tip: Sold out by midday most Saturdays. Order ahead for events.
Worth the queue: Kouign-amann
Good Morning Mama's on 54th Street in Indianapolis is a breakfast pastry shop. Cinnamon rolls bigger than a fist, scratch quick breads, day-of-pickup only.
Order: A pecan cinnamon roll and a coffee for the road.
Tip: Saturday queue from 7:30. Cash-friendly, fast counter.
Worth the queue: Pecan cinnamon roll
Jack's Donuts on West Market in downtown Indianapolis is the Central Indiana donut institution since 1961. Cake donuts and coffee, no frills.
Order: A coconut cake donut and a regular coffee.
Tip: Sells out by 11 on Sundays. Cash and card.
Worth the queue: Coconut cake donut
Cookie Plug on Mass Ave in Indianapolis serves oversized stuffed cookies that are part cake, part brownie, part cookie. Late hours, hip-hop themed shop.
Order: A stuffed chocolate chip and a milk for dunking.
Tip: Late-night dessert run for after Mass Ave dinners.
Worth the queue: Stuffed cookie
Please & Thank You on Mass Ave in Indianapolis bakes the city's reference chocolate-chip cookie and pours espresso under a vinyl-wall counter.
Order: A chocolate chip cookie warm and a cortado.
Tip: Vinyl wall is the other reason to visit. Pickup peaks at lunch.
Worth the queue: Chocolate chip cookie
Macaron Bar on Mass Ave in Indianapolis runs scratch French macarons in 20-plus flavors. A downtown branch of the Cincinnati pastry shop, fresh daily.
Order: A box of six: salted caramel, pistachio, raspberry, lemon, coffee, chocolate.
Tip: Daily flavor list rotates. Pre-order boxes ahead for parties.
Worth the queue: Salted caramel macaron
Endangered Species Chocolate factory store in Indianapolis runs a bean-to-bar program with 10 percent of profits funding wildlife conservation.
Order: A single-origin tasting flight and a bag of dark sea salt almonds.
Tip: Free factory tours by appointment. The store stocks bars not in retail.
Worth the queue: Single-origin chocolate bar