mass-aveMon-Thu 10:30-19:00, Fri-Sat 10:30-20:00, Sun 12:00-17:00Walk-in onlySingle-origin cupcakes
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
broad-rippleWed-Thu 08:00-13:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-15:00, Sun 08:00-12:00, closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyFrench breads and pastries
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
downtownTue-Fri 08:00-16:00, Sat 09:00-16:00, closed Sun-MonWalk-in onlyEuropean-style pastries
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
broad-rippleTue-Sun 07:00-14:00, closed MonWalk-in onlyCinnamon rolls and breakfast pastries
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
downtownDaily 05:00-13:00Walk-in onlyMom-and-pop donuts
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
mass-aveMon-Sat 11:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-19:00Walk-in onlyHip-hop themed thick cookies
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