midtownBy appointmentArtisan bonbons
Phillip Ashley Chocolates is a Memphis chocolatier on Madison Avenue named one of America's finest by Forbes. Custom-painted bonbons shipped nationwide from Midtown.
Tip: The studio is appointment-only for tastings; online ordering and pickup at the Madison studio.
Worth the queue: Bourbon-pecan praline truffle
downtownTue-Sat 08:00-15:00Walk-in onlyFarm-to-table baked goods
Trolley Stop Market on Madison downtown Memphis runs farm-to-table breakfast, sandwiches and an in-house bakery selling pies, cinnamon rolls and cobblers.
Tip: Cash and card both fine. The patio seats face the trolley line and a small green space.
Worth the queue: Cinnamon roll
downtownMon-Sat 10:00-19:00Walk-in onlyButter cookies and pies
Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies on Jefferson Avenue downtown Memphis is the family bakery famous for the cookies Young Dolph was buying when he was killed in 2021.
Tip: Two Memphis locations (Jefferson Avenue and Airways). The sweet potato pie sells out fastest.
Worth the queue: Butter cookies
east-memphisMon-Sat 09:30-17:30Cakes and pastries
Frost Bake Shop on Perkins Extended in East Memphis runs the city's longest-running scratch bake shop with layer cakes, cupcakes and the signature strawberry cake.
Tip: Pre-order custom cakes a week out. Walk-in cupcakes and cookies daily.
Worth the queue: Strawberry cake
east-memphisOpen 24 hoursWalk-in onlyYeast and cake doughnuts
Gibson's Donuts on Mount Moriah in East Memphis has run hot doughnuts 24 hours a day since 1967, with apple fritters and the city's late-night sugar fix.
Tip: Hot fresh batches come out around 04:00 and 16:00 daily. The drive-thru runs around the clock.
Worth the queue: Apple fritter
south-memphis24 hours dailyWalk-in onlyCake doughnuts
Howard's Donuts on South 3rd Street in Memphis has run hot doughnuts around the clock since 1958 from a no-frills counter, the city's other 24-hour fix.
Tip: Cash preferred. Drive-thru window all night for late-night and shift-worker traffic.
Worth the queue: Glazed buttermilk bar