west-sideDaily, early morningWalk-in onlyScratch Mexican pan dulce
Panifico's Bandera shop on the West Side bakes scratch Mexican pan dulce, with the moustache-shaped bigote and the conchas the orders to watch fill the case.
Tip: Watch the case fill in the early morning. The bigote and conchas are the orders; everything is scratch-made.
Worth the queue: Bigote and conchas
alamo-heightsDaily, mornings and afternoonsWalk-in onlyFrench-style pastry and cakes
CommonWealth's Olmos Park branch near Alamo Heights is the handy second location of the South Flores bakery, carrying its French eclairs, tarts and cakes.
Tip: A handy Alamo Heights branch for the eclairs and seasonal tarts. Pairs a pastry with a careful espresso.
Worth the queue: Eclairs and seasonal tarts
downtownDaily, breakfast and lunchMexican-French artisan bread and pan dulce
La Panaderia's downtown flagship near the River Walk is famous for conchas and its croissant-concha hybrid, a Mexican-French bakery worth the queue.
Tip: The conchas are famous; the croissant-concha hybrid is the showpiece. The downtown flagship is steps from the River Walk.
Worth the queue: Conchas and the croissant-concha hybrid
pearlDaily 7am-8pmWalk-in onlyFrench patisserie and viennoiserie
Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl is the French patisserie locals queue for, with macarons as the calling card and a kouign-amann among the laminated pastries.
Tip: The macarons are the calling card; the kouign-amann is the laminated-pastry pick. Expect a queue on market mornings.
Worth the queue: Macarons and the kouign-amann
market-squareOpen 24 hours dailyWalk-in onlyTraditional Mexican pan dulce
Mi Tierra's 24-hour panaderia at Market Square turns out traditional pan dulce around the clock, from everyday conchas to Day of the Dead pan de muerto.
Tip: Open 24 hours, so pan dulce is available any time. The conchas and seasonal pan de muerto are the classics.
Worth the queue: Conchas and Day of the Dead pan de muerto
alamo-heightsDaily, breakfast and afternoonWalk-in onlyFrom-scratch American cakes and pastries
Bird Bakery on Broadway, founded by Elizabeth Chambers in 2012, turns out from-scratch layer cakes, cupcakes, and pastries from a cheerful room near Alamo.
Tip: The layer cakes and cupcakes are the draw; grab a box to go. A good Alamo Heights coffee-and-cake stop.
Worth the queue: Layer cakes and cupcakes