south-sideDaily, mornings and afternoonsWalk-in onlyFrench viennoiserie and pastry
CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery on the South Side bakes French viennoiserie, with the kouign-amann the standout pastry to pair with an in-house espresso.
Tip: The kouign-amann is the standout laminated pastry. Pair it with the in-house espresso for a French-style breakfast.
Worth the queue: Kouign-amann and croissants
north-sideDaily, morningsWalk-in onlyCzech-Texan kolaches
Kolache Stop on Huebner Road bakes Czech-Texan kolaches and klobasniky, the sausage-stuffed pastries that immigrant communities brought to Texas.
Tip: The sausage-and-cheese klobasniky is the Texan-Czech classic. Go early; the popular fillings sell out.
Worth the queue: Sausage-and-cheese klobasniky
king-williamDaily, breakfast and lunchWalk-in onlySouthern baked goods with Pioneer flour
The Guenther House in King William bakes Southern goods with Pioneer Flour from the historic mill next door, with sweet-cream biscuits and cinnamon rolls.
Tip: The sweet-cream biscuits use the mill's own flour. The store sells baking mixes to take the recipes home.
Worth the queue: Sweet-cream biscuits and cinnamon rolls
pearlBy reservation, dinner serviceFine-dining dessert tasting menu
Nicosi at Pullman Market is a 20-seat dessert-only dining room from Esquire's 2024 Pastry Chef of the Year, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, with a plated tasting menu.
Tip: This is desserts as fine dining, not a counter; book the dessert tasting ahead. The savoury-leaning plates surprise.
Worth the queue: Plated dessert courses
west-sideDaily, morningsWalk-in onlyKolaches and klobasniky
Kolache Factory on the West Side is the drive-through for a quick Texas-Czech breakfast, mixing sweet fruit kolaches with savoury sausage-and-cheese rolls.
Tip: Mix sweet fruit kolaches with savoury sausage-and-cheese for the full spread. Drive-through for a quick breakfast.
Worth the queue: Fruit kolaches and sausage rolls
alamo-heightsDaily, breakfast and lunchArtisan bread and pan dulce
La Panaderia's Broadway location near the airport carries the Caceres brothers' Mexican-French bread programme north of downtown, with sourdough, conchas.
Tip: A handy uptown branch of the downtown flagship. The sourdough and the conchas are both worth the stop.
Worth the queue: Sourdough and conchas