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BakeryPastries and dessert cakesWalk-in only
Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego is Karen Krasne's Little Italy dessert salon on Union Street, a long-running pastry-and-cake shop with a James Beard.
Worth the queueViking chocolate cake
TipCake by the slice is the deepest value; the cafe also runs a savoury small-plate menu in the evenings.
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BakeryMexican pan dulce and bolillosWalk-in only
Panchita's Bakery in San Diego is the Barrio Logan Mexican panaderia on National Avenue, a long-running pan dulce counter for conchas, marranitos.
Worth the queueConcha (sweet bread)
TipGet there by 8am for the freshest pan dulce; the bolillos sell out for the lunch sandwiches by 10am.
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BakeryFilled gourmet cookiesWalk-in only
The Cravory in San Diego is the Loma Square Center cookie bakery, a soft-baked filled counter with rotating flavours and the famous birthday cake cookie.
Worth the queueBirthday cake cookie
TipThe birthday cake cookie is the room's recurring star; the seasonal calendar rolls weekly on Instagram.
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BakeryEuropean stone-hearth artisan breadsWalk-in only
Bread and Cie in San Diego is the Hillcrest European stone-hearth bakery on University Avenue since 1995, the rustic-bread room that anchors the Hillcrest.
Worth the queueKalamata olive bread
TipThe kalamata olive bread is the room's signature; the cafe upstairs serves sandwiches on house-baked rolls.
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BakeryNaturally leavened sourdough breadsWalk-in only
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads in Encinitas is the North County sourdough bakery on Coast Highway 101, a wholesale-bakery storefront with daily-baked.
Worth the queueCountry sourdough miche
TipCountry sourdough miche is the room's strongest loaf; the Carlsbad bakery is the wholesale production base.
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BakerySmall-batch yeast and cake doughnutsWalk-in only
Sidecar Doughnuts in Del Mar is the Costa Mesa import in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, a small-batch doughnut counter rotating six monthly flavours plus six.
Worth the queueHuckleberry doughnut
TipThe huckleberry and the butter-and-salt are the recurring strengths; arrive by 9am for the full case.