City Cast Madison logo

The Best Bakeries in Madison

Posted on March 19
Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas

A glass display case full of cakes and loaves of bread.

Rolling Pin Bake Shop in Fitchburg has several cases full of sweet and savory treats. (Rob Thomas / City Cast Madison)

Baked Lab, the new bakery at 2044 Atwood Ave., is Shawn Bolduc’s dream made real. Once an arts administrator at the Wisconsin Union Theater, Bolduc changed careers to become a baker, making wedding cakes and teaching baking classes out of a food incubator space.

Now, Bolduc has his own physical location for Baked Lab. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Bolduc about his vision for his bakery, and how he’d decorate the ideal Madison wedding cake.

City Cast

Atwood Bakery Is a Third Space for Sweet Treats and Community

00:00:00

Here are some other locally-owned bakeries in and around Madison where people who don’t mind getting a little flour on their fingers are making their dreams come true.

2935 S. Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg. Open Mondays through Fridays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Sundays.

Since 2002, this Fitchburg institution has expanded from an indie bakery specializing in Russian and European pastries to a full-service bakery with a cafe serving breakfast and lunch. You can also find them at area farmers’ markets in the summer.

2021 Winnebago St. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Once a home bread bakery, this brick-and-mortar location opened in Schenk Corners in 2023. Still known for its bread, which ranges from traditional sourdough to adventurous varieties like miso sesame, the bakery also has a cafe and hosts events like “Half-Baked” improv shows.

961 S. Park St. Open Mondays through Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

No gluten, no problem at this Madison bakery that moved into a former Barriques on Park Street. They offer over 80 delicious gluten-free products as well as paleo-friendly offerings, from vegan pecan bars to keto mint oreo truffle bombs.

6712 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave., Middleton. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What started out of a UW-Madison student's apartment has become a full-service bakery, offering cakes, cookie cups, and brownies along with cake decorating classes for young and old.

1219 Regent St. Open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You don’t have to wait in line at the Dane County Farmers’ Market anymore for Stella’s signature Hot ‘n’ Spicy Cheese Bread. At their new cafe, not only do they sell large and mini loaves, but they have sandwiches for lunch, coffee, beer and wine, and a patio that will be open for Badger Saturdays.

916 Williamson St. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tucked away on Willy Street is Madison Sourdough, a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. This bakery is special because not only do they use local grains in their products, but they also installed their own mill in 2016. They claim roughly 40% of the flour they bake with is milled in house.

1402 Williamson St. Open Tuesdays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Known for their croissants and pastries, Batch Bakehouse has been a Madison staple since 2009. Hot tip: The bakery tends to sell out of items later in the day so get there early or call ahead to reserve your sweet treat.

1402 Regent St. Open daily, hours vary

Greenbush Bakery is a Madison institution known for its eponymous donuts, which can also be found at many grocery stores around town. The bakery is also a certified Kosher dairy kitchen. L'chaim!

1924 Fordem Ave. Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Far Breton Bakery on the North Side specializes in French pastries and its owner has previously worked at the Ovens of Brittany, L'Etoile, Harvest, and Samba Brazilian Grill.

1851 Monroe St. and 557 North St. Hours vary by location.

With locations on both sides of town, Bloom Bakeshop is a favorite for many Madisonians. The small batch bakery opened a second location in the Eken Park neighborhood in 2022.

Did we miss your favorite bakery? Let us know!

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Food & Drink

See All
Food & DrinkApril 23

Madison's Best New Restaurants

This month's list of new restaurants include a new coffee shop on Winnebago Street, an ice cream shop coming to downtown Sun Prairie and...

The interior of a coffee shop with a blond wood counter.
Food & DrinkApril 16

Madison’s Favorite Neighborhood Bars

Madison has its share of high-end cocktail bars, but there's nothing like a neighborhood bar where it feels like everybody knows your nam...

The exterior of a bar with brick and red wood.
Food & DrinkApril 9

Where To Find the Best Bagels in Madison

Madison has plenty of great bagel options, from Mermaid Kitchen to Gotham Bagels to Bagels Forever.

Metal racks of bagels on a counter.
Food & DrinkApril 2

Where to Go For Easter Brunch in Madison

Don't have plans for the family on Easter morning? Don't worry. Most spots in Madison have openings still for their brunch events, includ...

A place setting with pink plates and pink bunny statues.
Food & DrinkMarch 12

Sweet Corn, Strawberries and Maple Syrup: Why Dane County Loves Its Specific Food Fests

Whether it's Middleton and its mustard, Sun Prairie and its sweet corn, or Fitchburg and its strawberries, there are some Dane County com...

Two children at a table sampling maple syrup.
Food & DrinkMarch 5

L’Etoile Celebrates 50 Years of Farm-To-Table Dining

Odessa Piper founded L'Etoile on Madison's Capitol Square in 1976, bringing her farm-to-table philosophy to fine dining. Now under the ow...

The interior of a restaurant with a large wooden wall.
Food & DrinkFebruary 19

The Best Breakfast Sandwiches in Madison

Madison restaurants have tons of options for a great breakfast sandwich in town, whether you want a quick grab-and-go sammie from Bagels...

An egg, bacon and spinach sandwich on a white table.
Food & DrinkFebruary 18

After Years of Prep, The Baked Lab Is Ready To Serve

After years of preparation, the Baked Lab bakery is ready to open its first retail location this weekend on Atwood Avenue. Founder Shawn...

People talk and eat in front of a table of baked goods.

The latest in Madison

Madison's BestApril 29

The Madison Mystery Tour Is Coming To Take You Away

Over a half-century after they broke up, the Beatles still have a huge hold on popular culture. For over a decade, the Madison Mystery To...

A man in a bow tie plays an electric guitar behind a man playing a keyboard.
Madison's BestApril 27

Madison’s Circus Scene isn’t Clowning Around

While Circus World in Baraboo is what put Wisconsin's circus scene on the map, there's lots of acrobatics, clowning and more going on in...

A man and a woman in a circus ring juggling hoops.
Madison's BestApril 21

Your Guide to the Barrymore Theatre’s Fit Film Fests

In addition to being a favorite spot for live music and comedy, the Barrymore Theatre on Madison's east side hosts one-night-only film fe...

The interior of a theater full of people.
Madison HistoryApril 15

The History of Madison in 10 Isthmus Headlines

Madison alt-weekly Isthmus is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. The editors dug through the archives to look to see how the ne...

A black-and-white photo of two men surrounded by newspapers.
Madison's BestApril 13

How to Celebrate Earth Day 2026 in Madison

Earth Day is personal for Wisconsin, because it was U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson who made it a national day to celebrate and promote environm...

A man in a plaid shirt peruses a rack of clothes.
Madison, ExplainedApril 7

Reader Tips On How To Beat High Gas Prices

According to AAA, the average price of a regular gallon of gas in Dane County is $3.87 a gallon.

A gas station sign next to a busy road.
Madison's BestApril 6

After ‘John Wick,’ Madison-Born Writer Wants Something ‘Normal’

Derek Kolstad may be best known for writing the first three "John Wick" movies. His latest action film, "Normal" starring Bob Odenkirk an...

A sheriff holding a gun is flanked by two other people.
Madison's BestApril 1

Your Guide to April 2026 in Madison

Along with the nicer weather comes the return of the Dane County Farmers’ Market to the Capitol Square on April 11.

A woman arranging purple and white flowers.