Seattle doesn’t have too many high-quality Jewish delis, so when Josh Grunig (of Grand Central) opened this Pinehurst spot in 2019 it was a revelation. The bagels are texturally perfect (and even better when loaded with pastrami), and Zylberschtein’s also offers a wide array of other Jewish delicacies, including challah, hamantaschen for Purim, and matzah for Passover.

Coyle's went from wildly popular pop-up to Greenwood neighborhood favorite in short time. The bakeshop connects owner Rachael Coyle’s solid foundation in French technique with ingredients that are in season in the Pacific Northwest; look for killer cakes, scones, tarts, and croissants, alongside a strong selection of teas beautifully prepared.

如果你遇到這謙遜的巴拉德商店on a weekend you’re likely to find a line, and among that line some of Seattle’s best chefs. They come for the kouign amann, the orange zest-flavored morning bun, the elegantly laminated croissants, the spongey-on-the-inside canele, and the delightfully light cakes. If you want to linger here over a coffee, there’s an outdoor space at the back.

Green. Tea. Tiramisu. Yes, that magnificent mash-up exists at Hiroki, Tangletown’s Japanese bakery, which serves as a lovely spot for takeout treats after a Green Lake loop. And there’s plenty more where that came from, including a generous chocolate cake and the occasional blueberry scone.

Stained glass-lit Saint Bread is a Portage Bay shrine to carbs. You can find truly spectacular items here, like yuzu polenta cakes, school buns (a Norwegian delicacy), and an egg sandwich on melon pan. You can even get an amazing cheesburger here?

A favorite for its fusion of French, American, and Japanese flavors and techniques, Fuji has a shop in the Chinatown-International District as well as this flagship bakery in Interbay. The yeast-raised crunchy cream doughnut is probably the most popular item, for good reason, but you should sample as many savory and sweet options as possible to appreciate the breadth of styles, from beef curry buns to ube custard-filled malasadas.

This relatively new spot from owner Krista Nelson and chef Madeline McDonald (of dearly departed London Plane) is a must-visit. They have a full food menu here — kudos to them for doing a leek and gouda frittata breakfast sandwich instead of going the usual bacon-and-egg route — but we need to talk about their pastries. Any of the flavors of their buns will be among the best you’ve ever had, and their galettes have the perfect amount of flake.

At Belltown’s Askatu Bakery, Estela Martinez creates allergen-free doughs for sourdough breads and pastries with the precision of a scientist, avoiding not just gluten but also dairy, nuts, potatoes, and even xantham and guar gums. Flour blends from the likes of sorghums and teff result in gooey brownies, tender cakes, and baguettes as crunchy on the outside as they should be, plus fun rotating specials like mooncakes and bagels. Askatu sells at various farmers markets and ships some treats nationwide, too.

Batch, one of Capitol Hill’s newer dessert shops, specializes in the combo of childhood nostalgia and adult expertise, turning out spectacular renditions of Oreos, Nutter Butters, snickerdoodles, and even fortune cookies with personalized fortunes if you preorder. The shop can even ship many of its cookies nationwide.

Known for its thoughtful use of local ingredients, pop-up Temple opened its first fixed location in the Central District, with a selection of savory and sweet baked goods. Cream-filled cruffins, macarons, and schnecken are among the tasty treats, paired with roasts from partner Broadcast Coffee, and you can preorder to try to get ahead of the persistent lines.

This Mount Baker shop has been operating since 2016, but owner Bill Hart’s baking experience goes back decades, and that dedication shows in his delightful Southern-influenced creations, including bean pies. His chess pies in particular (in flavors such as key lime, coconut, and lemon) are a smash.

The sweeter sibling to vegetarian mainstay Cafe Flora, Beacon Hill’s Flora sells a variety of wonderful baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. Among the highlights you might find: twice-baked rose pistachio croissants, unicorn horn meringues, and kimchi blue cheese scones. Take your bag of goodies and a silky cardamom rose latte to the expansive patio.

Seattle’s favorite airstream cake shop — a staple for years at the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall — moved to a bigger, more-stationary home in 2018. Deep Sea Sugar and Salt now operates out of a historic market space on Carleton Avenue but still slings fan favorites like the Earl Grey-infused London Fog and impossibly decadent chocolate salted caramel, available whole or by the slice.