bakeries 2280

Want to teach kids about world cultures? Take a DIY tour of San Diego bakeries! Around the globe, sweet treats are tied to important celebrations that make a culture unique. They often showcase a society’s most beloved ingredients. Here is a list of San Diego bakeries that offer a delightful taste of the cookies, cakes and tarts that represent our population’s diverse food traditions. Plan a “pastry crawl” with your family and tour the world without leaving home! This would also be fun with out-of-town guests.

le parfait macaron 2280
Le Parfait Paris

Point Loma
Located in Liberty Public Market, this authentic patisserie and boulangerie offers French favorites like croissant aux amandes (almond croissant) and crème brûlée. Children are drawn to the bakery’s selection of colorful macarons—delicate, sandwich-style cookies filled with jam or ganache. Pastries are baked fresh daily and each item is made by hand. Owner Ludi Mas says French desserts contain minimal added sugar because ingredients are caramelized to enhance natural sweetness. The menu includes crepes, espresso and full-leaf teas. Additional locations are in the Gaslamp, Coronado and Del Mar. Gluten-free and dairy-free items available.

Azucar 2280
Azucar
  

Ocean Beach
Offering a modern twist on Cuban favorites, this neighborhood gem enjoys a bustling after-school crowd. Kids love the brightly colored pastries with unique island flavors like guava, cream cheese and coconut. Chef and owner Vivian Hernandez-Jackson draws on her Cuban heritage and European training to deliver a range of goodies from authentic pastelitos (stuffed puff pastries) to Instagram-worthy unicorn cookies. Azucar is committed to using the highest quality ingredients, including unrefined sugars. Be sure to try the pastelitos de carne (meat pastries dipped in sweet syrup). The bakery also offers a coffee and lunch menu. Egg-free and gluten-free options available.

85°C Bakery Café 
Multiple Locations
This popular chain offers a selection of Taiwanese and Japanese pastries. Choose from a variety of sweet breads, buns and puddings with typical Asian ingredients like matcha, taro, red bean and mango. Japanese-style brioche is a bestseller at the bakery—an ultra-soft sweet loaf with a rich, buttery flavor. The Hokkaido cheese tart and taro swirl are excellent choices as well. Order a boba milk tea to complete the experience.

Edelweiss Bakery 
Rancho Bernardo
Specializing in European cakes and pastries, this North County bakery offers San Diego’s best selection of German favorites. Try their famous German apple ring—a buttery pound cake baked with fresh sliced fruit. They also offer strudels, Bavarian raspberry cake, black forest cake and German chocolate cake. Check the case daily for yummy Danish pastries, cookies, cupcakes and tarts. With delectable old-world flavors and exceptional customer service, this family-owned bakery has been a community favorite for more than 30 years.

Red Ribbon Bake Shop 
Mira Mesa
This bakery chain offers Filipino treats like mamon (bite-sized chiffon cakes) and ensaimada—an eye-rolling combination of buttery bread, sugar and cheese. Check the bakery case for pastries with popular Filipino ingredients like mango, coconut and ube—a bright purple yam with a mild flavor. The bakery also offers halo-halo, a cold dessert with shaved ice, fruit, leche flan and whipped mango topping. Located also in National City and Chula Vista.

Swedish Royal Bakery
Poway
A neighborhood favorite for more than 15 years, this Swedish bakery serves Scandinavian classics like princess cake—yellow sponge cake layered with raspberry, napoleon cream and vanilla cream, topped with marzipan. Choose from a gorgeous selection of traditional cookies, cakes and pastries. Children are especially fond of the green roll—ground nuts and Swedish chocolate wrapped in marzipan. The menu includes sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches and coffee. Gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

Solunto 
Little Italy
In addition to delectable classics like cannoli and tiramisu, Solunto offers gorgeous Italian cookies that come in a variety of attractive shapes and colors—perfect for party trays. For an authentic taste of Italy, try pastries with creamy sweetened cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone. Nutty flavors are very typical, such as pistachio, amaretto or Nutella—a hazelnut cocoa butter that kids love. Solunto also offers an espresso bar, gelato bar and pizza.

Su Pan 
Rolando
Grab some tongs and fill your tray with pan dulce at this traditional Mexican panaderia. Here you’ll find assorted cookies, conchas and conos—pastry horns filled with cream. Bring a group so everyone can try the churros, tres leches cake and flan. The bakery offers custom special occasion cakes. Mexican food and coffee are also available.

These full-service restaurants also offer cultural desserts to discover and explore:

_________

Anne Malinoski is a contributing writer and mother of two boys. She would like to acknowledge the Eating and Drinking in San Diego Facebook community for their bakery suggestions.

press club winner
This article won an award from San Diego Press Club! Anne Malinoski received Second Place in the Multicultural category. See all of San Diego Family's awards HERE.

_________

Fall and Thanksgiving Recipes

Fall and Thanksgiving Recipes

Ah, the flavors of fall. Apple, pumpkin and sweet potato recipes (and more) here to help elevate your Thanksgiving menu and satisfy your sweet tooth. Don't miss the link below that provides ideas for . . .

Read more

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

  As you contemplate delicious fall desserts for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving celebrations this month, consider these delicious pumpkin cupcakes from Food Network Magazine’s cookbook, Baking . . .

Read more

Festive Thanksgiving Fruit Salad for Kids

Festive Thanksgiving Fruit Salad for Kids

With all the indulgent eating during Thanksgiving and surrounding holidays, it’s nice to have healthy options. This festive turkey "fruit salad" with cinnamon yogurt dip is sure to do the trick! A . . .

Read more

Mini Mason Jar Pies

Mini Mason Jar Pies

Delicious little pies are a perfect Thanksgiving dessert or sweet hostess gift From holiday parties to hostess gifts, there are endless opportunities to delight loved ones with these mini pies. The . . .

Read more

Pumpkiny Goodness

Pumpkiny Goodness

If fall is your favorite season, then it's likely you're an enthusiast of what we call Pumpkiny Goodness! That's exactly what we have here: pumpkin recipes and treats that take you way beyond traditio . . .

Read more

Friendsgiving for Kids

Friendsgiving for Kids

Whether you're planning a Friendsgiving celebration (Thanksgiving celebrated with friends) just for kids or looking for ways to make "the kids table" exciting, these delicious recipes and fun activi . . .

Read more

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Topping

Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Topping

Oceanside mom and food blogger, Jackie Bruchez (aka The Seaside Baker) has turned a classic Thanksgiving side dish into a delicious pie. Make this impressive holiday pie for your next gathering or f . . .

Read more

Homemade Apple Pie Filling in a Jar

Homemade Apple Pie Filling in a Jar

Now that it’s apple season, why not use those delicious apples to make Homemade Apple Pie in a Jar, featuring sweet cinnamon apples and a caramelized sauce — a perfect gift for neighbors, friend . . .

Read more

Apple Cake with Dulce de Leche Frosting

Apple Cake with Dulce de Leche Frosting

“Fall is one of our favorite times of the year, because it means Halloween and my family’s birthday season is just around the corner. This cake is like our inauguration into fall — when it’s . . .

Read more

Lisa’s Pumpkin Chili Recipe

  I love the flavors of fall, so when pumpkin chili crossed my path, I was all in. Over the years my friends and family have come to love pumpkin chili as well. It has a sweet and spicy thing go . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe