Chestnut Hill is home to some of the best restaurants in the area. But, did you know that it also has some of the top bakeries in the Philadelphia region? If you are craving cakes, croissants and cookies or yearning for a tart or pie, take a stroll down Germantown Avenue and satisfy that sweet tooth.
Bredenbeck’s Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor
Bredenbeck’s has been baking up tasty treats since 1889 and is a Chestnut Hill institution. From their scoops of local favorite Bassetts Ice Cream to their inventive cakes like red velvet cheesecake and lemon bundt, Bredenbeck’s Bakery can make all of your sweet dreams come true. Their wedding cakes are tiered masterpieces and we hear that happy couples even get a complimentary cake on their first anniversary! 8126 Germantown Ave.; (215) 247-7374.
Cake
Cake is most likely the prettiest bakery you will ever encounter. Located in a greenhouse setting (formerly Robertson’s Conservatory), Cake not only serves the best in pastries and its signature cake, but also serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Their tarts in creative flavors like cranberry apple crumb, peanut butter chocolate caramel, banana bourbon, brown butter, citron and plum almond cream are available in three sizes from individual servings to enough for a party. The decadent, oversized bars offered in lemon, pecan, cranberry oat or pumpkin cheesecake are worth the trip. Don’t overlook their quiche du jour or brioche French toast on the breakfast menu. 8501 Germantown Ave.; (215) 247-6887.
Night Kitchen Bakery
Night Kitchen Bakery has been a mainstay of artisan baked goods in Chestnut Hill for over 30 years. We swoon over their positively mouth-watering puddings like sticky toffee and salted butter rum and the lemon curd cake is a tart, yet sweet indulgence. Night Kitchen also has several gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options available. 7725 Germantown Ave.; (215) 248-9235.
Metropolitan Bakery
Fans of Metropolitan Bakery’s crackling crusty breads had quite the scare this year when their Chestnut Hill location closed after 15 years in business. Luckily, they moved just down the street to The Market at the Fareway. Sink your teeth into some freshly baked pumpernickel, cracked wheat, organic spelt or raisin nut bread. Their housemade granola has been chosen as “Best in the U.S.” by Epicurious and the bourbon-infused and stout with smoked almond popcorns are sweetly addictive. 8229 Germantown Ave.; (215) 753-9001.
The Brunettes’ Bookshop Bakery
Owners and best friends Claudia Stemler and Laura Belmonte have combined their love of both baking and reading into a literary and confectionary oasis in Chestnut Hill’s The Market at the Fareway. The Brunettes’ Bookshop Bakery, or B3, offers six regular varieties of cupcakes plus two daily specials alongside some of their favorite tomes. Sit at the counter and watch them bake and decorate their works of art and then browse for some reading material. Take a bite out of Nana’s Wet-Bottom Ricotta Cake or Mom’s Chocolate Chip Pound Cake and get lost in the artistry of baking and books. 8229 Germantown Ave.; (267) 300-2340.
Baker Street Bread Company
Baker Street’s breads are prepared fresh daily in an 18-ton hearth oven that was imported from France. They also utilize other European baking equipment and techniques to produce their world-class breads that come in various shapes, sizes and flavors. Don’t miss the San Francisco-style sourdough or the old world rye. They also prepare fresh tomato pie and artisan pizza twice daily, but don’t forget to call ahead to order your dough in advance or else you will be out of luck. 8009 Germantown Ave.; (215) 248-3296.
