Best Bakeries in Bergen County — 5 Shops Worth a Morning Drive

Bergen County does not have one bakery scene — it has five or six, from old-school Italian pastry shops to French cafes where the croissants sell out by noon. This list picks five shops that are consistently loved by locals, each with its own specialty, so you can plan a bakery crawl or just pick the one closest to your weekend route. Bring cash for at least one stop below, and go early on weekends.

1. B&W Bakery — 614 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ. The heavy crumb cake is the reason people drive here: thick, buttery crumbs, light cake underneath, and a loyal following going back decades. The shop is cash-only and beloved for old-school cakes, lobster tails, and black-and-white cookies. Go-to order: a slice of heavy crumb cake and a coffee.

2. Sook Pastry — 24 South Broad Street, Ridgewood, NJ. A Parisian-style bakery and cafe in the heart of Ridgewood, known for almond croissants, fruit tarts, macarons, and breads that are light and not overly sweet. This is the sit-down pick. Go-to order: almond croissant and a key-lime tart.

3. Balthazar Bakery — 214 South Dean Street, Englewood, NJ. The New Jersey production home of the famous New York bakery, with a small takeout storefront. Expect a line, crusty breads, buttery croissants, and savory pastries like ham-and-cheese croissants. It is takeout only, so plan a park or car picnic after. Go-to order: almond croissant and a sourdough loaf.

4. Rispoli Pastry Shop — 23 Emerson Plaza East, Emerson, NJ. A North Jersey Italian pastry institution serving for over 90 years, now from its Emerson shop. This is the celebration-cake and Italian-cookie stop: cannoli, sfogliatelle, and trays for holidays and family parties. Go-to order: a mixed box of Italian cookies.

5. Pierre & Michel Authentic French Bakery — 38 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. A cozy French cafe in Ridgewood's lively plaza, praised for authentic croissants, mango tarts, lemon tarts, and macarons, with coffee and light lunch options. Go-to order: chocolate croissant and a mango tart.

How to make a morning of it: pick one Ridgewood stop (Sook or Pierre & Michel) plus a stroll down Ridgewood Avenue, or pair B&W in Hackensack with Balthazar in Englewood for a 20-minute bakery double-header. Most of these shops are busiest on Saturday mornings, so arrive before 10 a.m. for the best selection. Parent tip: buy one extra loaf or box to freeze — Bergen County bakery bread toasts beautifully all week.