Moulin
A trip to one of Moulin’s six Orange County locations can satisfy a craving for a stroll down the Seine with a morning pastry in hand. The brainchild of chef-owner Laurent Vrignaud, the beloved bakery brings guests the most authentic Parisian experience possible with the best in pâtisserie, plus classic dishes like le croque monsieur.
Rye Goods
A staple in Lido Marina Village from owner Sara Lezama, Rye Goods prides itself on connecting its customers to the earth by milling its own grain and producing 100% organic, naturally leavened breads and pastries. Customers can make sure they get the goods they need by pre-ordering a day in advance.
French’s Bakery
As traditional neighborhood bakeries become harder to find—the ones with colorful cakes, cupcakes and cookies made from old-school recipes lining the shelves—French’s Bakery has staying power. At over 50 years old, French’s Bakery has stayed true to its roots with the same delicious indulgences that have delighted O.C. residents for generations. Don’t miss its cookie bundles, decadent danishes and custom-decorated cakes.
FKN Bread
It’s time to do away with store-bought bread when bakeries like FKN Bread—pronounced eff-kay-enn—exist. This San Juan Capistrano staple is your local dealer for unique sourdough varieties from cheddar jalapeno to cranberry walnut, plus pastries, croissants and cookies.
61 Hundred Bread
Santa Ana’s 61 Hundred Bread is a sleek, clean-lined space that bakes everything from ube cruffins to monkey bread and even branded loaves with “6100” dusted atop with flour. If you stop by for a treat, we guarantee you’ll bring an entire box home!
Sweet Lili’s Bakery
For over 30 years, this Laguna Hills-based bakeshop has handcrafted Persian treats. Rave reviews tout the baklava, cream puffs and pretty much every cookie—you can’t go wrong. Custom cakes are also a frequent purchase at this locally loved institution.
Cream Pan
A stellar fusion of Japanese and French baking techniques, Cream Pan has captured the hearts of Orange County with three locations in the region. While the bakeshop whips up new pastries often, expect to find expertly executed pastries, golden brown bread loaves, decadent cake slices and fried-to-perfection donuts at their bakeshop.
Little France Coffee & Bakery
Travel to France by way of Mission Viejo at this red-checkered tablecloth establishment that exudes warmth at every turn. Proudly serving Elton John’s Grammy Party, this small-but-mighty bakery has garnered quite the following. On the menu are Parisian traditions of crepes, croque monsieur and crisp, pristine-edged croissants almost too pretty to eat.
Paderia Bakehouse
This globally inspired bakehouse takes a unique approach to pastry creation. With locations around Southern California, Paderia Bakehouse is only a few steps away for international eats like custardy Portuguese egg tarts, house-laminated croissants and their famous cookies in flavors such as triple chocolate and cookies and cream.
Scratch Bakery Cafe
Whether you find yourself in Laguna Hills or Fashion Island, pencil in a trip to Scratch Bakery Cafe, where caramel-crusted loaves, dreamy cake, pie slices and crisp morning pastries await. Using only real, premium ingredients, you can taste the difference in each bite.
Diotoma Bakehouse
Kouign Amman, anyone? At this Mission Viejo mainstay, KiantheChef created a world of fine French pastries that make it a popular choice for fresh-out-of-the-oven indulgences. If you’d like to learn how to make them that good for yourself, the bakehouse offers cooking classes—available for booking on their website.
Porto’s Bakery & Cafe
The Cuban bakery from Rosa Porto is a classic in California for a reason. Pastry-lovers can’t get enough of the international delights, including cream cheese-filled cheese rolls, crispy panko and picadillo potato balls and so much more.
Dining and Cooking