Out of the nearly 20,000 reviews that the Lanc Local team analyzed, several recurring themes emerged. For one, there’s no single best bakery in Lancaster County. What we did find is many of the bakeries have a niche that they are known for. The term “bakery” is a wide category, so we did our best to represent the top bakeries per subcategory in the below “Locals’ Choice” rankings. Secondly, the experience beyond the baked good came up in customer feedback again and again. All of the top bakeries we ranked provide an exceptional experience (as well as a fantastic product). If you’re interested in our full rankings of all bakeries, you can jump to the bottom for that. Enjoy.
Locals’ tips when looking for a bakery in the Lancaster area:
- Visit early in the morning for the freshest and best selection at most of the bakeries we cover on this list.
- Lines can be long on the weekend, especially in touristy areas — plan ahead. You can speed up your trip if you’re in a hurry by ordering online in some places.
- Don’t skip the hidden, tucked away spots. Unless you’re driving back roads for the fun of it, you’ll likely miss them. Several of the bakeries on our list aren’t on “Main Street”, but they are worth the drive.
Locals’ Choice for
Amish-Made Baked Goods
Old Barn Creamery & Creamery
Locals’ Choice: Old Barn Creamery is our choice for fresh, Amish-made baked goods. In this area of Lancaster County, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option for fresh and delicious cookies, whoopie pies, donuts, pies, etc. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Amish country sweet treats, Old Barn Creamery & Bakery is your best bet.
Our favorite baked goods from Old Barn Creamery & Bakery are:
- Soft pretzels (Saturdays only)
- Homemade pies (try the seasonal choices — freshly picked strawberries in the spring, peach in the fall, etc.)
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Whole wheat bread
- Oatmeal whoopie pies
What keeps us coming back: There’s several components that come together for this hidden gem. One, you’re getting authentic, Amish-made products. All of their baked goods have the key elements that make PA Dutch baked goods famous: rich flavor, local ingredients (rhubarb, peaches, strawberries, berries, etc.), and freshly baked. Second, outside of the product, the overall experience provided is great for families or simply someone looking to take in the slower pace of Lancaster’s culture. We love the interior aesthetic as well as the eating area outside overlooking Lancaster’s countryside. Plus, an added benefit of being tucked away from the main tourist area of the county is the pricing is extremely reasonable. Worth the drive in our book if you are visiting Lancaster.
24-minute drive for us from Lancaster City (View on Map)
Locals’ Choice for
Gourmet Donuts
Beiler’s Donuts
Locals’ Choice: Beiler’s Donuts is our choice for gourmet donuts.
Our favorites donuts from Beiler’s are:
- Glazed donuts
- Apple fritters
- Cream filled donuts
- Key lime pie donuts
- Maple bacon donuts
What keeps us coming back: Beiler’s Donuts are consistently excellent. The toughest part of a Beiler’s Donuts run is making a decision between the old faithful flavors or venturing out with their more “out there” flavors. We always enjoy the trip: great people, clean environment, and some of the best donuts you’ll find in Lancaster County.
5-minute drive for us from Lancaster City (View on Map)
Locals’ Choice for
Bagels
Grand Central Bagel
Locals’ Choice: Grand Central Bagel is our choice for bagels.
Our favorite products from Grand Central Bagel are:
- Bagels (paired with their coffee)
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting
What keeps us coming back: This is a frequent stopping point for not just our team but many locals when they are in the area. We love their breakfast sandwiches made from their fresh, in-house baked bagels. Overall experience is typically fairly seamless. It’s also our go-to when we need a large batch of bagels to-go for an event or hosting.
18-minute drive for us from Lancaster City (View on Map)
Locals’ Choice for
Wide Selection
Bird-in-Hand Bakeshop
Locals’ Choice: Bird-in-Hand Bakeshop is our top pick if you want the one of the biggest selections of PA Dutch baked goods in the area.
Our favorite baked goods from Bird-in-Hand Bakeshop are:
- Chocolate chip whoopie pies
- Shoo-fly pies
- Cherry pies
- Soft pretzels (out in the parking lot)
What keeps us coming back: It’s hard to pinpoint a specific favorite of ours at Bird-in-Hand Bakeshop. One thing that is consistent is the quality with every one of our visits. This is a tourist attraction for a reason, but not a trap — many locals in the area will tell you this is their go-to for baked good. We enjoy making the trip to try out something new from their many options. Family-friendly too — take your sweet treats out back to check out the petting zoo.
20-minute drive for us from Lancaster City (View on Map)
Locals’ Choice for
Hard Pretzels
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
Locals’ Choice: Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery is our choice for hard pretzels. This is their expertise (they were the first commercial pretzel bakery in the US), and it shows.
Lots of varities available:
- Dark chocolate pretzels
- Sourdough pretzels
- Cheddar pretzels
- Peanut butter stuffed pretzels
- Cinnamon pretzels
- Jalepeno pretzels
- Crunchzels & assorted pretzels tubs (our favorites!)
What keeps us coming back: This is Lancaster’s pretzel hub, simply put, so if your a fan of pretzels you don’t want to miss it. It’s a great place to take the family, too. If you’re interested in history like several of us are, you’ll enjoy the combination of pretzels and the guide tour on the history of the pretzels. We loved that we could get involved and hands-on with making our own pretzels. Staff and ownership are phenomenal.
20-minute drive for us from Lancaster City (View on Map)
Long John’s
Achenbach’s Pastries
Enjoy a small town atmosphere with Achenbach’s Pastries (located between Leola and New Holland). Most locals know Achenbach’s for their famous Long John’s (oblong donuts filled with icing).
When I was boy attending local parades, I always looked forward to the Long John mascot handing out vouchers for a free long john. There’s something about the icing they make that make these donuts incredibly tasty. In our analysis, over 130 customers raved about Achenbach’s long johns from their visit to the bakery. The favorite of most people? The peanut butter icing Long John’s, followed closely behind by the vanilla cream Long John’s.
If you’re looking for a unique birthday dessert, you can also take your Long John obsession one step further with a Long John cake — made up of several Long Johns all lined up and covered in icing.
Long John’s aren’t the only thing customers rave about. Dozens of customers in our analysis mentioned eclairs, sticky buns, pies, and other pastries as their favorites.
Many locals & returning tourists have been going here for years. The business has been around for over 75 years, so it’s no surprise that is has built up the reputation it has with its consistently great baked goods.
Cakes
The Market at Oregon Dairy
Lanc Local recommends The Market at Oregon Dairy, located in Lititz, for their cakes.
In our analysis, over 100 customers specifically highlighted the great quality and design of their custom cakes, often for special occasions like weddings or birthdays. Many locals referenced the delicious flavors and the ability to customize designs to perfection.
The Market at Oregon Dairy is much more than just a bakery: they have a full-service supermarket with locally grown produce, a wide selection of meats and seafood, and a deli and meal center. Beyond the market, you’ll find The Restaurant at Oregon Dairy, serving authentic PA Dutch foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and The Milkhouse Ice Cream Shoppe, offering over 25 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream. They also host various family-friendly events throughout the year, including farm tours and educational exhibits.
Oregon Dairy began in 1952 when Mom and Pop Hurst purchased a farm with a dream of providing fresh products to their community. In 1974, they opened a small dairy store, which has since expanded into the comprehensive market, restaurant, and family fun complex it is today, all while remaining on a real working Lancaster County farm.
Locals’ Choice for
Sweet Pies
Zig’s Bakery & Cafe
Lanc Local recommends Zig’s Bakery & Cafe, located in Lititz, PA, for their homemade pies.
In our analysis, many customers consistently rave about the wide selection and fresh taste of Zig’s homemade pies. Whether you’re looking for classic fruit pies like apple or cherry, or a local favorite like shoofly pie, reviewers often highlight the quality and deliciousness that sets them apart.
Zig’s Bakery & Cafe offers an extensive menu that goes beyond just pies. You’ll find a variety of baked goods including cookies, whoopie pies, cakes, and bread. They also serve breakfast and lunch items, with deli salads, sandwiches, and soups. Coffee and espresso drinks are also available.
The pricing at Zig’s Bakery & Cafe is considered to be very affordable, with individual slices of pie and other baked goods, along with cafe menu items, generally priced to offer good value compared to other local bakeries and cafes.
Zig’s Bakery & Cafe has a rich history rooted in local traditions. Owner Brandon Ziegler purchased Minnich’s Farm Bakery in 2006, later changing the name to Zig’s. In 2015, they moved to their current location at Brick Gables, a beautifully renovated historic barn, where they continue to uphold their commitment to making food from scratch with fresh, local ingredients.
Locals’ Choice for
Cupcakes
Lancaster Cupcake
Lanc Local recommends Lancaster Cupcake, located in both Lancaster city and just outside the city, for their cupcakes.
In our analysis, more than 200 customers specifically highlighted the deliciousness of the cupcakes. They consistently praise the wide variety of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients. Whether you are looking for a classic vanilla or a more adventurous seasonal creation, you are sure to find a cupcake to satisfy your craving.
Lancaster Cupcake offers an array of freshly baked cupcakes daily, along with custom cakes for special occasions. They also have a selection of other sweet treats like cookies and whoopie pies.
Lancaster Cupcake began in 2011 as a small venture baking out of a home kitchen. It quickly gained popularity and grew into a beloved (and award-winning) local bakery known for its creative and delicious cupcakes.
Locals’ Choice for
Cookies
Taylor Chip Cookies
Lanc Local recommends Taylor Chip Cookies, located in Lancaster, for their cookies.
In our analysis, over 300 customers rave about the cookies, frequently describing them as dense, gooey, and generously sized. Many customers highlighted the rich flavor and perfectly baked centers.
Taylor Chip offers a wide array of cookies, including fan favorites like S’mores, Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel Pretzel, and Birthday Cake. They also feature gluten-friendly and vegan options, ensuring there’s a “delightfully perfect” cookie for everyone. Beyond cookies, they are expanding their offerings to include ice cream made with organic Pennsylvania dairy, designed to incorporate their signature cookie flavors.
Taylor Chip Cookies began as a love story between Doug and Sara Taylor. They spent over a year perfecting their chocolate chip cookie recipe, aiming to create a dense and flavorful cookie using real butter and natural ingredients. They even handed out their homemade cookies as wedding favors, which led to overwhelming positive feedback and the start of their business.
Locals’ Choice for
PA Dutch Baked Goods
Village Farm Market
Lanc Local recommends Village Farm Market, located in Ephrata, for their PA Dutch baked goods.
In our analysis, many customers have highlighted the variety available.
Village Farm Market offers a wide array of homemade baked goods, including pies, cookies, bars, and breads, alongside their popular cheesecakes. They also provide locally grown fresh produce, seasonal items, a large selection of deli items, and frozen meals. Catering services with various trays for all occasions are also available.
Village Farm Market began by truck farming acres of vegetables. Over time, they expanded to offer more homemade foods, specializing in baked goods, prepared meals, and soups. Locally grown produce remains a significant part of their business during the warmer months.
Locals’ Choice for
Pastries
Dosie Dough
Lanc Local recommends Dosie Dough, located in Lititz, for their pastries.
In our analysis, over 50 customers specifically mentioned the delicious pastries at Dosie Dough, highlighting their fresh taste and unique selection. If you’re in downtown Lititz and looking for something sweet to start your day or a mid-day treat, checkout their pastries.
Dosie Dough offers a wide array of freshly baked goods including bagels, donuts, European-style breads, and a variety of homemade pastries. They also serve signature coffees, teas, and smoothies, along with breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and salads for lunch.
Dosie Dough has been a beloved part of downtown Lititz since November 1996. It started as a market stand in 1988 by Marsha Baron, and her daughter, Amy Lloyd, took over in 1998, continuing the family tradition of quality food and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Locals’ Choice for
Whoopie Pies
Harvest Lane Farm Market
Lanc Local recommends Harvest Lane Farm Market, located in Lititz, for their whoopie pies.
In our analysis, over 25 customers highlighted the whoopie pies, with many praising the homemade quality and classic Pennsylvania Dutch flavor. Whether you prefer chocolate, pumpkin, or another delightful flavor, you’re likely to find a favorite here.
Harvest Lane Farm Market offers a wide variety of fresh produce grown right on their farm, from fruits and vegetables to delicious baked goods. You’ll also find frozen meats, local artisanal items, and ready-to-heat prepared foods, making it a convenient stop for many household needs. They even offer hydroponic lettuces and heirloom tomatoes.
Harvest Lane Farm is a fourth-generation family farm with roots dating back to 1939 when Ira D. Landis purchased the farm. In 1956, the Stahl family began farming, specializing in tomatoes for the wholesale market. Recognizing a need for fresh local food, they opened their retail market in 1996, and it has grown to become a beloved local destination.
