Bakeries of College Avenue
It’s a mere 1.2 miles from the intersection of Russell and College in Berkeley to 5427 College Avenue in Oakland, but along that sweet stretch (and around a few corners) you’ll find at least 10 bakeries that will be cranking out the stuff of children’s dreams throughout the late fall and winter holidays. Grab a few friends or visiting family members and do the tour on foot to help work off the calories as you gobble the goodies. Or charge up your cargo bike and haul that booty back home for a holiday sweets party. Tag us @edibleeastbay on Instagram and use #bakeriesofcollegeavenue so we can see what you found.
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1. Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria at 2708 Russell St, Berkeley, is renowned for its pizza and breads, but they also make holiday cookies.
2.The historic pharmacy at 2900 College Ave, Berkeley has long served as a neighborhood hangout. Current resident Baker & Commons adds holiday pies, tarts, and cakes to its special-order menu in this season. Don’t miss the chocolate peppermint cake with white chocolate buttercream.
3. Holidays at Berkeley’s Summer Kitchen + Bakeshop, 2944 College Ave, bring apple-cranberry pies, ginger cakes, and beautiful frosted cookies.
4. Step around the corner to 2637 Ashby, home of Dream Fluff Donuts, where Cambodian refugees Nasin Bun and Alex Sieu have made and served breakfast, lunch, and donuts for almost 40 years.
5. Vegans find a colorful dessert heaven at 813 Cha Siam, 2965 College Avenue, Berkeley, with traditional Thai pastries like coconut bars, khanom krok (coconut-rice pastries), and khanom dok jok (cookies).
6.There’s always a line for bagels at 3170 College Avenue in Berkeley, but Boichik also makes challah.
7. La Farine Bakery, located at 6323 College Avenue in Oakland, started making their legendary morning buns in 1977. You must try one.
8. Panettone, an Italian Christmas tradition, is a huge puffed fragrant cloud of tender golden bread laced with citron and sultanas. The version at Starter Bakery, located at 5804 College Avenue in Oakland, would make a Milanese baker proud.
9. Stop at Market Hall Bakery, 5655 College Ave, Oakland, for a delicious Christmas stollen. This dense, traditional German fruit bread is chock-full of almonds, hazelnuts, and citron.
10. Congratulations if you walked all the way from Nabolom to 5427 College Ave, Oakland, but even if you didn’t, we’re sure you deserve a cup of velvety rich hot chocolate and a flourless chocolate teacake (or other fresh-baked goodie) at Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Café.
