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15 excellent Shanghai bakeries for all your carb needs

From flaky croissants to golden loaves, chewy cookies, wholesome pies and more, let the sugar rush begin at these brilliant Shanghai bakeries

Posted: Wednesday December 9 2020

Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe (Dosage)
Keto and paleo may be the diet fads that everyone seems to be jumping on right now, but sometimes you just have to ditch the diet for a bit of lovin' from the oven. Fortunately in Shanghai we're blessed with loads of fantastic bakeries drawn from around the globe that'll meet all your carb-loading needs. From legit French pâtisseries to next-level American cookie shops, pie stores, niche Swedish bakeries and more, here’s where to get your fix in Shanghai.
Luneurs
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Luneurs

Flaky crescent-moon croissants, golden-brown loaves and all sorts of gateaux de voyage (canelés, financiers, quatre-quarts) line the display at French bakery Luneurs that’s gained a loyal following since the opening of its original store in Xingfu Li two years ago – you can now find its alluring bakes across the city. If you’re from the school of thought that there’s never a bad season for ice cream, Luneurs has got you covered there too with its super creamy craft scoops.

28 Aout
Photograph: courtesy 28 Aout

28 Aout

There’s all kinds of goodness coming from the oven at traditional French bakery 28 Aout, set right in the heart of Old Xuhui and oozing charm with its mismatched furnishings and bakery case crammed with artisanal breads. For a mid-morning boost, swing by for croissants and brioche paired with a strong coffee. Spoilt for choice? Don’t miss the bakery’s namesake Pain 28 – a crunch loaf with essence of longan and kumquat baked into the crust.

Suga'hai
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Suga'hai

Suga’hai’s bakes come straight from the soul by way of Shanghai-based chef Nicole Carr from New Orleans. Available for delivery only (as well as appearing at a few pop-ups), the dreamy selection of southern treats are OTT in all the right ways. There’s sticky triple chocolate fudge brownies, fluffy cupcakes coated in thick frosting and, our cover star, the pillowy doughnuts – glazed, sugar-dusted or iced with sprinkles. Add 'Sugahai' on WeChat.

Dosage
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Dosage

When it’s more grown-up bakes you’re after, Julu Lu bakery by day, wine bar by night Dosage is where you need to get your cake fix. We’re talking fig-topped carrot cake with coconut cinnamon icing, chocolate lava cake paired with rose-water ice cream, delicate madeleines in unexpected flavours like honey lemon and black sesame. And then there’s the signature twisted cinnamon buns, each of which is a little work of art.

Al's Baking Co
Photograph: courtesy Al's Baking Co

Al's Baking Co

The sugary goods at American-style bakery Al’s have been putting the shine on sweet tooths since way back. There’s wedges of red velvet cake (also available as a whole cake), s’mores cupcakes, funfetti cookies and gooey, melt-in-your-mouth salted-caramel brownies, just to name a few. While Al’s Baking no longer has a physical store, you can get all the goodies at Al's Diner on Xinle Lu.

Bread etc
Photograph: courtesy Bread Etc

Bread etc

Something of an all-rounder, it’s hard to go wrong at French-Israeli bakery and café Bread etc. The glass display counters groan under the weight of a wide range of excellent breads (from pain de campagne to sourdough to olive loaves), flaky croissants and pain au chocolat, delicate fruit tartlets, fluffy muffins, rich eclairs, the list goes on...

CinnaSwirl
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

CinnaSwirl

Don’t let the small size of this shop fool you. CinnaSwirl (which shares real estate with Spread the Bagel on Yuyuan Lu) is the go-to spot to get your cinnamon bun fix in Shanghai with a selection of over-the-top sticky buns drizzled with cream cheese frosting that’ll make you weak at the knees. Sugar fiends, order the caramel and pecan spruced up with a thick layer of caramel icing. For treat-seekers practising moderation, there are mini swirls and the option to reduce (or order without) icing.

Dutch Pies
Photograph: courtesy Dutch Pies

Dutch Pies

When surveying the storefront at Dutch Pies, it’s hard to put a finger on which freshly made pie to pick – homely Grandma’s Apple, rich banana toffee, creamy lemon meringue, pumpkin with its pristine burnt orange sheen… Embrace the season and pick ‘n’ mix with a few slices or go all-in and order a whole pie to your doorstep for same or next-day delivery via dutchpies.com or add 'dutchpies' on WeChat.

Lost Bakery
Photograph: @lost_bakery_shanghai via Instagram

Lost Bakery

The Lost Heaven group’s French-styled bakery Lost Heaven shares the same darkish mod interior as its sister restaurants and hosts plenty of sweet and savoury baked treats on its shelves worth a grain. Pick up basics like rye breads and traditional baguettes or get stuck into cinnamon rolls or a slice of the signature Parisian flan (a decadent treat). After something savoury? Chew into the bacon blue cheese ciabatta – a funky combination that packs a salty punch.

Smaka
Photograph: courtesy Smaka

Smaka

Good luck getting past a glass-fronted Swedish bakery and café on Yuyuan Lu without a few heads turning – the kaleidoscope of cakes and pastries on show at Smaka will have you up at the counter ordering before you know it. Think småkakor (bite-sized bakes), cream-filled Budapest rolls, princess cake and seasonal sweets like the pumpkin cheesecake – but don’t sleep on the kladdkaka, a Swedish chocolate cake that’s so rich and gooey it should probably be classed as a brownie. For even more Swedish flavours, the team have opened a second location that doubles up as a bistro in Xintiandi.

O'Mills Bakery
Photograph: courtesy O'Mills

O'Mills Bakery

O'Mills is a popular hangout for lunchtime work crowds and weekend brunchers, drawn in by its all-day brunch menu and warm aromas of ryes, whole wheats, brioches and croissants that greet you when you walk through its doors. If sweet is your jam, the cakes are definitely worth battling the crowds for too – like the carrot cake, topped with a thick layer of cream cheese and delicately adorned with edible flowers.

Pain Chaud
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Pain Chaud

You don’t need a trip to France to sink your teeth into brilliant boulangerie and pâtisserie. Delightful French bakery Pain Chaud doesn’t skip a beat with its buttery croissants (including a divine almond edition), pain au chocolat, Danish pastries and more breakfast favourites. For an afternoon treat, take things to the next level and tuck into delicate pistachio cream-filled choux or the fresh fig-topped tart. As for the bread, these artisanal loaves will have you coming back again and again – even if only for the lineup of ready-made sandwiches that showcase them. 

Pie Bird
Photograph: Pie Bird

Pie Bird

As the name implies, Pie Bird is all about the pies and these ones come in the traditional American variety. All handmade with a butter crust, the rotating menu is loaded with classic slices like apple, pecan, key lime and pumpkin as well as some seasonal specials and excellent combos – think pecan-pumpkin (which unifies two powerhouse pie flavours into one) and more daring flavours like osmanthus chestnut. For savoury bites, there are also quiches to satisfy your pie-related cravings.

Strictly Cookies
Photograph: Cat Nelson, courtesy Strictly Cookies

Strictly Cookies

Shanghai’s long-reigning Cookie Queen Lexie Comstock and her team make American-style cookies so perfectly chewy and soft that one bag just won’t cut it. Based on family recipes, regulars like chocolate chip, red velvet, oatmeal raisin and cinnamon swirl never get old. But when you’re looking to mix up your cookie fix there are seasonal specials as well as vegan and gluten- or sugar-free options of these little beauties. Get them at the Strictly Cookies store on Panyu Lu or order via WeChat.

Baker and Spice
Photograph: Yang Xiaozhe

Baker and Spice

If you’re in need of a quick pastry-fuelled pick-me-up, you won’t have to walk far before you find yourself in front of one of Baker and Spice’s stores – the ubiquitous bakery and café chain is on every corner for good reason. Pick up rye breads, seeded rolls, bagels, baguettes, scrolls and all kinds of pastries – croissants, pain au chocolat, twists – or grab a table for an easy and wholesome lunch.

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