Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery is a true local gem. Since 2008, the Winchester-based bakery delights suburbanites and those in-the-know with an array of fresh bread, including sourdough, brioche, and a signature Cranberry Pecan loaf—not to mention, crispy croissants. Mamadou Mbaye, who co-owns the spot with his wife, Mame, learned traditional French bread-baking while growing up in Senegal. A decade after emigrating to the U.S., he opened the Winchester bakery, with a second location in Arlington arriving in 2017. (Mamadou’s became more familiar to city dwellers thanks to a short-lived stall at the Boston Public Market). On weekends arrive early to these no-frills suburban spots, where the best stuff sells out quickly. 

Down a quiet, narrow alley, tucked away from bustling Hanover Street, follow the scent of freshly baked bread and the gentle cloud of flour into Bricco Panetteria. This elusive spot is often shared by word of mouth by people who appreciate bread baked fresh daily (as well as what goes on it). Bricco is the flagship of North End restaurant magnate Frank DePasquale, who takes bread seriously. Visiting the Panetteria is like getting a peek into his secret stash: Those who find the hidden-away bakery will be rewarded with hefty baguettes, spongy focaccia, and prosciutto-and-parmesan studded ciabatta.

The married couple behind Iggy’s Bread of the World elected to do things the Old World way: Making bread is a two-day ritual from start to finish. Yet the Cambridge company has still managed to meet demand so big restaurants across Boston carry their breads (not to mention, Whole Foods.) Iggy’s many varieties read like a greatest-hits list of styles of bread. Options include loaves and rolls of airy Country Bread, Black Pepper Brioche, and sweets like Cranberry and weekend-only Raisin. Iggy’s is easy to find in grocery stores, but true devotees can visit the North Cambridge headquarters for sandwiches, charcuterie, and freshly baked delights. We’re also keeping an eye on Iggy’s plans for a coffee-and-croissants café in Cambridge, in the works to open in early spring 2023.

Newton newcomer SALT Patisserie has made quite a splash since opening earlier this year. Founder and chef Thiago Silva’s incredible cakes and chocolate bonbons have impressed celebrities and viewers of food TV, but locals are here for SALT’s everyday breads and laminated pastries. Along with super-crisp croissants and custardy slices of kouign-amann, we can’t get enough of thin, endearingly lumpy baguettes on display in the chic café. Burnished, braided loaves are challah and more Insta-worthy bakes are also in the still-growing rotation, and the bakery is open every day.

Milton restaurant Steel & Rye debuted in 2012 with pizza and other cuisine handcrafted in homage to its Lower Mills location, an area built on local farming, milling, and manufacturing. Such reverence for traditional cooking methods owes a lot to heritage grains and bread-baking, and in 2020, the owners doubled down to open an attached bakery-café. Specializing in sourdough made from local flour, Steel & Rye Bakery offers a few styles of fresh loaves every day, including savory flavor combinations like Pickled Pepper & Cheddar and earthy corn Polenta, Garlic, & Rosemary. The pizza dough that put this spot on the map is also available from the bakery. Swing by for breakfast or lunch to try toasts and sandwiches like a Banh Mi on baguette with coffee-roasted pork and black garlic mayo; and the vegetarian Portobello on a sesame bun with whipped goat cheese, roasted peppers, and arugula.

Eric Twardzik contributed reporting.