Find the county’s best cakes, loaves, and pastries
This one’s for lovers of freshly baked sourdough baguettes and artisan coffee – a winning combination if ever there was one. Cornish bakeries often tempt you in with piping hot pasties, sugar-dusted doughnuts and towering cream cakes, but these 10 have taken inspiration from our European neighbours, offering an incredible array of flaky viennoiseries, deli-made sandwiches, and crusty sourdough loaves.
Whether you’re catching up with friends, gathering picnic provisions, or embarking on a foodie tour of the southernmost county, here are our recommendations for the best artisan bakeries in Cornwall…
1. Gorse Bakery
Location: 7 - 8 Lanteague Studios, Scotland Road, Newquay, TR4 9JG
Open as early as 7:30am, Gorse attracts bread fans from far and wide - and 2pm rarely rolls around without a sell-out shift. Independent, local and small-batch, the team behind Gorse offer a laid back experience but pack a punch with their flavour combinations. Past menu highlights have included lemon curd and meringue Danishes, matcha and white chocolate Suisse, and coffee caramel cream cruffins.
Gorse is located on the outskirts of Newquay, making it a perfect pitstop for those heading to Fistral Beach or walking the coast path over to Mawgan Porth.
© Gorse Bakery via Instagram
2. Da Bara Bakery
Locations: St Mawes (TR2 5DG), Hawkesfield (PL27 7LR), and Indian Queens (TR9 6FZ)
If you’ve ever searched for “how to spend a week in Cornwall”, chances are that “try one of Da Bara’s cinnamon buns” will rank in the top 10 - and for good reason. Now with cafés in St Mawes, Hawkesfield and Indian Queens, Da Bara’s freshly baked pastries and breads are a staple for many. All three locations are open for dine-in, with menus brimming with locally sourced produce and Origin Coffee.
3. Bakery at Bedruthan
Location: Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth, TR8 4BU
Overlooking sparkling ocean and part of the Bedruthan Hotel, the bakery is a popular choice for dining in. Serving up afternoon tea, celebration cakes, and made-to-order sandwiches, the whole family will be well-catered to, and they warmly welcome dogs here too. If you can’t stay long, grab a selection of pastries and takeaway coffees for a morning walk along the headland to Bedruthan Steps - a dramatic rock formation said to be a giant’s stepping stones.
Staying nearby? We recommend visiting for a seasonal afternoon tea to sample sweet and savoury scones, rhubarb and custard Viennese swirls, and their signature “croissage” rolls.
4. Wildes Bakery
Location: Truro, Cornwall
A micro-bakery based in Cornwall’s capital, Wildes offers local delivery and can also be found at Truro’s Farmers Market every Saturday. Specialising in sourdough loaves and sweet treats like almond brioche, chocolate brownies and tahini hazelnut cookies, Wildes is definitely worth a visit while in the area. Regularly popping up at foodie events across the county, it’s worth following their Instagram to see when they’re nearby.
© Wildes Bakery via Instagram
5. Ladyvale Bakery
Location: 12 Chi Tennyson, Nansledan, Newquay, TR8 4GL
Situated on the outer edges of Newquay, Nansledan is quickly becoming a must-visit spot with its array of vintage boutiques, artisan bakeries, and homeware shops, and Ladyvale is one of them. Specialising in buttercream cakes, this independent bakery is instantly recognisable with its pink façade and queue out the door. Pick up a selection of beautifully decorated sponges, a loose-leaf tea, or a puppucino if you have your four-legged friend in tow.
© Ladyvale Bakery via Instagram
6. Loafs Bakery
Location: 63 Causewayhead, Penzance, TR18 2SR
With over 100 five-star reviews and often dubbed “the best bakery in town”, Loafs has made a name for itself on the West Cornwall food scene. Their famous croissant cubes – a hybrid pastry with rich fillings like pistachio cream or Biscoff – are reason alone to visit, but there’s also focaccia, sausage rolls, and sourdough loaves to take home too.
Just a short walk from the promenade, Loafs is a great place to refuel after a morning exploring Penzance, or before a day spent at the iconic Jubilee Pool.
© Loafs Bakery via Instagram
7. Quay Bakery
Location: 37 Fore Street, Fowey, PL23 1AH
Find Quay Bakery in the heart of Fowey; a local gem with a loyal following. Known for their crusty sourdough, freshly baked every morning, and seasonal cakes made with local ingredients, it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to try one of everything.
Expect gouda and onion pasties, sticky date slices, lemon drizzle, and savoury tarts in rotation – perfect for packing up a picnic before heading out on the ferry to Polruan or exploring Readymoney Cove.
8. Native Grain
Location: 12 Kenwyn Street, Truro, TR1 3DJ
An experimental bakery with sustainability at its core, Native Grain bakes bread that’s full of flavour and nutrition. Using locally grown grains, they focus on wholegrain sourdough loaves, naturally fermented and baked in small batches.
Open for takeaway only, find a selection of freshly made sandwiches, tarts, pies, pastries, and pizzas. They’re located in the centre of Truro, so we’d recommend making this is your first port of call before wandering the city’s galleries, museums, and boutiques.
© Native Grain via Instagram
9. Stones Bakery
Location: 35 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AF
A well-loved staple on Falmouth’s Old High Street, Stones Bakery started life as a market stall before growing into one of the town’s best artisan bakeries. With a focus on slow-fermented breads, handmade pastries, and wholesome cakes, it’s a must-visit for anyone with an eye for quality ingredients.
Their spelt croissants, seasonal fruit tarts, and dense rye loaves are local favourites, and there's a small café inside where you can enjoy a coffee and pastry while watching the world go by.
© Stones Bakery via Instagram
10. Coombeshead Farm Shop
Location: Lewannick, Launceston, PL15 7QQ
Part of a working farm, guesthouse and restaurant, Coombeshead Farm’s bakery is renowned for its naturally leavened sourdough and rustic pastries. Everything is baked on-site using heritage grains grown nearby, and their farm shop stocks seasonal produce, preserves, and charcuterie too.
Their farm shop is open Thursday through to Sunday, for takeaway only. Collect a selection of baked goods and head to The Cheesewring on Bodmin Moor for a scenic walk and lunch overlooking the surrounding tors.
© Coombeshead Farm via Instagram
Accessibility notes: Many of the bakeries listed above offer level or step-free access, including Gorse, Da Bara, the Bakery at Bedruthan, Ladyvale, Loafs, and Coombeshead Farm. Others may have one or two steps. We recommend contacting venues in advance to confirm up-to-date accessibility details and any additional assistance they can provide.
Image credits: Beduthan Hotel & Spa (main image) | Gorse, Wildes, Ladyvale, Loafs, Native Grain, Stones, and Coombeshead Farm all via Instagram.
Posted by Bethany Walton
Beth can usually be found on a Cornish beach or enjoying a swim in the sea. She has great insight about where to visit across the county, plus plenty of recommendations for finding the best Cornish ice cream.
