If people in ancient Rome wanted bread to rise perfectly, they would turn to the divine personification of the oven, Fornax, who was also a goddess of baking.
In ancient Rome, baking was a popular and well-respected profession. And, as techniques evolved over the centuries, those bakers helped pave the way for many of the modern baking practices we have today. Now, if you have access to a cup of flour, baking powder, some margarine, and a dash of vanilla extract, pretty much anyone can bake.
But unless you are a Star Baker (shout out to The Great British Baking Show), then the best place to find a truly show-stopping cake, doughnuts, cupcake, or brownie is a professional bakery. From Los Angeles to New York, and from Washington, DC to Portland, we’ve highlighted some of the best vegan bakery shops in the US below (in no particular order).
Donut Friend
1Donut Friend
Los Angeles, CA
Every morning, Donut Friend’s range of vegan doughnuts is made fresh to order, and what a range it is. If you have a sweet tooth, the X-Ray Speculoos—which features cookie butter, chocolate glaze, and vanilla drizzle—is well worth sinking your teeth into.
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Just What I Kneaded
2Just What I Kneaded
Los Angeles, CA
For beautiful, awe-inspiring, and, most importantly, delicious birthday cakes, Just What I Kneaded is set to become your new go-to. And as a bonus, when you go to pick up your sweet treat, you can also grab a savory bite at the bakery’s own plant-based café, too.
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@clementinebakery/Instagram
3Clementine Bakery
New York, NY
Peanut butter blondies, chocolate babka, cinnamon rolls, and cream cheese brownies are just a few examples of the type of mouthwatering baked goods you can pick up at New York’s Clementine Bakery. Thirsty? It also offers a range of fruity, refreshing smoothies. In the mood for something savory? There are sandwiches, salads, and vegan wings, too.
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@lepetitmonstrebk/Instagram
4 Le Petit Monstre
New York, NY
If you’re in Brooklyn, head down to the vegan bakery Le Petit Monstre for a fresh vegan pastry and a steaming cup of coffee. There are doughnuts, Pop-Tarts, and croissants on offer, but the shop, which prides itself on its “imaginative” offering, changes most of its flavors daily.
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Erin McKenna’s Bakery/Instagram
5Erin McKenna’s Bakery
Los Angeles, CA & Orlando, FL
Since 2005, Erin McKenn’s Bakery has been supplying New Yorkers with tasty vegan baked goods. The New York spot has closed down now, but it still has two locations in Los Angeles and Orlando. In each, the menu is packed with delicious-sounding options, including brownie bites, cookie sandwiches, teacakes, doughnuts, and cupcakes.
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@sweetveganbakes/Instagram
6 Sweet Vegan Bakes
Chicago, IL
Sweet Vegan Bakes’ founder, Chef Cheryl, initially went vegan for her own health. But after discovering the joy of plant-based living (and cakes), she is now all about sharing her delicious vegan sweet treats, including scrumptious Lemon Crunch Cake and chocolate eclairs, with the rest of Chicago.
Check it out
Pie, Pie My Darling!
7 Pie, Pie My Darling!
Chicago, IL
For a special event, Pie, Pie My Darling! knows that only a truly impressive, mouth-watering cake will do. If you’re catering for little ones, Funfetti, which features layers of vanilla sprinkle cake, dollops of buttercream, and a sprinkle coating, is a delicious crowd-pleaser.
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Sticky Fingers
8 Sticky Fingers
Washington, DC
Sticky Fingers has established a stellar reputation in Washington, DC, where it has been serving plant-based sweet treats since the early aughts. From brownies to its ever-changing cookie flavors, everything is 100-percent vegan. If you’re eager for a taste but you’re not in DC, don’t worry, because this bakery also ships nationwide!
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Wilma Bakes Cakes
9 Wilma Bakes Cakes
Washington, DC
From gingersnap cookies to indulgent chocolate raspberry cupcakes, you can count on Wilma Bakes Cakes to always deliver deliciousness in the form of baked goods. Bonus cute fact: it’s named after and inspired by the founder Robin Walker’s sweet adopted pooch, Wilma.
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@doedonuts
10 Doe Donuts
Portland, OR
You will not be disappointed by the creative, tasty range of flavors on offer at Doe Donuts, which includes everything from Breakfast BLT (complete with Just Egg) to Portland Fog (which features an organic Earl Grey glaze!).
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Vegan Treats/Instagram
11Vegan Treats
Bethlehem, PA
The clue is in the name, but everything at this popular Pennsylvania bakery (which was once named one of the top 10 bakeries in the world by American Express) is vegan. From show-stopping Lambeth-style cake cakes to shortbread cookies to addictive, fluffy ring doughnuts, this bakery has it all.
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Peaceful Provisions/Instagram
12 Peaceful Provisions
Beacon, NY
If you’re in Beacon, head down to Peaceful Provisions and grab a filled, unfilled, or chocolate cake doughnut (the dream combination). The flavors change regularly, but they are always delicious.
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Chaumont Vegan/Instagram
13 Chaumont Vegan
Beverly Hills & Santa Monica, CA
In Beverly Hills, Chaumont Bakery has a reputation for delivering top-quality baked goods. In 2021, it expanded with the opening of Chaumont Vegan next door. Now with an additional location in Santa Monica—and another on the way—everything on offer is just as delicious and completely animal-free.find out more
@hellocakegirl
14Cake Girl
Los Angeles, CA
Whether you want vegan cupcakes with chocolate sprinkles, churro doughnuts tossed in cinnamon sugar, or vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, Los Angeles’ Cake Girl has you covered. Plus, everything is gluten- and allergen-free.
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Baker’s Bench
15Baker’s Bench
Los Angeles, CA
This Chinatown hidden gem is an absolute must when in Los Angeles. Jennifer Yee, the mastermind behind the bakery, used her professional baking background to make flaky, vegan croissants a reality. Her croissants have been described as some of the best croissants in LA, and for good reason. Buttery, flaky, crisp … everything you want a croissant to be and vegan! In addition to the croissants, you’ll find cookies in flavors like black sesame and fruit-topped cakes such as her white sesame cherry cake.
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San & Wolves
16 San & Wolves Bakeshop
Southern California
These baked goods from Kym Estrada have been popping up all over our Instagram feeds. From ube buns to maple-glazed doughnuts, there is no shortage of dreamy sweets at this Southern California bakery.
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Orange & Blossom
17 Orange & Blossom
Portland, OR
This PDX-based modern patisserie is churning out seasonal baked goods that feature local produce. Think orange blossom buns, pistachio olive oil cake with local edible flowers, and Nutella maritozzi with house-made chocolate hazelnut cream.
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Crust Vegan Bakery
18 Crust Vegan Bakery
Philadelphia, PA
Crust Vegan Bakery was born to fill the vegan void that bakery owner Meagan Benz saw growing up. Providing vegan options for much-loved classic desserts was the goal, and the bakery’s emphasis on social justice is just the icing on the cake. Crust has made a name for itself with iconic and nostalgic poptarts in flavors such as strawberry mango, blueberry maple, and raspberry rose. Its other offerings include decadent layer cake slices, gooey marshmallow-topped fudgy brownies, and chewy cookies.
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The Baklava Lady
19The Baklava Lady Turkish Cafe
Englishtown, NJ
This New Jersey spot is not only the only fully vegan Turkish bakery in the US, but its offerings are also absolutely jaw-droppingly good. Think cinnamon rolls, pistachio baklava, simit, halva chocolate chip cookies, and so much more.
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Timeless Coffee
20 Timeless Coffee
Oakland, CA
This fully vegan coffee shop has two locations in Oakland and offers a caffeine kick as well as a sugar high. The café houses a full-scale bakery complete with customizable celebration cakes as well as the typical tea cakes, scones, and danishes for those on the go. It’s long been a favorite in the vegan scene since its opening in 2012.
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Passion Flour
21 Passion Flour
Salt Lake City, UT
Since 2015, Jessica Davies, a classically trained French pastry chef gone vegan, has been serving up incredible pastries to the Salt Lake City community. Her mission to create vegan versions of French classics has been an absolute success, and today the bakery offers a fully vegan brunch menu alongside its award-winning baked goods.
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Donut Farm
22Donut Farm
Berkeley, CA
Made with organic, vegan ingredients and fried fresh every day, Donut Farm never misses when it comes to top-quality, delicious doughnuts. It earns extra points for creative flavors, too—salted caramel and lavender Earl Grey? We’ll take the lot.
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Dottie’s Donuts
23Dottie’s Donuts
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphians, don’t worry—you have great doughnuts, too, courtesy of Dottie’s Donuts. Alongside a few classic flavors, the menu changes daily, so you never know exactly what you’ll get, but it’s guaranteed to be tasty.
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Valhalla Bakery
24Valhalla Bakery
Saint Petersburg & Orlando, FL
Whether you’re in Saint Petersburg or Orlando, you’ll have access to Valhalla Bakery’s delicious treats. The doughnuts are always a hit, but the cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and bars are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, too. Don’t miss the Tiramisu Bar, which layers espresso, cream, and cocoa for a bite of pure indulgence.Find out more
Maya’s Cookies
25Maya’s Cookies
San Diego & San Marcos, CA
For more than a decade, Maya’s Cookies has kept Californians well supplied with delicious vegan cookies—and we thank them for their service. Good luck choosing between flavors like Red Velvet, Cinnabun Bun, Chocolate Chip S’mores, and Double Chocolate Chunk.
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Lovebirds Donuts
26Lovebirds Donuts
Kittery, ME & Portsmouth, NH
This New England vegan bakery has two locations—one in Maine and one in New Hampshire. Head to your nearest spot to indulge in Boston cream doughnuts, ganache-dipped ring doughnuts, brioche gingerfolk, and so much more.
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Cinnaholic
27Cinnaholic
Multiple locations
Don’t have a local vegan bakery to rely on? Look for your nearest Cinnaholic. This vegan chain has locations in 25 states across the country.
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@kimberlydeflores
28 Vegan Donut Gelato
Oakland, CA
Can you name a better combination than vegan doughnuts and gelato? We thought not. Head to Vegan Donut Gelato in Oakland to indulge in an assortment of its delicious plant-based doughnuts, and maybe grab a scoop of dairy-free gelato to go. The bakery now also offers bánh mì, so it truly has all the bases covered.Find out more
ID-Eclair
29ID-Eclair
Pasadena, CA
If you’re looking for sweet treats that are as sophisticated as they are delicious, head to ID-Eclair in Pasadena. At this French pâtisserie, you’ll find everything from perfectly formed vegan macarons to cherry sablés pochés and even custom-printed cookies.
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Dun-Well Donuts
30 Dun-Well Donuts
New York, NY
East Williamsburg’s Dun-Well Doughnuts is the place to go for artisanal vegan doughnuts in Brooklyn. The menu is constantly changing, but at the time of writing, the bakery was tempting customers with flavors like Toasted Coconut Caramel Cookie, Orange Spice Cake, and White Chocolate Raspberry.
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Sixteen Mill
31 Sixteen Mill
New York, NY
Fed up with struggling to find sweet treats that are vegan, gluten-free, and free from refined sugar? Sixteen Mill in New York has you covered. Everything—from muffins and doughnuts to Belgian waffles—meets all three criteria, without sacrificing flavor.
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Devi’s Donuts
32 Devi’s Donuts
Long Beach, CA
This family-owned bakery serves up some of the best vegan doughnuts in Long Beach. For proof, head to its brick-and-mortar location on Anaheim Street or its pop-up at the Marina Farmers Market to sample flavors like Oreo Crumb, Apple Cinnamon, Double Chocolate, and Boston Crème.
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Dough Joy
33 Dough Joy
Seattle, WA
As the name promises, each doughnut from this Seattle bakery is guaranteed to bring you joy. What started as a food truck now boasts three locations across Seattle and Washington, D.C. Standout flavors include Poptart, French Toast, and Strawberry Milkshake—we could go on and on.
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Mighty-O Donuts
34 Mighty-O Donuts
Seattle, WA
Seattle, you truly are spoiled when it comes to delicious vegan doughnuts. Mighty-O is another great spot to stock up on your favorite sweet treats. Grab a latte to wash down its all-natural, plant-based doughnuts in flavors like Raspberry Riot, Nutty Chocolate, Lemon Poppy, and Coffee Bomb.
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Beacon Doughnuts
35 Beacon Doughnuts
Chicago, IL
Chicagoans, don’t worry—there’s something for you, too. Beacon Doughnuts & Coffee handmakes its doughnuts daily in small batches to ensure top-notch quality. The flavors are always changing, but you can expect options like Oreo Old Fashioned, Apple Fritter, and Maple Bourbon Crunch.
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Donut Run
36 Donut Run
Washington, DC
Every day, Donut Run posts its current flavors to its Instagram Story, so be sure to follow along if you’re in the D.C. area. At the time of writing, options like gingerbread and peppermint chocolate were (very loudly) calling our name.
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Cloudy Donut Co.
37 Cloudy Donut Co.
New York, NY
New Yorkers, if you haven’t stopped by Cloudy Donut Co. yet for an indulgent sweet treat, let this be your sign to go—now. Current doughnut flavors include Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Maple Butter Pecan, and Blueberry Sage.
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Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
