Fundamental to Mexican, South, and Central American cuisine, panaderias serve some of the city’s best baked goods. Some of these bakeries are entirely devoted to fresh breads and pastries, while others double as pastelerias, making and decorating cakes for special events like quinceañeras, weddings and birthdays.Whatever the occasion, these 10 panaderias in Dallas serve perfect pan dulce, expertly-decorated cakes, and so much more. Go forth, and feast on pastry.Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
1. Panaderia El Regio
1821 Crestridge Dr
Mesquite, TX 75149
Located just off of Galloway, El Regio is an easy find with outstanding rewards. Make sure to try the rebanada, which is an enormous slice of bread with the taste and texture of angel food cake that’s slathered with butter and sugar.
2. Abuelito #2
710 W Scyene Rd
Mesquite, TX 75061
Arrive at Abuelito #2 with enough time to salivate over the superabundance of pan dulces and agonize over the impossibility of trying them all. From among the brightly colored cuernos (horn-shaped pastry filled with sweet cream) and conchas, grab the dark brown, unassuming empanada de calabaza. The pumpkin filling, spiked with plenty of cinnamon and cloves, is sweet and perfectly spiced.
3. Panaderia La Reyna Imperial
2380 E Park Blvd
Plano, TX 75074(972) 424-9425
The selection of pan dulces at La Reyna Imperial is smaller than that of most panaderias, but this tiny shop’s pastries are worth the visit. The piedra is must-order: made with anise, unsweetened cocoa and breadcrumbs, both taste and texture are darkly refreshing and dense like a stone—which is the English translation of
piedra. Note: La Reyna accepts credit cards, but prefers cash for small orders.
4. Panaderia Guatemalteca "La Mejor"1840 S 1st St
Garland, TX 75040
(972) 840-3396
Panaderia Guatemalteca La Mejor doubles as a Guatemalan restaurant. More importantly, however, it offers delicious conchas all day. The chocolate concha is especially good thanks to its crunch and sweet cookie crust, and the soft, chewy pan de azúcar is equally compelling.
5. Abuelita Panaderia
3701 W Northwest Hwy # 186
Dallas, TX 75220(214) 431-6631
Pretty much everything at this Dallas panaderia is stellar. The crunchy banderillas de piña (puff pastry sticks filled with pineapple) melt in one’s mouth. The rebanadas and besos (two sugar-coated cookies joined by jam) are sugary and rich.. But the barquillos (cone-shaped, flaky pastry filled with custard cream) take the cake. Note: credit cards only accepted for purchases over $5.
6. Panaderia y Pasteleria La Union
10645 Ferguson Rd
Dallas, TX 75228
Definitely order a classic concha (or shell-shaped sweet pastry) at this Mexican bakery, but the real gem here is the raspberry taquito. A long stick of delicate, slightly sweet puff pastry is filled with bright raspberry jam, creating the perfect combination of textures. Note: La Union only takes cash, and pretty much every pastry is priced at less than a buck each.
7. Zaguán
2604 Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas, TX 75219
Open since 2002, Zaguán has earned its place as Dallas’ go-to Latin cafe and bakery. The Uptown location has a large dining room and offers an expansive menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. In the mood for something sweet? The rich dulce de leche cheese bread will fix that. On the savory side, the ham bread, stuffed with bacon, olives, ham and raisins, is a Venezuelan classic and a must-try.
8. San Martin Bakery and Cafe
3120 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 802-6652
This Guatemalan and Salvadoran-inspired panaderia, restaurant and café offers fresh pan dulces, sandwiches, pastas, incredible deserts and artful coffees. For breakfast, the loroco and cream cheese empanada, banana and Nutella pastry and chocolate almond pastry all come highly recommended. On the way out, grab a fresh baguette to go.
10. Del Norte Bakery #3
7843 Lake June Rd
Dallas, TX 75217
One of the many Del Norte locations scattered around Dallas, Del Norte #3 serves up Hispanic sweet treats in the heart of Pleasant Grove. The conchas are good, but the pan de queso (a dark, dense roll stippled with raisins and filled with tangy cream cheese) is excellent.
Del Norte Bakery #3/Facebook