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Best Bread Shops In The Twin Cities

Bread ... it's one of those things where if you're good at baking it, it's the best. But if you're like me and bread isn't in your culinary skill-set, there's nothing like buying a good loaf of bread or finding the perfect baguette. Check out this list of places in the Twin Cities to get a carb-overload (in no particular order.)

Rustica Bakery
(credit: http://www.rusticabakery.com/)

Rustica

3220 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55416
612-822-1119
Website

When I asked people about the best bread in the Twin Cities, this was by far the most-mentioned place. Featuring staples like baguettes, multigrain, rolls and focaccia each day, the bakery makes at least one specialty each day in addition to pastries, cookies and desserts. Check out the egg braids on Fridays and Sundays or for the more adventuresome, drop by on a Tuesday for Pugliese, a wheat bread with chunks of roasted potatoes.

Great Harvest Bread Co.
(credit: http://www.greatharvestmn.com/)

Great Harvest Bread Co.

5 locations in the Twin Cities
Website

Every time I walk into Great Harvest, I have a hard time deciding which bread I am going to take home with me. It's a good thing they offer samples, or I never would have discovered the amazing Cinnamon Chip Bread (which translates to some pretty darn good French Toast ... should it make it to the next morning for French Toast!)

Patisserie 46
(credit: http://www.patisserie46.com/)

Patisserie 46

4552 Grand Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-354-3257
Website

Open since the summer of 2010 in the Kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis, Patisserie 46 serves up a daily rotation of breads, baguettes and, of course, something to satisfy your sweet tooth. Featured breads include raisin rye, mountain bread, onion focaccia and oatmeal bread. They're not open on Mondays, so plan ahead if your early-in-the-week dinner requires a side of bread.

Pardon My French
(credit: http://www.pardonmyfrench.eu/)

Pardon My French

1565 Cliff Road
Thomas Lake Center
Eagan, MN 55122
651-454-CAFÉ (2233)
Website

This suburban café and wine bar has a number of different French breads available daily, including baguettes, Walnut-Bacon Bread, Tomato Bread, Olive Bread and Provincial Bread. Looking for a bit more than bread? This café serves soups, salads and sandwiches and is open until 9 p.m. on the weekdays and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.

Sun Street Breads
(credit: http://www.sunstreetbreads.com/)

Sun Street Breads

4600 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-354-3414
Website

Kingfield Market fans rejoice. Sun Street Breads opened in March 2011, featuring breads including the standard baguette, Apple of My Eye Rye, Red River Valley, Mercy Wheat Berry and Wright's Walnut. If sweet is what's on your mind, they've got you covered too with a daily selection of scones, caramel rolls, bacon biscuits and domino cookies.

Breadsmith
(credit: http://www.breadsmithmn.com/)

Breadsmith

3 locations in the Twin Cities
Website

With three locations in the Twin Cities, this dairy-free bakery also features a number of breads high in fiber and some low-sodium varieties. Like many bakeries, the bread selection changes daily, so if you're hankering for a specialty, like Blueberry Cranberry, Greek Olive Ciabatta or Walnut Babka, make sure you plan your visit accordingly. Breadsmith also offers seasonal specialties including Hot Cross Buns around Easter and Cranberry Orange Bread in the winter.

P.J. Murphy's Bakery
(credit: http://www.pjmurphybakery.com/)

P.J. Murphy's

1279 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-699-9292
Website

A staple at the Minneapolis Farmers' Market on Nicollet Mall on Thursdays in the summer, P.J. Murphy's bakes up a wide variety of breads ranging from white bread to specialty fruit bread. They're not open at their St. Paul location on the weekends, but they can also be found at the VA Farmers' Market on Tuesdays during the summer.

The Turtle Bread Company
(credit: http://www.turtlebread.com/)

Turtle Bread Company

3 locations in Minneapolis
Website

With three locations in Minneapolis (including a rare downtown Minneapolis location), and a fourth soon opening in the Longfellow neighborhood, Turtle Bread Company is good for meals in addition to your weekly bread run. This bakery features the standard breads including baguettes, Sunflower Rye, Country Sourdough and Cracked Wheat and then takes some liberties, including the one that intrigues me most: Chocolate Loaf. Not that adventurous? They've also got Challah, a Cardamom braid and Craisin Pecan Levain.

The Turtle Bread Company
(credit: CBS)

A Baker's Wife

4200 28th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-729-6898
(No Website)

If you can manage to stifle the urge to indulge in A Baker's Wife's sweeter offerings (and, trust me, there are plenty to tempt you -- danishes, donuts, sweet rolls, cakes, cookies and strudels), this south Minneapolis bakery serves up some of the best and most wallet-friendly loaves you're apt to try and consume in a single sitting. You know what? Go ahead and grab one of the chocolate croissants while you're there. You deserve it.

-Toby Collodora is the Digital Content Manager for WCCO and is always looking for good places to satisfy her never-ending cravings for carbs.

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