What brings people from dissimilar backgrounds together more than sitting at a table together, breaking bread.
As the old cow town that we are at our very core even with the recent influx of Millenials and new residents, much of Denver's dining scene has been built on meat and potatoes. But in fact, many cultures comprise our neighborhood pockets, and it turns out we all share a collective sweet tooth. From a wide variety of traditions, we've scoured the city for the most traditional, authentic, first-generation approves establishments and settled upon these 13 international bakeries (or restaurants making fresh baked goods), covering the globe from China to Peru.
Note: The bakeries included here are listed in alphabetical order. If we missed your favorite and would like us to consider it in the future, leave a comment below or send us a tip down the tipline explaining what makes your choice special.
Located on South Broadway, Peruvian-born Marjorie Silva opened her bakery in 2006, making cookies, cakes, confections and specializing in Latin and south American cuisine. The mouthwatering dulce de leche, flan, alfajor, orejitas, cupcakes, churros, eclairs, and Peruvian tamales have earned this shop a loyal following.
Each morning, an eager line of customers forms at Diyar International Market, the sounds of various dialects filling the space and wafts of freshly made loaves of Samoon bread – Middle Eastern's take on French baguettes – spilling into the air.
This simple counter-order eatery sells homemade Italian desserts, such as canollis, tiramisu, sfogliatelle and napoleons – as well as breads, pizzas, calzones and pastas.
Serving authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine for more than three decades, Jerusalem provides traditional recipes and robust flavors. Desserts and baked goods greet you as you walk in the door, baked fresh daily, with accolades going out to the award-winning baklava.
This Argentinean cafe with two outposts these days – one in the Platt Park neighborhood and the other in Greenwood Village – are the brainchild of Lorena Cantarovici. With a nostalgia for her mother's home cooking, she only uses the best ingredients for her empanaditas (miniature empanadas), panatela, pears in marsala, dulce de leche rolls, and much more.
While modest, this Vietnamese deli and bakery is known for a variety of traditional baked goods, both delicious and exotic. Try the Belgian waffle, rich and sugary with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. And if you're up for savory, ditch the baked goods for a killer banh mi.
Serving authentic pastries in an area ripe with Greek influence – from Pete's Kitchen to Gyros Place – Omonoia Greek Bakery features traditional breads and sweets in a simple, family-friendly setting. The baklava just the right balance of crunch and soft chewiness, drenched in honey and with strong flavors of cardamom and cinnamon.
This traditional Mexican bakery was founded more than 35 years ago by Jose Rosales, who started the shop alongside his wife, Ana Maria. Using methods established from old-country sources, the bakery hand-rolls breads and prepare pastries fresh daily in the Highlands neighborhood. Authentic Mexican goods include conches, sugar-covered bread loaves and bizcochos, sponge cake.
For more than 50 years, Rheinlander Bakery has provided the Denver area with authentic European baked goods, including fresh-from-the-oven cakes, strudels and more. The long-time family-owned bakery is in historic Olde Town Arvada.
Before moving to the United States, Owner Ronny Tronoe – who works alongside his wife –won the Best Danish Young Baker competition and represented his country in the European Bakery Championships in Brussels. Today, the Denver shop makes high-quality Danishes (as you might expect), croissants, cakes, scones, breads, pies and more.
This old school Jewish deli, circa 1967, has a full menu and sit-down dining room, but upon entering the iconic family-owned establishment, located in a modest strip mall on Hampden Avenue, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the glass cases exhibiting freshly baked goods, from rugelach to mandel bread, strudel, and beautifully braided challah bread.
The goods in this bakery quickly transport you from South Broadway to a Parisian getaway thanks to the flaky croissants and crusty baguette. Baking their treats – both sweet and savory – from scratch every morning, Trompeau specializes in crafting a variety of breads, quiches, cookies, and pastries and also serves Denver’s own, Kaladi Coffee Roasters.
Everyday, the air is filled with the fresh aromas of baked bread from Valente's, with a wide assortment, many treats of which vary daily. Using century-old irons, the pizzelles, rosettes, and biscotti are just a few of the homemade classics.
Located on South Broadway, Peruvian-born Marjorie Silva opened her bakery in 2006, making cookies, cakes, confections and specializing in Latin and south American cuisine. The mouthwatering dulce de leche, flan, alfajor, orejitas, cupcakes, churros, eclairs, and Peruvian tamales have earned this shop a loyal following.
Each morning, an eager line of customers forms at Diyar International Market, the sounds of various dialects filling the space and wafts of freshly made loaves of Samoon bread – Middle Eastern's take on French baguettes – spilling into the air.
This simple counter-order eatery sells homemade Italian desserts, such as canollis, tiramisu, sfogliatelle and napoleons – as well as breads, pizzas, calzones and pastas.
Serving authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine for more than three decades, Jerusalem provides traditional recipes and robust flavors. Desserts and baked goods greet you as you walk in the door, baked fresh daily, with accolades going out to the award-winning baklava.
This Argentinean cafe with two outposts these days – one in the Platt Park neighborhood and the other in Greenwood Village – are the brainchild of Lorena Cantarovici. With a nostalgia for her mother's home cooking, she only uses the best ingredients for her empanaditas (miniature empanadas), panatela, pears in marsala, dulce de leche rolls, and much more.
While modest, this Vietnamese deli and bakery is known for a variety of traditional baked goods, both delicious and exotic. Try the Belgian waffle, rich and sugary with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. And if you're up for savory, ditch the baked goods for a killer banh mi.
Serving authentic pastries in an area ripe with Greek influence – from Pete's Kitchen to Gyros Place – Omonoia Greek Bakery features traditional breads and sweets in a simple, family-friendly setting. The baklava just the right balance of crunch and soft chewiness, drenched in honey and with strong flavors of cardamom and cinnamon.
This traditional Mexican bakery was founded more than 35 years ago by Jose Rosales, who started the shop alongside his wife, Ana Maria. Using methods established from old-country sources, the bakery hand-rolls breads and prepare pastries fresh daily in the Highlands neighborhood. Authentic Mexican goods include conches, sugar-covered bread loaves and bizcochos, sponge cake.
For more than 50 years, Rheinlander Bakery has provided the Denver area with authentic European baked goods, including fresh-from-the-oven cakes, strudels and more. The long-time family-owned bakery is in historic Olde Town Arvada.
Before moving to the United States, Owner Ronny Tronoe – who works alongside his wife –won the Best Danish Young Baker competition and represented his country in the European Bakery Championships in Brussels. Today, the Denver shop makes high-quality Danishes (as you might expect), croissants, cakes, scones, breads, pies and more.
This old school Jewish deli, circa 1967, has a full menu and sit-down dining room, but upon entering the iconic family-owned establishment, located in a modest strip mall on Hampden Avenue, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the glass cases exhibiting freshly baked goods, from rugelach to mandel bread, strudel, and beautifully braided challah bread.
The goods in this bakery quickly transport you from South Broadway to a Parisian getaway thanks to the flaky croissants and crusty baguette. Baking their treats – both sweet and savory – from scratch every morning, Trompeau specializes in crafting a variety of breads, quiches, cookies, and pastries and also serves Denver’s own, Kaladi Coffee Roasters.
Everyday, the air is filled with the fresh aromas of baked bread from Valente's, with a wide assortment, many treats of which vary daily. Using century-old irons, the pizzelles, rosettes, and biscotti are just a few of the homemade classics.
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