a Sweet start

Winston-Salem’s bakeries make everyone a morning person.

By: Laura Lee

rise and shine! Tantalizing treats and artisan coffee lure even the weariest traveler out of bed. Winston-Salem’s locally owned bakeries and cafes provide the perfect fuel for a day exploring the city.

Inspired by Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage site where people came together over food, Camino Bakery is all about community. At two downtown locations, skilled baristas prepare handcrafted drinks to complement fresh breads, quiches, and sweet treats made from scratch daily. caminobakery.com

Known as “Bee,” Brittany McGee is the heart and soul of The Humblebee Shoppe. Nestled between other local shops on Brookstown Avenue, Bee makes everything herself, all by hand. Crowd favorites include her macarons in a rainbow of colors as well as gourmet marshmallows, cupcakes, and specialty cookies. thehumblebeeshoppe.co

Husband and wife team Lucia and John Bobby are behind Bobby Boy Bakeshop, a beloved French-style bakery in Winston-Salem's Buena Vista neighborhood. The display case is a work of art, with fresh artisan breads, decadent pastries, and exceptional desserts baked daily. bobbyboybakeshop.com

Founded by Wake Forest alumni Eric Disch and Anna Margaret Roth, Dough-Joe’s in historic Reynolda Village has quickly become a local favorite. Each vanilla cake doughnut is made to order, ensuring the perfect bite that’s fresh and warm every time. Choose from classic flavors to decadent combinations like chocolate glaze and crushed Oreo or lemon glaze with Fruity Pebbles. Wash it down with a matcha tea, lavender lemonade, or a cup of joe from Anchor Coffee Co., roasted locally. doughjoesnc.com

Any given morning, crowds are known to gather outside Louie & Honey’s Kitchen. The stylish West End café is run by a mother-daughter duo, who draw on old family recipes and seasonal ingredients to create their own contemporary masterpieces. Everything is made from scratch using organic North Carolina milled flour. Specialties include pink Champagne cake, salted honey pie, cherry pop tarts, and funfetti cookies. But the best-seller here, without question, is the heavenly Amish Cinnamon Rolls — big enough to share, but delicious enough that you’ll choose not to. louieandhoneyskitchen.com

To Your Health Bakery is a 100-percent gluten-free facility, offering vegan, allergy-free, keto, and paleo options. Owner Anna Simeonides has always loved to bake and often catered to her little brother, who had severe food allergies. The bakery earned national praise recently thanks to Anna’s first-place finish in the nationwide “Ultimate Baker” contest by Christmas Inc. Magazine. Now everyone with a sweet tooth can savor cherry cheesecake, chocolate eclairs, lemon blueberry scones, oatmeal cream pies, and other glutenfree, vegan, and nut-free delights. The shop just launched its own line of allergen-free baking mixes to use at home. toyourhealthbakery.com