A high end gourmet chocolaterie in the South End. Aroa offers a wide variety of chocolates, sweets, desserts, and hot chocolate only made from the highest quality of cacoa beans. Good news: the South End just got alot sweeter.

Athan's Brighton is an airy space that is much more than just a place for a coffee or a meal. We aim to provide a warm, welcoming and informal atmosphere where our patrons tend to stay longer than originally planned. Our contemporary and comfortable interior is inviting to both groups and individuals, morning, afternoon or night. Let them eat cake...as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner! Our expanded menu is eclectically Mediterranean-inspired and offers selections such as fresh salads, pressed panini sandwiches, as well as interesting entrees. We offer quality coffees and specialty loose-leaf teas (our pots of premium teas have proven to be very popular). We are also an excellent source for made-to-order-food-to-go; catering options, and business buffet lunches.

Established in 1938, Athan's has become a Washington Sq. stalwart. Athan's bakery is a copy of the Athan's bakery in Kalamata, Greece. Serving up European cakes, biscuits, and desserts, Athan's now draws its clientele from the entire Greater Boston area. While a couple of small tables provide seating for about 6-8 people inside the store, the bulk of customers come in for take-out orders of Greek, French, German, and Italian cakes and baklava. Cake portions (beautifully decorated and great for special guests) are usually $4: the Amendoa (vanilla genoise and bavarois with almonds) stands out as being especially delectable and rich, yet light. Athan's also stocks great gelato in a wide variety of flavors ($2-4 for scoops, $7 for quarts). With 48 hours notice, the bakery will also provide custom cakes for birthdays ($25-90).

Voted Best of Boston for Bread Bakery in 2008

When you crave delectable bakery items with homemade taste, come to Country Desserts. Their bake shop offers a wide variety of baked goods such as classic blueberry muffins, custard pies, black-and-white cookies, and more! They use only the finest, freshest ingredients including butter, eggs, spices, whole milk, fresh fruit and nuts, and imported chocolate. They use no preservatives in their products to ensure that homemade taste. Their muffins are made daily from scratch and sold individually or by the dozen. Sour cream coffee cake muffins are their specialty, but they also carry low-fat muffins and breakfast pastries of all types, as well as cakes, pies, and cookies for all occasions. For more information or to place an order, contact them in Newton, Massachusetts today!

The 2nd Flour to open in Boston after the flagship store on Washington in the South End has been earning rave reviews for years. This location has the same menu, some different specials, and more space to enjoy the decadent pastries!

Ginger Betty's is located at 215 Samoset Ave. in Quincy, and is dedicated to the "fine art of Ginger Bread baking and much more ...". Here you will find ginger bread men, women, children, and families. There are gingerbread houses and boxes of all types, all customizable for any occasion. The award winning bakery has gingerbread gifts for all sorts of events including weddings, baby showers, birthday parties and corporate events just to name a few. "The story of Gingerbread began when the Crusades brought back the ginger spice from the Mid-East. Europeans then created the gingerbread recipe and began the tradition of making various Gingerbread creations. Ginger Betty proudly continues this legacy as she creates fanciful gingerbread specialties by customizing them with sugar, spice, and all that is nice." Video Profile of Ginger Betty's Video Tutorial: How to Make Gingerbread Men

Japanese buns and sandwiches, as well as pastries and cakes. custard buns, cakes, flan ^[1]

A Somerville fixture for 120 years, Lyndell’s Bakery specializes in cakes, cookies, Italian pastries, cupcakes and doughnuts. Their half-moon cookies (six-inch thin golden cakes chocolate and white icing) are their claim to fame, but it’s the shop’s no-frills charm and old-fashioned pastries like their bismarks and jelly rolls that keeps the locals coming back for more. Also, Lyndell’s is one of the last non-chain bakeries in Somerville where you can snag a doughnut for under a buck.

Don't forget that our pooches can have a discerning pallete too. Every dog also deserves to be pampered. How many times did you hit the spa this year? Come on... Sparky deserves a gourmet biscuit and a big bone. Head on down to the Polka Dog Bakery where you have your pick of treats like bow wow brownies and power barks. They also carry a variety of pet apparel and toys. Open 7 days a week.