Breakfast Pastry Guide
Start your day with a fluffy, flaky pastry and thank us later!
Photos by Meredith Schneider
Donuts, danishes, strudels, baklava, bahulu, bougatsa, jambon, kolaches, and more. Shortcrust, filo, choux, flaky, or puff. There is nothing quite like enjoying a light, fluffy, or even lightly crispy pastry, be it as part of a balanced morning or decadent dessert, or a savory option for a delicious meal.
But even though you may think of a French chateau when considering pastries because of the popularity of a layered, buttery, perfectly laminated croissant, the first pastries can actually be traced all the way back to ancient Mediterranean people. Of course, a variety of regions and cultures have made their own types of pastries in the time since, and many are specific to holidays and community celebrations.
Kansas City has a variety of incredible bakeries that offer so many different, delicious options. I scoured the metro area to identify 7 breakfast staples for you to try on your next tasty adventure!
bloom baking company
Bloom Baking Co is incredibly popular with special events and catering clients, as I’ve known many brides who have ordered their desserts en masse. They are open seven days a week from 8am until 4pm, with shortened hours on Monday until 2pm.
My go-to? A delicious, savory goat cheese and tomato croissant. The paste is evenly blended and distributed throughout the inside of the pastry, and it is sprinkled with delicious everything bagel seasoning.
15 E 3rd St, Kansas City, MO 64106
THE NOOK
The Kansas City Public Library recently opened The Nook, a new concept in their coffee shop area. Run by The Prospect KC, this cute spot is located just inside the set of doors on the east end of the south side of the building. The Nook features a variety of pastries, caffeinated beverages, and small menu items prepped by the culinary professionals trained through The Prospect KC. You can stop in between 9am and 4pm Monday through Saturday.
The Everything But The Bagel Croissant freshly heated up was the perfect savory, layered complement to my coffee.
Inside the Central Library | 14 West 10th St. | Kansas City, Missouri
HEIRLOOM
Heirloom Bakery & Hearth’s herbed breads are bar none, and I always try to stop in early so I can have my pick. But their rotating pastry case is a staple, and a delicious spot to visit any time between 7am and 2pm Tuesday through Sunday, and until 3pm on Saturday.
The Pistachio Apricot Scone was insanely delicious. It had the perfect crunchy outside, with a soft and deliriously fluffy inside. The fruit bits made it juicy and added a little punch to the sweet glaze on top.
401 E 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64110
SOUR RABBIT BAKERY
Sour Rabbit Bakery opened its doors to the Northland recently, and I cannot get over their blueberry cream cheese pastry. The storefront specializes in small batch sourdough recipes, offering specific items on a fixed schedule. They tend to sell out early, so scoring a pastry on the days they are offered - Tuesday and Saturday - feels like you won the lottery.
To note, other patrons were losing their minds over the pistachio and almond croissants.
7715 NW Prairie View Rd, Kansas City, MO 64151
BLACKHOLE BAKERY
One of the most uplifting spaces for a pastry pick up is tucked into a cute storefront off of Troost Ave, at Blackhole Bakery. The masterminds here play with more daring flavors and textures than other pastry chefs in the area, and are some of the most charming people to interact with. They offer other items from local vendors as well. Stop in Tuesday through Friday from 7am to 2pm, and the weekend from 8am to 2pm.
When we stopped in for my mom’s birthday, the birthday cake croissant was so tasty, and they put a little candle in it! Their Everything Croissant is a cheesy and delicious savory option, and I’ve been known to snack on the ham and gruyere croissant.
5531 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110
Fox & bull baking co.
Fox & Bull Baking Co. is another pastry spot in south Kansas City that branches out with their flavor offerings. (Just as the cannoli and carrot cake doughnuts.) They are open Thursday through Sunday from 7:30am to 1:30pm.
I got to feast on a Reese’s Pieces doughnut when I stopped in, which had a whipped peanut butter filling that wasn’t too heavy. They also make a variety of pop tart pastries with buttery layered crusts. I was lucky enough to enjoy an apple cinnamon one, which was tart and sweet and crispy and wonderful.
10510 Grandview Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137
MCLAIN’s
McLain’s is so popular that it has expanded to multiple bright, fun locations across the metropolitan area, and is one of the top spots for special event dessert and breakfast options. Hours vary depending on location, but are largely 7am to 2pm or 4pm.
Their menu is expansive - including sandwiches and burritos, bowls, salads, caffeinated beverages, and more - and their staff at every location is somehow the kindest people you have ever encountered. But if I am in McLain’s and they still have almond cheese pockets in stock, I grab one. Every single time.
multiple locations
