Sweet news: 6 bakery, doughnut shops to visit in Southwest Florida
From Naples to Cape Coral, Southwest Florida is full of great bakeries and doughnut shops for when you are craving a sweet or savory treat.
Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, these bakeries are sure to delight your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. From French-inspired pastries to classic cakes, there's something for everyone.
Here are four bakeries and two doughnut shops you cannot miss:
Cafe Crème de la Crème in Naples offers Euro style
Cafe Crème de la Crème opened to the public in December 2021 in Naples. The European style cafe offers unique flavors and an unforgettable experience that transports you through their food and coffee to France and Italy, without even having to leave Naples. The cafe offers a variety of foods such as fresh salads, French pastries, sandwiches, gelato, and coffee drinks. Here you can find gluten free, vegan, sugar and dairy free goodies, so everyone can enjoy something. Some of the things you cannot miss from their menu: Creme sandwich, Nutella and banana crepe, and their variety of croissants. (4339 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-276-7962; instagram.com/creme_of_naples)
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Silva’s Bakery brings Venezuela to Southwest Florida
Three generations of Silva’s got together to bring the best of Venezuela to Naples in 2020. Marcelo, David, and Luz, opened Silva’s Bakery in order to keep their heritage alive and share the best of their cultural flavors through freshly baked goods and artisanal coffee.
“Three generations of Silva's family wanting to bring some of our Venezuelan Bakery Culture to Naples, as well as our artisanal coffee!” David Silva said.
Some of the things you cannot miss on their menu: Their cachitos (a warm bread filled with ham and cheese, arepas, and their sweet rolls, all with a freshly roasted coffee. (10823 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-325-9356; instagram.com/silvasbakery_naples)
Pastry Boutique in Estero began in Miami
Brandon Malzahn opened the Pastry Boutique in Estero in September 2022 after moving to Southwest Florida from Miami. Malzahn has worked with big pastry chefs around the world and prides himself in the quality he is bringing to the area through his baked goods.
“Pastry boutique is where quality meets flavor you will find fresh artisanal luxury desserts, European breads and viennoiseries that pair well with our premium coffee.” Malzahn said.
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The bakery opens sweet and savory treats for everyone, it also offers sandwiches and salads. Some things you cannot miss from the menu: Croissants, the Parisian sandwich, and the fruit tarts. (20461 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 20, Estero; 239-494-1966; instagram.com/PastryBoutiqueFL)
Trackside Donuts & Cafe remains hidden gem
Trackside Donuts and Cafe is considered a hidden gem by locals in Southwest Florida. Located in the heart of Bonita Springs, the donut shop offers a variety of donuts, fritters, cinnamon rolls, and twists. Make sure that you either place an order over the phone the day before or get to the store early in the morning, they are so loved by the community that they sometimes sell out before closing time. Some things you cannot miss from the menu: Cherry fritter, cake donut, and blueberry cheesecake donut. You cannot go wrong with any of their selections.(28001 Old 41 Road, No. 6843, Bonita Springs; 239-390-1400; tracksidedonutsfl.com)
European American Bakery Cafe marks nearly 50 years
Serving Fort Myers since 1977, the European American Bakery Cafe is a classic in Southwest Florida. The bakery started as only selling wholesale to different restaurants and coffee shops, but has grown over the years to offer baked goods, breakfast, and lunch in their cafe off Metro Parkway. The owners pride themselves in making all of their baked goods with high quality and fresh ingredients in order to serve the best flavors. The bakery offers a variety of European goods that are otherwise hard to find anywhere else in the area. Some of the things you cannot miss from their menu: Italian rainbow cookies, croissant breakfast sandwich, French roast beef sandwich, and its bagels. (12450 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers; 239-225-0450; ieabake.com)
Divine Donuts now in Fort Myers and Cape Coral
Mitchelle Bonnema-Nobles and Edward Nobles opened the first location of Divine Donuts in Fort Myers in November 2018. Their love for fresh doughnuts and their passion for quality food is what led them to start their donut shop.
“A fresh doughnut isn’t something that can be sold online and all our products are made fresh daily.” Bonnema-Nobles said.
The family owned business offers a variety of over 200 yeast and cake doughnuts, other baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and other beverages. Divine Donuts opened their second location, in Cape Coral, in October 2022. Some of the things you cannot miss from their menu: Twix doughnut, cronut, and their fritters. (9131 College Parkway, No. 145, Fort Myers; 239-672-8390; 1110 Del Prado Blvd. SE, Cape Coral; 239-672-4907; instagram.com/Divine_donuts_)
Marcela Romero is a freelance writer who manages the @loveswfl account on Instagram.