Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
After arriving in St. Louis from Bosnia, via Germany, in the early 1990s, Senad Grabic opened A&M Bakery as a way to bring a taste of home to those who, like him, had fled the war and were putting down roots in their new city. The bakery’s German-style rye bread and traditional Bosnian lepinja are essential eating for anyone looking to experience this vital part of St. Louis’ international culinary landscape. 4267 Bayless, South County.
The St. Louis outpost of the boutique artisan bakery brand is the embodiment of a European-style shop, filled with such excellent offerings as excellent rye, soul-stirring granola bread, and cinnamon claws that are so good, they might not make the trip home. 10031 Manchester, Warson Woods.
After moving to St. Louis from Damascus, Syria, the Alderie family opened Cham Bakery in 2014 as a way to ensure their adopted city would have the freshest pita possible. Originally a wholesale company, Cham now offers its wares to retail customers at area farmers' markets who want to use their outstanding, preservative-free pita to create Middle Eastern delicacies at home. 6818 Manchester, South City.
In its 30 years in business, Jodi and Josh Allen’s bread juggernaut has become synonymous with fresh bread in St. Louis, thanks to a combination of a family history in the food industry and Josh’s unwavering commitment to making the highest-quality, European-style bread—something he’s been practicing for decades. Although you can’t go wrong with a classic baguette or respectable bagel, don't pass up the bakery’s olive loaf. 9781 Clayton, Ladue.
Ray and Leah Yeh are perhaps St. Louis’ most unlikely bread bakery owners: The pair met at Washington University while studying biomedical science and business, respectively, not realizing that their paths would lead them to the science and business of baking bread. At their Maryland Heights shop, the pair serve outstanding Taiwanese-inflected wares, including a variety of Taiwanese bolo buns and pineapple gems, as well as such creative concoctions as an umami burst loaf and black walnut sourdough. 11424 Dorsett, Maryland Heights.
For roughly a decade, Knead Bakehouse co-owner AJ Brown has been turning out some of the region’s best sourdough bread, thanks to his obsessive approach to the craft. Using a blend of Missouri and Illinois yeast, Brown naturally ferments his dough—a three-day process that results in a loaf of sourdough that's perfection of the form. 3467 Hampton, South City.
What started as a passion project from one-time home baker Tim Nordmann has grown into one of the metro area’s most excellent bakeries—and a must-visit for any self-respecting sourdough lover. Located on St. Charles’ historic Main Street, Mr. Meowski’s serves its excellent namesake loaves, though croissants, cinnamon rolls, pretzels, and an ever-changing variety of other fine pastries are equally excellent. 107 N. Main, St. Charles.
An essential part of St. Louis' growing Filipino culinary scene, St. Louis Filipino Bread is an embarrassment of traditional baked riches. The Maryland Heights storefront is packed with every kind of Filipino baked good you might desire, including the classic pan de sal, as well as a number of offerings that utilize the distinctively purple and subtly sweet ube, a Filipino purple yam. 11654 Dorsett, Maryland Heights.
Tracing its roots back to Brooklyn’s famed Sullivan Street Bakery, Ted Wilson and Sean Netzer’s beloved Botanical Heights hot spot is the gold standard of fresh bread in St. Louis. There are few joys more pronounced than slathering some of Union Loafers’ salted and whipped cultured butter on a crusty piece of the Light and Mild. 1629 Tower Grove, South City.
Veteran barman Jeffery Moll began baking bread as a hobby and way to explore fermentation and healthier eating. Moll eventually developed a sourdough starter with such a cult following that it turned into a micro bakery with a loyal following. Available for weekend pickup, Moll’s artisanal bread selection has grown to include creative focaccia flavors, rye and chocolate chunk cookies, and milk bread buns. 4932 Pernod, South City.
