10 Great Places for Gourmet Bread in Manila

IMAGE Hans Fausto

(SPOT.ph) If there's one food item that's remained a staple in people's pantries throughout the decades, it's bread. The past year has seen the rise (no pun intended) of many bespoke bakeries, mostly in places you wouldn't expect to see a bakeshop and panaderia. We've rounded up the best places in the Metro, old and new, to fill your gourmet bread basket. Because really good bread is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

IMAGE Marikit Singson

IMAGE Marikit Singson

Panaderya Toyo

Meet the newest bakery on the block: Panaderya Toyo. From the same geniuses behind Toyo Eatery comes this unassuming café-slash-panaderia along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati, which proves that even the simplest of breads, like Filipino breakfast staple pan de sal, can live up to very high ideals.

Must-tries: Pan De Sal, Pan Casero, Buttermilk Loaf

Panaderya Toyo is at The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

IMAGE Ian Santos

IMAGE Ian Santos

28 Derby

You wouldn’t expect one of the Metro’s best bakeries to be hidden inside an exclusive subdivision in White Plains. No signage, no flashy storefront—just the heavenly scent of freshly baked bread. This townhouse-turned-bakery is the brainchild of Miguel Santiago, who’s also known for his café pop-up, The Barista Box. Besides their selection of European breads, 28 Derby also offers sweets like brownies and a very decadent carrot cake.

Must-tries: Croissant, Carrot Cake, Brioche

28 Derby is at 28 Derby Street, White Plains, Quezon City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Baker & Cook

Baker & Cook is among some of the newer and bigger names when it comes to churning out quality bread. Now with two branches under their belt, the Singaporean franchise serves gourmet bread for people on the go. Their mouthwatering breads-and-pastries display can definitely make anyone hungry!

Must-tries: Vanilla Bamobolini, Pain Au Chocolat

Baker & Cook has branches at S Maison at Conrad Manila, Pasay City and UP Town Center, Quezon City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Majoy Siason

Epilogue

Epilogue at S Maison isn’t just all about fancy, fine meals like foie gras and Wagyu steak, they’ve also got a slew of gourmet breads and handcrafted cakes and pastries that are hard to find in Manila. Meanwhile, their breads are made fresh on-site, every day. Don’t leave without having their Matcha Croissant, a playful take on your usual butter croissant.

Must-tries: Matcha Croissant, Red Wine & Cheese Loaf, Opera Cake

Epilogue is at G/F S Maison at Conrad Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

IMAGE Lucca Facebook page

IMAGE Lucca Facebook page

Lucca

Since it opened its first branch in UP Town Center in 2014, this bakery-and-restaurant-in-one still manages to offer consistently good and high-quality bread with affordable price tags. The bakery’s cozy ambience will make you want to linger longer—that’s if you don’t mind smelling like oven-fresh bread. Pro tip: Drop by 9 p.m. or later to catch their daily closing-hour discounts!

Must-tries: Rye Bread, Baguette

See a list of Lucca branches.

IMAGE Hans Fausto

IMAGE Hans Fausto

Apero

How Apero stays under the radar after all these years is still a mystery, you'll know what we mean after you’ve had their freshly baked breads that go so, so well with (equally good) butter. Here, the golden-brown breads are the main event. It’s impossible not to gravitate towards their beautiful and appetizing display, which offers a wide variety of European-style breads like the classic brioche and baguette. Their Breakfast Muffin is also worth a mention, with a soft-boiled egg hidden within a buttery and crumbly muffin—a gooey and savory delight that’s best paired with a cup of joe.

Must-tries: Breakfast Muffin, Brioche

Apero is at Corinthian Hills, Temple Drive, Quezon City.

IMAGE Criselda Carreon

IMAGE Criselda Carreon

Tilde Hand Craft Café

Co-owned by Ginny Roces de Guzman, formerly of Sugarhouse; lifestyle photographer Neal Oshima, and advertising maven Chiqui Lara, this hole-in-the-wall in Poblacion deserves a standing ovation. Not only do they bake their breads fresh daily, but they make their own fruit jams, too. Tilde Hand Craft Café is a place you won’t easily forget thanks to their relaxed vibe. The bakery also offers gluten-free breads that are just as good as their regular selection.

Must-tries: Sourdough with Butter and Homemade Langka Jam

Tilde Hand Craft Café is at 5417 Matilde Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

IMAGE Marikit Singson

IMAGE Marikit Singson

Little Flour

Like its more popular older sibling, Wildflour, Little Flour will make an impression on those who want nothing but good, straightforward meals in a homey and rustic atmosphere. The new restaurant also has an in-house bakeshop where they offer all sorts of bread, from savory to sweet. Don’t miss out on classic selections like their homemade croissant and Danish pastries, as well as their more adventurous takes on the bambolini, like the sweet and luscious Ube Bambolini, which is exclusive to Little Flour.

Must-tries: Ube Bambolini, Cassava Cake

Little Flour is at G/F World Plaza, 4th Avenue corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City.

IMAGE Majoy Siason

IMAGE Courtesy of Nono's

Nono’s

As if Classic Confections wasn't enough of an indication of Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto’s culinary prowess, she comes up with one of the best surprises of 2017: Nono’s. Besides heartwarming favorites like crispy fried chicken and creamy mac and cheese, the homegrown restaurant also recently started to offer handcrafted, freshly baked bread, which you can buy at any of their branches.

Must-tries: Country Sourdough, Sourdough Baguette, Italian Sourdough

See a list of Nono’s branches.

IMAGE Hans Fausto

IMAGE Hans Fausto

Trigo

Trigo is one of San Antonio Village's best-kept secrets. Located along Kamagong Street, it could be easily mistaken for a bakery and commissary from the outside. Their crusty breads are baked on-site and are sold by piece or as a bundle. Step inside and you'll be surprised to see a couple of tables and a little bar for people who want to dine in and sample Trigo's roster of tasty sandwiches and pizza. Bonus: The bakery and coffee shop has fast WiFi, too!

Must-tries: Sourdough, Brioche, Pepperoni Pizza Ciabatta

Trigo is at 9626 Kamagong Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City.