What’s your vice? Cupcakes? Donuts? Freshly baked croissant that remind you of Paris? Or, how about a taste of Lithuania? Whatever your preference, it seems Omaha has the bakery for you. From Orsi’s to Le Petit, here’s a look at a baker’s dozen of Omaha’s amazing bakeries.
UPDATE: This post was published in March 2020 and has been updated in November 2023 to reflect changes. Please have patience and call ahead before going to any of the bakeries, just in case.
Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria
Where: Little Italy at 621 Pacific St.
Omaha’s oldest Italian bakery, Orsi’s opened its doors in 1919. The bakery has made fresh bread and rolls without preservatives almost daily for more than 100 years.
The Italian twist loaves are perfect for dipping with marinara sauce. The store also bakes fresh rye bread, pumpernickel, and garlic bread.
Orsi’s has long been a stalwart of the Little Italy neighborhood. When the bakery was destroyed by fire in the late 1990s, locals rallied to help the owners rebuild. The home of Omaha’s Sicilian pizza, as well as other Italians goods, such as fresh olives, authentic pasta, and a deli, Orsi’s is a popular stop for Omahans from all neighborhoods.
You’ll want to take your goodies home, as the bakery has limited seating.
Related post: Old School Omaha – A Review Of The Pizza At Orsi’s
Olsen Bake Shop
Where: South Omaha at 1708 S. 10th St.
Olsen Bake Shop is your typical neighborhood bakery. Located in a small building, The bakery features two cases showing off the daily offerings – kolaches (pastries with fruit filling, jams, and other treats in the middle), donuts, other pastries, and cookies.
The South Omaha staple has been offering delicious pastries since 1942.
Related post: Olsen tops the list of the 13 best donut shops in Omaha
Lithuanian Bakery
Where: South Omaha at 5217 S. 33rd Ave.
Open for nearly 50 years ago, the Lithuanian Bakery was created by Lithuanian immigrants and continues to be a family-owned bakery. Famous for its torte, the dessert takes three days to make and consists of eight layers of wafers, each coated with vanilla buttercream and lemon extract, with a layer of apricot in the middle.
The popular dessert has people arriving early and willing to stand in line every Saturday, when the torte is available. Try their chocolate torte for a change of taste. The bakery also creates delicious bread, such as sourdough rye and country rye. The “Kommis Brot,” a thinly-sliced pumpernickel, is made in the old country tradition.
The bakery has a second location, Lithuanian Bakery and Kafe at 7427 Pacific St., which features “old country” recipes and the bakery’s treats.
Omaha Bakery
Where: 10503 S. 15th St., suite 109, Bellevue, Neb., and 725 N. 210th St., Elkhorn, Neb.
Known in its early days as Alotta Brownies in Fremont, Michelle Kaiser rolled the dice and moved the bakery to Omaha, changing its name to Omaha Bakery. Omaha Bakery is known of its delicious brownies and cheesecakes.
The baker also makes cakes, including wedding cakes, as well as bread. Omaha Bakery has also added a keto menu.
International Bakery
Where: South Omaha at 5106 S. 24th St.
Deep in the heart of 24th Street, the South Omaha stronghold has been a fan favorite for nearly 20 years. A visit to International Bakery offers a fun experience, as donuts and pastries have Spanish names.
Even if you don’t speak the language, part of the fun is choosing a delicious-looking treat. Your taste buds will commend your choice.
Take your order to go and enjoy eating at a nearby plaza, where you can enjoy people watching, as well as the beauty and colors of the neighborhood.
While a second International Bakery is located on Vinton Street, it is owned by relatives but isn’t associated with the original bakery.
Jones Bros.
Where: Aksarben Village at 2121 S. 67th St.
It started with a family chat at the kitchen table. Bill and Brad Jones, along with family members, created Jones Bros. Cupcakes, as a “dessert restaurant.” They opened their first location in Aksarben Village in 2010.
Jones Bros. quickly established itself as one of Omaha’s best places to go for great desserts, including cupcakes and cakes, even cheesecake. Made from scratch, cupcakes include fan favorites red velvet, vanilla, and strawberries and cream.
From giant-sized treats, which require a fork, their cupcakes have earned them having been named as the best in Omaha several times. They also started selling boba tea drinks (think, bubble teas) and they’re even available in flights so you can sample more than one flavor.
The eatery has also been featured on national television programs, including Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.” With competition from local restaurants, Jones Bros. Cupcakes added sandwiches, soups, and salad to its menu.
While the original location continues to anchor the franchise, Jones Bros. Cupcakes also expanded to another location in West Omaha.
Pettit’s Pastry
Where: North Downtown at 502 N. 16th St. (and in West Omaha at 311 N. 114th St.)
Not far from the campus of Creighton University, Pettit’s Pastry has called the North Downtown area home since 1954. Located in the neighborhood long before it became a trendy development area, Pettit’s Pastry adds an old-school touch to the modern buildings going up around it.
Home to old-fashioned pastry treats, such as rolls, donuts, and fruit-filled turnovers, order a flavored coffee, cappuccino, or latte, and you can mix old-guard bakery treats with a modern take on coffee. Take your order to go and enjoy it during a stroll around Creighton University’s beautiful campus.
Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop
Where: Cathedral Neighborhood at 813 N. 40th St.
Located in the Cathedral neighborhood, Sweet Magnolias is a boutique bakery, whose menu features delicious cinnamon rolls, scones, cookies, and more.
Known for its cardamom cake, Sweet Magnolias is owned and operated by a Nebraska native, who grew up learning to cook and bake from her parents and grandparents.
Located next door to Lisa’s Radial Café, grab your treats to go and take a walk around the area, taking in the views of St. Cecelia Cathedral and Joslyn Castle.
Le Petit Paris Bakery
Where: Pepperwood Village at 567 N. 155th Plaza
Travel to Paris without leaving Omaha with a visit to Le Petit Paris Bakery. Like its neighbor, Le Voltaire French Restaurant, the bakery is also owned by world-renowned Chef Cedric. The bakery features croissants made with pure butter, handmade eclairs, and macarons, as well as bread, pastries, and other sweets.
Imagine life along the Champs-Elysees by adding a cup of rich coffee and enjoying your croissant or other treat at an outdoor table, just like in Paris. The bakery is closed on Monday.
Which Omaha bakery is for you?
Whether you’re looking to pick up a dozen donuts for home or enjoying a true dining experience, Omaha’s bakeries offer the best of all worlds. Whether you want a good old-fashioned donut or maybe a classically-designed cupcake or pastry, you can travel around the world for the best treats, all without leaving Omaha.
From Omaha’s oldest Italian bakery celebrating more than 100 years in business to new owners of local classics, enjoy visiting the city’s best bakeries.
