Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Tempe Town Lake

"The idea for a vegan ice cream shop emerged from the restaurant’s infamous organic ice cream treat: the tSoynami. These now-famous vegan treats start with homemade soy tSoft tServe, then combines with such goodies as cakes, cookies, chocolate, peanut butter, fruit and just about anything else you can think of. The restaurant’s bakers and baristas pour their hearts into each and every creation (and the list of selections is long)."

"These sugary concoctions filled with everything from chocolate cake to ginger cookies, Tsoynamis are a must-try in Phoenix. Nami and its sister restaurant, Green, are both completely vegan, but I can assure you each dish feels indulgent. Nami never ceases to amaze its customers with surprising flavors and ingredients."

"Arcadia Farms Café is a cozy café on 1st Avenue in the heart of Downtown Scottsdale that serves breakfast and lunch in a stylishly rustic space. Hailed as a popular spot for ‘ladies who lunch,’ the café offers a menu of organic New American cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients and regional produce and a variety of casual wines, and hot and cold drinks. Boasting a pretty, country cottage setting with comfortable décor, painted china and silverware, and a lovely garden patio, the boutique café serves breakfast favorites from their onsite bakery, as well as gourmet sandwiches, salads and other light meals for lunch."

"Essence Bakery Café is a local chain that offers an elegantly casual dining experience. Established by Eugenia Theodosopoulos and Gilles Combes, Essence Bakery Café is a great spot for breakfast with friends, serving dishes thoughtfully prepared with locally sourced ingredients and made to order to ensure absolute freshness. The farm-to-table breakfast menu features all the regular favorites such as multi-egg omelets and egg scrambles made with organic eggs, brioche French toast, “huevos Frenchos,” and homemade quiche Lorraine."

"Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-296-4958, essencebakery.com Chef-owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos has great buns – brioche, that is, not to mention crusty baguettes, elegant French pastries and macarons to rival any in Paris. From the café side come flaky quiches, brioche French toast with banana-caramel sauce (sacré bleu!) and a lemon-basil chicken salad sandwich that curls the toes. Simply put, it’s the Valley’s best bakery."

"Chef Eugenia Theodosopoulos leans into a French menu at Essence Bakery Café, with dishes like quiche Lorraine, brioche French toast, and scrambled eggs with Parisian flair. Local artwork decorates the walls and patrons can enjoy a quiet brunch while reading the newspaper. Smart diners save room for a pastry to savor later — the almond croissant is a local favorite."

"If you ask Super Chunk owner and pastry chef Country Velador which cookie is her favorite, she’ll say, “They’re all my babies.” And she’s not wrong. Her famous Mesquite Chocolate Chip is dense and gritty with a smoky sweetness thanks to the mesquite flour. Her Cowpuncher combines Mexican chocolate with cinnamon, cayenne, and candied jalapeño for a cookie with kick."

"A small pastry you can have at teatime or for dessert, the canelé ($2.50) wraps a soft custard-like interior in a thick caramelized crust."

"Deer Valley's member of the well-known chain LaMar's Donuts & Coffee, located at 2340 W. Bell Road, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable spot to score doughnuts and coffee and tea 4.5 stars out of 269 reviews. Choose from a doughnut selection that includes chocolate iced with coconut, red velvet cake and old fashioned sour cream."

"LaMar’s Donuts has locations in five different states, with the Arizona location on Bell Road, just east of the I-17. LaMar’s serves more than 75 different varieties, with the Ray’s Original Glazed being one of the most popular. For more information, visit lamars.com."

"Lamar’s Donuts has been serving local crowds with deliciousness since 1960. It all started with a family recipe and went on to a full-on experiment that created some of the country’s most delicious donuts."

"Located on Fifth Avenue in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Alien Donuts doesn’t serve up ordinary doughnuts. With toppings like Galaxy Sugar Glaze, Alien Ice, and Geodes – these creations are out of this world!. This specialty shop is open until “Late Night” on the weekends, or you can order them ahead of time and pick up in store to avoid the line!"

"Alien Donuts in Old Town Scottsdale on 5th Avenue serves “cosmic donuts” seven days a week. They offer a new variety of doughnuts daily, with potential flavors including The Apple Newton, The Galaxy Donut, Alien Head and Lucky Charms. They also have some vegan and gluten-free options."

"The Shemer Art Center & Museum used to be a private residence overlooking Camelback Mountain, but now the four-acre property with beautiful gardens and different galleries is open to the public. The art center offers many different workshops and classes to try things like pottery, printmaking, fused glass, photography, and more. The outdoor sculpture garden offers beautiful views of the surrounding area with some incredible pieces of art that are available to purchase or just enjoy."

"Modified Arts presents stimulating and assertive artwork that reflects the current issues and state of the world. Their main goal is to make their viewers aware of the problems the world is facing by creating disturbing and controversial paintings and other forms of art. They express their concerns, worry, and opinion by using their media."

"Part of the Roosevelt Row Arts District in downtown Phoenix, Modified Arts is an art gallery and space for music and other performances. The gallery prides itself on being a nontraditional art space and focuses on contemporary art. Modified Arts consistently works to show art that is edgy and fresh in an accessible and open environment."

"Roosevelt St., Phoenixmodifiedarts.orgLocated in a small brick building in the heart of the Phoenix arts district, this gallery showcases work of all kinds, from photography and paintings to performance art. Also serves as a thriving venue for live music, theater, dance, and film."

"The Parisian-style bistro and wine bar Zinqué offers some impressive daily-made croissants. You’ve got your classic order, with all those light and flaky layers, available by 7 a.m."

"The wild landscape of Dreamy Draw features a dramatic and diverse desert with secluded valleys and high mountain peaks. The impressive and striking setting is the home to a wealth of creatures including howling coyotes and colorful lizards, and giant sage shrubs dot the setting here for miles. Rocky dirt trails, such as the 2,000-foot tall Piestewa Peak, provide adventurous rambles for enthusiastic walkers, and there are also some paved trails for those looking for an easier stroll."

"The Marshall Gallery of Fine Art, which features both fine art and fine crafts, is the direct result of the merger of The Marshall Gallery and The LeKAE Gallery. Showcased in this exhibition space is an impressive array of beautiful artworks by artists from around the globe who are in various stages of their careers. Boasting a collection of paintings, sculptures, and exquisite glass pieces, the gallery host several exhibitions each year plus a biennial glass invitational that attracts top-notch talent."

"Located in the heart of downtown, this district offers a nice glimpse of the city’s contemporary arts scene with intimate galleries showcase a broad spectrum of art media, including painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed-media pieces. There is live music and gallery openings the first Thursday of each month. This is a perfect place for a date night stroll."

"Main St., Scottsdalethemarshallgallery.comRepresenting more than 70 artists and featuring contemporary and abstract works. Displays ceramics, blown glass, paintings, and sculptures. Artists include Kathy Jones, Olga Krimon, and Roger Hayden Johnson."