Though the World Cup may be over, global flavors are still kicking! Montgomery County is host to a variety of bakeries with international flair, from Italian biscotti in Blue Bell to Brazilian specialties in Conshohocken. Here are just a few of them to visit:
ABC Alice – French
Located in North Wales, ABC Alice is a go-to for French and American dishes. French-trained owner Dennis Darr and his crew prepare croissants, baguettes and scones every day. Other than sweets, ABC Alice serves quiches, sandwiches and soups with their freshly baked bread. View their website here: Bakery | Alice Bakery & Confectionary | North Wales.
Abuela Mela – Colombian
Norristown’s Colombian bakery, Abuela Mela, is a blend of both savory and sweet. Cheesy pan queso, chicken-stuffed puff pastries, and roscon de arequipe (sweet bread stuffed with dulce de leche) are baked every morning. View their Facebook page Facebook and visit the location at 2601 Egypt Road to try their Colombian coffee as well!
Cariad Cookies – Welsh/British
Cariad Cookies in Glenside serves classic British flavors with Earl Grey shortbreads and Bakewell Tart-inspired cookies. The business offers only orders online, and orders are available for pickup and local delivery. For limited-time flavors, Cariad Cookies holds an in-person “cookie shed” every first Saturday of the month at 200 Block N Tyson Ave. To place an order, visit the website: Cariad Cookies.
Copihue Bakehouse – Chilean
Owned by baker Cote Tapia-Marmugi, this Chilean bakery and cafe in Ambler serves sweet treats and hearty breakfasts. Menu items include kuchen de nuez, a spiced walnut pie, and pan con palta (avocado toast). Visitors are also recommended to try the mote con huesillo, a Chilean cane sugar drink with dried peaches and pearl barley. To learn more, visit Copihue’s website here: home.
Eli’s Bakery Cafe – Mexican
Located in Norristown, Eli’s Bakery serves up traditional Mexican sweets. Conchas and pan dulce like orejas and cuernitos can all be found in Eli’s Bakery. But there’s no need to choose one or the other – just load up a tray! In addition to pastries, Eli’s Bakery makes specialty cakes for events like weddings, quinceñeras, birthdays and more. Place an order here: Eli’s Bakery Cafe | Pastelería y Panadería Tradicional.
Hanane’s Signature Patisserie – Algerian
In Hatfield, visitors can find a delicious blend of Algerian and French selections at Hanane’s Signature Patisserie. Owner Hanane prepares makroudh, kalb el louz, and ktayef with traditional North African ingredients like dates, nuts and honey. She also provides western bakes such as eclairs and brookies. To learn more, view her website here: Hanane’s Signature | Algerian & French Pastries.
La Tia Bakery – Argentinian, Venezuelan, and Puerto Rican
From chocoflan to tres leches and strawberry empanadas, La Tia Bakery in Willow Grove delivers Latin flavors in every bite. La Tia Bakery operates primarily through online order and delivery through their website: La Tia Bakery: Delicious Tres Leches & Flans | La tia Bakery. Delivery is free to locations within a 10-mile radius of the bakery!
Mazaj Cafe and Bakery – Yemeni, Middle Eastern
Also in Willow Grove, Mazaj Cafe and Bakery offers fresh Halal specialties like manakish flatbreads, honeycomb buns and date cakes. Visitors can also sip the bakery’s Yemeni coffee and specialty iced or hot lattes. Mazaj also has a location in Narberth; directions to both stores can be found on their website: Mazaj | Arabian cafe and bakery.
Merenda Box – Brazilian
Located in Conshohocken, Merenda Box is home to Brazilian treats like cural (sweet corn pudding) and docinhos, along with hearty sandwiches and pan de quierjo. The bakery is owned by Daniela De Souza, who also owns ‘Feine Coffee roasters, another Conshohocken cafe. For more information, access the website here: Take-Out Pastry Shop | Conshohocken, PA | Merenda Box.
Roma Bakery Pastry Shop – Italian
Owners Franco and Anna Palamides have been serving Italian baked goods at their family restaurant for over 30 years. Roma Bakery provides cannoli, almond cookies and specialty-made airbrushed cakes. Visit their website (ROMA BAKERY PASTRY SHOP – Our Bakers) or stop by in-person at to try their biscotti selections.
Roling’s Bakery – Jewish, Central European
Roling’s Bakery in Elkins Park prides itself on cooking traditional Jewish and Central European treats. Challah, rugelach, babkas and bagels can be found in the bakery’s cases or on their website here: Home. Roling’s Bakery also makes decorative cakes personalized for each occasion. All their foods are certified Kosher by the Community Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia.
Sol Levante Bakery – Korean
A few blocks from Roling’s, visitors can get a taste of South Korea in Elkins Park! Sol Levante Bakery bakes fresh pastries like rice cake donuts, sesame rolls and sweet potato bread every morning. The restaurant will soon feature a breakfast and lunch menu along with ice cream and craft lemonades. Sol Levante Bakery will also change its name to Sol Kitchen and Cafe in August, according to the owner. To learn more or place an order, call the restaurant here: (267) 627-2418.
Yiasou Bakery and Greek Market – Greek
From baklava to fresh pita, staple Greek pastries can be found at Yiasou Bakery and Greek Market in Narberth. The bakery offers both in-person dining and prepared foods to go. In addition to baked goods, Yiasou Bakery and Greek Market sells coffee and Greek cooking ingredients. The bakery is closed until August 17, but to browse their menu, view this link: Yiasou Greek Market and Cafe | coffee | 105n North Narberth Avenue, Narberth, PA, USA.
These are just a few of the global-inspired cafes in Montgomery County. If cravings for South Korean sweets or Yemeni coffee hits, there’s no need to book a plane ticket; just drive down the road! If we missed a spot, let us know by emailing us at suzanne@burbmedia.com.
Photos – ABC Alice, Abuela Mela, Rebecca via Cariad Cookies, Cote Tapia-Marmugi via Copihue Bakehouse, Eli’s Bakery Cafe, Hanane’s Signature Patisserie, La Tia Bakery, Omar via Mazaj Cafe and Bakery, Merenda Box, Roma Bakery Pastry Shop, Roling’s Bakery, Sol Levante Bakery, Yiasou Bakery and Greek Market