Breaking bread: Hutt Valley bakeries

At Belén Bakery, vegans never have to miss out on the magic of a fresh-baked croissant or a light, fluffy doughnut.

Since starting out as a stall at Newtown Market in 2021, the popular vegan bakery now has four outlets including Lambton Quay, Manners Street, Courtenay Place and Jackson Street. It sells everything a good bakery should. From doughnuts and brioche to “mince” pies and sandwiches. All without any animal products. The menu changes monthly and always includes delicious sweets and savoury treats.

Belén translates to “Bethlehem”, or “house of bread”, and it also happens to be the middle name of the bakery’s Argentinean-born owner and head pastry chef Mica. Sounds like it was meant to be.

A small artisan bakery, Jean’s produces French-style pastries and baked goods from scratch.

Here you’ll find flakey danishes, fresh sourdough, little tarts, and sweet treats. A true labour of love, the croissants take three days to make, but about three seconds to devour. Paired with a coffee, these crisp pastries make the perfect start to the morning.

This petite neighbourhood coffee shop has become a favourite amongst locals. Get in early to secure your delicious start to the day.

Dough Bakery has perfected the craft of artisan bread making using the best local and seasonal ingredients. The bins are full of crusty sourdough, soft focaccia, and aromatic rye bread. The bagels, milk buns and brioche have all been lovingly kneaded and proved overnight. Take a loaf home, or linger in the café with a coffee and something from the cabinet. There are doughnuts, fresh sandwiches, and crispy house-made pies to choose from, along with decadent sweet treats. The menu champions bread, with eggs on sourdough, toasted sandwiches, and more. Set inside Whirinaki Whare Taonga, the huge light and bright gallery space is one of community and connection.

Specialising in artisan baked goods, Eastbourne Bakery serves up carby goodness to residents of the eastern bays.

With more than 25 years of baking experience behind him, owner Mark Armstrong opened the bakery in 2022.

Among a growing selection of baked goods, you’ll find the bakery’s signature Eastbourne loaf (a rustic white sourdough). There are also seeded cobblers, doughnuts, and pastries. For sweet lovers, there’s a selection of cakes and slices. Stay for a coffee to dunk your pastries in, or grab a hearty pie or sandwich to go.

A busy bakery and café, Janus Bakkerij offers a range of baked goods inspired by traditional European recipes.

Opened 25 years ago, Janus Bakkerij has become a popular spot for locals to grab their weekly loaf, stop in for coffee, or pick up lunch for later. Here you’ll find crusty loaves, decadent doughnuts, pastries, sandwiches, cakes and more. You can grab items to go or dine in the spacious café, of which the menu champions the house-made breads.