Fresh Market Bakery

Welcome, Georgia locals! If you're searching for a destination in Athens where quality, freshness, and indulgence meet, look no further than The Fresh Market. While the store is a specialty grocery favorite for many reasons, its in-store bakery, known as the Fresh Market Bakery, stands out as a true delight. Situated right here in Athens, this bakery is a key feature of the overall shopping experience, offering a range of fresh-baked goods that are perfect for everything from a quick morning treat to a special occasion centerpiece.

The Fresh Market has a strong reputation, with its bakery department having been recognized nationally for its quality. In fact, The Fresh Market has been honored by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards as the "Best Grocery Store Bakery," which speaks volumes about the dedication to decadent, high-quality products you can find right here in your local Athens store. This isn't just about grabbing a loaf of bread—it's about enjoying carefully crafted, often scratch-made, baked goods designed to elevate your everyday meals and celebrations.

Whether you have a deep love for savory artisan breads to pair with dinner or a serious sweet tooth that craves gourmet desserts, the Fresh Market Bakery in Athens provides a curated selection that aims to rival even standalone bakeries. It serves as a convenient and high-quality solution for local families and individuals who appreciate the finer things in food, offering both ready-to-enjoy items and custom options for those truly special moments.

Location and Accessibility

The Fresh Market Bakery is conveniently located inside The Fresh Market store in Athens, Georgia, making it a highly accessible spot for residents across the region. You'll find it at the following address:

196 Alps Rd Suite 50, Athens, GA 30606, USA

The store, which is situated in the well-known Beechwood shopping center near other popular retailers, is easy to reach from many parts of Athens and the surrounding areas. Its location on Alps Road makes it a quick stop for shoppers running errands or for those specifically seeking out a high-quality bakery experience.

The Fresh Market in Athens is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all guests. Accessibility features ensure a smooth and convenient visit, especially for those with mobility considerations. These thoughtful accommodations contribute to a pleasant and hassle-free shopping experience, whether you are stopping in for a quick item or browsing the full selection.

When planning your visit, you’ll find that the bakery’s location within the specialty grocery store is ideal for a quick visit. You can easily pick up a fresh loaf of bread, a dozen cookies, or a cake without a lengthy detour. The Athens location aims to combine the quality of a European-style market with the convenience you need for your busy Georgia lifestyle.

Services Offered

The Fresh Market Bakery provides a comprehensive range of products and services, making it a versatile resource for Athens residents planning parties, weekly dinners, or simply looking for a sweet treat. The primary service options available include:

• Takeout: All products, from cakes to breads and pastries, are available for takeout to enjoy at home.
• Custom Cakes: Bakers are available to work with guests on custom orders for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries, offering personalized cakes made fresh in the store.
• Pre-made Cakes and Desserts: A wide selection of ready-to-buy cakes, cheesecakes, pies, and dessert bars are available for immediate purchase, perfect for last-minute needs or everyday indulgence.
• Baked-in-Store Goods: Many items, including breads, doughnuts, and croissants, are baked fresh daily on-site.
• Specialty Breads: Offerings include savory signature breads like classic Sourdough, Rosemary Sea Salt Sourdough, French Bread, and various dinner rolls.
• Party and Catering Options: The bakery contributes to the store's catering menu with dessert platters, cookie trays, and mini-pastry assortments, ideal for entertaining.
• Seasonal and Holiday Items: The selection rotates to feature seasonal pies, unique coffee cakes, and holiday-themed desserts throughout the year.

Features / Highlights

What makes the Fresh Market Bakery a must-visit in the Athens, GA, area is its commitment to both everyday excellence and gourmet specialty items. Here are some of the standout features and products that local guests frequently enjoy:

• Nationally Recognized Quality: The bakery has been voted #1 in its category by USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, highlighting its consistent quality and guest satisfaction across the country, a standard maintained right here in Athens.
• Signature Baked-in-Store Croissants: Often described as having "over 100 layers of buttery goodness," these flaky, all-butter croissants are a guest favorite for breakfast or as a base for a gourmet sandwich.
• Gourmet Cake Selection: The cake offerings include impressive, decadent choices like the Strawberry Chantilly Cake, Chocolate Ganache Cake, Carrot Cake, and an award-winning New York-Style Cheesecake. These are truly elegant cakes that can be a showstopper for any gathering.
• Artisan Breads: Their classic Sourdough bread is a highlight, created through a multi-day fermentation and proofing process to develop that signature, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of meals.
• Fresh Fruit Tarts: These exquisite tarts, often topped with fresh fruit from the produce department, feature an all-butter shortbread crust and a light pastry cream, made fresh in the store.
• Customer-Favorite Doughnuts: The bakery is known for its "famous doughnuts," offering both classic glazed options and more unique, crave-worthy seasonal flavors.
• Commitment to Freshness: The focus on providing "fresh food to make everyday eating extraordinary" means many items are baked daily, ensuring the highest quality and flavor for every purchase.

Contact Information

For local Athens, Georgia, customers who need to place a special order, inquire about custom cakes, or simply check on the availability of a favorite fresh-baked item, here is the essential contact information for The Fresh Market location where the bakery is housed:

Address:

196 Alps Rd Suite 50, Athens, GA 30606, USA

Phone:

The phone number for the store is available through public search.

It is always recommended to call the store directly, especially for detailed custom cake requests or large catering orders, to ensure all your needs are met by their dedicated bakery team.

What is Worth Choosing

For Georgia residents seeking the best from this Athens bakery, there are a few items that consistently stand out as being worth the choice. The Fresh Market Bakery offers a quality that is truly a step above the average grocery store selection, delivering an experience closer to a high-end European patisserie with the convenience of a local market.

If your goal is to impress guests or celebrate a milestone, the specialty cakes—such as the Strawberry Chantilly Cake or the Triple Chocolate Truffle Cake—are a premier choice. These are not just basic grocery cakes; they are described as rivaling cakes from any local bakery in taste and quality, often featuring rich, layered ingredients and elegant decorations.

For a simpler but equally delightful daily indulgence, the All Butter Croissants are repeatedly cited as among the best store-bought options in the Athens area. Their flaky texture and rich, buttery flavor make them perfect for a weekend brunch or a satisfying workday breakfast. Similarly, the Gourmet Fruit Tart, made fresh in the store with seasonal produce, provides a light, visually stunning, and flavorful dessert option.

Savory lovers should not pass up the signature Sourdough Bread. The meticulous three-day process of fermentation ensures a deeply complex, tangy flavor and a satisfyingly crisp crust, ideal for making artisan sandwiches, serving alongside a charcuterie board, or simply enjoying with olive oil.

The convenience of Takeout service, combined with the acceptance of Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC mobile payments, means your quick visit for exceptional quality baked goods is made as easy as possible. Ultimately, The Fresh Market Bakery on Alps Road is worth choosing because it delivers a gourmet, professional bakery experience—one nationally recognized for excellence—right here in the heart of Athens, GA.

Fresh Market Bakery

196 Alps Rd Suite 50, Athens, GA 30606, USA