Little Barb's Bakery

For North Carolina residents, especially those in the Triangle area, Little Barb's Bakery has quickly established itself as a vibrant and creatively focused destination for high-quality, memorable sweet treats. Located within the bustling Durham Food Hall, this women-owned business is more than just a place to grab dessert; it is a community staple driven by the self-taught baker and owner, Barbara “Barb” Nigro. Her vision is to create a warm, inclusive, and inspiring space where everyone, regardless of dietary needs or personal identity, can find the cake or sweet treat of their dreams.

The bakery distinguishes itself by offering a delightful mix of nostalgic comfort foods and modern, elaborate desserts. Shoppers from across the region visit for Barb's signature twist on classics, such as the homemade Poptarts in flavors like Brown Sugar Cinnamon and S'mores, or her famously decadent Red Velvet cookies. Beyond the daily display case of irresistible treats, Little Barb's Bakery is particularly known for its bespoke, custom-decorated cakes. These creations are often described by loyal customers as the beautiful and delicious centerpieces of their celebrations, a true testament to the creative passion and personal flair Barb brings to her craft.

Rooted in family tradition—Barb's passion started with her grandmother's famous zucchini bread recipe—the bakery embraces an approachable yet ambitious style. The menu is intentionally diverse, ensuring accessibility with numerous vegan and gluten-free options available daily, reflecting the bakery's commitment to being a welcoming space for all members of the Durham community and surrounding North Carolina towns. It's the perfect stop for a quick indulgence or for those needing an expertly crafted centerpiece for their next big event.

Little Barb's Bakery is centrally located in Downtown Durham, positioned inside the popular and easily accessible Durham Food Hall, making it a convenient stop for locals and visitors alike.

The precise location is:

530 Foster St Suite 1, Durham, NC 27701, USA

The location offers substantial amenities designed for a comfortable and accessible visit:

• Convenience: The location is perfect for a Quick visit, allowing patrons to easily pick up their orders or a selection of daily treats from the display case while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the Food Hall. The primary services offered are In-store pickup and Takeout.
• Accessibility: The establishment is committed to being fully accessible. Key accessibility features include a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, a Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating within the Food Hall environment.
• Amenities and Safety: The facility provides a clean Restroom for patron use. The bakery also proudly fosters an LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace environment, promoting a feeling of genuine welcome and security for all customers from the North Carolina community.
• Payment: For speed and convenience, the bakery accepts major Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Little Barb's Bakery offers a creative and extensive menu of baked goods and dessert-related services:

• Artisan Poptarts: Homemade, flaky-crust pastries in distinct flavors such as Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Blueberry, Strawberry, and S'mores Poptart.
• Specialty Cookies and Bars: A wide assortment of cookies including the classic Chocolate Chip Cookie and the famous Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting, along with treats like the S'mores Bar and Cookie Pie. Bulk options like the 1/2 Dozen Chocolate Chip Box are also available.
• Custom Celebration Cakes: The bakery’s true specialty. They work with customers to turn unique concepts into beautiful and delicious full-sized celebration cakes, which have been frequently noted as party centerpieces.
• Cake Slices and Individual Desserts: Ready-to-eat dessert portions including slices of the Banana Pudding cake, Lemon Raspberry cake, and the popular Chocolate Peanut Butter cake.
• Unique Treats: Distinctive items such as Cheesecake Bars (including Regular and the fan-favorite Creme Brûlée Cheesecake Bar), Cakesicles (Vanilla and Chocolate), and Peanut Butter and Banoffee Tartlets.
• Brownies and Rolls: Offerings like the rich Dulce De Leche Brownie, Grasshopper Bar, and creative cinnamon roll varieties such as the standard Cinnamon Rolls and the decadent Biscoff Roll.
• Inclusive Options: Daily availability of Gluten-Free Brownie, Cookies And Cream Cheesecake (GF), and the Vegan Chocolate Oreo cake, demonstrating a commitment to serving diverse dietary needs.
• Dessert & Baking Classes: The bakery hosts engaging and informative cake classes, often held in the Durham Food Hall, providing a fun and educational activity for individuals or private groups, where participants learn decorating skills and get to take a delicious cake home.
• Retail: Merchandise such as a Durham Print is available, allowing customers to take a piece of local Bull City pride home.

The core features that make Little Barb's Bakery a standout choice in the North Carolina dessert scene include its strong community ties and unique product focus:

• Creative and Unique Menu: The bakery moves beyond traditional pastry offerings with its elevated versions of nostalgic items, such as the homemade Poptarts and the inventive Cheesecake Bars (especially the Creme Brûlée flavor).
• Inclusive and Welcoming Vibe: The explicit commitment to being an LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace, coupled with being a women-owned business, makes it a comfortable and highly valued spot within the progressive Durham community.
• Custom Cake Expertise: The ability to craft highly personalized and artistic custom-order cakes that serve as genuine centerpieces for special occasions. This service is consistently praised by repeat customers who value the quality and aesthetic appeal of the final product.
• Interactive Experience: The provision of Cake Decorating Classes offers a unique, hands-on opportunity for locals to engage with the baker and learn new skills, fostering a strong community connection beyond simple retail transactions.
• Dietary Accommodation: A dedicated effort to offer delicious Gluten-Free and Vegan treats ensures that nearly all customers can find a satisfying option from the daily selection, which is a significant convenience.

Little Barb's Bakery is situated within the Durham Food Hall, and can be contacted directly for custom orders, class information, and general inquiries.

Address: 530 Foster St Suite 1, Durham, NC 27701, USA

Phone: (931) 644-4048

Mobile Phone: +1 931-644-4048

Little Barb's Bakery is the ideal choice for North Carolina residents who prioritize creativity, community values, and a personalized dessert experience. It is not your average corner bakery, but a destination for specialty treats and celebrated custom work.

You should choose Little Barb's Bakery when:

• You need a show-stopping, highly-customized celebration cake. The bakery's reputation is built on delivering beautiful, bespoke cakes that become the focal point of a party, a testament to the owner's passion for design and flavor.
• You have specific dietary needs (Vegan/Gluten-Free) but refuse to compromise on flavor. The availability of delicious options like the Vegan Chocolate Oreo cake and Gluten-Free Brownie means you don't have to sacrifice taste for inclusion.
• You are looking for a unique, nostalgic sweet treat. Their homemade Poptarts and creative cookie varieties offer a fun, elevated twist on comfort food that you won't find anywhere else in the area.
• You value supporting a local, women-owned business that promotes an inclusive and friendly atmosphere for the entire Durham and Triangle community.
• You want an interactive, fun activity. Booking one of their Cake Decorating Classes offers a perfect opportunity for a memorable outing with friends or family.

For a distinct taste of the Bull City’s contemporary dessert scene, where passion for baking meets a commitment to community and creative excellence, Little Barb's Bakery offers a uniquely sweet experience.

Little Barb's Bakery

530 Foster St Suite 1, Durham, NC 27701, USA