The Twin Cities Tour(s) de Bread

Two self-guided biking day trips with stops at the best bread bakeries in St. Paul and Minneapolis

Jan 3, 20266 min read

April Update: I am still waiting to get my ebike [shakes fist at unforeseen life expenses] but have mapped out a nice draft route and schedule for St. Paul. While this StP baked goods adventure is on hold for me for the next month or two, feel free to try it out yourself or share it around. I'd love some opinions from people who know the city and bike more than I do!

And a quick note of caution: Due to lack of said bike, I haven't been able to test out the route myself and haven't been watching for current or upcoming bike path construction/interferences.

1.) The Stops

I tried to create a full loop that includes a variety of bread favorites throughout the city, but realized after I zoomed out to look at it on a map that there isn't any east side representation at all. Maybe you have suggestions...? I know there must be some delectable hidden bread gem I'm missing!

Don Panchos Bakery- Had I NOT limited this tour to bread, I'd probably get one of everything. Since I am trying to focus on bread, I will probably sample some bolillos unless they suggest something else.
Brake Bread - This is a bread BUS which is wonderful and mind-blowing in all the right ways. I'll be getting whatever is on their menu that day.
La Boulangerie Marguerite - When I posted my draft bakery list on Bluesky, someone commented "No La Marg?". So, YES, La Marg!
Cecil’s - In my opinion, top tier marble rye and egg bagels.
Finnish Bistro - If you know it, clap it out with me... swe-dish lim-pa 👏-👏-👏👏👏
ZAO Bakery and Cafe - I haven't been here before and I'm very excited to try it ALL, but the breads (like the mung bean sesame ball) are going to be my singular focus this trip.
Trung Nam French Bakery - Come for the bahn mi, stay for the croissants and baguettes.
Razava Bread Co. - Just put it ALL in my bread bag.
El Burrito Mercado - Last stop takes us back to Cesar Chavez St. for a meal because we've done a lot of biking and I will need protein in the form of the biggest burrito I can eat...maybe some cervezas...I don't know, I don't know. It's an occasion worth celebrating.
Note: Last I heard, Savory Bake House has plans to move to South Como soon! Is there time for another stop...?

2.) The Ride Options

I've mapped out a rough route, but have not tried taking it yet. While I wait on my e-bike, maybe you more experienced riders can help me out and let me know if you see any glaring issues or concerns. Here are the current route options (via MapMyRide), beginning with the FULL ride...

The Big Batard (23 mi - 1148 ft. elevation gain)

Because I'm south of the Mississippi, I opted to start close to home, but for those of you who'd like a bit of a shorter ride, here's what it looks like if you're sticking to spots north of the Mississippi River.

The Boule (15.6 mi - 628 ft. elevation gain)

And for beginners like myself (I plan on trying this one first to test my city biking skills and stamina), a mini ride.

The Bun (10 miles - 309 ft. elevation gain)

3.) Scheduling

The one bee in the bread basket? The thing about bread bakeries is that you typically want to get there early in order to actually get the goods. Based on the current hours listed on their websites (last checked April 2026) my best guesses for optimal ride times looks something like this...

THE BIG BATARD — SATURDAY Total: ~23 miles | ~2h 13m riding | ~3h 45m for stops | Finish ~1:45pm

8:00am — 🫓 Don Panchos (opens 6am / depart 8:25)
1. 🚲 3.4 mi / ~20 min ride
8:45am — 🍞 Brake Bread (depart 9:10 / closes 1pm)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
9:20am — 🥐 La Boulangerie Marguerite (depart 9:45 / closes 3pm)
1. 🚲 2.1 mi / ~13 min ride
10:00am — 🥯 Cecil's (depart 10:25 / closes 8pm)
1. 🚲 5.2 mi / ~31 min ride
11:00am — 🥪 Finnish Bistro (depart 11:25 closes 8:30pm)
1. 🚲 4.9 mi / ~30 min ride
11:55am — 🥖 Trung Nam French Bakery(depart 12:20 / closes 1pm ⚠️)
1. 🚲 0.4 mi / ~3 min ride
12:25pm — 🥟 ZAO Bakery (depart 12:50/closes 5pm)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
1:00pm — 🫓 Razava Bread Co. (depart 1:25 / closes 4pm)
1. 🚲 3.3 mi / ~20 min ride
1:45pm — 🌮 El Burrito Mercado (closes 7pm)

Note: This schedule would also work for Wednesdays and Fridays, although the timing might be a bit tighter due to hours.

THE BOULE — SATURDAY Total: ~15.6 miles | ~1h 33m riding | ~2h 55m stops | Finish ~11:30am

8:00am — 🍞 Brake Bread (depart 8:25 / closes 1pm)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
8:35am — 🥐 La Boulangerie Marguerite (depart 9:00 / closes 3pm)
1. 🚲 2.1 mi / ~13 min ride
9:15am — 🥯 Cecil's (depart 9:40 / closes 8pm)
1. 🚲 5.2 mi / ~31 min ride
10:15am — 🥪 Finnish Bistro (depart 10:40 / closes 8:30pm)
1. 🚲 4.9 mi / ~30 min ride
11:10am — 🥖 Trung Nam French Bakery (depart 11:35 / closes 1pm)
1. 🚲 0.4 mi / ~3 min ride
11:40am — 🥟 ZAO Bakery (depart 12:05 / closes 5pm)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
12:15pm — 🫓 Razava Bread Co. (depart 12:40 / closes 4pm)

Note: This schedule would also work for Wednesdays and Fridays, although the timing might be a bit tighter due to hours.

THE BUN — SATURDAY Total: ~10 miles | ~49 min riding | ~1h 40m stops | Finish ~10:50am

8:20am — 🥐 La Boulangerie Marguerite (depart 8:45 / closes 3pm)
1. 🚲 2.1 mi / ~13 min ride
9:00am — 🥪 Cecil's (depart 9:25 / closes 8pm)
1. 🚲 4.6 mi / ~28 min ride
9:55am — 🥖 Trung Nam French Bakery (depart 10:20 / closes 1pm ✓)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
10:30am — 🫓 Razava Bread Co. (depart 10:55 / closes 4pm)

OR - if you'd like to make leisurely stops for this shorter ride...

THE BUN — SAT / WED / FRI Total: ~10 miles | ~49 min riding | ~3h stops | Finish ~1:05pm

8:20am — 🥐 La Boulangerie Marguerite (depart 9:05 / closes 3pm)
1. 🚲 2.1 mi / ~13 min ride
9:00am — 🥯 Cecil's (depart 9:45 / closes 8pm)
1. 🚲 6.5 mi / ~28 min ride
10:15am — 🥖 Trung Nam French Bakery (depart 11:00 / closes 1pm ✓)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
11:10am — 🫓 Razava Bread Co. (depart 11:55 / closes 4pm)

Because hours aren't as much of a concern for this shorter ride, this can also be taken at a more leisurely pace, with enough time to make ~45 minute stops at each bakery...

THE LEISURELY BUN — SAT / WED / FRI Total: ~10 miles | ~49 min riding | ~3h stops | Finish ~12:15pm

8:20am — 🥐 La Boulangerie Marguerite (depart 9:05 / closes 3pm Sat, Wed, Fri)
1. 🚲 2.1 mi / ~13 min ride
9:20am — 🥯 Cecil's (depart 10:05 / closes 8pm)
1. 🚲 6.5 mi / ~28 min ride
10:35am — 🥖 Trung Nam French Bakery (depart 11:20 / closes 1pm)
1. 🚲 1.4 mi / ~8 min ride
11:30am — 🫓 Razava Bread Co. (depart 12:15 / closes 4pm)

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