Whether you’re craving a crusty sourdough boule, a pillowy slice of milk bread or a sweet pastry to share with a special someone, Jacksonville’s artisan bread scene is rising.
Across neighborhoods like Murray Hill, Baymeadows, Springfield and others, family-owned bakeshops and chef-driven bakeries are crafting loaves with stone-ground flours, long fermentation times and recipes rooted in tradition.
It’s estimated that more than 312,000 artisan bakeries were operating last year in the U.S. and Canada. Fresh breads and pastries accounted for most of their baked goods, according to Market Growth Reports research data updated in October.
If you’re wondering where to find artisan bread, in search of the best sourdough in Jacksonville, or picking up a sweet treat, these four bakeries are a delicious place to start.
1. St. Gabriel Bakery (Southside)
A newcomer that opened in March 2024, St. Gabriel Bakery is a family-run traditional artisanal bakeshop on the Southside. Founded by Carol Vela, her husband, Kevin Suarez, and her sons Donny, Sebastian and Rodrigo Tortola, the bakery routinely turns out 40 to 45 varieties of scratch-made Guatemalan and international breads.
What makes St. Gabriel Bakery special? What’s the baker’s secret ingredient?
St. Gabriel began in the family’s home kitchen, where Vela perfected small-batch Guatemalan breads before supplying Hispanic grocery stores.
“Our mom started with the idea. She started with bread from Guatemala, making small breads in the house. And then as she improved her recipe, she started offering the bread to the Hispanic stores, and then we decided to open the bakery,” Sebastian said.
Sebastian said they started with one Hispanic store and “then suddenly we had 10 or 12, so we had to make 2,000 breads in the kitchen of the house.”
Demand quickly grew, prompting them to move from their house kitchen to a brick-and-mortar bakery.
Today, the shop celebrates its Guatemalan roots while expanding globally. Customers often request breads from Germany, England, Ukraine, Hungary and Venezuela, inspiring the family to broaden its offerings.
What is St. Gabriel Bakery known for? What to order?
St. Gabriel Bakery is known for its wide variety of fresh, scratch-made Guatemalan and international breads, baked daily on the Southside. The family-run bakeshop routinely turns out signature sourdough loaves ranging from classic to almond, banana and cacao, alongside savory specialties like Spanish focaccia topped with bacon, cheese, potato and green onion.
Customer favorites also include Gouda cheese bread, pulled beef volovan, garlic bread, classic Italian bread, demi-baguettes and champurradas, a traditional Guatemalan sesame cookie.
Beyond breads and pastries, the cozy shop also serves made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches on house breads such as telera or bolillos, plus coffee, specialty fruit lemonades and smoothies.
Where is St. Gabriel Bakery? When is it open?
Location: 5816 St. Augustine Road, SouthsideHours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday
2. Community Loaves (Murray Hill)
Founded in 2012, Community Loaves has evolved from a wholesale bakery into a full-fledged café in historic Murray Hill. Known for its commitment to local ingredients and high-quality stone-ground organic flour, the bakery has seen bread sales climb significantly in recent years.
What makes Community Loaves special? What’s the baker’s secret ingredient?
Owner Meredith Corey-Disch emphasizes traditional sourdough methods and clean ingredients. Artisan breads here are free of preservatives and additives common in commercial loaves. Long fermentation and freshly milled grains enhance both flavor and nutrition.
What is Community Loaves known for? What to order?
Community Loaves is best known for its sourdough standards made with high-quality, stone-ground organic ingredients and traditional baking methods. The bakery’s core lineup includes Country White, Rosemary and Garlic, and Whole Wheat — loaves that have become neighborhood staples in Murray Hill.
For variety, Community Loaves rotates a daily specialty bread, such as Parmesan Black Pepper, spelt or rye. The bakery also crafts bagels and baguettes, expanding its offerings beyond classic boules.
Owner Meredith Corey-Disch, a longtime avid baker, says artisan breads — especially sourdough — deliver deeper, more complex flavor than mass-produced, processed breads, thanks to careful fermentation and quality ingredients.
The café also serves breakfast and lunch, making it a neighborhood staple for fresh bread in Jacksonville.
Where is Community Loaves? When is it open?
Location: 1116 Edgewood Ave. S., Murray HillHours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Monday
3. Jax Bread Co. (Baymeadows)
Chef Nana Bonsu-Hammond, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, launched her bakery in 2012 at farmers markets before opening a Baymeadows storefront in 2017. Jax Bread Co. blends French technique with global influence.
What makes Jax Bread Co. special? What’s the baker’s secret ingredient?
The bakery specializes in French-style sourdoughs and handcrafted bagels, combining culinary training with a focus on authenticity, balance and community.
What is Jax Bread Co. known for? What to order?
Jax Bread Co. features French-style sourdough breads: Old Fashioned French, Raisin Pecan, 4-Grain, Roasted Sweet Potato, Olive and Jalapeno Cheddar.
Weekend specialties include African Sweet Bread and classic French baguettes.
Where is Jax Bread Co.? When is it open?
Location: 8380 Baymeadows Road, Suite 5Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday
4. 1748 Bakehouse (Springfield)
Since opening in 2019, 1748 Bakehouse has built a devoted following at its Springfield bakery and bodega, as well as at the Riverside Arts Market. Owner Allison Vaughan defines artisan bread simply: “I think, for me, I say it’s made with thoughtful intention,” Vaughan said. “Because when we’re intentional and thoughtful. Like doing a milk bread. If we use a really great egg and high-quality milk, good flour, good butter, it’s going to be very different than if we use something else. The ingredients matter.”
What makes 1748 Bakehouse special? What’s the baker’s secret ingredient?
With nearly two decades of bread-baking experience, Vaughan focuses on ingredient quality, patience and passion. Much of the bakery’s bread forms the base of its breakfast and lunch sandwiches, reinforcing consistency and craftsmanship.
What is 1748 Bakehouse known for? What to order?
1748 Bakehouse signature breads are sourdough, including English muffins, Tuscan schiacciata, milk bread, a rustic Farm Bread, cibatta, baguettes, croissants and some specialty breads. Although they sell some loaves, most of the bread is the foundation of breakfast and lunch sandwiches offered in the bakehouse cafe.
Where is 1748 Bakehouse? When is it open?
Location: 1748 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Best artisan bread in Jacksonville? Here are 4 must-visit bakeries
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea and Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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