Where to Get Fresh Bread in Rhode Island
This list of bakeries produces high-quality bread that is made from scratch and baked fresh daily.
Editor’s note: This list article has been updated from a previous version which originally published in February 2022.
Seven Stars Bakery
For two decades, Seven Stars has produced award-winning artisan breads using natural sourdough starters. Each loaf benefits from extended fermentation (up to three days) and house-milled flour to produce a signature chew and complex flavors. While you can’t go wrong with a classic baguette or sourdough loaf, give the new-ish sesame spelt a try. This ancient grain has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and makes a great vehicle for PB and J or simply toasted with butter. Five locations in Providence, East Providence and Cranston, 521-2200, sevenstarsbakery.com
Buono’s
The signature red, white and green awning at Buono’s announces that this bakery is serious about Italy. With a history that goes back nearly a century, Buono’s prides itself on marrying old world methods combined with modern technology. All loaves are baked on-site at Buono’s two locations, which feature ovens, mixers and racks imported from Italy. Loaves include classic split and multigrain, but we love the Sicilian, which is a match made in heaven with Sunday gravy. 559 Hartford Ave., Providence, 421-4554; 569 Reservoir Ave., Cranston, 467-6000, buonositalianbakery.com
Provencal Bakery and Cafe
Take a trip to the South of France without leaving the state. Provencal Bakery serves up traditional European artisan breads using locally sourced ingredients from its shop on Aquidneck Island. Crusty baguettes, whole wheat, country, sourdough, cranberry pecan bread and Italian are available daily, but be sure to check out the specialty bread of the day. 750 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 845-9313, provencalbakery.com
Oberlin
Oberlin’s breads all hail from chef-owner Ben Sukle’s decade-old sourdough starter known as “mom.” The sourdough country loaf, which also serves as the base for Oberlin’s excellent brandade, carries a hint of local honey and sea salt and offers great chew, but don’t miss the papo secos. These Portuguese rolls have a crispy exterior that gives way to a light and airy middle, making them just the upgrade your sandwich game needs. 186 Union St., Providence, 588-8755, oberlinrestaurant.com
Wright’s Dairy Farm
Although the excellent milk, ice cream and cheese may be the initial draw to this fifth-generation family dairy farm, don’t sleep on the bread. In addition to an impressive array of sweet offerings, Wright’s breads include comforting classics such as farmstead white and cinnamon raisin. The snowflake rolls have just the perfect amount of squish for slathering with butter or sopping up gravy. 200 Woonsocket Hill Rd., North Smithfield, 767-3014, wrightsdairyfarm.com
