Gisborne’s coastal location and community focus support a selection of best bakeries in Gisborne specializing in artisan sourdough and fresh baked goods. These micro-bakeries craft breads and treats using traditional methods and local ingredients, catering to those seeking quality, nourishing options for daily use or special occasions. Love Bug Bakery, The Sourdough Experience, and Sweet and Sourdough Co stand out for their handcrafted approach, with Gladstone Bakehouse and Morrell’s on Gladstone Road.
1Love Bug Bakery
Love Bug Bakery, part of Black Fig Catering & Events in Gisborne, specializes in handcrafted sourdough breads made from scratch with long fermentation using a homegrown starter. Their breads contain no additives or preservatives and are hand shaped for unique loaves, with a range including classic, wholemeal, seedy and rye varieties plus focaccia and bagels.
Services
- Classic Sourdough Loaf or Round
- Wholemeal Sourdough Loaf or Round
- Seedy Bugga Sourdough Loaf or Round
- Potato Focaccia with Herb and Garlic Oil
- Bagels and Baguettes
Highlights
- Locally made in Gisborne from scratch
- 24-hour fermentation process with homegrown starter
- No additives, preservatives or nasties
- Hand shaped loaves for unique results
- Deliveries Monday to Saturday and available at local spots
Location & Contact
Name: Love Bug Bakery
Address: 167 Wainui Road, Gisborne
Phone: 021 853 794
Website: blackfig.co.nz
2The Sourdough Experience
The Sourdough Experience is a micro-bakery in Gisborne run by Annie, offering handcrafted sourdough products using natural fermentation. The business focuses on traditional methods to create flavorful, nutritious bread with a chewy crumb and crispy crust, available through local pickup points and the farmers market.
Services
- Sourdough loaves
- Sourdough treats
- Cookies and brownies
- Other sourdough baked goodies
Highlights
- Handcrafted by Annie with passion for traditional baking
- Natural fermentation for enhanced flavour and digestibility
- Available at Village Berries, The Workshop and Gisborne Farmers Market
- Family involvement with Clint at market stalls
Location & Contact
Name: The Sourdough Experience
Address: Gisborne
Website: thesourdough.co.nz
3Sweet and Sourdough Co
Sweet and Sourdough Co is a micro bakery in Gisborne started by Jess to create safe, nourishing food for her son with allergies. They specialize in handcrafted sourdough that is gentle on the stomach and full of flavour, along with doughnuts available through pre-order and pickup.
Services
- Sourdough breads
- Doughnuts
- Cookies and other baked goods
Highlights
- Allergy-friendly and nourishing options
- Handcrafted sourdough gentle on the stomach
- Pre-order system with pickup at Down to Earth Gisborne
- Pop up Fridays for doughnuts
Location & Contact
Name: Sweet and Sourdough Co
Address: Gisborne
Website: sweetandsourdoughco.com
4Gladstone Bakehouse Cafe
Gladstone Bakehouse sits on Gladstone Road and runs as a bakery and cafe together, so it does sit-down coffee and a counter of baked goods rather than one or the other. It is rated 4.2 across more than 240 Google reviews, a long trading history for a bakery.
Services
- Baked goods and cabinet food
- Cafe coffee and sit-down service
- Pies and savouries
- Takeaway
Highlights
- Rated 4.2 across more than 240 Google reviews
- Runs as a cafe as well as a bakery counter
- Gladstone Road location
Location & Contact
Name: Gladstone Bakehouse Cafe
Address: 130 Gladstone Road, Gisborne
5Morrell’s Bakery
Morrell’s is further out along Gladstone Road and trades as a traditional artisan bakery. It holds a 4.5 rating across more than a hundred reviews. Being away from the town centre, it suits a stop on the way through rather than a walk from the main street.
Services
- Artisan breads
- Pastries and slices
- Pies and savouries
- Counter service
- Takeaway
Highlights
- Rated 4.5 across more than 100 Google reviews
- Artisan baking rather than a franchise operation
- Gladstone Road site away from the town centre
Location & Contact
Name: Morrell’s Bakery
Address: 437 Gladstone Road, Gisborne
Bakeries in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Love Bug Bakery | Gisborne | Locally made in Gisborne from scratch |
| The Sourdough Experience | Gisborne | Handcrafted by Annie with passion for traditional baking |
| Sweet and Sourdough Co | Gisborne | Allergy-friendly and nourishing options |
| Gladstone Bakehouse Cafe | Gisborne | Rated 4.2 across more than 240 Google reviews |
| Morrell's Bakery | Gisborne | Rated 4.5 across more than 100 Google reviews |
How to Choose the Right Bakery in Gisborne
- Look for businesses using natural fermentation and traditional methods for sourdough and breads.
- Check for dietary options such as allergy-friendly or gluten considerations in their offerings.
- Consider pickup locations, delivery options and availability at local spots or markets.
- Verify freshness, local sourcing and handcrafted quality from the business details.
- Ask about custom orders, pre-order systems or special dietary needs when contacting the bakery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Bakeries
What types of baked goods do Gisborne bakeries offer?
Gisborne bakeries typically focus on artisan sourdough loaves in various styles such as classic, wholemeal, seedy and rye, along with focaccia, bagels, baguettes and sweet treats like doughnuts and cookies.
Do Gisborne bakeries offer gluten-free or allergy-friendly options?
Some micro-bakeries in Gisborne specialise in allergy-friendly sourdough that is gentle on the stomach, though it is best to confirm specific dietary needs directly with the business as kitchens may handle multiple allergens.
Where can I find sourdough in Gisborne?
Sourdough is available from micro-bakeries through local pickup points such as Village Berries on Ormond Road, The Workshop on Carnarvon Street, Down to Earth on Ballance Street, and at the Gisborne Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Can I order custom or pre-order baked goods from Gisborne bakeries?
Many Gisborne bakeries operate on a pre-order or delivery system for sourdough and treats, with options for pickup on specific days or delivery to your door, making it easy to plan ahead for fresh products.
Are there delivery options for baked goods in Gisborne?
Yes, some bakeries offer deliveries on set days such as Monday to Saturday for sourdough loaves and other items, often with orders placed in advance through their website or contact details.
What should I know about freshness and ingredients at Gisborne bakeries?
Local micro-bakeries emphasise fresh, handcrafted products made from scratch with natural starters and minimal additives, often highlighting long fermentation for better flavour and digestibility.
How We Chose the Best Bakeries in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for bakeries in Gisborne, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.