Booking a vacation rental on Cape Cod ensures you have at-home amenities to use throughout your stay. As a result, it makes sense to find a few local spots to frequent while on the Cape, including some grocery stores and bakeries.
While Chatham isn’t necessarily known for its bakeries, there are some options worth checking out. Some of these locations make bread and other goods on-site, which you can buy in bulk to stock your rental, while others are restaurants offering fresh-baked goods as part of their menus.
No matter what type of baked goods you’re searching for, you’ll find them in the Chatham area. Here’s a look at the top five bakeries in Chatham, Massachusetts, to check out during your next vacation.
1) Marion’s Pie Shop
If there’s one spot on this list you won’t want to miss, it’s Marion’s Pie Shop in West Chatham. This local gem sits on Main Street and features a wide selection of house-made baked goods you can enjoy at your vacation rental.
First, there’s the bread, including homemade soda bread, nut bread, house rolls, and apple cinnamon bread. You can also grab some ready-made breakfast items like turnovers, quiche, croissants, and muffins. Or, if you’re in the mood for some treats, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and cakes are available.
That’s not all, though, as Marion’s Pie Shop has a bunch of homemade meals you can bring back to your rental for future dining, including lasagna, chicken parmesan, mashed potatoes, shepherd’s pie, and seafood casserole. There’s also potato salad and lobster rolls in the summer.
Of course, with a name like Marion’s Pie Shop, you probably expect some pies, and this bakery doesn’t disappoint. The fruit pies here are legendary, with varieties including apple, blueberry peach, lemon meringue, key lime, Boston cream, bumbleberry, and strawberry rhubarb, to name a few. They also make savory pies you can enjoy at dinnertime, like chicken, beefsteak, clam, and hamburger.
You can’t go wrong with anything on the Marion’s Pie Shop menu, which is why it’s at the top of this list.
2) Chatham Perk
The Chatham Perk is a small coffee shop with a bakery serving tasty treats first thing in the morning. You’ll find locations in North Chatham and downtown on Main Street, so you can stop by no matter the location of your vacation rental.
While the selection of baked goods is limited, you can choose between favorites like cinnamon rolls, muffins, croissants, brownies, scones, and coffee cakes at both locations. You can also grab a bagel or breakfast sandwich, although these items aren’t baked on-site.
For some coffee, a smoothie, and some baked treats, it doesn’t get much better than the Chatham Perk.
3) Chatham Village Market
The Chatham Village Market enjoys an incredibly convenient location on Main Street in downtown Chatham, likely making it your go-to spot to grab groceries during your time here. The shop also has an on-site bakery, so you can pick up some fresh bread and other items to stock your rental.
Goods available at this bakery include muffins, rolls, bagels, cookies, and pastries, all of which are made on-site daily. You can also grab a cake or pie for dessert at this local favorite.
4) Chatham Cookware Cafe
Charming doesn’t begin to describe the Chatham Cookware Cafe, which sits in an old historic home on Main Street in the heart of downtown. This small cafe is sure to become a breakfast favorite if you book a rental in the downtown area, and the on-site bakery adds to the appeal.
Items made on-site at Chatham Cookware include muffins, cinnamon rolls, strudels, croissants, and scones, all of which are delicious. You can also get a breakfast sandwich, bagel, or fruit salad for breakfast or stop by for a wrap, sandwich, or panini at lunch. One visit, and you’ll quickly see why Chatham residents love this hidden gem so much.
5) Confections by the Sea
If you’re hosting an event or gathering during your Cape Cod vacation, getting a hold of Confections by the Sea might make some sense. You’ll have to pre-order if you want a cake or some decorated cookies, but it’ll be worth the planning if you’re looking for something special.
This bakery specializes in custom wedding cakes but can create a dessert for any occasion. You’ll have to give them at least three days to make your decorated cookies and even longer for a cake, so ensure you look at their designs early to avoid disappointment.
As a bonus, Confections by the Sea delivers its cookies all over the country, so if you find something you love, you don’t have to wait for your next Cape Cod vacation to have some more.
Chatham’s Best Bakeries
Enjoying some freshly baked products from the top bakeries in Chatham, Massachusetts, is sure to make you feel more at home throughout your time on Cape Cod. These small businesses offer unique items for you to enjoy and a local flair, so stop by and try them if you’re staying in the Chatham area.