One of the glorious things about running lots is that you can justify a wee bit of carb loading.

And for me, there is no greater carb than a good chunk of bread. But I’m fussy. I can not stand white*, fluffy, nutrient-free mass produced, or stale bread. For me, it has to be fresh (preferably still hot when purchased), grainy, and brown.

I reckon I’ve nailed down the best of the best in Canberra, and thought I’d share the love! I’ve also included some tips for added (sometimes nutritionally questionable) benefits of frequenting these establishments where relevant.

Knead Patisserie – Belconnen Markets

My pick here is the Rustic Rye loaf. Knead also do the best coffee in Belconnen (IMHO), and a range of indulgent sweet treats. If you are looking for something special, my recommendation is the French pastry selection. The Bear Claws, Almond Croissants and Chocolate Croissants are to die for. Find them at Belconnen Markets, Lathlain Street, Belconnen.

Flute Bakery – Fyshwick

You may know of Flute’s incredible range of cakes and pastries, but they also produce some great savoury food. I’ve tried both the Dark Rye, and the Wholemeal Sourdough here, and have gone back for the Wholemeal over and again. You should try one of their macarons too, but if you’re anything like me, the difficulty will be choosing just one flavour. Find them at 8 Barrier Street in Fyshwick.

210 Degrees Patisserie and Bakery – Hughes

I’ve only tried the Wholemeal Bread Rolls here, but they certainly tick the fresh, brown and grainy boxes. 210 Degrees also do the best Fruit Mince Pies at Christmas, and all manner of other lovely cakes and sweets all year around. They’re at Hughes Shops, Wisdom Street, Hughes.

Autolyse – Braddon

Autolyse has to be the winner of the ‘fresh’ category. I think about 90% of the time I have visited, the bread has still been hot. Not warm, hot. Their Rye is fabulous, and they also do a Wholemeal, and a Quinoa and Seed loaf. If you’re looking for bakery quality bread after hours you can also get Autolyse bread from Supabarn (in Kaleen and Canberra Centre at least), but obviously it won’t be as oven door fresh. Find them at 21 Lonsdale Street in Braddon.

Bruno’s Truffels – Mawson

Another outlet you may not have considered, and which is more famous for it’s sweet treats, Bruno’s are also excellent bakers. Their Kibbled Rye loaf is awesome. But you need to get in early as they sell out quickly, particularly in winter when sports on the ovals nearby draw hoards of people to the area. I can also attest to the quality of their apple cake. Hmmm. Apple cake happiness. They’re at 2/106 Mawson Place in Mawson.

A.Baker – New Acton

A recent addition to the scene, A.Baker combines two of my favourite things. Delicious breakfasts, and bread. They do some great really grainy breads, but are on the upper end of the respectable pricing scale. They’re in the uber trendy New Acton Precinct – groove on in to NewActon Pavilion Unit 2, 15 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra.

Urban Pantry – Manuka

Urban Pantry wins the ‘grainy’ category. I can’t remember the name of the loaf, but it was like a brick. So very dense and heavy with grains and beautifully dark. Their other breads look great too, but again this is a place where your trip should be planned for the earlier part of the day to ensure you don’t miss out. Find them at 5 Bougainville St, Manuka.

Bean and Grain – Fyshwick Markets

Bean and Grain’s bread used to win the best ‘brown’ category, but they stopped doing the very dark rye bread I liked. Nevertheless, they still do an awesome Rye loaf, which is baked in the classic sandwich shape and is easier to cut than some of the more freeform style loaves. Bean and Grain also have a big and interesting range of bagels which I keep reminding myself to try some day. They’re at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, 15 Dalby Street in Fyshwick.

Silo Bakery – Kingston

Even thinking of Silo makes me salivate. I’m pretty sure my love affair with artisan breads started here. Their bread has a delicious slightly wood fired flavour to it. Buy any of it, it’s all good. Grab an amazing meal while you’re here if you are lucky enough to be able to get a table. Find them at 36 Giles Street in Kingston.

*So. The ‘white bread’ disclaimer relates to the two exceptions that prove the rule:

Turkish Pide House – Jamison

Come here late on a Saturday afternoon for still piping hot Turkish bread to die for. A Turkish friend of mine says that the bread we call Turkish Bread is actually only eaten in Turkey on special occasions, which is probably a good thing for the nation’s health. When I pick up bread from Turkish Pide House I always buy the homemade humous to go with it. It is creamy and delicious. This combination can be a meal in itself. They’re at 2 Lawry Place in Macquarie.

Deli Cravings – Belconnen Markets

Recently I had some surgery done in Sydney, and the first thing I had to eat afterwards was a fresh-baked giant Pretzel my lovely husband delivered to my bedside. It may have been the opiates, but I’m convinced it was The Best Pretzel Ever. Unfortunately I have now developed a taste for these salty pieces of heaven. Fortunately, we’ve discovered that Deli Cravings in the Belconnen Markets has these beauties every Saturday and Sunday. Get them first thing in the morning for premium freshness from Belconnen Markets, Lathlain Street, Belconnen.

And finally…

Dojo – Braidwood

Yes, I know. Braidwood isn’t in Canberra. But Dojo’s bread is sooooooo goooood. They do a good range including Caraway Seed, Olive, Wholemeal, and Beer loaves. They also do good coffee and I have noted, but not yet sampled, some sweet treats that are very enticing. If you aren’t as obsessed as I am about bread being fresh, you can pick Dojo bread up at the Ainslie IGA, or at the Braidwood IGA.

As you may have noticed, I don’t get to the southside much, and I’m clearly not gluten-intolerant. I’m keen to learn about the best places to try south of Sulwood Drive, and for that matter, anywhere I might have missed on the northside. Where is your favourite baker?

Image of Silo Bread from the Silo website.