There’s nothing like walking into a Mexican bakery, or panadería, and smelling fresh bread + pastries. Luckily in San Jose, we’re spoiled with many amazing panaderías.

If you’re not sure where to start or what to expect from a Mexican bakery, we recommend practicing some simple Spanish phrases, coming early in the day, and knowing your order before you get to the register.

Now that you know the basics, here’s our list of six local panaderías you should explore.

El Rico Pan is located east of Downtown, and offers a range of pan dulce. | Photo via SJCtoday

El Rico Pan Bakery | 📍 231 Willow St.

Start your day with their pan dulce + a cup of champurrado (a chocolate, corn-based drink). Craving something savory? They’ve got some of the biggest tamales in town.

Panaderia Gudiño | 📍 1377 Kooser Rd.

This cash-only spot makes great specialty items like buñuelos (a fried dough fritter) + Salvadorian cake. Their tamales sell out fast, and the tortas are only available before 3 p.m.

Mexico Bakery stacks their tortas high with meats + toppings. | Photo via @thesandwichhunter

Mexico Bakery | 📍 Multiple locations

This bakery chain is known for their fresh bread + huge tortas. Come with an appetite and try the milanesa torta (breaded beef), followed by a serving of flan.

Los Tres Hermanos | 📍 1430 S. White St., #3749

Locals flock here for their custom cakes + bolillo (Mexican-style rolls), which can be ordered soft or toasted. SJCtoday reader @justbandit recommends their “El Boracho” — a rum + raisin pan dulce.

The Pink Elephant’s tres leches cakes are generous with the frosting. | Photo via @pinkelephantbakery

Pink Elephant Bakery | 📍 415 S. King Rd.

This San Jose-classic is known for their tres leches cakes. Local reader @therigoman also recommends their orejas (a crispy, cinnamon-sugar pastry). Bring cash.

Try some of Dulcinea’s Oaxacan treats, like this ojaldra. | Photo by SJCtoday staff

Dulcinea Panaderia Oaxaquena | 📍 795 S. Second St.

Ask about this panadería’s speciality Oaxacan breads, like their ojaldras (a sweet, sesame-topped bread) and em lechesilla (a cream-filled empanada). These are a bit pricier, but are well worth a taste.

Did we miss your favorite panadería or treat? Let us know.