Macon’s bakery scene leans heavily Southern, with peach cobblers, pound cakes, banana pudding, and cheese straws filling display cases across town. That regional identity shapes what local bakers produce: Georgia peaches show up in seasonal cakes and fillings from spring through late summer, and traditional Southern layer cakes remain the top sellers for weddings and church events. Mercer University, Wesleyan College, and the nearby Robins Air Force Base population keep demand steady for custom celebration cakes, graduation orders, and catering trays year-round.
Downtown Macon’s revitalization has pulled several bakeries into the Poplar Street and Cotton Avenue corridor, where foot traffic from Mercer students and downtown workers supports daily walk-in sales. Sweet Eleanor’s opened on Poplar Street in a previously vacant storefront, joining other food-focused small businesses that have filled in the downtown grid over the past decade. Outside downtown, bakeries on Thomaston Road, Forsyth Road, and Vineville Avenue serve the suburban neighborhoods and commuters along the I-475 and I-75 corridors.
Macon’s cost of living, which runs well below Atlanta’s, shows in bakery pricing. A specialty cupcake at a local Macon bakery typically costs $3 to $5, while a slice of cake runs around $5 to $7. Custom cakes for weddings and events start lower here than in metro Atlanta, though pricing varies widely by design complexity. The city hosts a “Macon Baking Week” promotion that spotlights local bakeries and draws attention to award-winning items from participating shops.
Top-Rated Bakeries in Macon, Georgia
Tommy’s Bakery & Cafe
Adres: 5580 Thomaston Rd, Suite 10, Macon, GA 31220
Website: tommysbakery.com
Tommy’s Bakery is a family-rooted operation on Thomaston Road in west Macon. The owner grew up working in his grandfather’s bakery in Perry, Florida, and brought that tradition to Macon. The shop bakes donuts, muffins, cupcakes, croissants, danishes, and cream horns fresh daily, alongside a full breakfast and lunch grill serving biscuits and gravy, burgers, sandwiches, and loaded baked potatoes. Tommy’s also runs an evening potato bar with daily specials priced at $8.50 during lunch. Catering is available for weddings, corporate events, and parties.
The Macon Baking Company
Adres: 4524 Forsyth Rd, Suite 204, Macon, GA 31210
Website: maconbaking.com
The Macon Baking Company is a family-owned bakery that opened in 2015 on Forsyth Road in North Macon. Owner Dan Whitehead specializes in artisan-style baked goods with a European influence, including French macarons in rotating flavors (pistachio, raspberry, lemon, chocolate, coffee), cream puffs, cupcakes, cookies, and cheese straws. The shop won multiple awards during Macon Baking Week for items like its Peaches and Cream Cake. The Macon Baking Company is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sweet Eleanor’s Divine Desserts
Adres: 530 Poplar St, Macon, GA 31201
Website: sweeteleanors.com
Sweet Eleanor’s sits on downtown Macon’s Poplar Street, named by owner Scott Mitchell after his grandmother. The shop offers cheesecakes, muffins, cookies, cakes, and house-made gelato in multiple flavors, along with coffee drinks featuring Perc Coffee. A large mural spans one interior wall, and the space doubles as a casual gathering spot for book clubs and evening outings. Sweet Eleanor’s carries gluten-free options and holds a 100/100 health inspection score. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
Bakeries in Macon: Common Questions
How much does a custom cake typically cost in Macon, GA?
Pricing varies widely based on design, size, and the bakery. A basic decorated sheet cake from a local Macon bakery generally starts around $30 to $50, while tiered custom cakes for weddings or large events can range from several hundred dollars upward depending on complexity. Macon’s custom cake pricing tends to run lower than metro Atlanta. Contact individual bakeries for quotes, as most require consultations for elaborate designs.
Do bakeries in Macon-Bibb County need a food service permit?
Yes. Any business preparing food in Macon-Bibb County must obtain a Food Service Permit from the Georgia Department of Public Health through the North Central Health District. Bakeries also need a Zoning Compliance form from Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning, a fire inspection, and an Occupation Tax Certificate (business license). Home-based bakers in Georgia may operate under the state’s Cottage Food Law, but that limits sales to direct-to-consumer transactions and caps annual revenue.
How does Macon’s climate affect bakery operations?
Macon’s hot, humid summers (average highs above 90°F from June through September) create challenges for transporting buttercream and fondant cakes, especially for outdoor weddings and events. Many Macon bakers recommend delivery rather than customer pickup during summer months, and some shift to more heat-stable fillings and icings during that season. The long warm season also extends demand for gelato, frozen treats, and iced beverages at bakeries that carry them.
What Southern baked goods are most popular at Macon bakeries?
Macon bakeries lean into Georgia and Southern traditions. Peach cobbler, pound cake, banana pudding, pecan bars, cheese straws, and red velvet cake appear on most local menus. Georgia peach flavors are especially prominent from May through August when local peaches are in season. Cheese straws, a classic Middle Georgia party staple, are a top seller at bakeries like The Macon Baking Company.
Are there bakeries in downtown Macon within walking distance of Mercer University?
Sweet Eleanor’s on Poplar Street sits about a 10-minute walk from the Mercer campus and is the closest dedicated bakery to the university. Several downtown coffee shops with baked goods, like Taste and See Coffee Shop (also on Poplar Street), are in the same corridor. The Macon Baking Company on Forsyth Road and Tommy’s Bakery on Thomaston Road are in North and West Macon respectively, each roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from campus.