Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Bakery
Dozen Bakery
What began in 2009 as one woman’s holiday cookie pop-up is now the bakery behind some of Nashville’s favorite breads and pastries. Crackly croissants, crusty sourdough, and a commitment to doing things right make Dozen our pick for the best bakery in Nashville.
The Verdict
Why Dozen Earns the Title
Chances are you’ve eaten Dozen’s bread without even knowing it. Founder Claire Meneely, a native Nashvillian who learned to bake in Paris, and her team supply bread and pastries to dozens of restaurants and coffee shops across the city. At the bakery itself, you’ll find crusty baguettes, French country sourdough, flaky croissants, cream pies, galettes, and cookies, all baked fresh every single day.
Dozen also does things the right way. It uses only organic flours and sugars, makes as much as possible from scratch, down to its own almond paste and hot sauce, and never sells day-old bread. It’s Climate Neutral Certified, gives leftover bread to local nonprofits, and donates $1 from every seasonal loaf to a Nashville charity.
2009
Started as a Cookie Pop-Up
2015
First Bakery Opens on Groundhog Day
0
Day-Old Loaves Ever Sold
5x
Bigger New Home in Woodbine
What to Order
Fresh from the Ovens
Everything is baked fresh daily. Start with these, and grab a loaf to take home.
Croissants
Crackly, buttery, and beautifully layered, made in a kitchen dedicated just to lamination. Pair one with a coffee from local roaster Crema.
French Country Sourdough
The kind of loaf Nashville restaurants trust. Take one home, and if you’re a home baker, ask the team for a little sourdough starter of your own.
Sandwiches & Savory Plates
The savory kitchen turns that fresh bread into sandwiches, soups, and small plates for breakfast and lunch. Order before 2:30 pm, when the savory kitchen closes.
The Story
From Cookie Pop-Up to Nashville Staple
Dozen was never meant to last this long. In 2009, Claire Meneely started it as a one-woman holiday cookie pop-up, baking in a rented commercial kitchen and selling at local farmers markets. Word of mouth grew, and on Groundhog Day, February 2, 2015, she opened Dozen’s first bakery and café in Wedgewood-Houston.
A decade later, Dozen had outgrown that 2,200-square-foot shop. In early 2025, it moved to a building five times the size on Grandview Avenue in Woodbine, with double the bread ovens, separate kitchens for bread, pastry, and savory, more seating, and a new drink program. Through it all, Dozen has stayed locally owned and firmly rooted in Nashville.
“A cornerstone of the community, delivering exceptional quality with unwavering integrity.”
Dozen’s Mission
Plan Your Visit
Visit the New Woodbine Bakery
Dozen’s new home is on Grandview Avenue in Woodbine. Bread, pastries, and drinks are available until close, and the savory kitchen closes at 2:30 pm daily.
Location
2522 Grandview Ave
Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 712-8150
In the Woodbine neighborhood.
Hours
Mon–Fri: 7 am – 4 pm
Sat–Sun: 7 am – 3 pm
Savory kitchen closes at 2:30 pm daily.
Good to Know
Planning a party or holiday gathering? Dozen takes preorders online. Keep an eye out for pop-ups, community events, and seasonal farm CSA pickups at the bakery.
Grab a Loaf Before It’s Gone
Stop by the Woodbine bakery, or preorder breads and pastries for your next gathering.