San Antonio is full of rich Hispanic culture and traditions, which is never more apparent than during Día de los Muertos. With vibrant celebrations, colorful décor, and delicious pastries, Day of the Dead is an experience that can only be genuinely felt in the Alamo City.
Since pan dulce, or Mexican-style pastries, are integral to Día De Los Muertos, we wanted to highlight some of the many panaderias found in the Alamo City. These bakeries, which specialize in Mexican sweet bread, are sure to offer you an exploratory experience into fall’s top holiday:
LA PANADERÍA
La Panadería, which has both a Houston Street and Broadway Street location, offers traditional homemade pan dulce inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, also known as Epoca De Oro. If you want to try signature Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead), you do not have to wait for Day of the Dead festivities as La Panadería offers this delectable treat all year round or through a bulk order.
Pan de Muerto bread is traditionally placed on an altar to offer a sweet treat for hungry souls that have passed on, but you can grab some of this famous sweet bread to try during your visit to the Alamo City.
PANIFICO BAKE SHOP
If you want a more intimate approach to the holiday, try Panifico Bake Shop. At Panifico you can find made-from-scratch pan dulce such as marranitos (little soft pig-shaped cookies), piedras topped with raisins, bigote, and other sweets such as donuts, cinnamon rolls, cake, and more. During the Day of the Dead, you can also find pan de muerto, and in years past, Panifico has created 18-inch muertito figurines, which can be made-to-order for those who want a remembrance figure and a variety of figurines.
MI TIERRA CAFÉ Y PANADERIA
Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia has served the San Antonio community since 1941, and Day of the Dead celebrations are no different. A San Antonio staple for over 80 years, at Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia, you can find plenty of pan dulce and other pastry options. During Dia De Los Muertos, you will typically find brightly colored decorations and an altar honoring the legacy of Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia. You will also find plenty of Mexican sweet bread options to celebrate the holiday and immerse yourself in Latin culture.
PICO DE GALLO
Pico de Gallo offers an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drink options. The bakery inside the restaurant recently started doing a “Panaderia Happy Hour,” which consists of 20% off all pan dulce and $1 off coffee, Monday – Friday from 1-4 p.m.
EL FOLKLOR BAKERY
Open since 2004, El Folklor Bakery has five located across the Alamo City. Here, you can find everything from classic pan dulce to traditional Pan de Muerto. If you’re visiting any of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the S. Flores location is only a few miles from Mission San Jose.
LA POPULAR BAKERY
Located in the heart of the Westside and right across the street from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, La Popular Bakery is housed in a bright pink building. We recommend exploring the Westside neighborhood first by visiting the Latino Bookstore, Mujer Artes, and Shotgun Coffee Roasters for some coffee before you head to La Popular Bakery for some traditional pan dulce goodies.
ALEBRIJE PANADERIA
Located on the Eastside, Alebrije Is a small artisan Mexican Bakery with a modern twist. The Pan dulce is made fresh daily and they also offer a special menu of pan dulce treats during Dia de los Muertos. PRO TIP: Get there early as they tend to sell out before the afternoon!
EXPLORE SAN ANTONIO’S RICH HERITAGE ALL YEAR LONG
The excitement doesn’t stop when Day of the Dead ends. You can experience San Antonio’s rich history and culture all year long. The Alamo City’s culinary scene is a gastronomic delight with food built on heritage and fun. Plenty of cultural events will give you and your family exciting memories for years to come. Start planning your trip today and start discovering the rich heritage of the Alamo City.