The coastal city of Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry, is renowned for its unique blend of French and Indian cultures, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and overall ambience. The charming colonial buildings, pristine beaches, and spiritual retreats offer visitors a serene and culturally rich experience. With its French roots, the city is also known for its impressive baking heritage and features numerous bakeries, each with its own unique atmosphere. Here are 6 must-visit bakeries in Pondicherry, each promising a distinctive experience.

　　Auroville Bakery

　　The bakery is situated on the Auroville Main Road, near Kuilapalayam village, and is renowned for its delectable French pastries, drawing people from Pondicherry who travel to get their weekend supply. It also offers an assortment of cakes, including Tosca and Mazariner, lemon and chocolate cakes, fruit-filled tartlets, creamy puffs, brioches, and various types of cookies. Alongside sweet treats, they have a selection of savoury options, such as knäckebrot, pumpernickel, and a variety of healthy breads like whole wheat, yeast, sourdough, samai, and ragi. Guests can savour their purchases in the quaint café nestled in the back garden, featuring colourful wooden chairs and tables under shady trees, offering an ideal setting to enjoy freshly-bought sweets with a cup of coffee, tea, or juice. More about them here.

　　Address: Kuilapalayam main rd Kuilapalayam, opposite to Gastronomica, Auroville, Tamil Nadu 605101

　　Baker Street

　　Indulge in a delightful experience at this renowned Pondicherry bakery, playfully named after the works of Sherlock Holmes. Discover a delectable array of French pastries, baguettes, viennoisseries, chocolates, macarons, cakes, and cookies. If you're craving a hearty meal, savour their crepes, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and soups. Every item is lovingly homemade with reduced sugar and natural ingredients, free from artificial food colourings or flavourings. Their typically unsweetened breads fly off the shelves. There's plenty of comfortable seating and kids will love the artful breads shaped like turtles and alligators placed here and there.

　　Address: 123, Bussy Street, Puducherry

　　The Indian Kaffe Express

　　This cafe cum bistro offers a delightful array of Indian flavours, featuring street snacks like Calcutta rolls and jhalmuri, Bombay sandwich, and soda shikanji. They are known for an assortment of coffee concoctions, milkshakes, and desserts, including waffles, brownies, and pancakes. Visitors will appreciate the cosy interiors adorned with thoughtful design accents.

　　Address: 3 Rue, Dumas St, near IG Office, White Town, Puducherry, 605001

　　Le Cafe

　　This sea-facing place is one of the oldest in town. They offer delectable desserts along with coffee, shakes, and fresh juice. It's a great place to have a good breakfast to start your day. Though their offerings are not as diverse and varied as the others in this list, they more than make up for it with the incredible view.

　　Address: 23, Beach Rd, White Town, Puducherry, 605001

　　Zuka

　　Opened in 2009, this establishment provides a distinctive assortment of handcrafted and artistically designed chocolate-filled items. Discover over 100 varieties of chocolates, cakes, chocolate gift boxes, cocoa bars, and delightful desserts. A must-visit for all chocolate enthusiasts, they import cocoa from Belgium and prepare one of the finest hot chocolates available anywhere.

　　Address: 319, Mission St, Heritage Town, Puducherry, 605001

　　Café des Arts

　　Nestled in the heart of French Pondicherry, Café des Arts is a charming café where art, culture, and cuisine come together to create a unique experience. The café is located in a beautifully restored historic Franco Tamil residence with a lovely garden, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a delightful brunch menu featuring fresh ingredients, making it a must-visit destination in Pondicherry where you can instantly feel at home.

　　Address: 10, Suffren St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001