Want to try the best bread in Birmingham? These artisan bakeries, with piping hot ovens on their premises, offer the best tasting loaves, baguettes, savouries and toothsome sweet stuff in the country.
Outer Suburbs
Often the most unexpected places are the most memorable. These bakeries located in Birmingham’s outer suburbs are unique and wonderful.
You’ll smile when you enter the humble OnTheBreadLine estate. Front and centre is a placard indicating their business availability. In the background a plastic skeleton sits atop a village bicycle. Looking right then left I caught sight of the shop in a small shed. Inside was a lovely, bubbly personality, with a selection of sweet and savoury bread goods. These weren’t “Deli Fresh” i.e., baked yesterday and refrigerated. These were “proper”, on the day baked, fresh. After putting my eyes back in their sockets I continued with a selection of savoury and sweet. There was loads of outdoor seating, allowing me the pleasure of eating my baked goods in a spacious lap of luxury. The bacon, maple sausage roll was sublime. I would stick my neck out and say it was the best sausage roll I’ve experienced. The sourdough double chocolate roll was a colossus of decadence . After extracting myself from the bench I was in sugar rush head space. I had a great chat with the staff afterwards. An experience I will cherish. Thanks team. Additional: Have you seen photos of their sandwiches? 
Silver Tree Bakery is a hidden treasure. It would have a queue the length of New Street if it was located in Birmingham City Centre. Don’t let its humble, Swiss style front put you off, it is packed to the rafters with goods baked on Premises. These guys know a thing or two about baking. They provide bread products to businesses like Indian Brewery in Snow Hill and The Gate pub in Nether Whitacre. The assortment of foods in their Minworth bakery is food for the eyes, heart and soul. It is baked fresh throughout the day and looks delicious. Outside the bakery there is ample parking and seating to enjoy your food in peace and comfort. There are no excuses. The people of Water Orton, Coleshill, Castle Bromwich, Shard End Kingshurst, Hodge Hill, you must visit this Silver Tree Bakery. It is THE best artisan bakery around.
A little off the beaten track, the Baked in Brick Bakehouse is located on a Birmingham industrial estate. Thank goodness, on the day I visited, it was easy to locate. There were lots of people heaving loaves of bread from it. After traversing the small concrete staircase, I entered and saw the famous Mini with a pizza oven installed. It was what I expected from a industrial estate unit. Lots of space, grey. The smell and colour of the baked goods gave the interior a welcomed warmth. Unlike many bakeries, the sheer volume of bread available here means they won’t run out any time soon. You won’t leave disappointed, whatever time you decide to arrive.
Have you seen their pastries?
I typed in “Artisan Bakery” into Google Maps. Lo and behold, Marsin Bakers popped up, like a submarine in the start scene of Canon Ball Run II. I mounted the bike at the crack of a sparrows and headed south to Hockley Heath. At just gone 7am, I approached Marsin Bakers. “Halleluiah”, were my thoughts. Google had up to date opening times. I walked inside to be greeted by a youthful, vibrant team of baking assistants. The open display was choc full of out-the-oven treats: Croissants, Pan du Chocalate, Sausage Rolls, Pizza, Pain de Raisan, Croqie du Monsiuer. A staff member asked if I wanted a coffee. The thought, “Is the pope catholic?”, entered my mind. The coffee beans are from little known roasters Yellow Bourbon of Northampton. An excellent choice. A nice coffee. Out the corner of my eye I saw a small chocolate brown loaf, funnily enough, called chocolate bread. I looked behind the staff member of the trays of fresh loaves and baguettes. “Un baguette sil vous plait”, I thought. I just pointed at the baguette and said “one of those please”. I took my time looking at the beautiful arrangement and settled on the 3 items. I happily sat down (after a visit next door) and ate my delicious food. People literally flooded the bakery while I was there. Croissants and baguettes are much loved by the locals. This is, by far, the best bakery in Birmingham south.
Inner Suburbs
Is there a better boulangerie in Birmingham? Baked goods arrive from the ovens upstairs, put into boxes and metal trays. They are brought downstairs to be placed into customer’s brown paper bags at the counter. It is enchanting watching the production line, as customer after customer orders from their large range of baked goods. The counter is beautiful, it is difficult not to be mesmarized by the sweeter, more colourful offerings. Inside Maison Mayci there is plenty of room to enjoy a meal at a table and admire the French art work. There is even more space in the garden to soak in the sun. Food is simple, tasty and served promptly. My mushrooms in a creamy sauce with an accommpanying baguette was one of the most memorable meals i’ve had this year.
My advice, bring a tent and camp outside the night before. It’s your best chance to get your pick of Levain and Cherry’s full bakery range. I was there around 1pm when most of their fine baked goods had already found homes. The small, artisan bakery is one of the coolest and contemporaneous I’ve experienced. I really wanted a baguette, but made do with a beautiful and tasty goats cheese and jalapeño savoury swirl. It was enjoyed muchly in the beautifully open Kings Court area. I will pop back… with a swag.
Loaf is not just a bakery, it’s an institution. Queue early, everyone in Stirchley loves it.
With a trading estate address, there is an industrial remoteness feel to Ten Four Bakehouse. It’s not difficult to locate, as you enter the estate look for a queue. It is a one in, one out setup. Once I was in, it was a wow moment. The bread looks amazing. Grains here, flakes there, decorations front and centre. They have a great range of loaves, savouries, sweets (that look beautiful), and my favourite, baguettes. The Ten Four Bakehouse staff member informed me that a customer said their french style breads are on par with that in France. Oui. Ten Four Bakehouse also offers coffee to those who want get their caffeeine fix on the go. I’ll need to return for a sample. Just like other artisan bakeries the baked goods have a depth of flavour you can’t find in the supermarkets. The fresh, flaky pastries are “to die for”. If I don’t succumb, i’ll be back.