For a small town like Falmouth, the number of excellent bakeries defies the odds.
Listen, I get why you might want to skip this intro and immediately dive into riding that sugar wave, but let me briefly get a couple things out of the way. First, this piece was very taxing to work on, and I really hated having to try all of these delicious baked goods. I hope readers understand my immense sacrifice (joking, of course). Second, each of the spots profiled below is special in its own way, but I’d like to highlight one throughline (besides copious amounts of butter): They all really love and want to serve the Falmouth community through excellent customer service, tried-and-true ingredients, and careful attention to the kinds of details that make their treats exceptional.
Maison Villatte
From the pier to Paris . . . er . . . Main Street. Let’s pop into Maison Villatte, a quintessential French patisserie and boulangerie (pastry shop and bread bakery). Located opposite the library green and Peg Noonan Park, Maison Villatte is rarely without a line that snakes around its charming interior.
Don’t worry, the queue moves fast, plus you may want some time to eye the mouthwatering array of traditional French treats, including but not limited to baguettes, tarts, cakes, eclairs, cream puffs, croissants, quiches and sandwiches. Good luck deciding what to buy!
There is no question about authenticity at Maison Villatte. French-imported flours, combined with other premier ingredients, are masterfully transformed via traditional French culinary techniques passed down through generations of some of the finest cooks on the planet.
Other Important Details: In the summer, it’s nigh impossible to avoid a wait, but you may want to try visiting in the early morning for the best selection, especially if you have your heart set on a specific pastry. A few gluten-free options are available, including macarons and meringues, but the facility itself is not gluten-free. Maison Villatte offers catering options for larger events.
Pies À La Mode
Let’s head down Route 28 back to Teaticket, where we’ll pop into Pies À La Mode. Step inside and you’ll feel like you’re right in the kitchen, where you can watch the staff whip up savory, fruit and cream pies, along with quiches, cookies and other treats. There are no secrets here, just hearty homemade classics with honest-to-goodness ingredients.
The star of Pies À La Mode is unquestionably the Chicken Pot Pie, which guests can buy ready to eat or frozen. Folks looking for a one-serving option will enjoy the pasties, in flavors like BBQ Chicken and classic Cornish.
Other Important Details: Pies À La Mode offers 5- and 8-inch pies in its fresh case and freezer. Custom orders need just 24 hours’ advance notice. Gluten-free options are available, although the facility itself is not gluten-free. Pies À La Mode is also available on GrubHub for customers who want the convenience of home delivery.
Windfall Market Bakery
We’re close to the ocean now, at the tip of Falmouth Harbor, where you’ll find Windfall Market, a neighborhood fixture for almost 30 years. Inside, just past the floral department, sits its self-described “all-inclusive” bakery, as the best grocery store bakeries usually are.
Windfall makes treats like pies, brownies, cakes, bars, macaroons, almond horns and breads on site. They welcome a large lunch crowd with individually packaged desserts, and other grab-and-go options that are convenient for folks coming from or going to the ferry.
Other Important Details: To avoid a crowd, treat shoppers should opt for the early morning or early afternoon, after the lunch rush. Windfall can also whip up cakes for special events like weddings, as well as dessert platters. Visit for more information https://windfallmarket.com
Pie in the Sky
A jaunt down to Woods Hole brings us to longtime village stalwart Pie in the Sky, a confoundingly small bakery given its plethora of pastry choices, plus coffee roasted on site. Pie in the Sky is literally much more than meets the eye, thanks to a major renovation six years ago that added a basement for extra kitchen and storage space.
You’ll want to pop over for popovers, the undisputed fan favorite, in addition to pie (of course), bread pudding, Danish, bars and savory options like sandwiches and soups. The shop’s freshly roasted coffee started as a home-garage experiment but is now a full-fledged enterprise that ships beans internationally.
Other Important Details: It’s tough to beat the crowds at Pie in the Sky, especially with the Steamship Authority ferry and its passengers a stone’s throw away. Yet, early risers and those coming in the late afternoon may get in and out more quickly. There’s limited seating inside, but outdoor tables accommodate patrons when the weather allows. Visit https://piecoffee.com
Hatchville Baking Co.
Started from scratch in a home kitchen in 2019, Hatchville Baking Co. now regularly sells out of cookies at its Mashpee Commons location. (Because of its origin in Falmouth, Hatchville Baking Co. still belongs in this article, as far as I’m concerned.)
Available cookies rotate monthly, in addition to a special flavor of the week. The fan favorite is the Salted Brown Butter, while other yummy options include Iced Lemon, Double Chocolate, Oatmeal Bourbon Pecan, Rice Krispie Treat, Junk Drawer, Cheesecake, Rocky Road and Strawberries & Cream. And Chocolate Chip, of course. Cookie aficionados can even pair their selection with merch, like hats and sweatshirts.
Other Important Details: Guests who wish to avoid a crowd should plan their visit for a Thursday, or order ahead on hatchvillebakingco.com for pickup. (If you’re not local, cookies can be shipped across the U.S.) Options are available for those with gluten sensitivities. Visit https://hatchvillebakingco.com