Baker & Spice

The new endeavor from the makers of Wagas, Baker & Spice has opened on Anfu Lu to serve as your yuppie neighborhood bakery (as well as bread supplier for the Wagas chain). Emphasis is on the large baking space in view from the actual retail area in the front. Large windows to this clean space ensure that the customer knows that the bread is baked here. The retail space has an emphasis on wood and natural accents to showcase the breads, pastries, muffins, and granola.


The display case was lined (though in a limited number) with cakes, pastries, and bread loaves in a way that was very attractive to the patron. The bread is good. That is the main selling point of this bakery. It is not a rock, it does not fall apart unnecessarily, it is not bland nor overpowered. Westerners missing a quality loaf of bread should come here and fork over way more than they would expect to pay in their home country for the staple that is now a luxury item in Shanghai.

On my one-stop visit, I was starving having not eaten breakfast nor lunch and it was almost 17:00. The zucchini, carrot, and poppy seed muffin with cream cheese frosting was a tempting buy at 15RMB. There were a selection of pre-made panini they will gladly heat and press for you ranging from 40-45RMB. The salami, spinach, pesto, cheese, and tomato one seemed like the most appealing option, though small for the price paid. 60RMB is a big hit to the local wallet. The panini was average, though the bread it was made with was very nice and not too chewy or soft. The muffin was a good fix as well, though a little crumbly and slightly dry, it was still light and flavorful.

Generally out of the way from major commercial areas in Shanghai, Baker & Spice is a decent local option. Don't expect to sit and hang out at this bakery though as there is only one long table and a few chairs. If you are in the area, check out Baker & Spice, but you can also taste the bread from your local Wagas chain.

Baker & Spice. No. 195 Anfu Road, Shanghai, China. 安福路195号1楼 Open daily 7:00-20:30
Dean Brettschneider at GlobalBaker.com