Milford Baking Co.

There’s a particular magic to a real from-scratch bakery on a walkable Main Street, and Milford Baking Co. delivers it right down to the warm smell that drifts onto the sidewalk before they’ve even opened. The bakers here start before sunrise so everything’s at its freshest by the time you arrive: pillowy donuts, giant cinnamon rolls, muffins and danishes, buttery biscuits, oven-baked breads, hand-crafted pies, and made-to-order specialty cakes for when the occasion calls for one. They work with local suppliers and lean on old-fashioned techniques, which is exactly what you want from a neighborhood bakery. Pair a pastry with a hot coffee and you’ve got the ideal, low-effort start to a downtown morning — or a box of treats to bring along to wherever you’re headed. It’s simple, homemade, and done with care. On our list as the sweet, early-morning heart of downtown Milford — get there before the cinnamon rolls sell out.