Downtown Atlanta Bakery: Sweet Auburn Bread Company – Iconic Southern Bakery Loved by Bill Clinton & Foodies

Nestled in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district, between the South Korean Consulate and Georgia State University, Sweet Auburn Bread Company has been delighting locals and visitors since 1997. CNN-featured and visited by celebrities like Bill Clinton and Rachael Ray, this bakery is a Southern dessert icon. Walking in, the aroma of fresh pastries instantly awakens your senses, promising a memorable experience.

Contents

Photo of pound cakes displayed at Sweet Auburn Bread Company

Sweet Auburn Bread Company: Basic Information

Photo of the building housing Sweet Auburn Bread Company

Bakery Cafe Name	Sweet Auburn Bread Company
Address	1st Floor, 234 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Business Hours	• Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Closed: Sunday & Monday
Parking	• Parking: Not available on-site / Nearby parking recommended • Sweet Auburn Curb Market Parking Lot (Paid) • City Walk Parking Garage (Paid) • 195 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue Parking Lot (Paid)
Seating Capacity	• Indoor seating: None • Outdoor seating: 1 table, 1 chair
Amenities	• Credit cards accepted • Online order for pickup and delivery available • Takeout available • Catering orders available • Wheelchair accessible • On-street bicycle parking available
Signature Menu	• Sweet Potato Cheesecake • Lemon Pound Cake

Sweet Auburn Bread Company: Menu & Prices

Menu	Prices include tax and service charge (USD)
Muffins	• Sweet Potato N Molasses US$2.00 • Naked Hummingbird US$2.00 • Caramel-banana Nut US$2.00 • Chunky Applesauce & Cinnamon US$2.00 • Raisin Bran US$2.00 • Seasonal Fresh Fruit US$2.00
Homemade Cookies	• Bakers Dozen (13) US$12.00 • Chocolate Chips US$12.00 • Oatmeal Raisin US$12.00 • Peanut Butter US$12.00 • Big Azz Cookies US$8.00
Classic 3 layer Cakes	• Red Velvet US$55.00 • Carrot US$45.00 • Coconut US$55.00 • Italian Cream US$50.00 • Lemon Cheese US$60.00 • Caramel US$65.00 • German Chocolate US$55.00 • Chocolate US$45.00 • Hummingbird US$55.00 (layers filled with bananas,pineapple and coconut with a cream cheese frosting) • Lane Cake US$65.00
Pound Cakes	• Cream Cheese US$40.00 • Chocolate Buttermilk US$40.00 • brown Sugar US$35.00 • Lemon US$35.00 • Sweet Potato W/maple Glaze US$55.00 • Celebration Pound Cakes US$65.00 • Seasonal Pound Cakes US$70.00
Pies	• Sweet Potato US$15.00 • Southern Pecan US$23.00 • Chocolate-bourbon Pecan US$28.00 • Buttermilk Lemon Chess US$16.00 • Toasted Coconut-pineapple Chess US$21.00 • Old Fashioned Egg Custard US$15.00
Cheesecakes	• Sweet Potato Cheesecake US$45.00 (*fit for a president) • Mississippi Mud US$40.00 • Buttermilk N Vanilla US$35.00 • Strawberry US$40.00
Cupcakes	• Vanilla, Chocolate & Toffee US$2.50 • Chocolate Or Vanilla Buttercream US$2.50 • Frosting US$2.50
Cream Cupcakes Deluxe	• Delicious Filling Piped Inside US$3.00 • Lemon Cheese US$3.00 (w/7 minute icing) • Red Velvet US$3.00 (w/cream cheese)
Brownies	• Cream Cheese Brownie US$8.00
Loaf Breads	• Banana Blueberry Bread US$10.00 • Banana Chocolate Bread US$10.00
Celebration Cake (Made-to-Order, Reservation Required)	• Birthday Sheet Cake • Birthday Whole Cake
Drinks	• Coffee US$3.00 • Hot Chocolate US$2.50 • Tea US$2.50

Sweet Auburn Bread Company: Real Customer Reviews

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, in the Sweet Auburn district between the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea and Georgia State University, Sweet Auburn Bread Company is a must-visit bakery. It has been featured on CNN and gained further fame when notable figures such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and celebrity chef Rachael Ray stopped by.

Founded in 1997, Sweet Auburn Bread Company started as a neighborhood bakery and has since become a local landmark. The bakery was established by Chef Sonya Jones, a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduate—one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the world. In 2008, she was recognized by Ebony Magazine’s Taste of Ebony Awards as one of the top Black bakers in the U.S., celebrated for carrying on the Southern African-American baking tradition.

We stopped by while nearby, taking a walk to explore the area. The bakery is located at 225 Auburn Ave NE, at the intersection of Auburn Avenue NE and Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, an area currently undergoing construction.

Sweet Auburn Bread Company occupies the first floor of the Odd Fellows Building and Auditorium, tucked to the left of the main entrance. It’s a small bakery with its own entrance. Street parking is nearly impossible due to narrow roads and planters along the curb, so visitors typically use the nearby Sweet Auburn Curb Market Parking Lot for paid parking.

Interior photos of Sweet Auburn Bread Company

Inside, you’ll find display cases and counters showcasing the bakery’s offerings, while the baking kitchen occupies most of the space. There are no seating areas inside; all purchases are takeout only. The menu features a variety of baked goods, including tiered cakes, pound cakes, cheesecakes, pies, cupcakes, muffins, and cookies. Drinks include coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and a selection of bottled beverages. The bakery also offers merchandise on the right-side display shelf.

Their most famous items are the Sweet Potato Cheesecake ($45) and Lemon Pound Cake ($35). The Sweet Potato Cheesecake is a signature dish—so much so that former President Bill Clinton sampled it and praised its flavor. The Lemon Pound Cake is a crowd favorite among walk-in visitors.

Outside, there is a single table with one chair, primarily decorative, and Atlanta’s strong sun makes outdoor seating less practical. Unlike Korea, where packaging often emphasizes boxes, here items are typically wrapped in simple plastic wrap. The desserts have a distinctly Southern home-style sweetness, perfect for balancing after a rich meal.

The Sweet Potato Cheesecake combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with rich cream cheese, melting smoothly in your mouth. Its warm, nutty aroma exemplifies Southern-style desserts. The Lemon Pound Cake defies the usual dry expectation of pound cakes; it’s moist with a subtle, refreshing lemon aroma. The texture is light and balanced, making it perfect to enjoy at home with coffee or iced tea.

Photo of the strawberry brownie from Sweet Auburn Bread Company

The Strawberry Brownie ($8) is a chocolate brownie with a strawberry glaze—a predictable but enjoyable treat for strawberry-and-chocolate enthusiasts, pairing well with milk or iced coffee.

Based on our tasting, the must-try items remain the Sweet Potato Cheesecake and Lemon Pound Cake—it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. The bakery is conveniently close to Georgia State University and only a 10-minute walk from the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, making it a safe and worthwhile stop. If you’re in the area, picking up a dessert to share with family or friends is highly recommended.

Recommended Menu Picks

For first-time visitors, these menu items are highly recommended:

1. Sweet Potato Cheesecake ($45) – velvety, rich cream cheese blends perfectly with natural sweet potato, offering a warm, Southern-style comfort in every bite.

2. Lemon Pound Cake ($35) – moist, light, and infused with a subtle lemon aroma, perfectly balanced between sweetness and freshness; ideal with coffee or iced tea.

3. Strawberry Brownie ($8) – dense chocolate brownie with a tangy strawberry glaze, a must-try for chocolate and fruit lovers.

Final Verdict

Sweet Auburn Bread Company combines history, celebrity acclaim, and irresistible Southern desserts. While seating is minimal, the takeaway experience is exceptional. From the iconic Sweet Potato Cheesecake to the refreshing Lemon Pound Cake, every bite captures Atlanta’s bakery charm. Perfect for dessert lovers, visitors to nearby Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, or anyone craving authentic Southern bakery treats.

💡 Pro Tip: Parking is limited; use the nearby Sweet Auburn Curb Market Parking Lot. Wrap your desserts carefully—they’re designed to be taken home. Try pairing the Lemon Pound Cake with iced coffee or tea for the ultimate Southern experience.

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