In the storied enclave of Waldo, where the rhythm of Kansas City pulses with a quiet, neighborly charm, there stands a sanctuary not of silent stone, but of flour, butter, and memory: McLain's Bakery. To step through its threshold is to surrender to the siren song of warmth that curls from the oven like a whispered secret. I have made it my pilgrimage to traverse the entirety of their menu, a culinary odyssey that has yielded no false steps, only a symphony of consistency that borders on the miraculous. Each offering, from the flaky, golden architecture of their pastries to the robust, honest comfort of their savory fare, is a testament to the artisan's hand. Here, affordability is not a sacrifice of quality but a generous invitation, a rare confluence where the exquisite meets the accessible. There is a certain magic in the air at McLain's, a sweetness that feels woven into the very fabric of the establishment. It is a place that understands the language of comfort, speaking it fluently in the dialect of a perfect crust or the rich, dark notes of a expertly pulled espresso. It is perhaps no surprise that such a bastion of authentic delight has garnered a reputation that extends far beyond our local borders; if the standard of excellence is high enough to grace the plate of Taylor Swift, then surely, it is more than enough for us, the grateful residents who claim this treasure as our own. Yet, beyond the flour-dusted counters and the glowing glass cases, my deepest admiration is reserved for their spirit. In a world that often measures worth in cold, transactional metrics, McLain's chooses to honor those who pour themselves into the future of our community. As a teacher, I feel that recognition in the small gestures, the welcoming nods, and the genuine appreciation they extend to educators. It is a profound kindness, a recognition that the work of shaping minds requires nourishment, both intellectual and literal. They understand that a classroom is a marathon, and they act as the essential pit stop, providing the fuel that keeps the light of inquiry burning bright. To dine at McLain's is to participate in a ritual of belonging. It is a place where the passage of time is marked not by the ticking of a clock, but by the turning of the oven trays. It is a reliable heartbeat in the neighborhood, steadfast and true, offering a reprieve from the clamor of the outside world. Whether one seeks a quiet moment of reflection over a cup of coffee or a celebratory feast that honors the simple, profound joy of eating well, McLain's remains an unrivaled steward of taste. It is not merely a bakery; it is the living, breathing soul of Waldo, a place where every bite serves as a reminder that some things in this life are exactly as good as they ought to be. read more

For the first time ever I used McLain's for catering and I'm officially bumping my review from 4 to 5 stars because honestly they did such a spectacular job at such a reasonable price I'm already wishing I had another excuse to order from them again! A few months ago my sister and I hosted a baby shower for our other sister and after looking around an options we decided to go with McLains. It was a smaller group, and we were doing a brunch theme, and our sister LOVES sweets. That paired with our desire to support local, and our shared love of McLains, this was just the most obvious choice. We ended up ordering a cake and first of all I have to say their cake flavor choices are insane - I think we settled on a chocolate cake with peanut butter filling (YUM), but I don't think you can go wrong here. We also ordered one of their pre-set pastry bundles for pick up and honestly everything was wonderful. I think I placed the order about a week out and it was ready when I came to pick it up. What pushed this experience into five star category for me? Just the friendliness of the staff, the serving tools they send you home with, and how thoughtful everyone was. The food was also really just exactly what we needed and it was so good there were hardly any leftovers, I think the kids cleared us out by lunch! At any rate, if you're on the hunt for a great spot to support for your next brunch event consider McLains - they won't let you down! read more

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Stopped into McLain's in Brookside for a quick pick-me-up and the iced dirty chai was exactly what I needed. Smooth, not too sweet, and the espresso gave it the perfect little punch. You can taste the spice but it doesn't overpower the drink. The barista was friendly and the space had good energy. Tables were full but not chaotic. Definitely a cute spot to work, read, or people-watch with your coffee. Would love a touch more boldness in the chai, but I'd absolutely order it again read more

McLain's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Everyone knows this is the place to be on the weekend! They are somehow good at everything. Drinks are delicious, the hot breakfast is homey cafe food, and the baked goods are unbelievable. You order from a counter, but even when the line is long I never feel rushed. It's a popular spot, so the seating is sometimes cramped, but tables turn over quickly. Definitely a great spot for a morning treat! read more

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Food was pretty good, just wish I had gotten something other than the Chicken Bacon Wrap. Cookie was good and coffee was better than I remember it. Cute inside and ladies at counter were very kind. Will be back but probably for breakfast! read more

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Oh my gosh what a cute open coffee/bakery shop! I had recently gone to see if they had any chiefs cookies and they had a good selection of them, ranging from sugar cookies with chiefs sprinkles to royal iced cookies that looked so professional!! Employees were very nice and I love the atmosphere a lot, the sign is just a nice touch for some good pictures! They even had a kids corner that had books and football coloring sheets! read more

My band, RELAAY, was recently on tour and stayed two nights in Kansas City. Our place was within walking distance of McLain's Bakery, and we had it both mornings we were in town. My bandmates raved about everything they had - the coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and desserts. I had one of their seasonal coffees and loved it. All of the staff members were helpful and the service was fast. I highly recommend it if you are in the area. read more

McLain's Bakery - Brown sugar pumpkin spice latte. - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I grew up on McLain's bakery cup cookies, coffee cakes and pastries. I find them so nostalgic and always yummy! The location on Gregory has so many great choices. Grab and go, cookies, cakes, drinks... and plenty of seating. I was so happy they had a gluten free chocolate chip scone and a gluten free monster cookie. Still a fan after all these years. The staff is always kind and helpful. The vibe is always cozy, neighborly, and deliciously creative. read more

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Community cuisine - absolutely love this place for its local neighborhood hub vibes but also their incredibly fresh and friendly food selections. Not to mention top notch bakery in KC! Whatever you're in the mood for, they'll have something up your alley. There's even an outdoor service window so you can grab a table outside with your own ordering window for convenience. We did this for mimosas too! Amazing staff, atmosphere and menu. read more

McLain's Bakery - Peachy Palmer - so good! Peachy twist in an Arnold Palmer. - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Delicious avocado toast, great Shirley temple. Always friendly staff and lots of places to sit and eat. Home vibes read more

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This was my first time stopping in, They have a bit of everything. As you walk in there is a little "Grab N Go" cooler with drinks and small "snack foods". Then there is an area to buy cookbooks, honey and spices. They pasty counter has a lot of different options if you are just looking for something small to munch on. They have a good size menu with sandwiches, wraps and salads. A cookie counter and a full coffee bar. I ended up getting a latte with the Iowa St Club. The latte was creamy and smooth. The sandwich was a good mix of fresh veggies and meat with a side of fresh made chips. Great place to grab a coffee and a health lunch. read more

I have loved McLains since I first moved to KC over 30 years ago. I just recently learned they have a location closer to me! The chocolate drop cookies are to die for. Chicken salad is also very tasty. read more

The young man at the register was so helpful!!! He made it fast and easy. The cake decorator even put my daughter's name on it in GOLD! All in 15 minutes! Thank you. read more

We love McLains! After many years of great service and delicious treats, we are still just as impressed with every visit. Always friendly staff, plus clean and cozy surroundings make this a staple in KC. read more

McLain's Bakery - Cutest Mema and the best cinnamon rolls around! - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This was not my first time at Mclain's and it definitely won't be my last. Everyone that works here is so nice and makes the ordering process very easy. You can go inside or order at the walk up window outside when it's nice out. The inside is a very nice, bright environment with plenty of seating for group or solo trips. This time around I ordered the Chicken Bacon Wrap which was the perfect choice for a nice sunny day and a seat outside. The wrap was packed full of flavors from the chicken and crispy bacon to the veggies and bbq ranch dressing. The raw red onions definitely had some kick to them but altogether it was a great dish and I had no complaints. The fries on the side were also nice and crispy with the perfect amount of salt. I also got a mimosa to enjoy with my meal which was exactly as you'd expect, orange and bubbly just how it should be. This was my friend's first time trying Mclain's and she was thoroughly impressed. She got the Iowa Street Club which she said was a really great dish. I was a bit jealous when it came out because it looked so good and apparently tasted even better. Her only complaint was that the chips weren't her favorite, but that's just her personal opinion. Now I can't leave a review here without mentioning the baked goods they also have available. The coffee cakes are to die for! My favorite is the blueberry coffee cake but I'm sure the others are just as good. It's honestly tough not to sit and eat a whole cake in one sitting. All of the pastries are also great including the danishes, croissants, cupcookies, and muffins, all of which I've had multiple times and will continue to order for years to come. I'd definitely recommend trying out one of the random pastry boxes to get a taste of as many as you can at once. Theres bound to be something in there for everybody. Simply put, you have to try Mclain's bakery if you haven't already. You will not be disappointed!! read more

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I stopped in on a Saturday morning, so the place was packed, and I completely understand why. McLain's has the most beautiful pastry display case, full of gorgeous looking pastries, cakes, cookies, and so much more sweetness. Talk about a sweet treat! I love how they cater everything to the season or pop culture moment (attention: swifties) that we're in by making creative pastries that fit the theme. Oh and their dirty chai was delicious! I have to come back to try more!! read more

3-stars is for decent food, good service, and nice ambiance, especially the outdoor seating. But all their bread and pastry is pretty awful. This is where I go to get mini cupcakes for little kids. So if you have kids, it's great. But adults would like the pastries better at .... Pretty much anywhere else. read more

What a great place! The staff are lovely and it is bustling with customers. We loved the orange cream cheese cinnamon roll and the almond cheese pocket. The fried egg sandwich on sourdough had a jalapeño spread with just the right amount of heat. The plain and simple on an English muffin was overflowing with scrambled eggs ( you will need a fork!). Our daughter lives in the neighborhood and it's a breakfast staple every time we visit! read more

This is just an awesome bakery! It had been around since my childhood and I've always had great memories. I have the most memories from the Waldo location but they have definitely carried over the "super special factor" to this location. Plenty of seating, more room for more treats, it is all delicious and so pretty. Fantastic service.. thumbs up! read more

McLain's Bakery - Very big bakery , this is the not so behind the scenes look at where the magic happens - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Scrumptious cookies and fun atmosphere..tried the peanut butter cookie and the monster cookie both a 10!!

I never knew a pastry could taste so good! I dropped off a client at McClai's on Gregory and decided to use the facilities. As I was walking out, the fruit pastries caught my attention, and of course, I had to try one. I chose the apple pastry, which was fresh, soft, and had the delightful taste of a buttery croissant--similar to the ones at Cheddars--with a delicious apple filling. It was absolutely fantastic! This location is small and has a cozy, neighborhood bakery feel. read more

McLain's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

We love this little bakery. The highlights of this place is everything. The baked goods are great. The food, especially the sandwiches are amazing. And the coffee is delicious. Also major bonus is their patio is very dog friendly. read more

McLain's Bakery - A happy pup - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I ordered a cake for my sister in laws birthday during the holidays. The process was seamless and fast. I emailed them a picture, they sent me an invoice confirming details and delivered exactly what I wanted. I picked up the cake the day before Christmas Eve and was worried I was going to be waiting in line due to holiday rush. They were so organized and had a different pickup station for orders and was in and out in 5 minutes. The cake was so beautiful and highly recommended their red velvet flavor! read more

McLain's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

McLain's has been a family favorite of ours since the 1960s. I even missed it when I lived on the west coast so much, it strongly factored into my relocation back to K.C. in 2023, along with the Chiefs and Kansas City's generally friendly neighborhood atmosphere, which you'll find here upon entering-- because the front door is heavy and people often hold it for others. The bakery items may get us in the door (yummy), however the service is outstanding and the friendly staff has been a feature here since WW II! Now the lunch menu is another good reason to visit. I used to think I wouldn't rate any eatery five stars. McLain's is easily worth all five. It does get super busy here, and parking is very limited, so my advice is try to arrive at off-peak times. Be forewarned: the kitchen closes fairly early some days. Best to plan ahead. Reservations aren't really a thing, so if you're not dining solo, maybe your companion snags a table while you order? I'll see you here! Hint: try the "cupcookies". read more

The bakery goods were good and the best place. Cashier is nice. Nice atmosphere. Will go back again soon.

Following up after 5 months of coming here - still wildly inconsistent. Doesn't matter if it's busy or dead, the quality of your order is anyone's guess. Today I was handed a "fresh" sandwich and when I unwrapped it, it looked like it was cooked hours ago. It sucked and was nearly cold to the touch on arrival. Coffee tasted like straight syrup today. It's the same people working - I genuinely do not understand. Charging these prices and being this inconsistent is unacceptable. read more

We stopped by McLain's for breakfast while visiting my sister, and it was incredible. The atmosphere is adorable and well-thought out. We came when it was busy, and had no problem grabbing a table. The menu is one where everything sounds amazing. We ended up each getting a different sandwich and splitting a chai scone and three mini pumpkin cheesecakes. The scone had a great flavor and would have been even better warmed up. Each of our sandwiches were delicious and full of flavor. We also each got coffee and loved the flavorful "market" syrup. I can't wait to visit again on our next trip to KCMO! read more

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This location is always too busy for the staff to come off as friendly, but I guess that says they're a good bakery. They are my go to for baked goods. The space is very cute. read more

McLain's Bakery - Special order Royal Iced Cookies - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

One of my favorite local places in KC! They have great baked goods including custom cakes and cookies! They also have a great breakfast & lunch menu! The staff is so friendly and helpful! There is indoor and outdoor seating! Great place to meet a friend for coffee! They also have merchandise, so a nice one stop shop for gifts/ parties! Highly recommend!! read more

McLain's Bakery - inside dining area - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Found the sweetest birthday cake and grabbed an amazing Market Latte on ice. A classic in Kansas City. From the ambience to service to the coffee and baked goods you can feel all the love poured into McLains. read more

McLain's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I did like this bakery. It is cute and spacious. I had the Shirley Temple, which was well made. Price was about the same you would expect almost anywhere, but costly. A can of soda and syrup doesn't cost anywhere near $6. So it's obvious they are up charging significantly. The frosted sugar cookies were absolutely delicious and massive for almost $3. I thought it was worth the price, unlike other products there. Most items are severely overpriced. They have four-inch round cakes for $20. I can make one for way less at home, and I wouldn't charge someone that much as a cake decorator, considering the fact that it wasn't even decorated. It was plain. I don't appreciate the price gouging for certain items. Some cookies are very tiny (think half dollar size) and around $2.50 a piece. However, I would go back for the reasonably priced items. I won't be spending money on things that are up charged significantly. I'm not a fan of businesses that do that as I don't like taking advantage of people, so perhaps I won't come back because of that. Unsure, but the taste of the items I had was excellent. read more

This is the perfect stop for breakfast or lunch. Everyone is so friendly. It can get a little noisy on the weekends so would recommend arriving early. It is the perfect place to work during the week. The chicken salad is my pick for lunch and a pastry is my favorite breakfast treat. read more

McLain's Bakery - Sausage and bacon quiche - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

We walked to this coffee shop from our Airbnb 3 days in a row because it was so great and we wanted to go back to try more menu items! The ambience is great. There is a side patio and a couple tables out front. They have lots of delicious baked goods you can purchase to go, or normal breakfast options for the morning. If you bring your pup, are sure to ask for a treat so they can try the peanut butter cookie. Highly recommend. Will definitely go back next time we are in KC. read more

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We wanted a spot to eat a nice breakfast, and just relax! This place EXCEEDED our expectations. The staff is extremely fast, and KIND, the food came out really fast, as well as our drinks. My husband got the pepper jack burrito, and ABSOLUTELY RAVED about it! I ordered the chorizo bowl, and it was sooo delicious. Per savory and sweet, protein packed! Definitely a new favorite spot when we're in the area!! Cannot WAIT to try their baked goods. read more

McLain's Bakery - Chorizo bowl! 10/10 - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I have been coming to mclains when it was just the Waldo cakery. It has grown so much since then and become a Kansas City staple within the community. I truly enjoy sitting down at the market while the staff are hard at work on cakes and their food menu. My favorite thing to get is the market latte with an almond croissant and then waiting on my plain and simple to come to me as my protein option! I am also a big fan of their grab and go options if you are unable to sit down! read more

This was a tasty breakfast spot. Excellent pastries to go with a hearty breakfast in the chorizo bowl. read more

McLain's Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

If you haven't been to McLain's yet then there is something really missing from your life. I think I experienced McLain's by way of their pastries and little cookies at events well before I was able to visit the brick and mortar. When I recently went into the Brookside location I felt so at home! I love how all of their stores have such an open concept with the bakeries within full view of all of their patrons. I went there for a long lunch meeting and was lucky enough to find a large enough table for our things as well as plugs for our computers. The vibes were just good. Felt like everybody there was in a good mood. Maybe it was the sunny day or the sweet treats, but I can't say I care. It was just nice! I was hungryyyyy so everything looked so so good. I really want to try some of their bowls and salads! This particular day I got the Shatto Loaded Grilled Cheese with Tomato Bisque and I think you can probably guess...it was great. And so filling. For only $10 I felt like it was a TON of food. Needless to say, McLain's isn't lying when they call themselves "Your Friendly Neighborhood Bakery" and I'll go back time and time again. read more

A delicious variety of pastries soft, buttery, and just sweet enough. Great with coffee

Good bakery. Daughters love the pastries and the customer service is top notch. Very cozy and welcoming atmosphere. This is our go to.

We stopped in here late Saturday morning. It's a popular place and there's always a line, but we were easily able to find a table. A lot of people get their food and drinks to go, so don't let the line deter you. As luck would have it, it was a two for one pastry day. We got a couple of blueberry muffins to share with our group and I ordered a latte while we waited for our food. I got the "No Meat-O-Burrito" which is a mix of 22 different veggies, eggs and cheeses wrapped in a tortilla. The food took maybe 10 minutes to come out. The burrito was a really delicious. McLain's also has several great options of hot sauces to put on it. I devoured everything at our table and left rather pleased (and full). The prices here are really good for what you get. There are plenty of vegetarian options here to choose from as well. read more