For many of us, it wouldn’t feel right to end a Thanksgiving meal without a slice (or two) of pie. If you’re not in the mood for whipping up dessert yourself, but want something better and more special than a supermarket pie, there are plenty of bakeries, restaurants and cafés in Berkeley and Oakland that will do the baking for you.
Whether you’re a traditionalist who prefers pumpkin, pecan or apple pie, or if you’re looking for something different, perhaps vegan or gluten-free options, or less common sweets, like persimmon pudding or beet pie, we have several suggestions for you. Just make sure you put in your order ASAP — most spots are taking orders on or through this week for pick-up just before Thanksgiving.
Editor’s note: This list isn’t comprehensive, so we may have missed your local go-to for Thanksgiving pies. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite spot.
Berkeley
THE CHEESE BOARD The bakery at the Cheese Board is baking up pecan pies in both individual and family sizes. Small pies will be available Friday and Saturday; large pies will be ready Nov. 25-27, while supplies last. The Cheese Board is not taking advanced orders on pies. The Cheese Board, 1504 Shattuck Ave. (at Vine), Berkeley
CRIXA CAKES Crixa has already stopped taking advance orders for Nov. 26-27 pick-up of its creamy pumpkin custard pie, but there are a few other Thanksgiving specials to choose from, including a decadent amaretti cream cake, homey apple cake, spicy fresh ginger cake, light pave vergiate (flourless chocolate cake) and a classic tiramisu. Orders can be placed in-person, by phone at (510) 548-0421, or online. Crixa Cakes, 2748 Adeline St. (at Stuart Street), Berkeley
DORA PIE Downtown Berkeley pie shop Dora is offering apple, pumpkin and chocolate pies for pick-up anytime before Thanksgiving day. Orders must be placed by Nov. 26. Dora Pie, 1966 University Ave. (at Milvia Street), Berkeley
FATAPPLE’S RESTAURANT AND BAKERY A Berkeley standby, FatApple’s is once again offering its famous pies for Thanksgiving. like pumpkin, sweet potato, apple and olallieberry. FatApple’s Restaurant and Bakery, 1346 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (at Rose), Berkeley
FOURNEE BAKERY Fournee Bakery is currently taking advanced orders for pumpkin pie, apple pie and tarte tatin (apple-caramel puff-pastry). Order before Nov. 22 to schedule pick-up between Nov. 23-27. Orders can be placed in-person or by phone at (510) 549-9434. Fournee Bakery, 2912 Domingo Ave. (at Russell Street), Berkeley
HUMPHRY SLOCOMBE Humphry Slocombe offers ice cream cakes and pies for Thanksgiving, such as the pumpkin white chocolate pie and pumpkin crème fraiche cake. Order online for pick up in-store. The shop is also offering ice cream pints at a special price — buy five get one free. Humphry Slocombe, 2948 College Ave (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley
LAVENDER BAKERY & CAFÉ Lavender Bakery is offering 10% off for orders made online made before Nov. 22. (Use the code THANKS22 to apply the promotion to your order). Lavender Bakery & Cafe, 1820 Solano Ave (at Colusa Avenue), Berkeley
MASSE’S PASTRIES Masse’s Thanksgiving menu includes classics like pumpkin pie as well as holiday desserts with a twist, such as pecan bourbon tart with chocolate and gluten-free pumpkin and vanilla marscapone. Order anytime before Thanksgiving day and pick-up your desserts anytime between 8-10 a.m. on Thanksgiving day. Orders can be placed in-person or by phone at (519) 649-1004. Masse’s Pastries, 1469 Shattuck Ave. (at Vine Street), Berkeley
NABOLOM BAKERY Pecan and pumpkin tarts, along with apple and apple cranberry galettes made with Bernie’s best Gravenstein apples are on offer at Nabolom. Orders can be made through 4 p.m. Nov. 22 for pick-up Nov. 27 or by 11 a.m. Nov 28. Nabolom Bakery, 2708 Russell St. (near College Avenue), Berkeley
NATTY CAKES Baker Natalie Brown of Berkeley’s Natty Cakes wanted to offer something different than the run-of-the-mill pumpkin or apple pie. This year, she baked up a hybrid chocolate-almond toffee pie, which combines the flavors of a chocolate and an almond croissant. Pies are available for pre-order on the Natty Cakes website for pick-up at the Natty Cake’s Berkeley kitchen or Pippa & Co in Elmwood (2935 College Ave.). If you want to taste a slice before ordering a whole pie, Natty Cakes is hosting a Thanksgiving pop-up this Sunday, from 2-5 p.m. at the Berkeley kitchen. Natty Cakes, 2940 Seventh St. (at Potter Street), Berkeley
STARTER BAKERY Berkeley’s Starter Bakery is offering five pies this year: pumpkin, apple with streusel, pear hazelnut with streusel, bourbon pecan and chocolate pecan. Pre-orders will be taken until 4 p.m., Nov. 25 for pick-up at Starter Bakery on Nov. 27 until 7 p.m. (Pies can also be ordered for pick-up at Grand Lake, Castro Valley, San Ramon, Montclair and Temescal farmers markets this weekend). Starter Bakery, 901 Gilman St., suite B (at Eighth Street), Berkeley
SWEET ADELINE BAKESHOP Top off your Thanksgiving dinner with sweet treats from Sweet Adeline. The bake shop’s Thanksgiving menu includes an assortment of classics, like apple and pumpkin pie, to less common desserts, like a persimmon pudding cake with cranberries and pecans and poached pear frangipane tart. Advance orders can be placed in-person or by phone at (510) 985-7381 through Nov. 24. All orders must be picked up by Nov. 27, as Sweet Adeline will be closed Thanksgiving day through Dec. 1. Sweet Adeline Bakeshop, 3350 Adeline St. (at 63rd Street), Berkeley
TIMELESS COFFEE Vegan hotspot Timeless Coffee is taking advance orders for its dairy-free Thanksgiving pies through Nov. 20. Offerings include pumpkin pie and maple pecan pie, along with two gluten-free choices: apple cobbler or pumpkin cheesecake. (There’s also a vegan chicken pot pie, if you prefer savory over sweet,) All holiday orders must be picked up by 5:30 p.m., Nov. 27, as Timeless Coffee will be closed on Thanksgiving day. Orders can be placed online for pick-up at Timeless in Berkeley or Oakland. Timeless Coffee, 2965 College Ave. (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley and 4252 Piedmont Ave. (at Glenwood Avenue), Oakland
Oakland
ARIZMENDI BAKERY Arizmendi Bakery on Lakeshore has been offering pies for Thanksgiving for more than 20 years. This holiday, it is offering pumpkin, apple streusel and apple and cranberry pies that can be pre-ordered until Nov. 26 for pick-up on Nov. 27. Place your orders online. Arizmendi Bakery, 3265 Lakeshore Ave. (near Rand Avenue), Oakland
BAKESALE BETTY Cranberry orange along with classic pumpkin, apple, pecan pies are on offer from Bakesale Betty. Call (510) 985-1213 or email betty.bakesalebetty@gmail.com to order; pick-up between 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 27. Bakesale Betty, 5098 Telegraph Ave. (at 51st Street), Oakland
BATCH PASTRIES Over in Montclair, Batch’s Thanksgiving pie menu includes pumpkin, apple, pecan pies, along with a not-so-traditional, but still delicious, mixed berry pie. Orders must be placed by noon, Nov. 26 for pick-up Nov. 27. Batch Pastries, 2220 Mountain Blvd., suite 140 (between Stout and Snake roads), Oakland
BUTTERCUP This classic East Bay diner only needs 48-hours advance notice for pie pick-up and is open Thanksgiving day from 6 a.m.- 2 p.m. Along with pumpkin and pecan pie, other dessert options include a coconut cream pie, upside down apple walnut pie, chocolate cream pie and lots more. Buttercup Diner, 1000 Cotton St. (at Dennison Street), Oakland; 229 Broadway (between Second and Third streets), Oakland
CURBSIDE CREAMERY Not just an ice cream hotspot, Curbside also makes a damn good pie. This year, it’s offering vegan pumpkin pies, including a gluten-free option, that you can order with a quart of Curbside’s vanilla ice cream (dairy or vegan). Orders must be made by Friday for pick-up Nov. 25-27. Limit four pies per order. Curbside Creamery, Temescal Alley, 482 49th St. (near Telegraph Avenue), Oakland
LA FARINE BAKERY All La Farine locations are accepting advanced orders for its Thanksgiving menu — which includes sweet treats like pumpkin pie, apple tarte, ginger cake, sherried cherry torte, pear ginger tarte and more — until Saturday. Pastries, cookies and other breads can be bought in-store on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders can be made in-person or by phone at (510) 654-0338 (College Avenue) or (510) 420-1777 (Piedmont Avenue). La Farine Bakery, 4094 Piedmont Ave. (at 41st Street); 6323 College Ave. (at Alcatraz Avenue), Oakland
FIREBRAND ARTISAN BREADS Firebrand is baking up traditional apple pie and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, along with cinnamon currant babka, pumpkin spice loaf and gingerbread loaf. Orders must be made by noon, Nov. 25, for pick-up Nov. 25-28. Firebrand Artisan Breads, 2343 Broadway (between 23rd and 24th streets), Oakland
HOMESTEAD This year, Homestead on Piedmont Avenue is baking up three different 12″ pies: fully loaded brown butter pecan pie, caramel apple and maple pumpkin. Pre-order for Nov. 27 pick-up. Homestead, 4029 Piedmont Ave. (near 40th Street), Oakland
IT’S ALL GOOD BAKERY This North Oakland neighborhood bakery is taking advance orders of its sweet potato and pecan pies through Friday for pick-up Nov. 25-27. It’s All Good Bakery, 5622 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (at Aileen Street), Oakland
JACK LONDON SQUARE FARMERS MARKET Pittsburg-based Way to Life Foods will offer carrot pie and Fairfield-based Dot’s Baking Pantry will sell its sweet potato pie and other seasonal baked goods at the Sunday farmers market (10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Jack London Square Farmers Market, Webster Street (at Embarcadero West), Oakland
JULIE’S OAKLAND Julie’s in Temescal is offering organic pies in four flavors: pumpkin, apple, sweet potato and pecan. (Gluten-free verions are available). Place orders in-person or by emailing julie@juliestea.com. Julie’s Oakland, 4316 Telegraph Ave. (between 43rd and 44th streets), Oakland
LOIS THE PIE QUEEN Lois the Pie Queen is adding pumpkin pie to its menu this month to celebrate the holidays. Order this limited-time menu (or any other pies from its menu) before Saturday to pick up Nov. 27, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Orders can be made in-person or by phone at (510) 658-5616. Lois the Pie Queen, 851 60th St (at Adeline Street), Oakland
MARIPOSA BAKING CO. Mariposa Baking Co. is offering a special menu of gluten-free pies and desserts for Thanksgiving. Choose from pumpkin, apple, cranberry apple, and pecan pie or a New York-style cheesecake. Orders can be placed online for local pick-up. Mariposa Baking Co., 5427 Telegraph Ave. (at 55th Street), Oakland
MARKET HALL BAKERY Market Hall bakery’s Thanksgiving menu includes classic pumpkin pie, pecan tart, apple crumble pie and other decadent delights. All orders must be placed by noon, Nov. 23 and will be available for pick-up in Oakland or Berkeley, Nov. 25-27. Orders can be placed in-person, by phone at (510) 250-6001 or online. Rockridge Market Hall, 5655 College Ave. (at Shafter Avenue), Oakland; Berkeley Market Hall, 1786 Fourth St. (at Delaware Street), Berkeley
NICK’S PIZZA Nick’s in North Oakland is taking orders for Thanksgiving desserts, like pecan pie, classic cheescake, individual-size salted caramel chocolate mousse, lemon bars and chocolate chip cookies, as well as savory Thanksgiving baked breads. Orders can be made by phone at (510) 658-3903 or via email at nick@oaklandstylepizza.com for pick-up Nov. 27. Nick’s Pizza, 6211 Shattuck Ave. (at 63rd Street), Oakland
PIETISSERIE For the second year, PieTisserie will host its Sweet Thursday holiday extravaganza. For 24-hours — noon, Nov. 27 to noon, Nov. 28 — the shop stays open for customers to purchase artisan offerings, like pumpkin in chocolate crust, lemon ginger custard, pink apple, and beet pie. RSVP online for the event, or pre-order pies for pick-up (Nov. 24-28). PieTisserie, 1605 Second Ave. (at E 16th Street), Oakland
