The best Publix bakery bread is trickier to pin down than you’d think, because honestly? Most Publix bread is a downright delicacy. That Publix bakery definitely knows what it’s doing. It’s Publix policy that every location make its bread fresh every day, and you can absolutely tell. Also, to be clear: While the best bread at Publix is almost always found in the bakery section, those heavenly loaves don’t always have the longest shelf life. If you want something more shelf-stable, check the bread aisle… just know you’re compromising taste for longevity.
Publix bakery bread is a luxury I completely overlooked growing up in the South. You just don’t know what you have until it’s gone, really. I was just an ignorant child who roamed the Publix aisles with my headphones, emo indie rock blasting, while my mom did all the legitimate grocery shopping. Cut to college, when I started shopping for myself, but stupidly ignored the Publix bakery section. It seemed intimidating and expensive. But if I wasn’t so afraid of it, those could have been some of the best sandwich-making years of my life! Anyways, moral of the story: When your mom takes you to the grocery store, turn off Death Cab for Cutie and pay attention.
Not every loaf of Publix bakery bread made the list, but let me tell you: There was only one “bad” Publix bread I tried from the bakery, and that was the Greenwise Avocado Seed & Grain bread. It tastes, quite potently, like guacamole. Who asked for this? Why does it exist? I don’t know, but I have some rock-solid recommendations for the best bread at Publix.
- Pumpernickel
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I have so many childhood memories of going to the same dimly lit Italian restaurant with my parents, sitting in a booth, snug as a bug, just waiting for the waiter to bring out a beautiful basket of piping hot brown bread. I’d slather a slice in honey butter and feel like I was truly living the height of luxury. This loaf of Publix pumpernickel brought me right back to that. The flavor is earthy, dark, robust, and a little bit sweet. Is it real traditional German pumpernickel bread? Probably not. I’d wager it’s closer to wheat or rye bread injected with molasses. But it’s still delicious, well-made, and surprisingly soft.
Credit: Merc / Publix
- Mountain Whole Wheat Bread
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This springy, thin-sliced, and slightly sweet loaf is everything you could ever want from whole wheat bread. The dough is a little moist and sticky in a way that works so well with the hearty wheat flavor. (For all you Bake Off fans out there, I don’t care if that means the bread is underproofed; personally, dry wheat bread is my nightmare.) I cannot imagine a better way to enjoy a tuna salad sandwich. PSA: Don’t opt for the Publix Honey Wheat Bread hanging around in the bread aisle—that stuff tastes like it’s been sitting on a shelf, while this is freshly baked perfection and easily some of the best bread at Publix you can buy.
Credit: Merc / Publix
- Chicago Italian Bread
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There is something extremely satisfying about the texture of Chicago Italian Bread from the Publix bakery. The slices are super thin, tangy, flavorful, and surprisingly sturdy. It’s like the bread equivalent of fresh printer paper, which might be the weirdest food analogy I’ve ever made. A thin layer of chewy, firm crust on the outside keeps everything contained. It’s the perfect light sandwich bread—just don’t ask me why they threw “Chicago” in the name, like that means something. Chicago Italian beef comes to mind, but I’m not sure how that regional sub relates to this pretty standard thin-sliced bread? Someone tell me in the comments, I guess…
Credit: Merc / Publix
- Italian Five Grain
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Nine out of ten Pub Sub fans agree: When you’re ordering a Publix sub, their Italian Five Grain sub bread simply can’t be beat. The sliced version, in my opinion, is just as good. Large whole grains and seeds (cracked wheat, barley, oats, millet, and sunflower and flax seeds) coat the crust, giving every bite a subtle bitter, tangy flavor. The slices are thin and sturdy without being too seedy. One thing to note about sliced Publix bakery loaves, though—they aren’t very big, diameter-wise. I don’t mind it, personally, because I’m all about quality over quantity, but just something to consider if you prefer to make sandwiches that really stretch a plastic sandwich bag.
Credit: Merc / Publix
- Publix Sourdough Bread
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I saved my favorite kind of bread (yes, sourdough) for last in my taste test, and by then, after having so many other delicious loaves to recommend here, I was actually kinda hoping to be underwhelmed by it. Nope. Publix sourdough bread is amazing—comparable to San Luis, the brand I currently buy. It’s incredibly sour. And like all of the best bread at Publix, it carries so much flavor despite being very lightweight. Publix sourdough won’t stay fresh as long as San Luis or other more shelf-stable nationwide brands, but that bold sour tang is, in my opinion, superior.
Credit: Merc / Publix
- Tutto Loaves: Four Cheese, Onion Asiago, Garlic Parmesan
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As a former Publix shopper, I’m ashamed to say I had never tried the infamous Tutto loaves (the very best bread at Publix, according to many) before this taste test. Too often I’m presented with a beautiful loaf of bread in a supermarket bakery, only to take it home, warm it up, and find that it lacks flavor…all style, no substance. But that isn’t the case here at all. I tried three Tutto loaves, and each one was more incredible than the last. The crust on Tutto’s Four Cheese Loaf is coated in a bubbly, broiled, crunchy cheese, and the flavor carries the perfect amount of rich cheesiness. Meanwhile, Onion Asiago tastes like the softest asiago bagel you’ve ever had, garnished with crispy sauteed onions on top. But it was the Garlic Parmesan loaf that literally took my breath away—the parm on top tastes freshly grated, while the dough itself has this olive oil-and-herb infusion going for it that’s to die for. You don’t even need butter to enjoy it…it’s that good.
Credit: Merc / Publix
- White Mountain Bread
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If you’re thinking, “Ariana, how could you possibly put a white bread in first place? What’s the matter with you? Are you allergic to flavor?” Well, heard. I’ll give you this much: Yes, the Tutto loaves are objectively more interesting and flavorful. But I have to consider versatility. A great white bread is a pantry game changer. And besides, whoever said white bread was boring (it was me; I said that) hasn’t had the White Mountain Bread from Publix (also me; never had it before this taste test). I’m not sure what kind of crack they baked into this, but it’s incredible. Every slice has a balanced tang, yeasty richness, and perfectly soft-yet-sturdy texture. Nothing sliced that thin should carry so much flavor and moisture, but White Mountain Bread does. I’ll be forever mad at my past self for not buying this beautiful Publix bread on a weekly basis when it was available to me.
Credit: Merc / Publix
Publix Bread!
Publix Bread!
Publix Bread!
Publix Bread!
Publix Bread!
Runner Up
Best of the Best
Other Publix breads we tried: Publix Cheddar Herb Biscuits, Publix Onion Rolls, Greenwise Honey Wheat, Publix All Butter Brioche, Publix Rye Bread, Publix Challah, Publix Iced Cinnamon Bread, Publix Crusty White Baguette, Publix Multigrain Bread, Greenwise Avocado Seed & Grain Bread
When I saw this article I immediately thought of the white mountain bread and I see the author agrees with me. Still she gave me ideas about others to try. Excellent article
I can never decide between the pumpernickel and the rye, so the marble rye is my favorite. It’s the best of both worlds and incredible topped with Muenster cheese. But then again, all Publix bread is amazing!
You missed the pan de queso! My wife swears by it and we always get so if it’s available:
You gotta try the sunflower seed bread, it’s incredible! I eat it straight out of the bag, untoasted, with a schmear of nice butter. It’s perfect.
All Publix bread is awesome but the breakfast bread is excellent choice too!
The cranberry walnut is my fav! It’s so good toasted with butter for breakfast. Yum!!