Every winter, a lot of Ohioans start counting down to one thing: paczki. These rich, filled Polish pastries show up around Fat Tuesday, and in Northeast Ohio they are practically a seasonal holiday of their own.
The best ones still come from family-run shops, where the recipes and the counter staff have stayed in the same hands for years. Here are four Ohio bakeries keeping that tradition going, from a Polish bakeshop in Amherst to a market in Oberlin that opened in 1885.
1. Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, Amherst, OH
Paczki are not donuts, and the regulars at this Amherst shop will gently remind you of that. Kiedrowski’s has built its name on the Polish pastry, and the line around Fat Tuesday proves it.
The bakery is a longtime family-owned operation focused on old-fashioned American and European breads and pastries. Beyond paczki, the case holds Polish breads, cakes, cookies, apple fritters, and even pierogi.
Keep an eye out for the snoogle, one of the house specialties that makes this stop a little different from a standard bakery run.
Plan around the schedule, because the doors stay closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours run 6 AM to 5:30 PM Wednesday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM Saturday, and 7 AM to 3 PM Sunday.
It is a takeout spot with no seating, coffee on hand, and a free parking lot at 2267 Cooper Foster Park Rd. Weekend mornings get busy, so earlier is smarter if you want the full paczki selection.
2. Gibson’s Food Mart & Bakery, Oberlin, OH
Founded in 1885, Gibson’s has been feeding Oberlin for longer than most Ohio towns have had paved roads. That kind of staying power earns a bakery some trust.
The family-run market sits at 23 W College St, right in the heart of the college town. It is known for old-fashioned chocolate candies and baked goods, and the bakery case carries a good range of flavors.
The paczki are the reason it lands on this list. They are known for a flaky, flavorful pastry and a generous filling that does not feel like an afterthought.
I like that you can grab chocolates and a coffee in the same stop, which makes it an easy pick for a gift box or a quick treat.
Gibson’s is open 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 1 PM Sunday. Sunday tends to be the calmer day, while Saturday mornings fill up fast.
3. Colozza’s Bakery, Parma, OH
Cannoli cream inside a paczki sounds like a friendly argument between two family recipes, and Colozza’s settles it deliciously. This Parma bakery brings an Italian accent to a Polish tradition.
Colozza’s is a long-running, family-owned stop with a wide spread of Italian pastries, cakes, and cookies. Cassata cake, cannolis, macaroons, and cake cups all share the case.
When paczki season arrives, the fillings get creative. Cannoli cream, marshmallow, and tiramisu are among the flavors that set this shop apart from more traditional counters.
Hours are tight, so check before driving over. The bakery opens Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM and closes Sunday and Monday.
There is free on-site parking at 5880 Ridge Rd, and orders are takeout only. Weekday mornings are usually quieter than Saturday.
4. Biagio’s Donut Shop & Pizzeria, Eastlake, OH
Donuts at 4 AM and pizza until 11 PM on weekends is a combination that makes Biagio’s a true Eastlake original. Few shops on this list keep hours like that.
The small counter-service spot at 35523 Vine St is family run and famously unchanged for about 30 years. Bring cash, since this is a cash-only operation.
Paczki here are big, filled with jellies, jams, custards, and creams, then coated in powdered sugar. The selection is wide, which helps if your group cannot agree on a flavor.
Coffee is a highlight too, and there is a restroom and a little room to eat on-site. It is a casual, solo-friendly stop rather than a sit-down outing.
Hours run 4 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 4 AM to 11 PM Friday and Saturday, and 9 AM to 9 PM Sunday. Friday evenings and Saturday mornings draw the biggest crowds.
Four families, four towns, one shared habit of doing paczki the patient way. Pick a shop, bring a friend, and save room for a second flavor.
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