Posted in

This Madison Spot Lets You Browse Hundreds Of Freshly Baked Mexican Pastries

Welcome to Panaderia & Pasteleria Lopez, a Madison gem that’s been delighting locals since 2019 with authentic flavors that transport you straight to Mexico City.

This family-owned panaderia specializes in traditional Mexican sweet breads and custom cakes, offering everything from classic conchas to photo cakes that bring your wildest celebration ideas to life.

With generous portions at wallet-friendly prices and that unmistakable aroma of fresh-baked goodness greeting you at the door, this spot has quickly become the go-to destination for anyone craving authentic Mexican pastries in the Nashville area.

Sweet Bread Heaven

Conchas: These shell-patterned beauties are the crown jewels of Mexican bakeries, and Lopez nails them perfectly.

You’ll find both vanilla and chocolate versions with their signature buttery-sugar coating creating that iconic seashell design on top.

Meet The Beloved Bearden Bakery Where Chocolate Chip Cookies Become Full-Blown Pies Related

More in Tennessee

Meet The Beloved Bearden Bakery Where Chocolate Chip Cookies Become Full-Blown Pies

Keep Exploring →

The texture hits that sweet spot between pillowy soft and lightly crispy, making them ideal for dunking in your morning coffee or enjoying solo as an afternoon treat.

Empanadas de Queso Crema: If you’re only going to try one thing here, make it the cream cheese empanadas dusted with powdered sugar.

These flaky pockets of heaven strike that perfect balance between tangy cream cheese filling and delicate pastry shell. They’re so good that you’ll understand why they consistently appear in customer favorites lists across delivery platforms.

Bolillos: Need something savory to balance the sweet?

These Mexican French breads bring that crusty exterior with a tender, airy interior that’s perfect for making tortas or simply slathering with butter. Dating back to the 1860s when French bakers arrived in Mexico City, these breads bridge culinary cultures beautifully.

Hidden In Rural Tennessee, A Mennonite Bakery Serves The Freshest Pies You’ll Ever Taste

More in Tennessee

Hidden In Rural Tennessee, A Mennonite Bakery Serves The Freshest Pies You’ll Ever Taste

Discover More

Orejas and Abanicos: For those who love flaky pastries, these fan-shaped treats deliver with their layered, pie-dough texture. Some versions come brushed with sugar while others feature chocolate-dipped ends, giving you options whether you’re team chocolate or team classic.

Polvorones and Galletas: The cookie selection showcases everything from crumbly shortbread-style polvorones to festive galletas topped with colorful sprinkles or chocolate M&Ms. These aren’t overly sweet, making them perfect companions to hot chocolate or café de olla.

Monos (Bowties): These twisted beauties combine that soft concha-like texture with a generous coating of granulated sugar. Sometimes called corbatas, they make breakfast feel special even on weekday mornings.

Cake Perfection

Tres Leches Slices: Here’s where Lopez really shines. You’ll discover massive slices that make your jaw drop when they arrive at your table.

The sponge cake soaks up that signature three-milk mixture beautifully, creating a texture that’s impossibly moist yet somehow still airy.

The Secret To Impossibly Smooth Ice Cream Is -320°F Liquid Nitrogen At This Brentwood Shop Related

More in Tennessee

The Secret To Impossibly Smooth Ice Cream Is -320°F Liquid Nitrogen At This Brentwood Shop

Keep Exploring →

Flavor options range from classic vanilla and chocolate to more adventurous varieties like mango, caramel, and cream cheese with blackberry.

Whole Tres Leches Cakes: Planning a celebration?

The full cakes come in multiple sizes with gorgeous decorations that photograph beautifully. The frosting strikes a perfect balance of sweetness without overwhelming your palate, and the milk mixture permeates every layer without making the cake soggy.

Custom Cakes: Lopez takes custom orders seriously. Whether you need a photo cake for graduation, an elaborate wedding cake, or something whimsical for a birthday, their decorators can bring your vision to reality.

The personalization options go beyond standard bakery offerings, with customers raving about how their unique requests were executed flawlessly.

See Why This Tiny Barbecue Joint In Jacks Creek Is A West Tennessee Whole Hog Legend

More in Tennessee

See Why This Tiny Barbecue Joint In Jacks Creek Is A West Tennessee Whole Hog Legend

Discover More

Specialty Desserts: Beyond tres leches, you’ll find bread pudding that’s rich and comforting, besos (kiss cookies sandwiched with pastry cream), and seasonal specialties like pan de muerto during Day of the Dead celebrations.

The Bakery Experience

Display Cases Galore: Walking into Lopez feels like stepping into a candy store designed for pastry lovers.

Multiple display cases line the space, each packed with colorful offerings that make decision-making delightfully difficult.

The traditional Mexican bakery setup means you grab a tray and tongs, then browse at your leisure selecting whatever catches your eye.

Fresh Throughout the Day: One of Lopez’s standout features is their commitment to freshness.

This Knoxville Cafe Has Been Serving Smiles To Breakfast Lovers Since 1978 Related

More in Tennessee

This Knoxville Cafe Has Been Serving Smiles To Breakfast Lovers Since 1978

Keep Exploring →

New batches emerge from the ovens regularly, ensuring that whether you visit at 7 AM or later in the evening, you’ll find pastries at their peak. That fresh-baked aroma isn’t just for show – it’s a promise delivered daily.

Bright and Welcoming: The exterior features a colorful mural that makes the bakery easy to spot as you drive down Gallatin Pike.

Inside, the space maintains that authentic panaderia atmosphere while staying clean and well-organized. The bright displays and glass cases let you see exactly what you’re getting.

Compact but Efficient: This is a cozy space focused on serving customers quickly. You won’t find extensive seating areas for lingering over coffee, but that’s by design – Lopez specializes in grab-and-go excellence, perfect for picking up breakfast on your way to work or dessert for tonight’s dinner.

Worth Knowing

Unbeatable Value: The pricing here borders on shocking in the best way possible.

Slices of tres leches cake that would cost upwards of $10-15 at other bakeries run around $4-6 here, and they’re genuinely large portions that satisfy completely.

Individual pastries typically range from $0.99 to $1.50, making it easy to sample multiple varieties without breaking the bank.

Delivery Options: You can order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub if you prefer having these treats delivered. Many customers appreciate the handwritten thank-you notes that sometimes accompany orders, adding that personal touch even when ordering digitally.

Hours: Lopez opens early at 7 AM and stays open until 10 PM daily, giving you flexibility whether you need breakfast pastries, afternoon snacks, or late-night dessert runs.

Parking: There’s a parking lot on-site, making stops convenient even during busy periods.

Party Supplies: Beyond baked goods, Lopez stocks party supplies, making it a one-stop shop when you’re planning celebrations.

Best Times to Visit: Early morning and weekends see the highest traffic, but the constant replenishment means you’ll find good selections throughout operating hours. If you’re after specific custom cakes, calling ahead ensures availability.

Cultural Authenticity: This isn’t a bakery trying to approximate Mexican flavors for American palates. Lopez delivers genuine pan dulce cultura with recipes and techniques that honor traditional Mexican baking heritage.


Panaderia & Pasteleria Lopez
📍 913 Gallatin Pike S, Madison, TN 37115

Writer: June Holloway
Click to read bio

June Holloway is a lifelong Tennessean who grew up in the shadow of the Smokies and now writes from her home just outside of Gatlinburg. She has a deep love for winding mountain roads, American barbecue joints, and stories passed down on front porches.