Pune’s Bakery Secrets: 5 Underrated Bakeries Camp Pune You Can’t Miss
When anyone says “bakery” and “Pune Camp” in the same sentence, one name explodes in everyone’s mind: Kayani. We get it. The Shrewsbury biscuits are legendary, the vibe is iconic, and the line is long. But let’s be real—Camp’s culinary history is way bigger than one (admittedly great) bakery.
The real soul of Camp lies in the smaller, decades-old spots. We’re talking about the truly underrated bakeries Camp Pune has tucked away in its lanes. These are the places our parents and grandparents went to. But in 2025, are they still serving up quality, or are we just buying a slice of nostalgia?
1. Royal Bakery & Stores
The Place: Tucked away on East Street, near Victory Cafe, Royal is an institution that feels like it hasn’t changed a bit since it opened. This is not a café; it’s a proper, old-school bakery store.
The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated nostalgia. There’s no seating, no fancy branding. The air smells of yeast and warm sugar. You’ll find old-timers and long-time residents queuing up for their daily bread, which is a far cry from the Zomato-driven tourist crowd. It’s functional, fast, and wonderfully authentic.
What They Sell: Royal is famous for its bread. Their classic Milk Bread is fluffy, slightly sweet, and the ultimate toast champion. They are also legends in the “dog biscuit” category—not for dogs, but those hard, plain, tea-dipping biscuits. Their ginger biscuits and wine biscuits are also standouts. Don’t sleep on their simple sponge cakes and surprisingly good, old-fashioned cream horns.
Why It’s Popular: For locals, Royal is the daily bread supplier. It’s popular because of its unwavering consistency. The prices are a delightful throwback, and the quality of their core items (bread and biscuits) has been reliable for decades.
The Verdict: DOPE Royal isn’t trying to be anything it’s not. It’s a time capsule that still serves a vital purpose. For its rock-solid quality, no-frills attitude, and the best milk bread in the area, it’s 100% dope.
2. Naaz Bakery & Cafe
The Place: You can’t miss it. Naaz is a classic Irani cafe, occupying a prime corner on MG Road (or East Street, depending on which way you’re facing). It’s got the classic high ceilings, bentwood chairs, and marble-topped tables.
The Vibe: Bustling, chaotic, and full of life. This is the “adda” spot. You’ll see students, families, and old friends animatedly chatting over the clinking of teaspoons against glass. The service is quick, bordering on brusque, but that’s all part of the charm. You’re here to soak in the atmosphere.
What They Sell: The star of the show isn’t even from the bakery—it’s the Irani Chai. But the perfect partner for that chai is Naaz’s Bun Maska. A soft, sweet bun, slathered generously with butter. Beyond that, they have solid mawa cakes, flaky khari, and simple pastries.
Why It’s Popular: People go to Naaz for the experience. The bun maska and chai are a ritual. It’s one of the last great Irani cafes in the city, and its popularity stems from being a social hub. The baked goods are the supporting act to the main event, which is the vibe itself.
The Verdict: DOPE If you go to Naaz expecting a Parisian patisserie, you’re doing it wrong. You go for the full-throttle Irani cafe experience. The baked goods are simple, comforting, and the perfect excuse to sit and watch the world go by. For that, it’s absolutely dope.
3. Marz-O-Rin
The Place: Housed in a stunning, red-brick heritage building right on MG Road, Marz-O-Rin is an icon. Its unique self-service, token-based system is a rite of passage for every Punekar.
The Vibe: A delightful, organized chaos. You queue to get a paper menu, tick your items, pay at the counter, get your tokens, and then head to the delivery counter. It’s a system that has worked for decades. The ground floor is for quick eats, while the upstairs balcony is prime seating for people-watching.
What They Sell: Everyone knows Marz-O-Rin for its chutney sandwiches, chicken rolls, and thick mango shakes. But we’re here for the bakery counter. And it’s good. Their Rich Plum Cake (available year-round, not just at Christmas) is dense, moist, and boozy. Their sponge cakes are airy, and their Shrewsbury biscuits (yes, they have them too) are a very worthy contender for the other famous ones down the road.
Why It’s Popular: It’s a complete package. You go for a sandwich, but you leave with a cake. It’s incredibly budget-friendly, and the quality is remarkably consistent. It’s popular because it’s reliable, and its unique charm has never faded.
The Verdict: DOPE Marz-O-Rin’s bakery section is perhaps the most underrated part of the establishment. While the sandwiches get the glory, the cakes and biscuits are holding their own. The system might feel like nostalgia, but the food is still top-notch. Dope.
4. Husseny Bakery
The Place: Located on Taboot Street (Dastur Meher Road), this is another heritage spot. It’s a no-frills, old-world bakery, not a cafe. You’re walking into a place that has been serving the neighbourhood for generations.
The Vibe: Quiet, simple, and full of old-world charm. It feels like a true hidden gem. You go in, you’re greeted by the lovely smell of fresh bakes, you point at what you want, you pay, and you leave. It’s a beautifully simple transaction that feels a world away from modern cafes.
What They Sell: Husseny is legendary for its Jam Tarts—a buttery, crumbly base with a sweet jam dollop. Their nankhatai is equally famous, melting in your mouth. They also make a unique, hard, flat “biscuit” bread (patti biscuit) that is the ultimate chai-dipping vessel. And of course, their bread, pav, and mawa cakes are staples.
Why It’s Popular: It’s popular with people who know. It’s not for tourists; it’s for people who want authentic, traditional baked goods done right. The quality of their specific items (like the tarts) has been unchanged for decades, and the prices feel like a delightful mistake.
The Verdict: DOPE This is a pure bakery experience. It’s not trying to impress you with decor, just with the taste of its nankhatai and jam tarts. For preserving these simple, perfect recipes, Husseny is 100% dope.
5. K.G.N. Bakery (Khwaja Garib Nawaz)
The Place: Tucked away in the lanes of Bhop-Galli, this is the late-night bakery. K.G.N. is famous for being open when everyone else is long asleep. It’s a beacon for night owls, post-party crowds, and early-morning workers.
The Vibe: Functional. Zero-frills. This is not a “vibe” spot for hanging out; it’s a place of purpose. It’s brightly lit, you’ll see bakers hustling in the back, and it’s all about the glorious, middle-of-the-night transaction. It’s chaotic, loud, and absolutely essential.
What They Sell: One thing, primarily: Brun Maska. This is their masterpiece. A hard, crusty, round bun (the brun) is cracked open, slathered with Amul butter, and is best eaten right there, dipped in a hot cup of chai. They also sell fresh pav, bread, and sweet buns to the nocturnal masses.
Why It’s Popular: Its hours and its specialty. It’s an institution. K.G.N. is popular because it serves a crowd that no one else does, and it gives them exactly what they need: a hot, life-affirming, buttery brun at 3 AM. It’s a shared, almost secret, Pune experience.
The Verdict: DOPE An absolute, undeniable legend. It’s not a “bakery” in the quaint sense; it’s a vital city service. Going to KGN for a late-night brun maska is a rite of passage for every Punekar. Supremely dope.
Final Thoughts: Dope or Just Nostalgia?
Here’s the takeaway: these bakeries aren’t just “nostalgia.” They are dope because their nostalgia is earned.
They’ve survived for decades not because they’re old, but because they’ve never compromised on their core products. Royal makes fantastic bread. Naaz is the king of the chai-and-bun ritual. Marz-O-Rin is the master of affordable comfort. Husseny protects the legacy of simple tarts, and K.G.N. is the hero of the night.
So next time you’re in Camp, maybe walk past the big line and give one of these legends a try. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.
It’s clear that Pune Camp is full of legendary spots, but the hunt for underrated gems is what we live for. If you loved exploring these hidden-in-plain-sight bakeries, you’ll love our deep dive into the local scene in another city. Check out our review of Underrated cafes in Jalandhar that are serving up amazing vibes and even better coffee.
