IllustrationThree Kings bread · January 6
Rosca de reyes near you: the bakeries in 10 US cities that bake it right
Every January Mexican bakeries across the US sell out of the same thing: the rosca de reyes, the ring-shaped Three Kings bread with a baby figurine hidden inside. Here is where to get a good one in ten big cities, how early to order, and the tradition that comes with the slice.
26 places in 10 US cities · checked September 2026
until Three Kings Day
What is a rosca de reyes?
A large oval ring of soft, lightly sweet bread flavoured with orange zest or orange-blossom water, topped with strips of candied fruit — ate, figs, cherries — and stripes of crunchy sugar paste. The ring stands for a crown and the fruit for its jewels. It is cut on January 6, Three Kings Day, and eaten with hot chocolate or champurrado.
US bakeries also sell filled roscas — cream cheese, cajeta, guava — and small ones for two or three people. It is not the same as the New Orleans king cake, which belongs to Mardi Gras, though both hide a baby.
Photo: ProtoplasmaKid · CC BY-SA 3.0What happens if you get the baby?
Hidden in the dough are one or more small plastic figurines of the baby Jesus — a reminder of how he was hidden from King Herod. Everyone cuts their own slice, so nobody can blame the knife. Whoever finds a baby becomes its godparent for the year and hosts the next gathering: tamales and atole on February 2, Día de la Candelaria.
When to buy and how much it costs
Bakeries start selling roscas in the last days of December and stop around mid-January. January 5 and 6 are the busiest days of their year — reviewers across every city describe long lines and bakeries running out by the afternoon — so order a few days ahead, or go early in the morning.
Ask whether the baby figurines are baked in or come in a bag: some reviewers were surprised to find none. In January 2026 reviewers mentioned paying roughly $25–30 for a small rosca and $45–50 for a large one that feeds ten.
Where to buy a rosca de reyes, city by city
Mexican bakeries found on Google Maps and kept only where Google reviews confirm they bake roscas for Three Kings Day. Ratings as checked in September 2026. Call ahead in the first week of January.
Los Angeles, CA
Boyle Heights
La Mascota Bakery
★ 4.4 on Google · 1,631 reviews
A Whittier Boulevard institution where regulars come every January for the rosca and a cup of champurrado. Expect a line.
East Los Angeles
El Gallo Bakery
★ 4.5 on Google · 1,542 reviews
Reviewers rate the rosca highly and find the large one on the pricey side.
East Los Angeles
Panadería Los Reyes Bakery #1
★ 4.7 on Google · 119 reviews
A small neighbourhood panadería that reviewers call their favourite for rosca.
Downtown
Gourmet LA Bakery
★ 4.3 on Google · 266 reviews
Handy downtown; known for cakes, and sells roscas and other seasonal breads.
Houston, TX
Near Northside
El Bolillo
★ 4.6 on Google · 7,072 reviews
One of Houston's busiest Mexican bakeries, with a second store on S Wayside Dr. Sells full-size and mini roscas; pair it with their hot chocolate.
East End
La Reynera
★ 4.4 on Google · 280 reviews
Bakery and taquería; reviewers found the rosca soft and fresh.
Alief
Panadería La Chona
★ 4.3 on Google · 418 reviews
Known for its cream-cheese-filled rosca.
Chicago, IL
Pilsen
Panadería Nuevo León
★ 4.6 on Google · 999 reviews
A Pilsen landmark for more than fifty years, and one of the first places Chicagoans think of for rosca. Reviewers find it expensive.
Little Village
Wagner's Bakery
★ 4.5 on Google · 269 reviews
Despite the name, a Mexican bakery — reviewers call it a hidden gem for traditional roscas. Order ahead.
Back of the Yards
Panadería La Central
★ 4.7 on Google · 236 reviews
Reviewers name its rosca the best in the city; it sells out.
Wicker Park
Artemio's Bakery
★ 4.3 on Google · 346 reviews
The North Side option for a traditional rosca. Very busy on January 6.
San Antonio, TX
Downtown & Alamo Heights
La Panadería
★ 4.7 on Google · 6,853 reviews
A modern bakery-café with a rosca that reviewers love for its twist — guava and a vanilla crust. Also at 8305 Broadway.
Beacon Hill
Bedoy's Bakery
★ 4.6 on Google · 716 reviews
Traditional Mexican bakery; reviewers get their rosca here year after year. Ask about the figurines when ordering.
Dallas, TX
Oak Cliff
La Roca Bakery
★ 4.7 on Google · 276 reviews
Panadería and pastry shop; reviewers found the rosca soft and good.
West Dallas
La Estrella y Familia Bakery
★ 4.6 on Google · 256 reviews
A small family bakery that reviewers rate as the best pan dulce in Dallas; roscas in season.
Phoenix, AZ
Glendale & Arcadia
La Purísima Bakery
★ 4.6 on Google · 3,096 reviews
The Phoenix area's best-known panadería; long lines in January. The smaller store at 2318 E Indian School Rd has a rosca reviewers call the best in town — cash only there.
North Phoenix
Panadería El Güero
★ 4.7 on Google · 159 reviews
Reviewers say the roscas come warm and soft; a small one is good value.
New York, NY
Williamsburg / Bushwick
Guadalupana Bakery
★ 4.6 on Google · 253 reviews
A Mexican bakery known for its seasonal breads; reviewers who came for rosca were happy.
Sunset Park
Mi México Pequeño Panadería
★ 4.6 on Google · 203 reviews
Sunset Park's go-to panadería; reviews of its rosca are mixed — some find the sugar topping too hard.
San Diego, CA
Sherman Heights
Panchita's Bakery
★ 4.5 on Google · 703 reviews
Where many San Diego families pre-order every year — filled roscas included. Pickup lines on January 6 can run an hour.
Sherman Heights
Panadería La Buena
★ 4.5 on Google · 173 reviews
Reviewers got a rosca made to order the same day, fresh from the oven.
San Jose, CA
Northside
Panapolis Mexican Bakery
★ 4.6 on Google · 181 reviews
Known on social media for creative takes on the rosca, alongside a traditional one.
Alum Rock
Mexico Bakery
★ 4.3 on Google · 974 reviews
A local chain with plenty of roscas on the shelves in January; another store at 2811 Story Rd.
Denver, CO
North of Denver
La Dulce Gracia Bakery
★ 4.9 on Google · 217 reviews
Top-rated; roscas filled with cajeta or cream cheese, and online orders.
Aurora
Panadería Tlaquepaque
★ 4.5 on Google · 231 reviews
Family-run and friendly; a medium rosca fed a family of nine in one review.
Highland
Rosales Mexican Bakery
★ 4.4 on Google · 815 reviews
A long-standing Northside panadería whose rosca and conchas reviewers praise.
Questions
- When do you eat rosca de reyes?
- On January 6, Three Kings Day — usually in the afternoon or evening, with hot chocolate. Bakeries sell it from late December to mid-January.
- What does it mean if you get the baby in the rosca?
- You become the baby's godparent and host tamales for everyone on February 2, Día de la Candelaria.
- Is rosca de reyes the same as king cake?
- No. Both hide a baby, but the rosca is a Mexican and Spanish bread for January 6; king cake is the New Orleans cake for Mardi Gras season.
- Can I buy rosca de reyes at the supermarket?
- Yes — Latino supermarkets and big chains in Texas, California and the Southwest stock them in early January. A local panadería's is usually fresher.