Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop is a special place. It has captivated the hearts of residents and tourists alike in Fernandina Beach. When it first opened, Teresa and Mark Markarian wouldn’t have been able to grasp what it would turn into. The weight its name holds now is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The story behind the bakery is an interesting one. Teresa had an executive job that had her going all over the country. She did it well, but it was clear her true love was baking. When she wasn’t working, she was in the kitchen making cakes or any kind of dessert she could. As life does, it became more hectic. Teresa soon found herself faced with a decision: continue her executive job, which was asking more of her time, or pursue her genuine passion. Luckily for us, she chose the latter.
The bakery’s pink and white building, with its illuminated cupcake sign, is instantly attention-grabbing. And not in a bad way. The establishment radiates precisely what you’ll come across inside: a diverse collection of delectable sweets. It’s such a fun exterior that I can see why there were children outside jumping with excitement.
Multiple displays of sweets greeted me as soon as I walked in. Cakes, pies, milkshakes, cookies and cannolis were all vying for my attention. And all of them looked amazing! There were a few white tables and chairs, which were all too welcoming. With the sudden rainstorms during summer, it made for a cozy shelter.
As I walked around the shop, a few items caught my attention, and one was their boba tea. Since this location is one of the few that serves it, I eagerly had some. After asking the incredibly kind and helpful employees what they recommended, I picked out my items.
I ordered boba tea, a carrot cake cupcake, a red velvet jumbo cookie, tiramisu, an almond cream croissant and one of their whoopie pies. No, I did not eat all of this in one sitting. Do I wish I could? Absolutely. While my soul would enjoy every bite, my waistline would come back to haunt me. My grand total for this purchase was $28.25, which was far cheaper than I was expecting.
Hands down, the almond cream croissant was my favorite. They filled the buttery croissant with a heaping amount of Bavarian almond cream and topped it with powdered sugar and sliced almonds. A cup of coffee and an early morning is all I’d need to be in heaven with this pastry. Speaking of which, you can also buy a cup of coffee here.
Everything was fantastic. From the portion sizes, flavor, aesthetic and friendliness of the staff, you’d be remiss if you didn’t stop in for a sweet treat.
Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop
Address: 13 N. Third St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: 904-277-7977
Website: https://nanateresa.com/
Open: All week, hours may vary
Very nice write up! We’ve ordered many a birthday cake from Nana Teresa!
When Nana Teresa’s first opened (on Ash Street) my daughter and I visited as we were planning her wedding. Instead of a typical wedding cake, we ordered five of Nana Teresa’s outstanding cakes . . . from Red Velvet to Lemon Cream. It was the best decision we could have made. The guests were all impressed with the cakes and they had a fun time trying slivers of each!! It has been wonderful to see the business thrive and become a Fernandina tradition!!