Ahh, Flour. It’s hard to find a bakery with a higher pedigree. This sweets-and-sandwiches purveyor’s seven consistently crowded locations—spread across Back Bay, the South End, Fort Point, Seaport, and Cambridge—are helmed by James Beard Award-winner Joanne Chang. We love that Flour’s success and acclaim haven’t obscured its most immediate virtue: pure whimsy. Each location features blackboards scrawled with childish handwriting announcing specials (quiche of the day, stuffed bread of the day, etc.) and a stunning amount of bright, bountiful, and colorful baked treats.

A well-kept secret this is not. Prepare to face a throng whenever you visit, whether it’s the weekend morning-after crowd recovering over breakfast sandwiches and gossip or weekday warriors making the most of the free wifi and (not free) homemade Oreos.

On the sweet side, it’d be difficult not to pick something delicious here. But two classics always have a place in our hearts: the Sticky Bun and the Banana Bread. Flour also shines when it comes to savory offerings, with a good many vegetarian options, to boot. We count the Grilled Cauliflower Melt and the Applewood-Smoked Bacon sandwich among our favorites.

Baking isn’t the only thing Flour has mastered; add merchandising to the list, too. A wait in line offers the chance to peruse take-home goodies, such as homemade granola or dog treats, as well as baking supplies like vanilla sugar, Flour-branded aprons, or one of Chang’s several books on baking. You’ll perfect that Sticky Bun someday.