About

Inspired by the bread and pastry cultures of Europe, Liv Breads was opened in 2018 by local residents.

With its modern and welcoming community-oriented vibe and seasonal and local approach, Liv Breads quickly became a local hotspot. Known for its unique and exceptional hand-crafted breads and pastry, inventive vegetarian and pescatarian sandwiches, and coffee program, everything is made daily by hand and we are full of energy and a love of great food and conversation. 

At Liv Breads, we specialize in slow-fermentation “wild yeast” sourdough breads, flaky pastries, and tender buns, cakes, and cookies. We round out our bakery items with a wide selection of café fare, including seasonal quiche, salads and spreads, and sandwiches crafted to highlight our daily breads. In 2024, we expanded with a made-to-order brunch menu. Our commitment to quality and sourcing doesn’t stop with our food, and we’ve partnered with Counter Culture Coffee and In Pursuit of Tea because in our eyes, a great pastry can only be paired with a great coffee!  Pop into our café for a croissant and cappuccino, and you'll see our bread bakers at work - scaling ingredients, mixing and shaping loaves, and baking off breads.  

Bien cuit, meaning “well-done” in French, refers to the method of baking at a high heat to achieve a dark crust and maximum caramelization of the natural sugars within. But the baking process begins with the dough. Natural sourdoughs rely on a slow fermentation process that allows the natural, or ‘wild’ yeast to develop in ways you can't find with store-bought or mass-produced bread. Our doughs sit overnight in the refrigerator for a slow, cold rise. This fermentation process, combined with our doughs which include a high water-to-flour ratio, yields a chewy texture, thin and crisp crust, and amazing aromas, with an added benefit of partially breaking down gluten. Our pastry, hand-shaped from laminated dough – doughs layered with butter  – are also baked dark to allow the sugars to caramelize and create a pastry with a satisfying crunch.  

While our heart lies in traditional breads and pastry (think flour! butter!) we offer a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan items, and we made a conscious decision to create a menu that is entirely meat‑free, focusing instead on dishes that celebrate cheese, fish, and fresh produce.

Our flagship location, which houses both our café and kitchens, is based in Millburn, NJ, with another location at The Mall at Short Hills offering a wide selection of our products. We maintain another production facility in downtown Millburn that is not open to the public.