The 19 best cake shops and cake bakeries in Monterey County

A relatively small shop that was decently busy, probably because of its location. We spent just over $10 for a chocolate chip cookie and an eclair. The cookie was moist, not in the sense of being a good, soft cookie, but rather in the sense that it absorbed moisture while sitting there. It was still good, however. The eclair was not much to rave about. The filling was light, with a good amount of sweetness. The shell was stale as opposed to crisp and delicate, and the chocolate glaze was tasteless.

Best coffee and bakery in town. My husband tried 3 in one day and we came back here a few times! Line goes by fast! Worth the wait. Lobster tail was my favorite pastry!

Carmel classic finally gave it a try! Every time I’ve been to Carmel (even way back when I was a teen!), there’s always a line outside Carmel Bakery. So this trip, we finally decided to see what the hype was about. The display case looked tasty. Giant pretzels, colorful macarons, tons of pastries, and gelato that totally grabs your attention. I’m a pistachio lover, so I went straight for the pistachio gelato affogato and a pistachio cannoli. Both looked exciting, but the flavor was a little more artificial than I expected. I was hoping for that fresh, nutty, homemade pistachio vibe. Still, I appreciated how nicely presented everything was and how many options they had. I’d definitely come back to try something different next time. Maybe one of their famous everything pretzels or an eclair. The spot itself is iconic, and the staff were friendly even with the line out the door. Overall worth another stop on.

It’s got some good sweet treats but I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about. Maybe I need to come back and try a breakfast burrito in the morning. I’d come back but it’s not THAT good that I’d wait in a super long line for like we’ve seen before. Small little shop so not really any place to sit. The staff was fine although I sensed a little annoyance from the guy taking our order. He was shoving food in his mouth while taking our order and was rolling his eyes when we asked for stuff they were out of.

There is always a long line here. We decided to wait in the line this time and we were pleasantly surprised with the pastries. Almond Horns are our favorite. The pistachio mousse cannoli is very delicious.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ Food: Coffee & Pastries Pretty much another bog standard Carmel coffee shop. They all seem the same. It wouldn’t be fair to call this a bakery as it’s not in the traditional sense. Yes, you can buy pastries and a good selection too, but no bread. Staff are friendly and the coffee decent. The pastries are nothing to write home about though but were good sized for the price. Not sure why there are such long queues either. Hey ho! What I liked: • Large pastry selection • Decent coffee • Friendly service What I didn’t like: • Unnecessarily long queues • Could have arranged the seating better • The pastries whilst ok could have been made much, much better. Do I recommend going? YES Will I go again? YES Was it good value? Relatively Price Point: $

Delightful little stop, there was a long lineup to order but the line moves pretty quickly. We got the mango gelato, walnut pastry & shortbread cookie - everything was absolutely delicious. This place is California’s oldest bakery and running for over 120 years.

The French onion soup was about the best we’ve had. The beet salad was delicious too. But the Coquille Saint Jacques (Wild scallops and shrimp, bechamel sauce, baby carrots, basmati rice) was phenomenal. Steak frites were good. Loved the crème brûlée and pear tart. Wish my soda was filled quicker but that’s my only complaint. We’ll be coming back here.

I have yet to get a meal here that wasn't FANTASTIC. My go to is the French Onion Soup and it is always satisfying. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, and the staff have great personalities and very helpful. Boissiere is my first stop every time I come to Carmel.

TLDR: Food sucked and wait staff were rude I’ve never sent back food before… We sent back the beef bourguignon. It was terribly cooked, super dry and the pasta was stale. The chef came out to the other side of the room and glared at my husband for sending it back without talking to us. Then a different waiter came over and lectured us on that’s how “it’s supposed to taste.” No, I’ve had military dining facility beef better than that. I’m not an expert and I’ve never made beef that bad. The middle of my chicken pot pie was frozen. So I asked them to heat it more. This was after we were asked 2x if we had a reservation (they only had 3 tables total the entire time we were there so I’m not sure why that mattered) and I had to call after the waitress because she didn’t even take my drink order. She asked my husband what he wanted and then left us. We had to push to put in our dinner order too. As if we were such an inconvenience and they were about to get 50 guests. After I was finished with the re-heated pot pie, they did send over a complimentary piece of cake. If they weren’t so rude that would’ve been a nice gesture but the beef was objectively terrible and I don’t appreciate being lectured that I’m wrong about it. It was also too warm in the restaurant.

Our expectations might have been too high due to the great reviews. Too many mistakes made for a less than enjoyable anniversary dinner, even though the food was pretty good. First, we were served wine, my husband tasted it and it was very good. Unfortunately, it was not the wine on the wine list. We didn’t notice until we drank half the bottle. It would’ve been absolutely fine if they told us that that particular wine was not available and asked us if they can substitute. But that is not what happened. But, we did enjoy the wine. Second, We ordered the charcuterie and was told that it was no longer available. We then changed to the baked brie and truffle pate for my appetizer. We started eating the baked brie but noticed there was no pate. We called the waitress and let her know. Her response was “there is no pate?“ I am not quite sure how the waitress who brought us the appetizer could not have noticed that half the appetizer was missing. She did bring over a separate plate of pate, but it was obvious that it was not a truffle pate, but just plain liver pate. Once again, the pate was not bad, just not what was represented on the menu. The table next to us had to call their waiter back also. The special that they ordered was a chicken breast dish. He told the waiter he has a chicken thigh and a leg on his plate instead of a breast that was the special and asked what had happened. The waiter shrugged and no real explanation was given. The gentleman was not very happy. If a restaurant asks the table, if they are OK with the substitution beforehand, that would be acceptable to a point. We didn’t like that they left things out or substituted without even asking the diner first. Even the wine. The food tasted perfectly good, but we left feeling a little scammed .

Good food, great desserts! They made sure food is all served at the same time 😎 the interior is really cute but a bit stuffy.

A lovely experience great sandwiches and onion soup! It is quiet and the servers and owner are so friendly.

We asked for a table for two + our husky. They were able to sit us all down in welcoming and separate area. All staff were gracious and patient and polite. The French cuisine was quite delicious and both the brunch and regular menu were easy to navigate and order from. Served a full water for the table and some bread to get us started. Full flavors in the chicken pot pie and eggs Benedict were phenomenal. Check this place out.

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe is a charming spot with a cozy atmosphere and an incredible selection of freshly baked bread and pastries. Their coffee is delicious, and I love that they offer gluten-free pastry options as well. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, making every visit a pleasant experience. Plus, there’s plenty of parking, which is a huge bonus. Highly recommend stopping by for a treat!

Lafayette Bakery in The Barnyard shopping center is an absolute must-stop if you’re in Carmel Valley and craving a true French bakery experience. We visited in the morning and were instantly greeted by the heavenly scent of fresh-baked bread, buttery pastry, and espresso in the air. We ordered a round of pastries and couldn’t stop smiling with every bite. The butter croissant was textbook perfect—golden, flaky layers with a tender, airy center that practically melted in our mouths. The ham and cheese croissant was equally delicious, with a gooey, savory filling wrapped in that same delicate pastry—comforting and indulgent without being heavy. The standout for me, though, was the lemon-filled pastry. Bright, tangy, and smooth, the lemon curd filling was tucked inside the softest pastry shell and topped with just a dusting of powdered sugar. It struck the perfect balance between sweet and zesty. We paired our pastries with lattes from the coffee bar, which serves rich, well-pulled espresso drinks that make a perfect match for anything in the pastry case. Sitting out on the patio surrounded by blooming flowers and happy customers felt like a little escape to a French village. Whether you’re craving a buttery classic, something sweet and citrusy, or a savory breakfast bite, Lafayette hits every note. They also have a variety of sandwiches made to go. Don’t miss it if you’re in Carmel—you’ll be thinking about that croissant long after your visit. Grab some to go to!

Love their croissant and salmon/spinach quiche! I have yet to try to lemon meringue tart but I'm pretty sure it'll be yummy, too!!! It's a small bakery but they have quality food!!! Ambiance is cozy and cashier was very pleasant!

Ordered the Ham and Swiss croissant, chocolate almond croissant, palmier, and a latte — all excellent quality and beautifully made. Beyond the great pastries, I was happy to support this bakery because they stand for something meaningful and proudly support LGBT+ and Black lives.

Delicious pastries and very friendly people. Hot beverages only but also very tasty! A must stop when in the area.

Ordered a vanilla macchiato, and it was honestly disgusting. It was almost entirely over-aerated foam, more like an extremely dry cappuccino than a macchiato. They also shorted me about an inch of milk, and the espresso tasted burnt, so bad I tossed it after two sips. My husband ordered two pastries — an almond croissant and a blueberry brioche — and both were stale, like they’d been sitting out for days. The photo shows the so-called “macchiato” just seconds after getting to the car. I should’ve gone back in for a refund, but the two female employees working that morning couldn’t have cared less. Save your money and your time.

Stopped in for some baked goods and hot coffee. The bakery is abundant in selections, from sweet baked goods to savory delights and sandwiches. Their breads are quite fantastic and the mini baguette into which they fill with ham and cheese (for example) to make a sandwich is beautifully chewy in texture. Their croissants are a class on laminated dough and their various tarts are on just crisp tart crusts where the fillings are not overly sweet and full of the innate flavors of the fruit filling. One stand out that I discovered (ordered 1 to try, went home with 14) was the bacon and cheese puff! Beautifully gougeres (savory choux pastry) that is airy, eggy, and cheesy... Chunks of bacon dotted through out, and a lovely crispy cheesy skirt that surrounds each puff! Don't miss these awesome puffs! (See photo of x-section)

UPDATE: I’ve gone back to this bakery once more and we tried the apple pizza, the passion fruit white chocolate mini cake, and one more pastry and we were once again blown away with the balanced sweetness of the fruit and soft pastry. We have tried multiple bakeries around this area, multiple times, and I will say this is THE BEST bakery in Monterey. Some bakeries may have a long line out the store, but don’t get fooled. This will be the best one you taste in town. We went here during our stay in the morning (right before a line formed) we shared a table with a local who lives in the area. He stated this was his favorite place in the state. We got three different pastries, cherry and peach croissant, a regular croissant, and a lemon tart. We also got a chai latte and a regular coffee. We absolutely loved it. The tart was our favorite, the atmosphere is lovely and the pastries made fresh taste amazing.

Once upon a time, a love affair began with almond croissants. Specifically Parker’s almond croissants, and you’ll understand once you sample those, but— things moved forward past small pastries in our relationship. We elevated to birthday cake last year (The Experience) and this year “The Tropique”. We’re at a celebration point where I feel that if I were to get cake from another place for my Aunt’s birthday, we’d have some unhappy people (myself included). Also, try their quiche. Roasted tomato goat cheese is superb.

Friendly customer service despite how busy it was. The quiches were amazing, got the mushroom and spinach ones. Noticed some of the sandwiches weren’t made in house but delivered from somewhere else. Their almond croissants 🥐 and morning roll was pretty tasty. I just wish the inside was fluffier and not so dense. Overall a small clean ambience inside and about 4 tables to eat outside. I noticed everyone was grabbing and going the entire morning..

We ordered our lemon raspberry wedding cake with buttercream frosting from Parker-Lusseau Pastries, and it was everything we dreamed of — absolutely delicious and beautifully made! From the start, working with Anne was a wonderful experience. She was extremely responsive via email and made sure all of our requests were fulfilled. The team was so accommodating and ensured our cake would be ready and perfect for our special day, which gave us such peace of mind. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how good the cake tasted — light, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweetness. Side note: Their almond croissants are incredible — we’re obsessed. We’ve already decided to come back on our one-year anniversary to pick up a mini version of our wedding cake and relive the magic of that day. Huge thanks to Anne and the whole Parker-Lusseau team for making our celebration so special!

Very cute pastry and bread shop in a historic building. Friendly staff. Outside sitting. We had a brioche, a croissant and a peach and blackberry tart, and a latte with oat milk. All tasted vey good.

OMG....the almond croissant was to die for. It rivals those that I've tried in France...hell, this one is probably better than most I've tried in France. Yummy yummy in my tummy!!!! Enjoy!!

Hands down the best pastries I've ever had till now. Surprisingly amazing latte too. We tried a lot of french pastries and loved all of them - both savory and sweet ones. One pastry with puff layers and vanilla cream filling, I forget the name - it was so delicious, it blew my mind. You can get the limited seating if you arrive early. During long weekends, holidays, it's hard to get any seating at all. Definitely a must visit.

Their manager named Leonard keeps canceling my prepared food orders. I guess they don't want my money anymore. The last time I was there picking up a big catering order, Leonard told me that he would help me load it into y car but he doesn't want to break his back. I thought he was joking because each tray waited no more than 15 lb, I should have returned my catering order to the store right then and there

The salad bar and the hot food bar are just awful. It seems like the people who prepare the food never even taste it. The sesame chicken cole slaw today was terrible! About ten years ago their food was good. Now, it tastes like they pay minimum wage to the chef, who then gets their revenge by making disgusting food. Update...their reply is meaningless. I have been telling them for years that the food is bad. They do not care.

We love our Whole Foods. Fantastic customer service.. I'm blessed to have such a high-end store with top shelf products that is matched by truly exceptional customer service.

The produce is the best in Monterey. I can’t shop there for everything but that is ok. I looked for another contact on website and could not find one so my only criticism of the experience at this store is associates on floor never greet you. All the checkers are great except my experiences with Matt who seems to hate his job. Lat visit I said hi hoping to someday get a friendly response. As usual this last visit I asked if he was having a good day and he said no. Not saying he could be going through stuff but for the last three years?

Clean, well stocked, friendly staff. Hard to find a Whole Foods that is not quality shopping. This one doesnt disappoint and decent parking options.

I don't usually right reviews but I wanted to point out how unprofessional supervisor Leonard was when I was trying to talk to him about my issues with prepared foods department. He was more paying attention to my daughter who didn't even say a word.... As if I wasn't even there. I know she's Young and pretty but u makes it too obvious .

Good quality products. Fairly quick checkout. Our 1st choice for organic fruits for our kids. Seafood and meat products are high quality. I also love their deli products, often get turkey and roast beef for delicious sandwiches.

Patisserie Bechler provided exactly what we were hoping for our wedding! The team there coordinated between the head baker and staff to review inspirational photographs and worked with us to provide a beautiful cake and petit fours dessert bar for guests. Not only was the cake beautiful and exactly what we hoped for, but was also delicious, one of the best lemon cakes we’ve ever had. Their team coordinated with the venue/day of coordinator and delivered everything at the perfect time to allow for setup. Everything looked beautiful for the cake cutting and guests loved the petit fours! We will be back to enjoy their pastries the next time we are in town!

Such a good little place ! We had a light and easy lunch- I got the grilled cheese with turkey and it was so good (avocado, lettuce, turkey, cheese, tomato). And I got a vanilla iced latte and it was pretty tasty! Overall great little place.

This place is a GO-TO BAKERY! Lunch was very good and the tomato spinach-feta quiche was very soft. The quesadillas were impressive coming from a French restaurant. But the BAKERY!! All of the sweets here are just amazing. Triple chocolate mousse-amazing. Tiramisu-amazing. Just make sure to reserve sweets because they usually run out very quickly. Overall this place is a go-to bakery for locals and tourists! 5/5

First time visiting the area. I was brought here to grab a coffee and a pastry. Variety of pastries to choose from. The seating area has a home garden appeal surrounded by succulent plants. I ordered the blueberry muffin and every single bite was heaven. The crisp top melts on your mouth of deliciousness.Right when I was about to finish - endless amounts of blueberries for the grand finally. The best blueberry muffin I had.

Loved this place & the delicious croissants! Markus who commented below w/ a 2 star rating, and prefers croissants from Costco, has very bad taste. I am glad our paths will not cross when I pick up another batch of croissants from Patisserie Bechler in the future :)

The absolute best bakery in town! My family absolutely loves the pastries and desserts at Patisserie Bechler. Chef Gerard is very talented and puts so much time and effort into making such unique pastries. I have requested several custom orders and the service is always impeccable! I recently ordered two cakes—Black Forest and a Passionfruit Mousse—for my daughters baby shower. The cakes were stunning and delicious, and everyone asked where they were from! We also absolutely love the mini mushroom and broccoli quiches, the mini eclairs and fruit tarts, the Napoleons, and the lunch sandwiches. Everything about this bakery is perfect!

Amazing, delicious French pastries. The Artichoke soup and quiche were very good!

There was a small line when we visited on the weekend but the staff quickly managed it and took orders attentively. Friendly service. Nice bread. We had hot sandwiches—ham & cheddar, and turkey & avocado. Both were incredibly delicious, especially served hot, straight from the counter. We were super satisfied. They also offer brewed coffee with options of light or medium roast. Overall it’s a pleasant spot to enjoy fresh bread and pastries.

Ive come through here a few times and had the turkey sandwich and the ham and gruyere croissant and both were great the decorations and vibe is all super fun and easy on the eyes besides the occasional frowny worker with little to no customer satisfaction everything is great.

I regularly get my bread here. They have a nice assortment of options, including gluten free ones. It can be a bit expensive for the size, but it's significantly cheaper to buy a day old loaf, which still tastes great and lasts well. The pastries are tasty as well; although,I have had the avocado toasts a few times and would not recommend the Westside toast as it is overly salty, the lemon extract doesn't go well, and is overly priced for the quality. They have a lovely little shop in the back with local and artisanal goods, where I get my gochujang when available.

Great spot on the west side for coffee, chai and the best pastries. We love the bacon, egg and cheese galettes. Today they had French toast which looked amazing. Bread and pastries are always fresh. Staff moved through the line quickly.

Whenever I travel I have to sniff out the best local coffee/croissant place in town. This was at the top of my list. I got a ham and Gruyère croissant which was pretty good but it only had once slice of ham and the cheese was sparse. I got a yogurt granola thing which was unspectacular. Scone was also just okay but was a nice size. COFFEE WAS GREAT. Vibes are excellent, love that you can see them rolling out the dough from the glass wall.

Beautiful location. Very popular. Many delicious-looking items to choose from. All of the food was yummy. The sticky roll was a bit too sweet for my taste. The buckwheat scone was unique and tasty. The butter croissant was fresh and light.

Delicious, hip bakery with tons of fresh bread, pastries, good chai latte. Indoor and outdoor seating. We got the veggie frittata and a bun thing (I forget the name, but it was truly spectacular!!) first time here and we love it. Totally Worth it!

Good selection of sandwiches and pastries and drinks. Yummy food and deserts. Spacious and beautiful outdoor seating. Cons: no spoon and forks available. Even though I asked for them, they didn’t fill up the canisters and just gave me two. watermelon drink was so sweet.

Absolutely loved everything we tried here! We got a scone, a pastry and two different toasts. The smoked salmon toast was the winner. The avocado toast was good too. Highly recommend! We got here at 8am on a holiday weekend and hardly had to wait in line, but by the time we left there was a line down the block.

Was actually trying to go to Ad Astra this morning but they had a sign said that deep cleaning in progress so they were unexpectedly closed. Walked down to Alta instead and got 6 different croissants, a few sweet pastries and a small loaf of bread with tomatoes, cheeses and herbs. 2 chai lattes both with double espressos added to them. We ended up eating a few of the croissants and sipping coffee in the courtyard in the back. Plenty of space and tables, even dog friendly Sure all of that was fairly expensive but did we enjoy everything we got? Hell ya. Would come back again.

Beautiful cafe! The small indoor area opens to a much bigger outdoor space with beautiful trees and flowers! Can't believe that it is right in a downtown area. The food is amazing too! I got Reuben croissant which is rich but balanced with sauerkraut. It is packed with the sliced cured meat as well. Very enjoyable experience!

It is worth the long line that might occur on the weekends. They got fresh bakery items. The sandwiches are well presented and are appealing. I had avocado toast that was fresh and beautifully presented with more fresh items like radish and even edible flowers. The latte was well prepared using high quality coffee beans. Don't forget to check out the very interesting coffee machine.

Found this place on Instagram and it was awesome! I’d recommend going early on the weekend as the line can easily line around the building. We went with our dog and found a table outside easily. The only negative was that the outside was dusty

My husband and I came on a little trip and stumbled upon your place — and it was love at first bite! The food, the service, and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing. We came back every day to try something new, and each time we left happy because everything was incredibly delicious. Thank you for making our vacation so tasty!

I always get so excited when I find out that one of my couples went to Layers to get their wedding cake or cupcakes. I have photographed a few weddings where the dessert was from Layers and always heard wonderful things about flavor and texture. I even tend to enjoy some dessert myself here and there, and always LOVE the sweets!

Hilary and the Layers team went above and beyond with our wedding cake! 6-inch chocolate cake with fresh strawberries in the middle and the perfect amount of fluffy buttercream. We debated how much we should save for our one-year...and ended up eating the whole thing now and saving a few bites for later. It was that good. If you're looking for a wedding cake baker, look no further!

We worked with Layers for our wedding and we absolutely loved how our cake turned out. Not only was the flavor spot on, but so was the decor! I gave them my inspiration photo and they 1000% delivered! :) We aged the top layer in our freezer to enjoy a year later (today was the day) and the cake tasted JUST as good and as the day of the wedding. We can see why this bakery is on the preferred vendors list for our venue. Thank you to Hilary & team!

Their older employees are always so rude I went in today for some pastries and as I was ordering the most simple cookies the employee told me to slow down in a rude tone… could have said “ can you repeat that again” not “ slow down” … I worked in customer service she needs some more training makes me not wanna come in anymore!!

Our wedding cake was absolutely phenomenal. We went with german chocolate and the carrot cake flavor— the guests still comment how good the cake was. They delivered to our venue with absolutely no problems. Super easy to work with throughout the process. The only downside is that the wedding cake turns out so much better than the cake samples that they provide you, so I wouldn’t judge what your wedding cake will actually taste like from the samples. Would absolutely recommend for your wedding in the local area! Thank you again!

Layers Cakes are Awesomely Delicious!!!! 🍰 The staff is quick and friendly 😁. My family's favorite cupcakes are the lemon baby-cup cakes and the recess-piecess cupcakes. The place is always clean and welcoming. The cakes are freshly made. The variety of flavors in both cupcakes and regular cakes is great! The only downside is that they are close on Sundays which is my cheat day 😂

We ordered our small wedding cake here. It was a destination wedding so everything was done through email. The email correspondence was nice and easy. Everything was clearly explained. We emailed inspiration pictures was was then given a quote. When we picked up the cake I was stunned. It was absolutely perfect and looked better than the pictures I had sent. I brought in my own flowers and they bakers placed them on the cake for me. The cake was so beautiful we were afraid to eat it, but eat it we did. It was a princess vanilla cake with raspberry filling and buttercream frosting in a stucco style design. It was the most delicious cake I've ever had. Moist and soft and sweet. We also ordered a few cupcakes while we were there and they were just as good as the cake. On top of the great cakes we received very friendly and helpful service while we were there. I don't know their names but the two ladies who helped is could not have been nicer. They answered all our questions and alleviated any concerns with a smile. I cannot recommend Layers enough.

The place looked nice inside - there was not too much space inside to consume the coffee but there were tables outside and also a large seating area mainly for eating food. The peanut butter cookie was fine but nothing exceptional at all. The coffee was bad unfortunately - even the iced latte tasted very bitter and cappuccino neither looked nor tasted well. I don’t recommend this place for coffee but they have ice cream, maybe that is better

😮‍💨🍪🥐🔥 I mean C’Mon!!!!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼 so good!!!! I don’t even know what I got…it was some berry pastry that was lit! I wish I remembered the staff members name that helped me, but she described it as amazing…and I was like…”sure, fine, I’ll try it” 😳😳😳 it was so damn good! Then my wife got their gluten free carrot muffin…10/10. A lot of bakeries have terrible g-free items…well R+R nailed this one. Moist and tasty 🤙🏼 I was bummed that they didn’t have the chip cookie , but I went with the standard chocolate chip cookie and it was legit, 10/10. Do yourself a favor and head to this spot. If I lived close by I’d be about 15lbs heavier and it would be worth it. 🫡🙏🏼🫵🏼🔥

Great little bakery. They had some unique pastries and breakfast items. We wound up getting the Sausage Breakfast Burrito and the Avocado Tartine with hot tea and a Double Espresso. The ladies behind the counter were great; warm and friendly. If you’re looking for a quick bite to go, I highly recommend this place. Wound up coming back for breakfast again. Grabbed the Salmon Tartine and a Gruyère,leek and onion Danish this time. Both were fantastic!

Gr8 food and coffee, especially for those looking for GF baking. Vanilla latte was excellent, americano was mid at best (sour). Longish wait during car week, about 15min on a Saturday afternoon, no biggie if its good. And believe me, it was good. Actually was the best almond croissant I have ever had, largely because the healthy amount of filling. Be warned, very pricey. GF blueberry muffin ($7.5), GF brownie ($8), almond croissant ($6.5). All 3 were delicious but, 2 coffees and 3 pastries came out to +$35 USD+tip, crazy Carmel prices lol.

Stopped by for breakfast and it was delightful. Coffee is coffee, pretty good but not amazing 7/10. The pastry case looked really good. Croissant was 10/10. Crispy on the outside but not dry and not too hollow. The brioche buns looked super soft and pillowy too! Breakfast pizzas was so super good! Egg yolk was perfectly just set but still golden yellow. Lots of seating inside and outside for a chill morning. Would definitely come back.

this is the best bakery in carmel by far! I love the variety of different pastries and the quality of ingredients💕 I also appreciate the gf muffin option:) The coffee is okay BUT do NOT get the matcha.

I had pretty high expectations for the pizza here but I was quite underwhelmed. The Roam pizza I ordered was covered, in the driest, bitter, flavorless broccoli that I found myself trying to avoid every bite. It was also strangely cold when it got to me, even though it came out quite quickly. The sauce had potential but it was just spread way too thin. I can understand being conservative to give the crust room to rise, but this was such a stingy layer of sauce it was dry and flaking by the time I ate it. I definitely enjoyed the crust though, it had that perfect chewy bite and mildly charred flavor I really like in a pizza crust like this. Honestly I think my biggest mistake was ordering the Roam pizza instead of, say, the Tarte D'alsace. Having seen it on someone else's table, now *there's* a pizza that sounds (and looks) good. But to have the namesake pizza be this disappointing is kind of sad. The croissant was quite nice. It had an intensely rich flavor and a decent flakiness to the outside. Maybe a tad too greasy for my liking but hey, that's where the taste comes from. Unfortunately I had to go back and ask for it because the person I ordered it from forgot to bring it out. She was kind and apologetic though, so no biggie.

We were so happy with the cupcakes from Freedom for our wedding! The tasting box was helpful in nailing down some initial flavors (note for vegetarians: most flavors in the box have mousse, which is not vegetarian - they were very helpful with sorting through all that), and then they graciously gave us a dozen cupcakes later due to a mix-up with picking up our box, where we got a variety of other frosting flavors as well. Every single one looked beautiful and was easy to pick up and drive over to our venue two blocks away. Tania was super easy to work with. The only difficult part of the whole process was deciding on flavors!!! (We ended up with salted caramel, cinnamon chocolate, red velvet, caramel frappe, and raspberry lemon, if you're wondering, but there were plenty more to choose from!)

Freedom Bakery made our wedding cake and it was beautiful and delicious. After sampling other places it was clear they had the best tasting cake. They were able to make our cake exactly as we wanted it and delivered it on time with no issues.

Ordered two cakes on short notice for a retirement and graduation event. They did a great job customizing and getting everything done online. Excellent carrot cake and chocolate mousse cake. Perfect job!

The dream cake was absolutely divine! Super fluffy and a great chocolate flavor, light and airy frosting too!

Paul made the tasting process for our wedding cake incredibly straightforward. They were incredibly accommodating to meet our needs and what we were looking for. All of the cakes we tasted were unbelievable which made choosing the flavor a bit challenging but Paul really helped us to finally settle on our decision of raspberry amaretto. The cake received high praise the day of our wedding and my husband and I ended up eating the top layer for the whole following week. We wanted a simple elegant cake with just textured icing and fresh flowers and it truly turned out beautiful and delicious! We definitely plan on getting cakes from them in the future.

This review is long overdue! My wife and I were married last November in Monterey. After finding our venue, we had exactly 28 days to plan our wedding. As you might imagine, finding a bakery that was available to do our cake on such short notice was going to be a challenge. Luckily for us, Freedom Bakery came to our rescue! They were able to produce an absolutely amazing piece of art that our friends and family rave about to this day. And, it was deeeelicious! So many bakeries seem to place the priority on the appearance of a cake rather than the taste. And, after all, it is meant to be consumed, so shouldn't it taste good, too? Well, they certainly think so at Freedom Bakery. And, as a final hurrah: we saved the cake top for our anniversary. And, it was even better than we remembered. Soooo yummy. I ate cake all weekend. Freedom Bakery, we can't thank you enough.

Our cake turned out EXACTLY what we wanted. Taste and look! I couldn’t have asked for a better cake at such a reasonable price! I would recommend them to everyone!

My wife has loved Kelly's bakery forever. I decided to order her some crimpy for her birthday! The gentleman who worked there was very kind and helpful and their online service wasn't very clear and so he gave me my money back for one of the items.

We got a chocolate mousse. Not too sweet. chocolate flavor is very rich. Excellent taste. will come back for more in the future.

Kelly’s Sourdough Cheddar Loaf is to die for! today it; dip it! Enjoy!

Overall: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ Food: Horrific Avoid this place if you have any sense of taste whatsoever. The words Paris and Bakery should not be used in the name of this shop. There is genuinely nothing at all authentic or good to report here. They serve the poor people of Monterey bland, limp excuses for croissants in the misguided belief customers have no taste and will just put up with it. If you want a croissant which is light, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside with layers of flaky pastry served with a little butter and jam as it should be do not go here. Let’s not even start about their interpretation of a baguette. It’s a total disservice to the local community and disrespect to the French. No wonder it was easy to walk straight into as opposed to other local places which had lines. They may have been here a while but I can tell you their days are numbered. People are wiser and standards have been raised. This place is shockingly bad and I really, sincerely mean that. As readers know, I always give credit where it’s due. I wonder if the owners can stand up with hand on heart and look their customers in the eye whilst telling them they are being served delicious, carefully made, authentic French baked goods. I doubt it very much. What I liked: • Absolutely nothing What I didn’t like: • Dirty • Over priced • Not authentic • The ‘croissant’ • Cheap watery coffee Do I recommend going? NO Will I go again? NO Was it good value? NO Price Point: $

What a gem! This spot is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious pastries and a satisfying lunch. Their Croque Monsieur and French onion soup are absolute winners for a quick and tasty meal. I also really appreciate the recent updates with the new tables and cash registers – it makes for an even better experience!

Corner neighborhood bakery, with some nice looking pastry cases. There was a 2 person line when I arrived, but it took a while for it to move. Unfortunately they were sold out of breakfast sandwiches at 10:30, so I got an Almond Croissant which was served warm and a bit greasier than I was expecting.

This is a cute little bakery/cafe, very enjoyable to be in with a great variety of baked goods to try. The food is good, but surprisingly underwhelming -- closer to what you'd expect from a spudnut shop than a fancy French bakery. The croissant is soft and quite buttery, more of an American style. The croque monsieur was a bit forgettable. The capuccino was very nice though, mellow in flavor with a well-bodied foam. I'd definitely like to try their bread and quiches next.

The best quiche I have ever tasted, and a heavenly chocolate almond croissant. Highly recommend.

Been a regular here for over 10 years. The quality and consistency is on point. Easily one of the most iconic breakfast spots in Monterey, and a must stop spot for any friends or family that comes to town!

You can feel the European authenticity…. Wide variety, flavorful options…. A great place to start your day!!!!

We had a great breakfast experience at this cafe. Professional, friendly staff. They brought ice for the kids' tea, which was great, even though we didn't ask for it. The place is comfortable, fresh flowers on every table, clean and atmospheric. It was the most delicious latte we've had in America, the presentation is very original. Affordable prices - $10-20 per person.

Delicious and plentiful vegan options! I had the mushroom breakfast burrito and it was great. Also, I appreciate that Wild Plum uses high quality oatmilk for their lattes (Minor Figures).

Great restaurant, I went on a Monday morning around lunch time and they were busy but still so kind and attentive. I ordered the chicken chipotle salad and I was a little afraid that it would be spicy but it was so delicious, the salad was fresh and flavorful. I also ordered a chamomile tea and it was really good quality chamomile. Will definitely come again.

I get the idea people normally have a better experience here than we did, so maybe it was just a fluke. I ordered a dish that came with bacon, so when the server asked if I wanted meat I said just bacon, and they charged me to add extra bacon... Also husband ordered no dairy/cheese on his sandwich which they honored but then they put cheese on his side salad... The atmosphere was cute. My food was yummy. Mixed feelings about this place I guess and not a great experience while on vacation in the area.

Staff was very nice!! Food was amazing!! We gotten whole grain waffles with a side of potatoes 🔥👌 I recommend stopping by here for a great place to eat!!

Their avocado toast is excellent! Mine was served with soft boiled eggs and escarole salad. Service was kind and prompt. Outdoor seating was comfortable.

My husband & I were in Monterey over the weekend and were looking for a lowkey cozy cafe near our hotel to walk to in the morning and Wild Plum 100% delivered. I had a delicious mocha served in the cutest bowl mug situation. For breakfast I had the whole grain waffle, a side of sausage and my husband got the biscuits and gravy (not pictured lol). Everything was perfect, amazing and spectacular from the service to the food. Wild Plum will forever be a mandatory stop during our visits to Monterey. ♡♡♡

Loved the sweet pastries. Tried the savory farmers breakfast brotchen. It’s just an egg baked into the bun… not much flavor honestly. Partner and I were impressed by their sweets though. The pastry bread was more firm than your typical ones but not in a bad way. I hadn’t tried something like this yet. They’ve got great crunch if you like that. Don’t expect soft and fluffy except for the cinnamon bun. My first tier recommendations: -peach apricot danish (the best one and we tried everything except the berry one) -cinnamon bun (huge! soft and fluffy. not very sweet) -chocolate croissant Second tier (good and I would eat again but would rather buy the first tier again over these): -fauxnut -apple danish, berry cream cheese danish -biscotti

I waited 25 min for what was a below average cinnamon roll. It was bready, and dry. The service was almost intentionally glacial. People love it apparently, but I've had way better baked goods. Also, no sign to say it's cash only until you're already done waiting half hour.

Based upon the recommendation of friends, my wife and I arrived at Pavel's at 7:15 a.m. only to find a considerable line already formed outside. After 35 minutes we got to the front and placed our order only to learn they only accept cash. Happily, they set our order aside and told us we could return later with cash and pick it up. We did and my wife raved about her chocolate croissant, saying it was the best she had ever eaten. It's been a couple weeks now, so I don't remember what I chose, but it was also wonderful. We also purchased other items including a loaf of sourdough cheddar cheese bread which makes the best grilled sandwiches. Their selection isn't huge, but what they have is to die for. If you're in Pacific Grove on a Tuesday or Saturday, don't miss it, but remember to bring enough cash! The line starts forming around 6:45. Oh, I should explain there was a fun, "weird Barbie" display set up outside to help pass the time while we waited.

Get there EARLY!! I arrived just before they opened and there was a line halfway down the block. This is a bakery/bagel shop vs breakfast house. You can order ahead and I recommend it, unless you want to stand in line…I stood in line for over 45 minutes before getting inside the front door. There’s also a coffee side of the Backerei, which appears to be a grab N go, but I’m unable to review that aspect. Inside it’s beautifully arranged with breads, sweets and savory. BUT, they only take CASH or local check, which I didn’t have at the time…thus the 3 star rating. Will try again in the future.

This is not a bakery. This is a European pastry shop with culinary elevated types of desserts, breads and cookies After finally making my way into the shop around 2pm on Saturday, I was fortunate to purchase a chocolate croissant filled with chocolate. It was the most savory tasting croissant I have ever eaten. With a little bit of salt to bring the whole thing to another level. I want more. I also bought the Cinnamon roll which makes other cinnamon rolls put to shame. One of the lightest, airiest rolls that I've ever experienced. While I was in line, a Gentleman was there for the chocolate chunk cookies which they sold out of before we both got there. The shop is only open on Saturdays as I spoke with the owner and she said that her husband and her wanted to retire but, could not find anyone suitable to learn the recipes of the shop. This shop is amazing, please encourage the owners to keep it alive.

Know before you go: • only open Tuesday and Saturday, 7am-sell out • cash only! • you will wait in line, it is worth it We arrived at 8am on Saturday and waited about 30 minutes. Grab some coffee nearby to make the wait easier 😊 Our favorites that we tried were the berry cream cheese tart danish and the almond bear claw. The croissants looked amazing but as always, the eyes are bigger than the stomach!

I was on the weekend getaway to the aquarium and found this place while browsing through maps. I didn't know it was cash only. The cashier told me "I will give you a receipt and you can pay another day". Very nice people Get there early!!

The service at Café Carmel was excellent and impressively fast compared to most places. Both the breakfast sandwich and burrito were flavorful, and I especially loved the caramel macchiato. Definitely a great spot!

Really nice little cafe on ocean boulevard. Lots of little sandwiches and treats in the coffee is good. We really like this place and we'll go back every time we visit.

This is such a cute place and I loved the otter art! The barista were all super kind and helpful as we were tourist of this area and had several questions. I ordered a peach apple tea that was very good and my siblings got ice cream which they enjoyed. We also ordered a tirimasu. It was okay which is the only reason for the 4 stars

One of the best chai lattes I’ve ever had...no exaggeration. Café Carmel nails the cozy café vibe without feeling pretentious. The fresh-baked goods smell amazing when you walk in, and their breakfast burrito? Total standout. It’s big, flavorful, and will keep you full through an entire morning of exploring. Also love that they’ve got solid salad options if you’re trying to keep things lighter. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in town.

Delicious food made with very fresh and high quality ingredients! 10/10. Perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite.

Best Coffee! It’s funny…I’ve wandered past this shop for years while visiting family. But lousy in room coffee at a local hotel put Cafe Carmel right in my path. I’m so glad that I popped in today and enjoyed the BEST macchiato I’ve had outside of my home. Staff was friendly and fast, and the macchiato was perfect. I will definitely be making this a stop as often as possible when I’m back in town. I can’t wait to try the amazing pastries and the rest of the menu. Thank you so much!

We were first time visitors of Carmel-by-the-Sea and we were brought to this place by the food tour guide. We had the quiche with salad and we were so impressed that we came back on our last day and ordered the quiche and avocado toast. Both were very fresh and tasted amazing. We certainly miss that sort of quality in Illinois. We also came back few hours later for ice cream and cappuccino. Highly recommended place to visit.

Absolutely delicious ice cream! I had the salted caramel and the Oreo in a waffle cone. Both were great but the salted caramel really stood out!✨ The service was great too! Quick and friendly customer service😄 Also, a friend of mine has said they always come here for food when they visit so I know I'll try some the next time I come for sure!

If you need a caffeine boost when enjoying your day at Cannery Row then this place is perfect for you. The service was quick. The macaroons were tasty and the atmosphere was pleasant. They have all types of drinks and desserts. Overall we were pleasantly satisfied with this stop!!

Very good food on cannery row at a decent price. We ate breakfast there and had coffee and it was nice. That breakfast burrito filled me up, and it tasted great. We'll go back again and recommend for everyone in the area.

Best Philly cheesesteak I’ve ever had! We weren’t sure where to eat lunch, so we walked around downtown and found Austino’s, interested by the hot sandwiches (pregnant, so cold sandwiches are a no-go). Philly was amazing! I wouldn’t order with fries again, as those were pretty plain. My husband loved the chowder. We got boba tea to go with our meals (yum)! Everything came out hot and ready to eat! We sat outside at their tables and enjoyed people watching!

Food wasn't to good the burger was bland my son ordered pancakes they weren't good cheese pizza was a 5 out of 10. All in all the food isnt to good especially for the price. Server was extremely nice.

8 seats inside and maybe 8 outside. Clam chowder is good and creamy. There's a good variety of lunch options if in a pickle. A lot of sandwiches. No too many low carb options. Ice cream, Boba, Coffee, all the necessities. Super friendly staff.

The Hot Pastrami on Rye was delicious. Perfect blend of sauerkraut, sauce, and Pastrami! The fries were perfectly cooked and salted, though shoestring is not my favorite style of cut. Service was fast. But there is some need to improve cleanliness...the ketchup packets were all sticky. But the food is definitely worth the trip!

We stoped by here for a cinnamon bun just from smelling it down the street. It was $9, now I don’t mind paying that much for a cinnamon bun but the size of it is very small. They just throw it in the microwave in front of you, so who knows how fresh they are. We were hungry for a sweet treat so we ate it, but if you’re looking for a good cinnamon bun this ain’t it. Also water here is like $4 bucks and the store next door sells it for $1

Nice people but the cinnamon rolls are ten bucks each and microwaved to warm. Far too sweet and rolls taste dry despite all the glaze

$9 for an apple cinnamon roll is highway robbery, but I rationalized that it was ok in a tourist trap like Cannery Row where common sense about money goes out the door. It turned it into a bank heist when I added a cup of coffee making the total $16. The attendant microwaved the roll. I thought it was already sweet, she poured more white liquid frosting on top. I bought an apple cinnamon roll expecting to taste tart chunks of apples but instead got a doughy ball surrounded by a moat of liquid frosting. Someone bring me some insulin quick, because I’m not sure my body can produce enough to absorb all the glucose from this sugary baked mess. Worst of all I’m not diabetic…yet.

Very disappointed. For $7.20 for frosted cinnamon roll, It tasted and appeared to be a day old. It was borderline stale. However, The employee was very friendly. While, I was sitting inside there was probably two or three people that walked in looked at the prices and walked out. However, as a business owner, I can sympathize with the cost of doing business in California the $7.20. Might’ve been worth it, if the cinnamon roll was Fresh.

Ok for a quick snack, but the apple cinnamon roll has a lot of bread and dome frosting, not so much apple or cinnamon. It's a tourist spot so I guess rentals are high.

Owners, please consider hiring staff who truly care about your customers and your business. Using a microwave to heat up cinnamon rolls is unacceptable—especially in a beautiful and clean place like Monterey. It completely ruins the quality and freshness of the product. This place could have so much potential, but the lack of care and attention to cleanliness makes it a disappointment. Monterey deserves better—please step up your game and offer cleaner, higher-quality service instead of serving microwave-radiated cinnamon rolls.

Sugar High! This is a place that has a little bit of everything. We stopped here for the gluten free items. They have sweet and savory items here. We specifically got the gluten free cinnamon rolls. You have the option to get any of their cinnamon rolls without icing. The seating is minimal, so it's not a place to plan to sit and sip unless you are lucky and get one of the few seats available.

We come to Pacific Grove 3 or 4 times a year and Never miss a trip to this bakery. Absolutely the Best.

Excellent pastries, done the right way! Flaky and crisp on the outside and soft in the center. Tried the apple danish and croissant and it was perfection. Good coffee too, classical music, large windows with a view of Victorian homes make this the perfect place to relax.

I didn't have the chance to try the food here as they only accept cash, which was inconvenient for me since I don't usually carry cash. The staff member seemed unwelcoming, lacking any smiles or warmth. Considering the remote locations I've stopped at in West Texas, Kansas , Tennessee and Utah. where even small towns accept cards, it's surprising that this establishment doesn't. Hopefully, the neighborhood gets a better bakery soon. Even those bakeries smell better by the way.

I had the most amazing cherry tart danish here, flaky crust, just the right amount of streusel around the edges. A pure joy to eat. The bear claw was also yum, with a delicious almond paste inside. Best we have ever had. A local brought his dogs by to say "Good morning" to Kevin & off he went to get special treats he took outside to them. So glad he is still baking as there is a touch to these pastries you can't get elsewhere. Baked with love.

Appears to be out of business. Establishment was closed when listed as open. Sign in all windows said "shut". Looked empty inside.

Best cinnamon rolls around!! Serves lunch with homemade soups and yummy sandwiches too!! Other yummy baked goods too. CASH ONLY!!

I ordered the curry chicken half sandwich and really liked it! I'd never had curry chicken in a sandwich before but it was delicious. They serve it with a side of Kettle Chips so it was pretty filling for me as a mid to somewhat petitte woman. I highly recommend the place. The desserts look great too!