The best pastries in town! I have to say that I driving across town for the treats here. Pain au chocolate, ginger biscuit, quiche... everything is delightful, yummy, melt in your mouth great! .... More

The best pastries in town! I have to say that I driving across town for the treats here. Pain au chocolate, ginger biscuit, quiche... everything is delightful, yummy, melt in your mouth great! . Double thumbs up.
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Did I mention that you must try to the ginger biscuits? And if you're lucky, you'll arrive right when they are pulled from the oven. Cafe Besalu has been a favorite for us since the day it opened... More

Did I mention that you must try to the ginger biscuits? And if you're lucky, you'll arrive right when they are pulled from the oven. Cafe Besalu has been a favorite for us since the day it opened and judging from the throngs of people there every weekend, we're not the only ones. Don't be discouraged by a wait, it's worth it. Pain au chocolat, ginger biscuits, checkerboard cookies, quiche ... everything is excellent. The place has a small cozy feel with James just behind the case seemingly effortlessly preparing the next batch of goodies. It's not just the pastries though, they pour an excellent coffee as well!
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I was reading a post on JB about Cafe Besalu and decided that I had to try it. Oh my gosh, boy was the food there good! On a Sunday morning, Alex and I dragged our doggies for a brisk walk to... More

I was reading a post on JB about Cafe Besalu and decided that I had to try it. Oh my gosh, boy was the food there good! On a Sunday morning, Alex and I dragged our doggies for a brisk walk to the Cafe. After devouring our quiches and croissants, I was glad that we had to burn some calories walking back. There is no dearth of butter in the food here! I still need to go back a few more times; there were just too many interesting treats for me to try in one sitting. From ginger biscuits to chocolate croissants, the offerings at Cafe Besalu makes my mouth water. In typical man style, Alex complained about how much more food he could have gotten at a cruddy diner. However, it is very interesting to note that he went back on his own the following weekend while I was at a wedding the in Bay Area. Hmmmm...
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It's always a delight to see a master artisan in action, in this case making the delicious fresh goodies that are available at Besalu. The leek and goat cheese quiche is quite delicious, but the... More

It's always a delight to see a master artisan in action, in this case making the delicious fresh goodies that are available at Besalu. The leek and goat cheese quiche is quite delicious, but the same goes for their sweet treats so we usually get a coffee and both a savory and a sweet selection. Everything from the fresh seasonal fruit choices to the less indulgent but no less tasty cookie-type offerings to anything made with that amazing puff pastry dough is worth the trip, though timing is everything to avoid the long lines or the "we're all out" disappointments! Nice clean simple space, too. Note they are only open Wednesday through Sunday, until 3pm, and the quiches usually show up a little later in the mornings, after 9:30ish if memory serves. Yummy!
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Nice little neighborhood pastry shop. My favorite when it's in season is their fresh plum danish...overall, my recommendations for getting the most out of Besalu is to focus on a savory quiche and... More

Nice little neighborhood pastry shop. My favorite when it's in season is their fresh plum danish...overall, my recommendations for getting the most out of Besalu is to focus on a savory quiche and eat it there, and grab a few pasteries to enjoy the rest of the day/weekend. They have some tables and chairs out on the sidewalk that are ideal for you and your dog to sit, eat, and people watch!
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Their tasty pastries warm and buttery come out before a politely drooling throng queued through the center of their tiny shop. Drip coffee this good should come from places like Starbucks but my... More

Their tasty pastries warm and buttery come out before a politely drooling throng queued through the center of their tiny shop. Drip coffee this good should come from places like Starbucks but my experience tells me that it never does. The place seems to elegant for Ballard, but Ballard is like that: like a few gems tossed on the sand. It's better to sleep through the early morning and come a after the initial crowds finish, or you might not get a table, because their baked goods are wonderful, the place is beautiful, and the clientèle is classy.
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Ginger Biscuits. So soft. So gingery. Such goodness. Coupled with a chai or double short americano (lighthouse roasters!), you can't go wrong. But it doesn't stop there, oh no. Then you go back for... More

Ginger Biscuits. So soft. So gingery. Such goodness. Coupled with a chai or double short americano (lighthouse roasters!), you can't go wrong. But it doesn't stop there, oh no. Then you go back for pain au chocolat, then maybe a slice of quiche. Pretty soon, you've been there for a couple hours and are chatting with other patrons like you run the place. "Try the croissants, they're tres bien!" If I could go to France and just speak in pastry-tongue, I would. But luckily, I can just go to Ballard.
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This is a popular Ballard joint with rich, buttery pastry options. Hours are really limited but they can afford it. Croissants are to die for and the other pastries are hard to choose -- they look... More

This is a popular Ballard joint with rich, buttery pastry options. Hours are really limited but they can afford it. Croissants are to die for and the other pastries are hard to choose -- they look delicious. i'm not a coffee person but it sure smelled good. It's right by the Tall Grass Bakery.
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Nostaligic for those little cafe/coffee shops on every corner in Paris? This is the place right in Ballard. It's simple and small with perfect breads and pastries made on the spot (you can watch... More

Nostaligic for those little cafe/coffee shops on every corner in Paris? This is the place right in Ballard. It's simple and small with perfect breads and pastries made on the spot (you can watch them work). I drive from my home in West Seattle to get my fix. I lived two years in France and this is what I miss most - tiny restaurants, cafes and bakeries on every corner. I don't know how they make a living - but I'm determined to keep supporting their efforts! C'est si bon! If you live in this neighborhood make a stop there regularly, please...
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This authentic French bakery is a must if you are in Ballard. Worth the trip on your way to the Locks, or other destination. Sit outside and enjoy a perfect espresso with your baked good. You can... More

This authentic French bakery is a must if you are in Ballard. Worth the trip on your way to the Locks, or other destination. Sit outside and enjoy a perfect espresso with your baked good. You can watch the bakers, and they can watch you! Good place for people watching, dog watching and reading the newspaper.
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