Columbia City Bakery

Being French, it's all about the bread, and we can go look far and wide for this. Right now, a hands down winner is Columbia City--its pain de campagne or baguette or ciabatta (not sure about the name--the loaf breads). more

I've been going to Columbia City Bakery since it opened, when it was just a really ridiculously good bakery in South Seattle that happened to be five minutes from my house. Now, it's a destination, and if you've eaten at some of the top restaurants in Seattle you've eaten their bread, since they supply many local establishments with hamburger buns, sandwich bread and those addictive baguettes. The breads made them famous, but the pastries are just as good. Maybe not quite the best croissant in Seattle (that's a tossup between Cafe Besalu and Bakery Nouveau) but their rotating selection of unique treats like sesame tahini cookies, gougeres and full-size tarts of pies is unmatched. [Full disclosure, I DO have a family member who is employed there, but I was a devotee of CCB long before that. Having a connection who brings CCB desserts to family gatherings is simply a bonus.] Pros: Amazing bread, diverse pastries, neighborhood vibe Cons: Crowded, can sell out of popular items more

Columbia City Bakery makes the best bread in Seattle. I know this because my French husband is very particular about his bread. We buy our bread from this delightful little bakery several times each week. We love the Pain de Campagne (country-style) and the traditional Baguette. The croissants are also very good. Pain au chocolat is so-so, they use German chocolate, which just makes a traditional French pastry less French. Pros: easy parking, kid friendly, plenty of seating Cons: they sometimes run out of bread - call ahead more

Great bread and great coffee in a nice space. Stop by next time you are in Columbia City and support a great local bakery! Pros: Bread, coffee more