I'm going to have to come back to the Portsmouth/Kittery area ASAP just for the bakeries alone! Haha! Elephantine was the first one we tried, last Sunday. It was packed, line out the door. We ordered to go: dozen chocolate chip cookies, ham & cheese croissants, chocolate croissants, plain croissants, little olive loaves, and rosemary focaccia. Everything was fantastic, especially the focaccia and chocolate chip cookies. The focaccia has flaky salt on top-I'm just about drooling, reminiscing. Service was impressive and impeccable; they ran out of one of the croissants and for our trouble gave us a gift card to use on another occasion. What?! That's unheard of! Unbelievable: that was so incredibly generous of them. They also have a small menu and tables outside. FYI, they ship their cookies nationwide. This place is a do not miss. read more

Beautiful bakery with delicious scones and croissants. Good coffee. I haven't tried their sandwiches but they do look worth coming back. Very nice seating area outside on a small street. Only a few tables inside. Lovely little place absolutely worth checking out. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

So cute and food was amazing and great quality service was amazing also the effort that was put in to make the bathrooms fun is great!

If I could give ten stars I would. This was the most delicious breakfast sandwich ever. I ate the egg simit and it was just as described almost too beautiful to eat. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Egg Simit sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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This bakery has a very charming interior. We ordered inside at the counter and got a cappuccino, iced coffee, almond croissant (buttery and perfect!), blueberry muffin (not too sweet), yogurt bowl (can't comment on that - see below) and the poached eggs (served with delicious yogurty stuff and oil and spices - so yummy with the crunchy salted toast it came with!) The staff was really friendly and helpful. We sat outdoors in the alleyway where the bakery is located. It has a lovely atmosphere tucked away from the downtown traffic with ivy crawling up brick walls. After we sat down they brought our order to the table which was very nice service. There was a miscommunication when I ordered. I wanted the yogurt bowl and they told me they were out of the granola and I said that's fine. I assumed I'd just get the yogurt and berries etc minus the granola. After the poached eggs came and we were still waiting, I went in to ask about the yogurt and they again said they were out of granola and then it hit me - I said oh so you just don't serve the yogurt at all. They said no with pretty mortified expressions. I was like oh it's okay and I walked back outside to my table. I wasn't that hungry anyway since I'd had a whole almond croissant, but I had definitely been excited to try the dish and was annoyed that they hadn't been more clear. A moment later a staffer came out to ask if I wanted a pastry and I said no thanks I have the croissant. She left and then she came back AGAIN to give me a gift card. She said they just felt terribly. It was very sweet of them to go out of their way to make it up to me. Mistakes like that happen, and they clearly did everything they could think of to rectify the situation. I strongly recommend this bakery. The service is friendly and thoughtful and the food is very fresh and homemade. If you're in town, definitely take a stroll down this cute alleyway to grab a coffee or treat. Just double check your order at checkout :) read more

Elephantine Bakery - poached eggs with labneh and crispy salted bread - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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The vibe reminded me of what a European cafe would be like. Quaint, small tables with a patio out front. The croissant was good, but the latte finished with chocolate bits... read more

Elephantine Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

JUST GO!!! Superb in every way- Chai Latte, Mocha, Chocolate Croissant- YUMMMMM. Plus incredibly attentive and friendly service/staff???! It REALLY doesn't get any better than this for a perfect cafe! read more

Wonderful craft cocktails, happy hour And vegetarian menu. Sat at the cozy bar and had a drink, the scene there is hip and chill read more

Amazing food! Charming! Cute! Friendly staff. LOVE IT!!! We were passing through the town and decided to stop by and eat at the bakery as we did 2 years ago. So glad we did it! The bakery is tucked in a charming narrow street that provides really nice atmosphere. But let me say something about Mezzo and Pita platter. Mind blowing. Delicious. Beautiful. The three kind hummus was so good that on our way out I asked to purchase Heather's hummus to take with me. Way to go Heather!!!! Looking forward to eating here again. read more

I rented a house in nearby York, ME with some friends and decided to get breakfast from Elephantine after reading they were a woman owned business. Also no one else was up and I need something to eat! I ordered online for pickup. When I showed up, my order was ready except for the coffees. There was a little bit of a back up on coffees, but that happens at a lot of places. The bakery was small (like maybe four small tables of two inside and two tables outside). The inside was chic with some cool wallpaper. It had a very European vibe, which I loved. Everyone working there was also super nice. I ordered Poached Eggs Cilbir, Egg Simit, and a Ham and Cheese Croissant. My favorite was the Egg Simit because of its unique bread (it was like a fluffy less dense everything bagel) and the beet hummus was superb. My boyfriend was obsessed with the Cilbir so much so he wanted it everyday for breakfast. I was skeptical because I had never had labneh before but this combo with the Aleppo butter was great. The dish came with sourdough, which was amazing! As I was walking out another couple passed by upset that all the bread had sold out, so I'm assuming all the breads are delicious!! The croissant was great too, but nothing crazy. I introduced a few more friends to Elephantine a few days later and they also loved it. The staff was again super accommodating (there was a New Years cake that they were willing to take off the writing and change to a birthday cake). I would 100% come back here again if I was in the area! read more

Cute little shop with yummy sweet and savory pastries. Had a iced chai late and it was perfect. Limited seats and tucked away, but worth the trip! read more

What can I say that hasn't already been said? This place is a true gem. We came in around midday on a Saturday (Labor Day weekend) and were happy to see only a few people in line and a few outdoor tables open. We got an oat milk latte, the chocolate croissant, lemon ricotta tart, vanilla bean scone, and almond croissant. All were amazing, but we were especially blown away by the scone and croissant. What also made the experience a 5 was the service, staff, and ambiance. I don't think I've been in such a cute, relaxing, and friendly place in a long long time. The man who helped us was so kind in bringing us plates and cutlery after we initially got everything to go (but had to stay for the vibes), and spent time asking us questions about our trip. We heard many customers also complimenting him on the experience. If you're looking for a peaceful experience outside of the crowded tourist areas in Portsmouth - look no further! read more

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We went to Elephantine on a recent visit to Portsmouth - I am a coffee connoisseur (snob) and good coffee is kind of what gets me out of bed in the morning. Good pastries are a bonus. Friendly reception and conscientious service gives you the trifecta, and these ladies have it all! I will note that purveyors of coffee on the east coast tends to offer darker roasts - as compared with what we gravitate towards at the west coast shops - just a side note. Highly recommend elephantine for ambiance, service, quality, aesthetic. read more

Relaxing outdoor seating and great food! Unique, small menu but everything we tried was excellent. read more

Elephantine Bakery - SO good! - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The chocolate almond croissants and lemon danishes are heavenly! Wonderful lamination, light and flaky.

Like being at one of the finest bakeries in Europe. All the. Reads and sweets looked amazing!

Great poached eggs. Wow. Such a cool little place in Portsmouth. Service was great. Food was awesome. Will be back.

Excellent bakery!!!! I like the food please go if you want and there Coffee is good!! read more

Elephantine Bakery - My Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

My friend dragged me here because he had seen this place featured on Chronicle, so I had no idea what I was in for on this Monday afternoon... I have been to this little charming alleyway before and it's actually not that hard to miss. At the end, you will notice cute chairs and tables tightly spaced, and their little red sign. As you enter, you immediately are hit with so much personality this little shop has! Very Parisian with the light fixtures and brass finishes everywhere and definitely some North African touches with the unique wallpapers all around. They were playing smooth Latino music which was confusing but easy on the ears. They keep this place tidy, and you can tell the owners put a lot of attention in bringing character to not only this space, but all of their pastries. We were told most bakery items and sandwiches were sold out so we ordered a Cappuccino, made and tasted perfect, a Cheese Danish and Almond Croissant that they had recommended. Both were delicate, flaky, and had just the perfect amount of sweetness for so late in the afternoon. I could imagine that their pastries fresh out of the oven would taste heavenly, as all the other reviews say. You can really tell they put a ton of care into baking, and I actually believe them when they say "We believe in slow cooking, honoring the craft, and using exceptional ingredients" as stated on their website. In summary I enjoyed my afternoon coffee hour, but I can't say I feel the experience was a stellar 5 star, like so many other reviews. I didn't receive napkins or silverware for the pastries, and I just wish they had more to choose from. I need to come here in the morning where everything is freshly made, and I bet it's the busiest, but until then it's a respectable 4 stars for me. read more

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Hands-down the BEST bakery I've ever been to. What a unique selection of items. We were only in Portsmouth a few days, but were sure to stop here twice during our visit, and brought some stuff home with us as well. Super-friendly and knowledgeable employees, and it was nice to see the owners present in their shop. We tried green olive and lemon zest fougasse as well as kalamata ficelle. I quite possibly could eat the kalamata ficelle every day for the rest of my life it was so good, SO packed full of olives! We tried a few other items (one is pictured here but I can't remember the name) and were astounded by EVERYTHING we tried! You MUST stop by and try something at Elephantine Bakery when in Portsmouth! We will DEFINITELY be back! read more

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The most charming and delightful bakery. Elephantine is tucked in a cozy side alley and offers rows of outdoor cafe tables. The ambiance in the bakery is fairytale charming and the pastries are carefully crafted and delicious. This spot is beautiful, warm and truly special. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Ricotta and honey toast, chocolate almond croissant, tomato and burrata on focaccia - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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All I can say is this was an amazing find in NH! We were just passing through but saw the great reviews so stopped in for the almond croissant, vanilla scone and some coffee! We ended up ordering more for the road - delish!! read more

We have been here twice! The first time was just a shot in the wind. We were not sure what we were walking into. You can not understand how excited we were to find this JEM. I love to travel and living in NH does not provide a whole lot of options for incredible food from around the world. However Elephantine fits that bill and then some. When I turn left onto the street where you find this JEM I instantly feel like I am in Egypt coming across a little bakery. The food is out of this world and everyone who works here is warm and helpful. On our first visit we met the owner and her story is wonderful. Lets just say we had to visit Portsmouth and we planed that visit around when Elephantine was open. We live about 90 min away and it's beyond worth the drive. Thank you for bringing such wonderful diversity to New Hampshire. read more

Elephantine Bakery - I really wish you could see the video that I took. - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Best cafe in town! Such delicious croissants! They also have challah bread! Parking is difficult but that's really everywhere in Portsmouth. Wish they were open longer than 2 pm though! read more

Elephantine Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Awesome breakfast/brunch spot! Delicious menu items, worth the wait. Highly recommend the salmon on simit!

Popped in for a chocolate croissant, and a latte and I absolutely love this place. It is Toni with Barry a few tables, but absolutely worth it! read more

Elephantine Bakery - Latte at the window - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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I'm really surprised that there aren't more reviews here. Elephantine is among the best bakery cafes I've ever been to. From the ambiance of a sun-strewn side street on a warm Sunday morning, we marveled over the superb selection of coffees, pastries, and brunch dishes. The bakery cafe offers a selection of classic french and Middle Eastern pastries and dishes in an inspired fusion. The owners' story is inspiring, and the product is excellent. We were lucky to get a table outside on this busy weekend morning and found service to be quick and very attentive, especially given the business. While we found it difficult to decide on any of the delicious sounding brunch items, we sided on the orange blossom waffles and the egg simit sandwich. The waffles we're tender and flavorful, not to mention beautifully plated. The cardamom whipped ricotta and compound butter complemented the orange waffles perfectly. The egg simit sandwich was generous and deliciously filled with hummus, babaganoush, and beet labneh. Oh and the orange cardamom palmier was a good choice for take-away. A truly excellent experience. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Eggs on simit with babaganoush, hummus, and beet labneh. - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Tried them again. Got a Danish, chocolate almond croissant and another pastry. I don't understand what the hype is over this place. The croissant is once again lacking in that rich almond taste, and flaky layers. The cheese Danish had barely any cheese filling, and the other pastry was just meh. The people are very friendly but I've run my course trying items from here. Items look better than they taste. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Love this place! Best coffee in New England. So happy we stumbled upon it a few months ago. Beautifully decorated, staff is friendly, amazing croissants and coffee is phenomenal! read more

Elephantine Bakery - Cafe mocha - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The baklava was the best I ever had. The interior design has a touch of Paris. The owners and workers were very friendly and welcoming! If you are in the area, would highly recommend paying a visit! read more

Nice spot! While not a ton of variety, the pretzels and croissants were absolutely delicious.

Love in the time of Covid... it's a real thing. First time visiting Eephantine. I waited in line like everyone else to order and understood later why it was worth the wait! Got chocolate and plain croissants. I had a bite of the chocolate croissant and immediately felt like I was transported to Paris. I enjoy sharing anything that I enjoy. I couldn't believe myself when I didn't even want to share a bite with my husband...(it was THAT good!) read more

Elephantine Bakery - Chocolate and plain Croissants - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Taste/flavor, texture, ambiance, and service 10/10. I take every chance I get to visit them when I'm in NH and they never disappoint. Always a treat. Great pastry and great people. Can't wait to see them in more locations. read more

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We were visiting my daughter and this was our go to breakfast place for most the week. Croissants and bread were amazing. I also liked their lattes. We ate there outside once and it was very nice and cozy in the outdoors. Service was great. We mostly ordered online because it's so convenient. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I selfishly want to keep this hidden gem to myself but the cat's outta the bag so here it goes...hands down the best bakery around, great coffee, and their lunch offerings are awesome! Owners are very nice too. Went today to grab a few things, ordered and paid online. By the time I got there one of my items had just sold out (any they sell out of a lot of things so get there early). It was busy so it was understandable, the owner was very apologetic and offered a similar replacement, and I took it bc honestly you can't go wrong w/anything there. He went in the kitchen and came back w/2 of each of the things I ordered! What a sweet and awesome gesture! My favorite spot in town and am working my way to trying everything on the menu, albeit it's hard bc everything I get is my new go-to. read more

A quaint spot with fantastic service. The breads are amazing, hard to choose just one.

Ham & Cheese croissant with espresso was the best!!! First time here but will definitely be back to try to almond and chocolate croissant. read more

Elephantine Bakery - Ham & Cheese croissant with espresso - Bakeries Near Me - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I first discovered Elephantine at the beginning of 2020 and have made countless visits since. It has managed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in an adept way while maintaining its status as a meeting place for groups of all ilks and the quality of its food and service. The staff are exceedingly friendly, welcoming, and thoughtful, making each visit feel like a trip to see an old friend. It is clear that the owner approaches each aspect of running their business with intention. The pastries and coffee are of an extremely high caliber, ensuring consistent repeat customers. read more

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The food was amazing and the workers were very sweet and nice the scenery is great and its very cute inside read more

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An absolutely adorable coffee shop and bakery nestled in down an alley in town. Definitely a great stop in a hidden gem of a place. Coffee was delicious, went great with the chocolate almond croissant which was sweet and flakey. read more

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