Randomly got a Paris Brest and it rocked my world and blew my mind. 150% would recommend went on a Friday afternoon and no line and a few good options left. 10/10 recommend. read more

World class bread - and croissants (4/5 Green Stars). It's Day 1 of the Bay Area's 2020 shelter-in-place event, sponsored by Coronavirus. (Just trying to lighten things up a little here.) I'm thinking of attempting to visit a local business every day to help them get over this period (and to help get me out of the apartment!). So, yesterday I visited Third Culture Bakery in West Berkeley just after the shelter order was announced. Today I strolled up a much quieter than normal Ashby Avenue to Fournée Bakery. I don't know why I haven't been going here more often! The walnut bread was perfect for me - crusty outside, soft inside, but hearty too, with some whole-grain wheat and plenty of walnuts. The almond-chocolate croissant was up there as one of the best (and I've had a few!) - It reminded me of another amazing almond-chocolate croissant from Thorough Bread and Pastry in SF. It turns out that both bakeries have connections to the SF Baking Institute to that may explain the similar croissants. Fournée Bakery founder, Frank Sally used to teach at the SFBI and, incidentally, he won first place in the organic bread category at the 2011 Mondial du Pain in France. I also got a couple of scones but they are keeping for tomorrow - I'm not a total glutton! I'm giving Fournée Bakery 4/5 "green stars" for social and environmental impact, based on these reasons: * Their website is a bit lacking on information, so they could do a better job with transparency and communication. For example, it would be good to know if this quote from Berkeleyside still applies: "I am planning on using organic butter, milk and cream and all of my flour will be organic," Sally says. "I am getting the organic dairy from Humbolt Creamery and the flours will be from Central Milling." * The menu does provide some info: For example, several ingredients such as the rhubarb in my scone are listed as organic. * And actually the menu does list flour sources for their sourdough levain: "Sourdough levain: 80% refined wheat, 20% whole-grain wheat from Giusto's and Full Belly Farm (Frasinetto)." Both good sources; Giusto's stocks Central Milling flour, fyi. * Chocolate is mostly from Valrhona (good) and Callebaut (average). * Most of the menu is vegetarian, but for meat eaters the ham comes from Niman Ranch. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me! read more

Fournée Bakery - Walnut bread (aka Sourdough levain with walnuts). Highly recommended. - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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OMG!! The best morning buns. Parisian greatness. These morning buns are flacky, buttery and pull apart like fine delicate crape paper. Cinnamon and butter crispy thin sheets of the most flacky layers of dough. The line is long on the weekends so find some time during the week day or order online. read more

Hands down the best croissants we've ever had...including those in France! We tried the ham and cheese, the ham and egg, the almond, the chocolate almond, the plain, and the cinnamon sugar. They were all excellent. Don't let the line outside scare you. The bakery is very small so most of the line is outside and it moves relatively fast. read more

I usually go to the "other" french bakery on College specifically for their baguettes and some times their pastries. On a whim I stopped by here for their awesome twice baked chocolate filled almond croissants but sadly they were out today...if you want those bad boys come early and stand in line. Today I settled for plain chocolatine and their organic peach tart and have to say "damn, its good" loved the crumble on their tart and their fruit not being too sweet. Their chocolate croissant is much lighter between the layers and the chocolate is way better than the other place. Heavenly after long hike at nearby Claremont canyon. I'll be back earlier for this and the famous twice baked choc/almond croissant. read more

Their traditional butter croissants are soo good I rlly recommend them !!! I thought It would taste like burnt but when I tried it it was sooo good and It also tasted buttery just how I like it read more

Fournée Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

This hidden treasure bakery on my birthday was delicious! Basque cake, walnut bread, manchego and ham rosemary bread sandwiches, and croissants. Next time when I will get the Valrhona Chocolate Toffee Crunch Cake. They ran out by the time I got there. Reminder to preorder to make sure you get what you want. read more

Great and high quality pastries. Customer service is particularly great during the holidays.We are repeated customers and so are our neighbors and friends! Thank you! Bakery is very clean with sample products! Yum read more

Make sure you come as early as you can! We came in the afternoon where the line was quite long and most of their pastries were sold out. This was expected. The line moved very quickly so don't worry! Thankfully, we were able to try some of their sweet desserts: Canele, fruit tart, and chocolate croissant. Fruit tart had a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and was actually quite refreshing. The croissant honestly didn't have anything special. Our favorite was definitely the canele which had a very unique taste and was very moist. It didn't seem very popular which discouraged us from getting it, but definitely underrated and a must try. We'll definitely be back early next time to try their more popular savory pastries. Location was a beautiful and safe neighborhood. This bakery is the perfect place to grab some coffee and pastries for a quick walk or to bring on a picnic. Parking was very limited but we recommend finding free parking a couple blocks down the street. read more

This came highly recommended and it did not disappoint. My favorite of everything I have tried is the almond croissant. Haven't had an excuse/opportunity to try their cakes but they look amazing. read more

How have I not reviewed Fournee yet?? I've been coming here for a few years now and I can confidently say they are one of, if not the, best spots for croissants in the East Bay. Make sure to come in early because they do sell out of popular items, such as their almond croissants and pain au chocolats. Hours are limited because they're a popular bakery, so I would recommend calling to make sure they're open and not on holiday, and also checking to see what they still have! Seasonal fruit croissants are definitely the move here! They use really fresh, high quality ingredients that make the croissants soooo yummy. Fournee also serves other items, like coffee, pizza, and premade sandwiches. Unless you're in dire need of coffee, I'd pass on it here. Pizza is good, but a small slice for $3. read more

Fournée Bakery - Seasonal fruit croissant (Meyer lemon curd) - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I can't believe that it took me this long to come here, but I'm so glad I did! I came on a Saturday morning and there was a line, but it moved pretty quickly! The smell of the bakery definitely wafted outside and sure enough, it enticed me to be patient enough to wait. As a first-timer, I got the ham and manchego cheese croissant and a fruit scone. The croissant was so crunchy and buttery and the pairing of the cheese and ham was delightful! However as a cheese lover, I wished there was more cheese to really add a punch of flavor. I loved the fruit scone, but I am not sure what fruit it was since they change seasonally. But just know whatever fruit it was, it was the right amount of tart and sweet mix, which was complimented by the soft yet crunchy edges of the scone. The price of their bakery items is reasonable, and I found my eating experience to be enjoyable, especially since it's located in a cute area! read more

Fournée Bakery - Ham and Manchego Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Such a good place for croissants! The line can get pretty long on the weekend but on weekday afternoons there is nearly no wait. My friends and I are big fans of the almond croissant and the chocolate croissant - they're so layered and a must try! read more

Got pretty much one of everything when I came. Loved most of it - favorites were the cannelé and anything with fruit in it. Didn't love the ham and egg croissant as it was cold. The line was long but parking was easy (on a Sunday morning). Will definitely come back to try more. read more

Fournée Bakery - Just one of the boxes I ordered! The cannelé was delicious. - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Wow. I'm so embarrassed I thought Costco croissants were real croissants. Now I know what it's like to experience a real croissant... in the form of the ham and cheese variety from fournée bakery! I'm somewhat of an interactive eater, so I absolutely LOVED the way each crispy layer easily flaked off so I could enjoy the croissant piece by piece after taking the initial bite. I loved the chewy moistness of the cheese and the saltiness of the ham. I loved how fresh they tasted even when I saved one for the next day. Parking is difficult in this area but maybe you'll get lucky like I did. Prices are easy to look up on their website. I stopped by around 11:50 on a weekday and they still had plenty of options with a short line. I'm wondering how many other bakery items I can rediscover here in the future! read more

Get the chocolate croissant!!! Came here around 12pm a few weekends ago and left empty-handed. This second time around, I stopped by at 8:30am on Saturday and was prepared to stand in line for some yummy pastries. Highly recommend coming early if you want the best selection. Honestly, I felt a bit rushed to decide what to get. There is no menu board, so everyone is huddled around the glass of pastries waiting for their turn to order. I ordered 2 x ham and egg croissants, a chocolate croissant, and a morning bun, which totaled to $15.75. I had super high expectations for their ham and egg croissant, which ended up being my least favorite. The egg was a bit overdone and the bottom half was kinda soggy from the ham. The croissant around the edge was delicious, though. The morning bun was just ok, as well. My favorite part of all these pastries is their flakey, buttery dough. The chocolate croissant was my all time favorite. It was so flakey, rich, and not too sweet from the chocolate. It was the best I've had and would be even better with a cup of coffee from next door. I'd come back for these alone. read more

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Great bakery - . Super friendly staff. !

Can't go to Paris? Fournee will transport your tastebuds there and beyond. Shatteringly crisp, perfect (compared to anywhere) baguettes ... zillion-layered croissants and luscious bittersweet chocolate centered pain au chocolat...and the canele, tender custardy interior contrasting the darkly caramelized exterior -- OMG. Soooo worth the line. read more

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This is a best kept secret do not want to overwhelm them by bringing more people my go to for breads with grains Tip: use the green produce bags to store bread in after you purchase it keeping paper on or not do not store in plastic bags unless you are freezing it!! (this goes for all breads crusts will not get soggy!) support all our wonderful bakeries in berkeley!! stop reading and start eating read more

Really nice find in Berkeley. I just stumbled upon it as I saw long lines. It did not disappoint in any way!

Fournee was one of my bookmarks, that I finally got to try on a Sunday morning, and it did not disappoint! The line moves very quickly, and the pastries are such a delight! We tried the Almond Chocolate Croissant, Canele, and a Manchego Puff. Everything was so fresh. The Canele had a crisp outer with a chewy inner, and not overly sweet... so delicious! The Manchego Puff had the right balance of cheese and herb, and it was light and nice. The Almond Chocolate Croissant.... wow! just flaky and crisp on the outside and inside was filled with almond slice pieces (not just paste like most places) and dark chocolate. I'm a fan! And so is the person I dragged along on this Sunday morning (and i rarely hear compliments from him! lol). It's a cute little place where parking is rather limited though. Prices are reasonable. They have coffee, however, Peet's is next door too! read more

Fournee makes the best bread around! We particularly like the teff bread, which we can't find anywhere else. The pastries are also delicious, which is why there is usually a line. However, customers can order ahead by phone and quickly pick up an order - which is really the way to go. I've found the staff unfailingly polite and cheerful. read more

I recently had a Paris Brest for dessert at Chez Panisse and it left me wanting more. So I looked up the closest spot and Fourneé popped up. The first time we went here they were sold out so we opted for the chocolate croissant which was ok. Nothing like the chocolate croissant we had in France. Not enough distribution of the chocolate. The second time we got the Paris Brest early in the morning but ended up eating it for dinner. I don't know if it was the temperature change but it tasted nothing like what I had at Chez Panisse. It was too sweet and soggy by the end of the night. We also had a mixed fruit croissant which was really good. My favorite bakery in the area is still Rotha in Albany. read more

I used to live across the street from Tartine, and I can tell you that this place completely leaves it in the dust. The croissant, the morning bun, and the almond cake are especially good. read more

I think this has to be my favorite bakery in the area! I haven't been to too many, but most of them were the standard glamorized bakeries such as third culture and acme. While those were good, they were nothing too exceptional. However, this spot is absolutely AMAZING! I came on a Friday right before the lunch rush since I had an appointment in the area, and got the ham & egg croissant and the morning bun after seeing the great reviews about them. Service was super fast -- I thought I'd be waiting in line a lot longer. Both pastries were phenomenal! Probably the best I've ever had to be honest. The ham and egg is super unique in the sense that it's baked into a muffin shaped croissant with a whole egg and breadcrumbs on top. Every flavor complemented each other well, and it was literally the perfect bite every time. The morning bun was also delicious! Super flakey and not too overly sweet. The croissant layers were really light but also moist, actually the perfect texture. I was more than happy with my visit here and will definitely be back!! read more

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Everything here was delicious. It's definitely a line, but when we went it moved pretty quickly. The gougeres were particularly great, but was super happy with everything. We also got a loaf of bread which was solid as well. We'll for sure be back! read more

Amazingly flaky and perfectly baked laminate pastries. A croissant lovers heaven. Top layer is crispy but super thin, the insides are soft and layers and layers of goodness. The line is worth it. read more

Fournée Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We were in the neighborhood and I wanted to pick up something for my sister before heading to her place... people usually say something like that but the truth is, they're there for themselves =/ My friend described this place as the bougie side of Berkeley but at least the people didn't reflect that attitude. Lemon Praline Tart - the lemon custard/filling wasn't too tart. The crust is crumbly but had a nice texture Ham & Cheese croissant - always a personal favorite. Reheated this for breakfast next morning only to see my 4yo nephew eyeing it and after he took a bite, he wanted more. Seeing how he shares the same love for food, and good taste might I had, I took 2 bites and gave the rest to him Overall, good pastries, affordable prices read more

Fournée Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Their almond chocolate croissant is definitely a knockout. It's unlike anything I've ever had bc it's a lot more flakier and harder than most almond croissants which tend to have layers of soft buttery dough inside. Fournee's, on the other hand, gives you more of a denser bite, which I tend to like more. The chocolate is not too sweet and not too overwhelming either. I loved the outside of this croissant the most though - it reminded me of a cookie! The ham and egg croissant was just okay... It's definitely the most beautiful but not really exemplary. Also - the line's out the door. They could have been more efficient with moving the line along. It was pretty slow and the attendants didn't seem to be doing that much front of the house. read more

Fournée Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Been here twice and definitely suggest pre-ordering via the phone for next day pick up. First time we had to wait in a long line. Second time was way easier to pick up my pre-order. My husband and I liked the ham and egg croissant the best. The croissant has a good flavor and the egg on top was perfect. Next would be the ham and manchego. Wished it had more filling but it's the same for most bakery. One bakery that does not disappoint with the filling for ham and cheese is acme bread a few minutes drive from Fournee. They're different but both yummy. My least favorite was the gougere as it was dry and taste was just blah. Recommend this place and will come back to try other things. read more

I'm trying to explore food places in Berkeley that are a bit further from campus. So now every Friday, I go on a little adventure on the bus. This time I visited Fournee Bakery, because there are like no legit bakeries near campus for housemade croissants and other yummy goods. I spent about $12 on three items, so the price is like middle of the road. what to order~chocolate croissant, chocolate tart what I ordered~ Chocolate Croissant: sooo good! Although I was confused why the top layer of dough completely fell off (almost like a cap). I loved how there were two thick, long pieces of dark chocolate inside, so each bite had some chocolate in it! Chocolate Tart: OMG you have to get this! It is decadent, but not too rich. She described it to me as a souffle. It was pretty light and I almost ate it all in one sitting before I realized it. The "crust" is sweet and has a good bite to it, but it's not too hard. I was a little underwhelmed when I opened the box to see how small the piece was for over $5. Seasonal Fruit Croissant: Beautiful, but I was NOT a fan. The title caught my name because it had sweet potato/yam filling? But there was also some orange marmalade sort of thing that was way strong, pungent, and sour. The service was friendly and the lady helped me with recommendations because I'm so indecisive. There is not much space to sit and eat except for a table outside and some windowsill seating inside. They also sell sandwiches, but they're known for the ham and egg croissant which I will most definitely try next time! read more

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I have nothing bad to say about this place! If anything- the line can seem discouraging, don't fret it moves fast. My love for bread is rewarded at this lovely bakery! I have a few things I really come for - the miche is my favorite. It's great with olive oil and balsamic. Another favorite is the pain au lait - so buttery and delicious! The fruit scones are also always great! The sandwiches are pretty awesome too - I've only had veggie though. They offer coffee and yes it's tasty! The brownies are baked with love and/or magic! Some of the breads come in half or whole loaves which is appreciated- especially for my small household. Parking can be tricky some days - but never too bad. Staff is knowledgeable and accommodating. I recommend this place wholeheartedly! read more

I love this bakery. I am in this area multiple times a week, and try hard not to stop by every time. Luckily for me, the line is usually very long. That keeps me from going in too often. That said, it would definitely be a commitment to go otherwise. Parking is not easy, and unless you're lucky, the line will wrap around the corner. They do have a pre-order option, so I highly suggest doing that. I think you have to order for the next day though. Everything I have ordered is fantastic. I always ask for a Canelé. They sell out of them pretty quickly so I'm not always lucky enough to get one. They are fantastic! My children go crazy for the Pain Au Chocolat and my husband loves the Almond Croissants. I have a soft spot for the Gougères. They are basically cheese rolls, that contain, what I'm going to assume, is way more cheese than flour. That was not a complaint. They have sandwiches from about 11am and they're fantastic. If you can stand the line, or are lucky enough to come by when there isn't one, make sure you stop by! read more

My husband and I stopped early in the morning to get some pastries for breakfast. We both agree that they were some of the best pastries we've had. My favorite was the ham & manchego croissant. My husband said the Morning Bun was the best he's ever had, the flaky outside melts in your mouth! All the pastries were very flaky and crispy, plus beautiful visually too. We are already making plans to come back again and again. read more

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Meh. The bread was just average; had no scent at all. The scone was nearly flavorless. With all the great pastry and bakery shops in town, I have no idea why people would come here - no parking, long lines - just to get average quality food. Maybe it's the cakes that are the attraction? ‍ read more

Omg! The best. Everything. Breads, pastry, muffins, breakfast sandwiches! My favorite chocolate almond croissant

Lines may curl around the corner on weekends, but they're efficient. And the pastries and cakes are worth it! My personal favorite are the chocolate and almond croissants, a heavenly combination with a light flaky pastry that makes Tartine's chocolate croissants seem amateurish. But I prefer La Farine's morning buns that have more gooey cinnamon, sugar, and butter. read more

Fournée Bakery - Pain au Chocolat, Chocolate and Almond Croissant, and Morning Bun - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of my favorite bread bakeries in the East Bay! Loaves are huge, and they let you buy half. The Country loaf is similar to the signature Tartine loaf. If you like croissant, they have both sweet and savory options. They make cakes and tarts suitable for a dinner party. Sad they no longer make the herbed duck fat pullman (best savory french toast ever!) Be prepared to wait! People line up for awesome in the East Bay. read more

Best bakery in the East Bay! Service is super friendly. There is always a line but moves quickly. So many goodies to choose from. Ham and egg croissant was my favorite, major flakiness. So good. Also love their amazing almond croissant too. Don't forget to grab a baguette on your way out. They sell out quick. read more

Fournée Bakery - Ham and egg croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Ham and cheese croissant, morning bun, chocolate croissant and CANELES! Service friendly, small bakery.