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    Vanilya

    4.6 (116 reviews)
    ModerateBakeries
    Open 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Vanilya

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    brie & fig on za'atar bagel
    Justina A.

    DELICIOUS, chewy bagels!!! I was in line at another bagel shop around the corner, but it was taking too long so someone in line suggested coming to Vanilya and I am so glad they did!! I had no expectations coming here, but these bagels hit the spot!! I am pretty critical when it comes to bagels and I loved how chewy/pillowy the bagels were. They were so satisfying to bite into! Although there weren't many options for spreads, I thought the veggie smear I tried made up for the lack of options! The cream cheese was smooth and the cream cheese to veggie ratio was perfect! Soooo good on a toasted bagel! There weren't any sweet spread options, so I split a fig and brie bagel sandwich with my friend. We got it on a zaatar bagel which was unique! I loved the spices on this bagel. The fig jam was really tasty, but the combination of arugula and brie and fig wasn't my favorite. That's just personal preference though because my friend really enjoyed the sandwich more than the veggie smear!

    Sesame seed bagel with veggie cream cheese and tomato
    Amber Y.

    This place is so cute. I think these might be my new favorite bagels in Philly! They're fluffy, but crisp on the outside. The woman working the window was really nice too. I will definitely be coming back for more bagels!

    Ordering Window Outside
    Abir R.

    Great Croissants and Chewy Bagels I went on a Sunday morning and ordered via the window outside. There was no sit down dining permitted. They unfortunately didn't have the Chocolate Almond Croissant at the time so I got the regular Chocolate Croissant instead. Friendly service, and I got my order very quickly. Everything was packaged very nicely; individually packaged items and the paper take-out bag has a cute design on it. Chocolate Croissant 5/5 - Nice and flakey. Crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. The chocolate tasted amazing as well. Bagel Lovers Assortment 3.5/5 - Above average bagels. I personally don't like how chewy the bagels are, it feels almost like a jaw workout just to eat them. The flavoring is good though. I was originally going to review each of the flavors individually since it comes with 12 bagels and there are 6 flavors in total, but unfortunately I didn't get 2 of each flavor so I didn't get to try a whole bagel per flavor. Garden Veggie Cream Cheese 4/5 - Very vibrant flavors from the veggies, and the creaminess and consistency of the cream cheese was really good. Jalapeno Cream Cheese 5/5 - Amazing cream cheese. I'd recommend coming here just for the cream cheese if you have to. The cream cheese is creamy and has a nice texture to it. The jalapenos are well balanced. This cream cheese leaves you with a spicy aftertaste, but oddly enough the cream cheese aspect of it sedates the spiciness so it never becomes overwhelming. I love this cream cheese flavor and I'd definitely pick up some more if I ever visit again. Final Verdict I'd come back here to try out some of the other pastries and the bagel sandwiches, but I don't think I'd order the bagels by themselves again though. I'd 100% order some more Jalapeno Cream Cheese though.

    Everything bagel with tomato, mozzarella and pesto
    Abby S.

    Coming here was such a sweet treat recently! We came here on the weekend and tried some rugalech, a pastry with spinach and feta and the bagel special (which was tomato, pesto and mozzarella). The pastry was my favorite of everything we tried. It was flaky and light with a deliciously salty taste from the feta cheese. The bagel was okay, but I wouldn't come here for the bagels, since there are more specialized bagel shops that have better bagels. I'd definitely come again. They had many options and everything looked delicious!

    Plain bagel with cinnamon raisin cream cheese
    Richie H.

    Rated as the best bagels in Philadelphia for 2018. We stopped by and decided to grab some and try it for ourselves. They have a few options to choose from: plain, zaatar, poppy seed, sesame seed, and onion. Bagels are delicious - great crust on the outside and chewy center in the middle. Definitely a top tier bagel. They also have a variety of cream cheeses: cucumber dill, veggie, lavender honey, scallion and cinnamon raisin. They don't toast the bagel, but will put a generous amount of cream cheese and cut it in half. The cucumber dill and cinnamon raisin cream cheeses are mellow in flavor. You can barely taste the dill. Overall, good spot for breakfast!

    Sara G.

    Every mom wants to make her kid happy. So when my daughter said she wanted emoji cupcakes for her birthday, I agreed, and when she said they had to be specific, I went searching for a talented baker. I was referred here by several friends. The party was Jan 6. I called at the end of November and left a message asking if she could make the cupcakes. I received a return call from Bonnie on December 9- she said she'd been out of town but was back and could do it. She asked me to text her a picture of the cupcakes and I did. See the screenshots attached. We arranged the order and I agreed to the price. December 14 she wrote again and said she'd had a mishap and did I still want the cupcakes? I said yes. Again see the screenshot of our texts. On that day I was in Maui on my honeymoon and we were confirmed. I got back to town after New Year's and today I went to pickup the cupcakes at 2 pm as specified in our texts. The party was at 3 pm. She looked at me with a blank stare and said she had no cupcakes. She claimed I didn't confirm I wanted them. Well, see the texts- I did confirm. She said she didn't send me an invoice - maybe that is true but how is that my problem? So I asked for help. She sent me to a bakery on 13th st. I ran over there in the freezing cold and snow- and it was closed. At 2:25 pm with no cupcakes for 24 kids, I frantically went to ShopRite and Party City to get cupcakes and toppers. I had to face my poor kid at 248 pm without the promised cupcakes. My kid was nice about it. But this was an appalling thing to do to a parent, or anyone else, and is deeply unprofessional. If your order matters to you, avoid this bakery. PS: you can read the correspondence yourself to vet the accuracy of the owner's response. And if you'd like to examine her accusations about me, here is who I am: http://www.philly.com/philly/education/temple-prof-donates-100000-help-students-20171212.html She is making excuses for unprofessional behavior, period. She said she would place the order and didn't.

    Requested custom Minnie Mouse cake
    Jennie T.

    What a great local bakery! I was having a small, family gathering at my house for my two year-old's birthday. We had been back and forth on how big of a party to have, so I found myself still without a cake ordered less than a week from her birthday. Daughter is newly-obsessed with Minnie Mouse so after a few Pinterest searches, I decided a Minnie Mouse cake with just ears and bow details would be perfect. Enter super Bonnie! I called Vanilya on Wednesday, three days before when I needed it and spoke to owner Bonnie. I described to her what I was looking for and she gave me info on cake sizes, flavors, and general pricing. She asked me to send her some photos of what exactly I was looking for and then she would call me back with a more detailed quote. She called me back within an hour or so, we talked more about my vision (there was no exact cake design out there that was what I wanted), and she gave me the pricing and sent me a sketch. I paid in full over the phone and she sent me the receipt/invoice (I thought this was very fair due to the short notice from my end as I have never ordered a custom cake without making at least a deposit.) I went Saturday to pick it up at the agreed upon time. Parking is a little scarce, but not unusual if you live in S. Philly, which I do. The cake was ready, Bonnie gave me instructions on when to chill it, when to take it out for optimal eating state, and how to be careful with the fondant details. I even purchased an apple danish which was the best danish I've ever had (usually in a danish I just want to get to the filling, but the pastry was so delicately flaky and flavorful!) The cake was not only pretty but SO GOOD! We had alternating layers of yellow cake and chocolate cake. The outside was vanilla buttercream and the inside was filled with fresh strawberry buttercream. I will emphasize the "fresh" part was it was a natural pink color and tasted like the actual fruit, with strawberry pieces in it too. The whole cake was light, airy, and delicious! I am so glad I went here, as it had been recommended by a few neighbors. We will definitely be back and thank you for the wonderful and last-minute cake!

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Bonnie S.

    Thank you for your kind words!! Hope everything works out.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    These are the best bagels around not to mention the delicious chocolate cookie. Yum!

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Bonnie S.

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    9 years ago

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    Bonnie S.

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    3 years ago

    Best bagels in Philly! And yummy pastries too! Get there early to grab what you want bc they are a small operation and may run out.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Bonnie S.

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    6 years ago

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    Bonnie S.

    Thank u for al of the kind words. Making bagels makes me so happy!!

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    4 years ago

    Greatest bagels I ever tasted hands down ... the poppy strudel was perfect mix of sweetness and savory.. check it out

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    3 years ago

    Best bagels in Philly. Soft and chewy, crackly exterior. My favorite bagels outside of NYC.

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Bagels and Croissants are out of this world. The Service here is very nice, the pastries are a 10/10.

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    6 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Vanilya

    Hi, do you make custom cookies? And if so the price for a dozen?

    If i have a special design or vision i have for a birthday cake am i allowed to bring this idea in and ask you guys to work with it?

    Yes. Please call Bonnie at (917) 751-7044 to arrange a time and date

    Hi do you guys can make me a DJs cake?

    What is dj cake?

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Sweet Life Bakeshop

    The Sweet Life Bakeshop

    4.8
    (414 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I thought I'd written a review about this place before but to my shock I had not…read more I have been coming here since the day they opened, infrequently beacuse I am diabetic but when I want to spoil my body with delicious sugar, honey, this is *IT*. Now I could tell you all about how perfectly tasty everything is. From the classic banana puddings (I prefer the caramel version myself,) to the cookies, to the pineapple upside-down mini cakes. Yes, I could tell you that. But I want to speak to something deeper. I want to speak to belonging and community; and to fairness. As a biracial person with a brown sister, I feel the pull to support black and brown businesses. It's not a secret. And sometimes you do it, and sometimes you privately think "Damn. I wanna be supportive but this place is a mess." Then there's Sweet Life. NOT that. FILLED with good product at a great price, delivered by owners and staff who actually give a damn about being loving and supportive to all different types of people. And did I mention the sweets are POPPIN'? And to that statement of fairness. Today I came in to place an order, and when the price came up, for a moment I thought "Damn. That is a lot higher than I remembered, but I am not about to question them. They set the price and that price is what they deserve." So I paid. But then I noticed there was more in my bag that I'd asked for, and that there had been a miscommunication. When I tell you that this miscommunication was corrected with swiftness *AND* a smile. No shade. No drama. Just an "Ooops, oh well, here's your refund on the balance." I know this seems very basic but we all know it isn't. We have all been in that awkward situation where as a customer we have to point out an error, and the vendor turns it into a Shakespearan tragedy. Not Sweet Life. "Oops. Sorry! Fixed. Love you." So, to recap: Stunningly delicious sweets. Prices fair as hell. Communicative, inclusive staff doing the right thing. You need to take those money dollers and haul your ass over here TODAY. Now...where did I put my insulin pen?

    You would pass by it if you are moving too quickly. Don't pass though! Small shop inside. The space…read moreis truly for baking these fine delights. I ate way more than this pic shows because each flavor is its own unique flavor. The No Nana banana pudding (not shown) is the truth!! If you struggle with dairy and miss banana pudding--- get it. It was my favorite delight. I got my wife the pineapple upside down cake. She loved it! Sweet, slightly gooey and perfectly portioned. The people there are great. That make you feel like you're picking a wedding ring. Giving personal recommendations and the extra sophistication you wouldn't expect at a cupcake place on south street. They have it all and i will go back for more and i highly recommend them, especially the no-nana pudding (not pictured).

    Photos
    Exterior
    Exterior
    The Sweet Life Bakeshop
    Original Banana Pudding

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    Original Banana Pudding
    Bread Top House

    Bread Top House

    4.3
    (183 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $

    We live in Jersey City, so there's really no shortage of Chinese bakeries for me to go to - either…read morein Manhattan or in Brooklyn. But, since we were staying close to Philly's Chinatown, I figured I could stop in and get some goodies. I came very late in the day, so a lot of the breads I would've wanted were sold out. However, I did manage to snag some egg tarts and sponge cakes. Both were great. The egg tarts were crispy and custardy. Service was good - very friendly and patient as I perused.

    I visited Bread Top House during a weekend trip to Philly's Chinatown neighborhood and had the…read moreabsolute best pastries! There's a large selection of treats as well as a coffee menu. I got the egg tart on recommendation as well as a cheese pastry, pandan cake and red bean moon cake and everything was delicious! The cheese pastry had the softest exterior with a warm cheese filling that was savory but light at the same time. The moon cake was very rich and perfect for sharing! The pandan cake and egg tart were perfectly not-too-sweet, which is why I personally tend to gravitate towards Asian baked goods. It's a smaller but very cozy and homey interior with two tables for sitting down to enjoy your coffee and pastries. It's also cash only or Venmo, so keep that in mind if you never carry cash! I look forward to visiting again and trying more items!

    Photos
    Red bean mooncake
    Red bean mooncake
    Bread Top House
    Dozen Box (photographed after a 10-hour trip and still looks amazing)

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    Dozen Box (photographed after a 10-hour trip and still looks amazing)
    Matcha Panda Cafe

    Matcha Panda Cafe

    4.4
    (252 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    This is my second time visiting a Matcha Panda location, and I'm happy to say the quality is just…read moreas good as the Chestnut Street one. They definitely seem consistent, which I really appreciate. I came with a couple of friends on a Saturday afternoon, and wow... this place was packed. Even with the crowd, the staff stayed friendly and worked quickly, so we didn't have to wait too long for our drinks. One thing I still love is the seating. They have giant plushies sitting in the booths, so if you're by yourself, you're not just awkwardly staring at an empty seat across from you. Maybe I'm the only one who appreciates that, but I think it's a cute touch. The matcha here is the real deal. It's bright green, fragrant, and has that rich, earthy flavor with just enough natural bitterness that you know they're using quality matcha. A lot of places advertise matcha, but this one actually delivers. I ordered one of their matcha desserts with ice cream, and it was creamy, refreshing, and let the matcha flavor shine instead of burying it under sugar. My only complaint is that it was pretty warm inside. It was a hot summer day, and I honestly couldn't tell if the air conditioning was running or if it was just fans. Either way, it wasn't very cool inside. Thankfully I had ice cream, so it didn't bother me too much, but it's something to keep in mind if you're stopping by on a really hot day. Overall, another great visit. Friendly staff, consistently high-quality matcha, and a fun atmosphere. If you're a matcha lover, this is still one of my favorite spots in Chinatown.

    I came in from California and immediately started searching for a matcha spot. I was in the area…read moreand came across it. They offer samples of their soft serve flavors! I personally thought the matcha one was the best. The service was quick and informative. And I loved the little booths they had, it was adorable. That aside, I do think the drinks are mediocre. I ordered their most popular, Mango Matcha and their Hojicha Latte. Sadly I was disappointed, the mango matcha was VERY sweet, but the texture was creamy. I just couldn't get over the overpowering sweetness of the mango puree, but that's my personal preference. The mango flavor itself wasn't bad! Maybe half sweet would be the way to go, Im not sure if they do adjustments. If you love yuzu, I don't recommend their yuzu soft serve HOWEVER their matcha soft serve is pretty yummy Their Hojicha was watery...I really hoped it would be better. I don't recommend it. No further comments.

    Photos
    Matcha ice cream ($7)
    Matcha ice cream ($7)
    Panda Snack Cup Series w/ Roasted Green Tea Gelato. Fresh Red Bean, Jasmine Tea Jello, Boba pearls, and Crispy flakes
    Panda Snack Cup Series w/ Roasted Green Tea Gelato. Fresh Red Bean, Jasmine Tea Jello, Boba pearls, and Crispy flakes
    Yuzu Cream Puff

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    Yuzu Cream Puff
    J'aime French Bakery

    J'aime French Bakery

    4.6
    (471 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    When I walked in, the ladies behind the counter welcomed me in and let me know that they'd be right…read morewith me when I was ready to order. I definitely appreciate when people notice you as you walk in. The prices are very reasonable. There were too many items to select from yet I ended up with a simple chocolate croissant that day. It was nice and flaky! I always enjoy a touch of chocolate. The place inside is cute. I like that it's dimly lit. I will be back to try the other amazing looking baked goods.

    Very quaint bakery We were quite disappointed in their…read moreversion of a napoleon which claiming to be a French bakery was very disappointing. Any true French bakery would not put the name "Napoleon" on a 2 small overdone pastry in the shape of a heart with small amount of cream in the middle. Nothing like the napoleon which my friend is and always has been a French classic. A three layered pastry fluffy with silky cream between each layer with a beautiful fondant icing which they called Mille - feuille. No it is not an Italian version it is French through and through. While as a French bakery you can make those cutesy heart pastry puffs please do not insult the french baker by calling it a napoleon. I unfortunately made the very foolish mistake of ordering this heart puff napoleon over the phone- thinking I would be getting , yes, you guessed it a napoleon.

    Photos
    GÂTEAU À L'HUILE D'OLIVE
    GÂTEAU À L'HUILE D'OLIVE
    Apple tart in the foreground, but the highlight is the merveilleux!
    Apple tart in the foreground, but the highlight is the merveilleux!
    Counter

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    Counter

    Vanilya - bakeries - Updated July 2026

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