Carmel Bakery

Ocean Ave, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

★★★★4.3(2,016 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

This beloved Carmel institution has perfected the art of the neighborhood bakery, serving up luminous pastries—think eclairs with silky cream and everything pretzels with chipotle sauce—alongside coffee that tastes even better when paired with something fresh from the case. There's a genuine sense of history baked into the place itself, and despite the perpetual line out the door, the team moves people through with impressive efficiency, making it easy to grab something quick or linger in the cozy atmosphere with friends and family.

What to expect

Quick grabPastriesOutdoor seatingSlow sitFamily friendlyMeetingsTraditional drinks

Google Reviews

Caitlin Rodgers
★★★★★2 months ago

Stopped in to get some baked goods to take with us for a drive. We bought two of the pretzels (everything and Parmesan) and two cannolis. The everything pretzel with chipotle sauce was delicious as were the cannolis and hit the spot while hiking.

The Breakfast King
★★★★2 months ago

A solid bakery. There's so many wonderful spots on Carmel and this is no exception. The eclair just looked so good I had to have one! It was well worth the wait. The cream was delightful.

Omar Laguna
★★★★★3 months ago

This bakery is a must-visit when in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The pastries are fresh, beautifully made, and full of flavor, and the coffee pairs perfectly with everything on the menu. The atmosphere is cozy and charming, matching the vibe of the town, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. It’s a great spot to grab a sweet treat, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this bakery is definitely worth stopping by.

Peter Farejowicz
★★★★★4 months ago

Carmel Bakery has a great sense of history, and you can feel the legacy of the shop as soon as you walk in. I was also impressed by how fast the line moved, despite the crowd. However, for me, it felt a little overhyped. The pastries were too sugary and sweet for my palate, lacking the balanced flavors I usually look for in a dessert. It might just not be my style, but I’d probably pass next time and try somewhere else. Kudos for the charm and efficiency, but the treats didn't quite land.

Candy Nakajima
★★★★★6 months ago

Carmel classic finally gave it a try! Every time I’ve been to Carmel (even way back when I was a teen!), there’s always a line outside Carmel Bakery. So this trip, we finally decided to see what the hype was about. The display case looked tasty. Giant pretzels, colorful macarons, tons of pastries, and gelato that totally grabs your attention. I’m a pistachio lover, so I went straight for the pistachio gelato affogato and a pistachio cannoli. Both looked exciting, but the flavor was a little more artificial than I expected. I was hoping for that fresh, nutty, homemade pistachio vibe. Still, I appreciated how nicely presented everything was and how many options they had. I’d definitely come back to try something different next time. Maybe one of their famous everything pretzels or an eclair. The spot itself is iconic, and the staff were friendly even with the line out the door. Overall worth another stop on.

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