Cafe Besalu
| Address: | 5909 24th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, USA |
| Phone: | +1 206-789-1463 |
| Site: | cafebesalu.com |
| Rating: | 4.8 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 17
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Dan Erickson
I love fresh baked pastries and Besalu is right next to my favorite coffee shop (Java Bean). The line at Besalu is typically out the door. I finally decided to see what the fuss was about so I went over to get one of their highly acclaimed croissants. It was busy, however the line was all inside. The reason for the line stretching out the door is partial due to the tiny size of this cafe. I patiently waited in line, noticing the racks of freshly prepared croissants ready to be put into the oven. I was hoping one of those would be mine, unfortunately I had to settle with one that was baked earlier that morning. I took it and an orange brioche to go. I re-warmed the croissant at home and coated it with a little butter before consuming. It was of course delicious, still I cant quite reconcile the fact that this tasty treat costs $2.25 (before tax)! It is after all mostly flour and I even if they are a bit difficult to make I would think it would be safe to assume they have the process dialed by now. I did a quick check online for the cost of a croissant in France. After averaging five websites, the mean cost of a croissant there is $1.90 USD. Well I guess the price isnt that high and they are after all very fresh (I think they bake them all morning). I also learned that 30-40% of croissants in France are frozen, mon dieu! If your not cheap like me, they are well worth the price!
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Craig Eaton
This is the best bakery I have been to in the US. Consistently amazing. The poor or sub 5 ratings are from those who have not experienced authentic French croissants or other baked goods. Read - light and buttery (as in real butter). Not heavy and weighty and meal-like. These croissant will get airborne in a heavy breeze. The quiche is to die for, ready at 10. The ham and cheese pastry is great road food. Sundays are the only day for almond croissant - not comparable to others in the city - I have had them. Sorry to sound like a snob but this place is what it is and earned its long lines.
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Albert Vilchez
My wife and I went to Café Besalu for the first time this morning. We were curious about this place because we are both from Catalunya (Spain) and the name of this Café is the name of a beautiful medieval town in our region. Wow! We are still amazed of the great pastries that weve had with such reasonable prices! For a little while is like we were back in our country! We plan on going back to try some other specialities: panellets, apple tarts,...Also, the owner has been very nice and attentive when I have approached to ask if someone there was from Catalunya! Thanks!
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A Private User
I dont care about being cliche in this review, because Cafe Besalu really deserves the hype. The coffee is good, and the food is amaaaaaaing. I usually eat some sort of quiche when Im there, and its always delicious. The selection of baked goods is sometimes a little overwhelming, but Ive never been disappointed with anything Ive chosen there! The only downside to this place is that its closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but this is my favorite coffee place in Ballard every other day of the week!
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Ali Ritter
My favorite Seattle bakery. Best croissants in town, although Honore comes close. Best everything else, including cardamom pretzels, macaroons, quiche, fruit galettes, Russian tea cookies, etc. Can be a bit crowded but the line goes fast and there always seems to be a seat opening up. Good for people and dog watching. Symbiotic with Tall Grass Bakery next door, which sells different but equally delicious baked goods like bread and a few sweet buns.
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A Private User
Superb croissants, superb quiche. A nice selection of other pastries, extremely well executed. Say hello to the baker, James. He likes to connect with patrons while he bakes and is an interesting fellow. This is the opposite of a chain outlet. They dont have a corporate image they hide behind. Attention is paid to details by individuals who care. They hope you will take the time to appreciate what they have made.
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Food Republic
Cafe Besalu turns out some of the flakiest French pastries weve ever seen Stateside. Faced with a pastry case full of decisions — we couldnt decide between sweet or savory — we took one of each. Onions and Gruyere for breakfast? When its this good, why not. The pastry is golden brown and so flaky, its like edible stain glass when you grab a seat at one of the tables in the window.
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Eric Hopper
This place has the best pastries Ive ever had. And I am not one to use absolutes like best lightly. Unfortunately, because of their unusual hours they frequently have lines that are so long that the pastries arent worth the wait for me. But, once you do get to the front of the line the staff is friendly and efficient.
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Travis Pearl
Definitely in the top 3 pastry shops in all of Seattle. It is a tiny little spot with great products. Get the ginger biscuit and a plain croissant with freezer jam, you will not be disappointed. PS: Stop by Tall Grass Bakery (next door) on your way out of the neighborhood, they have great, fresh baked bread!
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Rebecca Kijak
I definitely miss living a few blocks from this place, although, my pants do thank me! Love this place... everything is made with such care and tastes amazing. I daresay it would be foolish to order only one item. My favorite combo: vanilla latte with ham croissant and whatever the seasonal danish is.
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A Private User
Extraordinary pastries and friendly service. Make sure youre ready to wait in line for a bit; I have been there about a dozen times and the line is out the door about half the time. Highly recommended: almond schneckens, ham & cheese pastry, ginger biscuit, pain au chocolat and the standard croissant.
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P. E. McKee
The first time I visited Cafe Besalu I asked James the baker "What do they call a Danish in Denmark?" Without missing a beat he answered: "Viennabröt." He added that theres an annual competetion that hed been in. Amazing pastry plus very good espresso (a sadly rare combo)
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A Private User
This is one of the few Ballard places that lives up to the hype. Ive never had anything bad here, and Id eat their quiche every day if I could. The only negative is that they dont have enough tables for everyone who wants to eat in on the weekends.
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Matt Keoshkerian
This place was a bit hyped up so I was a bit disappointed when I went there. The pain of chocolat was good but wasnt really exceptional. Their cappuccinos also looked really poorly done (I didnt order one because I saw what the milk looked like)
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Bill Nieman
Besalu is my go to, and I cant believe I live in the neighborhood now - Dangerous! If you ever wondered what the definition of French pastry flaky, carmelized crust was, come to Besalu. That, and the fillings. Oh, the fillings. Gotta go now...
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Ivy Akers
Amazing pastries, delicious coffee. Hey new Herkimer owners - please go back to playing gypsy jazz and Spanish guitar! The soundtrack is part of the ambiance. To the tune of millenial indie rock Besalu becomes "just another Seattle coffee shop".
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Jeffrey Crosby
Amazing. Lucked into this place on a business trip because I was staying nearby, and I have made a point of visiting on subsequent trips even If Im staying further away. Some of the best pastries I have had, cannot recommend highly enough.
