Alta Bakery and Cafe

The 23 Best Restaurants In Monterey

"For freshly baked breads, stunning desserts, and edible flower-studded avocado toasts so tall they’ll remind you of the Santa Lucia mountains, head to Alta Bakery and Cafe. There’s usually a line, but don’t worry, it moves fast. When you reach the front, you’ll understand why everyone is so willing to wait. Their baked goods, like the rosewater pistachio swirl, are incredible. If you want to go savory, try a smoked salmon croissant, coated in a thick layer of everything bagel seasoning, or a tomato danish with ricotta and thyme. Alta’s sunny garden patio is the perfect place to enjoy your treats, and if you come for lunch, get one of the seasonally rotating pizzas and a garden herb mimosa in flavors like hibiscus-mint or pear-sage." - allison green, gabi moskowitz

Alta Bakery & Cafe - Review - Monterey - Monterey - The Infatuation

24-Hour Guide to Dining in Monterey and Carmel With Kids - Eater SF

"The history behind Alta Bakery would be enough to attract most tourists. The building is a vast complex housing a barn and corner store and was once the home of sea captain John Rogers and his wife, Encarnación Vallejo Cooper. In 2019 it morphed from a shuttered historic complex run by the California State Parks to a lively bakery, owned by chef Ben Spungin and the Alta Group. Here, diners can enjoy everything from nine-grain pancakes to goat cheese fritters and summer garden pizza. Both the refurbished building and preserved courtyard are perfect spots to dig into your meal. Be sure to grab a few of the killer blue corn cookies on the way out." - Marisa Churchill

Where to Eat and Drink Around Monterey and Carmel

"The Old Town District of Monterey is chock-full of history and lore, and one of the richest places to absorb some of it is the rehabilitated Cooper-Molera Adobe and the surrounding grounds. The project to revitalize this property was no small feat, and one of the principal players was Ben Spungin, formerly of Post Ranch Inn and now culinary director of Alta Bakery & Cafe, housed in this historic corner on Munras Avenue. The tucked-away garden courtyard is a lovely spot to sip a cold brew coffee or kiwi and pineapple sage mimosa while nibbling on a croque-monsieur or obligatory avocado toast." - Lauren Saria, Paolo Bicchieri, Dianne de Guzman

vamsi krishna

Google

Alta Bakery is a charming spot with a beautiful pastry display that’s hard to resist. We absolutely loved their croissants—perfectly fluffy and crispy, just how they should be. Their coffee was excellent and paired wonderfully with the treats. The almond financier was a standout, rich and delicious, leaving us wanting more. It’s a cozy place that’s perfect for a quick bite or relaxing with a cup of coffee and some pastries. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!

Hossam Elbelasi

Google

Simply one of the best bakeries I’ve been too. Great quality and innovative flavors. Had the smoked salmon croissant which was sublime. Coffee drinks are wonderful. They use coffee ice cubes for iced drinks so your drink doesn’t taste watered down if you are a slow drinker.

sarmad khan

Google

We had a wonderful breakfast experience here! The avocado toast and tuna melt were absolutely delicious, and the house-made chai added the perfect touch to our meal. The ingredients were fresh, and the flavors really stood out. The service was great, but the highlight for us was the beautiful location specially the patio provided a serene and charming setting to enjoy our breakfast. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food in a lovely atmosphere!

Diamond Diamond

Google

What a charming, beautiful cafe! I love visiting. With a rotating menu; there is always something new to love! The outside seating is just beautiful. You will feel like the prettiest person to ever live seating outside enjoying a sweet pasty and tasty latte. The staff is excellent warm, and welcoming. A must try in the Bay Area!

Aleyna Stone

Google

Alta Bakery impressed me with its charming layout and inviting atmosphere. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by an array of pastries and a hardworking staff. I had their latte and banana bread. The espresso shot was perfectly dialed in, and the chocolate pieces in the banana bread added a lovely sweetness that complemented the flavor without being overwhelming. While the banana bread was good, I found it to be a bit conventional. However, if you’re looking for consistently well-made bread with a professional touch, this is the place to go. Overall, I believe they have a lot of talent and offer quality that appeals to a wide audience.

Angela Roche

Google

This place! Wow! Food was amazing. Line was out the door when we arrived and when we left an hour later. Definitely worth the wait and they have a system that moves the line quickly. There’s a girl that periodically brings a wooden display tray with more pastries (some different) which makes you want to go through the line again to order more. Everything looks amazing. There was a bit of a wait for the ordered food from the menu but again, worth it.

Nina V

Google

The food display is enticing. The croissant were large. We opted to share a corned beef croissant (rare offering to find at a bakery) and a green salad. The produce quality is great. (lettuce was crisp and fresh and the lemon dressing perfect)The patio dining area was warm and comfortable. The crows seemed to enjoy the food there too. The dessert was very eye-catching but difficult to maneuver and okay but not exceptional.

Chaitanya Sambangi

Google

Lovely cafe with open air seating behind the cafe as well. An array of savory and sweet options. Tried the orange cardamom latte with oatmilk and it was very good

Joseph Y.

Yelp

Taste: 4.5 Value: 4 Service: 4.5 Came here after my brother suggested I check it out. Was pleasantly surprised by the unique menu items they had here. A latte with star anise gave a great licorice flavor that I wouldn't think of. Not a regular drink, but a tasty experience. Ginger scone and bacon cinnamon roll were also uniquely flavorful and well made. Obligatory avocado toast was beautiful with seasonal toppings and micro greens, but was disappointed with mashed avocado instead of fresh slices, which I prefer. Would definitely come by again when in the neighborhood. Almond tart was a the standout pastry as the almond flavoring was both rich and simple in taste. Sat out back in the garden with a light drizzle making for a scenic breakfast.

Alejandra D.

Yelp

Heard so much about their blue corn cookie. Came around noon-ish and the line was out the door. I went inside to use the restroom and asked one of the workers who was cleaning, if they constantly made the blue corn cookies. he said yeah, so I said ok I'd get back in line then. There's just 1 line to order. A bit confusing b/c once inside, you come up on the display of food, so you order food w/that person, but if you want coffee, you don't order w/them. you have to proceed ahead and order w/the cashier. We waited in total about 30-35 minutes, only to get to the front and ask for the cookies, and the guy was all, "oh we ran out a while ago". He was the same guy whom I asked earlier and I told him, but I asked you earlier if you guys had them all the time and you said yeah. So, I didn't get my cookies. But they sold the dry mix for ~ $23. We still had to add our own eggs, and butter. It made about a dozen cookies. They came out good, but would've preferred to try the real thing b/c ours came out a bit thin and crunchy. Not sure if the real ones taste like that too. We sat outside for a bit. The ambiance seemed nice and relaxing. The food items also looked good for breakfast & lunch, but we had other plans.

Anita L.

Yelp

Cute spot to grab a quick breakfast. We got coffees and pastries. I enjoyed the sausage roll, but it was the feta and spinach pastry that I loved! They also have quiche and a bunch of sweet options.

Constance L.

Yelp

Solid neighborhood coffee shop with seasonal drinks! The line/order taking system really isn't efficient, because you have to wait in the same line even if you're only ordering either a pastry or coffee, and they only take your order when you're ready to pay, so it feels unproductive. It would make more sense for staff to get started on coffee orders at the beginning of the line, have coffees ready by the time you're at the register, and just bag pastries while your payment is processing. Logistics aside, the seasonal spiced latte was very good -- great cinnamon flavor and wasn't too sweet, and really lovely on a chilly morning. The chocolate chip cookie was just alright and not memorable for the price, I wouldn't order this again. It was hearty, dense, and had a good chew, but I didn't love the flavor. Open to coming back and trying more items from their menu the next time I'm in town!

Ryan T.

Yelp

This spot was kind of whatever to me. It felt like those hippy spots where its about the looks and not the coffee/food. Maybe I didn't get the right thing and I messed up but the mushroom danish was the best thing we had. We also ordered the apple croissant which was alriiight. Ham and cheese crossant was coo but whatever. Idk we went to other spots nearby and we enjoyed those more than this one hence why I put the OK instead of good. I think y'all should ask to warm stuff up because some of these eaten cold sound and was miserable. If I had the opportunity to again, I wouldn't try this spot again. They had a nice backyard thing tho! Bet its real nice in the summer!

Vivian C.

Yelp

I've never waited this long in line at a bakery before and it's one of those moments where I was too impatient that I ended up consuming everything that was bought before being able to take a picture to show off. Got gingerbread latte which was perfect amount of sweetness and caffeine. The pastries were super good. Not pictured but got the savory bun and a toasted that seemed to have goat cheese with mushroom. Super tasty. Wish we came on a sunny day because the garden patio was beautiful.

Evangeline E.

Yelp

My favorite bakery in the area. Service is always pretty efficient, even on a Saturday with a line. Pastries are so flaky and light and not too sweet. They always rotate their offerings which keeps bringing me back. The vibes inside are really cute and there's a whole backyard patio area as well. The only reason I took off a star is their coffee. Now while the coffee itself is pretty good, their milk steaming skills could improve immensely. It's always hit or miss as you can see my sister's drinks were great but my cappuccino was a bubbly mess. I don't think of them as a coffee shop but rather a bakery that happens to serve coffee. Signed, a barista.

Joanne H.

Yelp

I love this spot. Every time I'm in Monterey I make a point to go here, they have fresh pastries daily, with variety quality and ambiance. There is amazing outdoor seating for your pups & they have a beautiful garden to sit in. The service is order first before you sit in for dining in, otherwise take out they have a cute station for utensils and water. I've been back 5x or more and consistency is every time. This has to be my fave spot of 2024

Roxy R.

Yelp

I absolutely love this cafe. Their matcha latte is amazing, and the atmosphere is perfect for relaxing. The staff are nice and make every visit enjoyable. Highly recommend!

Monica S.

Yelp

If you like everything croissants, this is the place as everything is made out of the croissant dough. Because there's not much filling in each of the pastries, they remind me of Europe so it's mostly croissant. Although there is a line, it moves fast as Alta is efficient. Seating indoors and outdoors is available. If you want refills on coffee, it's a $1. Bathrooms are outdoors and shared, but clean. Alta Bakery is located in the historic Cooper-Molera Adobe and one block away from Monterey Marriott.

Eric L.

Yelp

An impressive bakery with some of the best bread I've had in years - but I found everything else (the pastries, the coffee) to be ordinary. I loved the avocado toast - not because of the avocado, though it was beautiful and decorated with light flowers, pomegranates, and radishes, but because of just how flavorful the bread was. The pastry was good, and the pistachio was a nice touch. The coffee was meh... I'm not a coffee guy, but I figured I'd try and it was fine. I couldn't really taste the star anise, which was what sold me on it. Price: high, but it's what you'd expect to pay in a high-end coffee shop in a tourist town. Service: solid, and the line moves fast.

Kathryn Y.

Yelp

Excellent coffee and freshly made treats. I got the cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing and the donut holes. Friendly service and clean shops with good vibes. I had been here before when I lived in Monterey once for a sandwich, but today was coffee time! The cinnamon roll was absolutely scrumptious with a sweet cream cheese topping. The donut holes were cinnamon sugar covered cake style. Perfect to dunk in coffee. Yummy!! Worth the price. Treat yourself! SYOY!

Edgardo M.

Yelp

Absolutely deliciously stunning pastries and bakes. Our hotel recommended we check this place out for the freshly baked goods. They stated they were some of the best in Monterey. They did not lie. We picked up the daily focaccia, rose pistachio swirl, green tea mousse, and ham and cheese croissant. Every single thing was phenomenal. Definitely get here early to get the best pick. The things we didn't happen to finish right away held up so well on our ride back to LA.

Ranice L.

Yelp

PSA: Yelp says dog friendly but no dogs/live animals allowed. I had to drop off my dog and several things were sold out at 8:45am on a Tuesday. However, was able to snag a cinnamon bloom and the last cinnamon roll. Both were a bit crunchy but flavors were nice! Wouldn't mind dropping by again if I visit Monterey however it would need to be early in the morning.

Brunella C.

Yelp

Don't let the line discourage you. It's totally worth it. After 40mins waiting we were inside with our carbs. The place has a lot of room to seat inside and it has a beautiful patio. Everything looked amazing. I tried the pistachio rose swirl. Maybe a little more rose would've been better but tasted and less icing to let the pistachio shine. Blackberry Gluten free crumble was pretty good and not dry. The peanut butter banana toast was on point on flavor but there a couple of things I didn't like: bread too thick making it hard to cut and the salt in the chocolate crunch. Please leave the salt away from chocolate and caramel. It doesn't reduce the sweetness, just makes it weird. Cinnamon bloom so yummy.The avocado toast was so pretty to eat! Never had it before with pomegranate seeds. Enjoyed how the sweetness balanced the acidy from the lemon juice. Great spot for breakfast, just arrive early and expect to wait at least 30mins.

Irena S.

Yelp

Came here for the 2nd time this past week on a Monday, on the way to carmel with a couple of friends. We left the East Bay before eating breakfast so it was nice to get a pastry during our road trip! My order: salmon croissant for $8 Pros: - really delicious salmon croissant, hefty, buttery, good amount of flakiness but not too much, great savory taste. - pretty efficient service, there was a short line when we got there on a weekday but they moved pretty quickly - self serve fruit water - bathroom is clean, but has a code - super cute outdoor seating area in the back Cons: - line could get long, so I recommend coming on a weekday - parking could get tricky on a weekend since it's just a busy area etc. - if it's pretty busy, the outdoor area can get really hot when it's sunny (it was about 75 deg the other day), if you don't get a spot under the shade. Overall didn't mind the cons because the croissant was so good! worth the price.

Juan S.

Yelp

Looking for a cool hipster place in the cutest shopping center highly recommend this place. The ham and cheese croissant were absolutely amazing we had to grab a few pastries to take with will mostly definitely be coming back. Service was fast and food was to die for.

Kim M.

Yelp

This place offers baked goods, sandwiches, pizza and great coffee. I had a croissant, a tuna melt, pizza and a latte. I loved the outdoor seating they had and would definitely recommend visiting them.

Maria S.

Yelp

Almost every year I have a work conference in Monterey. You know how you have a standard buffet breakfast included with your conference program? Well skip that and head down the street from the conference center and enjoy some of the best pastries and coffee drinks in town. ALTA is a beautiful shop with a nice array of baked goods right when you walk in. There is almost always a line and it is worth the wait. I love their ginger scones and cinnamon bloom pull apart with my golden milk or cortado. The staff are friendly and there are lots of tables both inside and outside to relax and enjoy your food. It's a nice spot to enjoy before spending a day in breakout sessions.

Lisa S.

Yelp

The food presentation is amazing. Everything looks so delicious and beautifully created. Open at 7 am and service was great. Everyone was pleasant, barista does a wonderful design on lattes. Mellow cafe. Worth stopping by.

Neen M.

Yelp

Such an awesome atmosphere. Love the exterior / interior. SO many options - I actually ended up getting a lot here which is rare for me but everything looked so good. The house chai is delicious - not too sweet, not too spicy. I love the communal tables / but beware that sometimes there isn't enough seating. There's outside seating but depending on weather might not be preferable. Salmon toast was also yummy and the bread was a delight! Would recommend when you're in the area - it's a places that both for visitors and locals and walkable to many other things in Monterey

Tim H.

Yelp

The garden eating area in the back is amazing! Parking Easy street parking then again we came here later afternoon Friendly service no issues place your order they're bringing out to you Grab the veggie wrap and Tartine which was okay. We definitely missed the morning croissants and other breakfast goodies. Was a little disappointing because they didn't have a bunch of selections, but I understandable since we came later

Hyun Y.

Yelp

Come here for delicious collections of pastries. We got whole bunch of stuff and enjoyed maple bacon pastry, ginger scones, chia seed pudding, almond tart, avocado toast and seasonal latte. My personal favorite was the almond tart! It was scrumptious bite of tart! Can't quite explain but my mouth was filled with yummy almond fragrance and it wasn't too sweet. Ginger scone with candied ginger was excellent as well. My husband really enjoyed Anise and Sage latte. There were seating both inside and outside. It was raining so outside seating was a bit limited.

Anna C.

Yelp

My fav bakery in Monterey~ Great lunch options, pretty plating, go-to place in historical downtown Monterey. Best part is their outdoor seating area in the backyard.

Nick N.

Yelp

4.5 Came here after seeing something on youtube about the almond croissant and holy shit motherfucker it's so good it made me curse. Crispy on the outside and almost like cake on the inside, I would literally detour to get this again. And then I came the next day to find out they only make it with leftover croissants and so it's not an everyday thing. W T F.... We hadn't eaten all day and this was our first stop after driving 4 hours so the urge to go full diabetic was strong but we held off. A large cold brew is the size of a solo cup...FYI I don't care for tart things but the wife loves it and so she loved the fancier. It was moist and a very good pastry, but not for me. 2 pastries and a coffee for $20 is a bit steep....but we're getting 4 of these damn croissants on the way out tomorrow.....so there's that.

Howie X.

Yelp

Fresh made everyday and it's the most popular bakery in Monterey . You have to go there early to be in line for your favorite items . This bakery offers fresh made sandwiches , muffins , croissants with variety of coffee drinks . The only con is the price. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for ....the quality and freshness ! That's the most people in this high income area cares for and their reputable location also supportly by lots of tourists as well ‍ . Definitely a must stop if you are up to coffee and baked pastries .

Margarita G.

Yelp

The staff was very kind and friendly. This place was worth coming back one more time before the end of the trip. Tried the vanilla and matcha lattes which were both delicious. The avocado toast my partner had was amazing and the pastries didn't disappoint. The sitting area outside was beautiful. Looking forward to our next trip so we can come back!

Jen L.

Yelp

5 Stars - A Magical Coffee & Bakery Experience! This sweet coffee and bakery spot was absolutely worth the wait outside! The food was excellent, and the experience of heading out back to enjoy it in an atmosphere that felt downright majestical was the cherry on top. Let's start with the coffee. Their house coffee was just right--rich and flavorful, without that watered-down taste that some coffees have. Even though their espresso machine was temporarily down, the coffee they served was more than worth it. Now for the baked goods: we started with a cinnamon roll that was perfection! It was light, flavorful, and topped with the perfect dollop of homemade cream cheese frosting--just the right amount without being too heavy. I also tried a pastry that was like a croissant-bagel hybrid, topped with thick-cut bacon, cream cheese, and fresh chives. The flavors were incredible, and the freshness of the herbs (which they grow right there on-site) really stood out. To top it all off, we got a Pavlova to go, and it was equally delicious! If you're in the area, this spot is a must-visit. The combination of great food, incredible coffee, and a serene garden setting makes it a truly magical experience. You won't be disappointed! I can't forget to mention the service was all with smiles ! You can feel the employees work well as a team in this busy place . They all had patience to my questions for every pastry. I will 100% go back!

Natalie P.

Yelp

A good cafe vibe inside with a good amount of seating plus an outdoor patio area! The croissant sandwich might not look good from the outside but don't judge a book by its cover. The sandwich was so good! There was like a caramelized onion jam on it, whatever it is made it so good. Along with the pickle, the pickles were so good! Plus, we came and they had the chocolate cake still so we had to get it. Super moist and yummy! The staff were pretty nice and helped us decide between a couple items. Plus, they misheard my order but after I mentioned the mistake they remade my drink for me!

Nellie P.

Yelp

Can't get enough of this place! The lavender latte is amazing! I order this everytime we come. Highly recommend the ham and cheese croissant and the chocolate croissant. Both were fantastic. The line gets very long if you don't go at opening. We usually try to get there early!

Ryan W.

Yelp

ALTA Bakery & Cafe is located right in downtown Monterey and I'm so glad we discovered this spot! They have a large selection of various pastries and breads to choose from - including both sweet and savory options! They also have various coffee and tea options, but we stuck with the pastries. We enjoyed coming here so much on our first day that we came back our second morning as well before heading out of Monterey. They have plenty of seating inside, but the best area to sit is outside in the back. // FOOD // Heirloom Tomato Danish: Thick slice of heirloom tomato, feta cheese on top. This was by far my favorite item that we tried! The tomato was so fresh and paired perfectly with the cheese and danish. 5/5 Spinach and Feta: Flaky croissant like dough, filled with spinach and a chunk of feta cheese in the middle. I love spinach and feta so this one was a top contender as well. 4/5 Salmon Croissant: A slice of smoked salmon and a dollop of cream cheese through the middle. At first glance, seeing only one slice of smoked salmon made it seem like it wouldn't be too flavorful, but boy was I wrong. The salmon definitely stood out and was perfect with the cheese. Highly recommend having them warm this up for you! 4/5 Chocolate Chip Cookie: Rich, decadent, buttery, and chocolatey. Definitely one of the better chocolate chip cookies that I've had. It's on the softer side as a heads up for those who like their cookies crispy. 4/5 Ham and Cheese Croissant: The cheese is sharp and the croissant is flavorful. An elevated ham and cheese croissant than what you're normally used to having. 4/5 Overall, I would highly recommend coming to Alta Bakery if you're looking for amazing pastries to start your day. I know there's other bakeries in the area, but we didn't even bother once we tried Alta the first time.

Sara A.

Yelp

We went on a Sunday and the line was very long. The wait was long and we almost didn't try it. It's a small shop with lots of seating inside and outside. The iced mochas we got were good but lacked coffee flavor I do like the dark chocolate they use. If you are going to just get a pastry and coffee I did not think it was anything amazing. We got cookies including the carrot cake one which was ok for me and my bf liked it a lot. The environment is rushed and didn't feel super friendly but it was super busy. The sandwiched and wraps are big and look very good I would deff give this place another chance for the sandwiches. Overall I liked it wasn't impressed by the things we got this time and the coffee was lacking coffee but will try again on another date.

Grace W.

Yelp

The bakery is very cute. It has this Spanish/Old California vibes to the interior decor and outside. I think the building looks kind of historic in design. The insider decor is very simple and kind of reminds me of the inside of the Carmel Mission. There is something about it... I don't know. The baked goods are all presented up front. Everything looks delicious. We got the chocolate croissant and plain croissant. It was good. I wouldn't say it was outstanding. The chocolate croissant was good in the sense that there were a lot of chocolate chips inside.

Jen D.

Yelp

I've been coming here for a few years now, at some point, I was here every single day and was happy with the service and the food. I've known the old crew by name. Sadly, all the familiar faces are gone. I still come here often and yesterday, I came early to buy a gift card and 3 chocolate croissant. Unfortunately, for my friend who loves chocolate croissant, she got one that didn't have any chocolate. I know mistakes happen but any businesses who care about retaining their customers should want to make it right. So I came in today to let them know about the missing key ingredient in the chocolate croissant by telling and showing a pic to the same guy that helped me yesterday and he just looked at me with a blank face. He did nothing and said nothing. Great! So I get to the cash register and told the guy the same thing and asked if they would replace the "defective" pastry. This is not about getting something for free but getting what you paid for. And businesses who makes things right for a mistake they've caused (intentionally or not) is a good business. But seriously, any of the staff should know how to handle such situations and if they don't, they should ask someone else instead of saying and doing nothing.

Mikaela M.

Yelp

This is a bumping spot, even mid week so expect a wait if you come during breakfast or lunch time. The ambiance is very cute and they have a fabulous outdoor seating area. The bathroom was a bit dirty, but they did have changing tables in both the men's and women's rooms. Our food was delicious - we got the squash pizza and radicchio salad to share. The cold brew was very strong to the point of being hard to drink but the 5 spice iced latte was yummy.

Amelia A.

Yelp

Delicious food! Great service! Pleasant ambiance! Charming dog-friendly outdoor seating in back patio! Loved everything! Matcha and cappucino Avocado toast Smoked salmon toast Parfait - buttermilk cake, berries & cream YUM! Hazelnut Cream Puff - wow! One of the best desserts I've had! Not sure if it is seasonal or not. I hope to get it again! (my fav thing and I didn't take a pic! ‍ Next time!

Kathy N.

Yelp

Was in Monterey for the weekend and decided to stop by Alta for some coffee and pastries before heading back to the Bay Area. I parked in the Trader Joe's parking lot and walked on over. I waited in line for about 15-20 minutes. I got to order my cinnamon pull as soon as I stepped into the bakery cafe before getting to the cash register to pay for it and order my coffee. I felt like the cashier wasn't as attentive. I ordered a vanilla iced latte with whole milk but she had me repeat everything a few times, if I wanted it iced, what flavor I wanted, and what kind of milk. Overall the coffee was good and I really enjoyed the cinnamon pull.

Lee D.

Yelp

We have been coming here for a few years and have never been disappointed. Definitely the place to share. Yes the deserts are amazing but the pizza, salads, fries and avocado on toast are not to be missed. We always end up ordering all together and our kids enjoy and finish the savory food while the sweet treats are in front of them. Best time is late lunch around 2 PM since it is less busy

Mypang T.

Yelp

Aesthetically pleasing and busy. We came here after seeing a TikTok video recommending this spot. The pastries were beautiful with high prices. I couldn't justify spending $8-9 for a savory pastry, so we just got some coffee. Bf always drinks a black coffee. I got a cold brew. It was overall okay. Perhaps we don't know how to order, lol. Creamer in their bottle was almost empty, i didn't know how to use it. There was liquid sweetener available in a glass jar that was all sticky and hard to open. It was busy so I was excited to get out. The outside seating is open and beautiful. We enjoyed our drink outside with the nice morning weather. Glad we got to check it out! Probably wouldn't return if we didn't have to, it was a one and done for us.

Stephanie C.

Yelp

Worth the short wait! While staying at Casa Munras, my husband and I popped in on a morning walk with our dog. Even though the line extended out the door and around the corner, the line moved very quickly. When we arrived there were about 15 people ahead of us. Since we had the dog we took turns looking inside with my hubby ultimately going in to make the choices. Lots of delicious pastries that you have to see to make your choices! I asked for my safe bet, the pain au chocolat and was very pleased with the crispness and lightness. The croissant was still perfect the next day! Very light, fluffy, and flakey. The bacon cinnamon roll (I think that's what it was) was a home run! The maple frosting was perfect and just the right sweetness for the salty bacon and fluffy roll. We enjoyed our breakfast on the outdoor patio (pet friendly), enjoying the people watching and access to facilities. Great spot to grab a quick bite! The Avocado toast seemed to be a popular item too!

Anis S.

Yelp

We love ALTA and try to visit every time we're in Monterey. The line is usually out the door, but it's worth the wait. The sweet pastries are our go-to, but they do have some lovely savory options. All of their coffees and teas we've tried have been solid; two of our favorites are their housemade chai and cold brew.

Megan S.

Yelp

Every week I get Alta Bakery and I am never disappointed. Avocado toast & a matcha latte with almond milk is the go to order. Best avocado toast I've ever had it's absolutely amazing. Service with a smile, if they make even the smallest mistake they make up for it with an extra beautiful avocado toast scene. Ambiance is chill & peaceful for a morning drink & pastry.

Gretchen P.

Yelp

Tasty pastry options we got to go! The milk bun, cornmeal cookie, brownie, and pumpkin bread were all delicious, large and fresh! And decaf espresso options too!

Julia B.

Yelp

The coffee is very good, and the pull apart cinnamon bread is amazing. However, the other pastries are very hit or miss for me. Not worth waiting in line for...

M.L M.

Yelp

First time to go here, quick service. We got the matcha latte and 5spices and citrus latte and it was soo good! Citrus sounds interesting for us but when we tried it we were like "wow!!!" Matcha latte--- 8 out of 10. I have been trying alot of matcha and into my matcha era, i think it has too much milk and less matcha taste but overall still good The workers have smiling face, chill and good vibes :)

Kasey S.

Yelp

This place offers an incredible variety of pastries, breads and delicious treats. There is always a line out the door but it moves quick. Always worth the wait in the morning. It's such a great historical location and their restaurant next door had incredible brunch. Can't wait to return for lunch at Alta and dinner at Cella.

Lindsey N.

Yelp

Service was great. Awesome atmosphere. The food was picture perfect. The flavor was a miss I had the spinach feta croissant it was hard and didn't taste fresh maybe if they warmed it would have been a little better but the flavor would have still been a miss for me. My husband ordered the ham and cheese croissant same for him the pastry was hard could have been warmed. I also had the chai tea not what I expected but it was ok. My husband had the Carmel mocha and added the double shot and it was also just ok. For the $30.00 we spent I have to say I could have ran up to the local Starbucks instead of trying to support this local business and given the Starbucks about 3 stars. We've just been so disappointed in local restaurants so far this trip.

Shy G.

Yelp

Alta Bakery & Cafe is definitely worth the hype.. we visited monterey for the weekend & I had to come back twice because it's that good. I tried their special maple peppercorn latte along with the best cinnamon bloom pastry, both were so good! I noticed that it's better to go on a weekday to avoid the long lines. They also have a beautiful outdoor seating in the back, I highly recommend checking it out!

Jackie N.

Yelp

Great way to start the day in Monterey here. They have a great selection of pastries and good coffee. Only thing I wish they did was warm up some of the pastries, which definitely would have enhanced the flavor. Would recommend going early morning on weekends if you're not a fan of waiting in a long line. My favorite part is the outdoor seating area, the scenery is beautiful.

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