BirchTree Bread Company

Ufff a great place to enjoy a delicious breakfast. My friend and I went there to try the quiche and the Margherita pizza, and everything was amazing. If you want to meet someone or have a relaxed conversation, it’s the perfect spot it’s comfortable and not too noisy. About the parking you can park on the street or use the paying public market parking nearby. The staff is very friendly, and it’s also a great place to bring your family for breakfast or lunch. There are many great options on the menu. I totally recommend it

Nice breakfast menu and fun communal dining loft space. Three of us stopped by for a quick bite which unfortunately wasn’t so quick. The salmon on bread was delicious and the cut fries are great. The dry brioche roll (w/ egg sandwich)we were served totally missed its prime although overall a fun experience.

Went here for the first time today as I was in the area and many have told me this is the best cafe in Worcester. Coffee and food were excellent. I had a grilled ham and cheese and it was perfection. The chocolate chunk cookie was unspeakably delicious. Space was big and clean and bright and it made for a nice afternoon even on a frigidly cold day. Highly recommend. Will come back any time I’m out this way.

I was reluctant to provide a review for this place because I don't want it to be too crowded when I go to Worcester. But that's not the way I roll, so... the place was excellent. Really cool eccentric atmosphere and the food was terrific. The Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. It's also connected to a lot of really cool shops that you can check out before or after you eat. There's parking in the back and then an entrance to the left of a patio, no sign though, and then you go up the stairs and the restaurants on the right. People say the bread is awesome also. We'll get some next time we go. Kudos to the owners, they seem to be doing an excellent job!

Housed in the historic Crompton Building in Worcester’s Canal District, this is an excellent cafe for meeting up with friends for coffee and a light meal. The cafe has a bakery section where you can buy different kinds of breads and other baked goods and an expansive open room with tables and chairs for sharing a meal and/or beverages. Can order and pay at one’s table by scanning a QR code. The food is good, but not exceptional; coffee is excellent. Nice social vibe/energy.

Nice, clean industrial environment. Pizza and sandwiches. First time, enjoyed the intense flavor of the sandwiches and the pizza Ordered using qr code. You can also order direct from counter. For delivered quickly and extremely fresh. Staff polite, and on top of things.

Went here a few years ago (2019) and did not like it at all (see original review below) but wanted to give it a second chance as I know people who love this place, it was MUCH better this time (April 2024). Service is dramatically improved, now you just go to a table and order via a QR code on your phone and they bring your food and drinks right to your table. We went on a Friday for lunch and it was not slammed like on the weekends. Tomato soup was excellent. Drinks were delicious (cold brew and iced tea). Sandwiches were good but bread was a bit dry, see pics, my sandwich kind of flaked apart. Really cool atmosphere and server was very pleasant. The prices are still VERY high, we paid $62 (with tip) for 2 sandwiches, 2 drinks and cup of soup, yikes. Plenty of on-street parking at reasonable prices (pay via parking app) during the week. The below is my review from 2019- Overpriced. Overcrowded. Overrated. Staff is snobby and rude. You have to wait on Saturday to find a place to sit and eat. People were practically fighting to find a chair to sit on and eat their mediocre food. Lots of unique characters here. I won’t be back and do not understand what all of the positive reviews are all about.

Set in a historic Kelly Square building, right next to several very cool boutique stores, it's often hard to pick just one place to eat; but the aroma of fresh baked bread drifting through the street will surely draw you in...and you will not be disappointed! The bread is phenomenal, the pizza is traditional and savory, and the drink list has a little bit of something for everyone. You can order at the bar, the register, or right from your smart phone at the table of your choice. Service was quick and take out boxes are available for you to grab yourself in case you're trying to beat the parking meter clock! Recommend a fresh baguette, the zucchini and ricotta pizza, any of the bisques, the hot cider, and the lavender London fog.

Went here for lunch with the gals to try it for the first time. Food - super good, the truffle fries were very tasty. The sandwich had a nice balance of meat and the bread was super soft/fresh. The iced latte had a bit too much oat milk for me, but that's okay. Service - fast and different. You scan a QR code at the table and they serve you after you order/pay for it. It seemed like they were very efficient in their setup and tbh I enjoyed it more than interacting with a server since I could freely customize my items with no rush. Ambiance - a nice, comforting rustic joint. Honestly lots of people there studying and enjoying the restaurant. I would come back to study in the future when my classes start. Overall, cool joint plus you can enjoy the other shops that are next to it (plants, thrift, clothes, etc!). I plan to go back here to try some of their pastries/baked goods.

We make a point of stopping here when we are in worst the breads and ambiance are amazing. Lighted by so many large windows always a very happening scene. Can't go wrong with any of the selections sweet or savory, worth stopping in any time you are in the area.

Was looking for a place to meet a friend from Northampton MA and she suggested this place. We went on a Friday for lunch. This is a rustic, casual place. Fairly spacious with a mix of booths, high and low tables. You order at the counter and the food is brought to your table. The lunch menu seemed a bit limited. I ordered a chicken/walnut/cranberry salad which was tasty and fresh, except the chicken instead of cut into chunks was large shredded portions of chicken which needed constant cutting. I'm not sure I would return as there are many great places to eat in Worcester and this one did not impress.

Great sourdough bread. A little pricey but worth it as the flavors were great. I had a vegetarian grain bowl with seasonal vegetables and my adult picky eater had the special bacon sandwich. At almost 20 for a sandwich it was expensive but the flavor so well balanced he ate the vegetables without complaint

BirchTree Bread Company has a new Brunch menu. The Beef Wellington Benedict with Truffle Home Fries is a must try!

Birch Tree has long been a go to spot in Worcester, but during my most recent visit the vibe was off. It was 10 am and the floors and tables were dirty on a Tuesday...maybe there had been a rush? But it also seemed like no one was particularly in a rush to clean. The drinks come automatically in to go cups, which to me is a huge loss here. When the default is to go, you're getting a message that this isn't a spot to settle in and be cozy. I want my latte in a big latte cup that I can wrap my hands around while I catch up with a friend. The food is good, consistent, but just seeming half hearted. Hopefully this was just an off day, but I miss the vibrant energy birch tree once had.

Ordered a $10 mimosa. Watched staff measure champagne with a shot glass and topped with the last swig of orange juice left in a container.Mimosa equivalent of a 1/4 of what a mimosa should be. When asked, I was told they have big glasses. Eggs Benedict barely warm and potatoes over salted. Disappointing for $40 and essentially waiting on yourself. Valueless. Staff seemed confused. Tip paid upfront unfortunately. Do better. Breakfast isn't complicated.

Love this place. If you're from the Pacific NW, this place is like a Massachusetts version of the Mazama Public House (minus the mountains, Methow River, and outdoor seating w/ dogs). But like the Mazama Public House: a big, airy space with great food and baked goods, friendly service, and live music. Well worth it for brunch or lunch.

Went on a Friday night for open mic. I love the ambiance of the place. Staff were friendly and great. Pizza was delicious! Ordered the Thanksgiving turkey sandwich for almost $20 and it was very underwhelming. They were over generous w the turkey (), BUT the cranberry sauce was really tart and the stuffing served cold. It just wasn't my jam. I was bummed! Everything else I've ever had there has been delicious!

This cafe is so cool. Friendly staff, amazing food. Had a meatball sandwich today that was generous and served on some fabulous bread. And often when asked if I want the french fries that come with the sandwich or salad, they actually gave a delicious salad instead of a few leaves of lettuce like a lot of restaurants would've done.

I used to love coming to this place the vibe, the energy, the food. It had been a while since I've been back. But I find myself here on a Friday morning never to return again. Horrible service, terrible attitude at every corner and beyond slow when there is barely a crowd.

I will definitely be back. You come in Sir at the table and order right from your phone and they bring it over. The food was great, we got a cheese pizza as an appetizer and what an amazing pizza, for lunch I got the chicken salad sandwich on a croissant.

Food: 10/10 Drink: 15/10 Service: N/A/10 Honestly the only problem with this place is the fact that we waited a little too long after ordering online with only half the seats in the place being filled. Also my dad complained about the fries being too salty but I thought it was alright. And the service was fine because they only delivered it to you and barely said anything. The Lavender London fog was fire and I would go back for that. The food was surprisingly filling like the salmon toast would be enough for a lunch on its own (I was expecting it to be very small and it was not). The caprese sandwich was good. It's a good place for studying or doing online or in person meeting

Excellent coffee. Surprised the brioche for breakfast sandwich was stale. -Bob

First of all - if you want water, don't pay $3 for boxed water. You can get it yourself. While you're at it, get your silverware and condiments. And take note of the trash cans because you'll be busing your own table. Order at the counter. Much quicker than scanning QR code and having to go through the entire menu. When using QR code, you also have to add the tip before paying. I had the caprese sandwich. Mozzarella was fresh as well as the greens. A little too much pesto. I thought the bread, which was also fresh, overwhelmed the sandwich. Fries looked like they were going to be crispy and wonderful but were definitely pre-cooked.

Came here with a large group on a Wednesday afternoon and were able to sit right away. They offer a lot of seating and it's awesome for groups because you order via phone and therefore all can have separate checks! The drinks were good, we got the cranberry mule, mimosa, sangria, margarita and espresso martini! For food many people got the caprese sandwich, also the turkey sandwich and I got the Italian which was good. The pesto was fresh but heavy. All and all a good spot for a group or to even study.

The French Onion Grilled Cheese is a god-tier grilled cheese. The crispy simple salad is the perfect complement on the side. I come here for this and this alone -- many other items on the menu are delicious, but nothing beats this for me. BirchTree is a bit of a hipster spot, and as a result has hipster-spot-prices, but it's worth it for the quality of the food you get. Live music is always good.

pricey but overall good. the drinks were good, though the house made caramel taste in one drink was much more muted compared to regular caramel syrup. sandwiches were good, good vibe overall. service was quick as we ordered from the qr codes on the table. would come back!

Worth trying to find parking for their olive loaf toast with whipped feta with olive oil. Take out means you can have it for days!

"You're the cutest thing that I ever did see I really love your peaches Wanna shake your tree" (Steve Miller) Pro Tip You can enter the BirchTree Bread Company two ways. Option #1 is through their main entrance near 138 Green Street. Option #2 is at the end of a long corridor inside the Crompton Place mill complex. You'll see a glass door that sure looks like it leads into a saloon, but it's not a saloon, it's BirchTree Bread's coffee bar. I hope someone has the initiative and smarts to put up a sign in that hallway (or a logo or decal on the glass door) announcing that BirchTree Bread lies on the other side of the door. We didn't know it did, so of course we walked all the way out of Crompton Place, walked about 100 feet down Green Street, then walked into BirchTree, where we should have been a few minutes prior!! Anyway, once we figured out how to get inside, we saw they sell a bunch of delicious looking breads and pastries. The breads listed were Foccacia, Olive Herb, Coriander Raisin, Seeded Levain (a relative of sourdough), and Country. We saw some great looking pastries too: big Almond and Chocolate Croissants, Blueberry Danish, great big Cinnamon Buns, plus Brownies, Scones, and Muffins. We picked up a Chocolate Croissant, an Almond Croissant, a Cinnamon Bun, and a Scone. They were all fantastic, especially the croissants. They were big, they were fresh and soft with seemingly hundreds of flaky layers, and best of all they were loaded with fillings. Some bakeries really scrimp on the croissant fillings, but not here. By the way, BirchTree is much more than a bakery. Its a full service restaurant with scores of food choices and live entertainment, and that aforementioned coffee bar

Such a delicious menu. Never disappoints. Coffee is amazing too. Well worth the visit. Been there twice and really enjoyed the lunch.

My new favorite Worcester spot. The food is delicious! The truffle fries were perfectly crisp on the outside. The pizzas were cheesy with generous toppings. They also have artisan beer. The pineapple sour beer is 10/10. Definitely go with a few people to try a variety of the menu items. The service was great, they were helpful picking our options. There's plenty of seating, including a high tables, booths and bar counter seats. It has a consistent crowd while we were there and it was too loud. It's also a good place to get work done.

Service was great, self seat and order. Food is brought out real quick. I got the squash soup (cold) and fries (burnt). There was trivia night on a Thursday, seems fun!

Caprese sando was good, fries were shit. 3 stars because the sign says breakfast is served until noon and at 11:40 they told me they weren't serving breakfast anymore, and all I wanted was a bacon egg and cheese. Annoying. Cute indoor vibe.

We've come here for brunch several times recently and each time the service has been great, the food has all been so fresh and delicious, and the baked goods have been fantastic. One of our favorite spots to come with family or a larger group.

Excellent food- fun open concept seating where you hardly interact with the servers at all. The vibe is like an old factory meets a hipster diner. We loved it. Try the turkey bacon sandwich or the kale Caesar. All excellent options as well as the caprese sandwich. Yum!

The Birchtree employees smoke like chimneys outside the Worcester Public Market and it is appalling. They regularly crowd the alleyway with crates that make it extremely difficult for anyone with a disability to use the sidewalks, and that pass-through smells abhorrent. Why is there no breakroom for the employees? Before the acquisition, they took their breaks inside the bakery, or in the Crompton Place courtyard. It was common and pleasant to walk around and see them relaxing during time off. It seems now as if they are relegated to this small strip with little to no regard for anyone else who exists in the same area. Every time I shop at the market, I brace myself for the nasty backwind of cigarette stench. Something needs to shift culturally within Crust and Birchtree. This is not the same bakery I knew and loved, and it is abundantly clear.

This is an interesting dinning experience. A good one, you walk in, seat yourself, scan the menu, place your order and pay from your phone and they deliver your order to your table. I loved the atmosphere, it's so cozy in there with such polite staff. The menu has a decent amount of options. I got BBQ chicken pizza and a meatball. Omg that meatball, it's so soft and tastful. It was delish I was craving one yesterday and found out they closed at 5 so I wasn't able to get one. The pizza was ok, it had a bit of a sweet taste and they put bread crumbs ok top which I did not like at all. I was wondering if they added BBQ sauce and pizza sauce. It was good though, sliced weirdly but I'd eat it again minus crumbs. For utensils and tableware you get them yourself. Water as well, which I did not like the taste of. It was a great place, I'm Definitely going again

Five stars all around. There isn't anything Birchtree doesn't do excellent. Pastries are delicious, especially the pain au chocolat. Pizza is great, thin & crispy. We are big fans of the cheese and sausage. Breakfast and brunch options are great. Coffee is delicious. Must try if you are in Worcester!

I normally don't eat lunch but this place spoke to me. Old, worn feel (means comfy), and very clean! Seat yourself, scan the code, order and pay. They run it to your table. I had the tomato bisque, spicy as advertised. Was good but the heat added up for me. Should have had the butternut squash bisque. Grilled ham and cheese rocked. I opted for the cranberry ginger lemonade. Delicious, not too sweet. They have Wi-Fi if needed but I just relaxed instead of busting out the laptop during this work travel pause... I was going to take cookies to a customer visit but they were very low stock; means get there early if you want/need a larger bakery selection! I'll be back!

Delicious food! The service is very casual and you take care of your own dishes after. I will definitely be back!

Food is good service nice enjoy I think a person need try every person have own taste of food , bread

We ate here on a recommendation. It was extraordinary. Every item and ingredient was special. When I'm back in Worcester I'll be back here. It's extremely tasty and high quality.

Great atmosphere Good food Great service Charming atmosphere old factory building Nice beer selections

We went to BirchTree for brunch today. The place is contemporary, open and tables were very spread out. The staff was warm and friendly, we were served with smiles and we reAlly appreciated it. As for the food, everything we tried was 5/5, really good quality ingredients and the breads were AMAZING!! We had the Olive and Feta toast, Caprese sandwich, Tripleberry toast, Truffle home fries, and latte. The food was fabulous, place was pretty and not loud, made it perfect for catch up. I would highly recommend tusk place to anyone looking for breakfast/brunch/lunch options in the area.

amazing coffee!!! super kind service, great quiet space. came at around 10am on a sat and not too busy which was nice

I am surprised by the high ratings for BirchTree. We liked the vibe, and the people where friendly. The food, frittata Lorraine, had good flavor, but was way too salty. The bread that came with it was not good. Too tough, chewy, bland. This was disappointing since it's a bread company. And I agree with other reviewers - the way this place works is unclear. We found a table, but there wasn't a menu or number on it. You pay the tip when you order your food, but we didn't know that you have to serve yourself water and clear your own plate/trash.

This place is absolutely incredible. We came here for lunch during the week after it was recommended to me by a colleague. It's inside a mall-like structure that also contains a bookstore, a clothing store, and a really unique store selling cacti and other foliage. It's a counter-order type of place and there are a TON of choices on the menu. There's baked stuff, breads, coffees, breakfast pastries, breakfast sandwiches, regular-lunch sandwiches, soups, salads, EVERYTHING. Much to my liking, they also have a drink menu. We stood awkwardly taking up space in the queue area, mulling over the menu-items written in chalk above the cash register. I ultimately decided on the Apple Cranberry Mule with vodka, apple cider, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and topped off with a handful of craisins. COB ordered her standard bloody mary. Now for the food, the online menu is literally so small it requires a microscope to read so excuse me if I get some shit wrong on here. Only over my dead body would I pass up an order of the olive & herb toast with whipped feta, oo, and herbs. I planned on ordering one of their breakfast specials: the veggie breakfast sandwich. Unfortunately, they were not still serving breakfast at the apparently inappropriate time of like 11, so I had to think fast and switch up my order. It wasn't difficult, as the devil on my shoulder had been whispering "grilled cheese" since we entered the place. Tina surprised me actually with her order of the vegetarian sandwich. We were handed a number and scooted into the dining room to choose a table. The dining room is a topic of conversation in of itself. Firstly, it's huge. It's very rustic with wooden chairs and tables of different styles and heights. We were able to snag a booth against the window with striking views of downtown Worcester. Our drinks were brought over to us. Mine was fantastic. It was sweet and refreshing without being overwhelming. That sucker didn't last 20 min on the table. Tina's bloody was very spicy and she was still wrestling with it at the end of our meal. The olive and herb toast was incredible. Olive-flavor was very adequately represented. The feta was whipped to the consistency of a light cloud. The olive oil drizzle enhanced the seasoning. We decided to split our sandwiches. The vegetarian is a wonderfully fresh sandwich with a nice, thick layer of spring mix greens, oven roasted red peppers, eggplant, goat cheese, and a layer of goat cheese with a schmear of white bean spread on rustic, whole-grain bread. I'm usually not losing my shit over eggplant but it was nice here, not too overwhelming. The goat cheese and white bean spread added another dimension to the ingredients of the sandwich. This is a great choice on the menu. The grilled cheese is on the crispiest, crunchiest bread I've ever had the pleasure of ripping into with my chompers. They grilled that shit to absolute perfection. The cheddar is plentiful and gooey but the flavor is not very prominent. It's more of a texture than a strong component of the sandwich. The real star of the show was the apple mash or whatever that word I can't see on the menu is. It was not overwhelmingly sweet and I actually enjoyed it in a grilled cheese more than I would think. The bread was a raisin bread and the whole hodgepodge of flavor was really unusual. I would also like to add that ordering and paying for the food first is great. I love getting that shitty part of the meal over with. The food here was fantastic. I will absolutely be back to sample some of their coffees, pastries, and more of the food.

Good service. Customers were waiting outside before they opened so that was a good sign. A bit in the pricey side but the quality was worth it.

Have loved this place for years! The breads are amazing with whipped feta, the London fog hot or iced are a favorite, but honestly everything is good and the people are friendly, great spot to hang out or just pop in!

A friend and I came here on a recent Sunday. We arrived around 9:45 a.m. and the restaurant was hopping. The staff was professional and polite. We ate at the bar and enjoyed our meals. He had the ham and Gruyère cheese croissant. I enjoyed the feta and olive toast. His cappuccino and my coffee were great. I want to return with my wife who is a professional pastry chef. I will update my review accordingly.

Leaving a review as a delivery driver. Their wait times for drivers are way off- I have spent 20 minutes waiting past the expected time before. There is no designated place for pick-ups, so you have to wait through the line like a customer who is ordering, and they are never not busy. Parking is terrible, with your only options to park illegally and hope to get out before you get ticketed, or pay to park (if you can even find a space). It is in Kelley Square, so the traffic is horrible to boot.

This place used to be great before the owners of Crust stepped in. Went today and ordered a breakfast sandwich and a cheese pizza. Pizza came out quick and prompt. After 40-ish minutes of waiting on the breakfast sandwich, I finally had to find someone (because there are no waiters/waitresses) to ask about the sandwich. They had skipped right over it and forgot all about it. It came out an additional 10 minutes later and was subpar at best. On top of this, a manager (?) came over and asked if he could "stick 2 more people at our table with us" because it was busy and there weren't enough tables. I'm not sure if people are convinced that COVID is no longer existent or are just ignorant, but if I'm out to eat with my significant other I absolutely don't want random people sitting at my table with us. That question was really the cherry on top to an already bad experience. With all of the other restaurants leaving the Canal District, it is now left with restaurants that are simply not great. Won't be returning and don't recommend.

Got a pizza for takeout. The girl at the counter was very nice and the pizza came out very quickly. It was reaaallly good pizza!

First experience- probably would not go back. When we went to order , we were told to sit and use the QR code. Ok. No problem. We ordered 3 sandwiches and it came to $50. The sandwiches were made carelessly one being burnt. Their creative and ingredients were pretty tasty. Our table was sticky and clearly had not been cleaned in a while. Ultimately the issue is as we become better customers and pay increasing prices our expectations rise as well. I had higher expectations- and stop setting the default for 20% tips if we bus our own tables.

Crowded around 2:30PM on a Saturday. Pros: -Lots of pastries, including occasional donuts (which get a 2-2.5/5) -Free samples of bread at register -Cool ambiance Cons: -Lines -- Pain au chocolat ($4.00) Large, buttery chocolate croissant with a good amount of chocolate inside. Would consider getting this again. Sweet Bread Pudding ($6.50) Listed as chocolate almond hazelnut on the website but turned out to be chocolate coconut on the menu in person and unfortunately the coconut ruined the texture for me. It came with two rectangular pieces of bread pudding and a small cup of whipped cream and chocolate "ganache" sauce. The bread pudding had a lot of melted chocolate inside, which was great, but the primary texture was chewy coconut. Wouldn't get any coconut bread puddings again. Chocolate butterscotch graham croissant donut ($3.00) Chewy croissant dough (not a lot of visible layers inside) topped with a dark chocolate and butterscotch(?) cream. The dark chocolate topping was the best part. I wouldn't choose this over a regular cake or yeast donut. Chocolate chip cookie ($2.00) Large cookie that was mainly soft and even kind of buttery in the middle. Lots of chocolate chips, but also had oats that should have been advertised!

On our way home from Maine made a stop to eat on a chilly day had a bowl each of the tomatoe soup and a grill cheese. Very very good

This has been our go-to for years. It's great for family brunch with young kids, specially on days when they have live music. The food has always been great- but it has changed in the last year and it's not always consistent. Service is also inconsistent, with orders sometimes being forgotten, but overall a good place to check out! The pastries are delicious!

BirchTree is a panera bread with a better atmosphere. That being said, it's not bad just not a different concept. The brunch was yummy - the cranberry grilled cheese is a must try - and the coffee selection is pretty good. The lavender london fog was delicious. There isn't a lot of parking nearby so on a Saturday morning it was a little rough, but not impossible. We took a loaf of rosemary bread home with us and it wasn't worth the price ($7), but I would go back for a sandwich if I'm in the area.