Carmel Bakery

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.

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.

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.

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.

We must had come during their busy time. The line was long and wasn’t moving too fast. The staffs were working hard and trying to keep up. After the long wait we feel our pastries were good enough but nothing special.

Finally went to Carmel bakery!! Every time we go to Carmel by sea they’ve super big line!!! This time the line wasn’t crazy so decided to go!! Had gelato affogato which was ok! Pistachio cannoli was good! Give it a try if in town!!

The macarons were so good!!!!!!!!! Super sweet; I couldn’t finish it lol it was so big and sugary. It’s a very quaint, cute street and the shop stands out for tourists;)

Best coffee and bakery in town. My husband tried 3 in one day and we came back here a few times! Line goes by fast! Worth the wait. Lobster tail was my favorite pastry!

Was exploring Carmel by the Sea and came across this hidden gem. The bake goods display got my attention for sure. Went in and had to make some of the hardest choices on what dessert do I choose. What I ordered: -hostess like cupcake (very decadent and delicious.) - pumpkin iced coffee good Customer service was excellent and is a must go place.

We walked by this bakery a couple of times, admiring the vast display of delicious baked goods in the window. Finally we were enticed and went in to obtain our coffee and pastry. (I had my heart set on one of those luscious chocolate croissants.) Sadly, after waiting in line to be served about 10 minutes, we learned that nearly all the items in the window display were not available, (Including the croissant) leading to an unpleasant feeling of "bait and switch." The cappuccino and the biscotti I did have were delicious, though they probably tasted a little worse due to the disappointment I felt about not getting one of the chocolatey pastries displayed in the window, which I now recognize are just very realistic but inedible displays designed to pull you in off the street. I can imagine it must be lovely when they actually have those pastries - and to that end, I recommend that if you're intrigued by the window display, pop in and see what's in the case for actual purchase before you wait 10 minutes in line to learn what's actually in stock.

Carmel by the Sea is a beautiful and dreamlike area to explore. The whole time there feels cozy and contained in the best way. We were ambling around when we saw this bakery and I am so happy we stopped by. The fun and eye catching sign drew us in and the beautiful window display made us have to try the pastries. The cannolis were delicious! The outer pastry shell Was flaky with a creamy and rich filling. An absolutely needed detour!

It's cute and fun to visit so I can see why a lot of visitors to Carmel like it (+ it's prob the most centrally located place for a pastry/ sweet treat/ coffee), my only thing is I've gotten the chocolatey pretzel twice now and each time it's been so hard and tough to eat- not sure if that's just the way it's supposed to be though/ a certain style of pretzel but I always feel kinda disappointed. I've seen other reviews about the service, and it's definitely true that the staff can be a little hurrying/ impatient, probably because there's always a line out the door. Yesterday we got chocolates covered strawberries ($4+ for each berry) and they were good but for the price I just think there's other bakeries/ coffee shops I'm more likely to go to more often.

The spot is beautiful and very well themed. The customer service was excellent. Everyone was so kind. I came here with my girlfriend and we got a chocolate chip cookie and pretzel. We split them and they were so good. The pretzel was excellent. The cookie was near perfection. Great value and unforgettable taste.

See a long line, join the party. Lol. Walking around Carmel and the line for this bakery was down the block, so obviously we wanted to see what's up. Unfortunately, as soon as we got in, most of the items were sold out EXCEPT for the pretzels which we really wanted in the first place. So this review is soley for the 2 fresh baked pretzels we got and the 2 eclairs that came home with me. The pretzels were served warm and came with a really good mustard dip that I keep dreaming about to this day. I should have gotten more pretzels. Lol. The eclairs were so messy to eat, it was so good.

I came here on a Monday around 10 a.m., and the line was already out the door, although it did move pretty quickly. I would still recommend arriving as early as possible to avoid the lines. As for the food, we ordered the chocolate chip cannoli, the chocolate pretzel, and an iced matcha. I thought everything was pretty good and tasted really fresh! The inside of the bakery was also nice with seating options along the side.

The works pretzel was fresh from the oven. So so soft and lots of flavor, but not too salty. Didn't get a dip. Didn't need one. This will be a must stop place in the future when visiting Carmel by the sea. Also got the chocolate chip cookies. Very soft and decadent but it's too sweet for my taste.

Best pretzel ever--- KNOT!! First, the big chocolate pretzel you see on Instagram. It's not good. Why? It's not a pretzel. It's a Danish shaped like a pretzel. Next time I'll look for the pretzels shaped like danishes. But, the crunchy, flaky custard-filled lobster tail was really good, and the macaroon was insane, like eight almond joys fused together. Selection looked good. Service was fast and friendly. Prices weren't insane. By the way, I asked my wife who the girl in the photo looked like and she nailed it: Kathy Griffin. (Half points for saying the middle Bee Gee, also acceptable).

We stopped for a bite to eat during our visit to Carmel. Attracted by the beautiful window display of fresh pastries as well as the long line out the door, we knew we could not go wrong. And although long, the line actually moved relatively fast as they had multiple staff working behind the counters to take orders and push food out. They have a very large selection of pastries, which is what you see first at the window before you come inside. As well as gelato, hot foods and drink options. The pastries were large and delicious, and we were thankfully able to snag a table to sit at despite the heavy crowd. We were fortuitously situated next to the window, which put us right next to the plethora of delicious pastries they have up on display. And surprisingly, were not behind any glass case. I'm genuinely surprised there aren't kids who just reach over and grab one when the parents aren't looking as they are all within arm's reach of the table.

These may be the best pastries I've ever eaten. The lobster tail was so crispy, the science of which I cannot comprehend given the delicious and abundant cream inside. We also got an everything pretzel with Dijon mustard, super delicious. When we arrived there was a line out the door but it didn't take very long at all, it was definitely worth the wait. Thank you Carmel Bakery, can't wait to go back!

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.

Carmel Bakery is located off the main street in downtown of Carmel By the Sea. It was hard to resist given the beautiful arrangement bakery goods in the exterior window for passerbys. It was a perfect little spot for us to pick up some breakfast sandwiches to go along with drinks for our picnic at the beach nearby. Staff was friendly, sandwich and bakery selections were plentiful and prices were reasonable. We came away with two breakfast sandwiches, one standard egg and one lox on croissants, plus a latte and iced tea. If it wasn't for our intention to go to the beach, we would have dined in the cute dining spaces inside. Overall, the food was decent and our drinks were good and location is convenient. Can't wait to come back again!

I always go here every year with my family or partner and we enjoy trying a variety of pastries from here. I really love their fresh cheese bread, cannolis, and the pastry with walnuts inside. I always forget the names of the pastries but I love that they have a display inside so you just point to which one's you'd like. They offer peppermint mocha during the winter for their seasonal drink menu and it is soooo good and comforting! Keep in mind that no dogs are allowed, including service dogs.

The best time to shop here is after you have lunch. Otherwise, you might go home with one of everything. Yes, pretty tempting. There was a short line as I walked in which gave me some time to think about what to get. With friends joining me the next morning from the Bay Area, I decided to share my guilt with them in getting a few items got them too. I called out items to the young gal who gathered my pastries. She brought them to the cashier, reciting what was in my bags. I didn't start on my items until the next morning as I had a dinner reservation a few hours later back in Monterey. I started with the pistachio canoli (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=NrRYleJK4xo2Bh5uJewiRQ), something not commonly found in bakeries. It was okay as the pistachio filling didn't particularly shine. I enjoyed the blueberry (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=v5uZCMySBssw48ll8S3R8Q) and Iemon (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=SKmM0KOLwEVwpYNtS7soJQ) thumb print cookies for breakfast; I enjoyed these light bites though I wished the fruit jam flavors were more pronounced. Later that evening, after an enjoyable dinner, I tried the salted chocolate chip cookie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=hNSjOTXZ8Rccukzlval3TA); being mid evening, I intended to save half for breakfast; watching TV as I broke off pieces, I didn't stop until it was gone. I would get this again. My final item waited until I got home as my stomach space was limited while there. I had the double chip chocolate brownie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=vAqiT8ulVmF1fllBbAULRw) for breakfast. I really enjoyed this too as I haven't eaten decadent chocolate fudge like this in a while. I enjoyed the crunch from the chips to the smooth buttery fudge. I would also get this again. The line was about three deep but it moved relatively quickly. Thank you,Toni, for your patience as I read off items for you to pack. Kudos to you and your memory in reciting it to the cashier. Thank you, Brody, for also being patient and friendly in ringing up my purchase. Great breakfast stop if you're in the area early or to stock up on goodies to go. I'm glad I came after lunch or my sugar level would be off the charts. *** Oh, the gelato is tempting too (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=NKMBiY-Tjgumsq1fnTd5Eg).

The coffee gelato for 7$ a scoop in a cone was just okay, I had better ones for a cheaper price. There would be a long line so you have to be patient and make sure you tell them what you like before they ring you up because they didn't gave us my mom's pretzel and had to ring us up twice, the lady at the cashier should be more friendlier and should smile too, she was just smirking and very robotic, even with the attitude and missing items in my order I placed a cash tip inside their jar but the cashier lady made sure she stared on how much the tip was instead of getting my order right the first time.

Carmel Bakery has been around for many years and if you grew up in the area, you will most likely have favorites from here. On my recent visit, I picked up some of mine - chocolate chip cookies, shortbread cookies, brownies, blondies, and almond croissants. (I stuffed my containers and put them in my cooler for my trip back to Vegas). People complain about lines, well, it is Carmel-By-The-Sea, and tourists are aplenty. Small, you say? Almost everything in Carmel-By-The-Sea is small. That's how it stays cute and storybook-like. Not sure about service being an issue. I have never had bad service there. It is a bakery/coffee shop. We're not having sit down dinner so people need to calm down. Prices? They're pretty normal for the area. Anyhow, rant over. I love this place and it will always have a special spot in my heart and belly. If you love sweets and pastries, it's worth a visit.

This place is crowded! Oh my! People love whatever they are selling here. We got macaroons and a peach mango gelato. The macaroons were large and and delicious with chocolates bits. The peach mango gelato also had big peaches of frozen fruits mixed in. It's not my thing but the gelato itself was quite delicious! Would come back to try more things next time.

Stopped by this bakery on our first day arriving in Monterey!!!! We were taking a walk checking out all the shops after we walked by the ocean.... Line was out the door, so we wanted to give it a try! From the large window, u can see a ton of pastries on display that you can select one you get inside! Inside, the line takes up most of the space, they do have some tables where u can dine in, but most customers take it to go! Also, customer service, needs a little improvement, they do not seem too friendly, they didn't want to explain what was in the pastries or explain the differences between one and another..... they didn't seem to friendly to tourists when we are spending our money to support your bakery, money is green so please display better customer service. We purchased the last chocolate cupcake and 1 chocolate chip cookie.... And the cupcake was dry in the middle. The cookie, honestly was way too salty and I'm not sure if they make it like that on purpose but the cookie was too salty, texture was decent but the chocolate chips were too chunky.... Honestly, I was very disappointed....overrated

Amazing mocha. Tastes so fresh and nice. We went with some friends and they thoroughly enjoyed the warm mocha while the drizzle of chocolate in side. Service was quick. Small space but amazing service. Ambience is lit too. Good vibes. We got some Mexican cake too which was good. Pretzel was a little salty for us.

SOLID. This bakery is great for morning pretzels and pastries, which my family loved. They have a gorgeous little display window, but careful--not all items are sold (because they are seasonal, decorative, or possibly time-of-day dependent like the pretzels). My uncle had recommended this place for cannolis, which were also fairly solid. But, we fell in love with the pretzels. I think those became available between 8-9am. They also have a selection of ice creams later in the day that we did not partake in. The coffee line was hopping and was my dad's first choice ("good coffee... much better than the hotel..."). NOTE: Very limited seating indoors, and during summer, kind of impossible to find around 8am.

What a great place this is! We found an amazing variety of delicious pastries in here. They have a very cozy shop. The people are nice, and they took care of us right away. We had a couple of danishes with coffee, and we could not be happier. The girls got a little excited about a lady that shops there all the time, they forgot our coffee, but I'm sure it doesn't happen all the time.

Highkey the bakery looks a lot better than it tastes. My taste buds aren't used to the bakeries being so sweet. I enjoyed them all but for the long lines, i do not think it is worth. The macaroon was everybody's favorite and i REALLY REALLY LIKE THE GELATO. It was the best thing there.

Edited: Had to try this place out because line was out the door. Had already had lunch so just wanted a desert. Got one of their popular items this lemon ball thing. It was good about 4/5. Wife got coffee gelato. She said it was good by the actual cone tasted nasty. So for me personally nothing special. But was worth a try. HOWEVER, the service is TERRIBLE. Young woman at cash register looks like she hates her life. A French couple with their kids next to me asked which Sandwhich was which because they were unmarked, and they don't know. The girl snapped "I DONT know either" and turned away. We asked which pastry was which because nothing is marked and she got annoyed like we made her day worse. I'm like it's your JOB. Do your effing job. Quit if you don't like it you PoS. We're nothing the medical field. Should we act like you to patients? Just disgraceful. Other reviews say this is a repeat thing with staff. Will not go here again. Says they've been open since 1899. If you don't change staff you won't make it to 2029, see ya!

Had lunch in Carmel and craved something sweet to eat. While walking through the shops on Ocean Ave we came upon Carmel Bakery. Everything looked so yummy! We ended up getting an almond biscotti dipped in chocolate and my husband picked the fudge brownie. The biscotti was hard as a rock, much harder than most biscotti's but still good. The brownie was good as well. While good we have definitely had better but it did satisfy our sweet tooth while walking around the beautiful town of Carmel.

was very crowded and busy on the evening time. we waited around 15 minutes but received our pastries right away. we got the pistachio connoli and others but it tasted ok, nothing special. it was nice to try it once but wouldn't come back again. it's a cute spot with limited seating so it's nice to take pictures but overall that would be it.

One of my favorite stops everytime I stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The storefront window always draws me in as it looks so delicious! Usually the line can get quite long, but during my last visit I was quite lucky as we could walk right in and order. We were in and out in under 5 minutes since all the baked goods were readily available. We ordered the pistachio cannoli, bear paw, and chocolate croissant. The pistachio cannoli was hands down the best! The pistachio flavoring was perfect, the cannoli shell was crisp, and the filling was fluffy. My husband loved his chocolate croissant as it was fluffy with just the right amount of chocolate in each bite. It definitely was fresh in my opinion. We split the bear paw and it was top tier too. Definitely fresh and fluffy with just the right hint of sweetness. I honestly get different baked goods each time I go and they have all been fantastic. You can't do wrong with anything you want to try!

While strolling through the charming streets of Carmel with my boyfriend, we stumbled upon Carmel Bakery--and judging by the line out front and the tempting display window, we knew we had to stop in. I opted for the Stracciatella gelato in a small cup, and my boyfriend went for a classic cannoli. The gelato was exactly what I needed on a sunny day--cool, creamy, and dotted with just the right amount of chocolate shavings. As for the cannoli, it was my first time trying one, and it delivered on everything I'd heard--crispy shell, creamy filling, and a nice balance of flavors. The service was friendly, and while nothing completely blew me away, everything hit the spot. Sometimes, you don't need anything over the top--just a good treat in a cute town, and that's exactly what we got. Would I return? Absolutely! It's a solid stop for a sweet pick-me-up while exploring Carmel.

Literal mold in the dessert. Absolutely disgusting. Nice service, but disgusting food.

Carmel Bakery in as conveniently located near our hotel so hubby and I grabbed a matcha latte before heading back to the bay area! Matcha was good and real expensive ! Surprised me how much it was but hey it was convenient lol. Would I go back no not really ! Service was good though.

This is a very popular bakery with lots of variety if you get there early. My favorite pastry here is the lobster tail - so very flaky and light with the most delicious creamy filling ever. I'm a cannoli aficionado, so you'd think I'd go for that when I visit here, because the cannoli are a very popular item here. However, I'm also a cannoli snob; I don't do pre-filled. I've asked if they can fill one to order for me, but the answer has been a polite no. It's OK, I get that we aren't in Sicily, where pre-filled cannoli is the 8th cardinal sin. Thankfully the lobster tail is just right. Perfect. I've also had the bakery's cookies, pretzels, sandwiches, breakfast burrito and gelato, all of it pretty good. The coffee isn't spectacular, but I can get great coffee elsewhere, I can only get that lobster tail here. Btw, I've only ever visited this bakery in the morning hours, but friends tell me they run out of some pastries by mid-morning, so get there early!

Visited this bakery on Labor Day to grab a bite and the line was out the door! This was our first time here and everything on the menu sounded delicious. My friend and I ordered the croissant with lox, lobster tail, and vanilla iced coffee. We both agreed the croissant with lox was very good and were very impressed with it. The lobster tail was also so light and flaky and very delicate but not too sweet. The iced coffees were okay, I would give it a 3/5. There are a couple tables inside, that were already filled. Overall we were very impressed with this bakery, and recommended it to our friends that came later!

Located on a main street in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Carmel Bakery is a small shop that offers pastries & pretzels, ice cream, coffee, soups & sandwiches. There is limited seating, which can fill up quickly, so many customers get their selection(s) to go. Their coffee offerings are good, but nothing special. There are an array of amazing looking pastries in the front window which tends to draw people in, but not all selections are available once inside the store. Come early for the best selection. The employees were friendly and knowledgeable.

Viewing the long lines Carmel Bakery had during our trip to Carmel, I figured I didn't need to look any further to find my perfect post-meal treat. The window display for the holidays is what every kid and adult with a sweet tooth dreams about! A beautiful dessert landscape, see pic :) What I truly loved outside of the exterior views and yes, the lines do move fast, is that you can get a little mixture of everything here ~ coffees, ice cream, pretzels, and more. A few highlights were the chocolate chip cookies (with the chunks, so delicious), the chocolate chip "coin" cookies, the cupcakes (we had a giant one that resembled an old school Hostess cupcake), the eclairs, biscotti, and coconut ice cream (a family favorite). For next time: the pretzels look like a staple piece and must try (and pretzel dips), the seasonal coffee and latte drinks, and the Mortadella & Pistachio Cream sandwich. Worth every penny, and extra splurge IMO. Wonderful staff and super cute digs.

Very disappointed with the large pretzel--way too salty! Even after trying to brush off some of the salt, it was still overpowering. I skipped the sauces, but that didn't help. I decided to give the place another shot and went back for the lobster tail, and that definitely redeemed the experience. It was crispy, flaky, and delicious with the cream! I haven't seen anything like it at other bakeries. That said, the place was chaotic and messy, and it was hard to find a seat.

I received high recommendations for the bakery as a must visit site in Carmel. The line outside the building was certainly an indicator of their popularity. Inside there were a few tables for customers to sit and enjoy their food; however because of the line to order, it made the area inside very cramped and uncomfortable. Their selection of pastries at the outside window seemed to be more diverse than what was in their display cases inside. I didn't know if inside you could order the items displayed outside or if those are outside were merely just for decoration or rather a tease of what may be available inside. Anyways, I ordered a Pretzel, a cookie, a sandwich, a regular Caesar salad and a drink... $35 dollars later.... my salad looked like someone just threw some lettuce, cheese sprinkled and a side cup of dressing into a container. But no croutons! Or even a side of bread and a pat of butter would have been a nice accompaniment, considering they were a bakery and the price. The sandwich was tasty, but again basic. There were no real frills about it. The portion was small and again it really looked like it was just thrown together. The pretzel and cookie were very good! I get it, the lines are long, it's super busy and they're just trying to get the orders out fast to get the customers in and out. There is something to be said about the importance of quality and food presentation. IMO, the visit missed the mark.

Stumbled into the bakery after seeing the line. Grabbed two pretzels and a chocolate chip cookie and and am not disappointed I was A lemming following the crowd today !!!!! :)

Coffee was good. I added cream of the lobster tail into my latte. So so good. All the pastries were excellent 9/10

This charming bakery has oodles of taste tempting treats. My hubby and I went just before closing, so they had run out of their famous lobster tail pastry which my daughter raves about, so I unfortunately missed out on that, but I hope to go back there before we return home. My hubby got a ginormous coconut macaroon dipped in chocolate, and I got a "crispy ", which is a flat (and HUGE) flaky pastry dipped in butter and cinnamon sugar then baked to a crispy perfection, hence the name. Putting the cinnamon sugar on both sides ensures a lovely caramelized bottom. It was so big that I could only eat a small piece at a time, so it lasted the whole day. Their prices are pretty reasonable, just make sure to have a credit or debit card because they are a cash free business. I can't wait to purchase another yummylicious dessert!

There's always a long line outside this bakery, though I don't think it's necessary--they could arrange better seating, but I guess most people don't sit anyway. The gelato was good--very tasty and not overly sweet. The coffee, however, was just okay; the cappuccino was very light and half empty. The place was too busy to provide proper customer service.

Their staff are rudest disrespectful customer service that I've experienced and witnessed. Group of 10 people were waiting outside and suddenly staff person closed the door and didn't bother to let us know that they wouldn't be serving us. We had been waiting for 20 minutes and no consideration for their locals or visitors I will not stand for disrespect and rudeness from ANYONE. Be warned don't bother with this bakery take your business somewhere else were they will threat you with RESPECT! The positive thing they're other local bakeries with 100% superior customer service!

Carmel Bakery is a gem for a reason. We made two stops here on our trip because we really enjoyed the soft and fluffy pretzels...pro tip asked them to warm it up! Also the chocolate chip cookie was an absolute favorite, with a very generous portion of chocolate chunks. I would skip out on the chocolate drizzled pretzel next time tho since it was made with puff pastry it was pretty dry, it might have been better with a cup of coffee tho!

We came here for some light breakfast before a hike. We tried their iced coffee, everything but the bagel seasoned pretzel, and their avocado toast. I found their avocado toast to be alright. The bread was decent and the seed coating added a nice crunch. Their coffee and pretzel were delicious! The pretzel felt like a bread/pretzel hybrid but it was so freshly made and tasted wonderful!

Carmel Bakery is one of my absolute favorite bakeries in California, and visiting it has become a personal tradition every time I travel from the Bay Area to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Fun fact: Carmel is one of the only places in the U.S. that doesn't have any street addresses, adding to its unique charm. This small bakery is nestled right in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The inside exudes the warm, cozy vibes of a classic mom-and-pop bakery. Almost all of the pastries are displayed at the front, which is exciting but a little inconvenient since they aren't labeled. You'll need to point to what you want, but trust me, you can't go wrong. The place is always packed, but the line moves very quickly, so you're never waiting too long to grab a treat. On my latest visit Monday evening, just before New Year's Eve, I picked up the Lobster Tail Pastry and the Apricot Puff Pastry. The lobster tail pastry was sheer flakey perfection, filled with creamy goodness. My only nitpick? The amount of filling--it's a bit excessive, but honestly, I'm not complaining because it pairs so well with a hot black coffee. Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch, and I'm not exaggerating how crispy it is. The apricot puff pastry was equally delightful. Think candied bread with a sweet apricot center that tastes like pure goodness. Each bite gives you a mix of sugary crunch, soft sweet bread, and the slightly tangy apricot "jelly" in the middle. It's such a treat and one I'd happily order again. The staff here is very kind and helpful. When I asked for recommendations, they mentioned that the most popular items are the cannolis, which come in two flavors: pistachio and chocolate. While I didn't try them this time, I'll definitely be back to check them out on my next visit. Carmel Bakery is more than just a bakery--it's a little slice of tradition for me. If you're ever in Carmel, do yourself a favor and stop by. Just don't expect any labels, and come ready to indulge!

Indulged in a sweet pretzel and chocolate chip cookie this Sunday morning. Luckily, the line wasn't too long and we were served right away. We were hoping to try their most popular treats: coconut macaroon and pretzels but they were already sold out by 10 am on a Sunday. The pretzel was very dry and flaky and may have been better warmed. The chocolate chip cookie was soft, but could have more flavor. It tasted like a toll house cookie. Cute atmosphere and decor but was left wanting more for taste.

It's got some good sweet treats but I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about. Maybe I need to come back and try a breakfast burrito in the morning. I'd come back but it's not THAT good that I'd wait in a super long line for like we've seen before. Small little shop so not really any place to sit. The staff was fine although I sensed a little annoyance from the guy taking our order. The guy taking our order was shoving his mouth full of food and rolling his eyes when we ordered things they were out of. Very touristy place.

What more can you want in life? A perfect danish? Mind bending chocolate chip cookie ? Check out! Fruit tart? Everything was so delicious! I can't help but stop here every time in anywhere near the area!

You MUST try the pretzels sitting behind the counter. Our favorite was the 3 cheese pretzel with the lemon herb pretzel dip. You can pass on the coffees...there are many better cafes only steps away

Walking into Carmel Bakery feels like stepping back in time. As California's oldest bakery in its original spot, this place serves up more than just food--it dishes out history. We tried a bit of everything: the lobster tail pastry was a flaky dream with a delicious cream filling, the vanilla latte perfectly brewed, and the Carmel Apple Cider brought back all the cozy vibes. The cannoli? A crispy shell with a creamy filling that hit the sweet spot right. While the coffee house vibe was average, the pastries definitely stood out. The line was long, wrapping down the sidewalk, but moved surprisingly quick--about a 20-minute wait. Seating inside is limited and service is typical for a busy spot, friendly but not noteworthy. Despite its bustling nature, Carmel Bakery holds its charm well, blending historical allure with tasty offerings. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's a must-visit for a taste of old Carmel and a giant pretzel or a cannoli. Happy eating, Yelpers!