Houlden's Rise Above

This place is so good! I finally had a chance to visit after trying their pastries at Midtown Vegan Deli (which happens to be in the same complex as the bakery). I have crazy food allergies so to find a place the makes gluten free & vegan food and tastes good is amazing. Non-vegans will enjoy it too.

I don’t think I’ve ever had such an amazing and absolutely delicious experience at a bakery before. And I am definitely a pastry/bakery fan. Not only is absolutely everything you choose, beyond delicious but all of the people that work there are always so kind and welcoming. I didn’t even know that all of the pastries were vegan because I am not a vegan, they are absolute best pastries I’ve ever had. So many selections including savory and sweet and even gluten-free options. I come here way too much if that’s even possible. The menu changes from week to week and it keeps you coming back.

I finally made it! I'm from Pennsylvania so I was very excited to find this vegan bakery before I even left the East Coast! The food looks amazing on Instagram and even better in person. I've only tried a couple of these so far but holy moly they are delicious. The herby bread, I could eat it every day! And the strawberry layered cup... Tastes exactly like a strawberry shortcake! Thank you for all you do!

Heaven for someone like myself with Alpha Gal Syndrome as it's all vegan at Houldens. The croissants were delicious and so very satisfying, truly rose above 😊

From a baker & non-vegan: if all vegan pastries tasted like this, there will be more tasty vegan pastries 😂 because let's be real, most vegan pastries are boring, dry or kludgey -- at least the ones I've had. Had the street corn croissant and blood orange & blueberry cheesecake (with tofu & cashew) -- both were delish, Houlden's play with flavor is spot on.

I’ve been a Houlden’s super fan since moving to Tucson in January 2022. I’ve been vegan for 6.5 years and have tried vegan baked goods all over the world, and I can honestly say these are the best vegan pastries/desserts I’ve ever had in my life. Scratch that, they’re the best pastries and desserts I’ve ever had in my life EVER — both vegan and non-vegan. So when it came time for my wedding, I knew they were the only ones I trusted to make the wedding cake of my dreams. Hannah and Michael did such an amazing job responding to our requests, making a tasting box for my fiancé and I to try, and making the biggest and most beautiful wedding cake I’d ever seen! We got so many compliments about the cake and everyone was begging for an extra slice. I was the only vegan at the wedding and all of the non-vegans were blown away at how delicious the cake was. Many even said it was the best cake they’d ever had in their life!! I am so grateful to Houlden’s for their hard work and dedication making our cake a smashing success. I also love that every time I see their baked goods around town I can remember the magic of my wedding day. Thank you!!

Edit: I visited Tucson again 1 year later, and this was my first stop. That's how good this place is! I'm so happy to be able to visit again and try some more fresh, delicious goodies! Best bakery ever! Original review Jan 2024: Whatever kind of "-vore" you are, you will not be disappointed...these are the best pastries I've ever had! I was fortunate to stumble upon this place while visiting from out of town. I had a lovely chat with one of the owners who talked me through their available items and how long they'd keep since I wanted to take some extra home 😁 The pastry dough is *chef's kiss*...just the perfect amount of flakiness and crunchiness... Nothing dry or boring about any of these desserts! I wish I lived closer and that there were more vegan bakeries like this!!

Every time I try a pastry from Houlden’s my mind is just blown. The lamination achieved is better than any non-vegan product I’ve tried. The buttercream is so silky with the perfect hint of salt. They’re always putting out new baked goods which span the spectrum of sweet and savory so there will be something for whatever mood you’re in. We recently moved back to Tucson and are so happy to see the bakery is flourishing. You would think when a business adds more options that the quality may start lacking in certain areas but the exact opposite has happened here - pure perfection only. There’s an exceptional amount of talent here! This isn’t just a 5-star vegan bakery - it’s a 5-star bakery all around!

Their croissants are so good! You cannot even tell that they are vegan and the pastries are so fresh and made perfectly well. There is not anywhere to sit here, but perfect to grab a few sweet and savory baked goods and take them on teh road. Their marshmellow cronut was a little too much for me, but my partner ate basically the entire thing so I think it was good. The lined moved quickly and service was friendly and easy.

I've heard so many good things about Houlden's and I am so happy I got the chance to finally check them out! I will say I wasn't expecting the space to be so small, it's definitely an in-and-out quick service bakery. They have all their pastries for the day on display, and they also have a list of their offerings to go off of as well. Staff were really nice and helped me identify the different pastries as well. As for the actual pastries themselves? Absolutely divine! If I didn't know better I'd never guess everything was vegan! Every pastry I tried was amazing. Once I took a bite it was hard to put it down! My favorite was the Orange Blossom Pain au Chocolat and the Cookie Butter Cruffin! I like that the menu is always changing so I can keep trying new delicious goods! My mouth is already watering just thinking about going back!

Finding vegan baked goods that actually taste good proved to be quite a challenge. We heard about Houlden's and were skeptical but to our surprise this place has some amazing baked goods. We showed up to investigate their shop and found a small lobby and some really friendly people. My wife picked out some sweet baked goods and I assumed that because I don't eat sweets that they wouldn't have anything for me. Turns out they have a selection of savory treats that are amazing! I'm not big on the vegan meat or cheese but everything I've tried there has blown me away. Make sure to check their hours before heading down there but I'm telling you that it's worth stopping in and getting a box (or 3) of their baked goods.

Scrumptious baked goods that are almost unidentifiable as vegan (you can't fool me, Croissant Dog!) Ever-changing menu that will satisfy any boulangerie lover, with a great selection of gluten-free offerings, too. Only open Saturday Thru Monday, and if they sell out, they close the doors for the day. No wonder the line can wrap around the building just before they open! But it's worth the wait when you do get in, even for non-vegans like myself.

I've been following along the Houlden's Rise Above journey since the inception. I got obsessed with their cakes online and I ended up winning an Instagram giveaway for a specialty cake, it was kismet! The ingredients they use are quality and the cake was beautiful. Most mornings there is a line out the door during store front hours and you can always expect to find something unique, flavorful, and BEAUTIFUL. The selection is huge when you get there early enough!!!! Anytime I have friends come visit from out of town we make a stop and I love how easy and organized it is when you order custom boxes of items. I wish there was outside seating somehow at the bakery. I will forever be a fan and supporter. Houlden's doesn't miss the mark!

I went here on a Yelp event. We tried a few of their tasty treats and my favorite is the cupcake similar to the Hostess cupcake. It looks like the Hostess one, but that is where it ends. The chocolate is much richer, the creamy inside is much better, and its larger than the Hostess variety. You gotta try it. Not that it matters to me, but everything here is vegan. Often when there are extra adjectives (e.g. sugar free, vegan, faux, etc), the experience is sacrificed. Not the case here. This is hands down the best I have ever had whether it was Hostess or one of the other knockoffs I have had over the years.

I've been meaning to write a review for Houlden's Rise Above and am finally doing so in honor of #thankyouthursday! I had tried their vegan pastries at one of their wholesale partners (Presta), but finally made it to their brick and mortar shop a few weekends ago and left with a box of delicious pastries. There's a variety of savory and sweet pastries as well as cakes and cookies, and they come in vegan and gluten-free options. The menu rotates weekly. Recommend getting there early on the weekends so that you can get your pick. Though I'm not vegan, I love these pastries - so buttery without the actual dairy butter; the cruffins and cronuts have been my favorite. We pre-ordered the pumpkin pie for holidays next week, and I'm so excited to try that too. Glad to have this bakery in our Tucson community!

I absolutely love that this bakery is 100% vegan and that they have a large gluten-free selection. The baked goods are delicious, and the owners are super friendly. The shop itself is in an older strip mall and doesn't look like much from the outside. Don't be fooled! Once you step inside, your mouth will be watering. The hardest part is to not buy too much!

Updating my review as I've tried a few of Houlden's other items and they're incredible. The fauxstess cupcake is one of my favorite baked goods I've ever had and their scones are amazing as well. I made a special trip to Midtown Vegan Market just for the fauxstess cupcake. Please add it to your other locations!

Houlden's Rise Above Bakery is a hidden gem that's worth the visit. The service is super friendly, and they're always ready to answer any questions you might have. But let's talk about the pastries--they're simply delicious and flakey, some of the best we've ever had! You can find their goodies in shops around town, but it's totally worth making the trip to their store for the widest selection. I recently tried their pistachio and raspberry pop tart, and it was amazing. There might be a line sometimes, but it moves quickly, so don't let that stop you. My only problem? Everything is so good, it's hard to decide what to get.

If you told me 10 years ago that I would seek out vegan options I'd have smirked. But how do you not go to Houldens and not gorge on their vegan bakery items... every time? Their menu rotates but the incredible flavors don't. The raspberry thyme pop-tart... I've never had that combo before and now I want more ... which segways into the ricotta, arugula, thyme ( yumm) caramelized onion croissant was rich and the buttery flakes of croissant melts in your mouth. I also learned today they makes cakes which gets me excited too. Awesome and quick service. Ps- there is no seating- it's a pick up location and there is usually a line but it moves quickly. Also, its totally legit to sit in your car and dig in the goods.

We all know the pastries are incredible, top tier and made with quality ingredients by serious pastry chefs. The Almond bear claw lives rent free in my head but I really love to try their rotating options and everything always hits, regardless if you are vegan or omni. But omg can we talk about their coffee drinks? The blueberry cold brew is superb. Usually when I try a drink the listed notes are more like suggestions that you can taste if you think hard enough, but not at Houlden's. You can distinctly taste the flavor profiles listed and I am truly blown away at how delicious they are. Don't forget to check out the incredible chocolate selection - ethically sourced cocoa is a huge focus for them and you're guaranteed to find something unique and delicious.

Houlden's is amazing-- truly some of the best pastries and baked goods I've ever had and I would never have been able to tell they're vegan. I've loved everything I've ever sampled and was thrilled to see that they offer savory options. I recently ordered the Valentine's Day sampler and it didn't disappoint. The strawberry champagne pop tart was perfection and everything else was also delicious. I especially enjoyed both variety of cookies and my husband loved the brownie.

These are big treats that are pretty tasty. We have visited about a handful of times already and have tried the oatmeal creme pies, hostess looking cupcake, chocolate cronut, pop tart, bear claw, and hazelnut mousse pie. My favorites are the first two items listed. The mousse pie was very rich and dense, so a little bit goes a long way. Lines are very long, so order in advance and pay ahead if you can.

Went by this place today and ordered. Variety of their pastries, cake and cookies. Let me just say the pictures and look of them are amazing. The taste on the other hand is not what I was expecting. Now I understand why it's a vegan bakery. They leave out the taste and go for looks. The bronuts were flakey but doughy in the middle. The cake layers were not good at all, Betty Crocker cake tastes better. The filling was ok , but the icing that's where this place gets it wrong. It reminds me of the cheap over sweet icing. The filling in their pop tarts is a peanut butter blob of disgusting, I had to tear that part off and throw it away. The customer service was awesome, but the variety is ehh!! But if you want to make a delicious looking pastry display it's perfect, if you want to enjoy some great desserts give this place a pass. But that's just my opinion. Try if you may love it, was just not our favorite experience.

We've been here twice, and everything we've tried has been outstanding. I simply cannot comprehend how such deliciousness happens with no butter. But they manage to do it! This isn't a bakery you have to settle for because a relative is vegan (or gluten-free), it is a bakery you can go out of your way for, like we just did. If you don't know what an item is, they will help you to decide, but honestly, you can try anything and will enjoy it. They are very patient and knowledgeable and will lead you to what you need to take home and enjoy. And you should take it home, because the space is very small and we are not meant to linger. We're looking forward to coming back and trying some of the savory items sometime.

This was our second visit to Holden's. This time we got an assortment, a chocolate cupcake, a cherry and almond croissant, a bear claw and a chocolate covered and chocolate filled flaky deliciousness but I don't remember what it was called. This place is a real treasure. I can't believe that they make pastry this tasty and don't use eggs or butter. Their pastries rival any of the best bakeries in town. And, are may be better than some.

Always amazing thank you. Can wait till I place the Christmas order oh and place an order for the hostess cupcakes.

This bakery consistently makes delicious pastries and they change up the menu every week! There are many savory and sweet options to choose from. These are some of my favorite pastries and they're fairly priced as well.

I'm not sure how I found out about this spot but I'm glad I did! I live all things bakery and did not realize we had nice bakeries like this! I saw on their website that they sell out so I knew I needed to be there as early as I could. They open at 10am on Saturdays and I got there around 10:30am. There was already a line going outside when I arrived. This is also misleading because the inside is really small! Only a few people inside at a time really. I chatted a bit with others in line and the line actually moved pretty quickly. I don't think I waited for more than 10min. Once inside the cashier was really helpful, answering any question and reviewing all of the baked treats in the show glass. The treats were all amazing! My mom and I got a mud cup, strawberry shortcake, a chocolate croissant, a strawberry mousse cruffiin and a coffee. We had no complaints about any of them. My favorite was the strawberry shortcake which was moist and fresh and so light! I will definitely be back!

Holdens Vegan Bakery is incredible! Their whoopie pies are absolutely delicious, and a small coffee keeps me energized all day. My personal favorite has to be the vegan dog croissants with spicy mustard; they are so flavorful and perfectly flaky. Whether you're vegan or not, this place is a must-visit. The whoopie pies are soft and sweet. There is usually a line out the door, so make sure that you get there at least half an hour early because they will sell out! The area is also really clean and the owner and their staff are very friendly and informative.

We have been ordering from Houlden's since she was a home bakery and are so excited that there is now a brick and mortar. It is a must visit if you are looking for good pastries, regardless if you are vegan or not. The croissants are so flakey and delicious. The other cookies and desserts are also sooo good. The cheesecake is probably the only item that doesn't quite taste like it's non vegan counterpart, but it was tasty nonetheless. The cold brew coffee was such a pleasant surprise. It's some of the best cold brew I've had. I was glad they offered a decaf option and a dairy free salted foam top. There is no sitting area so plan on taking your pastries to go. So glad to finally visit Houlden's bakery and can't wait to visit again!

YOU MUST VISIT NOW. Haha no, I mean I love this baker and highly recommend visiting during cafe open hours to grab a drink, enjoy a pastry and support a really amazing and high quality local vegan bakery. Recently just opened, hours right now will be Saturday and Sunday from 10am until sold out. Croissants, croissant dogs, stuffed croissants, cruffins, tarts, cakes and who knows what else will arrive. Baked fresh daily and made with an insane amount of love and passion for this, I truly hope you get to try out this spot. If you have an IG and follow the account, she also has her pastries available at local coffee shops.

I was super happy to have tried one of Houlden's summer box of pastries. I found the chocolate cake to taste a lot like what I remembered a Hostess cupcake was like. The cake was very soft/moist and super chocolatey, it was the best treat of the four options in the summer box. My second favorite was the peach danish. I zapped it in the microwave for about 10 seconds and it made me feel like it tasted as if it came right out of the oven. The peach flavor was a little subtle, but it the dough was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The ratio of sugar to pastry was perfect, each bite was the right amount of sweet. I believe the flavor of the cronut and croissant was lemon? Again, these two were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, great sweet additions to our morning coffees. Thank you Houlden's!

These are god's nectar of the earth. I have an addiction and it's real. These pastries occupy my mind constantly. Love them and love the owners. The kindest and extremely passionate people! The store itself has a beautiful case display. I think this is an addiction that I don't want to be cured.

Houlden's made the wedding cake for my daughter's wedding this past weekend. It was the most delicious cake I have ever had and I don't think any of our guests would have ever guessed that it was vegan. The staff at the bakery was friendly and helpful and the pick up went seamlessly. The cake exceeded our expectations in every way!!

I CANT BELIEVE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PLACE! 5 stars. On top of the super nice guy handing out the treats (what a fun conversation), I couldn't believe what a ridiculously great bakery that happens to do the magical VEGAN baking & take it to another yummy level. Almost 3 desserts were dope! Nice me, I shared bites with 3 friends and they were all hits oh, I also bought a chocolate croissant! I & friends will be back.

Chocolate peanut butter cake was decadent!! The trifle omg! Got there in the afternoon so we were lucky they had anything! Got my son a chocolate chip cupcake and he had no idea it was gluten free and vegan... so much yummmm

Best baked goods in town by a mile! Hard to believe it's all vegan. Scones are delightful--the jammy ones are my personal favorites. The croissants are so flaky!

I love love love Houlden's pastries! I get them all over the place, Red Captain Coffee, Coffee Times, everywhere! My favorites are the pop tarts. I recently tried the Cherry Chamomile and it's DIVINE! Highly recommend!

Top notch vegan bakery and fun as well. The pastries and treats are incredible and the owners are great people. I go more than anyone ever should and it's worth it every time.

This is a nondescript establishment in an old strip center. Once you walk in, the inside is simple, but you are greeted warmly. I believe the simplicity is a front for the decadence in the cases. The pastries are a work of art. The portion size is huge!! To top it off, they taste even better than they look, if that is at all possible. I didn't know what to taste first so I went with the chocolate cupcake. (Did I mention the huge portion sizes?!) The cupcake has some surprise filling as well. It was moist, rich and not overly sweet. This dispels any myth about vegan food tasting odd, or dry. You experience heaven in each mouthful. They also create savory pastries. This should be at the top of everyone's list.

What a great alternative to vegan goodies. The owners are so personable, and you can tell that they love what they do with each pastry you taste. My absolute favorite is the oatmeal cookie, the sea salt that's used is divine, and I know I could eat like five to myself. I can't recommend this place more than I can...I mean, everything is 10/10 IMO. Go give them a try now!

Despite Phoenix and I-10 doing all they could to try to stop us, we made it to the new Houlden's storefront in time to pick up a delicious haul after Valentines Day! I can't say enough about how much we enjoyed our treats. Cruffins are mouth ecstasy. The custard-like filling inside one of the cruffins sent me back to my childhood favorite French bakery in New Symrna Beach. Phoenix vegans - it's worth the drive (but leave plenty early).

So happy to have been invited to try Houlden's! The owners were so kind and helpful! Not only did I pick up my amazing pastry box but also picked out 6 more pastries to try!

Been eating their pastries since they've been selling them at presta, and now they have a brick and mortar?! Super cute, small spot that sells freshly baked pastries with presta cold brew l. I appreciate the variety of pastries, both savory and sweet. There is not seating so be ready to grab and go!

Love their pastries. They use high quality ingredients. The have both sweet & savory very delicious.

Simply amazing. The talent, care and love that it takes to make these pastries, cookies and croissants are evident in every bite. Trust all the 5 star reviews -- Houlden's is a Tucson gem!

This is one of the hidden gems in Tucson. Retail hours are the weekend plus Monday only so plan ahead. Selection changes but everything is unique and tasty.

Terrific pastries and my friends could not tell it was vegan. The Croissants were so flaky and crisp. The we orange blossom cruffin was the favorite, it had a mild soft orange flavor and smelled great. The wait can be long, I was there 40 minutes but it was worth it. Go early if you have a favorite. The owner is so nice.

The customer service was great! Visually, these pastries look incredible, unfortunately they lack in taste. The cronut was so overly greasy, I took one bite and had to throw the rest away. The miso cookie was fine but nothing special. One redeeming factor, was the price. Compared to other bakeries in the area, these pastries were priced relatively low.

My family and I hitched ourselves onto the Houlden's train in 2021 and have never looked back. Not only are all of their pastries amazing, but so are their staff & their backstory. We've had the best cakes ever over the last few years, along with excellent pop tarts, muffins, cupcakes, and the COOKIES. Their selection of gluten free options may not be as extensive as a full blown gluten free bakery, but their quality is far better than any other vegan AND gf option out there (let's be real, they can be as heavy as paper weights if not done right).

Hannah's pastries are my favorite of all time and I love sweets. Considering both Vegan and Non-Vegan treats, I would choose Houlden's every time and it's even better I can indulge guilt free. Plus Hannah is the most kind and always works to accommodate custom orders for special occasions. We've ordered Poptart boxes from her and they're always a hit! We've picked up her goodies from Presta Coffee Roasters, Woops! Bakeshop, Coffee Times Drive-Thru, and Westover Farm. I always do my best to try something new each time! My top favorite of her regularly rotated items are her Chocolate Fudge or Apple Tahini Poptarts, Croissants, and Morning Buns. Though I was most pleasantly surprised by her carrot cake cupcakes, fully vegan, and absolutely out of this world. I can't wait for her store front, it's going to be so exciting to see her launch a full bakery and it's well deserved for someone providing the highest quality vegan treats to so many shops in town.

This fantastic vegan bakery is worth discovering. Every pastry and cake, whether sweet or savory is amazing. Hannah just knocks it out of the park with her baking. Her menu features croissants, cronuts, cruffins- all flaky masterpieces. You can also get coffee and tea at the shop. She also has weekly preorder boxes that you order on Tuesdays to pick up on the next weekend. I highly recommend this business.

I don't seek out vegan food necessarily and very seldom do I write reviews. But I have gone here dozens of times time the past year or so after finding this bakery and it some how always gets better and better. I have been to multiple continents and bakeries galore but I still find myself saying, it's not quite Houldens. This is all supplanted by the kindness of the owners and bakers. While part of me wishes this could be a city secret so I had it all to myself, they deserve to be viral, lines out the door, and get all the recognition they deserve. Your goodies have made memories for me with family and friends.:)

Love love LOVE this place! Be prepared to have your mind blown with the best vegan pastries I've ever had. They are open only a couple days a week and very busy, so be prepared to wait in line for a bit. It's well worth it and you can see why they're so popular!! I visit almost every week and have yet to try anything I didn't like. They have plenty of gluten free options in addition to great coffee, guaranteeing you'll be on the best sugar high for the rest of the day. These pastries make great gifts and I always bring some to my family in Phoenix. On top of all that, they're so kind and you can tell they're very passionate about their business, something you won't find at other chain bakeries. If you can't make it to their shop, they deliver to coffee shops all around town, but I will say the selection at the bakery is worth the visit. :)

It was only the first weekend the bakery was open, which opened at 10 am. At 10:30 am Sunday, there was already a long line outside the building that kept growing with fans excited to try the pastries that some may have already eaten at local coffee & boba shops. I know I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of the brick and mortar shop, following on Insta, and was just as excited as everyone in line. It took an hour to reach the counter and was just happy that it was not sold out yet, but it will soon. I was still able to get my hands on a savory danish, pop tart, two oatmeal cream pies, and a matcha cookie. As I devoured all this yumminess, I appreciated the flaky layers of pastry, creativity, and long hours that it took to create these vegan goodness!! Next time, I WILL get a cruffin!!

This place is amazing! My partner is vegan so I went here to get them surprise birthday desserts and these did not disappoint. Keep in mind there is usually a line and they are only open until they sell out. I got there 30min before they opened and was the 4th person in line on a Monday morning. This is not an eat in place. Only to go.

Every time I've come, every thing I've bought has been absolutely delicious. I've even blown some coworkers minds with the goodies! I picked up a fresh batch and the pistachio chocolate croissant was booooomb. I love the staff the bakery's vibe. Cannot suggest them enough!