Knead Artisan Bakery

Very lovely bakery inside the Symphony Towers. I visited right after they opened - so many things to choose from! Was surprised to see they also have a lunch menu (future visit). They also serve coffee and drinks but I only tried pastries today. I got the almond croissant which was delightful - crispy, crunchy, great almond filling with plenty of almond on top. Sweet but not too sweet and just a solid croissant overall. I also got a savory scone that packed in tons of flavor. I loved the texture of the scone and how crispy is was on the bottom. Can't wait to return to try more things!

We had a bad experience visiting this bakery, everything was spoiled by a grown man with a beard and mustache, he is very impolite not hospitable, at the end when my wife told him to have a good day he did not answer or smile. They open at 7 and sell yesterday's pastries, fresh ones show up later, it's very strange for a bakery. There are bakeries in San Diego with a slightly higher level of bakery quality and hospitality, such as Izzola Bakery

We stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club attached to the same building as Knead Bakery. It sucked that they are only open Monday through Friday, but i get it, so we only were able to go there once. The pastries were sooooo good, croissants were very flaky and great. Cinnamon was awesome. and the service was great. This is a nice peaceful nook in the busy San Diego downtown, this place was great.

Located in the heart of downtown, our bakery offers a delightful selection of fresh sandwiches and perfectly flaky croissants. Stop by to enjoy the warm, inviting atmosphere and mouthwatering flavors.

Amazing pastries and coffee. Sleepy little place hidden away inside the street level of an office building. If you’re not paying attention you could walk right paste it and miss out on a delightful experience.

We scored! Nope, it isn’t Donut Bar, which was too sweet and overwhelming in so many ways. If you want a taste of France and look at beautifully arrayed food, this is your place. Daisy took care of us the first day and didn’t steer us wrong. We had a flaky pastry with pesto, balsamic vinegar on top of heirloom tomatoes. WOW. I was eager to try their kouign amann. Sweet, candied on top, a little denser than what I’ve had before, but I left no scraps behind. On our second day here, we returned to Knead and tried 2 new things: their almond croissant, and their quiche. Both very good. Today: hmmm. They have a lot to offer and I’m trying to eat one of everything before we leave..which won’t be possible, but I thought it a fun goal. Maybe their scone?????

Chef Adrian has exceeded expectations with the best croissants in town and so many delicious savory items including undetectable gluten free options. The staff is a breath of fresh air for downtown!

Delicious hefty breakfast burritos. Coffee made from locally roasted beans. Lots of good pastries to choose from.

What a cute little hidden gem. This is tucked in the lobby of the Symphony Towers building in downtown San Diego. We had a lemon loaf, buttery croissant, and a dirty turmeric latte. The pastries were so fresh and delish. The croissant brought me back to France with the flakey slightly crisp outside and soft buttery inside. The lemon loaf was decadent with just the right amount of sweet and tangy. They have happy hour at 2pm so their fresh pastries are all 20% off. Perfect for an afternoon pick me up or sweet tooth. The ladies at the counter were fun and helpful. I highly recommend visiting if you're in the area.

I've been dying to try this place after I found out that their pastry chef is from Wayfarer! I picked up one of their savory scone options (olive, rosemary, feta) plus a ham and cheese croissant. Savory scone: 5/5! Incredible. I love the scones at Wayfarer so I was so excited to try this, and it was really good! Lightly buttery, good amount of olives and cheese mixed in so that the flavor was strong but not overwhelming. I'll be coming back for their other scone options. Ham & cheese croissant: 4.5/5! I toasted this lightly in the oven and it was perfectly crispy, with the right ratio of ham and cheese. It didn't blow me away, but this was super solid.

Nice interior Pretty elegant space The croissant with eggs :) Friendly staff A few tables inside Everything looked delicious on display Plan for downtown parking.

Knead Artisan Bakery is located on the ground level of the Symphony Towers in the historic Financial District of downtown SD. I came across this business recently at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival as they were one of the many vendors who were in attendance. The samples of baked goods were impressive enough that I wanted to visit this brick and mortar location. Several tables were set up for on-site dining, but it looked like the majority of customers were ordering their items to-go. Six 'Rise and Shine' items were sold for breakfast between 7:30 and 10:30 am. Another eight choices were available for lunch between 10:30 and 2:00 pm. Beverages consisted of coffee, espresso, latte, tea, and grab & go drinks. A variety of baked products were on display at the service counter. I ended up purchasing a few of these to take home. They were the Lemon & Olive Cake, Blackberry Brioche Tart, and a Seasonal Fruit Galette. The extra virgin olive oil in the lemon cake made the product very smooth and fluffy. The blackberries on the tart provided a fruity contrast to the predominant lemon meringue flavor. The galette contained strawberry rhubarb as a filling to the soft and moist dough. Prices were in the ballpark for gourmet baked goods, however I disliked the 15% service charge that was added to the bill. I thought the limit for such a surcharge was 4% by law. The amount here was essentially a mandatory gratuity. Other than that, my experience at Knead Artisan Bakery was positive.

The song from Cheap Trick goes ...I want you to want me, I need you to need me ... Yeah, Need = Knead.... Knead Artisan Bakery opened recently in downtown San Diego. Located in the Symphony Towers, a corporate building. Parking is a challenge. The head chef, Adrian Mendoza evidently has an impressive resume with previous experience working as head pastry chef at Spago, where I've frequently dined, so I was ecstatic to visit this pastry shop. Walked through the corporate stylishly demure main floor lobby and at the end, you'll see the entry to Knead. The dining room had several tables and seating and was clean. Minimalist decor, ample indoor only seating and a limited selection of baked goods on display. Not out sourced and brought in, Everything is made in house. All the baked goods had the look of hand crafted, hence Artisan. The pastry display case looked dim, needed lighting inside to showcase the pastries. I saw one flying insect twirling fan and there really should be more than one, because if I see a fly/bug/insect it's a turn off. Luckily I didn't witness any little UFOs lol I wanted to get one of each pastry but selected a couple to share. My pup is an almond croissant aficionado so I got her one and also got a pecan maple scone. On subsequent visits, the carrot cake with cream cheese and the pecan almond coffee cake both Gluten Free. The scone tasted subpar, it needed more vanilla extract because it tasted blandish. Most of the pastries looked simple and not fancy. Would be nice to see fancier pastries. The rest of the pastries tasted Not too sugary sweet, scrumptious, so delish and more importantly, did Not give me a negative carb/sugar reaction post eating, that means the ingredients used were higher quality. Coffee, tea and other drinks offered. The menu includes limited options for lunch. The one staffer, Rona behind the counter was cordial, helpful and nice. She answer my questions about the contents of some pastries. With seasonal offerings I was hoping to see the chef and ask if he will make versions of some of my Spago bread and pastry favorites: specifically Kaiserschmarrn...it's perfect for Autumn Fall, presented and plated nicely and just to die for. Or Spago's epi baguette with olives and rosemary seeded lavash served with goat fromagé. Sadly none of the Spago breads is offered here. I'll have to trek a 3 hours drive to Beverly Hills and dine at Spago's. Don't expect fancy Spago breads and pastries. However, the Artisan baked goods at Knead will want you to want it and need you to need Knead! Recommend.

Excellent baked goods. My favorite is the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt. The croissants are also fresh crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The scones are great as well, nice and crusty on the outside and biscuit like on the inside. Chef baker Adrian really knows how to bake. This is a small café/restaurant at the bottom of Symphony Towers, where you can stop by to get a snack or a meal. It also serves sandwiches in addition to baked goods. The decor is really nice, white, light, and spacious. Worth coming back!

What a hidden gem! Tucked away at the bottom of the Symphony Towers. They sell coffee, tea, baked goods (including sandwiches). Service - quick and friendly Food - the egg and cheese croissant is wonderful, scrambled eggs with bechamel sauce, Gruyère, and chives. Kouign Amann (a tad overly crispy - but still good) Ambiance - so clean and lovely, will be back!

I tried this bakery at the Del Mar Food Festival and this was the only booth we went back to not once, not twice... but three times lol Their strawberry chip cookie was life changing. The staff was extremely nice and friendly too. I can't wait to stop by the location and order the strawberry cookies by the dozen

We picked up a few pastries from the bakery, and let me tell you... the best croissant I have had! It was soft and buttery... perfection! The staff is always nice and greets you when you walk in, and makes sure to ask you how your day is going! The space has a few small tables, enough space for you to enjoy your coffee and pastry or sandwich, which are also amazing. If you are in the area, please stop by. You won't regret it!

We picked up a selection of pastries at this new bakery this week. I am normally not a huge fan of pastries, but I have to say a number of these were really really good. They had an almond lemon and chocolate croissant, which was great. Service was very good and friendly and the ambience is nice and brand new. They have a handful of small tables and it is clean and inviting. The only downside to this location is parking in the area. But if you are within walking distance, this is a nice little shop to have coffee or pastries in the morning. They also do sandwiches.

Knead is a unique bakery tucked away in middle of the lobby of Symphony Tower. The staff was helpful but seemed easily aggravated. The shop has a very modern atmosphere with electronic menus and a huge tray of pastries. I tried the Mexican Hot Chocolate Scone and the Raspberry and Lemon Tart. The scone was not very flavorful and tasted rather bland. I would not recommend ordering it. The lemon and raspberry tart was really sweet and had a delicious crust. The bakery was alright, but I was admittedly disappointed as I heard great things but I did not find it remarkable.

Knead Artisan Bakery in downtown San Diego is a must-visit for pastry lovers. Led by Chef Adrian Mendoza, whose impressive background includes positions at Spago and Wayfarer Bread & Pastry, this bakery offers a delectable array of handcrafted breads and pastries. The location is amazing, housed inside symphony towers and connected to symphony hall, the ambiance is warm and inviting, and has a true connection to the city not many other bakeries can claim. The croissants are a flaky, buttery, and baked to perfection. The menu also features muffins, scones, cookies, and a variety of breads, including gluten-free options all of which are amazing. I've been at least six times now and have never disappointed! Their coffee program is exceptional, featuring ethically sourced beans from Talitha Coffee Roasters. The service is equally commendable. The staff greets you warmly upon arrival, and their knowledge of the menu enhances the overall experience and are always happy to explain specifics of any pastry. With its combination of exceptional food and outstanding service, it's a must-visit destination in San Diego.

Housed within the San Diego Symphony building, with a beautiful and tranquil decor. The menu isn't vast, but it is absolutely delicious! The breakfast sando is a favorite of mine!

The pastries are fresh from the oven, so they ate delicious. The service is fast. Although is a big building its kinda hidden but it's cozy and clean.

Based on Mendoza's experience at the outstanding Wayfarer bakery in Birdrock, I was curious to try his pastries. While overall the pastries are good, some, like the gluten free options, are dry and lack flavor. What's most disappointing, is the service. Their online ordering system is not in sync with their hours of operation and inventory on hand. They open at 7 am but it takes them a couple of hours to put out the baked goods. The staff is poorly trained, unprofessional, lazy, and incompetent. There's a male server with long blond hair in a ponytail who has a poor attitude and is unwilling to listen to constructive feedback. Unless they shore up their customer service, they'll be gone within a year.

Staff was friendly and welcoming. Lots of pastries to choose from on a Friday morning, including 4 or 5 gluten-free options. I tried two and the chocolate espresso loaf was better. Its located inside the Symphony towers, but easily accessible on first floor. Cozy and very quiet.

Symphony Towers made an excellent choice with Knead Bakery being in their building. The interior design is fresh and bright. The pastries are amazing. The almond croissant is one my favorites along with the passion fruit brioche tart. Hands down they have one of the best Açaí bowls offered in this part of downtown and they have a pretty good lunch menu. The staff is pleasant and welcoming. If you are down at this end of downtown, Knead Bakery will not disappoint. Note, it is a cashless establishment.

Amazing new bakery so cute Inside (it's inside the San Diego symphony building) and AMAZING and DELICIOUS EVERYTHING!!!! Highly recommend!!

Good pastries. Spotty slow service. Surprised at the meager selection of goods available at 7:00am opening b

Amazing pastries but the service charge at the very end of the checkout process was a surprise. You have to pay a service fee related to the University Club. Walk a few blocks for better pastries at Rikka Fika, Blackmarket bakery, Izola and ASA bakery.

Hopeful that this place succeeds. But I am not optimistic. High prices for mediocre food and service. Today for lunch I got the ham and cheese sandwich on a baguette roll. The roll was rock hard! Not baguette outside crispy hard with a soft center, rather it was concrete hard throughout. Very disappointing for a sandwich from a high price bakery. Also got a chocolate chip cookie, which was very good. Service has not been very good. Hopefully they will iron out the kinks over time.

I became aware of Knead through an email from my City Council Rep touting a new bakery in the city. The story was impressive. The web site was impressive. So I invited my friend and neighbor to join me on a quick drive downtown to grab maybe a pastry or a croissant. We ran a little late but were on the cusp of breakfast converting to lunch but came in just before breakfast cut off/the start of lunch. As much as I wanted a serious baked good, I knew I needed an actual breakfast item. I ordered the breakfast burrito to go because we were parked in a 15 minute zone (I was thankful to have found). My friend wanted one of the lunch sandwiches and asked if it wasn't too early to order one. Answer : No, she could order the Turkey Pesto she was eyeing and she asked if they could make sure it didn't have any mayo and was quickly informed that they were pre-made and no substitutions. She bought a baguette. Person behind the counter could have easily checked if it came with mayo, it doesn't according to the menu. For my part I looked at the array of pastries and goodies which I'm sure are to die for and ordered an almond croissant to have tomorrow morning with coffee. As we all know, parking is an issue downtown so I asked one of, what it appeared to be, one of the principals about parking options when visiting Knead. The answer was "I don't own a car". So the other person at the register then informed me that parking for their building was super expensive so watch out for that. I get it, we're moving away from a car-centric city. Witness all the parking spaces being GUTTED from North Park and the changes to Pershing and all that. But come on, can there not be a suitable parking option? Now, on to the breakfast burrito...meh. It was hot, well wrapped in a nice foil, provided in a nice box, warm when I got it home back in North Park....but unremarkable. I'll take Panchita's breakfast burrito from their drive thru all day long. If you advertise fancy bacon in a breakfast burrito then deliver it along with the other main players in the *correct* proportions. Also, the green salsa was too thick and just not appropriate. This is San Diego not Portland, yet here we are with a bakery that touts that which I'm sure is in the running for the finest croissant in the city and the menu doesn't have a croissant based breakfast sandwich? This is a missed opportunity. Take the burrito off the menu and get with the program. I'm sure this was considered and the verdict was "oh we can't sully our croissant reputation by offering it as a sandwich". Influx did it for years and I wept when they took it off the menu. In the end, we walked out with the baguette which was very good , my burrito and the almond croissant and went on our way. This all being said, we are SO SO lucky to have an establishment like Knead in San Diego! It's beautifully decorated, designed, placed, and it's obvious the second you look at the goods on display that heaven awaits. All I ask is don't put something on the menu that isn't top shelf like the breakfast burrito and remember, some of us get around in cars and would like to drive down from uptown on a whim and enjoy this slice of heaven...that's if you want our business. Symphony Towers parking and Knead don't have an "arrangement"? Come ON! Also, all the staff should know the menu including all ingredients, especially for such a limited menu. I just don't understand the policy of " we can't make your sandwich on the fly because you'd like a substitution and we pre-make our lunch sandwiches." Again, a missed opportunity. I hope this place survives because it has some good products, it just needs to work out a few things.

Scrumptious! The baguette is crisp and chewy on the outside and soft on the inside. The butter croissant is perfect. I have not had either any better since last year when I was in Paris. Rumor has it that butter from France is imported for the croissants. The taste supports that. In a small way I am glad I do not live or work downtown or I would be there every day and many pounds heavier. Ah! but the delicious pleasure.