Nielsen’s Pastries

Great lower Queen Anne bakery and coffee shop specializing in Danish pastries. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly. The environment is cozy. The coffee and pastries are delicious. There's a kid's nook in the corner that keeps little ones occupied. Fantastic coffee shop for the entire family.

Love this place. I enjoy the unique pastries, the low key danish vibe, and their focus on “doing the right thing”. Particularly a big fan of their whole wheat pastries- I wish that were common. Their “potato” is really good. The perfect level of sweetness and creaminess to make it melt in your mouth. There’s a small kids space too.

I enjoy visiting bakeries all over the world. Nielsen’s is a bakery not to miss when in Seattle, a staple in the community since 1965. The interior may not have changed much and shows its maturity, adding to its appeal. The traditional Danish pastries are fantastic and so is the coffee. There are a few tables to sit and enjoy this cozy, family bakery. The service was excellent and friendly. I’m glad I had an opportunity to visit!

I absolutely love Danish pastries! The potato dessert is a must-try and quite popular. The cafe is small and cozy, with a wonderful vibe. They aren't open in the evenings, so mornings are the best time to enjoy. Parking is difficult to find.

Great place for coffee and and the “Egg Mc Nielson” is really good!!! The attention and service is out of this world.

Such an asset to the community. The pastries are heavenly, prepared with butter and the other quality ingredients you would expect from an old world type bakery. My favorites are (pictured here) the frosnapper and the "potato"...a cream puff filled very full with a delightful cream, topped with a sleeve of marzipan and sprinkled with cocoa powder until it resembles....a potato! They aren't open to the public for late hours, you have to get in earlier in the day and they open at 8am. Sunday's they are closed!

Small cafe in lower queen anne uptown area. Yummy danish pastry and good selection of coffee. Huge selection of other pastries too. Nice place to chill - I came here on a weekend thankfully wasnt very crowded.. they have a few books and games for you to read/play while you're in! Definitely a good neighborhood gem and a must go if you’re looking for authentic pastries and support local business. This was the first cafe I chilled when checking out the city of Seattle’s neighborhoods!

Went specifically looking for this place since my SO remembers the poppy seed danish from half a decade ago and it was one of the best pastry he's ever had so he wanted to share Food/Taste/Flavor: 5/5 - this pastry shop definitely lives up to his memory and everything we tried was so good!! Poppy Seed Danish (tebirkes) was buttery and flaky with just a hint of sweetness to contrast the savory/nuttiness from the poppy seeds. Boller with a chocolate topping and some custard inside. It reminds me of a milk bread with the lightly sweet flavor and fluffy texture. The coffee was great with this since the acidity helped cut through some of the sweetness Frosnapper was interesting to look at and we though it would be a more savory pastry since it had poppy and sesame seeds. It was flaky, buttery, sweet and crispy from the caramelized bottom, savory from the seeds, and we absolutely loved it. The sesame and caramelization reminds us of Asian sesame sweets but it added a great texture to this bread as well Ambience: 5/5 - cute shop that feels warm and cozy. Someplace we would want to just hang out at. They had a sign outside asking to limit the number of customers in the store for safety Service: 5/5 - super friendly and held a conversation with us while we were making our decision. Ask if you have any questions or want recommendations! Value for price: 5/5 - great food and service and very reasonable price. There's definitely a very good reason why they've been around for so long!

I couldn't ask for much more with Nielsen's- tons of almond flavor based desserts, my absolute favorite flavor in the world. I finally got around to coming here last week and it was worth the wait- I got a slice of marzipan/princess cake, a napoleon hat, and a Sara Bernhardt, all delicious. Parking was easy too which was a big plus. I can't wait to come back again, def a repeat customer now!

Nielsen's Pastries is truly Seattle OG, established since 1965 - going to be 60 years in 2025! I was recommended to check out Nielsen's Pastries back in 2016 by James, the original owner of the now shuttered, Cafe Besalu. Recently, I came across my ancient stamp card started back then. Shocked that I've never posted a review, until now. I decided to seek them out on 12/16/24. I found easy peasy street parking out front. I joined the line and that enabled me to peer at the pastry cases. There was also merch available for the holiday season. There are a few tables, window counter seating, and additional seating by the kids area and cookbook reference area. The counter person was very upbeat, exuberant which for me was uplifting. I ordered and enjoyed onsite a 16oz mocha, a custard danish, and The Egg McNielsen. I was onsite for about 45 minutes. The mocha was tasty. The danish was modest, but I enjoyed the flaky layers and creamy custard. The Egg McNielsen hit the spot despite it being early afternoon. Egg, ham, cheese and served toasty from the panini grill. It was impressive to see periodic waves of folks coming in, but the efficiency of the team behind the counter there really wasn't much of a wait. Currently, there are a selection of holiday items that can be ordered ahead of time. One customer came in and picked up three impressive kringles that were nicely packaged. Yes, the greater Seattle area is fortunate to have many indie neighborhood cafes/bakeshops, but glad places like Nielsen's Pastries has staying power. I also appreciate quality spots that are relatively kind to one's wallet. Great customer service, tasty baked goods, decent coffee. I know I left feeling much better than when I first arrived.

Fantastic pastries and very local. You may not always know what you are getting when you order something fantastic looking but I have never had anything base from their case. If you are looking for great coffee I would recommend one of the other shops around as their specialty is definitely pastries and not coffee, but they can serve you a decent cup if you just want an addition to your snack. Seating can be a bit odd but the vibe is calm and never too loud which I can appreciate. There are also some outdoor seating spots in the summer which is nice!

I had about a half hour to spare and I was walking around the area and happened upon Nielsen's Pastries. I am so glad that I did! This is an adorable hidden gem of a bakery that immediately felt homey when I walked in. I had to try the famous snitter. It was even better than I imagined it would be! The employees were all so kind and I was served very quickly. I will most definitely be back over and over again to try everything in the case, one pastry at a time.

First time visitors after wandering the area from seeing Kerry Park Everything is made fresh daily and the smell is in the air - that's what caught out attention from being across the street! The employees were helpful and attentive and provided their recommendations and explained more about the product including many made in house daily. The snitter and kringle were not overpowering in sweetness, buttery, various textures, and lovely consume with tea or caffeine choice. The chai was potent and earthy in a good way (its not your traditional starbucks sweet style) It appears to be a local favorite and dog treats are available inside to give to your dog who are allowed to walk inside! Small trinkets and sweater available for purchase. Will return for another visit and smell!

Stopped by early in the day for pre hike pastries. I got the spinach feta pastry, blackberry cream cheese danish and Kringle slice. Everything was fresh and pretty delicious. I got things warmed up. I usually don't like almond forward pastries as I don't like the almond essence flavour. But that was really not the case here where almond was subtle and more in texture. Overall pastries were a little on the sweeter side for me but I can see why this place is famous.

What a charming little cafe. I was immediately transported back to Europe to one my beloved small town bakeries. Not fancy or showy - the focus is clearly on the baked goods. The pastries are also clearly handmade, simple and delicately flavorful. No sugar bombs here! The cinnamon roll was baked well with a subtle hint of cardamom. I'd never heard of a Sarah Bernhardt cookie before, but looked intriguing. Glad I indulged! The cookie base was a Danish makroner which had a great chew yet still crisp. The chocolate interior was fluffy and mousse like, and the chocolate coating was just the right thickness. The staff are friendly, helpful, and patient while you make your selection. Nielsens is a bit off the beaten path; I found it while visiting the DMV. I'll definitely be back again. Their cardamom braid is falling my name...

Hands down my favorite breakfast while visiting Seattle. Stopped twice because I needed it more. Everything is good, just go for it. The smell outside is just soooo tempting too. Just wish they had better selection for coffee

Do you have a favorite family bakery? I do. And the bakery is Nielsen's, located in Seattle's lower Queen Anne neighborhood. Founded in 1965, this bakery is one of Seattle's secrets, and the creations cannot be found, nor duplicated by any bakery in greater King County. Danish in origin, these traditional pastries look like they hopped of the airplane and jumped into the display case. Made daily these selections keep the bakery crew busy. Among their favorites (to me anyways) is their almond crescent, Napolean Hat (sugar cooking with almond paste), and their Sarah Bernhardt (almond macaron and chocolate mousse dipped in chocolate). Among these, the two that stand out are their Potato (puff pastry filled with whipped cream wrapped in marizpan and rolled in cocoa powder) and their signature, coups de grace.... Marizpan cake! A little more on this Marzipan cake... Nielsen's states this is a 'princess cake' with three layers of sponge cake, raspberry filling, and whipped cream custard, with hints of rum!! Outstanding. And this cake has NEVER been duplicated by anyone. To me, that's what makes a place stand out. Be advised that this place is only open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 2pm. But spend the time to come over, where you can. Now, they also serve daily lunch specials and a daily soup and fresh coffee or espresso! Even more of a reason to come on down. And call ahead if you want to make sure your favorite treat is available - or if you want a special order of cakes for that special event. Save me a slice of marzipan cake if you don't mind. See you in line at Nielsen's!

I don't know why I haven't reviewed this place yet I come here enough. It is the best neighborhood bakery by far. Everyone who works there is super friendly and helpful. They have the best pastries -- some of my favorites include: spinach and feta, the BOB, any danish really, and snitters. They will sell out of certain items so if you want your pick, come earlier in the morning. I've ordered lattes here as well and they are solid. It looks like they've brought back some seating inside but most people take it to go, or sit at a couple of small round tables out front. If you are looking for a light breakfast or just want something buttery and delicious. GO! You won't regret it.

(4.85 stars if available) This "hole in the wall" café is a great example of Seattle's finest espresso/ bakery. Although I did not stay to enjoy the experience, I was treated very well. Joel did a great job of making myself feel welcome. Great team, very professional.

I didn't expect much at first but it blew my mind after first bite. It was freshly backed and quality pastries! I got the potato and some cinammon danish. They weren't overly sweet and spices were just great. Sucha flavor bomb. I would love to visit again.

Delicious Danish pastries. And friendly service! Just could use a reorganize and clean up in there, it feels very dark and sad.

Definitely a local gem in the queen anne neighborhood! This danish bakery has Lots of varieties in pastry, freshly made each morning from savory to sweet. We had the spinach and feta, peach danish, snitter, and cinnamon rolls. So flaky and delicious! A snitter is a flattened cinnamon roll with custard on top. Sounds interesting and tasty too. Also super friendly and helpful staff.

Solid Danish pastry shop with both sweet and savory varieties. I came right before they close, and couldn't get my hands on the popular stuff like cardamom braids. I got some classic pastries like cookies and cinnamon roll, nothing stood out. I'll be back early in the day next time!

Such delicious pastries and amazing service to match! Fortunate to have stayed at a hotel in the area and were able to go to this neighborhood bakery twice. It is a place not too miss!

Wow, this place is super good. I went for a walk and stumbled upon it. I'm always weary about danish shops because they tend to be touristy but this one was legit. I had the flat cinnamon roll thing and it was so good.

Went specifically looking for this place since my SO remembers the poppy seed danish from half a decade ago and it was one of the best pastry he's ever had so he wanted to share Food/Taste/Flavor: 5/5 - this pastry shop definitely lives up to his memory and everything we tried was so good!! Poppy Seed Danish (tebirkes) was buttery and flaky with just a hint of sweetness to contrast the savory/nuttiness from the poppy seeds. Boller with a chocolate topping and some custard inside. It reminds me of a milk bread with the lightly sweet flavor and fluffy texture. The coffee was great with this since the acidity helped cut through some of the sweetness Frosnapper was interesting to look at and we though it would be a more savory pastry since it had poppy and sesame seeds. It was flaky, buttery, sweet and crispy from the caramelized bottom, savory from the seeds, and we absolutely loved it. The sesame and caramelization reminds us of Asian sesame sweets but it added a great texture to this bread as well Ambience: 5/5 - cute shop that feels warm and cozy. Someplace we would want to just hang out at. They had a sign outside asking to limit the number of customers in the store for safety Service: 5/5 - super friendly and held a conversation with us while we were making our decision. Ask if you have any questions or want recommendations! Value for price: 5/5 - great food and service and very reasonable price. There's definitely a very good reason why they've been around for so long!

Nielsen's Pastries is a pretty great danish pastry shop. They have a variety of sweet and savory pastries. They have friendly baristas with a great selection of coffees. I had a hazelnut coffee and a pastry called The Potato. It is a puff pastry with whipped cream and custard, marzipan and cocoa powder. Worth checking out if you're in the area when they are open.

How have I not reviewed Nielsen's yet???.. they're a Seattle institution at this point. If you haven't experienced a snitter, potato, or boller.. you haven't lived. Locally owned, not a chain, quality ingredients. Chris and Holly are carrying a beautiful legacy. When you step in you feel like you're in your Scandinavian grandma's basement in the best way. They are incredibly consistent as I was a regular for 3 years working a block away. They also participate in toofoodtogo, which combats food waste..

Awesome bakery serving up authentic danish pastries using quality ingredients. If you have a sweet tooth and want to avoid all the ultra processed desserts this is the place to go! This is my once a week indulgence

Nielsen's Pastries is a great dessert shop. They serve a very large variety of delicious pastries, and have a dessert for every tastebud, whether you are craving sweet or savory. I highly recommend having them heat up whatever dessert your order, to achieve maximum flavor. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend this dessert shop.

You can't go wrong with this place. I smelled the good food while passing by. Figured I might as well pop in to see if it was something I could eat for lunch. When I came inside I felt like I wasn't sure if the place was fully open yet or if they were closing down, but yes they were open. I ordered an apple cinnamon roll to go. It wasn't easy to pick as they had a few items I would have liked to try and for a reasonable price. I would say the cinnamon roll was quality, but at the same time did not wow me. Yes it was nice they added a few small pieces of apple. In my opinion nothing about it makes me want to choose their cinnamon roll over another bakeries. Maybe had they offered to warm it up and there was about twice as much topping and icing it would have had more of that wow factor. It also would have been alot messier in the bag. It's also kind of dark and cold feeling inside and there isn't any seating outdoors. Meh. Overall if your in the area and looking for a bakery. You won't be disappointed. You won't be wowed either. You will get a decent pastry worth your money. I'm not mad about that.

This place have been on my list for a while. I think my expectations may have been too high so it was kinda a let down??? Or they just have really good Kringles during the season but their pastries are pretty standard. I got 4 pastries: cream cheese Danish, bear claw, apple pastry, and another pastry that I don't remember the name but reminds me of a cinnamon roll. They were all good but nothing really stood out. My favorite was probably the apple pastry as there was different textures in it while the other was more monotonous. Overall, it was ok, I might get some when I'm in the area but nothing to be overly excited about

Solid spot to grab some coffee and some of the best pastries out there. Never heard of a boller before and it's like a croissant with a splash of chocolate in the middle of the top and crème filled. Ham and cheese pastry was excellent as well and coffee was on point.

Really great, authentic bakery... not many real bakeries left anymore... enjoy it while it's still around.

Awesome!!! If you like almond flavored pastry this is the place for you. Old style Swedish baking with marzipan and it is sooo good. Don't miss out on the baked potato which is a light puff pastry filled with an amazing cream custard, topped with marzipan and dusted with coco. It looks like a potato but tastes like nirvana.

Nielsen's will always hold a place in my heart. So. Many. Snitters. I've. Eaten. Wooooow. Seriously, they're always the right thing. Don't wanna work yet? Snitter. Woke up feeling great? Snitter. Hungover? Snit-ter. Their potatoes are also so so good, and so messy. You'll look like you crawled around in the dirty after you eat one, so be warned. Worth it for that thick pastry cream. Gah! Their danish and kringle and sweet treats are all amazing. And they also do savory so well. Their flavor combos are awesome. The seasonal poblano and cream cheese I think is my favorite, but the asparagus one is also just incredible. That whole wheat pastry... sooo much flavor just in the dough. The bacon brie one is great too. Sad to say I've move too far away to walk there anymore, but I'll probably stock up on pastries next time I'm around. Pro tip: they freeze really really well, even the ones with the pastry cream. Edit to say that their staff is just the dreamiest. So sweet and kind. You can tell they really love running this bakery. Thanks to everyone there who bakes so much love into the goodies you sell!

They've been here for decades? And I just the other day tried them for the first time. Well, I've been missing out then! I tried a few of the different authentic Danish rolls/pastries and can say I was delighted. My favorite is the Frosnapper. Delightfully flakey butter dough layers, with a frangipane layer with both sesame and poppy seed sections laid down, before being twisted and baked to create a delight! The cardamom braid bread was special, too. They serve good espresso as well. Delighted!

The potato pastry from Nielsen's is singular. Absolutely perfect. These are masters of their craft, with a recipe honed over decades.

My family has been coming to this bakery for years and no trip to Queen Anne is complete without a stop at Nielsen's. My personal favorite is the Kringle, which is a mouth-watering mix of puff pastry, custard, raisins, sliced almonds and sugar. It's so hard to stop at just one slice so do yourself a favor and buy the whole Kringle. Not only does Nielsen's make delicious pastries, but they also have amazing customer service. My mom placed an order here ahead of time to pick up, but when she got the box home, she realized her order was fulfilled incorrectly. She called Nielsen's and they apologized, corrected the order for her and threw in a bonus treat as an apology. Thanks Nielsen's, for knowing how to build/restore trust and create customers for life.

I can't even begin to talk about how DE-LI-CIOUS this place is! I wasn't even planning on stopping at Nielsen's but after I left an appointment nearby, I saw their sandwich board sign advertising delicious pastries, so of course I had to check it out. The shop itself is very small, with no indoor dining (Covid-restrictions), but there are 2 large dessert cases filled with amazing looking pastries. I definitely have no idea about traditional Danish pastries, so I just picked out 6 that I thought would be delish. The first one I tried was a chocolate mousse cream puff covered in chocolate. I didn't think it was possible to see heaven while still breathing, but it happened. Oh em gee. That chocolate covered cream puff was amazing!!!! The next time I go to Nielsen's, I'm buying every one in the case! The other pastries were just as good. Delicious, flaky, buttery goodness. I will definitely be back!

I can only speak to the cinnamon rolls which are soooo delicious and classic, no frills. Laced with the right amount of cinnamon sugar, light and wonderful bread and studded with raisins. So worth it for a visit, just try and come earlier rather than later as they might sell out of what you are looking for.

Havent had a frøsnapper in such a long while, and after living in DK for 7 years, my body was yelling at me to grab a pastry. Take it from me, Nielsen's is great! Heads up: they do sell out fast.

Melt in your mouth pastries so good I had to get two! Unfortunate no indoor dining available but still worth getting them to go. Get more than you need, you'll want another!

I'll start with a warning-if you come late morning/early afternoon, they may be sold out of EVERYTHING. It's that good. Rediscovered Nielsen's after moving back to QA. Nothing has changed except maybe some new items on the menu. I recently had a roasted poblano and cheese pastry that was dynamite-it was hard to break from the sweet items because they are so fab. Our top two are the Snitter (Cinnamon roll rolled out flat with a strip of custard added) which nearly brings tears to your eyes and the fruit and cream danish, pick a flavor. We also had the cardamom loaf and turned it into french toast-you're welcome. Prices are reasonable, service is consistently upbeat and the store is spotless.

YUM!! Wow do they have good pastries! Found them through the TooGoodToGo app and got to try (I believe) a Kringle, a raspberry crumble and a danish. The team working there is friendly and helpful and they appear to have outdoor seating. (I accidentally mixed them up with the big Danish Bakery *Larsen's in Ballard, but *Nielsen's in Queen Anne is a smaller, cozier and calmer visit if that's what you're looking for!)

I absolutely love Nielsen's! I walked by it multiple times in the past, but didn't stop in as it's very unassuming and can be hard to spot if you're not looking for it. I finally went a few months ago based on a friends recommendation and now go weekly. My favorite pastries are the spinach and feta and the fruit and cheese danish. I recommend toasting the savory pastries again at home! They also have pretty good coffee and fair prices. Highly recommend as they are a long lasting local business and the food is great!

Nielsen's is a nice little cozy spot for some delicious pastries. Came to Nielsen's for a quick meet up with a friend and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it here. The selection isn't super vast here, but they're got a good amount of stuff. They have a good selection of coffees and drinks, a ton of sweet pastries and cookies, just a handful of savory pastries and even some lunch time options that included 2 options for sandwiches and soups. I had a savory pastry and a sandwich and it definitely hit the spot on a cold day, just don't forget to request them to warm it up. Everything is cheap too! $3.50 for a sweet or savory pastry and $7 for a sandwich. The interior is fairly small, and it has a really old school cozy look. They also have a kid's area and a handful of boardgames. Any place with good cheap food, friendly staff, and board games gets a good rating from me!

Was so excited to try this place when I was visiting Seattle! Maybe I needed more tummy room so I could get more pastries to try. I just got a bear claw for breakfast, and it was ok. It needed more flavor in my opinion as I've had better ones from random donut shops! If I'm back in Seattle, I will definitely give them another try though as their pastries do look tasty!

Ordered a whole original Kringle and a chocolate cookie (forgot its very specific name) for my coworker's birthday. Also got an almond milk latte for myself. Kringle was delicious us as usual; Still need my friend's feedback on the cookie; Latte was delicious!

Another great pastry establishment. I have been going here for years sporadically and their pastries are delicious. They have unique items I have never experienced and are absolutely delicious. If your in the area or not the drive would be worth it.

I cannot come to Seattle without a trip here. Today, I stopped on my way out of town to get a slice of their signature torte. Dessert at 8 AM? It makes sense here. Try it. I have got to say that their savory pastries also look great. Maybe next time.

Delicious Danish pastry. So yummy in here. The staff was quick and friendly. We had plenty of options this Saturday even though we chose to sleep in. The coffee here was also well made. Make sure to try some of the favorites that are marked in the case. It's best to go with a friend so you can split a variety of options. The people here can help you make your choices too.

I drove over here one Sunday from where I live in Des Moines because I was doing a little tour of Seattle bakeries. The atmosphere is extremely inviting and cozy as there are chairs, tables and lamps where you can enjoy all your goodies and read the morning paper. I found the selection to be rather small, but since I'd never been there before the man behind the counter was very patient and explained to me what every pastry was all about. I really wasn't blown away by anything in particular. Everything was good but nothing that stood out exceptional in my mind. I did picture the Boller which is one of their favored items, and is supposed to be filled with custard but as you can, I don't know what happened? It is nice to have a bakery though in a somewhat residential area that you could walk to, have pastries and coffee.

Amazing! The pastries are so soft and flavorful! We got the B.OB. And split it and then each got an apple cinnamon roll. Everything was perfect! People are super friendly! My new favorite cafe/pastry shop in Seattle!

Amazing chai, amazing pastries, and a sweet kid's play area to boot! I drove here to meet up with a friend and found a spot to park around the corner with PayByPhone on a weekday around 11:30. There were only a couple other people here so we had plenty of room to spread out with our strollers and babies. My son enjoyed playing with the train and puzzle sets. I picked a pastry with poppy seed and sesame seeds and it was super good. Very flaky, with nice little bonus sheets of burnt sugar I never see included with pastries at other coffee shops. I also really liked their chai, spiced perfectly. We went for a walk around Seattle Center after on a gloriously sunny Autumn day. The cafe is slightly off the beaten path of lower Queen Anne restaurants, but I really appreciate this because it is easier to find a street parking spot (a couple of hours for $3).

This is a delightful cafe. It has a humble outside (a little hidden) but once you walk it it is welcoming, cozy, spacious, and smells amazing. There are so many wonderful pastries to chose from. I asked one of the bakers/baristas what they recommend. They were very friendly and chatty, I decided on the cinnamon danish which is like a cross between a cinnamon roll and a croissant. I also got an Americano. Both were delicious and very reasonably priced. I stayed for a couple hours to get some work done. The cafe was very lively with groups of people but it wasn't overwhelming and it was fairly quiet. I already want to come back with my friends and family. Reminds me of my trips to Denmark and I'd pop into cafes almost daily. I'm glad I finally checked out Nielsen's!

My friend brings me tasty treats from here all the time. I love their bear claws. Some of the best pastries I have tried in a while.