Gardiner Bakehouse

I’ve had very mixed experience here. Some of the best croissants and chocolate croissants I’ve had, and some that have been over baked or wildly flat, leaky, and drenched in burnt butter. I’ve had some of the most perfectly dialed in medium roast specialty espresso drinks, and some that I’ve seen pull in about 12 seconds, and have tasted like battery acid. The service has ranged from warm, friendly, and professional to absolutely embarrassing in its lack of basic hygiene, manners, and knowledge of what the bakery serves its patrons. The sandwiches, muffins, and danishes are always exceptional, the baguettes and cookies always irredeemable.
My opinions of this spot were vaguely positive but mostly unremarkable until recently. I bought a loaf of their country sourdough that was so bad I couldn’t let it go. The picture below speaks for itself. A chef friend of mine once made me better sourdough in a toaster oven. The one thing the picture won’t tell you is quite how underbaked and frankly wet this loaf was. For the first two days after I bought the loaf it was so damp and sticky my bread knife couldn’t cut it without tearing the crust, forget the inside. You can tell by the time I’ve taken to write this review how offended I was by this. They have a well-equipped, high-quality oven that they’ve placed in view of the register for all to see, and shouldn’t be struggling this much to get a nice crust on a loaf of bread.
I’ve had quite a few perfectly nice, if always at least a little too white, loaves of their country sourdough, but their lack of consistency is completely beyond me in the realm of “professional” baking and general food service. Don’t write them off, but be aware you’ll have to get pretty lucky on the day you visit to have a good time.

P.S. The building and space in general is gorgeous in the summer and fall. 4.5/5 stars to the burger spot next door.

Ok last thing. This stuff’s really frickin expensive. On par with the bakeries around where you KNOW you’ll have a nice time.

Walking into Gardiner Bakehouse is like stepping into a buttery symphony. The air greets you with sweet, warm notes that feel like a hug from the oven itself.

I ordered the Honey Smoked Sea Salt Latte, and let me tell you — this wasn’t just coffee, this was an experience. The first sip hit with rich, buttery depth, smoothed out by Devoción coffee (already an A+ choice). Then came the subtle brown sugar, blending in like a soft harmony. But the star of the show? That sea salt. It doesn’t just sit there — it dances in and out of every sip like a surprise encore, keeping your palate on its toes. The milk froth was thick enough to feel indulgent but light enough to let all the flavors shine through. It’s dessert in a cup, without the guilt.

The baristas? Absolutely delightful. Friendly, warm, and the kind of people who make a first visit feel like you’ve been coming here for years. The vibe inside is cozy and inviting, and outside the community energy hums — I even found myself chatting with a regular like we were old friends.

Final word: Gardiner Bakehouse is more than a stop for coffee, it’s a destination. Go for the latte, stay for the people, and let the flavors remind you why life tastes better when it’s crafted with care.

Small bakehouse with plenty of bread, baked goods and pastries. We picked up two muffins (blueberry was tasty but the peach one didn't tasty very peachy), a chocolate croissant which was good but the apricot scone was very dry. We'll definitely try it out again to see how it fairs on another day. Plenty of seating inside and out.

A Hidden Gem – Like Stepping Back in Time (In the Best Way!)

Oh my—this place might be one of my new favorite spots for coffee! And the carrot cake? Absolutely out of this world.

We visited last week, sat outside, and ended up making new friends. We even had a great conversation with the owner. What really stood out was the vibe—no one was glued to their phones. People were talking, playing board games, and reading books. It honestly felt like I had escaped to the early '90s, before technology took over.

I left feeling so happy and refreshed. Can’t wait to go back!

It was such a treat to try out this new spot in my community, and from the moment we walked in, it was clear that Gardiner Bakehouse is more than just a bakery—it’s a place that values connection and craftsmanship. They host a lot of workshops, which is such a great way to bring people together, and I loved the thoughtful details throughout the space. The entryway mosaic, in particular, caught my eye—it’s a beautiful touch that shows the level of care they put into their space.
We arrived around 1 PM, about an hour before closing, but the staff was incredibly welcoming and never made us feel rushed. In fact, they had samples out, which was such a nice touch! It really made the experience feel warm and inviting.
For my meal, I had the carrot ginger soup with a slice of their bread, and it was absolutely divine. The flavors were perfectly balanced—just the right amount of warmth from the ginger and sweetness from the carrot. My only small note is that I would have loved it to be a little hotter, but it was still so good. I also grabbed an oatmeal raisin cookie, and it was perfect—soft, chewy, and full of flavor.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere was lovely, and all the workers were kind and friendly. I can definitely see this becoming a favorite spot, and I’ll absolutely be back. The only thing that would make it even better is if they added more seating, but even with that, it was a wonderful experience. Can’t wait to visit again!