Reviews of OWL Bakery. (Bakery) in Asheville (North Carolina).
Description
Information of OWL Bakery, Bakery in Asheville (North Carolina)
Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.
This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended
Map
Open hours of OWL Bakery
Sunday
8 am–12 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
8 am–12 pm
Thursday
8 am–12 pm
Friday
8 am–12 pm
Saturday
8 am–12 pm
Reviews of OWL Bakery
Got some fresh warm porridge bread and a lemon tart! The bread was definitely the star. Loaded with flax (the first pic doesn't show it, but trust me) and sunflower seeds, it tasted very fluffy but hearty, and somehow buttery. I wish I lived closer because I can't go back to regular bread after this! Hands down one of the best bread I've ever tasted. The tart was very good too, and balanced.
Outstanding pastries! If you’re a foodie like me you can certainly appreciate the obvious excellence in technical skill displayed in every morsel. Even my parents, who think Costo croissants are great, bit into their OWL croissants and immediately noted the multitude of crispy, flaky layers that were simultaneously tender in the middle. I love the Portuguese tarts—not too sweet but rich and creamy. I’ve gotten the everything danish a couple times, and it’s like a decadent everything bagel, it’s so unusual yet so delicious. I also love a good mocha or hot chocolate with my pastries, and they make good ones, nice and chocolatey. If you owe yourself an excellent pastry you need to hit OWL!
Stoked we were able to grab some pastries this morning before hitting the road! Arrive 10 minutes before they opened and was 6th in line. By the time we left there were probably 10 people in line behind us!
They are operating a walk up window system and asking their guests to mask up! There was plenty of outdoor seating but we took ours to go!
Service was quick and friendly. Everything we ordered was delicious and I even grabbed a tote! We had the following pastries:
Morning Bun - absolutely must order
Sweet Danish - strawberry was fantastic
Ham & Cheese Croissant- Yummmmm
Lemon Tart - BEAUTIFUL!!!
Pastelito - perfect combo of guava paste and cream cheese
We also snagged a piece of quiche which had spring onions and was super tasty as well!
Definitely recommend visiting this bakery! My partner has a coffee with cream and their vanilla cardamom syrup which I’m assuming they make in house. We saw some of the bread going out, and regretted our decision to purchase bread before we left for our trip!
Thank you Owl Bakery for making delicious food for your community to enjoy!
Joe was a beautiful man and fantastic host. The pastries are at a National level of excellence. The coffee was just as good. Ambiance was out side only with a walk up window, but it worked perfectly. Not sure about the parking, seemed tough but we were able to pull right up to the loading zone. 5 star cafe!!!
OWL was part of our morning routine during a long weekend in West Asheville. Staff was quick, the pastries were solid including sweet or savory danishes, croissants and buns. We're regulars at Evergreen bakery in Atlanta which is amazing. OWL is so close to being that perfect! Recommend the strudel for something a bit heavier.
A very cute bakery and amazing pastries!! My favorite was the maple cream danish. The spiced cider with dulce de leche exuded the feelings of fall. They ran out of morning buns right before we ordered, but there were still plenty of options.
Fantastic bakery. If you want to know what a true croissant tastes like, this place has it. Just.... Mwuah. Better get there early. I arrived at 8 when they open and by the time I left there was 15 people already in line. They go til they sell out of goods, which most of the time is before closing. I also bought two French bread rolls. I could eat them everyday.
Everything was super delicious. There was a great variety of pastries and beverages to meet any of your needs. We'll be back any time we're in Asheville.
We stopped by the Owl Cafe on a Sunday morning and enjoyed our pastries and coffee in the shaded patio in back. It was well worth waiting in line for their special coffee walnut strudel, veggie pastry and chocolate croissant. Can't wait to try their breads. Next time!
Great menu and the savory selection was delicious. Met the owner and she was so humble. Nice atmosphere in west Asheville.
Wow!!!! These pastries are out of this world! My mom got a chocolate croissant and I got the vegan/ gf flapjack. Super rich flavors and textures. The staff was very helpful and welcoming.
Every time I eat here I am blown away. The sweet and savory pastries are delicious. Downsides are the long lines, but I have yet to eat a breakfast meal here that I wouldn't rate 5/5 on quality.
For a long time I have noticed a trend in Pizza slices nearing astronomical prices and I have been concerned at the same trend for croissants. Are the chocolate croissants good at Owl? Yes. Are they almost 7 dollars good? No. The farmers market local french baker sells exquisite rasberry and chocolate croissants for 6 bucks and they look the part with fancy designs. Listen, I understand Bakers gatta make a buck too but its not a give in, the pastries gatta look and taste the part! Especially if its you craft. The chocolate croissant just felt more like a 5 dollar one.
I tasted their holiday Apple Pie. Owl charged for 50 bucks. I was not blown away. Local businesses, cool. But if its not remarkable to me thats just what it is. This is just my opinion.
Staff has always been great and friendly, the bakery looks very clean.
While traveling the country during the pandemic, we’ve been to our fair share of bake shops, and OWL stands out among the many places we’ve tried. Not sure if it’s the back patio where we’ve enjoyed our treats warmed by the sun, or if it’s the charm of the small yet mighty operation, but this spot won’t be forgotten. Actually, it’s definitely the fact that everything here is just so good. (Don’t skip on the quiche!) Come early in the day before everything sells out!
Perfect pastries! Seriously so good! But it sells out quickly so be sure to come early. We came around 10 on Sunday and almost everything was already sold out.
We had a glorious ham and cheese croissant and the apple pastry. Incredible. Stay away from the squirrel bread. Even though it cost $12, we found it off putting as did the birds outside. Perhaps we didn’t eat it the correct way or maybe it’s for squirrels?? Not sure. The de Leche cappuccino tasted like tea. But I give the OWL a five because the pastry was so howling good.
What a gem in Asheville! You will be greeted with the amazing aroma of butter from all the pastries and then challenged with needing to make a selection! The savoury roll was filled with cheesy veggie goodness and so satisfying as a breakfast. The golden milk tart was unique and slightly sweet, spiced beautifully. Definitely worth a visit (or several!)
I travel often and every place that I go I make a point to try their coffee and pastries. In fact, it would be fair for me to say that I judge the quality of a town based on their bakeries and cafes.
I’ve searched high and low to find a place that beats OWL’s excellence. Not only are their pastries and breads unequivocally the most delicious I’ve ever had, they take a lot of care with their coffee and hire well-seasoned baristas using only the finest ingredients - across the board.
I’m an Asheville local and I’ve been visiting OWL since they opened. I am beyond grateful for this absolute gem of a bakery to provide such sweet comforts to our community. Can’t forget to shout out to the staff! Everyone that works there serves from their heart. I deeply appreciate all of you.
Thank you OWL for all that you do! May you continue to prosper in this lil mountain town of ours. I will keep coming as long as you are still serving.
If I lived near this bakery I would come everyday. Two years ago we came here and had their cookie with local French Broad chocolate in it. I had been thinking about the cookie all this time and had to order it again.
When we came this time we had some of their bread and pastries. I love the idea of savoury desserts. We had the beet danish. It was striking and the combination with the filling was so unique and delicious.
This little cafe is always bustling with people and it is such a nice spot to have a beverage and a treat.
An awesome bakery! Their pastries were so amazing. The crossaints we're flaky and delicious, the savory strudel was delicious and the tea I had was inventive and unique. Definitely a wonderful little place that I will be visiting everytime I go to Asheville.
Bakery perfection for this mom and pop small business! Baked goods were beyond spectacular—- crisp and flakey exterior and moist interior. Nothing was overly sweet. Reminded me of a true European cafe. Espresso was wonderful. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Prices were very reasonable, especially for the quality. I highly recommend.
Delicious food and pastries, and excellent coffee! We just grabbed to-go, but our short interaction with staff was pleasant and efficient. Loved the cozy atmosphere as well!
Amazing, kind, friendly staff! Did not have any baked goods, but did have delicious drinks. Would recommend to anyone! The shrub was out of stock, so I'll be back soon to try it!
It's a nice little bakery. Selection is limited, and it's not overly amazing. Service was fast. It's all through a window, on the side facing the reddish building is the walk up window to order. The side facing the road is for picking up coffee and such. Not sure if that was the case before COVID.
The baked goods themselves seem like they're made in the morning and are fresh. I wish they had more fruit based pastries though. I was a little disappointed overall, just because I'd heard such amazing things about the taste, but it's a pretty standard small bakery. Note that I'm typically not a fan of savory baked goods, so I can't speak to that side of things.
It's kind of pricey, but they use a lot of local ingredients and try to pay a decent wage, so it's for a good cause. I definitely recommend trying it out yourself because the actual quality is good but just don't go in expecting your mind to be blown.
I'm obsessed with the cardamom buns. We went Sunday morning and there was a line around the block, and it was well worth it! The buttered chai is a must-have, too.
I contacted Owl Bakery over the summer to order a cake for my mountain elopement. Susannah was helpful and quick to reapond, offering wonderful flavor suggestions that matched what we were looking for. The cake we recieved was a brown butter vanilla cake with an apple compote and spiced butter cream. It had a lovely dried apple arrangement on top and was perfect for our fall inspired elopement. Thanks for your beautiful work!
Smooth and well rounded flavor ( cappuccino coffee ) the quiche was very light and flavored. In general the pastry was good.
Excellent pastries, a little on the pricey side (petit almond croissant $4). They do have espresso. Good but not memorable.
What a delightful little coffee shop! The coffee was very good, and the croissant and savory danish caught me by surprise with how delicious they were! The croissants were fresh and home made and actually resembled fresh french croissants. The danish was made with the same croissant dough, with a cream cheese center topped with everything bagel seasoning and capers. Don't miss out on this exceptional cafe!
Came for the baguette because another professional baker said this place was the only place with a proper oven to bake real french bread. The cardamom bun.. cardamom perfection....just the right amount of cardamom. Ham & cheese croissant, layers & layers of crispy goodness with a gooey center. But the baguette...I was rooting for the baguette...but the crust nearly broke a tooth. Will be back for a second try.
Delicious pastries and coffee, outdoor seating could use some heat lamps for the chilly days with no indoor seating
WOW!!! Probably one of the best, if not THE best, bakery in the Asheville region. Local ingredients, thoughtful choices, mind-blowing pastries, and incredibly kind and thoughtful people who work here. Their coffee menu is fantastic, too! Worth the lines, every time.
My mother loved her birthday cake! Her birthday theme was butterflies so I added a few edibles to the cake.
Delicious! Real bread! I had the ham and cheese croissant and a chocolate latte.
OWL (Old World Levain) Bakery is always great, and sometimes, is exceptional. Side by side with pastries I've eaten on travels all over Europe and beyond, the offerings from OWL are a cut above (yes, even including those from France).
Susannah Gebhart & Nancy Hughes (and the rest of the OWL team) continue to deliver on beautifully nuanced, European inspired pastries.
My particular favorite is the Cardamom Bun ($5), with the slightly sticky and delectable texture of an enriched dough pull-apart or Kardemummabulle and the open crumb structure of a brioche. It is glazed with subtle and delicious fennel & orange, and topped with chunky (crunchy) sugar like brioche au sucre. This is all finished by a perfectly big punch of freshly ground cardamom.
The bake and finish on these can be a little inconsistent, unfortunately, but still worth the wait in line and price point. Such inconsistencies include: over caramelized (read burnt) bottoms, over sweet, inconsistent amounts of fennel and orange, or too tight a wrap which retards the rise and can leave the center under or gummy.
Still, that said, fantastic and landing a solid score of 7.8/10 on average, and 9.5/10 on the best of days!!
I'd be remiss to not mention how exceptional and complex the quiche always is with a perfect crumb (but Susannah, I miss the salad with pickled onions!).
OWL makes my top five bakery list world-wide and is the only bakery in the United States yet to do so.
You haven't done Asheville without a wait in line at OWL.
Review from @therouxreview - Instagram.
What a delight. Inviting space, with a small selection of different hand crafted breads, pastries, and coffee. Service was great and the flavour combination in the treats we had were devine. Get the chocolate torte, it's deifnitely a must have
If you're looking for croissants and laminations - go. These are your people. We know croissants pretty well, and these are legitimate. They also have some lovely seasonal ones that hit the spot!
Note that a seating is outdoor only.
Ok awesome coffee studded baked PERFECTLY. Beautiful interior and good coffee. Just wish it was local coffee not from SC. But I would go back and recommend it to anyone looking for stylish surrounding
The cold brew was great and the morning bun was amazing… I may have to go back and get another one. Friendly staff, great shaded patio area. Loved it here!
Cappuccino with oat milk was great. We had the savory strudel with mushrooms & spinach, morning bun, apple turn over, sweet danish, & chocolate croissant. I was hesitant on the savory strudel but it turned out to be a favorite amongst all of us.
Mad I didn’t get more.
Arrived 10 minutes before opening on Sunday and hit a line (outside). Worth the wait in the cold. Closest thing we’ve had to European pastries.
Really great coffee and pastries with easy parking. Must go in Asheville if you like delicious things and a classy yet cozy vibe. 🥐☕ …
We were on our way out of town after spending two months in the Asheville area and stopped here for some on-the-road pastries. We're glad that we waited until the last day, because we would have been forced to return to try the rest of their excellent pastries. Had the cardamom bun and maple cream cheese Danish. The former was perfect, and the latter had more of a croissant texture but we didn't mind at all. Minor quibble: the price seemed a little out of proportion for the size of the pastry, but we recognize that you pay for quality, and we would gladly go back again.
Owl Bakery is such an underrated gem in Asheville. I’ve moved away, and I dream about the danishes from Owl. In my time in Asheville, I think I tried one of everything from here at least once. There’s honestly no wrong choice on the menu, but my favorites are: ham and cheese croissant, the seasonal danishes (my favorite was an herbed roasted corn and cheese) the fruit danishes are also fabulous, I love the sugared herbs usually sprinkled on top, the morning buns are wonderful and they make a good loaf as well. I stopped here almost every Saturday morning to get a selection of pastries and a coffee or latte. Make sure to show up early because the line gets long and they sell out of the best items quick.
Delicious! Everything we have tried here has been so good. There's a nice area to sit outside. The line may look long but it goes fast and is worth it.
Super friendly staff. Only the freshest breads and pastries. The best cappuccino in town. During the start of Covid they were so kind in offering local eggs, CSA boxes, grains, and other groceries options. They are part of our community and we appreciate what they do.
REALLY cute spot, and super nice staff but 5 ✨ because they make a mean cortado
One of the best croissant I've had. The bread is also very well made. Kudos!
Best Pastelito I’ve ever had. And some of the best sourdough I’ve ever had as well.
Update: after coming back several times and trying as much of the menu as I could, I can say with confidence that these guys churn out nothing but hits. Easily my favorite bakery.
What a gem of a bakery! Stopped in to try the croissants that I’ve heard so much about, and was not disappointed. The almond rose croissant was amazing, and the buttered chai was great too! Can’t wait to come back here.
Sooo good. We preorder often and enjoy great breads of varying types at home for days. Yum!
*Pro tip - preorder to get the best selection!
This place was amazing!! Super cute seating area inside and an outdoor area for beautiful days. The pastries are amazing! We got the morning bun and cardamom pastry and couldn't have been happier. We also got the special quiche a croissant egg sandwich-- very filling and satisfying. My husband got an Americano and said it was the best he ever had. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about what they sell. Definitely a nice place to come to catch up with friends or read a book over brunch.
The *only* good bread in town, but the prices are simply unreasonable.
Best bakery in WNC! The porridge bread is amazing. I really like the egg tarts as well -- a bit of lemon and cinnamon makes these unique!
I must have bought one of each pastry. Everything was so delicious. The veggie quiche was heavenly. Their espresso game is definitely on point. I am absolutely in love with this little place. Although it is susceptible to get crowded (it's small), it's still worth the visit. (Oh, and the best croissant I've had)
The Croissants are a lot smaller, not as much filling. A bit over done. It was still early morning and they didn't have as many choices. Service was good.
OWL is the best bakery in Asheville by a mile. Their pastries are *really* good. But… they sell out of EVERYTHING. You really need to show up in the first hour or two that they’re open or literally 90% of the menu will be sold out. There’s a slim window 4 days a week when you can get their pastries, but they are very good if you can make it.
Cute, and quaint coffee shop. We went Saturday morning and waited in line for about ten minutes. Got an almond rose croissant and a cardamom bun, both were very good. I would suggest going there early to get the best selection of pastries but while we were waiting in line they were bringing out different breads and desserts to buy.
This place is an absolute gem. I've visited Asheville twice and have been here both times. The people clearly care a great deal about the quality of what they make and are experts in what they do. The puff pastry is exceptional (whoever the lead baker is clearly knows their craft) and they make particularly good espresso drinks as well as very good iced coffee. The service is very nice as well and the space is cute. At the risk of blowing this spot up even more and making it impossible to get served, I highly recommend a visit here.
Lovely spot. Had their bread at another coffee house and LOVED IT. Stopped by specifically for the raisin flax bread. It is divine. Great coffee and tea choices. A little small and unassuming from the outside looking in but definitely a must-try for anyone looking for a good bakery in Asheville.
Amazing croissants, pastries and bread. Best in Asheville!
Excellent European style bakery and cafe. The best croissants, salad plates and soups in the area. Limited selection but you can't go wrong with any of the items on the menu. I love the fact that everything is impeccably fresh and well prepared. Also, a wonderful selection of coffees and teas. Be prepared for a relaxed pace in the European style of living well.
I want to start by saying I love this place with all my heart, especially when they first opened. I don't often review places but I'm kinda bummed right now. Where once this place was a local treasure, now it has become little more than another Asheville tourist destination.
OWL, as an Asheville local, I want you to know I still love you. But I'm saddened that your business has pivoted away from all of the locals, who are already being pushed out of town by tourists in so many other ways, and who love this place as much as I do.
I think this could be at least partially remedied if OWL were to offer a discount for locals.
I used to be so excited to eat at this place. It was such a treat back then. Now I'm just filled with dread, as I stand in line to pay tourist prices for pastries that no longer feel worth the wait - much less the price and the company of the over-priveleged. It's just a reminder that someday soon, I won't be able to afford to live in my own home and it makes me sad.
Everything we ate was amazing. I had the chocolate croissant and it was amazing. My boyfriend had the Ham and Cheese croissant and it equally delicious. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great lattes too. Must try if you’re a foodie or just in town. We will be back.
The interior is all walnut and white tile, and combined with the food, creates an atmosphere of European elegance. The pastries are beautiful and terrific. The coffee is well made from good raw materials. The staff is friendly beyond compare. Don't come here though. Its a small space and I want to always be able to find a place to sit.
I used to be a professional bread baker, so I always bake my own bread. Just moved here, and don't have a sourdough starter really established yet, so ended up buying a loaf of their country after eating next door. Some of the best bread I've had since working in a bakery. Can't recommended this place enough. Bread's nice and dark, (this is a good thing) wrapped in paper to keep the crust, they really seem to do things right. 11/10
Exactly what you expect from an Asheville bakery/cafe, in every possible way. It's an adorable little house that you'll miss if you don't know where you're looking.
The coffee was pretty decent, and the pastries were on par with others in the area. Nothing really wowed me, and it was uncomfortably hot in there (at least 10 degrees warmer than it was outside even). That said, the service was wonderful. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. I'd encourage anyone to give it a try.
The absolute best bakery I've ever been to! Definitely the best in Asheville -- a real hidden gem! The orange morning bun is a staple! Everything is good though -- you won't regret anything that you order! Prices are really pleasing as are the staff! They make delicious coffee as well. The best place for morning treats!
Owl is high on the short list of Asheville's best bakeries and, though it's not billed as a coffee spot, coffee options. Can never really tell when or why there will be a line. But it's safe to expect some version of the line. And it's all worth it.
Well worth the drive. Had the almond rose croissant and the berry pastry and they were both excellent!
Best ham and cheese croissant I've ever had, but I ordered a latte breve and it came out way too strong and not creamy enough. Asked the barista to remake it, and he upcharged me and then made the exact same thing. Had to go up the road to get my creamy latte fix because the line got long and they weren't well-staffed enough to bring it up again. Seriously good bakery though.
Brown sugar cinnamon latte is out of this world. I come almost weekly for a whole quiche which is always outstanding. If you're lucky enough to see the Medovik honey cake on the menu- get it!!
I absolutely loved this little bakery and wish we would've found it sooner! They make my all time favorite dessert (Portuguese egg custard tarts) and it was done PERFECTLY. I also had one of their lemon lavender Madelines and it was so delicious too. Highly recommend this place and will be back!!
Finally visited the bakery yesterday (already having had the chance to try a few of their baked goods in cafes around town)! This has quickly become my favorite bakery in town - not only are the staff kind, but the atmosphere is cheery and the breads and pastries are AMAZING! My daughter and I picked out a bunch of different things to share at a family dinner and everyone agreed that each thing we tried was the best thing we'd ever tasted! The Olive bread was my favorite :)
Everything was very delicious!
I cant say enough about the people who run Owl Bakery. I have been purchasing their seeded loaves ever since Farm & Sparrow stopped baking and was delighted to find Owl made a similar loaf. Over the years they have been extremely conscientious. If there ever has been an issue such as trying to get loaves during covid restrictions, they have gone above and beyond to make sure I was supplied with my essential loaves. Great product and fine folks whom I am most grateful for.
Our favorite bakery in Asheville. Love their pastries and breads. The soft homestead egg and greens is perfect. Sandwiches are delicious. Good coffee. Everything tastes and looks like it's made with care and class. Was perfect for taking my mom for breakfast. Found a table just fine on a Saturday morning.
What to say... their pastries are simply the best! I know people who drive miles out of the way to eat here. Best croissants since I visited France. Two things to be aware of - they use lots of butter, and there's no wifi - it's not that kind of computer cafe, it's a slow food kind of place (but the service is not slow FYI). Other than that, sheer bliss! Coffee is amazing too, drinking a Tanzanian peaberry right now.
Phenomenal. Wish I had more room to try more of their baked goods! Guess I’ll have to keep coming back
Freaking legit. OWL is the best bakery in Asheville, and likely the entire state of North Carolina. I like to get a cup of coffee, a box of pastries to snack on throughout the weekend (those laminations- WHOA!), and a loaf of country sourdough for making sandwiches at home. If you want to know what heaven tastes like, try the coffee walnut strudel. Oh my gawd. Enjoy!
Hands down, the best bakery in Asheville. The Porridge Bread is just delicious! Wish there were more vegan options.
Possibly the best pastries I've ever had. The cardamom roll was my favorite. The croissants have the perfect flaky texture without being greasy. The outdoor seating in the back is picturesque and shady.
Had an AMAZING mini apple pie as a birthday treat, fabulous beverage, great breakfast sandwich. My spouse said it was the best croissant they have had outside of France. Lovely experience all around!
Adorable quick serve café in the West Asheville area!
We enjoyed the pastries both traditional and ham/cheese.
Would recommend for a quick breakfast or a place to sit and enjoy drinks with friends.
COVID: separate order/pick up windows, outdoor dining, staff required to wear masks, disposable cups and straws used
Outstanding, quaint bakery! We loved our espresso drinks, including a traditional macchiato. The Walnut and Coffee danish was delicious and the cardamom pastry was quite possibly even better. Highly recommend!
Delicious pastries and coffee. Friendly service, but definitely slow. Line to the door and the barista was taking his time weighing little tins of coffee beans, taking a single bean out to reach the correct weight. Maybe make up all of the ones you need in advance so service isn't slowed down so much? Otherwise, great place.
My favorite delicious artisan pastries, and quality coffee culture, made with love and local ingredients. Great staff makes tough decisions easier with patience and lovely recommendations. I can never leave with just one pastry! They also have a changing seasonal soup, salad, quiche, and tartine menu, and aperitivo nights Thursdays and Fridays for the wine and cheese lovers in all of us!
OWL's quiche is hands-down the best I've ever had. Do yourself and buy a whole one to take home. All of the baked goods are amazing, and the coffee is super tasty too. And if you're into chai, you must try the hot buttered version! Super friendly staff, and COVID precautions in place.
Oh my! This is a fabulous bakery. Their 100% rye bread is nothing short of amazing. The walnut wheat bread is perfect with light interior and chewy crust. And the pastries are wonderful too. Well worth a visit!
Great selection of delicious pastries, light fare, and sourdough breads. The cappuccino is large and made with an authentic espresso maker. Don't blink or you'll miss this tiny house-like bakery right next to Pizza Mind.
This is my favorite bakery in the region. I have yet to try a bread I didn't love: you can taste how fresh the flour is. The pastries are delicious and European in style, very influenced by the Scandinavian Fika tradition, if I'm not totally wrong. I think my favorites are the Cardamom Buns and Orange Cinnamon Breakfast Rolls. My husband got my birthday cake here and it ranks among the best I've ever had. I've never had a rye flour pound cake, holy cow it is amazing. The lemon-almond swiss buttercream was a perfect compliment for it. I wish the coffee was a little less acidic, but their teas are delicious enough that I'm perfectly happy with the substitute.
Enjoyed OWL Bakery's new evening apperitivo, and loved it. We also love picking up bread and pastries here, especially when friends are coming to visit. Lovely interior with cafe seating, and a killer back patio in natural shade with bistro lighting. Highly recommended for baked goods, treats, and passing some mellow time alone or with a few friends.
Nice little bakery that we stumbled on. The line moved a little slow, but, food was fresh and delicious once served. Noticed that over half the orders were fairly large to go orders (as in groceries for the week).
I was jealous of that. Biggest complaint is given the small seating area there were too many people allowed to 'camp out'. Two separate tables that could hold four each were occupied by people that had literally setup their home office.
I give the bread five stars and the business model four. What I don't like is the limited number of bread offerings on any given day - not only selection but number of loaves. I travel in from out of town and am relegated to what they have on-hand (which is sometimes nothing) to whichever flavor it is (never been more than three during my visits). That said, so what. The bread is crazy-good.
Not a traditional American Bakery but the quality is way above average. The interior is beautiful and very nice to enjoy a sweet or savory pastry. Not a huge selection but what they have is the best
We had an enjoyable experience with OWL Bakery! They designed our wedding cake and also worked with the Montford to make the delivery of the cake easy and stress less!!
This delicious demonstration of the finest pastry skills combined with the finest ingredients and classic to creative confections make this one of the best patisseries I've ever enjoyed, in the United States or abroad. Arrive early or they may be sold out of your favorites.
Gorgeous bakery with what I think is some of the best quiche I have ever had. The chai is homemade and never too sweet. This sophisticated stop in West Asheville is beautifully built out and the food will never disappoint. It is charming and stop into The Villagers across the street for the best gardening supplies, canning equipment, local balms and salves, vintage rugs sourced from Turkey and abroad and more. Oh and if you need a birthday cake, The Owl makes one of the best in town! We are so lucky to have these local establishments and will continue to support them!
We dropped by this bakery after a day trip from Charlotte. The ham and cheese croissant was one of the best I have ever had. Super flaky and flavorful. We also bought a Portuguese custard tart, a baguette and a loaf of their country bread. Everything was fantstic. I only wish Asheville wasn't a 2 hour drive away or I would be visiting OWL every week!
Start by saying the picks for Thanksgiving were great; Cranberrry Tart, Apple Pie, and these magical rosemary and sweet potato rolls. I just finished the Cranberry Millet loaf last week (froze and toasted at office - AMAZING!). That quality offsets what, for me, is usually a big focus and that's the organization of service. The place is really small and my only real complaint is the service. It was all very nice and chatty, but those picking up or placing bakery orders are blended with coffe shop service and it's all generally slower paced. Again, it's a small complaint but worth noting.
One of my favorite places I've been in a while. I had a savory puff pastry, cardamom bun, almond rose croissant, and veg streudle and all were innovative, delicious, and perfectly executed in terms of pastry. The hot buttered chai was also delicious. I'd make a trip back to Asheville just to visit OWL.
My favorite place to get a coffee and real French pastry. Yum, flaky, buttery, delicious. It's small inside but very well done. It feels like you've been transported to a small village in France.
I have to begin by saying I can no longer eat wheat since it has gluten. Yes, quite sad. I do, however make exceptions when there is sourdough or when the quality of ingredients is just WOW. I'll make a small sacrifice for a small piece of heavenly art. This place is a gem. EVERYTHING is perfection. Cardamom bun? The wheatless financier -- amazing. Down to the way the coffee is served. Well done!
Went when they first opened and they only had a few options available so we weren't able to try a lot. Pastry was soft and buttery on the inside and crispy and flakey on the inside. Definitely great. Customer service was so so. Man at front counter had no personality and made for an awkward experience. I didn't like the overall vibe of the place, top stuffy, when we walked in. If it wasn't for my husband really wanting to try pastries we would have gone elsewhere.
Overall, great, yummy pricey crossiants, poor customer experience.
Here on a very busy Sunday morning. Baked goods are excellent, coffee great, service very good. As an owner of an artisan bread bakery and cafe I know how hard it is to get so much right. A bit pretentious, which is very unnecessary when the product is this good.
One of the best places for quality pastries in NC. We live in the DC/MD area and this is always our first stop upon visiting Asheville. We have yet to find chocolate croissants this good in the DMV.
The best quiche I've ever had. Freshly baked, soft yet rich, flavors change daily. Pricey ($9-10 for a large, filling slice including small salad), but worlds beyond other selections in town. Coffee is excellent, fussed over in a good way. No wi-fi, bring a conversation or book not your work.
Calm quiet even when full of people in the small space. Bright South and West facing windows.
Everything they bake is amazing. No other bakery in WNC has this level of quality and depth of knowledge. Enjoy!
OWL Bakery on Haywood Rd. near Beacham's Curve in West Asheville makes the best bread in town. Check out their raisin flax, sesame spelt and porridge breads, yum! My other favorites are the natas, morning buns, cardamom buns, and custom cakes. This is a very special and unique bakery in a cute cozy building. The owner is gracious and welcoming as are her staff. Definitely worth checking out.
We go here ALL the time for breakfast because it's consistently delicious. I love the croissants and toast and breakfast greens! Thanks for the amazing bakery options, we love OWL!
Omg. Everything they bake is incredible and some of the best coffee in town hands down. Maybe the best, all though it's a close call between them and trade and lore. But the pastries! I'm a fiend for pastries that veer slightly to the savory side and these hit the mark everytime, especially the buttery laminated options. Easily one of the two best croissants in asheville. There's a bunch of construction going on right next door which is kind of a pain. But the inside of the shop has a clean, beautiful, old world patisserie vibe and the owner has some great plans in the works for the back garden including a wood fired oven to make even more delicious treats.
Picked up a few pastries (so good!! Couldn't decide on just 1!) and had a delicious buttered chai! The place was packed and no wifi so I had to travel elsewhere to work, but I will be going back to grab some bread and try a toast! The staff was super friendly!
You *must* try the croissants. No really, don't leave Asheville without trying them! Best croissants I've had outside of Europe. Flaky and well laminated just as they should be...and just the right size. (Don't let the perspective of the photos fool you...they're not too big, not too small).
The space is bright and thoughtfully decorated in a modern European style. Bonus points for the eco-friendly cloth napkins.
Friendly service. Good coffee (espresso and pourover) and a knowledgeable barista.
truly magickal bread making . the croissant brioche is a surprise treat that only comes when they have extra dough but makes the worlds best french toast. raisin flax toast and squirrel loaf (gf) are the standalone winners.
Amazing pastries and coffee. Best danishes on the planet. They do sell out of things because everything is super fresh.
Good coffee and pastries. Coffee was fragrant and not over extracted. Pastries were good but for the best experience, go at 8am when they open
The best pastries I’ve had and I love my pastries, the dough for the croissant is fantastic
Small and quaint, tucked away in an unassuming house. Service was delightful and love that their bread is scratch made in house. Worth a visit if you're nearby. Their London fog isnt bad either!
Comforting place, the staff all feel really warm and centered. I was just in there for a brief minute to people watch and wait for my coffee, which was delicious by the way. The day-old danish I got was better than any fresh danish that I've ever had in my life. They use mostly organic ingredients which was what attracted me in the first place. If you are going to treat yourself to a pastry, you deserve something organic. Conventional wheat is dowsed in glyphosate just before harvesting. Finding organic pastries in Asheville is not as easy as I would have thought. Thank you kindly, O.W.L. Bakery!
Ordered a cake which ended up being fairly good, however had to deal with rude staff stating my group did not pay, despite them not sending a PayPal invoice like they stated they would. Luckily we had enough cash on hand to pay.
OWL Bakery is a truly magical place filled with the finest pastries in all of Asheville. Founder Susannah is a baking deity who uses her great skill and passion to create positively delightful sweet and savory works of art. No trip to OWL is complete, though, without tasting the other fare on offer (egg salad sandwich = recommended) and refueling with a top-shelf cappuccino. OWL Bakery is a true Asheville gem and a small business with tons of soul. Thank you, OWL, for doing what you do!
Cozy little bakery in west Asheville. Best loaf of bread.
Almost inarguably the best bakery in Asheville, OWL also has top-notch coffee. The baristas are more knowledgeable than any I've found within a hundred miles, and unlike other coffee shops like High Five, BattleCat etc, the focus is on the product and the experience (more like Dobra Tea) and less on quickly making an 'okay' cup of coffee.
It's definitely a lot pricier than many other spots, but it's worth the cost if you can swing it. Show up early if you want fresh pastries, but the coffee will be fresh and delicious any time of day.
Nothing beats a neighborhood bakery. Flaky croissants, great coffee and a friendly staff. They now do full pies as well, letting you take the glass pie pan for a small deposit.
Great breads, natural leaven, limited supply. Best Croissants and killer Apple turnovers. A little pricey but worth the drive. Bright, comfy cafe.
Wonderful and considerate staff. There was a mix-up where we reserved some baguettes that weren't there, but the staff kindly and quickly found a solution. And made our Grandpa's day.
The bread is got, but for that price I would recommend to really work on the service. If there is a longer line of people working and you are 4 behind the counter don’t just let 1 guy slowly work his way through customers. Help out and work away the line and pick up what you were doing after
Such a sweet little bakery, restaurant, coffee shop! Perfect for a date or some personal pampering time. We enjoyed an afternoon wine and baked goods this time, looking forward to the next time.
Now we know why this place is rated high and raved about! It is a bit pricy, but what a treat! All the pastries and drinks we ordered were just delicious!
Great food, fantastic pastries. Nice thick bread on the tartines. Comfy place to have a light breakfast, drink coffee, and read or book or crush a crossword. Coming back asap
Best croissants we've had anywhere, they are fantastic!
Great food, hearty breads and croissants, a peach strudel that was out of this world, not overly sweet. Also, some wonderful herb tea from herbs that are locally grown.
Nicest bakery I've been too in years. Asheville is lucky having such a jewel. Suzanne I'd be willing to work for donuts. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Love the coffee here- best latte I’d had the whole teip. The place was clean, although everywhere to sit had crumbs on it. Didn’t try the food but I would be back!
Absolutely amazing pastries, delicious breakfast options, and an extremely helpful staff! I always have to order extra pastries to take home with me for my family and friends when I'm here.
Cute little bakery/coffee shop!! Amazing pasteries!
Enjoyed espresso rugelach which was very soft. Macarons were nice too. Very friendly. Mainly sweets than savories.
This place is amazing. I had an almond croissant and a cappuccino and was impressive good. I felt for a moment like in Italy. I tasted the real ingredients .
The very best almond croissant I have ever eaten !!
Very cute patisserie, and the pastries are superb! Very friendly staff! A friend and I went there with our babies, and they were accommodating.
Excellent coffee and fresh, well made pastries. Interior is nice and small but they seem to make it work.
I drive 2 hours to Asheville just for Owl Bakery. Everything I've tried has been 5 out of 5. Yum.
Phenomenal artisan breads, pastries and coffee.
Such a sweet little shop! The pastries were delicious and the atmosphere was lovely. Very friendly staff, to boot!
For a European-style indulgence, OWL Bakery is unsurpassed. Exceptional pastries and coffee in a calm and sweet atmosphere. A delightful treasure!
Great service. The food was incredibly delicious. I got the breakfast sandwich with ham and a regular coffee. No complaints. Comfortable atmosphere.
Outstanding patisserie! Excellent ham and cheese croissants! But I never had anything that wasn't top shelf!
Great place to get Breakfast imho. Their baked good are well worth a detour to make sure you visit. Staff are incredibly friendly and helpful
Highly recommend the sweet and savory danishes. Very delicious!
Croissant was light, buttery and flaky. Strudel was rich and dense. Will definitely visit again when we are in the area.
Great local bakery with teas and coffees to accompany their pastries. I had pear tart, delicious.
Been here twice and both times everything was fantastic. Pastries are decadent but not too sweet. Nice outdoor shaded area.
Epic americano and chocolate chip cookie. Takes a lot for a Choco chip cookie to stand out but, it was top notch. Everything else on the menu looked great
Great coffee, tasty pastry, very pleasant ambiance. Excellent music on the stereo. I look forward to returning.
chill atmosphere and delicious goodies!
A labor of love, this sweet little bakery really does it right. Great atmosphere, and the food is truly wonderful.
Amazing time. Super friendly workers who helped with honey and cheese questions, perfectly executed food, amazing breads, perfectly served cortado, perfectly steeped tea.....what more could you want at 8am?!
Most delicious croissants and friendly people for a perfect morning stop. The toast is AMAZING!
Tasty, cozy, delicious. They don't have sugar substitutes, which is problematic if you have a diabetic mom.
At 7:45 this morning, there was already a line forming (they opened at 8am). Seating is outdoors for the neighboring restaurant.
Some of the best pastries I've ever had. Beautifully crafted with interesting flavor combinations.
DAMN. That pain au chocolat was no joke. Flaky buttery perfection. Also loved the sunny back seating and cozy, chic interior.
The "Chaussons aux Pommes" are to die for, and so are the Croissants and Beignets.
This place would rank among the Very Best in Paris.
A "Must" in Asheville...
Terrific pastries. Sad that you can only go to the window during Covid but everything was delicious.
Their orange morning buns and London fog will change your life. Don't skip this little cafe in the hustle and bustle of West Asheville.
The best sour dough in Asheville. Nice and dense, and has a nice bite. Can't be beat!
No scones...:( They do have good bread, and really nice people working there.
Fantastic pastries, always look forward to the end of the week when they open.
Great baked goods! They have a delicious authentic croissant.
Truly artistic and incredible. This bakery is taking food to a new level. NOT TO MISS if you are in Asheville, NC.
Very good pastries. Super flakey. Would love to see more options! Will be back.
Super sweet lady felt bad we had traveled all over with no luck finding "snackage" and she took care of us. Thank you!
Absolutely top-notch pastries. Simply the best in Asheville periodT.
Adorable small atmosphere. Amazing coffee and well baked pastries and breads
Great little place with delicious pastries but it took forever to get our latte.
Croissant was excellent.
Coffee was good. Baguette was tough and overbaked.
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Delicious baked goods, great coffee, and a nice, chill environment. Highly recommended!
Great baked treats and excellent coffee.
Pricey, though.
Amazing pastries and my lavender tea was sooo good! Must go!
Good pastries and good coffee but wish they had almond milk.
Always awesome pastries and an an efficient and courteous staff.🤓 …
Adorable shop, yummy goodies, delicious fresh juices, coffee, and food! You won't be disappointed :)
Fantastic sweet and savory pastries. A letter bit expensive, but you get what you pay for!
A very charming bakery. Great service. Fantastic walnut strudel.
Always delicious and fresh 😋 …
Simply the best pastries I've ever had. Go here. Now.
Perfection in every way. Thank you, Owl for providing our community food with such integrity.
Delicious bakery with tasty eats and serving variety of coffees.
Good coffee and delicious food, but a little cramped inside, no outdoor seating, and a little pricey.
Great shortbread cookie and cappuccino! Great local bakery!
Fabulous croissants and pastries!
Amazing bakery! Will be back to try more!
The morning bun is worth the drive. I can never get enough!
Out of this world coffee and pastries
The times they have posted on FB are not correct. We tried going twice -closed. Hopefully next time we visit Asheville.
Such a delightful place!!! I love that everything is made there and it so tasty
Cute, clean, with delicious pastries. Good luck getting a seat!
Great pastries and lattes- get the walnut pastry with an oatmilk lavender latte
Very good pastries and the buttered chia was very good.
A little gem of a bakery, great coffee, cute staff.
Real French patisserie. Delicious croissants. Cozy spot.
Good pastries. Just wish they would clean up the fruit flies.
Very good but beware if you being little kids, it's like a mic drops!
Great, great pastries. They are obviously passionate about their craft.
The bread here is legit. Everything I had was amazing.
Actually I love this place though it's really teeny seating is at a minimum
So delightful, my daydreams keep carrying me back to the pastries and tea at OWL.
Charming and cozy.
Buttery croissants for days.
Didn't want to leave.
😊 …
Great, out of the way, bakery. Good food and coffee!
We had a delicious breakfast and the coffee was amazing
Highly recommend, delicious place for french baked goods!
Lovely pasties...savory & sweet! Will definitely be back!
Best pastries that I have ever had in the US.
Great first meal in Asheville, definitely will be coming back!
Love the tasty bread and coffee here.
Awesome. The service was fantastic. Wonderful cookies and bread.
The best place in town to get flakey pastries and a cute little spot to boot.
Awesome egg custard on breakfast sandwich croissants.
Wonderful local bakery and great coffee.
Inspired bakers, good products.
Cramped inside though.
On point in every way! Outdoor seating is awesome.
The best breakfast sandwich I've EVER had!
Great food, coffee, service and inside or outside sitting.
Real nice people and excellent selection of breads
Beautiful cake. A little heavy on the butter cream
Always delicious baked yummies. Like taking a vacation in France.
Tartine - homestead egg & dressed greens was excellent.
Lovely location. Perfect for human connection. No WiFi.
Great coffee, dynamite pastries and breads!
I love the frequent use of cardamom in their pastries.
Good coffee and pastry , nice staff, cozy place
This tastes just like European food! The trout sandwich is a must
Wonderful food made by wonderful people. Love this place.
The strudel was completely out of this world amazing.!
Best crossiants i have ever eaten and i have eaten alot
Best croissant I've ever had!
Nice coffee and good quick bite breakfast
Great breakfast, good service and nice ambiance
Dessert are amazing, love the coffee.
The best coffee,tea,and pastries in Asheville!
The best bakery in Asheville
Best pastry and sevice in town!!! A MUST stop!!
Amazing everything
The baked goods and coffee are AMAZING!
Best pastries around! I love this place!!!!!
Great cookies and pour over coffee.
Out of this world pastries, coffee, and friendly staff!
Seriously amazing pastries, sandwiches and coffee.
Best pastries and breads in town!
Such a fun spot! Loved the vibes
New startup. friendly staff and good eatables.
Excellent pastry, coffee and service.
1 word. YUM!
One of my favorite bakeries !!!
now THIS is what a bakery should be. fan-frickin-tastic.
You must try croissants here.
Wonderful - amazing pastries!
Cozy spot with great food and coffee!
Delicious country sourdough and baguettes.
Great coffee & pastries!
Excellent quality at somewhat painful prices
Very good food, place is cramped.
Darling local spot with delicious food
Best bakery in town!
Sweet mother of god this place is amazing.
Excellent coffee and pastries.
Terrible service but good food and coffee
Baguette. Espresso. Five stars!
So good
Great ham&cheese 🥐 …
Best bread in Asheville!
Great food great coffee
Girlfriend can’t get enough of this place .
Great pastries and coffee.
Great bread
Amazing artisan bread.
Clean, beautiful, friendly, tasty.
Love their sourdough
nice atmosphere to eat
fantastic breads!
This place is a dream come true.
the best bread ever
Dangerously good.
Yummy, yummy, YUM !!!
Fantastic
Great coffee!
Chronic
Wonderful pastries.
Bread outstanding!
Amazing find!
Amazing bread
Wonderful bakery.
Amazing and unique.
Great place!
Unexpected deliciousness!
Nice piece
The best bread
Amazing bakery
Great place
Amazing croissants! Love their selection of herbal teas, and the coffee was great too
Friendly service and delicious baked goods. The Almond Rose Croissant is my favorite!
Very rich bakery and pastry shop, but not very friendly customer service.
The employees are very friendly and the price of food is reasonable. Everything I've tried both sweet and savory is amazing. I recommend the brioche bread