Downtown Bakery & Creamery - Healdsburg, California

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou

Confessions of a Pastry Fiend: My Downfall (and Triumph) at the Downtown Bakery & Creamery

Rain pattered outside, drumming a melody of comfort food cravings. Healdsburg Plaza beckoned, and nestled within its embrace, the Downtown Bakery & Creamery whispered sweet nothings (of pastry, naturally). We'd admired it from afar on past visits, but today, curiosity and rumbling stomachs took the lead.

I, in my infinite wisdom (or perhaps denial), thought a biscotti with my chamomile tea sufficed. Pistachio and cherry, it promised, and oh, how it delivered! One bite and I was Alice tumbling down a delicious rabbit hole, compelled to sample every sugary wonder within reach. Macarons that sang opera in my mouth! Almond tarts that waltzed on my taste buds! I was a pastry puppet, strings controlled by the friendly lady at the counter, who, bless her soul, kept whispering, "Just one more..."

But alas, even my bottomless pit of a stomach has limits (although, admittedly, those limits get blurry around macarons). I emerged victorious (mostly), vowing to return on a sunny day. Then, with a coffee in hand and a sugar-powered skip in my step, I'd conquer those park benches, one pastry sample at a time. Trust me, the crumbs tell a delicious tale.

So, dear reader, if you find yourself in Healdsburg, heed my warning: the Downtown Bakery & Creamery is a siren song of butter and sugar. Resist at your peril (but don't say I didn't warn you!).

leslie goh

That is their corned beef focaccia sandwich. OMG! Melt in your mouth corned beef, balanced perfectly with a healthy amount of sauerkraut and some American mustard. What a flavour bomb! 10/10! And their coffees are perfectly on point too!

Amy Villegas

My husband (Filipino) and I were treated poorly. Undertones of disgusting racism. Once we walked (4pm) , workers turned their back on us. Unfortunate that this type of treatment still exists in the state. I will make it my mission to tell our friends never to go to this bakery again. Good luck promoting a business that breeds such hate

Vincent Villegas

I concur w wife’s review (Amy). It’s sad that this isolated thinking still exists. My hope is that the owner takes this to heart and makes changes to a generational behavior of racism. Tell you what though, one we are back in NJ and also talking to my pharma colleagues in alameda and emeryville, I will warn them of this BS treatment. We will never go back

lanz s

i was browsing the reviews of this establishment and i really feel like some of the reviews placed recently are very unacceptable and rudely incorrect. i myself am a filipino male and i feel 0% racism and feel very uplifted when im here i get nothing but the best service. i will be coming back with my american girlfriend and will bring my filipino family.

Thomas Mehrten

I bought a peach galette on 08/24. There was too much sugar on the crust and I couldn’t tell that I was eating peaches because they were smothered in a sauce. $30 for junk food-yay.

Tony Chung

Friendly service. Ice cream we got (chocolate chip and vanilla) were both icy and did not taste fresh. The server had to work very hard to scoop out the ice cream from tubs that looked 60% empty. We had stomach problems after.

Rachelle Chong

Local institution with delicious breads, pastries and desserts. Try the famous sticky buns, sour cherry coffee cake or chocolate eclaire. Morning pizzas and ice cream are also good. Founded by two former Chez Panisse pastry chefs. One still remains and runs it with her daughter. Also serves coffee, breakfast items and ice cream. Lines are not unusual but they move fast.