We came here on a Friday morning. There was a short line. We got two plum pastries. Both were very good! The gentleman who took our order / checked us out was very friendly. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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Was in town for a wedding and of course had to stop by a local bakery... we only got one thing but they had some good selections. We got the tart, which reminded me of a creme brulee/vanilla flan flaky croissant pastry almost, perfect level of sweetness. good crispy/flaky outer layer, was very pleased with this pastry even though it was a bit pricey ($8) before tip/tax Nice modern interior inside as well but limited seating (window bar counter) read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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I've never tried the coffee but it seems like the menu is cool and their pastries are sooo good :) The pastry selection is usually different almost every time I go so it changes up but in the past one thing in particular I loved is the salted caramel blondie bar- it was soooo good! read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - salted caramel blondie bar + apple crumble pastry - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

I enjoyed the cinamon roll with cream cheese topping. They have rotational items and I wanted to try the carbonara bread but it wasn't there. Would love to try other stuff too read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Menu - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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The bread is as close to divine perfection as you're likely to get. But they recently raised prices. A basic loaf (Seaside loaf) is now well into double digits. It was $10. Ten bucks is a LOT to pay for a loaf of bread, even by today's inflationary standards, but now Ad Astra is pricing itself out of my pocketbook. My next door neighbor bakes a similar loaf (fermented, seeded, as delicious as Ad Astra) and she told me she pays less than $2 per loaf. Come on guys, maybe move to a location with lower rent? read more

This is officially my husband's favorite breakfast place to go. The cream bun was delicious (I liked that it was not overly sweet). We also tried a cardamon bun which paired well with the latte.... The sandwiches were also scrumptious that we went twice. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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ruben croissant and salmon sandwich was delicious. the ruben was crispy and flavorful. it was crowded, we waited around 15-20 minutes in line. it took around 5 minutes for the burger. inside is a bit tight with little seating. overall, would come back again. read more

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Got a peach and prosciutto sammie on their signature sourdough which I highly recommend if you visit in the summertime. It was only missing a bit of arugula but other wise it was perfect Also grabbed some banana bread which was moist and delicious! Snacked on it while we walked around and it was perfect. Didn't have a chance to take pictures because we were so hungry and just smashed through everything immediately because it was so yummy! BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY! Make sure you stop by as early as you can because the options get pretty limited in the afternoon. We drove down from SJ and randomly decided to stop here. We arrived around 2pm and most of the pastries were already gone. Especially if you're stopping by for a loaf of bread, seems like they run out of stock pretty early! read more

Excellent coffee and delicious pastries! We enjoyed the cardamom buns, cream-filled fried buns, pains au chocolate, and a poppy seed babka danish. They were all good. The shop also has picnic fixings (bread, cheese, tinned fish, jam, etc) as well as baking ingredients (local flour, sugar). You can watch the baking in action through the big window into the bakery. I don't think there was any seating outdoors when it opened, and not indoors either. read more

Some of the best fresh bread I've had in a while ! My friend swears by their loafs, so we went by and got a fresh loaf- the seeded sourdough. And it was truly amazing. The place was super cute and small. They have a few fresh pastry's you can purchase, as welll as, coffee and tea products. I really liked the glass/viewing of them baking. I thought that was pretty cool to watch the process of them making the dough and moving things around. Overall great little place ! read more

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Amazing fresh pastries. I arrived right before opening and there was already a small crowd of people waiting to go in. The staff kindly walked us through what each pastry was, since this was our first time here. We got 4 different pastries and there were a few chairs inside and some tables outside. I love the clean industrial interior. The pastries felt literally fresh out of the oven. Warm, soft, and crisp where needed. We tried the cinnamon bon, a cardamom swirl type bun, a (I forget what it was called but it tasted like crème brûlée), and an almond peach cobbler croissant. Every single one was delicious! It seems like they must circulate the options of pastries pretty often. I would love to come back the next time I am in Monterey to try more of them! I also got an iced vanilla latte which was ok but nothing really special. Overall, loved this experience and will definitely return for the pastries. P.S., why does everyone wait in line at that other bakery across the when this one is clearly better? read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Delicious fresh pastries - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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Very good bakery. Got the seeded sourdough roll, butter croissant, and chocolate chip cookie. The texture and taste was great. Highly recommend! read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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Ad Astra never disappoints! I needed a quick bite on my way back to work from Carmel Valley the other day and hadn't been to the CV location yet, but knew I could find something savory and delish for lunch. The Danish sandwich was soooooo good. Seeded sourdough, creamy butter and conte cheese. Simple and outstanding! Stopped at the Monterey location today and got another and a breakfast pastry delightfully named Escargot, because it's a fancy snail with cranberry clove. Interesting and tasty mixture. I also got a loaf of sourdough, cranberry, walnut and Brie for tomorrow morning's breakfast toast. Service was quick and friendly. You folks keep doing what you're doing, creating memorable bites! read more

This is a comment not so much about the Alvarado Street location, it's about their bread deliveries to local stores like The Grove in Pacific Grove. I buy the bread there sometimes instead of at Alvarado St. Ad Astra is apparently ok with deliveries of their burnt bread. There is no way they didn't notice it was burnt! See pic. (I cut it open to see if burnt all the way through. It wasn't but the seeded crust is normally the best part!) If you buy their bread at away locations, better check inside the bag which I did, but the person who loaded the bag put the lesser non-burnt side facing outward so it wasn't obvious. And I didn't want to touch with my fingers to inspect it more thoroughly. This has happened before. Seems they are sticking it to other places so they don't let the burnt product be seen at their own store, or throw them away like they should. The Grove should be made aware of this practice and I will tell them! read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Burned Ad Astra bread - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

So good! Cool, clean atmosphere. I love the big window to kitchen where you can see them baking all of the deliciousness. I stopped in when my flight home was delayed. I didn't mind the delay with this egg sammy in my hands. I also got a cute beanie I wear all the time I'll definitely be re-visiting when I make my way back to Monterey. read more

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So glad I stumbled upon this bakery, mainly because I parked in front of it. Their shop is very modern but wow were their baked goods gorgeous! There were so many good options that I didn't know what to get. I ended up choosing the brioche bread and little did I know, it was packed with cheese and fermented veggies! It was a pleasant surprise and so good that I finished it before making it to my next coffee spot. I love that they also sell clothes, bowls, and pantry goods here. Their open concept allows you to see into the bakery which was pretty cool! The people working here were also super cool and friendly. I definitely felt very welcomed coming into the shop. There is some seating, but there's also no WiFi here. read more

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Decent line on a Sunday around 9 am but it moved pretty quickly. They only had one gluten free option which was a small cheesecake for $25. I was in the market for a pastry so I did not buy this. Alta Bakery is right down the street. It had a crazy long line, and it doesn't seem like they had gf pastries. It seems like the only place in Monterrey is Captain and Stoker, who sells Nece GF pastries. As I said, The line went pretty fast here! I didn't buy anything so can't comment on taste or value. The worker who helped me was super nice. If you're not vegan or gf, looked like a solid spot read more

Located in downtown Monterey. I saw a long line & was curious to see what everyone was waiting for. Freshly made bread! Wait in line, order from the display of savory & sweet baked goods & grab a table to enjoy your treats. They serve bread loaves, flatbreads, croissants & more. read more

I came an hour before they closed. There were no other customers when we arrived and ordered; the next person came while we were waiting for our drinks. There was a big empty space on their pastry display. I only ordered three pastries and a drink. My mistake for not checking; I fully trusted the person who took and prepared my order. When I got home and checked my paper bag, I was missing an order. I mean, come on. For me, I'd be embarrased if I would still check every single thing after ordering. My pastries were all in a tiny box container and a paper sandwich bag packed in a paper bag. I expected much more, especially since it wasn't busy when I came. It's unfortunate that a simple mistake will make me leave a bad review. Ensuring customers get what they paid for should be part of good customer service. read more

Croissant was about $5.50 and a good size and texture. It was fluffy on the inside and had many layers. There's not really any indoor seating but they have a huge look into their kitchen which is nice to see! read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Inside - merch/snacks - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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Coming here is kind of a weekly thing! Their pastries are next-level--flaky, flavorful, and clearly made with love. The prices on their loaves are super reasonable, especially considering the quality. It's the kind of place that makes you feel good about supporting local. T Major bonus points for serving coffee from a Santa Barbara roaster instead of defaulting to chain brews. Nothing beats a perfect croissant and a well-pulled local espresso. My one small gripe? The sourdough loaves tend to be a bit overdone for my taste--just a little too tough and dark. If you're into a deep bake, you'll probably love it, but I prefer a slightly lighter finish. If you've been considering coming here, this your sign to swing by. Just be prepared--you might leave with more than you planned! read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Chicken Salad sando - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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Plenty of pastry's, sandwiches and bread options to choose from. You can see them making the bread inside the shop. It's a great little place to grab a quick bite and a great cup of coffee. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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While in Monterey, we tried this bread at several restaurants we frequented. So on the day I was leaving, I went to the bakery, early! I got two loaves of bread to bring home with me. Absolutely did not disappoint. I sliced the bread and froze it, which means we can enjoy this bread for weeks to come. When you're in Monterey make sure you hit them up! read more

The Bread is the star of the show. Wow. I got the olive sourdough. Man I wish I got the full loaf instead of the half. It was that good. also got a kouign amann and an iced mocha. Those were solid but also considering that I got there later in the day it probably would have been better and fresher if I got there earlier. I would def stop here again when I'm visiting. Olive loaf 5 stars Kouign Amann 4 stars Iced oat Mocha 4 stars Service 4 stars Ambiance 5 stars read more

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We came by around 10 on a Sunday and there was quite a long line. We drove out of the way to get here though so decided to just wait it out. Thankfully the line moved fairly quickly. They offer breads, pastry, and coffee drinks. I opted for cardamom bun, savory brioche and a latte with oat milk and miso syrup. My husband got the cinnamon roll. Everything was delicious and well worth the wait. The savory brioche was a highlight, filled with sausage and white sauce. The bread was fluffy and flaky. The cinnamon roll had lots of cream cheese frosting and not cloyingly sweet. The coffee was tasty and I liked the miso syrup, very interesting combo with coffee but it works. I also took half a loaf of brioche home and my baby liked the French toast I made with it. I can see why this place is so popular. Go early for the best selection. read more

I was in downtown Monterey attending a conference and came to Ad Astra Bread Co for breakfast one morning. Although the line went out the door, it went quick. It's a small little shop with minimal seating. I sat inside by the counter area to enjoy my pastry and coffee and enjoyed watching them prepare bread/pastries. I bought a loaf of bread to bring home, and it was delicious. When I'm back in the area for work, I'll definitely return! read more

Great bread. Just like bread from Europe. Has crunch, taste and wholesome. I bring back a loaf to San Francisco every time we visit our daughter . Their sandwiches and pastries are also delectable. If you like real bread, you won't be disappointed. read more

So when I walk in the food smell pretty good I got a cardamom bum and HOLY COW IT'S DELICIOUS.Its also kinda relaxing although the service is good You should 100% Go Here! Written by James Stapleton. Age 10 read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

Nice artisanal bakery on Alvarado in Monterey. We go there quite regularly. Their bread is great though a bit pricey. Cute ambience as you can see directly into the kitchen where the bread is made. Love their baguettes, regular or epi, as well as any of the larger loaves. While I tend to prefer Alta for pastries (a short walk away), both are awesome and As Astra has a better croissant from our family opinion. They often have a savory scone which is also fantastic. If you show up at 10 am on a weekend, be prepared to wait a bit, but the staff and customers tend to be friendly so I don't really mind. They do also serve coffee but I won't comment on that since I don't get it there. I would highly recommend pairing some bread from here with several cheeses from the Cheese Shop in Carmel, add some wine and call it dinner. read more

we ordered the cardamom bun, cinnamon roll, and the kouign amann. in my opinion, the cinnamon roll was heavily disappointing. There is no cinnamon, vanilla, or sweetness to the cinnamon roll and just overwhelming amounts of plain cream cheese. the kouign amann was made with wayyyyy too much caramel. it made eating nearly impossible as the caramel was sticking to every tooth in my mouth. if someone who had dental fillings was to eat this, i guarantee they are getting one way trip to the dentist. overall the service was good and they are friendly, however the food is overrated, lacks flavor, and is overpriced. read more

Ad Astra is a cute boulangerie/pâtisserie in downtown Monterey. We arrived early where there was no line for breakfast; by the time we ordered, the line was out the door! I opted for a cardamom bun and strawberry-vanilla cream puff with a miso-caramel latte. I tasted the sweet caramel from the latte, but not so much the miso: otherwise, it was just a solid latte. The cream puff was very simple, but I loved how fluffy and sweet the cream was. The cardamom bun, while not in the traditional Scandinavian form, was yummy and very earthy from the cardamom. The cinnamon sugary top was a nice touch, if a bit messy to eat. Overall, solid place for breakfast and brunch. Ad Astra is worth a go! read more

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Recommend going earlier for more pastry options. Bread was slightly dry and chocolate mousse was lacking in flavor, cute stop for a stroll in the morning. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

Love this spot!! The kids and I love driving up once a month to get some amazing organic sourdough and treats! I am a huge baker and run a small micro bakery so I am quite choosy with where I go! And this place is a must!! If you go on a Tuesday you can get a coffee and treat then shop the farmers market in the afternoon! read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Breakfast Sando! - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

Ambiance is stunning. As a first timer i only have my initial visit's experience to share here but i don't think it was a good enough one to come back if i ever come to the area. As a out of towner we decided to give this place a try as we had seen it in so many online contents. We got the pain au chocolat and the croffule and first of all, they are not cheap because the pastries will cost anywhere from 6-8 dollars. And for the price, they were nothing out of the ordinary and the croffle filling was painfully sweet. Unfortunately i do not get the hype other than its cute branding and minimalistic interior reminding of those trendy tiktokable japandi/scandinavian inspired cafes. Perhaps i had to try their loafs, sandwiches or cakes? But we got what we got based on the recs from the staff so im really not sure if were missing something here. We also got their seasonal drinks which was a matcha black raspberry latte and the oat chai, unfortunately these were also very mediocre and nothing out of the expected (no particular umami in matcha or unique flavoring of chai or the raspberry syrup). Staff were friendly, and its cool you can see the breads being freshly made/baked thru a glass window (like you do at din tai fung) but that is it. read more

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We were in line for a coffee shop/bakery down the street one morning when we noticed the line for this place, I went to go check it out while my husband stayed in line at the original place. Their selection looked great and the line was moving pretty quick so we changed plans and got breakfast and coffee here. I am so glad we did! All of their pastries and breads looked amazing, I got a pastry with pesto and green olives and my husband got a chocolate croissant with some lattes. We also got a loaf of their regular sourdough bread and some burger buns to bring home. We ate along the barstool area where we could see into the bakery area and watch them work on different things. Everything was amazing and it was so fascinating watching them make different breads. We can't wait to go back next time we are in town and bring more bread home. The load of sourdough made the bed grilled cheeses and their burger buns were so soft and fully. read more

This was our last stop before we left to go back home to LA. We were looking for a place that had coffee and light pastries since we did not feel like eating a heavy breakfast. I ordered a vanilla oat milk latte. It was delicious. We also ordered a few assortment of pastries. Everything was delicious. My favorites were the raisin croissant and the cardamom bun. They also had seasonal drinks, which we did not get a chance to try. It was very busy on a Sunday morning. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Fall seasonal drinks - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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Came in at the last minute before closing and Daren was gracious enough to let me be the last customer of the day. Super patient and knowledgeable and my pastry was a 10/10. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

Yikes I've never had to throw away a $7 latte before until today. The vibes when I walked into this place were chill but fast paced. It was interesting to watch the bakery folks until they seemed to not like it. Why have a huge glass window if you don't like being looked at? The price of a vanilla latte with oat milk (that's what's offered) is $6.50 and a an automatic 15% fee is added for cost of living for their employees. And then they again ask for a tip. Got the latte pretty quickly, it looked pretty then I tasted it. Yuck. It tasted burnt and had zero hint of vanilla syrup. I tried my hardest to drink it but I couldn't. My wife who is also a coffee lover tried it and had to spit it out. I would go back in but I felt like it would be very awkward asking them to remake it after already a not welcoming experience. I won't be returning. Their crew doesn't deserve a 15% cola if they treat their customers like poop. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Vanilla latte - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

Excellent breads, baked goods, coffees & tea beverages in a welcoming environment where you can see the bakers working in the kitchen through a large window. Come here for your loaves of hearty bread and baguettes. Everything is freshly made. The baked pastries range from traditional croissants to innovative goodies such as cardamom morning bun and cream-filled muffins with candied fruit on top. We had the scone which appeared seeded but it turns out it's akin to the Everything but the Bagel spice which includes kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, toasted white & black sesame seeds & poppy seeds. The spices were mixed in with the scone and also on top, making it savory but heavy in garlic, black pepper & salt taste. It would have been better if it were a bit more light handed on the flavors. The pastry we had was pretzel bread like texture and topped with cooked beets and sprinkled with pistachios and rosemary leaves. Very good and quite hardy. Good coffee latte drink. The matcha with blueberry & lavender was good and not too sweet. We don't know it was served cold but that's ok because we didn't ask or specify to have it hot or if that was possible. They offer displays of their branded items (bags, etc), buns, granola, etc. Clean place with minimal seating. read more

Ad Astra Bread Co - Pastry with beets. - Bakeries Near Me - Monterey, California

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I still dream of their Kouign-amann. Stayed in downtown Monterey for a shorty trip & walked to this bakers three times! If you're in the area, it's a must-try! Flakey buttery goodness. Also had a number of purger pastries, but my fave is the Kouign-amann! read more