Someone I met at the airport recommended Alta bakery. I tried to go on a Sunday, but there wasn't a long line out the door and down the block. I decided to go the next day, and the line was more manageable and I found street parking nearby. The pastry counter is the first thing you see when you enter. You can also order food and drinks from the counter. There was seating throughout the space which was in a historic building. I got a few goodies to try which included the blue cornmeal cookie, almond financier and an orange blossom tea cake. I also ordered their seasonal coffee which was a honey saffron latte. The cookies, financier and tea cake were all delicious. The latte wasn't overly sweet and was even a bit savory. It grew on me. There were a few sandwiches ordered by other patrons that looked scrumptious. If I hadn't eaten breakfast already, I would've ordered something substantial. Hopefully, I'll return to Monterey again. If so, Alta will be on my list. read more

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I visited on a Saturday around 11 a.m. The line wasn't too long, and we waited about 30 minutes. The ambiance made the café feel fresh and inviting--until we received our food. My 7- and 9-year-old didn't like the croissant sandwich because it had spicy mustard and sweet pickles. Unfortunately, they had run out of the other sandwiches, so our only other option was the spinach wrap, which I ordered but found bland and lacking flavor. We may have missed their more popular dishes because they stop serving them at 11 a.m. The tables inside also weren't clean. I chose this café because it was highly recommended on TikTok, but I probably wouldn't return. Cappuccino: 9/10 Fancy dessert: 8.5/10 read more

Line is longgggg! Staff is super sweet and help with explaining everything. It sucks that they can't keep up with having all bakery items in stock to choose from since it's very busy. So basically it's a hit or miss if what you can choose from by the time you get to the front of the line. I heard from previous reviews that these Blue Corn cookies are great. By the I got to the front of line, fresh batch came out. They are delicious and highly recommend! Avocado toast was also phenomenal! The seating area is a huge in outdoor area and super beautiful! I'd definitely come back. read more

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If you're not willing to wait in the line stretching down the street-- then you don't deserve to eat here. It's a part of the experience. That might seem like a hot take but I promise, the locals know it's not! The pastries are incredible, variable, and delectable! The drinks are better than any other place on or adjacent to Alvarado, and the access to the garden area and outdoor seating is what puts this over the top for me. I would even give 5.5 stars if I could, the overworked bakers and baristas are still nice to everyone amidst the most chaotic mornings! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - A selection of delicious baked goods that change all the time! - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

After seeing a line out the door the day before, we figured Alta Cafe had to be worth the hype. We made it a point to come back the next morning and were actually the first people in line when they opened. Unfortunately, our experience didn't quite live up to our expectations. The biggest letdown was the service. The staff seemed irritated to be open, and not one person smiled or appeared welcoming throughout our visit. It wasn't rude, but it definitely didn't make for a great first impression. They have a great selection of baked goods, so we tried the blueberry muffin, donut holes, and chocolate croissant. The blueberry muffin was just okay--the oats on top weren't really my favorite. The donut holes were soft, fluffy, and generously coated in sugar, making them a solid choice. The chocolate croissant was easily the star of the meal. It was incredibly soft, buttery, and filled with perfectly gooey melted chocolate. I also ordered a latte, which was fine but nothing particularly memorable. For breakfast, I had the smoked salmon toast. The salmon itself was delicious, but it was served on a very large slice of grain bread that didn't have much flavor, so the dish felt a little underwhelming overall. Looking back, I wish I had ordered the avocado toast instead. Overall, I can see why people stop by for the pastries--especially the chocolate croissant--but based on our experience, we left feeling a little disappointed considering all the buzz. read more

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Food mid. I have high expectations with croissants. It was not crispy at all but the flavors were there. Need to try more of the menu though. Also only two current coffee flavors vanilla and lavender ... place had a line out the door, hype or stellar food, who knows ? Handicap accessible Chocolate croissant 3/5 Glazed donut 4.5/5 Ambiance 5/5 decorations so cute Service was 5/5 staff was so nice and sweet read more

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The pastries were fresh and beautiful! The coffee was delicious! Service was quick and friendly and the vibes in there were vibing I would definitely go back! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

Absolutely stunned!! We were took excited to take pictures before eating!! Special Sandwich: 10/10 This sandwich was amazing. Definitely worth the two hour drive. It had freshly cooked bacon to perfection, butter lettuce, the freshest tomatoes, an aioli sauce, on perfectly toasted sourdough bread. Would 100% get it again and I hope it's not seasonal because everyone should try this sandwich!! Flourless Brownie: 8/10 It definitely is a flourless brownie the texture of it is almost like fudge. It melts in your mouth instantly, there's not really much of a structure to the brownie. If you're a texture person this might not be for you as it's not a traditional brownie it's extra gooey. However, absolutely love the flavor of it. It's a rich chocolate flavor with powdered sugar on top. As a dark chocolate lover this was pretty good!! Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips: 6/10 It's nothing too special, it was more on the dry side but still strong banana flavor! Overall experience: 9/10 Customer service wasn't the greatest while waiting for our sandwich we didn't really know we had to wait, where to wait, and when I changed my mind on a pastry someone gave me a face. However, the ambience of the restaurant and food made up for it. I loved sitting outside, an amazing way to sit down and have a chat. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Special Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

Very cool and hip cafe in old town Monterey. I think it is in a historic building as it totally looks like a Spanish Mission era type of building. Super open and airy, there's a separate room off to the side with some haphazardly laid out tables and seats. The main retail area is pretty busy with people lined up placing orders/waiting for an order, or people fixing up their coffee drinks. Now even though I took my goods to-go I had to go out to their patio to find a restroom. That outdoor area is totally cool, totally out in the open but you're like in a square inside a fort, surrounded by walls, so you can't see any street action. But you're totally open to roam in here from the street. Next time I'm in this area, I'm definitely gonna make time to chill on that patio. Cold Brew ($6.50/5*) Perfect to my taste, smooth and mellow on the roast. Pricey for a small cup but this is a touristy area. Banana Bread Slice ($5.25/4*) Very thick slice. Super soft yet moist in the center but firmer and more well done on the edges. Pretty dark in color, maybe some cocoa powder went in but there were also tiny hits of dark chocolate throughout. Mild natural banana flavor, wished it were stronger but that's me. Blue Corn Cookie ($5/5*) Never had a cookie like this before but I was pretty impressed. Kinda like a cornbread but made into the texture of a good cookie, so it was crisp and buttery on the bottom and moist and chewy in the center. All whilst having a pronounced corn meal flavor and texture. Major props for exposing me to something new that I enjoyed immensely. Went great with sips of black cold brew. Most other things in their pastry case seemed a tad fancier than most other regular coffee shops. I'm just glad I was able to run into and choose a more special cafe to end my beautiful trip out in the central coast. read more

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Holllyy. The best bakery I've ever had! & I'm that person that sees out bakeries everywhere I go! - get there by 10:30/11 for the best baked goods! - try: fruit tart, almost croissant, chocolate croissant Cute, homegrown, very nice staff! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Almond croissant - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

Cute cafe with delicious options. The staff was really friendly, the vibe was definitely there. If I stop again this way, I will Definitely get another matcha a dessert! read more

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if there is one thing i ate from monterey bay that i'll be thinking about all the time now, it would definitely be the salmon croissant from ALTA !!!! i had heard so much about ALTA bakery from online itineraries for monterey bay, and i think this place definitely lives up to the hype! there was a pretty long line out the door, but it moved by really quickly and efficiently with the pastries! the drinks do have a bit of a wait tho, and i personally would not get them again since my bf and i didn't enjoy either the watermelon mint matcha or the cinnamon latte. all you could taste in the watermelon mint matcha was watermelon LOL and the latte didn't taste like anything special. i would skip out on these and just enjoy the pastries. speaking of the pastries, every single one was soooo yummy! my clear favorite is definitely the salmon croissant, which was so perfectly flakey and crispy and buttery with a good amount of cream cheese and smoked salmon inside. i also loved the everything seasoning crust on the croissant that went well with the salmon. 10/10, will be dreaming about it all the time now. i also really enjoyed the raspberry sweet bun, which was so soft and pillowy and had a nice tanginess from the raspberry! the pistachio-rose swirl was also really yummy and reminded me of a cinnamon roll in texture, and it was pretty soft and not too sweet. overall, every pastry was a banger and i would love to try the other ones if i'm ever in town again! read more

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Super charming place set inside the historic Cooper-Molera Adobe (1827) , the space has a California - European vibes. Inside and outside seating. The pastries are legit!. Made in house fresh daily. The savory mushroom, spinach, and cheese Danish hit the spot for me. Rich, buttery, flaky and satisfying Yogurt parfait was clean and fresh, no sugar overload. Coffee is straightforward and well executed. No need to overcomplicate it. Yes, it gets busy. There was a line but it moved pretty quickly. Afterwards, take a walk around the grounds of Cooper-Molera Adobe and take in the historic beauty of the place. Happy Eating!! 39 read more

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Came by in the afternoon and got one of the last slices of chocolate cake. Was expecting something dense and rich but somehow got fluffy and light and rich. Was delicious! We ordered the croissant sandwich which was full of layers and flavor with pickled shallots and layers of meats and cheese. We enjoyed this so much even though I don't like shallots! The tomato tartine came out while we were purchasing and so glad we added that in. Amazing bursts of flavor! read more

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I visited at the recommendation of a friend. I was headed to Carmel and decided to stop for breakfast. There was quite a line early Saturday morning. It didn't look like it died down which is awesome for this business. I believe I waited 20-30 minutes in line before I reached the display case. There were so many delicious things to choose from, it was a challenge to decide! I opted for a croissant sandwich, a blue corn cookie, and some sweet treats for the beach. I also ordered a seasonal latte, I believe it was cherry chocolate with oat milk less sweet. There's a nice outdoor seating area with many tables in chairs. Since the weather was nice we decided to stop and eat for a bit. The ambience was very nice and calm. The food was delicious and their house made pickles were fantastic. They were crisp, fresh, and complimented the turkey sandwich so well. The blue corn cookie was very interesting and reminiscent of a tortilla chip. I'd definitely come back here if I were in the area. read more

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ITS COFFEE ALRIGHT. The hype is real. The line wraps out the door. The smell is strong and the wait is long. They are limited to a few flavors and lack any signature drinks. But they have just about all you can extract from an espresso machine ie latte cappuccino, americano. My latte was steamed properly and I got an extra shot in my large vanilla latte. The only issue was they forgot the vanilla, but I didn't mind just adding it in later. The blue corn cookie was interesting. A mix of corn bread and a sugar cookie. Would eat again. In all it wasn't bad, but for an hour wait anyone would be neutral with their experience here. read more

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Charming bakery and cafe with plenty of outdoor seating in the back connecting garden Nice flaky, buttery dough on their pastries. Latte was decent, not too bitter or acidic and it was creamy They try a lot of variations for pastries, both savory and sweet! The savory danish was really tasty and there was some pickled / citrus component that added more depth and made it super interesting to eat! The salmon croissant was alright, had a really nice flaky crust but the filling tasted kinda gamey , would've been nice to have another component to balance it out. Cookies were niceeeee the buckwheat choco cookie had nice amounts of sea salt and was like a brownie texture on the inside. Choco chip cookie was thin and crispy on the outside with chocolate blobs spread around, quite sweet though There was a line going out the door but only had to wait around 15 min! read more

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This sweet bakery is located in on a corner close to the downtown area. The building is inside a historic adobe and has seating inside and out in the back. We came on a Thursday around 11 am and the place was busy. The hardest part of coming into this place is to choose what item to have because all of them look fantastic. I decided on a plain croissant and an iced latte. Both were fantastic. We sat outside and enjoyed the music and beautiful surroundings. I can't wait to go back and try some more delectable items read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Croissant and iced latte - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

Alta offers great pastries as well as food options worth checking out when you are in the Monterey area. After some activities in Carmel, I made my way to Monterey for lunch. Alta is pretty spacious and inviting with an indoor dining area as well as outdoor seating, which would be perfect when the weather is good. By the time I had arrived at Alta on Sunday afternoon (~2pm), most of the more popular items were clearly gone. Fortunately, there were few items left to choose from as well as their regular menu to order. Here is what I tried: Tuna Melt (5/5): Wow! I felt like my life changed eating this. There was a good layer of tuna goodness mixed with mayo and celery bits to provide the perfect mix of textures and flavors. The generous layer of ooey gooey cheese on top was not too overpowering yet managed to bring the whole thing together. The pickled accompaniments and salad were perfect additions to provide that extra acidity. I only wished there were a bit more! Ginger Cake (4.5/5): Visually stunning. Strong notes of ginger flavor with a mellow cream that helped balance the pastry. My only note was that it was a tad sweet but otherwise just yummy. In terms of service, the food came out pretty quickly and the service was friendly. Like most of Monterey, parking is in the public lots and need to walk over. Overall, Alta Bakery was so great I am definitely making a stop again when I come by Monterey. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Ginger Cake - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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You truly can't go wrong with any of the pastries here. The coffee drinks are just ok. The environment is really wonderful. The staff is hit and miss (some are kind, some are a bit impatient). They DONT have WiFi and was told the WiFi password is only for the owner... which i find to be very odd if they are a coffee shop. Definitely not a place to sit and work or study. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Savory danish- goat cheese and tomato - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

We always stop by this bakery / cafe when we're in town. Love their pastries and coffee. Theres a cute little patio in that back that looks like a small vineyard. Sometimes there's a line outside on the weekend but it goes by super fast. Patio is also dog friendly. I would recommend this cafe to those visiting the Monterey area! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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I discovered this bakery when I saw the line outside. I stopped by the next time I was back in town and so happy I did! This bakery has lots of delicious bakery items to choose from. It was hard to decide what to get but I got a puff pastry with a custard on the middle and fresh blackberries on top. I also ordered a latte to enjoy with it. The staff brought out some fresh baked goods while we were waiting in line. It was tempting not to order more. Their outdoor patio is beautiful. There's lots of plants including a couple artichoke plants which I've never seen more. They have a lot of small tables but it fills up fast on a nice day. I will be back to try more baked goods on my next trip! read more

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Carrot cake cookie and latte was delicious! By 2/3 PM most pastries are gone. I also got the soup of the day (potato leek) that need a little more leek flavor, but the sourdough bread that came with it was very good. There's an outdoor seating area that is so lovely on a sunny day and ample indoor seating too. Staff were quick to take orders but a lot of it is ordered up front at the cashier so you'll end up waiting. Worth a stop if you're in Monterey! read more

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Came here at 10 on a Tuesday morning and still had to wait in line. Luckily it was not too bad of a wait. I think also because Ad Astra nearby was closed for spring cleaning. Everything tasted amazing. I love the croissant (chocolate and ham&cheese). Super flaky and flavorful and sinful. My son said it was the best ham & cheese ever. They also served a special mushroom tartine which was lovely. The backyard outdoor sitting area is super cute. Would definitely come back again!! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Ham and cheese - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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Located on Munras Ave, is Alta. This place was popping. Line out the door. They have a very nice size selection of all fresh items! My daughter got the donut, she loved. Wife got the croissant with chocolate inside, loved it. And I got a cappuccino with the Leak Quiche! Pillow, fresh, moist, yet firm, love! Nice baked and depth of flavor on it. The cappuccino was delicious, as well. Good depth for coffee flavor. The ambiance is modern coffee house and life an old mission outside! We enjoyed it. Service was great too. read more

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Some of the best espresso I've had in a minute! Passing through town for a wedding and received a recommendation for ALTA. Wait was about 15 minutes at 9am on a Saturday, but the line moved quickly! My partner and I ordered the salmon croissant, quality was amazing & not just your average coffee shop pastry. We also both prefer strong + well done espresso drinks. My partner orders a quad shot over ice and I typically get an extra short iced latte, so we are able to really enjoy the taste of the coffee. The quad shot was incredibly smooth. It's how I wish every coffee tasted! My xs latte was perfect as well, espresso was perfect with a bit of oatmilk. ALTA exceeded my expectations! Back patio was an unexpected bonus, such a beautiful seating area! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

One of my favorite cafes to stop by when visiting Monterey, we arrived early (which I recommend because things sell out really fast) the line wasn't too bad waited about 10 minutes, the staff is very helpful they made a few suggestions, we settled on a raised sugar donut filled with strawberry filling best donut I've ever had. I don't know how they make the donut dough but it's so soft and pillowy but extremely flavorful. 10/10 recommend this bakery, coffee is also really good and the outdoor seating space is beautiful. read more

LOVE this place! The quiche and donuts are a MUST. The quiche is light, fluffy, and packed with flavor. The donuts we tried were covered in a fruity glaze that wasn't overly sweetened. The lavender latte is delicious without being sickeningly sweet. There are a few long tables inside and more outside. Pretty easy to access with a stroller via the handicap door / ramp. There was a short line each time we went but we didn't have to wait long. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Entrance - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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Before leaving to visit Paso Robles me and the hubby headed to Altas for breakfast since we saw great reviews on Yelp! We found a parking spot across the street. There was a line that was a little bit out of the door but we felt like it went fast. We met a very talkative and friendly lady behind us who loves this place and suggested what we should get. I ended up getting a croissant and matcha latte with oat milk and the hubby got a fruit danish and gingerbread latte. The quiche looked so good and I'm still mad I didn't get it lol. That just means we need to come back! Everything took about 5-10 min to be ready. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed our food and drinks. There was plenty of seats and tables available out front a few inside. Those working there seemed helpful but not very friendly but it was early so maybe that was it. ‍ read more

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Food: Smoked salmon Toast - 8/10; Good flavor, but the portion was small and the toast was semi hard. / Frittata - 8/10; Good flavor, texture was slight undercooked but my wife loved it. Portion was small. / Iced Chai: 6/10: Tater more like milk and less like chai. Was not impressed by the house made chai. / We got a few pastries and they were all 10/10. Seating: A ton of seating out back with a lot of space and fun scenery. Staff: 8/10. Person taking our party order was extremely friendly, but during checkout my wife asked for the pancake syrup to be on the side. She snapped back saying it's always on the side... low and behold the syrup was most definitely not on the side. Normally it's not a big deal, but we were feeding this to our child and didn't want her to have a ton of syrup. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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It's delicious! If you're in the area, I highly recommend trying it. We stayed in Carmel but came here specifically to eat and it was fantastic. I recommend the gala yogurt, and pistachio cake. read more

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LOVED ALTA BAKERY!!! We passed by this past weekend and loved everything we got. Super busy, but they work through the line quickly. The daily quiche was bacon and leeks and it was fantastic. The avocado toast was both beautiful and yummy!We also grabbed a few different pastries-- plain croissant, chocolate croissant, chocolate and banana strudel and blueberry muffin. I was trying not to over order, but now I regret not trying more. Coffee was great. They did forget one of our drinks and it took 10 minutes to get, but the friendly service and delicious food made up for it. Plenty of seating options. Will come back next time we're back in Monterey. read more

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I waited in line for over half an hour and they ran out of pastries before 10am. I bought a couple of items and two drip coffees to try to get in and out faster. They missed my coffee and I had to wait for a while and ask them to get the order because they missed it. Pastries were good but not as great as people said. Coffee was decent. The staff were nice and tried their best but they need to get a better system to move the line. It was disappointing that they didn't have a lot of items available and were sold out. They had a Dresden style stollen that looked good. There is a large indoor seating area and a lot of tables outside that is very nice. The electronic payment system automatically suggests an 18 percent or more as an automatic tip. That's a bit excessive. I would go here for a pastry if there was no line but it's not worth the long wait. read more

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My all time favorite coffee shop in Monterey! The perfect stop before taking a bike ride along the coast or stopping watch the sea lions. Sitting on their patio with a breakfast treat is one of my favorite ways to spend the morning. Their pastries are top-notch, especially their chocolate croissant. I got a matcha latte last time, but I do prefer their iced lattes, especially during the summer. Service is always quick and friendly, regardless of the crowd. Much love to ALTA! read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Chocolate croissant and matcha latte - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

We recently visited this charming bakery and instantly fell in love with its cozy outdoor seating tucked into a garden setting. Surrounded by greenery and fresh air, it feels like a peaceful little escape. We started with the soup of the day, which was warm, comforting, and clearly made fresh. The pizza was beautifully done with a crisp crust and flavorful toppings, striking a great balance between rustic and refined. The hummus plate was generous and creamy, paired perfectly with fresh accompaniments, and the mary's chicken was tender, juicy, and infused with a fragrant herb flavor that felt hearty yet wholesome. The service was warm and welcoming, adding to the relaxed garden ambiance. Staff were attentive and everything arrived well-timed and nicely presented. The overall atmosphere feels intimate and unpretentious -- a lovely spot to enjoy a slow meal outdoors, whether for a casual lunch or an easy evening gathering. It's the kind of place that makes you want to linger a little longer. read more

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The cakes were good but pricey, I'd say the pistachio rose croissant was worth it though. There's always a line and after coming here I'm not quite sure why the line is always so long? But it's definitely a decent bakery in a historic building. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Assorted cakes - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

The food was good and there are plenty of seats inside and outside, but the customer service is horrible. I waited over 25 minutes for my takeout order, I would've been waiting longer if I hadn't said anything sooner. The first person I asked tried to wave me off, after I told her I waited for 25 min, she said she would ask in the back. Another few min passed and another customer told me it could be the bag that was sitting on the counter for about 15 min. I had checked the order a few times, but it had another person's receipt in front of the bag so I thought it was another person's order. It ended up being my order, they had placed the receipt behind the bag so only they could see the name. was a very annoying experience especially after waiting in line for so long. Their order system and customer service needs to be improved read more

Worse informed staff working at your bakery.!!!Went yesterday to inquire about purchasing your delicious bread and was told they would probably be sold out by 10:30 and to come before then. Went today at 9 o'clock was told they'll be no bread until 10 AM. Went back after 10 and then was told there will be no bread today.!!! would be kind if your employees knew what was going on. Would be difficult for me to go back to spend my hard earned money there again.!!! BEWARE- the line for the bakery is not worth the wait read more

TLDR: just get the regular latte and ignore the menu in favor of buying a heinous amount of sweet treats. Hands down some of the best baked goods I've ever had the distinct pleasure of putting in my mouth. Maple bacon swirl? Filling and perfect mix of sweet & savory. Doughnuts? Delectable but still light. Croissants? Flaky and soft. And they have cookies?! This could be heaven... But, I found their menu items a bit lacking luster. Salmon toast was just ok, too many capers for me and the bread was just alright. The coffee was good, but the pepper tree latte -- their special latte for the month -- was not very special. It was kind of just a latte. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Smoked salmon toast - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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I had a fantastic experience at Alta Bakery! The food was standout--the savory danish was excellent, and the smoked salmon on toast was prepared perfectly. Beyond the menu, I really loved the overall vibe of the place. The employees were great and kept things moving efficiently; even though there was a constant line of people, the wait went by fairly quickly. I would definitely recommend this spot and will absolutely be going back again. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Savory Danish - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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