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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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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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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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

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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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Came here for a light breakfast during our 3-day mini vacay, and this place never disappoints. Never reviewed on prior visits annual visits, but I had to this time around. Not very crowded being that it's a Thursday, but still a line nonetheless. The sitting area is reminiscent of a house dining room, which made you feel at home. Eclectic rock music was playing over the overhead speakers. We were looking for a light bite, so the employee recommended the salmon croissant. Oh my goodness, a helluva lot of goodness in this treat. Perfect, sliced baked salmon inside a flaky, light crisp outer shell sprinkled with bagel seasoning. Paired that with an oatmilk matcha latte...stomach very happy now! Stop by Alta for a light breakfast treat that feels like a home away from home! 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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If you're in the Monterey area and feel the urge for an excellent bakery and coffee, skip the touristy places by the water and head to Old Town Monterey. There will be a line, however, it moves relatively quickly and so worth the wait. The baked items all looked amazing and on this occasion I settled on something more savory vs sweet and the ham & cheese croissant didnt disappoint. I always have to get a mocha as this is my go to in comparing coffee shops and bakeries and it was perfect!!! Everything you would want in a well crafted mocha :) They do have a sit down area for dining (breakfast/lunch) and there is plenty of outdoor seating as well so you can take in the beautiful and relaxed surroundings. read more

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Been here so many times and love it always. The blue corn cookie is right up my ally and they even sell the mix to make it at home (have yet to try but will probably honestly esp when I leave monterey). The coffee is always a solid here and though the line is long, it moves decently quick. Would say its worth it read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Blue corn cookie - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

I have to say I'm very impressed with this bakery. Though it's a little pricey, like most Mom and pop pastry shop, but I have to admit the quality of the pastry at this location is exceptional. I overheard some customers two people ahead of me wanting "salmon pastry" and decided to get one. I also purchased three additional pastries which end up worth every penny. I would normally go to the other pastry shop across the street. However, they got me hooked on their salmon pastry. Quality of service: A Quality of food: A Price: $$ read more

Awesome bakery and even better atmosphere! The bakery does have a long line, even at 830 morning we waited about 40 minutes to get inside. Ordered their avocado toast ($15.5), croissant, fruit tart, matcha latte and coffee. Baked goods were great, matcha was strong, and coffee was tasty. Highly recommend despite the long line. read more

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

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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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Great food and service. Great local spot with room to sit and enjoy. Everything came out quick. read more

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Such a cute place with beautiful indoor and outdoor seating, very local plus charming! Their pastries looked sooo good, honestly wanted to try everything. We ordered the savory bun, banana bread with chocolate chips, smoked salmon toast, and two drinks from the special menu (so good!). OMG, the food was amazing! It's hard to explain, but you can really tell everything is locally and handmade. Def recommend this spot for one of the best breakfasts around! We haven't tried their lunch yet, but we'll for sure be back next time. They have a bathroom and street parking, and the staff are absolutely amazing, super friendly and welcoming! read more

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Came on a rainy winter Sunday morning and there was a long line out the door! It's very cozy and welcoming inside. The staff are friendly too the almond cake with blueberries on top as well as the Blondie were worth the wait. The chocolate chip cookie was crispy for my taste. The carrot cake cookie I felt was unique and I would get it again. There is street parking. There is outdoor patio seating, but it was closed due to the rain. read more

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Came here when I was in town for work, soooo cute , I got a matcha which was delicious all the pastry's looked so yummy , there is such a cute area in the back to sit an relax in a garden type area read more

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A must for me every time we are visiting Monterey ! A local esthetic bakery with wide variety of baked goods, drinks and breakfast /lunch items that's affordable ! Services is always great with friendly staff!! Order your food and grab a seat somewhere outside their large open space read more

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The bacon maple swirl is by far my favorite pastry that we got here. It was flakey, crispy, savory, and sweet in every bite. I also ordered the tartine and ginger scone. I loved the tartine, the pear paired with the ricotta and prosciutto was a great combination of flavors. The ginger scone was a bit dry and crumbly for my taste but had little candied ginger pieces and had a great flavor. Overall, the service was quick and friendly with a classic café vibe that's perfect for hanging out or studying. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Bacon maple swirl & ginger scone - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

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Stopped by this bakery while walking around Monterey. We kicked off the morning with a raspberry danish (not overly sweet, the raspberries were fresh and refreshing), cinnamon roll (delicious, not verily sweet as well and you really appreciate the cinnamon cream), quiche of the day (leeks, sausage, bacon...need I say more?), and the sausage roll (we had asked for it warmed up, but it was a bit cold. I think we would have liked it better if it was served warm. It was ok). Coffee here is alright, did not walk out of here feeling like the energizer bunny. Overall, for the pastries it's a solid joint in Monterey. Get here quick in the morning before line forms. read more

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Their chocolate chip cookie is one of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. Perfectly chewy AND crispy edges. Priced at $5.

Update: Ben the manager reached out to me and corrected the issue. Restaurants do have their off days and it's understandable, but its all about how you remedy the situation. I appreciated that! Alta is still all that and a bag of chips but personally, maybe stick to the pastries or their flagship food. read more

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A chic cafe where my partner and I enjoyed a light brunch. There was a large selection of cookies, croissants, doughnuts, and even items such as lavender and earl gray mousses. I ordered a hot chai and a maple bacon swirl, and my partner ordered an iced latte and a ham-and-cheese croissant. The staff were very friendly and got our food and drinks out quickly. We chose to sit in the outdoor patio because the weather was nice. Overall, it was a good experience. read more

ALTA Bakery & Cafe - Iced latte, hot house made chai, maple bacon swirl, ham and cheese croissant - Cafes Near Me - Monterey, California

16$ for one pastry and beverage. felt like cattle being pushed through the line. Will never understand how these places get 20% without having to provide actual table service. read more

Nice bakery spot but one of my friends experienced some rudeness from one of the ladies working in back. My friend asked to have her pastry heated and staff helping her got irritated with the request. Staff lady heated her food but then asked another coworker to give it to her. Unnecessary and poor customer service unfortunately. Food was decent and there is lots of space but I wish we had a better experience. read more

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Drove down to Monterey/Carmel to spend a day celebrating my friend's bday. First stop was Alta Bakery & Cafe. We drove by and noticed there was a long line wrapped around the corner. Parking on the streets wasn't that hard and it was only a 6 minute walk. This place is pretty spacious with indoor and outdoor seating (dog friendly). There were a lot of fresh pastries displayed by the glass. You order your pastry lies first and if you want food and drinks, you can finish off your order at the cashier. If you order for dine in, they bring your food to your table. I'm not much of a banana bread or pumpkin bread loaf person so I opted for a Blue Corn Cookie ($4.25). The cookie texture is as perfect!! Slightly chewy, yet soft in the inside. Not too sweet. I had it with my matcha and it was a great pairing. I was able to get my matcha with oat milk ($0.50 charge) & 2 pumps of vanilla for sweetener. Matcha was about $5.80 which isn't so bad. Latte art was cute! I was originally going to order a croque monsieur but then they brought out a Steak Tartine ($14.50) to display, and I immediately wanted that instead. It looked amazing! I was able to get it warmed up and omg the melty cheese did it for me. I devoured it all. There were good amount of toppings and well worth the price in my opinion. Some staff were more friendly than others. Overall, they were efficient and helpful. I would want to come back to try some of their other savory items! Nice aesthetics too! read more

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ALTA is the kind of place you wish exists in your neighborhood so that you can become a regular and eat every last thing they make. It's that good. We ordered the Reuben croissant, a croissant sandwich, and a medley of pastries. The Reuben croissant was unlike anything I've ever tried before - the meat is enveloped into the croissant and once it's heated, there's a melty cheese topper. The croissant is so buttery and flakey and honestly this is the absolute collab - Reuben + croissant. Perfection. I also ate my croissant sandwich on the back patio under the pergola and if I ever felt so at peace while eating, this was it. The croissant is stuffed with a variety of meat and plenty of fresh veggies. It tasted very fresh and healthy and all things good. There was just something truly magical about eating a freshly baked croissant with fresh ingredients on a beautiful outdoor patio that makes you feel some type of way. I certainly felt it. The grounds are beautiful so make sure to take a gander before you leave. 10 out of 10. Best way to end a visit to Monterey. read more

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Located on the corner with parking limited. They offer various food items but often sold out. Seating inside is large communal tables to share with strangers. Some limited seating out side in the back. The food is pretty good, but small portions and pricey. The service is mediocre. read more

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I thought this place would knock my socks off given the lines and the number of reviews but I felt like my experience was just okay. If I'm paying $16+ for avocado toast alone, it better be really delicious. I thought my avocado toast was just... okay. The toast was a bit too thick for my liking and I didn't really get a good crunch on the top or bottom of the toast. I like soft bread but I felt like the ratio of bread to topping was off. The avocado spread needed some salt. I also felt like the pomegranate seeds didn't add much to the dish. It added this somewhat unpleasant obstacle to enjoying the toast since seeds are a little weird to chew on. The flower petals on top looked nice but don't taste like anything. I thought the watermelon mint matcha was... fine but felt like the combination was a little strange. The three flavors are usually not seen together. I suspect they made this drink because of the pink and green color combination which made for a beautiful looking drink. The chocolate chip cookie was... also fine. I had it in a togo bag and it was absolutely covered in grease by the time I got home. The cookie itself tasted... like a normal cookie. Maybe slightly too thin for my liking. read more

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

This place was amazing. Stopped by on August 2025 on our one day trip to Monterey. Checked on yelp(of course) for a great coffee shop and stumbled upon this gem. Being a coffee and plant lover this place was meant for me. The baristas were able to answer of questions in regards to the delicious baked goods. We had a savory bagel, raspberry strudel, iced chai and hot mocha with orange cardamom. The environment was very relaxing, family friendly and lots of places to seat. I will definitely stop by my next time around Monterey. read more

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Alta Bakery & Cafe is always bustling, and rightfully so! With lines out the door that stretch for about half a block, be prepared to wait. Despite the wait, the line moves relatively fast. We stood in that long line for about 15 minutes before we were at the counter, so don't let the length of the line intimidate you too much. As I mentioned, the wait is worth your time! Alta offers a beautiful selection of pastries and eats for a posh breakfast or lunch on the go. Be sure to wash your meal down with one of their signature drinks. I ordered the tuna melt, a blue cornmeal cookie, and an iced watermelon macha. Yummy! read more

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

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Walked in for our bakery breakfast stop before driving home. Our girl group loved the open air ambiance, lots of outdoor seating great for pups and kids, and clean restrooms. All of the food is fresh and ingredients healthy. When you walk in, you're in awe of the bakery goods on display like their cookies, brownies, savory salmon croissant, and croissant-wiches that are huge and look very filling. Yes items are pricey, but you are in Monterey. They also have coffees and teas, and we also ordered entree items. The tuna sandwich is open-faced, the Mediterranean platter looks so fresh, and their salads are huge. The fresh quality is truly the winning factor of Alta. Service is kind, and it's order, table number, and delivered to your table. Not real service, and that's great for those looking for a pitstop or a no fuss place to eat before hitting the road. read more

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