Absolutely incredible. We stopped in to try their famous salted chocolate chip cookies but they make quite clear that they are not a one trick pony. They have innumerable baked goods they throw in your face the second you try to order coffee or anything else, and everything looks AMAZING. We both ordered one of their seasonal lattes, I think it was pumpkin. They were delicious and very visually pleasing. In addition to the cookie, we ordered one of their quite large cinnamon rolls and a savory pastry, it had like feta, grape tomatoes, basil maybe, and sesame seeds. They also have a fucking POTATO BEAR CLAW that looked better than sex but I didn't want to overdo it. Upon reflection, that was an error. The cinnamon roll was soft, not too sweet, and absolutely delicious. The savory pastry was INCREDIBLE. The place was small and filled with a bunch of small children at the time of our visit but I would take that in a second in order to enjoy all of their fantastic pastries. read more

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Still our fave bakery in the city! We love grabbing treats on the weekend! The seasonal items are delicious so def grab those as they can be limited! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Their scallion cream cheese croissant is near the top of my list of best pastries I've tried this year. It's better than a similar one from Radio Bakery in NYC. Perfect lamination and awesome scallion flavor. I also LOVED the cinnamon roll. I'm a huge sweet roll fan and I thought this one had the perfect light and fluffy bread with not-too-sweet filling and icing. I really hope I get to come back for more in Cincinnati! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Fantastic little coffee shop. We ordered the chocolate croissants, blackberry tart and chocolate chip cookie. All fresh and delicious! I had the brown bear latte and it was fantastic. Highly recommend getting there early as others have stated. They sold out of many things as we finished our goodies inside. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This little bakery is absolutely gorgeous! We had a chocolate croissant, an apple cider iced coffee, and a mocha latte. The apple cider iced coffee was unique, unlike anything I've ever had. We almost had to choose a pastry because everything looked incredible. read more

Cute place in the heart of downtown Cincinnati! There was a line out the door so if you go on a weekend be sure to arrive early! I had the most delicious chocolate croissant and orange cinnamon roll. I also got the brown butter latte which was AMAZING! Highly recommend! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Great coffee, great pastries. reasonably priced :) visiting from Milwaukee but would definitely come back next time I'm in Cincinnati. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Savory summer croissant and everything bagel croissant. - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I like to try the croissant at every bakery that I go to, but I also make sure to ask which pastries they do best. From what I read online, I was not surprised with the front staff recommended the salty CCC (chocolate chip cookie) and the cinnamon roll with orange zest. All three were good, although none were mind blowing compared to what I've had in big cities - but they were much better than I expected for Cincinnati. I'd recommend this place highly to all locals, and to visitors I'd say that if you want a croissant while in Cincinnati, it's worth checking this bakery out. Not much to say about the ambiance - the bakery looks new, cute, and clean. The front staff were extremely friendly, very helpful, and thought of how they could go the extra mile to help me. I rarely mention staff when I write reviews, but these two were easily in the top 5% of restaurant employees that I have interacted with this year. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Salty CCC, Croissant, and cinnamon roll with maple zest - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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If you like pastries, you HAVE to try this bakery out. Came here on a Saturday around 10am and waited about 10 minutes to place our order. It's quite a small space with a few tables, seems that most people get their food to go, but we were fortunately able to grab a table. We got one of each of their savory pastries and holy moly were they delicious. They were all super yummy in their own way and very unique. My favorite was the everything bagel and cream cheese croissant but honestly they were all incredible! We also all got lattes that were quite delicious. We will certainly be back! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Focaccia, everything bagel croissant, cheesy mushroom croissant, summer tomato croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We stopped by Brown Bear Bakery about a half hour before they closed because we were in the area. This spot had been recommended to us and the Yelp reviews and photos made it a must stop. Since it was the end of the day, they were completely sold out of pastries but we were able to try some of their drinks. I ended up getting the Vanilla Bean Latte and my husband ordered their Iced Masala Chai Latte. Both were delicious. The staff were so friendly and told us about some of the baked goods that were going to be available throughout the week and some of their favorite items. The bakery itself is also very cute and there are a few spots to sit if you'd like to dine in. The amazing scent of their baked goods also wafts through the air and you can smell it even before you enter the shop. I'm excited to try more from them in the future. read more

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Brown Bear Bakery was so good! This store came highly recommended and happened to be walking distance from where we were staying. The line was out the door but worth the wait for sure. The store had plenty of seating but most of the line was for to go orders. It was a very modern bakery/cafe style store overall. I was able to try the brown butter latte and it was rich and not overly sweet thankfully. I also tried a banana bread twice baked croissant and it ended up being stuffed with plenty of filling. It was a great way to start the day and I wish there was one closer that I could frequent. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Banana bread twice baked - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Possibly some of the most delicious sweets I've had recently. The cinnamon roll is slightly Orange flavored and so rich and gooey. Chocolate croissant was flaky and decadent. The savory treats looked great though I didn't try them. Overall, a must try! read more

The service was great! Picked up several of the best pastries for a meeting and they were a hit. Everyone asked where the pastries were from because they tasted and looked delicious. Also the signature Brown Bear latte was delicious. read more

Got here early Sunday morning & the line was worth it! Picked up an assortment of pastries for a breakfast picnic with my sister & kids - plenty of sweet & savory options! Coffee for the all adults & we were set. They made sure to throw in plates, napkins & silverware - thoughtful & very well packaged! read more

Stopped here during my Cincy trip. Such a cute spot! Service was friendly. My kid loved the cinnamon roll and my coffee was just what I needed to start my day. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

it's good but the items sell out quickly. Parking is a pain! It's a limited menu and it's rather expensive-- my friends rave about it, but I think it's a B grade read more

Super friend staff and fast service! Yummy baked goods both including and outside the box of classics. Very cute space- only critique is that it is quite small and maximized, so a bit difficult to maneuver around. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - orange cinnamon roll - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I love the creative breakfast pastry options here! The lavender snickerdoodle had a great amount of lavender without overpowering the cookie. The chocolate chip had a crunch outside but super soft inside. The chocolate is a tad bitter but it worked with the salty sweet. They have great flavors to add to lattes such as rose and lavender and they also have milk alternatives! The coffee was good but nothing crazy. read more

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One of the best bakeries in Cincinnati. They have a great selection of pastries and coffees.

FINALLY made it into Brown Bear Bakery and it definitely lived up to the hype. Had THE most delicious iced matcha latte with honey and almond milk. I got a slice of matcha loaf with almond icing. It was *chef's kiss*. It was like a matcha pound cake-- super dense, but in the best way. You could taste the butter and matcha in every bit. The staff could not have been nicer. They made the experience even sweeter. The bakery is clean and bright. There are a handful of tables, but overall it isn't a huge space. Decent amount of street parking and lots in the area. Oh, and they have a bathroom. Can't wait to go back to try more of their pastries and a ginger turmeric latte! :) read more

Just not my kind of place. Food was just OK and I'm not a big tea fan. Many better options out there

This is my sister's favorite bakery, and honestly probably mine too! We always get the cheesy mushroom croissant and summer tomato croissant when they're available (because they're seasonal). They're an absolute explosion of flavor and umami! I love a good savory pastry. The service is always very nice and the employees are willing to help you. There's a small seating area but my sister usually takes our pastries to-go. We'll continue to come here for a special treat! read more

This place hits the spot every time I get a craving for an amazing baked good. The problem: how to choose just one. The solution: don't. Get one of everything you want and plan to share (you won't because they will be gone before you even get home). No regrets. I've been in here a dozen times and everyone is always so nice and cheerful. The one guy(embarrassed that I never asked his name) absolutely makes my day every time. The space is tight and there are only a few tables inside and a few outside. Expect a long line that moves pretty steadily on the weekends. read more

This bakery is definitely an elevated version of a typical bakery. You walk in and are greeted with plants, natural light, a view into the baking process, and, of course, a greeting from a worker. There's little seating, but they make good use of the small space, lining up stools by the shop window. I got the nibby brownie and thoroughly enjoyed indulging in it. It's a chunk of a brownie, dense, and completely chocolate. There's some salt sprinkled on top, which I wasn't expecting, but like a sea salt chocolate, it's a sea salt brownie :). Prices are a little higher than I'd normally expect, but you can see that the baking is an art here. There's coffee and a variety of pastries, sweet and savory, but one would have to visit multiple days to see the whole range. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bobby brownie - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Great spot for a 20 minute vacation Latte dreams unfold Morning magic in each sip Artwork to behold. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Stop in early on a weekend or preorder to get your fix! Came in late morning once and they were sold out of everything but a slice of focaccia. My favorite is the everything bagel croissant, but always fun to try something new here. Pastry dough is flaky AF, and the combinations are original and delicious. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Mushroom - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I've been obsessed with Croissants lately, so brown Bear Bakery was a top stop on my list. Pro tip- Check out their Instagram before to see what special items they have out for the day/week. I consider myself a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur...and this one was so good. The light sprinkle of salt really balanced out the sweet flavors. The peanut butter chocolate croissant was so good too, but I think it was a specialty item so I hope it comes back! There were lots of other items to choose from as well, including savory if you and want the best of both worlds. This place was quant, clean, and just overall aesthetically pleasing. You can tell they take pride in their homemade items and I will most definitely be back. Happy Indulging! ‍ read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Chocolate Chip Cookie Peanut Butter Chocolate Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I don't know if my few words will allow the my true experience to come through. I travel a lot for work and I may have stumbled across the best bakery I've ever experienced stateside (a street cafe in Dubrovnik is the best). The space is intimate and you sit in the air of fresh baked everything. The staff is patience for those that can't decide on anything. Then the food, anything I share will be an understatement. The muffins, the orange zest cinnamon roll, and the coffee are tops. I will be back again and again. read more

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Line was out the door and around the corner. Once you taste these delights, you will see why. We were in Cincinnati for four days and we went to this bakery three of them. Cinnamon rolls are to die for. read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Brown Bear is one of my favorite local bakeries in Cincinnati! As someone with a sweet tooth, I love coming here for a pastry. They offer a variety of savory options as well, so there is something for everyone. My favorite savory pastry they have is the everything bagel croissant. The last time I came in, I opted for one of the cinnamon rolls, salted chocolate chip cookies, and strawberry shortbread cookies. With pastries that involve fruit, I can sometimes be picky about it. But the strawberry shortbread cookie was phenomenal, and I wished I had ordered more! Everything is always fresh too, and there is nothing better than getting a pastry when it's still warm. I would recommend coming in earlier before things are sold out! Brown Bear is located right in the heart of OTR. The inside is really cute, with vibrant plants and a few tables right by the giant windows. The pastries are displayed in a way that is very easy to look at, as you move down the line in a horizontal fashion--the hardest part is choosing what to get since everything looks so good. I always have a pleasant experience chatting with all of the employees there. They are friendly, and are able to describe each of the pastries really well, so you know exactly what you're getting. They recently added an espresso bar, so they now serve coffee drinks as well. Overall, I love Brown Bear! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Unreal. Best pastries in Cincy. Best service in Cincinnati no doubt they are so humble and kind read more

Phenomenal fantastic all the adjectives. Walked down too late in the morning Friday to get there with only a croissant left. No worries we grabbed it and promised to come back the next day. Next morning the line was long so we knew we had a chance! Luckily scored the following- everything bagel/croissant, mushroom and cheese pastry, cinnamon roll, fig and feta pastry, and a pomegranate shortbread. Holy shit they were ALL amazing. The pastries all had the flakiest crust. The pomegranate shortbread was such a harmony between caramel and pomegranate. Great staff, cute location. Run don't walk and get there early. read more

This isn't the most convenient location since I don't live near downtown but I have heard from several people I'm close to that this is a "must visit" bakery. One day I had an appointment around the corner and I parked right outside their bakery. It is located across the street from Old St. Mary's Catholic Church. Needless to say, this bakery did not disappoint. I go regularly to Boosalis (Kenwood) which is the only other bakery that can compete with this place for croissants. Their chocolate croissants by 10 were completely gone! I suggested to their employees that they should offer Uber Eats or Door Dash delivery but they said that was not possible currently because they're small batch and handmade. Like other reviewers, I was subject to finding out some items were already sold out. If I'm ever in the area, there is no way I'm skipping this place. My kids devoured everything and it earned rave reviews. We tried their croissants, cookies, and cinnamon buns and they're all 5 stars!I Next time I'll get there earlier for chocolate croissants, they use Valhrona chocolate which makes it even more special. read more

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Cute little place. Good coffee and good baked goods. The people are pretty chill too.

Went to Brown Bear Bakery for the first time this weekend. I had high expectations upon going to Brown Bear because I have heard amazing things. Let me be the first to tell you that Brown Bear Bakery has one of the best desserts / pastries in downtown Cincinnati! I came here around 2pm on Saturday and most of the desserts and pastries were already gone. I decided to get a chocolate croissant and a lavender cookie. The owner was so sweet and gave us an extra chocolate croissant. Both were delicious so we decided to come back the following day to try out their other menu options! The trick is to order right when they open at 9am to get the pastries and desserts you want! We got everything cream cheese croissants (delicious!), a cinnamon bun, a piece of crumb cake and the fall croissant. They all were great!! My favorites were the cream cheese croissant and the cinnamon bun. The cinnamon bun is definitely a MUST, it has a hint of orange and the icing on top is to die for! But all in all Brown Yes Bear Bakery is definitely one of my favorite spots in downtown Cincinnati! Definitely try out their cinnamon buns and crumb cake if anything at all! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Everything Cream Cheese Croissant (2 in back), Cinnamon Bun, Crumb Cake Slice & Fall Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

My favorite bakery of all time! Everything is incredible. The everything bagel croissant is a must try!

The caprese focaccia and the strawberry doodle with lemon zest were both absolutely delicious!

Brown Bear was a cool spot in OTR for years -- however with its popularity, it has become a victim of its own success... your odds of getting any good items here are next to nil if you don't arrive in the first hour of the day. They don't make enough product to keep up with demand. Maybe it's intentional for the hype, but either way, unfortunately, the business owners seem to be more interested in seeing how much they can get away with charging for a pastry ($7 for a croissant, $8 for a coffee cake now, etc) than fixing the ongoing issues... what a bummer. So sadly, I can no longer recommend this bakery since actually getting their baked goods has become such an unreliable option compared to the other bakeries nearby. They used to have online ordering which was a good solution so everyone could get some of the good items. But now the online store is always broken, turned off, or missing half of the items. They also stash items for their friends letting them "cut the line" which only makes it harder for the rest of us. I recommend checking out the other great nearby bakeries instead that are much easier to buy from: - Allez Bakery - Blue Oven Bakery - Cherbourg Cyprus - gluten-free - Coffee Emporium - Collective Espresso - has pastries from North South Baking Co - Mon Petit Choux - Urbana Cafe - multiple locations read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Unfortunately Brown Bear is always out of stock of everything these days... better luck saving yourself the drive and trying somewhere else - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Stayed the weekend in Cincy & this spot was across the street from our airbnb. The vibe was calm and relaxed with kind service. They have plenty of sitting space indoor & outdoor. We got the brown bear latte iced the first day & an iced lavender latte day 2! We got the almond croissant and cinnamon rolls & we were NOT disappointed. The pricing here was reasonable, with our drinks each being less than $6. Highly recommend! read more

Brown Bear Bakery - Almond croissant & lavender latte - Bakeries Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Cute little bakery in OTR. Loved the mushroom pastry and the salted chocolate chip cookie. The chocolate croissant could have more chocolate. Each pastry was about $5, I wished they put the prices of the pastries on the menu for more transparency. The employees were very friendly and kept the bakery well stocked and clean. read more