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Sad that they ran out of pastries by 2pm so the only choice was cheese focaccia. I wished it was warmer but still pretty good quality. Great service and although there were no visible outlets, they do have several tables making it perfect to get some remote work done.
Heard the buzz. Arrived shortly after opening hours and there was already a line, which moved at a moderate pace. Interior was clean. The staff was very friendly. Seating available but limited in numbers. While I will rate the bakery items, 5/5 for the deliciousness and appearance, would rate the Brown Bear Latte and Blueberry Cherry Iced Matcha drinks 3 to 4 out of 5 as they were just lacking flavor to suit my tastes. The bakery items was worth the ~20 minute wait.
I got the blackberry lime shortbread cookie and a cornbread scone with poblanos, feta, and honey. Both were delicious, fresh, and flavorful. I heard another customer saying the cinnamon roll was the best she had ever had, so I'll have to try that next time I'm in the area! I had finished a matcha right before coming in, but their assortment of coffees, teas, and house made syrups also sounded great, so I would love to try next time!
I wanted a really good pastry and this is the place in Cincinnati. We came about a half hour after opening and there was a line but they move quickly. You probably will not find a spot to sit inside because it is very small inside. But everything else is amazing. There's a perfect amount of sweet and savory options and everything we got was amazing. I can't remember the names but I had a blackberry pistachio something and it was amazing! I can't wait to come back
What a gem! I stopped into this cute coffee shop as it has rave reviews and it certainly lived up to the hype! I tried the Brown Bear latte with almond milk which was sooo delicious along with the everything bagel croissant with chive cream cheese. My God on today it was absolutely amazing! It was flaky on the outside and soft on the inside just how I like it. The staff was super sweet and gave great recommendations. Literally can't wait to get back and try more of the pastries! The place overall is fairly small but there's a few tables to dine in. There is metered street parking downtown and they get really busy on the weekends and sell out very quickly so I would recommend trying them during the week when it's more calm.
Stopped by on a saturday around noon. Plenty of pastries still available. Friendly service. Very small seating area. Lots of paid parking nearby. The cinnamon roll is good, can definitely taste the bit of orange citrus. it's topped with cream cheese which is t my favorite, so i would not order it again. It was also a bit like cake. The chocolate pomegranate caramel shortbread was good, tart. A bit messy. The salted chocolate chip cookie was really good, crispy and chewy, probably taste amazing warmed. The clear winner. The brown bear latte with oat milk was warm, cozy, and delicious. Would order again but there was some graininess at the bottom.
Can't rate this place highly enough. The pastries are delicious, unique, and well executed. Also reasonably priced for the level of craft...pastries are usually 4-7$ each. If you are visiting Cincy, it is a MUST to stop by. Prepare to wait in line, but it goes quickly. In my opinion, it's the best bakery in Ohio
I have been meaning to try this place and am so glad that I finally did!! Everything was incredibly tasty. I ordered a matcha with vinilla and then an 'Everything Bagel' croissant. They have some indoor seating and a couple tables outside. This is the perfect spot to catch up with a friend or get a delicious pastry! The staff were kind and the ambiance was great! The barista told me that they often sell out of pastries and to come in the morning.
This little bakery is excellent! We were so thrilled with our experience here - I highly recommend stopping here when walking OTR. We had a chocolate croissant, an apple cider cold brew, an a mocha latte. The apple cider cold brew was interesting, unlike anything I'd had before. I'm not sure I would order it again, but I enjoyed trying it. The latte was made perfectly and the croissant was to die for. It was nearly impossible for us to decide on pastries - everything looked incredible. And top notch service! It doesn't get any better. Be prepared to wait in a line, but it moves quick!
This place is fantastic. The staff is friendly and warm, they know the products and can answer any questions you have. It's a tight space so it's best to be mindful of the space and courteous of others. Otherwise, it's a cute little place on a cute street making DELICIOUS pastries. The cinnamon roll had a tangy cream cheese icing with orange zest. It may be the most balanced pastry I've eaten this year. The handpie got devoured by my kids before I could get a bite but I could just hear the flakiness of the crust. The butterscotch latte was as good as it sounds and they have decaf espresso! Just go. You know you can trust me about a pastry
I went to the bakery around 9:30 am on a Saturday and still had all the pastries to choose from. I enjoyed everything I had but my personal favorites were the savory croissants. I beat the rush and the workers were very nice, describing all the options for my matcha latte and asking if I wanted any pastries warmed up. There are only 4-5 small tables and a counter in store and it was busy with the line of people. I've tried to come before during the afternoon and they were sold out. So get there early!
Always a fantastic experience. Been here before and will be back! Always gotta show up very early. There is always a line because it is the best!!!
Currently am visiting with my boyfriend from the Bay Area! Saw that one of the reviews was also from the Bay and that they claimed this place to be amazing, so we had to try. They were RIGHT. We had an assortment of savory goods and the salted chocolate chip cookies. We also got the brown bear lattes, iced and hot and both were delicious! The croissants were nice and flaky on the outside, but nice and fluffy on the inside. Everything was super yummy, literally happiness in every bite. As other reviews have said, there's ample street parking. Also definitely get here closer to opening if you want to snag some sweet treats. We arrived around 11:30am and the only sweet treats were the cookies and a plain croissant. The vibe of the store is very chill and calming. Service was great too, everybody greets you kindly and are happy to help. Definitely will have to come back when we visit Ohio again!
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
1 year ago
My one frustration with Brown Bear Bakery is that they always run out of croissants when I arrive. I really wish they could just make more but they are apparently that good. The particular day that I went I decided to get the cinnamon roll. I thought it was delicious although a bit pricey. The location is small but the do have in door seating. I also found the staff helpful in answering questions about the best items on the menu. I will be going back and hopefully to get the elusive croissant next time. read more
2 years ago
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
3 years ago
BBB was so amazing, we came back the next day. Go early (before 10am) and you'll have a better selection. Their savory croissants are the best thing I've ever had. Stir fry and winter sweet potato were packed with flavor and so flakey. It's a small bakery with limited seating but super cozy with amazing and friendly staff. read more
Yaaasssssss. Back in my social media days, I drooled every time I came across by Brown Bear Bakery across my feed. Everything, and I mean everything, looked divine. Fast forward a few years, and I finally got to try this hot spot out. We got there around 10ish on a Saturday and many things were already sold out. Luckily, no major line out the door like when we left. We got some advice from someone in line that was a regular and the employees were also very helpful. We got chocolate chip cookies, a paw paw lime cream pastry, an everything bagel cream cheese croissant, and a mushroom and cheese pastry of some sort. We also got the turmeric lattes (no caffeine as a heads up) and it was all amazing. All of it lived up to the social media expectations. A touch on the pricy side, but the drinks were the things that made it pricy. Highly recommend. read more
Despite the restaurant struggles brought on by the pandemic, Brown Bear Bakery is better than ever. They have a seamless online ordering system updated everyday that I used to let me order my goods and stay socially distanced. The Salty CCC is always a must. A perfect sweet and salty combo makes this cookie wonderfully decadent. The Cardi B is also a popular choice. It's a light laminated brioche, dusted in a nice powdered sugar. The cardamom touch makes it refreshing. Cheddar Chive Scone was great reheated (at the suggestion of the bakery), and i smothered it in butter. The Nibby Brownie is a good fudgy brownie without being too dense. The Iced Spiced Molasses Cookie was my favorite this time though. It brought warm seasonal vibes, and the icing was magical. read more
4 years ago
When I went in they only had 3 cinnamon rolls left! My bad for not coming in sooner! Out of town noob, here... The fact that they had sold out of almost everything did comfort me a bit thought, in that I knew it was going to be good. Did I miss out on some yuuummmyyy food, probably. But the experience was still good, nonetheless. The atmosphere was too cute. Super small bakery, but still enough room to sit down and enjoy a baked good (or 2, or 3 or 4, no judgment here ) The staff was extremely friendly and very informative. They took care of me and I will definitely be coming back whenever I'm in Cincy! (Reviews, reels, and photos @takemethere.Indy) read more
I love croissants. I love sweets. What you'll find here are delicious pieces of art. Because they're in such high demand, I suggest you make use of their online ordering system. Saturdays at 9 a.m., their sales go live and you can see what's in stock, order, choose a pick-up time and pay. I've tried the plain croissant, chocolate croissant, cheese and mushroom croissant ans savory everything bagel croissant. All are excellent. A plain croissant, warmed with some butter...wow! My favorite and not to be missed are the salty chocolate chip cookies. They aren't chocolate chip, but chocolate explosion! More chocolate than I've ever seen in a cookie, plus they're soft, chewy and full of taste. We've also tried the cinnamon rolls (with a nice kick of orange zest) and chocolate brownies. While good, the brownies are more cake-like than fudgey (the latter my personal preference.) I'll just get more chocolate chip cookies instead! read more
As a Cincinnati local and Desserts person, I feel bad leaving this review. I love BBB- local small business, experimental desserts, nice people; what's not to like? This place is my go-to for splurge desserts. If you stalk them on Insta (like I do), you know they have great things consistently. I wouldn't go to say EVERYTHING is good, because everyone has their own preference with flavors. But, you are likely to find something you like. That's why this hits more! I love that BBB now has the convenience of online ordering. I can imagine it must be hard to manage that, given how people wait for 9 sharp to place in their orders. I totally understand that. I had my eyes set for their Raspberry curd almond croissant for weeks and this past week was going to be IT. I tried on Saturday and it went out of stock in 2 minutes (as I was just paying). Sunday, I thought I was lucky. I ordered that and the Lemon pistachio coriander bun. The order was placed and I arrived at the store at 12.30 pm to collect. That's when I was told that the croissant was not available as it went out of stock. I do understand that it can happen. I really do. But, if I was probably informed earlier, I'd have considered canceling the order. As I was at a friend's, I drove 40 minutes amidst a snow drizzle, just for this. That was my experience last week. I hope they get better at this. read more
3 years ago
A great local bakery serving up sweet & savory baked items. Come early to get your pick especially on a weekend. We stopped by around lunch time Sunday and many items were sold out. However, they still had a decent amount of other items (prolly due to the marathon that morning). The spinach guyere cheese paw wasn't my favorite (spinach was a bit stringy and didn't taste much cheese in there), but the peanut butter brownie was divine! For both items the total came to $11.50 (seems average for most specialty bakeries). The cashier was friendly and was excited to hear it was my first visit! Plenty of indoor seating and a restroom too. Parking is challenging in the area. I just quickly put my blinkers on across the street and ran in to grab items to go! I'll have to get there early to try other items. read more
3 years ago
Blueberry hand pie amazing! My mom would drive up from SC just for these! Black Bear has been my wife and I's go to destination on my weekends off. Very nice staff. Do not be afraid if there is a line. They keep it moving and are well worth the wait! read more
5 years ago
I will keep this short since it clearly already has great reviews. Believe the hype....this bakery is like no other in the city. My favorite was the lemon cream cheese danish (had some sort of spice on top) and the cinnamon roll (had a hint of orange). The reason for 4 stars is because I didn't like the cardi b, nothing to it really, not worth $5. The cardi b reminded me of a churro with minimal flavor. I really liked the everything bagel croissant with cream cheese but wished I would have made eggs and bacon to go with it. I think what stands out with this place is that all of the flavors are perfectly balanced. I'm happy I finally tried this place out. I'd recommend ordering online right at 9 when ordering for the day begins. Walk in hours are limited on the weekends, be sure to check the website. I'm already planning a trip back to BBB. read more
3 years ago
Omg the best bakery I've ever been to. It's so clean and beautiful inside and every single thing I ate was absolutely delicious I'm from florida but I would literally go back to Cincinnati just for the pastries here!! You will love everything you eat I promise! read more
1 year ago
Delicious treats and easy and efficient ordering process. I ordered several baked goods for a small party on a Saturday. The entire tray was gobbled up - even the crumbs. It's a little pricey, so not for everyday, but worth it on a special day. read more
5 years ago
My SO and I planned a road trip to Cincy, and I knew that if there was one thing we had to try, it was Brown Bear Bakery. We were going for the cinnamon roll, but I was also stoked because I saw they had released a lemon pistachio bun on Insta. In order to guarantee that we got the items we wanted, I placed an order online in the morning at 9 a.m. for pickup at 10. Their online ordering process is seamless and done through their square site. I walked up at the designated pickup time and was able to pick up my order without issue. The staff at the bakery were also kind and directed me since it was my first time there. I ordered the lemon bar, lemon pistachio bun, cinnamon roll, matchadoodle (matcha snickerdoodle), and the fall savory croissant. Everything was awesome--the citrus in the cinnamon roll, the crispy texture of the croissant, the thick but soft matchadoodle. You could tell that all of the pastries were made with a lot of thought and care. If we're ever back in the area, we'll definitely pay another visit. read more
This bakery is presently selling mostly through online preorders and is doing outdoor pickups only. I ordered fast, because it seems like they sell out, as quality bakeries often do. My impressive haul included a triple chocolate brioche that was an utter mess but totally worth it, and intriguing miso buttercream cookie, and a delectable brownie topped with cacao nibs. My foccacia was probably the best of the lot, a perfectly toasty and robustly filled square with artichokes and garlic and spinach. The relative low point was a cheddar chive scone which was just a bit too much chive for me. Overall, though, fantastic quality stuff. I hope they'll be open to visit normally, but until then a to-go box will do nicely. read more
I still find BBB to be one of the best bakeries in the area. All of their pastries are designed well and look fantastic. However, not all of their pastries are great. Hands down their ginger turmeric scone, lemon bars, orange zest cinnamon roll and honey almond cake are my favorite. Each of these pastries has a unique flavor profile and a dulled sweetness, which I love. Everything has a natural well blended flavor and doesn't taste artificial. So here's why I have reduced my updated review to 4 stars. Their pound cakes are so DENSE. I've tried their matcha, chai and carrot cake. Though the flavors were unique, the cake texture is so hard and almost fudge like. In addition, their brownie is also the same way. Don't get me wrong, I love chewy brownies and pound cake, but the texture on these items just seems off and don't align with my expectations. I've tried the matcha slice multiple times and it seems like it just only gets more and more dense each time I try it. I would NOT recommend trying their pound cake. However, their non-refrigerated cakes are not nearly as dense and are pleasant (TRY their coffee and cornmeal cake). Thankfully, people have caught on and they now have a following. Several times I've gone there and there's been lines out the door especially on holidays. My one concern is the bakery has decided not to produce more items to keep up with the demand and instead they now just choose to close once they sell out. I can understand this tactic if you are a new bakery, but they are established and have a following who wants to try their baked goods. By just randomly closing without noticing customers seems like a poor business model. This is just my two cents. If you don't live downtown try calling them to make sure they still have baked goodS to avoid a wasted trip. Just a few more notes: Parking is limited. They do not offer a wide selection of drinks and seating is minimal. The cool thing is they do allow well-behaved dogs to come inside! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
I would literally drive the 4 hours back to Cincinnati just to come back to this bakery. The "everything bagel" croissant was the best thing I've ever eaten in my entire life. There was a line but it goes by really fast and it's soooo worth it! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Saw this place highly rated online so tried it out while in town with my bf. I got the vanilla bean latte with oatmilk & it was pretty good! I'd give it a 7/10. He got the brown bear latte also with oatmilk and we both disliked it. Felt very plain & bitter which isn't our vibe. Wanted the egg sandwich but they sold out There weren't as many options as I'd expect for a bakery? There were like 8 pastries, most being cookies. I did try the miso cookie which was good and my bf got a croissant which was also good, would've been nice to have them warmed up perhaps. Overall I'd say 6/10 for the options/taste. Staff was friendly. Don't think I'd tell someone they need to go try this place though. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Amazing bakery and customer service! We are from out of town and we were recommended this place and it didn't disappoint! Sooo good! read more
8 years ago
I just realized I haven't said anything about Brown Bear Bakery yet. SHAME ON ME. Friends, if you're familiar with the Indianapolis food scene, Brown Bear Bakery's pastries are Milktooth-good. If you're not familiar with the Indianapolis food scene, I just offered the best compliment I could give. You HAVE to stop by and get yourself both a sweet and savory pastry. Good luck trying to decide because they're ALL worth your while. read more
3 years ago
This OTR bakery is on the small side for seating but with delicious pastries like these I will be going back. The cinnamon roll was good but the peach cookie was great. I even ended up buying a few of their very generously sized chocolate croissants as a gift. The staff were very friendly and inviting. I was impressed by their professionalism and passion for their work. read more
5 years ago
Creative, delicious, and an efficient ordering system. My only complaint is that they sell out of their stuff so quickly! But that's just a testament to how wonderful their items are. I have loved everything I've had from Brown Bear, and I've tried to have just about everything on the menu. The staff is so warm and friendly despite the interactions being quick. This has become my favorite weekend ritual during the pandemic and I can't wait to continue it long after! read more
4 years ago
The summer tomato pastry & everything bagel croissant are amazing! 10/10 The staff is very friendly and accommodating as well! 10/10 read more
5 years ago
*looks into camera* the hype was not real. The coffee cake was kinda dry and the rosemary shortbread cookie had a weird flavor. It's hard to mess up chocolate chip cookies and a brownie but they weren't the best I've ever had by any means and I didn't even end up finishing them. I'm willing to give it one more shot bc I love baked goods (maybe I ordered the wrong things?) So if you have any recommendations please let me know! read more
6 years ago
Brown Bear Bakery was my favorite before COVID hit. However, this place has been a significant bright spot since last March. I don't get to do much these days, and ordering from BBB has been easy and safe. Also, the whole team is friendly and engaging during pick up! The baked goods are always delicious and thoughtfully made. I get excited to try the new options and have my favorite standbys as well. For anyone new, you have to start a a Cinnamon Roll and Chocolate chip cookie! My current fav is the Everything Bagel Croissant and a shortbread cookie! My advice, get more than than you think you need and drop off one on a friend's doorstep. You both will feel happier for it! read more
Wonderful local bakery with the friendliest staff. Welcoming and always offering interesting seasonal specials that will tempt you back for more weekend after weekend! I am generally a purist and their plain croissant hits the spot time & time again. Take my recommendation and plan to go home with multiples to warm up for breakfast/lunch sandwiches the next couple of days and/or a nice afternoon treat. Do NOT miss the raspberry croissant in February! Many other rotating offerings that I treat friends and family with, from the apple hand pie to the palmier (elephant ear). You will want to start building a stop by into at least your weekend morning activities. Accolades are well-deserved. Absolutely Cincy's best croissant and has to be one of the best in the country. read more
More info about Brown Bear Bakery
116 E 13th St
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Over-the-Rhine
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(513) 975-2142
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https://www.brownbearbakes.com
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Ask the Community - Brown Bear Bakery
Any low sugar or sugar free baked goods, maybe pies, cake or cookies?
Hello Carrie- thanks for your question- unfortunately we do not offer any sweet pastries or offerings on our menu that are considered low or sugar-free, though we do offer a variety of savory offerings each day. We're extremely mindful of the…
Any dairy-free/vegan friendly options?
Hello Bernadette, Thanks for your question- the answer is yes! We typically offer one vegan option…
Is Brown Bear dog friendly?
Thanks for the question- yes, we're happy to welcome all well-behaved dogs into our bakery. There is also plenty of railing-space around the facade as well if you'd prefer to tie-up and pop in!
Do they have any vegan pastries?
Hey, Abby— I just phoned BBB with your question.…
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