First of all, has the world seen Stella the cat? (see adorable logo!) I wandered in here by chance and was hoping to find maybe one vegan sweet treat? Let me tell you, I was NOT READY! Not only were there sweet treats & coffee, there was an overabundance of vegan options here!! So much in fact, it was nearly problematic because I couldn't decide what to order! When a coffee shop or bakery has something other than a vegan bran muffin thing or maybe one vegan cookie, it's a rare happening (for me!). Not only were there vegan croissants and (v) pain au chocolat, there were OTHER (v) croissants too!! PISTACHIO!? Pistachio CHOCOLATE?? There was a savory one with mole and polano peppers too! I couldn't decide so I ended up picking up 3 different vegan pastries. Blackberry & coconut something, pistachio croissant and the Mole Poblano goodness. 10/10! I added a horchata latte to accompany my delectable treats! I noticed there was also an entire loaf of vegan milk bread too! I'll have to find my way back to this part of the bay to try the other flavors. I want to also add that the workers here were super sweet and didn't seem to annoyed by my enthusiasm for their copious vegan options. They were really kind and seemed amused actually. Vegan or not, I highly recommend coming to this bakery. Everything in here was phenomenal! read more

As someone who loves baked goods, I had heard good things about this spot that does some Mexican and French fusion baked goods so was very excited to try. Also a flan croissant?! I was sold just by that!! A small line on a Saturday morning around 9:45 am but not too bad. Got mushroom one, flan croissant and the snap pea pickled onion one. So unique and all were great. The flan was definitely the highlight. Perfect sweetness and flakiness. Highly recommend this spot! read more

Forma Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

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My friends and I placed a pre-order at Forma Bakery on a Thursday evening for pick-up on Saturday morning. When we showed up to pick-up our pre-order, it wasn't clear if we had to wait in the long queue overflowing the bakery or if there was a separate line we could go in to pick up our order. We had one person wait in line while another awkwardly tried to grab the attention of the barista behind the counter. After about 10 minutes of waiting awkwardly around the register, we were finally able to flag the attention of the barista who was thankfully able to help us out with our pre-order. We pre-ordered because we had read they run out of pastries here if you get here too late, but that didn't seem to be the case: around 12:00 p.m., every pastry they offered was still available. I got their seasonal veggie croissant -- roasted spring onion and potato with queso fresco ($5.35). The croissant had a flakey outer layer, but the inside layers were a bit compressed and actually tasted a little dense and stale. The flavors were not as strong as I was expecting and I wish there was just a bit more salt added to the fillings. My wife ordered a seasonal danish -- lime and chili tossed blackberry and mango over toasted coconut cream ($5.50), and the texture of this pastry was very similar to mine. I appreciate that the coconut cream was not too sweet, and the blackberries were plump and ripe. Overall, I thought the pastries from Forma Bakery were above average, but I probably would stop by earlier in the day to get fresher pastries. read more

Forma Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

I've been coming to Forma Bakery all month for one specific thing: their Meyer lemon laminated pastry with mascarpone. It's honestly been my current obsession. The Meyer lemon adds a bright citrus note that pairs really beautifully with the richness of the mascarpone. Earlier in the month it also had blueberries, which I loved, but the current version no longer includes them and is now more in the style of a morning bun/kouign-amann. At first I was surprised by the change, but it's still really delicious. The laminated layers are buttery and caramelized, and the lemon flavor still shines through in a really nice way with the mascarpone. I stopped in around 10:30am and service was pretty straightforward--very in-and-out. The staff was fine, nothing particularly warm or memorable, but everything moved efficiently. If you like citrus-forward pastries or laminated dough, this one is definitely worth trying. read more

Forma Bakery - Meyer lemon marscapone goodness - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

I enjoyed everything we tried from the croissant to the cookie. The line was quite long on a saturday morning but the location is good because you can go to get a bagel and perhaps a chicken sandwich also on the same block. I liked the special seasonal flavors they have. read more

My partner and I have been on the hunt for a solid bakery, and I think Forma is the new bay area title holder. The staff is friendly and helpful, offering plenty of guidance through an overwhelming assortment of choices. We weren't sure what we were even in the mood for, but loved all four of the picks we ended up with. It's a very busy spot with little seating inside, but there are a few seats on the patio area if you're ok with people filtering through as they come in to pick up their items and leave. The store itself is very cute, and we loved the floor tiles and decorations - such a great vibe. While we didn't get to eat the pastries FRESH fresh, we took them home to share with family and everyone loved them. The flavors were interesting, not too sweet, and balanced. I'd really like to try these earlier in the day when they're fresher as that was my only complaint...but that's hardly the fault of the bakery. Next time we're in the bay, we're definitely stopping by to try at least 4-6 more :D read more

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Incredible laminated pastries!! Long lines but they do move. A must try if you're in the area. The kouign amann with the pluot jam was our absolute favorite (8.5/10) because the layers were super crispy and the jam was on point. It was gone too quickly. The flan croissant was missing a bit of the flakiness but still a unique and delicious pastry! (7.5/10) The drip coffee was also solid. Seating was hard so eat outside if you dont want to wait! read more

Forma Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

Stopped by Forma Bakery on a Wednesday morning to catch up with my sister, and it was exactly what we were looking for--casual, cozy, and delicious. Parking was easy with metered street and neighborhood spots nearby. The area feels very walkable and safe. Inside is small and intimate, with a beautiful pastry case that immediately grabs your attention (eyes definitely eat first). There's a small bench indoors and a couple of outdoor tables--great if you have a fur baby or want to people-watch. Forma has been gaining buzz for its laminated pastries, especially the flan croissant, which lives up to the hype. We ordered the flan croissant with strawberry, and it was one of my favorite pastries to date--perfectly flaky and lightly custardy. It would probably be even better warmed up. We also ordered a ham croissant which was just as delicious! Service was friendly and fast, making this a great grab-and-go spot or an easy stop to pick up a beautiful loaf of bread for gifting. read more

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I love this bakery!! It can get really crowded in the mornings, and so you know for the most part that is a good sign! They have a lot of pastry options to choose from. I tried a poblano pepper, corn, and cheese croissant. It was so good! The muted spice from the pepper added with a sweetness from the croissant was able to satisfy my morning/lunch time cravings. It is a smaller bakery, so there's only a few tables to sit and enjoy your coffee & pastry if you want to stay and sit. But it's great, you get to people watch, see the dogs, and enjoy your time. read more

Forma Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

I've been wanting to try Forma Bakery for the longest time now, so I'm so glad I finally did! I went at around 10am on a Thursday morning and there were a good amount of people sitting in their small outside area. I waited around 8 minutes to order, and there were still many pastries available. We got the Vanilla Corn Concha, Pistachio Croissant, and Passionfruit Earl Grey Morning Bun! The vanilla corn concha was really good! I loved the light vanilla flavor, crunchy top, and the inside of the concha, which was super soft, kind of like milk bread. The pistachio croissant was good too--a bit too sweet to be my favorite pastry of the bunch, but it had a nice dubai chocolate-esque filling. The passionfruit earl grey morning bun was super unique! It had a distinct and delicious earl grey flavor that paired well with the hint of passionfruit. I haven't had anything like it anywhere else. Overall: FIRE bakery. On my top Bay Area bakeries list for sure! read more

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I'm a sucker for a good pastry, and a fluffy, buttery croissant is up there when it comes to my weaknesses. I love that Forma Bakery has a variety of fresh baked options with different flavor profiles. When we walked in we were greeted warmly and the team member was patient as we decided what to order, they also answered a few of our questions. Honestly, I wanted to buy one of everything, but I ended up getting the passionfruit morning bun with earl grey sugar (Vegan), the flan croissant with strawberry jam, and a brookie. I brought these home and went to share a bite of the brookie with my husband, which turned into him eating over half of it. It was rich and chewy and the perfect cross between a cookie and brownie. The other two items I cut into fourths and shared with some guests after dinner, and while everyone enjoyed both- we unanimously agreed the flan croissant was a true winner. If/when I visit again I'll be looking to pick up more of the flan croissants and brookies, and I'm sure a few more items that catch my eye at the time. It's a small shop, but definitely worth a visit. The pastries are best eaten the day of so that they're fresh and as crispy/fluffy/soft as intended and they may run out of items later in the day so be prepared to visit early or adjust what you order based on availability. read more

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Super stuffy and unfriendly energy from the workers. Felt rushed to make my purchase even though there wasn't a line. Pistachio croissant - tasted too hard and crunchy. The pistachio filling was solid. Olla latte - good cinnamon taste, good balanced espresso flavor with two shots read more

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No line on a weekday morning. Outdoor seating. Lovely, well-laminated pastries (sweet and savory). Perfect cookie. Enjoyed the cafe de olla as well. read more

Forma Bakery - Ham and cheese croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

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I could easily say that this bakery really took me by surprise when someone told me that this was "Temescal's favorite pastry spot" -- because indeed, they were right. The long lines, the whiff of aroma of French and Mexican tastes, were all coming together. They are a local business in Oakland, and I'm way more than impressed as to how they were able to bake such delicacies for the Temescal community and beyond -- and be open for the most important occasions, when they least expect it. Upon ordering, I was very intrigued at the pastries they had made -- tres leches crossaints, horchata danish, the name can go on and on without any hesitation. There was much more -- pastries like flan-filled croissants, jam-bright rosquillas, and seasonal savory fruit or veggie versions that feel both familiar and exciting. Honestly, in my opinion, walking into Forma feels like walking into paradise. it feels like Telegraph is like finding a sweet little crossroads where French bakery technique meets vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors. Their coffee selections pair beautifully with the pastry lineup, as the baristas put thoughtful twists like a café de olla latte or Mexican-style mocha. All in all, it brings a little extra warmth to every cup. Next time, if you're chasing a classic buttery croissant or something with a little more creative soul, Forma delivers memorable texture, flavor, and that cozy neighborhood energy that keeps locals lined up early, way before opening time. read more

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Tried Forma Bakery over the weekend and was disappointed. The croissant and sliced bread loaf were overbaked to the point of tasting burnt, and neither had much flavor. For the price, I think Acme's sourdough offers far better quality and taste, and even Costco's croissants are a better value. Unfortunately, this felt like a waste of both time and money. read more

Visited on a Thursday morning when they opened at 8:00am, no others in line. Pastry case was filled with a great variety of options both sweet and savory. Drinks: cafe de olla - sweet spiced coffee which was quite tasty, a bit on the sweet side for me but really thought the cinnamon and warm spices complimented the dark roast coffee Food: Passion Fruit Morning Bun - nice mild passion fruit flavor, a little sweet, slightly caramelized, laminated pastry isn't super buttery, solid Corn pudding pastry - flakey laminate pastry cup filled with corn and a mild corn custard with a little bit of cheese, a nice savory option, pastry was crisp and ratio of filling to pastry felt balanced, again lamination was a little less buttery and a bit more dry but good overall. Service was good, super friendly and knowledgeable staff with great recommendations. Overall enjoyed Forma, they have a solid variety of pastries to choose from along with some very unique flavors. Pastries here weren't as buttery and flaky as some other more classically french spots but I think worth a visit to try the unique flavors. read more

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Met up with a few friends here at 9am because they swore pastries would run out. I haven't heard of this place until recently. It's right on Telegraph so parking is street parking which can be tough depending on time of day. I got the pistachio and chocolate croissant. It's quite dense and heavy, and it is almost cookie like. The flavor was delicious but I personally like my croissants more flakey and not as dense. Overall a good pastry spot but personally not my preference! read more

Forma Bakery - Pistachio and Chocolate croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

I really really wanted to like this place but unfortunately it came up a little short for me. I came on a Sunday late morning and there was a line out the door and I was excited. They had plenty of baked goods available so I was really happy to see that. The line moves pretty fast so I didn't have to stand long and it gave me plenty of time to decide what I wanted when I got to the display cases. I ordered: 2 chocolate croissants Earl grey passion fruit morning bun Flan croissant with strawberry jam Kouign amann Nothing I tried really blew me away. I think the earl grey morning bun and the flan croissant were really unique and fun. The lavender really came through in the earl grey but for some reason I didn't really enjoy the passion fruit part of it. The chocolate croissants were disappointing to say the least. I just came back from St. Louis where I discovered a bakery for Nathaniel Reid's with croissants that tasted better than the ones I found in Paris and I was really disappointed in these. They were really bready and dough and not flaky with soft layers like I was hoping. On the upside, the merch is adorable. I bought a tote bag even though I didn't need it and that's the one thing I'd go back for. read more

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My bf and I were walking around the Temescal area and saw a long line forming outside and of course we had to give it a try! The staff were friendly and seemed to know the regulars that pop in. A large display case of their baked goods...all looked so good! And they had unique flavors Flan Croissant - 5/5: hands down best bakery item we tried. It was flakey and buttery and delicious and when you got to the flan, you got such a custardy treat. Wish there was more of the flan but it was still delicious.This would definitely be my go-to again on my next visit Earl Grey Passionfruit Pastry - 4/5: very unique. Wish it had a lil more of the passionfruit filling as it leaned a lil more Earl Grey for me but a very good pastry nonetheless. The sugar was infused with the earl grey so when you are about to take a bite you really smell and taste the earl grey - the flavor does disappear after some time as you continue chewing. Chocolate Concha - 3.5/5: My bf got this one and said it was just ok. Missing the vanilla flavor in the bread. I had a bite and thought it was good, the bread is sweet and there is a hint of chocolate flavor. Pistachio Croissant - 4/5: This was good but very dense. They were very generous with the pistachio filling to the point it was a little much for me as i finished it. It was very flakey even though i didn't finish this til the evening. Cafe de olla - 2/5: My bf got this one and was really excited for it. It was /very/ sweet - a lil too much so. He said it was missing flavor from the spices and felt the sweetness was covering it up. I had a sip and didn't care too much for it. We're definitely coming back to try other things (tres leche coffee, horchata latte)! Can't wait til next time! read more

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The flan croissant w/ jam was so incredible. It was flaky, and the flan in the middle was so delicious and unique. The jam was so flavorful, and the flan croissant was the best pastry I tried from Forma bakery. The chocolate pistachio croissant was my next favorite, and the pistachio flavor was very good with the chocolate. The vanilla corn concha was good too, especially the crust on top, but it wasn't as interesting as the other pastries. Last would be the rosquilla w/ jam and almond cream because it wasn't as flavorful as the others and just an average pastry. read more

Forma Bakery - Vanilla corn concha, chocolate pistachio croissant, rosquilla w/ jam and almond cream - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

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Trendy bakery in Oakland with innovative croissants and pastries! I stopped by on a Sunday morning around 10:15am and there was only a short line ahead of me - the wait ended up being maybe 10 minutes max. I was worried because of what I read online that the pastries would sell out early, but I experienced no issues! It was nearly impossible for me to decide what I wanted because everything sounded delicious! I ultimately picked up a chocolate pistachio croissant, flan croissant, and tomato + totomoxtle queso + pepitas croissant. Each item was about $5-$6. My favorite of the 3 was the flan croissant. The filling tasted like crème brûlée and the addition of the jam balanced the strong vanilla flavor of the custard nicely. The tomato croissant was a close second, with the tomatoes tasting super fresh. The chocolate pistachio wasn't my favorite, but wasn't bad either. The dough for all 3 pastries was flaky, buttery, and on par with some of the best pastries I've had in the Bay Area. I'd go back to try the passionfruit and earl grey morning bun, which I heard people raving about while I was in line to order. Street parking was easy :) No tables inside (only a small bench), but lots of tables outside. read more

Forma Bakery - menu - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

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Expensive but hands down the best pastries in the area. Try the vegan and savory pastries

The best bakery ever. As a vegan, I am obsessed with the pistachio latte, and Special K cookies. I eat them regularly and never get tired of them, the best is when they are freshly baked on a Sunday and served warm. Mmmmm!! read more

Tried Forma this week and I got the ham and cheese croissant and the almond croissant. Their almond croissant reminds me of a twice baked almond croissant, I was hoping it was going to be soft but still good taste wise. The ham and cheese croissant was decent. I've give it a 7/10, I prefer ham and cheese croissants from other bakeries. We also had the horchata latte which was really good. I will definitely be back to try some other pastries. read more

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The pastries are all so good. There's a line on the weekends for good reason. Small place, easy to see what you want, order it and head on your way. Pick some up when you're going to a friend's and they will be super impressed. read more

Get in line and wait if you have to! Or go at unsuspecting times. The people are cool, service is fast(so long the patrons know what they want sigh... love their blue color scheme! The pastry counter is legit the best in the BayArea. read more

Their croissants, cookies, and baguette were delicious. We've also had some flan croissant that was really unique and tasty from here. Probably the best croissants in the area. Very flakey when toasted even the next day. The line moves quickly and everything tasted fresh and looked clean. Employees were friendly and efficient. Nice local bakery to hit up on Telegraph. read more

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Great coffee and baked goods. Really solid croissants and one of the better chocolate cookies around. They do good coffee drinks and I am a big fan of the Olla cappuccino. Parking in the area is reasonable and they have some outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Great option for baked goods and coffee in Oakland. read more

I have been here a few times, and I always get the Blue Corn Loaf (sourdough with blue corn masa). It's fantastic! Today I got there too late, so the Blue Corn Loaf was sold out as was their newest item on the menu, vegan (apricot) scones. Just means that I will have to go back! We ended up ordering a baguette, a Mexican Wedding cookie, a Walnut Loaf (country w/ walnuts) and an oat milk chai. No honey in the chai, they checked to make sure. There was a free table, so we sat outside and snacked on the cookie and baguette. Lots of vegan croissants and other baked goodies to choose from. read more

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Small French/Mexican counter style bakery. There are a couple seats out front if you'd like to enjoy your order there. This place gets BUSY particularly on weekends. There is often a line out of the door on weekends. The pastries are delicious! I particularly like their sweet ones, like the morning bun and flan with strawberry jam. The blue corn sourdough is my absolute favorite! It is so moist. I've had the olla latte and the Mexican spiced mocha, both of which are ok. I prefer my mochas to be more flavorful. read more

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Loved it when it first opened. But my favorites, Almond & Chocolate/Almond (or Pistachio) croissants are now way too sweet, especially with the thick layer of powdered sugar. It's hard for me not to like an Almond Croissant, but these are unnecessarily sweet. I also agree on what others mention about the service. A lot of attitude, impatience and eye rolling. read more

Totally lives up to whatever hype you've heard. Croissants that shatter and flake. Pastries with flavors that explode. Next time will have to try the bread... read more

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One of the best breads in the business is their Country Sourdough. Whoa. So good! A dear friend gave me a gift certificate here and someone has brought a bunch of Forma pastries to two gatherings so I've tried so many things here! The flan croissant is extra special. It almost tastes like croissant crème brûlée. I always thought Artiscault broke me on the almond croissants but let me say that the east bay has Forma now and I find no reason to cross the bridge for another rendition any longer. Yay. read more

My first time trying Forma and I'm hooked! I ordered a cappuccino and the cranberry croissant and both were delicious! They have so many croissant choices, as well as different breads. Service was excellent and fortunately for me there wasn't a line. Parking was easy (this time, but it is Telegraph Ave), I lucked out and got a spot right out front. I can't wait to go back, I want to try the Mexican Hot Chocolate. Highly recommend! read more

Forma Bakery - Cranberry croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

Finally made in after a hike in the area ! Love the varieties of pastries /bread and coffee so had to pickup couples of baked goods to try! Prices was quite affordable! The chocolate concha was more not as dense as a traditional one we had before it's more of a milk bun which we enjoyed the twist! My fav was the pistachio chocolate croissant and so happy to find a bakery that bake up this option ! Will stop by again if I was in the area craving it ! Staff was friendly and service was quick , we did swing by on a Tuesday read more

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Came here on a Monday right when they open. There was plenty of street parking in the morning. I got the almond croissant and the ham and cheese croissant. They are both delicious and flaky. This almond croissant is in my top 3. The almond filling is creamy, nutty, and flavorful. The croissant is light and perfectly baked. The latte is really good as well pairing with the pastries. Took me awhile to decide what I want since there are so many displayed pastries. Service was fast and the place is well decorated for the holidays. read more

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This past Sunday, we went to the Temescal Farmers Market. Afterwards, we walked down to Forma Bakery to buy some of their baked goods. I tried their butter croissant. Here's my review on their croissant: Nice size and proportion to their croissant. The outer layer crunch is good. The inner layer was soft and chewy. The taste had a hint of butter. The bottom was not burnt. DJ's rating 4.40/5.00 Would I come back? Maybe. I have to compare other bakeries in the East Bay. read more

Forma Bakery - Butter Croissant. - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

Fabulous, for several reasons. Friendly counter staff. Cute bakery either great bakery smells and some small tables outside. The food! Had to have a plain croissant to see how well they can do a bakery basic. It was perfect! Also had an apricot jam kouign-amman. Holy cow! That thing was perfectly crispy with lots of great layers, no butter there! lol! The apricot rosquillas was very tasty as well. We bought 3 loaves of bread to take home to eat later that day. The original loaf was very good. The blue corn sourdough (?) was also very good. I was less impressed with the olive loaf. It had olive flavor but seemed to be more from olive oil. Was disappointed there were more olives in it. Nevertheless, all 3 breads were thick and chewy, yum! read more

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Forma Bakery opened where Extra Butter/Between the Buns once was. Interior basically a long display counter. A few stands and 2 tables outside for seating. Quick service upon entering. Small display area makes choices difficult. Brew & pastry came quick. Associate promp in pointing out where lids were. Offerings: breads, pastries, coffee.. Sips: 12 oz Highwire coffee drip (3.25) -double cupped. Covfefe not hot per touch. Easy sipping, mellow medium roast very smooth. Bites: seasonal vegetable croissant (5) -flaky open faced croissant with fresh summer squash, pineapple, & cayote pieces submerged with poblano cream. -lightly buttered, the crispy croissant, problano cream & veggie mixture created an unami delicacy. 4.5 stars probable repeat when i decide what to order. read more

Forma Bakery - Seasonal vegetable croissant (5) l. Covfefe (3.25) R. - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California

This place hits! Everything I've had from here is a winner - especially their loaves, rolls & cookies. It's my go to bakery when I need a host or house warming gift. read more

Forma Bakery - Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (at home) - Bakeries Near Me - Oakland, California