Massive glass cases filled with fresh French pastries and even a meat filled option or two. I've tried several over many visits and all have been delicious. However---I've eaten pastries in Paris, France and these American made versions seem much less soft. It could be the local water or some other factors. According to Google--there are 4 factors--1. higher fat butter used in France 2. specialized soft flour with no flour additives used in France 3. France has strict baking regulations 4. French people expect hyper fresh artisanal products. This bakery is locally made top quality. There is an outside seating area that's a little shabby and neglected. Very limited indoor seating. Service is ok. But, for someone such as myself, who has travelled around the world, lived overseas as an expatriate, and has formally studied multiple languages in universities in other countries, it's kind of ridiculous for a French girl behind the bakery counter to repress a laugh--that she obviously wanted me to see--at my pronunciation of one of their products. Give me a break! She clearly understood what I said since she retrieved it for me. read more

This pastry shop has been a local favorite in Carmel for good reason. It has been around for about 12 years, and I have been coming here at least once every two weeks for that entire time. There are a lot of great bakeries, pastry shops, and cafés on the Monterey Peninsula, but this one has always stood out to me for its quality, consistency, and charm. They usually have at least 15 different varieties of French pastries, along with mini cakes, bite-size tiramisu, brownie bites, and premade sandwiches. Everything is beautifully presented, and you can tell they care about the details. I also order large amounts for my staff at least once a month, and they absolutely love when I bring these treats in. One of the best things they offer is their fresh focaccia flatbreads on Saturdays. If you're lucky enough to come in around 10 in the morning, you may catch them while they're still warm. They usually make three or sometimes four different varieties, depending on what the chefs decide to create that day. There isn't really a set menu for them, but in true French fashion, they put out whatever they feel inspired to make, and it is always amazing. The only problem is that they usually sell out within an hour, so you have to get there early. I honestly don't understand why they don't sell those focaccia flatbreads throughout the week, but I'm guessing it comes down to quality. They seem like perfectionists, and that is probably part of what makes everything so good. When you get one warm, it is absolutely worth the trip. The pastries are excellent, the quality is consistent, and the shop has become one of those dependable Carmel places that locals truly appreciate. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of their coffee, but I'll admit I'm a bit of a coffee snob. That doesn't take away from the overall experience at all. After 12 years of coming here regularly, I can confidently say this place is special. It is warm, consistent, high quality, and very much part of the Carmel community. Five stars for sure. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Large pastries - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

It's been a little over a year since I visited Lafayette Bakery. I happened to pass by it while looking for an antique shop at The Barnyard Shopping Village. I had forgotten that's where it is located. It was about 11:30am on a Sunday morning and there was no line. I expected the shelves to be bare, but they still had lots of items available. I bought a pre-made mini chicken sandwich and a chocolate croissant. Both items were utterly amazing. The mini sandwich was made with the most scrumptious bread and something in the sandwich gave it a delicious little kick that I loved. The chocolate croissant was just plain fantastic. I'm going back to Carmel Valley in late summer and can't wait to get another mini sandwich or two and a croissant. read more

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This place is legit. We came toward the end of the day, so much of the selection was already gone, but what we did get was worth it. Must-tries: * Cheese focaccia with hot honey (warm it up!)--absolutely incredible * Chocolate pistachio cake--pure perfection * Lemon meringue--beautifully balanced, tart and sweet * Passionfruit tart with raspberries--another bright, tangy-sweet standout We found a nice outdoor spot to enjoy everything, which made it even better. Do yourself a favor and go early for the full selection! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Our brother in law recommended this bakery to us so we made a visit. It was quite busy all morning and there were a constant influx of people coming in and out. We got a delicious sourdough, key lime meringue puff and a pastry with lots of baked meat and cheese. The food was delicious and crispy and it's so quaint in there! read more

Super cute patisserie tucked into a charming little plaza. The bakery itself is adorable, and while dogs aren't allowed inside but they are welcome on the back patio. They have SO many pastries and breakfast treats that it's genuinely hard to choose. I originally went in craving something sweet, but I couldn't resist trying their mini baguette ham and cheese sandwiches since I've never seen a mini one before. Paired it with a latte, and wow, I was immediately transported back to Paris. Simple and absolutely delicious. I honestly wish I had grabbed a few pastries to go because everything looked incredible. Already looking forward to coming back and trying more next time! read more

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Lafayette is an old school French bakery in The Barnyard Shopping Village that I've been going to for years and I can't believe I am only just writing a review for them in 2026. Please forgive me. Maybe I've been unwittingly gatekeeping. But no more. It is a small pleasure in my life to walk into this sunny warm cozy space that smells of butter and flour, grab a couple mini salmon sandwiches and a mini lemon bichon (a must) (and maybe an extra pastry or two, just to try something different once in a while) to take with me for the day and eat it somewhere picturesque, like at the beach watching all the happy dogs scampering across the blustering sand. The food is light, delicate, and perfectly simple. The people are nice. Grab and go. Go early before things sell out, because they do. There is no other location. It is the only one and to me, it is special. read more

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Early chilly morning in Carmel, exploring for some good coffee and bakery bites, came across this packed authentic French Patisserie/bakery in the barnyard shopping strip. Got their popular chocolate swirl, bagged their pistachio/cranberry sourdough loaf for take out. All the items are baked in this bakery unlike few others who buy from wholesale bakeries. Also noticed many getting their fresh sandwiches..was lil too early for me to bag sandwiches. The coffee was meh, had better ones at other places. Definitely a spot to satisfy bakery cravings or sandwiches, just allow few minutes for line which moves fast. read more

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I was working in the area and needed a quick bite before heading home. I found Lafayette on Yelp and saw it on a few social media reels so thought I'd give it a try. It checked my boxes and now on my list of places to go when I'm in Carmel or on my way to Big Sur. Highlights: Mini-sandwiches: perfect portion if you need something small. There are veggie and meat options. I tried the prosciutto sandwich (yum). There are full sizes to go which are perfect for two on a hike in Big Sur. Pastries: The minis are perfect portions for flavor but I took the full size for breakfast today. Right now we are marveling over the raspberries. I don't know what they do but it guarantees a return trip for me. Coffee: No complaints here! Sitting back with a latte with my sandwich is my version of a good morning. Ambiance/service: very friendly and patient with a first time visitor! I love the patio for sitting back and enjoying my food. Thanks again and I have to get back to my raspberry swirl before it's gone! read more

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I can't gate keep any longer. This is one of the best bakeries I've ever been to. A REQUIREMENT to stop here any time we are in or around the area. Fun fact: my husband and I stopped here before we got engaged at point lobos and when we came back to Monterey for our honeymoon. You can't go wrong with anything here, and they have something for everyone. There's a case for dessert specific items, sandwiches (I recommend the prosciutto, ham & Swiss or caprese, or all three if you do the minis), and a baked item case ( to the right of the cashier). From this case you want to get the Apricot pinwheel and the raspberry brioche. I am not a fan of brioche but they nail it here. We don't come here for the coffee, so I can't really comment on it as the star of the show is definitely the baked goods but a hot tea will run you $3.50 for a medium. read more

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Was sadly disappointed with this place. The mini bichon I got had no lemon in it at all. It was a dry empty puff pastry. The mini brioche I got was dry and stale. I also got the raspberry brioche. It was better, but it still felt like there was something missing with the texture of the brioche. It wasn't as airy as I wanted it to be. It also got dry without the topping. The apricot pastry was okay. It was too much pastry, not enough of the good stuff. Maybe three bites of it and the apricots tasted straight out of a can. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Display of pastries - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Fantastic pastries, pies, sandwiches and coffee. Service was also great! Parking is plentiful, inside seating is a bit light but they have a big outside patio out back. read more

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I saw a long line while making our way to breakfast. But by time came back at 11 am most of the pastries were sold out. But the chocolate croissant was one of the better ones I've had. There was a lot of chocolate, they def don't skimp. The citrus yuzu croissant was different in a good way. Little pockets of yuzu baked in were delightful. Soft interior with crunchy exterior. Outdoor seating available. read more

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I love this bakery so much! The staff are so nice and lovely to talk to in the morning. Tried all the mini sandwiches and every single one is delicious. The almond pastries are unmatched. Everything about this bakery is so lovely. If you are going through the PCH, drop by here to pick up some small meals and treats on the way. But come early because many of the pastries were sold out by 11. I definitely recommend the ham and swiss cheese croissant warmed up because that is the BEST thing i have ever tried-- juicy, crunchy, savory, sweet -- all the best things. I am still thinking about it to this day read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

So delicious and in such a cute area. Pastries are perfect and the sandwiches are so yummy. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

Came here after checking out of our airbnb, to grab a quick bite to eat and some coffee. Love how convenient their pre-made sandwiches are, and all their pastries looked amazing! My friends and I each ordered a mini baguette sandwich each, plus some hot drip coffees and a couple sweet treats to share. I opted for the prosciutto sandwich, which is the perfect mini size for breakfast. The baguette had a nice chew to it. Loved the sesame seeds on the exterior for extra texture! And the flavors of the prosciutto and the accompanying accoutrements worked well together. Service was pretty quick since they pretty much bag your food and hand it to you once you pay. If you order coffee, there's a self serve station, or you wait for a specialty coffee the make behind the counter. The only caveat is that they don't do iced coffees! So if a hot drink isn't your thing, you're out of luck. Pretty decent bakery to hit up if you need to pick up something quick and tasty. Interested in trying more of their baked goods next time I'm in Carmel! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Ordered: - Mini ham cheese, Mini salami cheese, Mini prosciutto (3.5/5): Our main complaint about the 3 above sandwiches was the bread that was used. Since it wasn't toasted, it essentially felt like we had cold, hard baguettes with cold deli meats inside. It felt dry to eat and we probably wouldn't get again - at least for breakfast. - Mini salmon (4/5): Our favorite mini sandwich mainly because we love salmon and because the bun softer than the previous mentioned sandwiches. - Quiche Lorraine Ham, Bacon, Cheese (4/5): We got this one warmed up and it was so nice and warming on a chilly morning. Definitely a filling quiche with a delicious crust. The only con was that the crust was a little burnt likely from warming it up so we couldn't eat it all. It was definitely also a bit on the oilier side. - Almond Croissant (5/5): My gf loved this one! It was delicate and flaky and had the perfect level of sweetness. Definitely one of the standouts for her. Overall (3/5): We came here on an early Saturday morning in October to pick up a quick breakfast before heading to Point Lobos for a hike. The service was quick and efficient so we could be on our way, which was a plus. The location was also very convenient as it was right next to a spacious parking lot. Our main complaint was that the price tags weren't shown when we were ordering and it felt tedious to have to ask the cashier how much everything cost. Maybe this was by design though- after purchasing everything we found that the mini sandwiches came out to about 5 dollars per sandwich. For the size that you get, we thought it was pretty overpriced. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

Tried the almond paste croissant. The butteriest. Pure decadence. At this point, I don't need to think about other patisserie.

Lots of tempting baked goods. We loved the quiches. Spinach quiche was our favorite. A little tricky to find. read more

This place has amazing pastries and sandwiches I ordered Salmon and spinach quiche warmed up along with a latte and it was so good. I also picked up a few pastries. Lots of parking but Al way a lineup and only a few tables to sit at on the patio. The employees were very nice and helpful as well. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Quiche and some pastries - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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A popular location. There was a line but went fairly quickly. The bakery goods are plenty and very delicious. It's a first come, first serve. Once they run out that is it for the day but they have a wide selection of fresh baked goods. The place is nice to dine in the courtyard or to-go. An excellent choice if visiting here. read more

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Excellent coffee. Tasty croissants. Delicious selections. Stopped in for a coffee and snack on our way to walk the dogs at the beach. Service was quick. The store was clean and comfortable. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Tres bien! Excellent French bakery. Nice selection of pastries and baguette sandwiches. The ham and cheese quiche was a standout with a unique flaky crust and creamy egg custard. Friendly service with a smile. Limited seating so best enjoyed to go. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Stopped by before heading for the airport and it was around 11am on a Monday. If you want their top sellers, definitely come early because many items were already out of stock. My favorite was the coffee cream puff, light and fluffy and the cream was 9/10. I got the mini prosciutto sandwich on a baguette and wish I had passed (3/10) but overall, everything looked amazing and I would recommend. In the photo, my friends purchased other baked items but I can't comment on those! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

Came twice in a 4 day span, so it's safe to say I liked the it! I went a Wednesday around 9:30AM and Saturday around 7:30AM. It wasn't busy either days. On Saturday there were even more pastries varieties, perhaps because it was earlier in the morning closer to opening time. However, there was more than enough to choose from both days! I'm a sucker for almond pastries, so I ordered both the almond twist and the almond croissant. Both were good, but definitely different. The croissant was moist due to the frangipane and had the usual croissant flaky consistency. Overall, very good! The twist, on the other hand, although it also had a flaky consistency, it was more crips and I found it less sweet and more dry. However, it was equally good! I also ordered a ham and cheese croissant. I wasn't a fan of the spread it had, at the end it overpowered the ham and cheese flavor. I wouldn't repurchase it. Lastly, I ordered a latte. It was good, but if you're looking for a coffee spot, this might not be the place for you! It was decent, but not the star of the place. If you're at Carmel, this is definitely a place to visit for pastries! Staff were friendly and the place was very cozy. read more

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Lafayette Bakery offers a large selection of delicious pastries. We picked up an assortment of pastries before driving to Big Sur. Each pastry was flavorful and flaky. Don't miss it! Lafayette's does get incredibly busy on weekends though. Arrive early. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Pastries - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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The. Best. Croissants! The Almond Twists, Pear Tart, Chocolate Mousse cream puffs, OMG it's French Pastry Heaven! Such a diverse & incredibly authentic selection of delights! Succulent, delectable, decadent! Surprisingly they were open till 3 pm and still had a FEW sweet & savory options available... lucky us! We plan to arrive early next time for maximum choices. See you there! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Front door Lafayette French Bakery In Carmel Barnyard - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Best bakery in Carmel! There something for everyone. We got breakfast and lunch items for three people and it was $50- very reasonable and the quality is incredible. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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High quality pastries & extremely friendly service. Coffee was good but not remarkable. Very limited seating.

Pastries were amazing! Staff was kind and moved the line along quickly. Ambiance was bakery! Definitely recommend. Get there early! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Pastry case - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

Yum! Easy parking, and delicious pastries. What more could you ask for? Line was long on a Saturday morning, but worth it. Ordered a ham and egg focaccia, an almond croissant, and a chocolate pistachio pastry. Everything was 10/10! A must-do when in the area. read more

The outside of the bakery is beautiful (love to see the Pride Flag displayed out front ) and the inside feels very warm. Amazing bakery all around with very lovely staff! The woman who helped me out today was very kind and welcoming, I wasn't able to catch her name, but I really appreciate her attentiveness. The pastries I ordered were SOOOO GOOD, I literally had to go back for more LOL. I ordered a Chocolate Pistachio Swirl, Raisin Swirl, Cinnamon Roll (I believe that was the name), and Butter Croissant. They all had the perfect texture and just the right amount of sweetness, my favorite was the cinnamon roll :) Overall very happy with my visit here, I'm actually sad that it's so far from home, but will be looking forward to return soon. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Outside of Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

I loveee this bakery. Anytime I'm in Monterey/Carmel I have to make it here! Definitely come as early as you can because this bakery is super popular and they sell out quickly! My favorites are the strawberry fruit tart, tiramisu, baguettes and croissants. My mom said the almond croissant was the best croissant she's ever had! I don't think you can really go wrong with anything here. read more

Pastries here were great! A little bit of a line early weekend morning but moved fast. The cinnamon roll was a perfect amount of flaky and sweet. The ham mini sandwich was toasted perfectly and a delicious salty pair with the sweet cinnamon roll read more

I would go here again. My croissant was decent, but the coffee selection was bare minimum. It was fine, but I think it was just way overhyped on social media so I was a little disappointed. The pastry selection wasn't as big as I thought it would be. read more

Legit French pastries in Carmel! The owners immigrated from France a decade ago and have been gracing Carmel with their authentic recipes. Like any well-respected bakery, arriving early ensures your pick of the litter. We didn't get there at the crack of dawn, but even with a long line they had a wide assortment of goodies to choose from. And with a line out the door, the staff were as friendly as could be. The most difficult decision is choosing if you're going the sweet, savory, classic, or sandwich route. They have A LOT to choose from here, it might give you a headache trying to decide! We ordered a traditional croissant, pain au chocolat, apple fritter, and a lunch inspired sandwich on a croissant that my wife was craving. Everything we tried was exceptional. The croissant itself was flaky, buttery and I was completely covered in crumbs which tells you how good it is. The pain au chocolat was one of the best I've ever had. It transported me back to Paris. An apple fritter is a family favorite, and though this one had a unique twist to it, I completely devoured this in a mere matter of seconds! Five freakin' stars for Lafayette Bakery. Outstanding French pastries! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - The goods - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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Such an adorable little bakery in Caramel - easy drive from Monterey and would recommend. We got quite a few things: 1) Mini salami sandwich - perfect mini size but packed with flavor and meats and crunchy bread. LOVED this. Will definitely get again. 2) Mini raspberry tart - subtly sweet with a nice filling and fresh berries. 3) Raspberry lunette - another one of our favorites from here. The raspberry filling was delicious and it had the perfect soft crispyness. 4) Mini raisin swirl - I love their mini options. This wasn't too bad but would've loved some more raisins and cinnamon flavor. 5) Mini vanilla brioche - another favorite, loved their vanilla flavor and was also the perfect size. 6) Mini lemon bichon - also another favorite. It was lemony yet sweet, balanced perfectly. 7) Mini croissant - surprisingly, we were expecting more buttery flavor but the texture was nice. 8) Blueberry brioche - this was pretty good, again subtle sweetness but we enjoyed it. 9) Lychee pavlova - absolutely beautiful and they NAILED it with the lychee filling. It was a little busy but their service was super quick. We really enjoyed this bakery and plan to come back and try their other delicious goodies! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Pastries - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

This place was highly rated, so thought to give it a try. They were closing within the next couple hours, and so much of their food was gone. I'd love to have more options, but I assume that means they're popular and sell out fast. Can't complain - I did arrive later in the day anyway. I was pleasantly surprised by the cheap prices and the delicious food! I got a mini item, but it was flavorful and decently filling for its size. It was about $4! I love the area it's in. Absolutely adorable. Would recommend and will likely be returning. read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

9years of totally loving this place, my wife just came back with 2 blueberry Almond tartlets to enjoy with coffee and they were burnt, almonds and tartlet hidden with sugar dusting .. also really lacking the flavor they use to have.. I hope this was an anomaly but with such great alternatives, we'll be driving to Paris bakery now... I will wear a black armband for the loss of my blueberry almond tartlet, ode to my love of them ... shame.. read more

After emerging from an unplugged camping trip at Big Sur, I was craving some sweets and needed coffee for a long drive back home. I'm so glad I stopped here. This cafe made me want to quit my job, move to Carmel, and become a regular here. There was a short line which moved relatively quickly, and the service was kind and attentive. I asked the cashier working for recommendations on something savory and something sweet, and she took time to explain her personal favorites as well as popular options! I ended up picking a mini prosciutto sandwich, chocolate croissant, kouign amann, & a latte. Everything I had was so tasty! The croissant and kouign amann were not too sweet, and both had lovely texture. The mini prosciutto sandwich was small but seemed to be perfect size to me! Also, there's plenty of indoor/outdoor seating options. And huge plus for their restroom which is located outside and is well ventilated! read more

Lafayette Bakery & Cafe - Mini prosciutto sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Carmel, California

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