If you want a quick high-quality to-go breakfast in downtown Durham, stop by Loaf and check out their small but varied selection of fresh baked goods. I'm partial to their croissants, which are delicious and baked just right, chewy yet flaky. I usually stop by at least once on every trip to indulge myself. I get their chocolate croissant if I'm in the mood for something sweet, but usually I get a couple of their savory croissants. This morning I had a delicious curried vegetables croissant and a spinach and mushroom croissant. Can't wait to be back next month to see what they've conjured up. read more

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The best bakery in Durham for sure. The chocolate hazelnut croissant is my favorite. Their croissants are delicately crunchy, buttery, perfectly bake and not too sweet. I also live their Gruyere cheese puff and eclairs. I can't miss visiting this bakery whenever I go to Durham read more

Loaf - Chocolate Hazelnut croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Great bakery and pastries! It has that perfect ambiance of a French family bakery. I have been to multiple bakeries in Durham but Loaf continually stands apart! I always get the almond croissants- not too sweet and perfectly flaky. The only thing missing is a place to sit and enjoy the pastries indoor. read more

About the best authentic baguettes I have found in North America, and I've had them in dozens of cities in US/CA...fantastic pastries and other breads as well. Truly a golden thread in the fabric of The Bull City. read more

Had such an amazing raisin pastry here! Want to come back and try their bread as well! Came in at the end of the day and the pastry I got was still fresh, which was amazing. It was flavorful, crisp, and just the right amount of sweet. This is mostly a grab and go place, not much for sitting down. The service was really friendly as well. read more

Loaf - raisin pastry - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I finally made it to Loaf and it is one of the best pastry shops in Durham. I had the spinach, Gruyère, and caramelized onion croissant and the pan au chocolat. I am looking forward to returning and trying even more pastries. read more

Loaf - Pan au chocolat - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I was looking for a local bakery to try in Durham and Loaf popped up on my instagram feed. One day I finally convinced my roommates to come along and order a couple of pastries from there for breakfast. Loaf is a no-frills, tiny bakery and you are greeted with an aroma of fresh bread upon walking in. All the signs seemed like their pastries would taste good. We ended up ordering an assortment of pastries including croissants, a seasonal galette, a torsade and a few other things. Everything we tried was fresh and very good. I have to say so far Durham's bakeries have not let me down and this includes Loaf! I will definitely return and hopefully try their freshly baked bread. read more

Loaf - Assortment of pastries including a chocolate croissant, almond croissant, galette and a torsade. - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Best croissants I've had in Durham. There isn't space to sit and eat so this is definitely a come by and take out spot but will be back next time I'm in the area. The almond croissant is the best almond croissant I've had but it's on the heavier side so one is all you need to be fully satisfied :) read more

The absolutely best pan aux raisin ever!! Yummy for my tummy! I look forward to the days when they are available.

Moved from Miami to Durham recently and thought Ok cost of living here will be less, but a loaf of deli rye bread cost $10.00usd!! I mean honestly I'm not sure How they justify charging such an obscene amount can you. The only reason I gave 3 stars is because their hazelnut croissant was really good but there again charging $5.00?! Zak the baker midtown Miami sourdough rye $6.00 out of this whole. I'm sorry no more. read more

Service was great but maybe I just picked the wrong item. I got a ginger maple pecan bar and I did like it. I'd like to revisit since there are raving reviews on yelp and on google. If I return, I'd get the almond croissant. Again, the service was awesome, shop was clean and it was nice to see bakers baking in the back. read more

Loaf - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Remarkably rustic and delicious. This place was great. From the aromatic smell of fresh bread to their delicious pastries. Tucked hidden in small shop loaf is certainly a gem to the bull city. If one comes early enough they could stand outside with the smell of bread baking in the air. The shop is tiny so be ready to order once you arrive the the register for their menu is simple but prize winning. read more

Absolutely delicious. Everything is just so good. Driving through town and made a pit stop for coffee and a snack. Got one of the flatbreads, a blueberry and cheese danish and several shortbread cookies. Devoured everything and went back in to buy more just because. read more

I'm new to Downtown Durham- after stalking bakeries online I headed out on a walk with my dog this morning to LOAF. Wow. Friendly, great service, smells divine. Butter croissants, pain at chocolat, divine baguette! John was helpful, my dog and I were mesmerized by the aromas and the offerings. We're headed back tomorrow! read more

Loaf - Aspen's first trip to a bakery! - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Total yummmm! My husband gets his hair cut right next to this place, so I stumbled across it one time when I was waiting for him. It's a tiny hole in the wall bakery, and I don't believe there is any seating (I didn't see any anyways). So you pretty much come here to just take away, but boy oh boy are the pastries worth it. I got a cheese puff thing, and a hazelnut chocolate croissant- that croissant is the best buttery thing I've ever tasted. Legitimately top 3 croissants I've ever had and I've been to Paris! I can't wait to come back here and try more- just have to calm down before my waistline expands. read more

The chocolate flan was the perfect texture and flavor. Not overwhelmingly chocolatey as some chocolate cakes are, and it was nicely light and airy. read more

Loaf - Chocolate flan and fruit tart - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It was fantastic to find such a quality bakery on my trip to Durham from Washington, DC. Wonderful savory ricotta/cheddar/thyme tart - But better yet was the chocolate croissant. Better than Paris, France! Picked up some local wild honey for gifts, and couldn't resist the sweets as a house gift for my friend in Chapel Hill. I wish there were a higher rating than "Great" because this bakery deserves it! read more

Cute little bakery right in the heart of downtown Durham. This is a true bakery without the glitz and glam of a cafe/coffee shop. There is no place to sit, only enough space to display all of their breads and pastries. I got the mushroom flatbread which was almost like a pizza. It was lukewarm and even then it was super delicious. The bread was crispy but also airy, and the marinara sauce, mushrooms, and caramelized onions went together so well!! I also got the pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) which was so buttery and had just the right amount of chocolate. I'm drooling as I type this. There's some drinks as well and I think there was coffee but honestly can't remember since I'm not a coffee drinker. The prices are a little high but I think worth it for the deliciousness of the pastries. They also sell different kinds of loaves of bread and they were carrying out a wedding cake as well so I presume that's a thing, too. You can peek into the kitchen to see all the bakers working hard to make their scrumptious baked goods. read more

Most delicious light and buttery croissants with many tasty different varieties such as a spinach caramelized onion gruyere croissant, double baked almond croissants, and more. The croissants had so much flavor! The place even had traditional Italian desserts such as Pana forte. Absolutely recommend! read more

Items Selected: Double Baked Almond Croissant Gougere Kougin Amann Pain au Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookie Molasses Ginger Snap Crispy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Chocolate Chip Torsade Cinnamon Walnut Currant Scone Featured as part two of a three bakery morning in Durham it was just after 8:30am that we entered the cozy confines of Loaf and with the smell of yeast, cinnamon, and vanilla mixing in a wave of smoking wood it was fortunate for the third stop that the Parrish Street bakery offers no indoor seating, for if they had we very well may have just stayed...or asked to move in. At one time a Farmer's Market staple, but now turned brick and mortar under the direction of a former neurobiology student whose love of baking led him to trade in brain studies for starch science, it was to a short line of locals that I was met on entry and taking this time to peruse the pastries I knew almost immediately that a large order would follow - a situation only worsened when I asked the woman behind the counter what was warm and fresh with the response entailing no less than a half-dozen items, all but one ordered along with some other interesting options to a total tally of nine. Relocating elsewhere, if only due to the cold street outside, it was just moments after seating that the bag was unpacked and setting aside cooler items to focus on those most fresh it was unquestionably in the Almond Croissant that the tasting began, a thick shattering shell giving way to laminated layers and dense almond filling that wowed amidst all the butter, a Pain au Chocolate with an additional core of Peanut Butter showing equally well, though rich enough that sharing and coffee were a must. Turning savory with a slightly deflated gougere, rich with cheese and sage amidst the soft core, it was back to sweets that attention turned and although the Kouign Amann proved just a touch too heavily salted atop the caramelized crown and substantially buttery core the still-warm scone and baton shaped torade were absolutely exemplary - the former more moist than most while the later was rich with dark chocolate chips still slightly molten on the tongue. Finishing up with three cookies, each tasted later in the day when capacity was refound, suffice it to say that those fancying crispy cookies would be well advised to investigate the goods at Loaf because although I tend to prefer my baked goods more soft-set at the center it would be hard to say the Gingersnap, Chocolate Chip, or Oatmeal raisin were anything less than the best of their kind that I have ever found, each surprisingly less sweet than average with even the molasses imbued wafer finding its foil in the substantial use of spice, the smell of the bakery itself brought forth in each bite. read more

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I accidentally discovered the best chocolate croissant of my life! Yes - better than in Paris. Perfect amounts of butter, crunch, chocolate, flakiness and texture make Loaf's chocolate croissant worthy of a trip to Durham. Can't wait to go back for seconds! read more

Stopped by this morning with a friend to grab breakfast around 9 am, and was pleasantly surprised to find that there wasn't a line. I got the twice-baked Almond Croissant and the Ham and Gruyere croissant. Although they were a bit on the buttery side, they were among the best pastries I've ever had in Durham. The crunchiness of the crust contrasted perfectly with the soft filled portions inside, leaving me happily filled up with carbs. The only disappointment was there there is no seating available, so we couldn't stick around to enjoy our pastries. I'll definitely be back for quick breakfast runs! read more

Loaf - The famous double baked almond croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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It's just so hard to say no to this place! Love how they carry out specials all the time! read more

Loaf - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I was completely speechless when I saw the price for the Paris-Brest - oh my goodness. And I thought French food was Paris was expensive @_@ Never mind. That said, everything else seems to be reasonably priced. I got a gougère ($2), because of its aesthetic appeal and whimsical name, a brown sugar pecan scone ($3), and a tangerine-passionfruit Fizzy Lizzy ($2.25). Not bad at all for a filling, fun brunch :) There's no seating at all, though apparently a glass counter with barstools is in the works. Don't expect it for at least another year, though. The gougère was this wonderful piece of dough made with gruyère and herbes de Provence; soft and lightly stretchy on the inside and delightfully crispy on the outside, this piece of bread tingled my senses. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The brown sugar pecan scone was great; I love pecans and I felt that it was exactly the amount of sweet that I needed. I think they make a point of having things NOT be overpoweringly saccharine, which I find too often in the South. The Fizzy Lizzy was like that too (not too sweet). :D I tried some of my friend's cheese scone, which was okay. I'm glad I got mine :x and the gougère. I also tried the pain au chocolat (called chocolate croissant at this bakery, which was confusing to me because it's not a croissant) which was wonderfully flaky and decadent at the same time. (How can it not be decadent with so much chocolate & butter? Smh). Overall, I would definitely come here again; I enjoyed most of what I tried, and I'd love to try some of their bread. :) I just don't think I would get the Paris-Brest ... read more

Hands down the best bakery in Durham, once you've eaten their perfectly flaky golden butter croissants baguette, cinnamon roll, or other wonderful sourdough delights you will never be satisfied with the inferior versions you generally find from less masterful bakers. read more

Food: 4 Ambiance: 4 Food/Price: 3.5 Pros: Fresh and Delicious Pastries, Comforting old school interior Cons: Strange hours, limited selection Entering Loaf feels like walking into a bakery set against the cobblestones and rolling hills of the old country. It has that nostalgic character that brings memories of Sundays spent in the kitchen getting your hands dirty with Mom. But Loaf is more than ambiance, the pastries reflect craft and expertise that is rare to find in the US, but is common in European bakeries. You could drop Loaf right in the middle of France it would fit right in. Two minor gripes: The hours and selection are limited. Loaf is open Tuesday - Saturday (6pm on weekdays and 2pm on Saturdays), precluding it from being a spot you just pop into unless you live or work nearby. Additionally the pastry case is barely bigger than a dorm refrigerator offering about 15-20 selections. Something will suit your taste, but in an age of endless options 15 seems a little scant. Bottom line: Loaf is a unique, nostalgic bakery that rises to the occasion. read more

Loaf - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Want to watch someone drool. become speechless and really drool. Really. Buy a loaf of the olive bread. Take it home. Cut slices with warm butter. Mission complete. Review will re-vamped as soon as I get back to try the 5 or 6 other loaves waiting for me. They have good butter there too. I think I will have to buy my friend a bib upon return. And probably upon my next visit...two more stars in the wings. read more

Stopped in for the first time to try something local and I wasn't disappointed. I picked up 3 different pastries so we could find out what we liked. Problem was, we liked them all! If you haven't tried this place yet you must give them a try. The people were very nice and welcomed any and all questions. Will definitely be back! read more

I sometimes go there to buy French pastry and it's good but some time it's too sweet.

The breads, cookies, and pastries here are all pretty good. Nothing is truly exceptional though.

Loaf has fresh baguettes and you can watch them make the masterpieces in the bakery. There were also many sweet options, fresh preserves and chilled drinks. Loaf has a rustic charm that reminds me of the bakeries in Belgium or France. You can also get their products at the Durham Farmer's Market on Saturdays or just walk up to the source on Parish Street. The breads are made fresh daily and next time I want to try the olive bread. I don't remember any seating or cafe so you really just get your items and take them to go. I loved the baguette and am happy to find another fresh and authentic bakery in Durham. I was also impressed when I saw them listed in the March 2015 edition of Bon Appetit magazine on places to go when in Durham. Congratulations on that accolade! read more

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A cute bakery on the opposite side of Luna Rotisserie. This place is currently hidden with a small sign right by the area that is under construction, so be sure to not miss it. When you walk in through the initial door, the bakery's door is on the left with 'Loaf' clearly written. You are welcomed by the smell of the freshly baked bread and desserts. They have gourmet desserts like truffles and cheesecake, and baked goods like bear claw and scones. There's also a little coffee stand if you need some caffeine to wash down the sugar (just make sure you brush your teeth right after- dental student speaking here ). Go crazy and get you multiple treats to try. Popular items include the dark walnut chocolate brownie, the chocolate eclair, the bear claw, and the scones. read more

Loaf - Dark chocolate walnut brownie - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It's tiny, and the coffee ain't worth it, but the pastries are the best in Durham. Hands down. Their croissants are classic croissants - flaky, buttery, a million layers, crispy on the ends and chewy in the middle. Their almond croissants are dangerous and such a treat! Their savory pastries are also incredible - love their ham and cheese ones. I love that they also do seasonal pastries, so they have fresh, top-quality ingredients, and provide a whole variety of incredible options throughout the year. I also love their loaves of bread for the week. I typically get their pain de champagne and it's perfect for breakfast toast and also sandwiches (or pulling off a bite on the ride home for a snack...). read more

A friend from Durham told me about this place, and I am so glad that he did! I've eaten a chocolate croissant, a plain croissant, a ham scone, an almond croissant, and the pecan chocolate chip cookie from here, so far. Now I am in no way an expert in pastries other than I love them, and I eat them every chance I get. Loaf has, by far, the BEST pastries I've ever had! The almond croissant was the best out of all of those, and made each of us literally say yummmmmmm after that first bite. It's a good thing this place isn't close to me because I'd weigh a ton. I do wish we had a good bakery in Chapel Hill - not another cupcake/gelato wedding cake bakery, but a real pastry bakery. Until then, a drive to Durham once in awhile is very well worth it. Wow. read more

I really don't know where to start. Everything about this place is simply wonderful. Best croissants in NC. ONLY pain au raisin I've seen in NC! Their breads are to die for. Tarts and desserts are gorgeous and delicious, with unique seasonal flavors. The service is attentive, astute, and always warm. The owners are lovely. This place is my favorite gem in the crown of Durham dining. read more

Such an amazing little bakery! The staff is very friendly and since it was my first time they added an extra treat! I got the pecan chocolate chip cookies and a loaf of sourdough. The colors are huge, thin and crispy. And the bread was delicious!! Our favorite bakery by far. Thank you!! read more

Loaf - Sourdough loaf, pecan chocolate chip cookies - Bakeries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Best bakery in Durham, hands down. Probably in NC. When I get one of their fresh baguettes, I just start eating it straight up. Can't help it. Almond croissants are the bomb. Pan au chocolat too. And the butter croissants. Amazing. Scones are great, especially the browned butter ones. Really, you can't go wrong with anything here. read more

Best pastries ever. My favorite is the almond chocolate croissant I definitely come back aagin

The country ham scones are really tasty the coffee is fantastic i stop by every morning the staff is friendly just a great place read more

Best bread in Durham by far and an amazing assortment of pastries. Hot tip, buy a few loaves of Pan de Campagne, have them slice it, and then freeze them for later enjoyment! read more