Fournee Bakery

2912 Domingo Ave., (510) 549-9434. Tu-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-3pm.

exterior line at Fournee Bakery in Berkeley, California

The line at Fournee Bakery is always out the door and around the corner. And for good reasons, among them that the pastry dough is amazingly light and flaky. I was planning out several meals with my order. For an afternoon snack I selected a dense and delicious seasonal fruit scone. For dinner for two, I chose two superb ham-and-Manchego cheese croissants (I zapped them in the microwave for 20 seconds) and for dessert a hazelnut-chocolate-oatmeal cookie that we shared. For the next day’s breakfast, it was a morning bun and a regular croissant because they were out of almond croissants (next time I will order ahead). On my next visit I will order pretty much the same, but I plan to also add in a baguette, a loaf of wheat bread, and a cheese roll. Note that you can order ahead and then enter the store via a special line that provides you faster check out.

interior of Fournee Bakery in Berkeley, California

pastries from Fournee Bakery in Berkeley, California

2020 pandemic update: Only two customers are permitted inside at the same time. Plastic barriers protect customer from server, and hand sanitizer is provided at the door. Though the service was in no way exceptional a tip seemed to be expected, which I found annoying because I have never before tipped at a bakery. I did wind up adding a small tip to my credit card payment, but only as a nod to these difficult times.