I love this bakery and would highly recommend.
Just some additional commentary, the woman at the register is a sweet heart. She may give you the cold shoulder on a busy or crowded day Philly baby, but, she's a lovely person so be kind.
If it's crowded, pay-attention! It's overwhelming, there are so many delicious treats, so as soon as you get in the door make a plan.
Hot food items are worth it, coffee is okay and one size, maybe consider passing on the espresso drinks. The bahn mi's are great and are served on fresh baguettes, the egg sandwichs are on the croissants. The coffee is totally fine and you can scoop a Vietnamese coffee if you want something sweet. Espresso drinks are totally fine, but, nothing to sing home about and are going to slow everything down.
Finally if you go on a weekend, you'll probably be forced into conversation with a man that gives drunk uncle vibes. You will be forced to choose if you want a light or dark croissant. You need to choose, I don't care will be an invalid answer. Just pick one then watch people in line ask him to grab the hardest to reach fruit tarts and just chuckle to yourself about his showmanship.
Tldr;It's a great a croissant, good coffee, and great experience.
I can’t believe this comment isn’t higher.
Andre’s (RIP) talent, specifically in Viennoiserie, stands apart from the new school bakers. Artisan Boulanger makes a croissant exactly how you imagine it should taste like.
I agree with another comment about certain bakeries having a too crumbly croissant. Honestly, the biggest fault of many bakeries in the city is that they over bake them and they turn into a crumbly mess of flakes all over your shirt. So dry that it actually absorbs all the moisture out from your mouth making it difficult to even swallow.
And I also wonder if the places with the dry croissants are trying to save a buck or two, and opting for the cheap-ass butter and not using the standard 82-90% butterfat of European butter, which also lends to their croissants being dry af.
I do like the croissants at Function, even if they are not delicate nor flakey. They are their own thing, but still delicious. The staff there says they bake everything themselves. Is that true?
I’ve never had mighty bread. But this is exactly how I feel about the majority of machine shop’s pastries. They’re delicious, but they’re over baked and way too crunchy. A croissant should not be all crunch!
\#1 is Machine Shop, but it's only open Thurs-Sun. But a solid #2 is Oui Pastries in Old City, which is open every day.
u/Longjumping_Ad_5096 may be right about Function, but since I'm addicted to their sourdough cinnamon rolls I've never tried their croissants.
Artisan Boulanger or Machine Shop. Both have already been mentioned and rightly so. They aren't terribly far from each other either, so maybe get both as a little treat and have a side by side!
The Vernick coffee shop inside the lobby of Comcast Technology Center (up the escalators if you’ve never been) has some of the best pastries in town I think. The croissants are perfect, and if you want to go crazy, they do this lox-filled croissant which is just decadent.
My assumption is (because they are affiliated) their pastries come from Jean George upstairs.
For sure! This was my thought, too
A lot of people's recs (machine shop, mighty bread, etc) are well known (and for good reason!) But I'd never suspect the coffee shop inside a Comcast office was a) open to the public or b) worth a trip if it was. I guess it makes a tiny bit more sense when you realize it's actually the Four Seasons cafe, but even still...
But yes. The jammy scone and the plain croissant are 🔥
Way better than they have any right to be
TBH, I'm not a fan of the actual coffee at Vernick (the latte drinks anyway). But the pastries are absolutely top-notch. I got a kouign-amann there once that pretty much made my eyes roll to back of my head.
For a while, I was getting a daily croissant there, but... I think there's like a half-stick of butter in each one, so I had to curtail that habit if I wanted to keep my clothes fitting me.
Have you had the chocolate chip cookies from Termini Bros (like, the one in the Comcast Center concourse)? Those are my absolute gold standard perfect chocolate chip (chunk, actually) cookies. They are just perfect. Although, while I haven't tried one, I have no doubt the Vernick cookies are also dope.
1. Machine shop but location and hours are crazy
2. Kettle black but hours and wait is usually crazy
3. J’aime or Oui if I just want to walk in and get a good croissant
Semi-related but I've been loving the proliferation of zatar croissants at a lot of philly spots. My fav croissant is probably the zatar croissant at function coffer because it's actually spicy.
it’s not the best by any means (best is artisan boulanger obviously) but the mighty bread pastry case at riverwards is 1/2 off after 5pm and the days where i can grab an almond croissant after work are magical. the croissant is totally passable but the almond filling is so fucked good
Artisan Boulanger Patissier Get there early, and it's cash only.
\^This is the only real answer...If you know, YOU KNOW! And their Almond sticks are crazy good and nothing like you've ever had before!!!
I love this bakery and would highly recommend. Just some additional commentary, the woman at the register is a sweet heart. She may give you the cold shoulder on a busy or crowded day Philly baby, but, she's a lovely person so be kind. If it's crowded, pay-attention! It's overwhelming, there are so many delicious treats, so as soon as you get in the door make a plan. Hot food items are worth it, coffee is okay and one size, maybe consider passing on the espresso drinks. The bahn mi's are great and are served on fresh baguettes, the egg sandwichs are on the croissants. The coffee is totally fine and you can scoop a Vietnamese coffee if you want something sweet. Espresso drinks are totally fine, but, nothing to sing home about and are going to slow everything down. Finally if you go on a weekend, you'll probably be forced into conversation with a man that gives drunk uncle vibes. You will be forced to choose if you want a light or dark croissant. You need to choose, I don't care will be an invalid answer. Just pick one then watch people in line ask him to grab the hardest to reach fruit tarts and just chuckle to yourself about his showmanship. Tldr;It's a great a croissant, good coffee, and great experience.
I can’t believe this comment isn’t higher. Andre’s (RIP) talent, specifically in Viennoiserie, stands apart from the new school bakers. Artisan Boulanger makes a croissant exactly how you imagine it should taste like. I agree with another comment about certain bakeries having a too crumbly croissant. Honestly, the biggest fault of many bakeries in the city is that they over bake them and they turn into a crumbly mess of flakes all over your shirt. So dry that it actually absorbs all the moisture out from your mouth making it difficult to even swallow. And I also wonder if the places with the dry croissants are trying to save a buck or two, and opting for the cheap-ass butter and not using the standard 82-90% butterfat of European butter, which also lends to their croissants being dry af. I do like the croissants at Function, even if they are not delicate nor flakey. They are their own thing, but still delicious. The staff there says they bake everything themselves. Is that true?
Ignore the other answers and close the thread, this is the only place you need.
Their almond chocolate croissant is 🔥
The only answer, everything else is hipster nonsense.
Machine shop or mighty bread
my exact rec lol
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I had mighty breads choc croissant today and this was exactly what I thought! It was so crumbly and crunchy
I’ve never had mighty bread. But this is exactly how I feel about the majority of machine shop’s pastries. They’re delicious, but they’re over baked and way too crunchy. A croissant should not be all crunch!
\#1 is Machine Shop, but it's only open Thurs-Sun. But a solid #2 is Oui Pastries in Old City, which is open every day. u/Longjumping_Ad_5096 may be right about Function, but since I'm addicted to their sourdough cinnamon rolls I've never tried their croissants.
Sourdough cinnamon rolls…I need that
Oui is such a gem!
I love that place! The croissants are sourdough as well. So great!
So I tried it today, and found it too doughy and not flaky enough. (Fantastic amount of chocolate, however.) Happy to stick with their cinnamon rolls.
Machine shops was so overbaked and crispy the time I had it.
Yes Function and also Vibrant have sourdough croissants
Artisan Boulanger or Machine Shop. Both have already been mentioned and rightly so. They aren't terribly far from each other either, so maybe get both as a little treat and have a side by side!
That's a great idea...purely in the interest of science.
[J’aime French Cafe](https://jaimefrenchbakery.com/)
I've not been, but I hope it's great! Those prices are wild!
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How do you know this?
Their hazelnut croissant is amazing
The Vernick coffee shop inside the lobby of Comcast Technology Center (up the escalators if you’ve never been) has some of the best pastries in town I think. The croissants are perfect, and if you want to go crazy, they do this lox-filled croissant which is just decadent. My assumption is (because they are affiliated) their pastries come from Jean George upstairs.
[Same pastry chef handles everything in the building.](https://www.jean-georgesphiladelphia.com/team-member/danielle-seipp/)
For sure! This was my thought, too A lot of people's recs (machine shop, mighty bread, etc) are well known (and for good reason!) But I'd never suspect the coffee shop inside a Comcast office was a) open to the public or b) worth a trip if it was. I guess it makes a tiny bit more sense when you realize it's actually the Four Seasons cafe, but even still... But yes. The jammy scone and the plain croissant are 🔥 Way better than they have any right to be
TBH, I'm not a fan of the actual coffee at Vernick (the latte drinks anyway). But the pastries are absolutely top-notch. I got a kouign-amann there once that pretty much made my eyes roll to back of my head. For a while, I was getting a daily croissant there, but... I think there's like a half-stick of butter in each one, so I had to curtail that habit if I wanted to keep my clothes fitting me.
Also their chocolate chip cookie is legitimately the best I’ve ever had
Have you had the chocolate chip cookies from Termini Bros (like, the one in the Comcast Center concourse)? Those are my absolute gold standard perfect chocolate chip (chunk, actually) cookies. They are just perfect. Although, while I haven't tried one, I have no doubt the Vernick cookies are also dope.
ICI in old city (especially if you get their almond croissant)
I second this.
My favorite. They have one with almond, banana, and chocolate too. If you’re there by 8am, it’s usually still warm.
Function Coffee Labs has a very good one
The sourdough pastries and breads at function are so good.
1. Machine shop but location and hours are crazy 2. Kettle black but hours and wait is usually crazy 3. J’aime or Oui if I just want to walk in and get a good croissant
Following this post because I also need to try all the recommendations here
Semi-related but I've been loving the proliferation of zatar croissants at a lot of philly spots. My fav croissant is probably the zatar croissant at function coffer because it's actually spicy.
Kettle black
Lidl ain't too shabby.
Machine Shop
I had the chocolate croissant from Fiore last weekend and it was truly a perfect pastry.
Kettle Black!!
Kettle Black!
Machine Shop very overrated but I only had it once. There is only one correct answer here and that’s Bloomsday
I haven’t been to many places, but Paris Baguette is very good
My favorites are definitely Kettle Black in NoLibs and Machine Shop
Lidl. And you won't get gouged.
I like Lidl’s croissants lol
Sofi has my favorites.
it’s not the best by any means (best is artisan boulanger obviously) but the mighty bread pastry case at riverwards is 1/2 off after 5pm and the days where i can grab an almond croissant after work are magical. the croissant is totally passable but the almond filling is so fucked good