Pastries are amazing, the coffee is mid at best. The staff is borderline rude, maybe an off day? Definitely has potential
Cassels krebs
Best pastry Pop Tart I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying! Love the open bakery concept while waiting for your tasty snack
Leigh Ann Gannon
Love this place!! Have for years. Like Feast and Forest far back. Was super excited for the reopening. But now….what is going on? The service - not good. It had started to get a little off at the first of the year, but now it is just plain awful. No communication. Please don’t expect me to walk in and not receive a greeting, order without being asked what I would like, and then just left there without being told what you are doing with my food/coffee. It’s uncomfortable to have to say “uh I had a ham & cheese croissant” only to be snapped at and then told “We are doing it!” I’m not always sure what the protocol is. But no words? Doesn’t work at all. Ever. And when I finished to have the door opened for me and made to feel like my 20 minutes were up. No “Goodbye” “Come again”. Is it me? Am I too old fashioned? Food was very good, but I’d rather be somewhere that I feel like I’m not bothering them by being there.
Traci Reason
If you want to eat a French pastry without traveling to France, this is THE place to go! Everything was utter perfection, simply fantastique—chef's kiss! We tried the Nutella and strawberry pop tarts, almond croissant, lemon tart and choux. There aren't enough words to adequately describe the euphoric experience of eating these works of art. Go try some for yourself and you will agree!
Hannah Warner
Lovely experience all around. These earl grey donuts were absolutely delicious! The prettiest pastries and atmosphere.
Colleen Olfenbuttel
My only regret is we didn't check this place out until we were heading out of town after our trip. Otherwise, I would have been there every day during our trip. I got an iced mocha latte, ham & cheese croissant (that they heated upon request), almond croissant, sourdough bread, and danish. All I can say is that I loved everything. It's what you would expect from a french bakery...delicate, flavorful, flaky, moist, and just yummy. The bread is amazing....I have been eating it for days with just a light toast and bread. For those of you that live in B'ham, you are lucky to have this place. If it were where I lived, I would be going daily.
Anastasia Reyes
A bakery using French technique and Southern ingredients in Downtown Birmingham, AL!???
Bandit is the cutest bakery that also wholesales its sweets to coffee shops in the area!
Atmosphere: The bakery is small with the pastry counter in front of the door and seating nestled on the other side of the space. Service: We were served immediately and got all of the items that we ordered quickly. Menu items: I got the Ham & Cheese Croissant, Chocolate Chip + Sea Salt Cookie, Blueberry Poptart, and Choux. Everything tasted delicious and unique. The croissant was warmed up and had a flaky outside and soft inside. The cookie had a soft middle with a slightly harder outside and was the perfect mix of salty and sweet. The poptart was unique and had a blueberry jelly filling. And the choux was unique to me as it was my first time having one (basically a fancy cream puff).
All of the items had a beautiful presentation. I also love that they rotate their menu items so that new things are provided regularly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Cookies, Pastries, Parisian Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Butter Croissant
Kathryn Peters
The pastries are amazing. Im from out of state and this is what pastries are supposed to look and taste like. Golden, fully cooked and delicious. I realize that isnt much to ask for but ealier that same morning after having a sad experience at another place. I decided I needed a redo and come here. Huge difference! Place is small but has a couple places to sit. I intentionally ordered an item that I had also received at another local pastry shop to compare. The ham and cheese had perfect flaky layers, crispy and NOT greasy. Ordered a choux which was beautiful and delicious. Also this place has coffee and tea! This is obviously a staple in most pastry shops but another local place doesnt do this? The choice is easy Ill be in every morning before I leave to head home.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pastries, Parisian Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Jonah Celeski
I very much enjoy this place and want it to succeed. The pastries are great. The pastries offered at other coffee shops around Birmingham don’t come close. They really do a fine job and I’m always pleased with the flavor and freshness of them. I don’t have much negative to talk about, but there are just a few tiny details I feel would make the Bandit more comfortable.
The place is very small, and I know there isn’t much they can do about that. However, more and more comfortable outdoor seating may be a worthy addition to bring customers in.
The pastries are big, which is nothing to complain about, but the paper plates provided are too small for them. Admittedly, a paper plate isn’t necessarily what I’d hope for and doesn’t really match the atmosphere, but I understand you’d like to keep tasks minimal for the employees, especially if you only have one working the counter. At the least, a slightly larger plate (paper or not) perhaps would save some employee time because there won’t be so many pastry crumbs on the table or on the floor.
I’m sad to see the espresso machine go. There isn’t much room for it, and I know there’s now more room for pastries which is likely more profitable, but nothing pairs with pastry like espresso. Drip coffee, cold brew, and matcha are good but for the quality I believe the Bandit is shooting for, espresso is imperative. It’s also tough for me to wrap my head around paying $3-4 for something like drip coffee when I’m aware of the minimal effort required and how insanely cheap it is to make, even more so than espresso. It’s a remainder on the menu that’s a sad placeholder for what once was espresso! Perhaps a machine in the back and a second employee could bring this back.
Again, I’m always pleased with the Bandit and I think it’s a great addition to downtown Birmingham. My trivial recommendations are easily forgotten with the first bite of any of their pastries. Please give the place your business!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Cookies, Almond Croissant, Smoked Salmon Tartine, French Omelette, Quiche Salad, Pastries, Carrot Cake, Avocado Toast, Egg Salad, Scone, Oat Almond Milk, 5 Grain Salad, Breakfast Sandwich, Parisian Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Ratatouille Sandwich, Butter Croissant, Cream Cheese and Chive Pastry, Lemon Meringue Tarte, Tart
Pamela Miller
I wouldn’t go here after seeing the employee sitting on the counter where food and drinks would be prepared!!!
Let me just say that #1, the negative reviews on this thread are completely invalid. I find it comical that someone said their pastry was doughy when they in fact ordered an almond croissant with almond paste in the middle.
Their pastries are absolutely heavenly. We were in town for a wedding and came here both mornings we were in town. We had the chocolate croissant, almond croissant, blueberry pop tart, and cinnamon roll.
Let me just say- that chocolate croissant literally transported me to another dimension. The best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Super friendly service. The lady working the counter had several regulars in and started prepping their orders without even asking what they wanted because she knew exactly what they wanted.
Buyer beware! Tip is added arbitrarily even when you are just picking up things to go. Check your receipt or be sorry. Sad to see a small, local business take advantage of loyal customers. Would not recommend!
Service: 1
Giselle Barrett
Love Bandit! We drive from Pell City to grab a coffee and those addictive pastries!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Pastries, Butter Croissant, Lemon Meringue Tarte
Jaime Vasquez
Amazing pastries
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Cookies, Almond Croissant, Pastries, Tart
pastrygirl Lisa
Classic & stunning are the words I would use to describe this Birmingham gem!
Pastries are amazing, the coffee is mid at best. The staff is borderline rude, maybe an off day? Definitely has potential
Best pastry Pop Tart I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying! Love the open bakery concept while waiting for your tasty snack
Love this place!! Have for years. Like Feast and Forest far back. Was super excited for the reopening. But now….what is going on? The service - not good. It had started to get a little off at the first of the year, but now it is just plain awful. No communication. Please don’t expect me to walk in and not receive a greeting, order without being asked what I would like, and then just left there without being told what you are doing with my food/coffee. It’s uncomfortable to have to say “uh I had a ham & cheese croissant” only to be snapped at and then told “We are doing it!” I’m not always sure what the protocol is. But no words? Doesn’t work at all. Ever. And when I finished to have the door opened for me and made to feel like my 20 minutes were up. No “Goodbye” “Come again”. Is it me? Am I too old fashioned?
Food was very good, but I’d rather be somewhere that I feel like I’m not bothering them by being there.
If you want to eat a French pastry without traveling to France, this is THE place to go! Everything was utter perfection, simply fantastique—chef's kiss! We tried the Nutella and strawberry pop tarts, almond croissant, lemon tart and choux. There aren't enough words to adequately describe the euphoric experience of eating these works of art. Go try some for yourself and you will agree!
Lovely experience all around. These earl grey donuts were absolutely delicious! The prettiest pastries and atmosphere.
My only regret is we didn't check this place out until we were heading out of town after our trip. Otherwise, I would have been there every day during our trip. I got an iced mocha latte, ham & cheese croissant (that they heated upon request), almond croissant, sourdough bread, and danish. All I can say is that I loved everything. It's what you would expect from a french bakery...delicate, flavorful, flaky, moist, and just yummy. The bread is amazing....I have been eating it for days with just a light toast and bread. For those of you that live in B'ham, you are lucky to have this place. If it were where I lived, I would be going daily.
A bakery using French technique and Southern ingredients in Downtown Birmingham, AL!???
Bandit is the cutest bakery that also wholesales its sweets to coffee shops in the area!
Atmosphere: The bakery is small with the pastry counter in front of the door and seating nestled on the other side of the space.
Service: We were served immediately and got all of the items that we ordered quickly.
Menu items: I got the Ham & Cheese Croissant, Chocolate Chip + Sea Salt Cookie, Blueberry Poptart, and Choux. Everything tasted delicious and unique. The croissant was warmed up and had a flaky outside and soft inside. The cookie had a soft middle with a slightly harder outside and was the perfect mix of salty and sweet. The poptart was unique and had a blueberry jelly filling. And the choux was unique to me as it was my first time having one (basically a fancy cream puff).
All of the items had a beautiful presentation. I also love that they rotate their menu items so that new things are provided regularly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Cookies, Pastries, Parisian Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Butter Croissant
The pastries are amazing. Im from out of state and this is what pastries are supposed to look and taste like. Golden, fully cooked and delicious. I realize that isnt much to ask for but ealier that same morning after having a sad experience at another place. I decided I needed a redo and come here. Huge difference! Place is small but has a couple places to sit. I intentionally ordered an item that I had also received at another local pastry shop to compare. The ham and cheese had perfect flaky layers, crispy and NOT greasy. Ordered a choux which was beautiful and delicious. Also this place has coffee and tea! This is obviously a staple in most pastry shops but another local place doesnt do this? The choice is easy Ill be in every morning before I leave to head home.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pastries, Parisian Ham and Cheese Sandwich
I very much enjoy this place and want it to succeed.
The pastries are great. The pastries offered at other coffee shops around Birmingham don’t come close. They really do a fine job and I’m always pleased with the flavor and freshness of them. I don’t have much negative to talk about, but there are just a few tiny details I feel would make the Bandit more comfortable.
The place is very small, and I know there isn’t much they can do about that. However, more and more comfortable outdoor seating may be a worthy addition to bring customers in.
The pastries are big, which is nothing to complain about, but the paper plates provided are too small for them. Admittedly, a paper plate isn’t necessarily what I’d hope for and doesn’t really match the atmosphere, but I understand you’d like to keep tasks minimal for the employees, especially if you only have one working the counter. At the least, a slightly larger plate (paper or not) perhaps would save some employee time because there won’t be so many pastry crumbs on the table or on the floor.
I’m sad to see the espresso machine go. There isn’t much room for it, and I know there’s now more room for pastries which is likely more profitable, but nothing pairs with pastry like espresso. Drip coffee, cold brew, and matcha are good but for the quality I believe the Bandit is shooting for, espresso is imperative. It’s also tough for me to wrap my head around paying $3-4 for something like drip coffee when I’m aware of the minimal effort required and how insanely cheap it is to make, even more so than espresso. It’s a remainder on the menu that’s a sad placeholder for what once was espresso! Perhaps a machine in the back and a second employee could bring this back.
Again, I’m always pleased with the Bandit and I think it’s a great addition to downtown Birmingham. My trivial recommendations are easily forgotten with the first bite of any of their pastries. Please give the place your business!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Cookies, Almond Croissant, Smoked Salmon Tartine, French Omelette, Quiche Salad, Pastries, Carrot Cake, Avocado Toast, Egg Salad, Scone, Oat Almond Milk, 5 Grain Salad, Breakfast Sandwich, Parisian Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Ratatouille Sandwich, Butter Croissant, Cream Cheese and Chive Pastry, Lemon Meringue Tarte, Tart
I wouldn’t go here after seeing the employee sitting on the counter where food and drinks would be prepared!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Let me just say that #1, the negative reviews on this thread are completely invalid. I find it comical that someone said their pastry was doughy when they in fact ordered an almond croissant with almond paste in the middle.
Their pastries are absolutely heavenly. We were in town for a wedding and came here both mornings we were in town. We had the chocolate croissant, almond croissant, blueberry pop tart, and cinnamon roll.
Let me just say- that chocolate croissant literally transported me to another dimension. The best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Super friendly service. The lady working the counter had several regulars in and started prepping their orders without even asking what they wanted because she knew exactly what they wanted.
Please go here asap. You won’t regret it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Almond Croissant, Pastries
Buyer beware! Tip is added arbitrarily even when you are just picking up things to go. Check your receipt or be sorry. Sad to see a small, local business take advantage of loyal customers. Would not recommend!
Service: 1
Love Bandit! We drive from Pell City to grab a coffee and those addictive pastries!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Pastries, Butter Croissant, Lemon Meringue Tarte
Amazing pastries
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery, Cookies, Almond Croissant, Pastries, Tart
Classic & stunning are the words I would use to describe this Birmingham gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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