Such a cool location and great selection of food and drink
Teresa Kosinski
I'd like to say that it's awful and no one should go there because I'd love it all to myself... Yummy!
Becca Gomez Farrell
Went to Firebrand Artisan Breads's Alameda location recently, which is always a great excuse to eat more pastries! ? Seating inside is kind of awkward, as it's positioned around the ordering line, but there's also an outside patio. Be sure to bring a sweater, though, because you never know how much of a breeze is going to kick up on that end of Alameda.My friend went for the BLT, made on Firebrand bread, of course! I opted for the spicy chicken sandwich, and it was fantastic! So flavorful without going over my spice limit. The dressing for the side salads was quite nice as well, though I do prefer when a salad is more than just lettuce.Of course, there's also those pretty pastries! I split them with Ben later on. My favorite was probably the espresso buckwheat chocolate chip cookie, which had the right amount of bitterness for me to combine with the sweet.The matcha croissant was filled to the brim inside with a very creamy matcha sauce. Quite tasty! But you do lose the bread in the midst of that cream. The hazelnut chocolate kouign amann hit the spot, and its filling was also creamier than I expected.I'm glad Firebrand could expand to Alameda!
Jenna J.
Finally got to eat here. I'm not a morning person so we never seemed to finish our dog walk in time to catch their breakfast offerings. Really liked the food. I had a mushroom melt. Yum. Also sampled the orange and chocolate scone. Never met a scone I didn't like. JimBob liked his food too. Can't remember what it was, will have to check. The only glitch was that I happened to order a coffee right before they needed to brew the next batch. This took so long that my food which supposedly would take 15 minutes to cook, was already at the table by the time my coffee appeared. On one hand it's great that the food came so fast, but you wouldn't think brewing coffee took so long. We plan to come back.
Matt M.
Dog friendly and great food. Line moves fast and they have great pastries. They have inside and outside dining that's very family oriented.
Cam S.
Cute local spot. I had their banana walnut bread and it was very cinnamon forward and a bit too sweet for my liking - perhaps this was also in part due to the cinnamon sugared crust, but the consistency was pretty fantastic. As a note supply their baked goods to a variety of local cafes in the Bay Area.
Mlg (mlg)
Stumbled on this out and about today. Great coffee and baked goods. Interesting menu, large portions and delicious fries. Friendly service in a non hurried atmosphere.Indoor and outdoor seating. Definitely going back and telling friends.
Shana L.
Delicious food with both GF and vegan options in a nice cafe atmosphere. I look forward to going again.
Jennifer G.
Fantastic, top-quality pastries, bread, atmosphere. Service a step below but I'm here for the product!
Paul L.
Great place to grab some pastries and sit outside in the sun! Food takes around 15 minutes to prep, but it's worth the time. Croissants are the highlight for my wife, and I enjoy the savory pretzel buns.
Delicious prepared food, fresh pastries and baked goods, spacious outdoor and clean indoor dining areas, great views of the bay, awesome staff - what can you ask for from one of the best bakeries on the east bay? We came here on a nice day with the sun out and were pleasantly surprised with the picnic benches outside where many patrons decided to dine. With umbrellas for shade, a giant connect four game to entertain, and plentiful parking spots, Firebrand is conveniently situated for a stress-free outing with the family, friends, or coworkers (assuming you're already in Alameda or planning to come into the island), and due to its proximity to the bay, you'll enjoy nice open areas to enjoy your day afterwards. They open early and tend to sell out of the popular pastries early so get in when you can! We unfortunately did not get to try the matcha croissant but will definitely keep in mind next time we come around. The other pastries and baked goods were delicious! And if you're a fan of their bread, they distribute them through other stores like Whole Foods. When you enter the building (it looks huge from the outside but the actual bakery/dining area isn't too big), hang a left and get in line. It tends to move quick but it's good to take the time to decide what you'll be ordering. You can grab a menu for the prepared food or just use your eyes for the pastries. As we were dining here for lunch, we ordered a number of goodies to share. The prepared food comes out piping hot and they'll bring it to your table (you get a number upon placing your order). You're expected to bus your own table but everything comes out in mini stackable sheet trays so cleanup is easy. The pizza is the thin crust variation but has a good crisp down the edges. The ingredients they use are exceptional - fresh arugula and hearty mushroom slices on the mushroom pizza. The pizzas are decent sized and can certainly feed a 2-3 people depending on their hunger level. We also ordered the roast beef sandwich and it was very meaty with a good helping of fresh arugula as well. It comes with fries or salad but we opted for the fries which came out hot, crispy, and lightly seasoned. Of the baked goods, their butter croissant is on point, Gruyère pretzel bomb is a unique bite, the goat cheese pretzel is yummy (if you like goat cheese), and the chocolate chip cookie is loaded! There are still so many more to try - I cannot wait to come back! Overall, Firebrand definitely has that artisan feel with their breads and pastries but also serves up some hearty meals that are indeed shareable. Since they also distribute their goods to local shops, I foresee them sticking around for awhile. But don't wait! Those pastries are flying off their shelf quick and you won't want to miss a chance to taste their innovative creations!
Taylor L.
Such an awesome place! Definitely one of the best croissants I've ever had, the matcha one specifically. I also recommend the breakfast pizza, the bacon is perfect on it. We loved the outdoor seating for hanging with our dog and larger group. We will definitely be back!
Briggitte L.
I really enjoy coming here for lunch. I think that the pastries are delicious and the breakfasts are really good too. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, so there is always a line, but it moves quickly. I will be back.
Aaron C.
If you're in the area, it's a nice place to grab a snack or a coffee. However the area is very specific to the other businesses nearby. The close parking lot is also very limited. They had several spots for EV or low emissions vehicles but most folks ignored that. That's not the businesses fault, though something to be aware of if you have personal mobility issues. However there is a larger lot across the street. The coffee was okay, not bad though I wouldn't make a trip specifically for the coffee (given the location).
Alena N.
I love the ambiance of this location, it's not too busy on the weekdays. Perfect spot to grab a coffee and work. It's a small cafe storefront with a large industrial bakery in the back. You can get hints of freshly baked breads from time to time. The aroma is delicious. I love their chocolate croissants and morning buns. They serve a great lunch menu as well. I typically order the BLAT with turkey with the fries. Their potatoes are always sooo crispy and delicious. Overall great weekday cafe stop for either lunch, brunch or pastries.
Such a cool location and great selection of food and drink
I'd like to say that it's awful and no one should go there because I'd love it all to myself... Yummy!
Went to Firebrand Artisan Breads's Alameda location recently, which is always a great excuse to eat more pastries! ? Seating inside is kind of awkward, as it's positioned around the ordering line, but there's also an outside patio. Be sure to bring a sweater, though, because you never know how much of a breeze is going to kick up on that end of Alameda.My friend went for the BLT, made on Firebrand bread, of course! I opted for the spicy chicken sandwich, and it was fantastic! So flavorful without going over my spice limit. The dressing for the side salads was quite nice as well, though I do prefer when a salad is more than just lettuce.Of course, there's also those pretty pastries! I split them with Ben later on. My favorite was probably the espresso buckwheat chocolate chip cookie, which had the right amount of bitterness for me to combine with the sweet.The matcha croissant was filled to the brim inside with a very creamy matcha sauce. Quite tasty! But you do lose the bread in the midst of that cream. The hazelnut chocolate kouign amann hit the spot, and its filling was also creamier than I expected.I'm glad Firebrand could expand to Alameda!
Finally got to eat here. I'm not a morning person so we never seemed to finish our dog walk in time to catch their breakfast offerings. Really liked the food. I had a mushroom melt. Yum. Also sampled the orange and chocolate scone. Never met a scone I didn't like. JimBob liked his food too. Can't remember what it was, will have to check. The only glitch was that I happened to order a coffee right before they needed to brew the next batch. This took so long that my food which supposedly would take 15 minutes to cook, was already at the table by the time my coffee appeared. On one hand it's great that the food came so fast, but you wouldn't think brewing coffee took so long. We plan to come back.
Dog friendly and great food. Line moves fast and they have great pastries. They have inside and outside dining that's very family oriented.
Cute local spot. I had their banana walnut bread and it was very cinnamon forward and a bit too sweet for my liking - perhaps this was also in part due to the cinnamon sugared crust, but the consistency was pretty fantastic. As a note supply their baked goods to a variety of local cafes in the Bay Area.
Stumbled on this out and about today. Great coffee and baked goods. Interesting menu, large portions and delicious fries. Friendly service in a non hurried atmosphere.Indoor and outdoor seating. Definitely going back and telling friends.
Delicious food with both GF and vegan options in a nice cafe atmosphere. I look forward to going again.
Fantastic, top-quality pastries, bread, atmosphere. Service a step below but I'm here for the product!
Great place to grab some pastries and sit outside in the sun! Food takes around 15 minutes to prep, but it's worth the time. Croissants are the highlight for my wife, and I enjoy the savory pretzel buns.
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious prepared food, fresh pastries and baked goods, spacious outdoor and clean indoor dining areas, great views of the bay, awesome staff - what can you ask for from one of the best bakeries on the east bay? We came here on a nice day with the sun out and were pleasantly surprised with the picnic benches outside where many patrons decided to dine. With umbrellas for shade, a giant connect four game to entertain, and plentiful parking spots, Firebrand is conveniently situated for a stress-free outing with the family, friends, or coworkers (assuming you're already in Alameda or planning to come into the island), and due to its proximity to the bay, you'll enjoy nice open areas to enjoy your day afterwards. They open early and tend to sell out of the popular pastries early so get in when you can! We unfortunately did not get to try the matcha croissant but will definitely keep in mind next time we come around. The other pastries and baked goods were delicious! And if you're a fan of their bread, they distribute them through other stores like Whole Foods. When you enter the building (it looks huge from the outside but the actual bakery/dining area isn't too big), hang a left and get in line. It tends to move quick but it's good to take the time to decide what you'll be ordering. You can grab a menu for the prepared food or just use your eyes for the pastries. As we were dining here for lunch, we ordered a number of goodies to share. The prepared food comes out piping hot and they'll bring it to your table (you get a number upon placing your order). You're expected to bus your own table but everything comes out in mini stackable sheet trays so cleanup is easy. The pizza is the thin crust variation but has a good crisp down the edges. The ingredients they use are exceptional - fresh arugula and hearty mushroom slices on the mushroom pizza. The pizzas are decent sized and can certainly feed a 2-3 people depending on their hunger level. We also ordered the roast beef sandwich and it was very meaty with a good helping of fresh arugula as well. It comes with fries or salad but we opted for the fries which came out hot, crispy, and lightly seasoned. Of the baked goods, their butter croissant is on point, Gruyère pretzel bomb is a unique bite, the goat cheese pretzel is yummy (if you like goat cheese), and the chocolate chip cookie is loaded! There are still so many more to try - I cannot wait to come back! Overall, Firebrand definitely has that artisan feel with their breads and pastries but also serves up some hearty meals that are indeed shareable. Since they also distribute their goods to local shops, I foresee them sticking around for awhile. But don't wait! Those pastries are flying off their shelf quick and you won't want to miss a chance to taste their innovative creations!
Such an awesome place! Definitely one of the best croissants I've ever had, the matcha one specifically. I also recommend the breakfast pizza, the bacon is perfect on it. We loved the outdoor seating for hanging with our dog and larger group. We will definitely be back!
I really enjoy coming here for lunch. I think that the pastries are delicious and the breakfasts are really good too. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, so there is always a line, but it moves quickly. I will be back.
If you're in the area, it's a nice place to grab a snack or a coffee. However the area is very specific to the other businesses nearby. The close parking lot is also very limited. They had several spots for EV or low emissions vehicles but most folks ignored that. That's not the businesses fault, though something to be aware of if you have personal mobility issues. However there is a larger lot across the street. The coffee was okay, not bad though I wouldn't make a trip specifically for the coffee (given the location).
I love the ambiance of this location, it's not too busy on the weekdays. Perfect spot to grab a coffee and work. It's a small cafe storefront with a large industrial bakery in the back. You can get hints of freshly baked breads from time to time. The aroma is delicious. I love their chocolate croissants and morning buns. They serve a great lunch menu as well. I typically order the BLAT with turkey with the fries. Their potatoes are always sooo crispy and delicious. Overall great weekday cafe stop for either lunch, brunch or pastries.