The kouign amann wasn't as it was by a long shot. The dough feels more like a brioche rather than croissant dough. It is shaped like a cinnamon roll rather than a kouign amann. The sugar was caramelized but wasn't crystallized so it was very sticky. And it was overbaked. The crust was super dry. The inside wasn't moist either and lacked butter. The few thick salt flake they have on top were extra salty when you come across it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Christophe Wilhelm
Loaf Bakery is one of the few places in RTP that sells excellent butter and chocolate croissants. The almond croissants are good as well, though they aren’t made with the traditional French recipe. The experience, however, comes at a price. At $4+, the cost feels steep—but it’s not the bakery’s fault; it’s simply the going rate in the U.S. Unfortunately, this pricing makes what is considered a daily staple in France feel like a luxury treat here. For context, a butter croissant in France costs about €1—yes, just one euro... Pastries are also too expensive, but I guess locals are ok with it. As a conclusion, I also noticed that the size of the chocolate croissant has significantly decreased... Bread is also worth the drive.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Katie Hale
Recently moved to the area and stumbled on this bakery. The man who assisted us knew all about the bread and let me explain the meal I was making and helped me pick the perfect loaf. It was delicious, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I have been going back every week. Please support them so I can keep eating these heavenly loafs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles Prior
Best bakery in the Triangle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe P
Unbelievable bakery. The highlight of our two days spent in Durham. Staff was so friendly, the croissants were delectable, but the showstopper was the olive bread with the European butter they sell in the refrigerated case. We'd go out of our way to visit next time we are in the area.
Austin Dorenkamp
An unassuming bakery with a delicious rotating assortment of daily treats!
Rebekah May
Best bakery I’ve found while living in Durham. Creative flavor and texture combinations of nuts, molasses, ginger, fruits, and cocoa are a refreshing substitute for the bludgeoning sweetness I have come to expect from desserts. Always fresh baked each morning with new selections. Pricing is all over the map so I tend to frequent the cookies—usually around a dollar. Every time I go I love the simplicity of pick, pay, walk away, but be aware that there is no seating in the bakery. I recommend sitting by the Carolina theatre.
Raquel Diaz
The baked goods here always shine, everything’s delicious but I wanted to shout out the wonderful staff. You could not ask for a sweeter crew, they’re all true gems. There’s something sweet about working downtown and being in community with these wonderful folx!! Thanks for the carbs and kindness <3
Whatevagoes
Great bakery for takeout treats, savory and sweet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissants and Danish, Ham & Gruyere Croissant, Apple Galette, Coconut Macaroon, Pain Aux Raisin F
Chelsea Wong
I absolutely love love love Loaf 🫶🏻 The ube coconut flan is a standout—silky, creamy, and perfectly balanced with the sweetness of coconut and the rich, earthy flavor of ube. The cream puff is just as amazing, with its light, airy shell and luscious, smooth cream filling. I also loveeee their bread! If you're a fan of delicious, well-crafted pastries and bread, this place is a must! loaf i love you ❤️
Loaf is the best bakery in Durham and Chapel Hill hands down if you want something closely resembling a French bakery. The croissants are the real deal, the sourdough breads are wonderfully tangy, and their rotating offering of different breads keeps me coming back on different days to try different ones. Highly recommend the polenta loaf. The pastries are great too!
The only feedback I have is that the staff used to be friendlier. I've been a customer for 13 years. I no longer enjoy going to the shop although the product is still great. The woman who seems to be managing the front end has an unfriendly manner to customers and staff. I think with a little adjustment it can be the friendly neighborhood bakery I used to look forward to visiting.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nancy LaPlaca
The best bread in Durham is at Loaf.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sue Huynh
Absolutely love this place! The people working were so incredibly kind and gave great suggestions. I got a mushroom cheddar croissant and honestly it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. Can't stop thinking about it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Will Priest
This place is awesome. Everything we got was exceptional. I 100% agree with all the other reviews that the vibe is awesome too. New go to for anytime we need something fresh baked. Both wish it was closer and glad its not too close at the same time!
The kouign amann wasn't as it was by a long shot. The dough feels more like a brioche rather than croissant dough. It is shaped like a cinnamon roll rather than a kouign amann. The sugar was caramelized but wasn't crystallized so it was very sticky. And it was overbaked. The crust was super dry. The inside wasn't moist either and lacked butter. The few thick salt flake they have on top were extra salty when you come across it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Loaf Bakery is one of the few places in RTP that sells excellent butter and chocolate croissants. The almond croissants are good as well, though they aren’t made with the traditional French recipe.
The experience, however, comes at a price.
At $4+, the cost feels steep—but it’s not the bakery’s fault; it’s simply the going rate in the U.S. Unfortunately, this pricing makes what is considered a daily staple in France feel like a luxury treat here. For context, a butter croissant in France costs about €1—yes, just one euro...
Pastries are also too expensive, but I guess locals are ok with it.
As a conclusion, I also noticed that the size of the chocolate croissant has significantly decreased...
Bread is also worth the drive.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recently moved to the area and stumbled on this bakery. The man who assisted us knew all about the bread and let me explain the meal I was making and helped me pick the perfect loaf. It was delicious, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I have been going back every week. Please support them so I can keep eating these heavenly loafs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best bakery in the Triangle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unbelievable bakery. The highlight of our two days spent in Durham. Staff was so friendly, the croissants were delectable, but the showstopper was the olive bread with the European butter they sell in the refrigerated case. We'd go out of our way to visit next time we are in the area.
An unassuming bakery with a delicious rotating assortment of daily treats!
Best bakery I’ve found while living in Durham. Creative flavor and texture combinations of nuts, molasses, ginger, fruits, and cocoa are a refreshing substitute for the bludgeoning sweetness I have come to expect from desserts. Always fresh baked each morning with new selections. Pricing is all over the map so I tend to frequent the cookies—usually around a dollar. Every time I go I love the simplicity of pick, pay, walk away, but be aware that there is no seating in the bakery. I recommend sitting by the Carolina theatre.
The baked goods here always shine, everything’s delicious but I wanted to shout out the wonderful staff. You could not ask for a sweeter crew, they’re all true gems. There’s something sweet about working downtown and being in community with these wonderful folx!! Thanks for the carbs and kindness <3
Great bakery for takeout treats, savory and sweet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissants and Danish, Ham & Gruyere Croissant, Apple Galette, Coconut Macaroon, Pain Aux Raisin F
I absolutely love love love Loaf 🫶🏻 The ube coconut flan is a standout—silky, creamy, and perfectly balanced with the sweetness of coconut and the rich, earthy flavor of ube. The cream puff is just as amazing, with its light, airy shell and luscious, smooth cream filling. I also loveeee their bread! If you're a fan of delicious, well-crafted pastries and bread, this place is a must! loaf i love you ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ham & Gruyere Croissant
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious bakery
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spinach & Gruyere Croissant W
Loaf is the best bakery in Durham and Chapel Hill hands down if you want something closely resembling a French bakery. The croissants are the real deal, the sourdough breads are wonderfully tangy, and their rotating offering of different breads keeps me coming back on different days to try different ones. Highly recommend the polenta loaf. The pastries are great too!
The only feedback I have is that the staff used to be friendlier. I've been a customer for 13 years. I no longer enjoy going to the shop although the product is still great. The woman who seems to be managing the front end has an unfriendly manner to customers and staff. I think with a little adjustment it can be the friendly neighborhood bakery I used to look forward to visiting.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
The best bread in Durham is at Loaf.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely love this place! The people working were so incredibly kind and gave great suggestions. I got a mushroom cheddar croissant and honestly it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. Can't stop thinking about it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is awesome. Everything we got was exceptional. I 100% agree with all the other reviews that the vibe is awesome too. New go to for anytime we need something fresh baked. Both wish it was closer and glad its not too close at the same time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissants and Danish
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