If you're in Keene New Hampshire and you want some amazing baked goods and down home great cooking Kristin's Bistro and Bakery is a must try.It's a rainy cold Friday in the middle for February and our 1st time in Keene New Hampshire we weren't sure what we were in store for when we first walked in to Kristin's Bistro and Bakery for breakfast but what was very clear we were walking in to a very special place filled with a lot of love. We were filled with a sense of nostalgia and the smells reminded me of walking into my grandmothers kitchen.We arrived a little late in the morning (about 9:30 AM) after an obvious morning rush, a we were met with a prompt apology that they had run out of many of their "best sellers". We settled on the egg ham and cheese croissant and a slice of the asparagus & cheese quiche (usually reserved for their lunch menu) and two cups of coffee.Let's start with the egg ham & cheese croissant. The croissant was light and fluffy and perfectly buttery an amazing compliment to the egg ham and cheese (which were all perfectly prepared). I ordered the asparagus & cheese quiche and that was the most perfectly prepared quiche I've had in quite some time. The quiche its self was light fluffy and yet creamy and rich, the pastry shell was perfectly cooked and crumbly and as you can see with the photos they were both served with a side of fresh fruit which was the perfect accompaniment for both dishes.We had a very pleasant conversation with almost everyone working in the kitchen and behind the counter and then we were on our way to do some light shopping.On our way back to our inn we stopped in again for a lunch and we were welcomed back as if we were long time locals and we felt totally at home. For lunch we ordered 2 cups of Chicken Pot Pie Soup with a biscuit for each of us and we split the Roasted Turkey panini with Cranberry Chutney.So the Chicken Pot Pie soup (obviously the locals favorite because we got the last two cups) was exactly what we were hoping for a cup full of carrots, peas and lightly roasted chicken in the perfect cream soup (chicken pot pie filling in a cup!) and the biscuits were light buttery and crumbly (a biscuit I had had at my grandmothers 1,000 times) so satisfying and very filling. The sandwich was like thanksgiving gently pressed between two perfectly toasted pieces of bread and each half served on its own plate and each with it's own helping of potato chips.When we go to a local eatery like this one, we always go out of our way to ask questions, ask for suggestions and most importantly treat everyone like they are FAMILY (in this case like they were my Grandmas) and what we find is that everyone will treat you with the same kindness, love and respect.Thank you to the entire staff and the owner who took the time to make us feel so welcome and loved! Our bellies are full and so are our hearts.
C. P.
10/10 customer service. They fulfilled a Valentine’s Day order my mother (who lives an hour and a half away) called in and made the exception of delivering it to me because I just had a baby. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yes, I cried. So appreciated!
Kenny Bear
Most of the ladies that work here are extremely nice except for one that’s usually at the front. I’ll let people be the judge of who that is. Their pastries are good. But I have to agree with the other few reviews where people said they only want to cater to regulars and don’t appreciate new customers money spent in their business. I’m most likely never going back after how she treats people. I feel bad for all the hard working/sweet ladies that work here. That one bad apple ruins it for everyone.
Jessica Mahoney
Worst customer service ever. It seems that they cater to regulars, but I am new to the area and was treated like persona non grata. I was trying to order for a large business and would have offered repeat business but they didn't even bother being kind. I ended up going to a wonderful place in Peterborough, Station 18. I highly recommend them over this place. I work in customer service. You only get repeat customers if you are kind to them. I will never go back and I am in Keene every week. Highly disappointed.
Lori N
We walked in by chance on a stop in Keene and absolutely loved it! The pastries and bars were beyond delicious! The people were so nice! We talked for quite a bit with one of the proprietors. Told us some interesting facts about the town and even gave us some fresh baked doggie biscuits for our dog. Definitely recommend to anyone and hope someday we can return and will make a point of stopping again! Such a friendly place!
fay
Lady who took mine and my grandmas order was very rude to me. Very passive aggressive. Food was good, but will not be going back just for how rude the customer service was.
Matchalatte Verte
The most under rated bakery in America. I’ve never gone inside this place but I got family who bought me a ton of pastries from here. All their puff pastry items are so fluffy and crispy, and the fillings are perfection. I wish they open 24/7 to fulfill my cravings.
Josiah Bond
Worst service I’ve experienced in a very long time. Don’t work with people in a front facing position if you can’t be friendly.
Eric Dicesare
The food is good, but overpriced. $8 for a croissant and an iced coffee is ridiculous. You are better off going to the co-op.
Katherine Bourgeois
Cozy cafe to grab a quick bite. Had delicious tomato soup there. Great service
Maybe crazy, but the salads at Kristin's are fantastic. It's a soup and sandwich place, I know...but trust me, get at least a side salad. Dressings are great -- and no idea what fabulous farmer brings in lettuce like that, but whomever it is -- kudos. We have had a dozen of their soups, all great -- and you can tell by the loyal customer base that this is the spot for lunch. Nice ladies working there, and good homemade pastries and cookies. Every town should be so lucky.
Regan Wilkins
This place has the best chili ever, and their cheesecake bars are to die for
Lionel Carbonneau
We stop here for lunch five times a year on our way from Central Mass to Northeastern Vt to see my 97 year old dad. Last time we stopped we shared a hearty bowl of sweet potato corn chowder and a vegetarian wrap. The ambience is homey and welcoming. The food is delicious and fairly priced. One orders and pays at the registers. The food is delivered within 5 miles minutes by gracious staff. And we always leave with bake goods for my happy dad and cookies for the road. Always look forward to stopping at this hidden treasure.
Barbara Evans
Lovely cozy cafe to get a lunch or coffee and a pastry
If you're in Keene New Hampshire and you want some amazing baked goods and down home great cooking Kristin's Bistro and Bakery is a must try.It's a rainy cold Friday in the middle for February and our 1st time in Keene New Hampshire we weren't sure what we were in store for when we first walked in to Kristin's Bistro and Bakery for breakfast but what was very clear we were walking in to a very special place filled with a lot of love. We were filled with a sense of nostalgia and the smells reminded me of walking into my grandmothers kitchen.We arrived a little late in the morning (about 9:30 AM) after an obvious morning rush, a we were met with a prompt apology that they had run out of many of their "best sellers". We settled on the egg ham and cheese croissant and a slice of the asparagus & cheese quiche (usually reserved for their lunch menu) and two cups of coffee.Let's start with the egg ham & cheese croissant. The croissant was light and fluffy and perfectly buttery an amazing compliment to the egg ham and cheese (which were all perfectly prepared). I ordered the asparagus & cheese quiche and that was the most perfectly prepared quiche I've had in quite some time. The quiche its self was light fluffy and yet creamy and rich, the pastry shell was perfectly cooked and crumbly and as you can see with the photos they were both served with a side of fresh fruit which was the perfect accompaniment for both dishes.We had a very pleasant conversation with almost everyone working in the kitchen and behind the counter and then we were on our way to do some light shopping.On our way back to our inn we stopped in again for a lunch and we were welcomed back as if we were long time locals and we felt totally at home. For lunch we ordered 2 cups of Chicken Pot Pie Soup with a biscuit for each of us and we split the Roasted Turkey panini with Cranberry Chutney.So the Chicken Pot Pie soup (obviously the locals favorite because we got the last two cups) was exactly what we were hoping for a cup full of carrots, peas and lightly roasted chicken in the perfect cream soup (chicken pot pie filling in a cup!) and the biscuits were light buttery and crumbly (a biscuit I had had at my grandmothers 1,000 times) so satisfying and very filling. The sandwich was like thanksgiving gently pressed between two perfectly toasted pieces of bread and each half served on its own plate and each with it's own helping of potato chips.When we go to a local eatery like this one, we always go out of our way to ask questions, ask for suggestions and most importantly treat everyone like they are FAMILY (in this case like they were my Grandmas) and what we find is that everyone will treat you with the same kindness, love and respect.Thank you to the entire staff and the owner who took the time to make us feel so welcome and loved! Our bellies are full and so are our hearts.
10/10 customer service. They fulfilled a Valentine’s Day order my mother (who lives an hour and a half away) called in and made the exception of delivering it to me because I just had a baby. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yes, I cried. So appreciated!
Most of the ladies that work here are extremely nice except for one that’s usually at the front. I’ll let people be the judge of who that is. Their pastries are good. But I have to agree with the other few reviews where people said they only want to cater to regulars and don’t appreciate new customers money spent in their business. I’m most likely never going back after how she treats people. I feel bad for all the hard working/sweet ladies that work here. That one bad apple ruins it for everyone.
Worst customer service ever. It seems that they cater to regulars, but I am new to the area and was treated like persona non grata. I was trying to order for a large business and would have offered repeat business but they didn't even bother being kind. I ended up going to a wonderful place in Peterborough, Station 18. I highly recommend them over this place. I work in customer service. You only get repeat customers if you are kind to them. I will never go back and I am in Keene every week. Highly disappointed.
We walked in by chance on a stop in Keene and absolutely loved it! The pastries and bars were beyond delicious! The people were so nice! We talked for quite a bit with one of the proprietors. Told us some interesting facts about the town and even gave us some fresh baked doggie biscuits for our dog. Definitely recommend to anyone and hope someday we can return and will make a point of stopping again! Such a friendly place!
Lady who took mine and my grandmas order was very rude to me. Very passive aggressive. Food was good, but will not be going back just for how rude the customer service was.
The most under rated bakery in America. I’ve never gone inside this place but I got family who bought me a ton of pastries from here. All their puff pastry items are so fluffy and crispy, and the fillings are perfection. I wish they open 24/7 to fulfill my cravings.
Worst service I’ve experienced in a very long time. Don’t work with people in a front facing position if you can’t be friendly.
The food is good, but overpriced. $8 for a croissant and an iced coffee is ridiculous. You are better off going to the co-op.
Cozy cafe to grab a quick bite. Had delicious tomato soup there. Great service
Restaurantji Recommends
Maybe crazy, but the salads at Kristin's are fantastic. It's a soup and sandwich place, I know...but trust me, get at least a side salad. Dressings are great -- and no idea what fabulous farmer brings in lettuce like that, but whomever it is -- kudos. We have had a dozen of their soups, all great -- and you can tell by the loyal customer base that this is the spot for lunch. Nice ladies working there, and good homemade pastries and cookies. Every town should be so lucky.
This place has the best chili ever, and their cheesecake bars are to die for
We stop here for lunch five times a year on our way from Central Mass to Northeastern Vt to see my 97 year old dad. Last time we stopped we shared a hearty bowl of sweet potato corn chowder and a vegetarian wrap. The ambience is homey and welcoming. The food is delicious and fairly priced. One orders and pays at the registers. The food is delivered within 5 miles minutes by gracious staff. And we always leave with bake goods for my happy dad and cookies for the road. Always look forward to stopping at this hidden treasure.
Lovely cozy cafe to get a lunch or coffee and a pastry
One of the best places for lunch in Keene
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