Starter Bakery

They’re simply the best. However, we received an unusual note in our usual bag today, which perhaps explains why the frequency of their 2g2go has been reduced lately. Starter, I speak for the Berkeley community when I say - your pastry deals are the only thing getting us through 2026. Please don’t take it away with a new paid option!!! Sincerely, The masses

I've been buying your Cardoman rolls at Philz in Walnut Creek. They are absolutely the best rolls. Wonderful texture and just the right amount of cardoman. I think many people don't know what a cardoman roll tastes like. You should try handing out some small free samples

Hidden gem for Too Good To Go! (4/5 Green Stars) A couple of years ago, I wrote a review of the Starter Bakery café on College Ave, near Rockridge Bart. Since then, I’ve had the good fortune to try various Starter goodies – sometimes at other cafes of stores that they supply but also at the main bakery on Gilman. The secret that I’m not sure I want to share is that you can get bags of goodies from this Gilman bakery through Too Good to Go – the very useful app that reduces food waste. You’ll get a bag of mixed items that are close to expiration for a third of the normal price. I’ve picked up two bags now and I have to say that every item that I’ve had, whether it’s sliced bread, a quiche, cookies or little cakes, they are pretty much all delicious. The flavors are often subtle but usually sophisticated, and they are always baked to perfection. If you do pick up a bag from the bakery, make sure to support Starter Bakery by dropping by the Rockridge store too! If you are closer to Gilman, you can place an order online and then pick it up at the bakery (just give them a call when you arrive at the door). Last time, I wasn’t sure how to score the Starter Bakery for social and environmental impact as they were just getting started. Now, I think I’ll rate the bakery 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I increased the rating because the bakery is taking part in the Too Good to Go program to reduce food waste. As you probably know, around a third of our food is wasted, and this is a big deal since food systems are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, water use, land use and eutrophication. Starter bakery doesn’t provide much information on things like ingredient sourcing but most items are vegetarian and when meat is included (in a couple of quiches) its bacon, which has significantly lower footprints than beef. Would be great to see Starter show us their skills with vegan pastry, but for now you can pick up bread if you’re strictly vegan and want to try out their stuff. Packaging is minimal – paper bags for most items.

This review is for the Galette des Rois from January earlier this year (which was a sour cherry and almond). It was a beautifully executed galette and the almond flavor was the best that I had among the galettes I sampled in SF. The one thing I would love that would make it a perfect 5⭐️ for me would be just a little more flakiness and crisp to the pastry. Overall though, I was super happy with this and hope they will offer it again next year!

Decided to give this bakery a try after hearing good recommendations from a friend. Despite generally not super fond of croissants, I ordered the twice baked almond croissant as I was curious to try the Frangipane filling. Also ordered a salted dark chocolate chip cookie because why not. Croissant had a satisfying combination of flaky airy texture and buttery goodness that croissants should have. Frangipane was the right amount of sweetness. However, I enjoyed the cookie more especially because of the sea salt flakes. Cookie was full of chips in every bite so it’s great for sharing. Will be back!