Baked in Beijing: Top Spots for Bread and Pastry
Thanks to all of the brave souls who sampled Beijing’s pastries, cakes, breads and cookies in order to cast their vote for a new category, Best Bakery, in our 2013 Reader Restaurant Awards. It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it. And now it's time to take a closer look at where you go when you want to indulge.
Winner: Comptoirs de France
Comptoirs de France, the frenchiest of French bakeries takes the cake (or the stack of pretty, pastel macaroons) this year. The ten locations throughout the city offer sandwiches, baguettes, quiche, truffles, pastries, macaroons and chocolates, as well as rich hot chocolate and espresso. Bring your own beret.
“I still think about the mini loaf of chocolate chip raisin sourdough bread I got from Comptoirs de France. My boyfriend and I were starving and got the bread to go and ate it as we walked through the city.”
Another reviewer perhaps wishes he could forget:
“Chocolate croissants, various and sundry baked goods like apple tarts and madeleines, great sandwiches and awesome coffee. Generally a place to avoid if you're on a diet!”
"Ne changez rien...c'est exactement comme à Paris!"
The Kempi Deli is a European-style deli serving up freshly baked, cakes, sandwiches and Swiss Moevenpick ice cream to satisfy your summer sweet tooth. They’re also offering fresh strawberry treats until the end of May.
“I admit it's not cool and sexy like Wagas but the sandwiches and baked goods are phenomenal and reasonably priced.”
“It's also excellent value with large Danish pastries from RMB 12 and generous slices of cake from RMB 30. The muffins are a meal in themselves but my favourites are the apple Danish (with lots of cinnamon) and the macadamia nut cheese cake.”
The South German Bakery is true to its name, specializing in traditional South Germany goods and serving more than just their famous breads.
“The best bread and cake in town. Very close to real German stuff. Compared to most other places here you get real bread and no fluffy, pumped up baked flour.”
“The bread is about as 'didao' as it gets.”
“The bread and the 'Brötchen' are authentic and taste just like at home.”
The other nominees for Best Bakery this year were:
Do you agree? Leave your own comments below to rate the winners or add a reader review yourself. The full list of the 2013 Beijinger Reader Restaurant Awards results is available here.
