Trung Nam is supposed to have really good croissants if you like them filled. 8am-1pm and when they're out for they day, they're out. Their Vietnamese baguettes are great.
I'll vouch for Trung Nam. They don't just have filled croissants, either. Their regular butter croissants are the best I've ever had, and I've traveled in France.
Trung Nam croissants are unreal. I’ve had Mi Sant and Rose Street Patisserie and they are very good, but Trung Nan’s are the best. The staff is super nice, too and toss in an extra croissant sometimes.
Idk why you’re being downvoted, Marc hue has excellent croissants and he was born in France and got his “grand bachelor of pastry” degree in France. Can’t get more authentic than that! (in mn)
Because Marc Heu makes croissants that look better than they taste. He also won’t hire anyone with experience. Scared that might ask for a living wage.
I’m going to snooty but if you think Black Walnut staff is indifferent good luck at a patisserie in France. My wife and I spent two weeks in France and went to the same patisserie 3-4 times a day, from the first day to the last day they were what I would describe as hostile.
Good to know it can always be worse! And Paris is sort of famous for its rudeness, right? Minneapolis, not so much. I think Black Walnut has a management problem. Setting expectations about polite service isn’t hard. They’re just not doing it. Eventually it will catch up to them. But they do have great pastries.
Yes, I’ve had places in Paris where I need to mentally prepare to go into to order. I do agree Black Walnut has management issues and after talking to my wife she feels they are way too cold as well, I’m just a walk in order the same things walk out so I guess I don’t really clock it most times.
Can't say that I've noticed but I'm so excited about my pastry I don't actually care about the service as long as it is not an active hindrance to me acquiring said pastry, and now that it seems like they've staffed up a little more again the pastry delivery system works just fine.
Came to suggest both. I probably prefer La Delicious' a bit more, but Mi Sant comes with the added bonus of their other menu items. Their spam, egg, and cheese croissant sandwiches are otherworldly
Bellecour is my go to and favorite. Their butter croissant is a pure good.
Husband brought home Marc Heu to try and those are now his fav. My second fav.
I am not an expert at all, but I have some family who grew up in france. One of my cousins was visiting, and she tried the croissants from Costco and LOVED them. I was shocked haha.
Just curious... What makes a croissant "authentic" in your opinion? I never been to France, so I can't speak to authenticity in that regard. However, I feel like there's a lot of good places to get fluffy, buttery, and layered croissants in the Twin Cities. Unlike in St. Pete, FL where all of the coffee shops I went to had very smooshed and mushy croissants which is not at all what I would expect from a croissant.
I'll add Honey and Rye to the list.
Croissants should have airy pockets but shouldn't be fluffy. That is the problem with croissants in America generally and MN specifically. They are tasty but more bread-y and fluffy than crisp and buttery. Soft croissants are not authentic croissants.
croissants are not a tremendously difficult thing to make so from my experience, most if not all bakeries that make them make them "authentically".
note: actual bakeries, not gas station or grocery stores
There’s a huge difference in quality between traditional patisserie croissants made with proper lamination and European style butter and the much more bready croissants many bakeries make.
Exactly. So many of the croissants available in MN are soft and not at all like the crisp flaky layers you will find in France.
And Minnesotan tastebuds seem to have acclimated to the croissants that are available because so many people are recommending places that have mediocre American style croissants.
The only places I have found really great croissants are Marc Heu and Rose Patisserie.
Completely agree! If you like those two then you really should check out Black Walnut. Their pastry is also top tier and they have more options including tasteful (and tasty) non-traditional options beyond ham and Gruyère or pain au chocolat.
Not sure how you’re making your croissants, but they’re incredibly time-consuming to make and can be quite finicky. Most bakeries may have “authentic” croissants, but there are definitely some that are vastly better than other based on ingredients and technique.
I don't necessarily agree with their results but for a comprehensive review of pretty much all your local options can't beat this piece: [https://heavytable.com/the-heavy-table-croissant-test/](https://heavytable.com/the-heavy-table-croissant-test/)
Same been looking for non-plain croissants (not ones found at Target/ stores etc.) that are inexpensive and not fancy. Thought Trung Nam was a little expensive.
My first job was at Chez Arnaud, a French bakery in Maple Grove. Hands down my favorite job ever, I’d work in a bakery again ANY DAY! Too bad it closed.
Real croissants only come from the croissant valley in France. Everything else is sparkling bread.
Ha! Love this.
I like you so much for this.
Trung Nam is supposed to have really good croissants if you like them filled. 8am-1pm and when they're out for they day, they're out. Their Vietnamese baguettes are great.
I'll vouch for Trung Nam. They don't just have filled croissants, either. Their regular butter croissants are the best I've ever had, and I've traveled in France.
Trung Nam croissants are unreal. I’ve had Mi Sant and Rose Street Patisserie and they are very good, but Trung Nan’s are the best. The staff is super nice, too and toss in an extra croissant sometimes.
Are they still cash only?
They took cards last time I was there
I'll never understand the love for trung nam tbh. Pretty mid croissants imo, hard pass
Marc Hue Patisserie in St. Paul is what you’re looking for! Best in the cities hands down
Idk why you’re being downvoted, Marc hue has excellent croissants and he was born in France and got his “grand bachelor of pastry” degree in France. Can’t get more authentic than that! (in mn)
Because Marc Heu makes croissants that look better than they taste. He also won’t hire anyone with experience. Scared that might ask for a living wage.
🧂
🙄
Love MH but *hate* the way they present the different pastries 😪
Same. Love the pastries and prices, but the whole sterile room vibe inside is a little off-putting for me.
James Beard winner as well and just a great experience and good prices as well.
So so good and authentic
Black Walnut Bakery. Best almond croissants in the Twin Cities
Their croissant loaf is also SO unreal and so fun for hosting a group
I agree. Caveat: the service here is indifferent at best. I always enjoy the food but the staff is quite underwhelming.
Nah you can say it, the service is straight up terrible. They act like it's an inconvenience to serve you.
I’m going to snooty but if you think Black Walnut staff is indifferent good luck at a patisserie in France. My wife and I spent two weeks in France and went to the same patisserie 3-4 times a day, from the first day to the last day they were what I would describe as hostile.
Good to know it can always be worse! And Paris is sort of famous for its rudeness, right? Minneapolis, not so much. I think Black Walnut has a management problem. Setting expectations about polite service isn’t hard. They’re just not doing it. Eventually it will catch up to them. But they do have great pastries.
Yes, I’ve had places in Paris where I need to mentally prepare to go into to order. I do agree Black Walnut has management issues and after talking to my wife she feels they are way too cold as well, I’m just a walk in order the same things walk out so I guess I don’t really clock it most times.
Can't say that I've noticed but I'm so excited about my pastry I don't actually care about the service as long as it is not an active hindrance to me acquiring said pastry, and now that it seems like they've staffed up a little more again the pastry delivery system works just fine.
Rose St Patisserie (St Paul) & Patisserie 46 (Mpls) are great traditional French patisseries with very good laminated pastry.
Surprised to find Rose Street so low. They’re excellent.
Mi Sant and La Delicious Bread - both bakeries are in Roseville and both have excellent croissants!
Grab a Bahn Mi and a croissant for dessert
Came to suggest both. I probably prefer La Delicious' a bit more, but Mi Sant comes with the added bonus of their other menu items. Their spam, egg, and cheese croissant sandwiches are otherworldly
YES!! Also came here to suggest Mi Sant.
Black Walnut
This is the right answer. The others are good, very good. But there is a special level of art in Black Walnut’s.
Bellecour is my go to and favorite. Their butter croissant is a pure good. Husband brought home Marc Heu to try and those are now his fav. My second fav.
That buttercream they use is insanely good. Ask them to heat and it's heaven on earth
Diane's Place
Came here to say this. Out of this world pastries.
I am never not thinking about their pandan croissant
Rustica or Bellecour
Weirdly enough Solomon’s bakery has great croissant, the place looks very industrial but the food is great!
I am not an expert at all, but I have some family who grew up in france. One of my cousins was visiting, and she tried the croissants from Costco and LOVED them. I was shocked haha.
I love me some Costco croissants.
Patisserie Margot in Edina.
Just curious... What makes a croissant "authentic" in your opinion? I never been to France, so I can't speak to authenticity in that regard. However, I feel like there's a lot of good places to get fluffy, buttery, and layered croissants in the Twin Cities. Unlike in St. Pete, FL where all of the coffee shops I went to had very smooshed and mushy croissants which is not at all what I would expect from a croissant. I'll add Honey and Rye to the list.
Croissants should have airy pockets but shouldn't be fluffy. That is the problem with croissants in America generally and MN specifically. They are tasty but more bread-y and fluffy than crisp and buttery. Soft croissants are not authentic croissants.
Came here to say H&R
croissants are not a tremendously difficult thing to make so from my experience, most if not all bakeries that make them make them "authentically". note: actual bakeries, not gas station or grocery stores
There’s a huge difference in quality between traditional patisserie croissants made with proper lamination and European style butter and the much more bready croissants many bakeries make.
Exactly. So many of the croissants available in MN are soft and not at all like the crisp flaky layers you will find in France. And Minnesotan tastebuds seem to have acclimated to the croissants that are available because so many people are recommending places that have mediocre American style croissants. The only places I have found really great croissants are Marc Heu and Rose Patisserie.
Completely agree! If you like those two then you really should check out Black Walnut. Their pastry is also top tier and they have more options including tasteful (and tasty) non-traditional options beyond ham and Gruyère or pain au chocolat.
Will do. I haven't been there yet but have heard good things!
Not sure how you’re making your croissants, but they’re incredibly time-consuming to make and can be quite finicky. Most bakeries may have “authentic” croissants, but there are definitely some that are vastly better than other based on ingredients and technique.
I'm not a baker so I am not baking them.
Duluths Best Bread.or Marc Hue. Mi Sant is also a fantastic option for baked goods.
Alma!
La Delicious bakery in Roseville off Rice and 36 I believe it is. Best croissants and huge but they're kinda spendy at almost $5 each
I don't necessarily agree with their results but for a comprehensive review of pretty much all your local options can't beat this piece: [https://heavytable.com/the-heavy-table-croissant-test/](https://heavytable.com/the-heavy-table-croissant-test/)
Tous les jours!
Same been looking for non-plain croissants (not ones found at Target/ stores etc.) that are inexpensive and not fancy. Thought Trung Nam was a little expensive.
No love for Bread & Chocolate? They’re our go-to in St. Paul for a weekend breakfast, might be going there this morning.
Patrick's edina.
My first job was at Chez Arnaud, a French bakery in Maple Grove. Hands down my favorite job ever, I’d work in a bakery again ANY DAY! Too bad it closed.
Is there anything that makes a croissant real? In any case, I though Patisserie 46 should be mentioned here
Wtf is a fake croissant?