Colette Bread and Bakeshop

When the craving for truly exceptional, artisanal baked goods hits, residents of Georgia often turn their attention to a neighborhood favorite in Atlanta's vibrant Poncey-Highland area: Colette Bread and Bakeshop. This spot is far more than just a place to grab a quick bite; it represents a dedication to old-school baking methods, high-quality, often seasonal ingredients, and the soulfulness of craft-focused food. Founded by renowned baker and pastry chef Sarah Dodge, the bakeshop is the brick-and-mortar culmination of her passion, which began with her wholesale operation, 'Bread is Good' LLC.

The bakery itself is named as a tribute to the 20th-century French writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, setting a tone of approachable elegance and a nod to traditional European baking. While it operates primarily as a production kitchen for its extensive wholesale business—supplying quality breads and pastries to numerous Atlanta restaurants and coffee shops—it joyfully opens its doors for retail hours, allowing local patrons to experience the freshly baked magic directly. This dual-model approach ensures a constant stream of fresh product, driven by efficiency and an unwavering commitment to quality. The space itself, designed with an inviting and warm aesthetic featuring original wood flooring and brass accents, perfectly embodies the shop’s mission to be a true neighborhood gem where, as the owner often says, “bread is good.”

Colette Bread and Bakeshop has carved out a distinctive niche in the Atlanta food scene by specializing in naturally fermented and sourdough breads. The care and time invested in each loaf are evident in the final product—a crusty exterior giving way to a soft, flavorful interior. Beyond the bread, the array of French and rustic American pastries constantly delights. Customers consistently rave about the flakey, buttery perfection of the baked goods, noting that the seasonal rotation keeps the offerings fresh and exciting, reflecting a commitment to utilizing ingredients from local community markets.

A significant part of Colette’s mission extends beyond retail sales and wholesale. The venue is also designed to function as a cooking and baking school. This educational component allows Sarah Dodge and guest chefs to share their knowledge and passion with the community, hosting intimate classes on everything from sourdough fundamentals to knife skills and specialized pastry techniques. This focus on teaching and community engagement solidifies Colette’s role as a true culinary resource in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood.

Location and Accessibility

Colette Bread and Bakeshop is conveniently situated in the heart of Atlanta’s vibrant Poncey-Highland neighborhood, a location that places it perfectly within one of the city's most dynamic culinary areas.

The full physical address for the bakeshop is:

636 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA

Accessibility is a key consideration for the shop, as it welcomes all members of the community. The facility offers a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring ease of access for customers with mobility needs. While the interior retail space has been noted by some patrons as feeling cozy or "cramped," the availability of outdoor seating provides an alternative for enjoying your treats on a nice Georgia day.

Parking in the area is generally manageable, with street parking available nearby. The good news for visitors is that some parking options, including free parking lots, are available, though street parking may sometimes require a short walk. Customers appreciate that they can often find a spot on a side street or in nearby paid lots, simplifying a quick visit for takeaway items. However, since the bakery is primarily a wholesale operation with limited retail hours, it is always recommended to check their official social media or website for the most up-to-date hours of operation before planning a visit, especially as they typically open in the morning and close by the afternoon.

Services Offered

Colette Bread and Bakeshop offers a curated selection of services to the Atlanta community, balancing its large-scale production with direct customer interaction.

• Retail Sales: The bakeshop opens for walk-up retail during specific hours, typically Thursday through Sunday, offering a rotation of fresh artisan breads and pastries. Due to high demand, popular items often sell out, so an earlier visit is always recommended.
• Artisan Bread Production: Specializing in naturally fermented sourdough, the core offering includes loaves like the French Baguette, Tradition, Campagne Loaf, and Multigrain Loaf.
• French Pastry (Viennoiserie) and Pâtisserie: A constantly evolving selection of sweet treats, including classic croissants (butter and almond varieties), Kouign Amann (available on weekends), Pain Swiss, Mini Eclairs, Macarons, Flan, and Madeleines.
• Savory Offerings: The menu includes savory items perfect for lunch or a snack, such as Quiche Lorraine, Vegetarian Quiche, Croissant Salé, Croque Monsieur (weekend only), and various sandwiches like the Tuna, Parisien, and Vegetarian Sandwiches.
• Wholesale Distribution: The primary business model is dedicated to supplying numerous local coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants across Atlanta with high-quality, freshly baked bread and pastries.
• Baking and Cooking Classes: The venue hosts hands-on classes and events in the evenings, covering topics from Sourdough 101 to various culinary skills, fostering a community of home bakers.
• Takeout Service: The nature of the retail setup is geared toward quick takeaway, making it efficient for customers on the go.
• Special Orders: The bakery accepts preorders for larger items like whole Gâteaux (celebration cakes), Tarts (e.g., Tarte Pomme, Fruits Tart, Fraisier), and Quiches, requiring a minimum of 48 hours notice.
• Coffee Service: Customers can purchase coffee, which has been noted as good, often featuring collaborations with local coffee vendors like Harbor Coffee during weekend retail hours.

Features / Highlights

What makes Colette Bread and Bakeshop stand out in the crowded Atlanta food scene is a combination of its philosophy, its product, and its business model. These highlights are what draw in loyal customers from across the Georgia region:

• Focus on Naturally Fermented Sourdough: The bakery is built on the foundation of naturally leavened bread, with their sourdough, reportedly nurtured by a starter named 'Pete,' receiving consistent high praise for its texture, crunch, and complex flavor profile.
• Artisan French Pastry Expertise: The viennoiserie section is a major draw, with items like the buttery croissants and the highly sought-after, caramelized Kouign Amann (available Friday-Sunday) showcasing genuine skill and dedication to French tradition.
• Wholesale Production and Retail Hours: The business model, which dedicates the majority of its time to wholesale, ensures a professional production environment that translates to consistently high-quality baked goods during the limited but highly anticipated retail hours.
• Educational and Community Hub: The space serves a unique dual purpose, transitioning in the evenings to host a variety of baking and cooking classes, establishing it as a key community resource for culinary learning.
• Commitment to Local and Seasonal Ingredients: Owner Sarah Dodge is a champion for utilizing seasonal ingredients from community markets, which means the pastry selection often rotates, offering fresh, unique flavor combinations like blueberry peach brioche or seasonal galettes.
• Popular and Highly-Rated Offerings: Specific items that draw repeat customers and garner rave reviews include the sticky, gooey Cinnamon Rolls, the savory Flamenkuche, flaky bagels, and specialty items like the Rose-Berry tart.
• Payment Convenience and Accessibility: The bakeshop accepts all modern payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, and maintains a commitment to accessibility with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking.

Contact Information

For those in Georgia looking to experience the offerings or inquire about wholesale or classes, here is the essential contact information for Colette Bread and Bakeshop:

Address:636 N Highland Ave NEAtlanta, GA 30306, USA

Phone:Information for a direct phone number is not consistently available in all public listings, but customers are encouraged to visit the bakeshop’s official website or social media channels for the most current information, retail hours, and class schedules.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Colette Bread and Bakeshop is a choice for quality, tradition, and community. For the Georgia local, what makes this establishment truly worth the visit—and even worth the potential risk of an item being sold out—is the authenticity of the product and the intention behind the business.

The Bread Above All: If you are a sourdough enthusiast, the naturally fermented loaves are a must-try. Reviewers consistently point to the quality of the French Baguette and the Campagne loaf as being world-class, making it the perfect spot for your weekly artisan bread acquisition.

The Weekend Exclusives: For those making a weekend trip, be sure to look for the special items. The Kouign Amann, a caramelized, buttery Breton cake, is a favorite that only appears Friday through Sunday. Similarly, the Croque Monsieur is a savory weekend delight.

The Pastry Experience: Don't overlook the pastries. Whether it's the classic butter croissant, the cinnamon rolls, or an adventurous seasonal tart, the use of high-quality ingredients ensures a buttery, fresh, and flaky result every time. The variety of options, from delicate Macarons to hearty savory options, means there is something for every taste and time of day.

The Opportunity to Learn: For those looking to deepen their own culinary skills, the evening classes offer a unique, intimate setting to learn from an experienced professional. This hands-on learning experience is an invaluable community offering that goes beyond a typical bakery visit.

While some patrons mention that a limited selection or items selling out by midday can be an issue, this is merely a testament to the popularity and the high demand for truly fresh, small-batch goods. The message is clear: plan for a quick visit, arrive early, and prepare to be rewarded with some of the finest breads and pastries available in Atlanta. Colette Bread and Bakeshop is not just a commercial success; it's a heartfelt and soulful culinary venture dedicated to the simple, profound magic of good bread.

Colette Bread and Bakeshop

636 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA