Columbia City Bakery: Your Source for Artisan Bread and Pastries in Seattle, WA

Columbia City Bakery Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Columbia City Bakery is a cornerstone establishment in the heart of Seattle’s vibrant and historic Columbia City neighborhood, standing as a must-visit destination for those across Washington seeking truly exceptional baked goods. More than just a local coffee shop, this business operates as both a beloved neighborhood retail bakery and a high-quality wholesale provider, distinguishing it as a significant contributor to the Pacific Northwest's culinary landscape. Established with a vision to stay small and focused on quality, the bakery has earned a reputation that extends far beyond the 98118 zip code, thanks to its commitment to classic, rustic techniques and clean, honest flavors.

Known for frequently drawing weekend lines around the block, Columbia City Bakery offers a complete range of daily baked items, from its signature artisan breads—which supply numerous high-end Seattle restaurants—to an exquisite array of pastries and savory items. This dual focus on wholesale excellence and retail delight ensures that whether you are a local resident stopping by for a morning pastry and a cup of Herkimer Coffee, or a restaurateur seeking the finest bread for your tables, you are guaranteed a product crafted with a genuine passion for the art of baking. The team’s dedication to quality is evident in their use of simple, high-quality ingredients, including flours that are sometimes milled in-house for maximum flavor, such as whole wheat and whole rye flours.

The welcoming and friendly vibe noted by customers and staff alike makes the experience of visiting Columbia City Bakery an essential part of the neighborhood’s charm. It represents the best of local business—growing with its community while maintaining its original, quality-first philosophy. The bakery’s success, which includes national recognition for its bakers, is a testament to its consistent dedication over more than a decade of operation in Seattle.

Location and Accessibility

Columbia City Bakery is centrally and conveniently located at 4865 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA. This prominent location is right in the heart of the bustling Columbia City commercial corridor, making it a highly accessible spot for both pedestrians and those traveling by car or public transit within the Puget Sound region. The area itself is known for its blend of historic architecture, local businesses, and diverse community spirit.

The bakery offers a dedicated cafe space where visitors can enjoy their selections. Accessibility is a key feature of this location, which is crucial for a business that serves such a wide community base. The facility offers a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all customers in Washington can easily access the baked goods and coffee counter. For those arriving by vehicle, the bakery is situated in an area that provides both free street parking and paid street parking options, although customers should be aware that, given the bakery's popularity, parking availability can fluctuate, especially on busy weekend mornings. Public transit options, including the nearby Link Light Rail station, further enhance accessibility for residents throughout Seattle and the greater King County area, cementing the bakery's status as an easy-to-reach local institution. The vibrant atmosphere and ease of access make it a perfect spot for a quick, essential visit.

Services Offered

As a combined retail and wholesale enterprise, Columbia City Bakery offers a comprehensive array of services for the Washington community:

In-Store Shopping: Daily availability of a full range of artisan breads, pastries, bar cookies, whole cakes, and savory items, including hot hand pies and seasonal quiches.
Wholesale Bakery Services: Supplying numerous Seattle-area restaurants and businesses with their acclaimed artisan breads, including Baguette, Filone, and Columbia City Sourdough.
Takeout and In-Store Pickup: Customers can place orders for pickup, including large and custom orders, typically requiring a minimum of two days' notice for specialized cakes or large sandwich orders.
Espresso Bar Service: Full-service cafe offerings featuring Herkimer Coffee, with a wide variety of espresso drinks, house-made syrups, Mighty Leaf Tea, and fresh-squeezed juice.
Custom & Special Orders: Offering whole cakes (including House Chocolate, Coconut, and specialty items like Tiramisu and Black Forest Cake) and large sandwich orders for events and gatherings.
Variety of Payment Options: Accepting credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for convenience.

Features / Highlights

Columbia City Bakery is celebrated across Washington for its quality, service, and unique product offerings:

Award-Nominated Talent: The bakery has been helmed by a team including James Beard Semifinalist bakers, underscoring its national-level quality standards and commitment to the craft.
Artisan Bread Focus: A wide, acclaimed selection of classic breads, such as Pain De Campagne and Walnut Levain, often featuring flours that are freshly milled in-house for superior flavor and texture.
Signature Savory Items: Highly praised rotating savory options like the Chorizo Hand Pie, Savory Bread Pudding (when available), and unique breakfast sandwiches like the 'Alaska,' often served on a distinctive sourdough biscuit.
Seasonal Pastry Excellence: Known for its well-laminated croissants and frequently changing seasonal Danish (e.g., plum and cream cheese), showcasing creative flavor combinations with high-quality pastry execution.
Community-Centric Dining: A friendly, fun environment that is explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly, offering a comfortable and welcoming space for breakfast and quick visits within the Columbia City community.
Partnered Local Products: Offering complementary items from Washington vendors, such as Herkimer Coffee, Rockridge Orchards Wildflower Honey, and Pipitone Farms “yum” Preserves.

Contact Information

To place an order, inquire about wholesale, or confirm daily menu items, customers in Washington can use the following information:

Address: 4865 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA

Phone: (206) 723-6023

Mobile Phone: +1 206-723-6023

What is worth choosing

Choosing Columbia City Bakery is an essential experience for any Washington resident who values genuine artisan quality, a robust menu variety, and support for a distinguished local business. What makes this bakery stand out is its mastery of both the simple and the complex, offering a unique product spectrum that few other local institutions can match. From a technical standpoint, the baker’s dedication to traditional bread-making techniques—including the use of levain and milling their own flours—results in breads that are complex, flavorful, and structurally perfect, providing a superior base for their daily sandwiches or a magnificent centerpiece for your dinner table. The Columbia City Sourdough and the Roasted Potato bread are particularly noteworthy examples of this dedication.

Equally compelling is the excellence of their pastry program. Customer reviews consistently highlight the flaky, perfectly laminated croissants and the genius of their seasonal Danish variations, which strike a wonderful balance between sweet fruit, creamy cheese, and rich crust. The savory offerings, like the unique Alaska breakfast sandwich on a sourdough biscuit and the rotating hand pies, are substantial, flavorful options that elevate a quick breakfast or lunch far beyond the ordinary. The bakery's menu is designed for variety, ensuring that whether you crave a decadent pecan sticky bun, a wholesome multigrain bread, or a slice of their rich House Chocolate Cake, your preference is covered.

Beyond the food itself, the experience of choosing Columbia City Bakery is about participating in the local culture. Despite its success, the business has deliberately chosen to "stay small," maintaining a hands-on approach that shines through in the product and the friendly service. The bakery’s commitment to providing an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere, coupled with its role as a wholesale supplier to other fine Seattle establishments, solidifies its position as a pillar of the local food economy. For Washington users, this is not just a place to buy baked goods; it is a community hub where tradition, quality, and passion for baking converge. To avoid the highly publicized weekend lines, a weekday visit is often recommended, but regardless of the time, the quality and experience make the visit unequivocally worthwhile. The bakery’s ability to flawlessly execute well-loved classics while offering creative twists is the ultimate reason to choose Columbia City Bakery.

Columbia City Bakery Menu

Bread
Baguette
sweet. chewy. crusty. our version of the classic is terrific with any meal or simply dipped in good olive oil or slathered with butter.
Filone
for those who love our baguettes but are looking for a lighter crust, we offer the same dough shaped into a batard.
Roasted Potato
our softest bread. loaded with roasted russet potatoes and extra virgin olive oil, this loaf is good for sandwiches or for wiping your plate clean.
Pain De Campagne
our lead baker’s favorite loaf. spontaneously leavened bread with an earthy, complex flavor and aroma.
Rye
thin crusted, new york style with toasted caraway seeds. great straight, with butter, or as part of a grilled cheese sandwich.
Ciabatta
a thick, darkened crust perfectly balanced with a sweet, moist crumb.
Vollkornbrot
100% rye. 100% dense and hearty. our interpretation of the german original is best sliced thin with butter, cheese, avocado, or charcuterie. keep refrigerated for longest life.
Soft Pretzels*
Columbia City Sourdough
spontaneously leavened bread with a crusty, chewy, golden crust surrounding a moist, tangy crumb. evan's tribute to the bay area, this is a "san francisco" style sourdough.
Multigrain Sunflower
moist and mildly sour, this hearty bread is packed with a blend of six grains.
Crusty White
our house bread. crusty and chewy with an open crumb and nutty sweetness.
Walnut Levain
spontaneously leavened bread with a dense and chewy crumb. sweetened with walnuts, this bread is an outstanding companion to cheeses and soups.
Focaccia
take home a taste of italy. our focaccia is drenched in olive oil, making it delicious but hazardous to your favorite silk shirt.
Challah*
available every friday. with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or plain.
Brioche*
velvety and rich. baked in a pan and perfect for french toast.
Burger Buns*
soft and just slightly sweet. burger buns are topped with sesame seeds and our hot dog buns are the pull-apart variety.
Hot Dog Buns*

Anytime
not in the mood for a sandwich? we offer a variety of "lighter" single serving options. most of these items are available daily.
Ham & Gruyere Croissant $3.00
Quiche Slice $4.75
weekends only.
Mini Quiche $5.00
Torta Rustica Slice $5.00
Pretzel Dog $3.65
Savory Scone $2.75
Gougere $1.50
Savory Focaccia Slice $2.50
fresh baked focaccia topped with lightly spiced tomato sauce and fresh herbs.
Bacon Date White Cheddar Scone $2.50
available friday, saturday, sunday.
Pretzel $2.00
Pretzel Knot $0.50

Morning
Ham & Gruyere Croissant $3.00
Quiche Slice $4.75
weekends only.
Mini Quiche $5.00
Torta Rustica Slice $5.00
Savory Scone $2.75
Gougere $1.50
Bacon Date White Cheddar Scone $2.50
available friday, saturday, sunday.

Sandwiches
our sandwiches are made daily with fresh-from-the oven bread, seasonal vegetables, and quality deli meats. a rotating variety of sandwiches is available daily (call for current offerings), and we are happy to accommodate larger orders with a minimum two days notice.
Ham $6.25
classic simplicity, this sandwich consists of vande rose artisan ham and our cornichon butter on a fresh mini baguette.
Loki Roll $5.50
coho lox from seattle's loki fish company on a fresh seeded baguette dinner roll with cream cheese, fresh dill, arugula, and red onion.
Caprese $5.75
market fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella, and housemade basil mint pesto on a fresh ciabatta roll. summers only.
Turkey $6.25
zoe’s turkey with our homemade aioli, stone ground mustard, homemade pickled red onions, and salad greens on fresh baguette.
Mortadella $6.25
zoe’s mortadella with our homemade aioli, provolone, and mama lil’s peppers on fresh, crusty ciabatta bread.
Tuna $6.25
our lightly spiced albacore tuna salad, with stone ground mustard, homemade pickled red onions, and salad greens on fresh mini potato baguette.
Pastrami $6.25
(thursday and friday only) zoe’s pastrami with our homemade aioli, mustard, sauerkraut and salad greens on fresh baguette (thursdays) or challah roll (fridays).
Tomato Jam $5.75
soft goat cheese spread with homemade tomato jam and salad greens on crusty seeded baguette or focaccia.
Gougere $5.50
our savory gougere filled with seasonal fresh sliced vegetables and salad greens, with stone ground mustard.
Salami $6.25
zoe’s salami with our homemade aioli, green olive tapenade, pickled red onions, provolone, and salad greens on fresh bieberle (pretzel sandwich roll). available monday, tuesday, wednesday.
Blt $5.50
bacon, lettuce and roasted roma tomatoes on fresh baked potato roll. served with aioli on the side.

Other Savory Treats
not in the mood for a sandwich? we also offer a variety of "lighter" single serving options. most of these items are available daily.
Ham & Gruyere Croissant $3.00
Quiche Slice $4.75
weekends only.
Mini Quiche $5.00
Torta Rustica Slice $5.00
Pretzel Dog $3.65
Savory Scone $2.75
Gougere $1.50
Savory Focaccia Slice $2.50
fresh baked focaccia topped with lightly spiced tomato sauce and fresh herbs.
Bacon Date White Cheddar Scone $2.50
available friday, saturday, sunday.
Pretzel $2.00
Pretzel Knot $0.50

Pastries
Bearclaws $3.00
classic, claw shaped danish dough filled with almond cream.
Danish $3.00
we prepare several flavors per day, topped with softened cream cheese and seasonal fruit. lovely.
Morning Buns $2.75
danish dough filled with seasonal fruit puree and tossed with cinnamon sugar.
Pecan Sticky Buns $3.00
available friday, saturday, and sunday. they sell out quickly, so please place special orders in advance.
Scones
Pistachio Snails $2.75
one of our most popular breakfast treats, made with our danish dough and filled with housemade pistachio frangipane.
Bostok $3.00
our version of the classic, with the flavors of orange flower water and almonds. made with thick slices of brioche or croissants.
Babka $4.25
columbia city bakery’s take on the polish favorite. our brioche dough with a swirl of walnuts, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. great for breakfast and freezes well.
Gougeres $1.50
Profiteroles $3.25
round éclairs filled with cream and topped with chocolate. filling flavors vary.
Coffeecake
whole cake serves 10 to 12. to guarantee availability please call a minimum of 48 hours in advance when placing orders.
Teacake
seasonal flavors.

Bar Cookies
Brownies $2.50
Blondies $2.25
Lemon Bars $2.25
Granola Bar $2.75
Sour Cherry Bar $1.50
Sicilian Prune Cookie $1.25

Cookies
Sesame Tahini, Lavender & Orange Spice $0.75
Columbia Chip $1.25
with Walnuts & Toffee
Ginger $0.75
Kitchen Sink $1.25
Super Chip $0.75
Biscotti Varieties $1.30
Almond Macaroons $1.00
Large Glazed Shortbread Cookies (shapes Vary) $3.00
Almond Anise & Pb&j $1.00

Grab And Go
Baker’s Dozen Cookies $7.50
your choice of 13 super chip (packed with mini chocolate chips), or columbia chip (with chocolate chips, toffee bits, and walnuts) cookies.
Cookie Tray $15.00
a varying assortment of six different cookies (three of each), beautifully packaged. these are great for hostess gifts or sharing with coworkers and family.
Biscotti $7.50
available in a variety of flavors. six per bag.
Granola Bars $2.75
Granola $8.50
we are always coming up with new flavors.

Herkimer Coffee
varieties change seasonally. we receive fresh-from-the-roaster deliveries twice per week, so you are guaranteed the freshest possible beans (12 ounces).
Rockridge Orchards Wildflower Honey
Pipitone Farms “yum” Preserves
Baker’s Dozen Cookies $7.50
your choice of 13 super chip (packed with mini chocolate chips), or columbia chip (with chocolate chips, toffee bits, and walnuts) cookies.
Cookie Tray $15.00
a varying assortment of six different cookies (three of each), beautifully packaged. these are great for hostess gifts or sharing with coworkers and family.
Biscotti $7.50
available in a variety of flavors. six per bag.
Granola Bars $2.75
Granola
we are always coming up with new flavors.
Walnut Crostini
our popular walnut levain loaf is sliced thin, brushed with extra virgin olive oil, lightly salted and toasted until golden and crispy. perfect with your favorite cheeses, spreads, or dips. try crumbling them over salads.
Garlic Croutons
show your salad some love!
Bread Crumbs
by popular demand.
Dilly Chips
toasted pretzel chips seasoned with fresh dill, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
Burger Buns
each bag contains five buns. topped with sesame seeds. soft and perfect for your favorite burger or bbq sandwich.
Hot Dog Buns
each bag contains six pull-apart buns. available from memorial day until labor day, or with 48 hours notice.
Babka $4.25
our take on the polish favorite. we make ours with brioche and add a swirl of walnuts, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Brioche $5.95
soft and buttery. great for french toast or a memorable grilled cheese sandwich.
Cheese
we offer a rotating variety of local, aritsan cheeses.
Olives $5.50
castelvetrano
Cornichons
as featured in our ham sandwich.
Pie Dough $9.50
why get your pie crusts from the freezer aisle when you can buy our housemade, all-butter, flakey pie dough? this is exactly the same dough we use at the bakery for our pies and tarts. one frozen (2-pound) block is enough for one beautiful double-crusted pie or two 10-inch tarts.

Our House Cakes
a selection of these desserts is available daily in our pastry case, or we will be happy to fill your special order with a minimum of 2-days notice.
House Chocolate Cake
chocolate cake simply makes life better. moist chocolate cake chocolate whipped cream rich chocolate frosting
Coconut Cake
coated with shredded coconut. moist coconut cake (brushed with lemon syrup) lightened lemon cream lemon cream cheese frosting
Carrot Cake
we're not messing around here. lightly spiced cake (packed with loads of raisins, walnuts and grated carrots) cream cheese frosting with lemon zest
Buttermilk Cake
satisfies everyone at the birthday party. buttermilk cake mascarpone whipped cream seasonal fruit, preserves, or lemon curd cream cheese frosting (or vanilla butter cream frosting)
Hazelnut Cake
our pastry chef's personal favorite. hazelnut cake (brushed with brandy syrup) raspberry preserves lightly sweetened whipped cream silky tcho chocolate ganache
Pistachio Cake
this square shaped cake can brighten even the gloomiest day. pistachio cake (brushed with lemon syrup) lightened lemon cream lemon cream cheese frosting

Specialty Desserts
German Chocolate Cake
a festive, open-sided, two-layer cake. chocolate cake (brushed with rum syrup) cocoa custard with coconut and pecans
Tiramisu
sponge cake. (soaked in brandy and espresso) kahlua mascarpone whipped cream. cocoa powder and chocolate shavings.
Flourless Chocolate Truffle Torte
moist and rich, with a touch of espresso.
Cassata Cake
served frequenty at the neighboring la medusa, this cake features alternating layers of marsala-brushed white cake and sweetened ricotta filling encased in almond paste. beautifully decorated.
Black Forest Cake
our sexy, grown up version of the classic. moist chocolate cake brandied cherries mascarpone whipped cream silky tcho chocolate ganache
Cheesecake
we generally prepare lemon with ginger pecan crust, and chocolate with chocolate hazelnut crust. fresh berries are used when in season. please ask which varieties are available
Tarts
we offer a variety of tarts, from fresh fruit and frangipane, to lemon meringue. fillings change seasonally
Mini Galettes $4.25
the perfect size for one person, these rustic free-form tarts are filled with seasonal fresh fruit. top with whipped cream or your favorite ice cream
Cupcakes $3.00
our cupcakes are made in the same yummy varieties as our house cakes, with varying availability. we are happy to take your special orders with 2-days notice.
Pie Dough $9.50
why get your pie crusts from the freezer aisle when you can buy our housemade, all-butter, flakey pie dough? this is exactly the same dough we use at the bakery for our pies and tarts. one frozen (2-pound) block is enough for one beautiful double-crusted pie or two 10-inch tarts..

Espresso Bar Menu
featuring herkimer coffee. a wide variety of espresso beverages are available at our cafe, featuring housemade caramel sauce and chocolate syrup. if coffee is not what you are looking for, we offer steaming pots of mighty leaf tea, morning glory chai, fresh squeezed orange juice, apple cider from rockridge orchards and more.
Fresh Brewed Drip
Latte
Cappuccino
Mocha
Hot Chocolate
Chai
Breve
Americano
Mezzo Americano
Steamed Milk
Espresso $1.75
Macchiato $2.60
Pot Of Mighty Leaf Tea $2.00
black: english breakfast, earl grey, orange dulce; green: hojicha green, jasmine green; herbal: ginger twist, chamomile citrus, mint melange, african nectar (with rooibos)

Extras
Bring Your Own Cup Discount $0.15
Substitute Soy or Rice Milk $0.50
Whipped Cream $0.50
Extra Shot $0.55
Flavor Shot $0.50
almond, vanilla, housemade caramel sauce, sugar free vanilla, or hazelnut

For The Kids
under 12 years of age, please. our milks are rrgh free
Cup Of Milk $1.25
Cup Of Soy Or Rice Milk $1.25
Hot Chocolate $1.75

Columbia City Bakery Details

Service options
In-store pickup
In-store shopping
Onsite services
Takeout
Delivery

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking

Columbia City Bakery Photos

Columbia City Bakery Location

Columbia City Bakery

Washington King County Seattle Rainier Valley Rainier Avenue South

4865 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA

Columbia City Bakery Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 321 user reviews.

croissantssavorybaguettepistachiofocacciacrustsourdoughcoffee cakebreakfast sandwichespresso

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

A mainstay in Columbia City with regular weekend lines around the block, this bakery offers well-executed classics plus some creative twists and flavor combinations. I visited on a weekday to avoid the crowds and that's what I'd recommend!I started with an Alaska breakfast sandwich and a chorizo hand pie, both tasty! The Alaska is served on a very unique sourdough biscuit—somewhere between a biscuit and an English muffin, maybe? It has a nice texture.You absolutely can't miss their seasonal Danish. When I visited, it was plum and cream cheese. The sweet plum, creamy cheese, and flaky crust are an outstanding combo.Another standout is the savory bread pudding. I'm not sure if this is a regular offering, but if not, it absolutely should be. The texture is amazing, especially warmed up, with gooey cheese and crispy bits of bacon.Other favorites for me are the mini fruit pie (or the whole fruit pie, if you're serving a crowd), the coffee cake, and any of their focaccia slices.
September 15 · Kyle Cooley
I really like the pastry. Croissant is very well laminated. My problem is the operations hours (evaluated as service here). I’d expect - mainly on working days - that a bakery would be open before 8am. It’s frustrating and inaccessible for people who work regular working hours.
September 17 · Nathalia Y
I had a walk-in visit one day and got a traditional croissant. In fact, I got two because they sell everything in boxes of two (which definitely pisses me off). The croissants look more American than French, you know, like an apple pie or a mushroom turnover, but they taste surprisingly not bad at all, and the cross section reveals some really crafty lamination.Columbia City Bakery currently only opens two days a week from 10a to 3p, so it's not easy to get something casually from them. Maybe I'll come back when their operations come back to normal.
November 28 · Yü Wu
Ive never had a bad treat from here, but a few of their shining goods: PB cookies, focaccia, and ham & cheese croissant. This is the best peanut butter cookie I’ve ever had! It’s so easy to make a bad peanut butter cookie, which is why, imho, they’re so under-appreciated. However, CC Bakery knows the secret to an excellent PB cookie! Chewy, not hard; high in PB flavor—not covered in sugar or distracted by chocolate chips. The ham & cheese croissant is large and they don’t skimp on the fillings!The hours here are weird and there isn’t a lot of indoor seating, but the food is worth it!
May 16 · CE Delgadillo
Delicious local bakery in the Columbia City neighborhood. I bought chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies this visit. The chocolate chip cookies are baked with walnuts and toffee. Delicious! They have lots of other tasty options including scones, croissants, sandwiches, and coffee.PS If you found this review helpful, please "heart" it. Thank you!
May 18 · Jennifer Wyatt