Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery

Welcome to Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery, a true taste of French savoir-faire nestled in the heart of the South Bay, California. This charming destination in Torrance offers local residents a daily escape to a classic French café, specializing in pastries, artisanal breads, and a full menu of savory French specialties. Founded by sisters Sophie and Caroline, who were born and raised in France, the bakery is their dream come true, bringing their deep passion for rich food culture directly to the neighborhood. Whether you are looking for an exquisite morning croissant, a delightful lunch, or simply a quick, high-quality coffee, Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery aims to deliver a genuine, memorable culinary experience. Every pastry and loaf of bread is meticulously made by hand on-site, ensuring the highest level of freshness and quality that distinguishes authentic French baking.

The bakery prides itself on its commitment to quality and authenticity. The moment you step inside, you are greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked goods, a testament to the dedication of their team. This attention to detail has earned them a loyal following among California locals, who frequently praise the deliciousness and authenticity of the products, even if some items are considered to be on the pricier side—a reflection of the high-quality ingredients and labor involved in traditional French preparation. The excellent bread and breakfast items, in particular, are often highlighted as extremely good, making it a perfect spot to savor a European-style start to your day.

The service ambiance is frequently described as positive, with staff members receiving compliments for being super kind, professional, and always wearing smiles, creating a welcoming and warm environment for every visitor.

Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery is conveniently located in Torrance, California, specifically within the well-known Rolling Hills Plaza. Its address on the Pacific Coast Highway makes it a highly accessible spot for those living in or traveling through the South Bay region, including nearby cities like Lomita, Harbor City, and Redondo Beach.

The exact address for navigation is: 2553 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505, USA.

While the location is excellent, prospective visitors should be aware that, as a popular spot in a busy retail center like the Rolling Hills Plaza, the parking lot can frequently be packed, especially during busy hours. It is recommended to factor in extra time for parking, particularly if visiting during peak weekend brunch times. Despite the parking challenge, the charming atmosphere and the quality of the food make the visit worthwhile for locals.

The café has been noted for having a good ambiance and a modern interior with plenty of indirect light. For those who prefer to dine in the California sunshine, there is a small outside patio available, providing additional seating where patrons can enjoy their fresh pastries and coffee in a pleasant, open-air setting. The café is also noted to be wheelchair accessible.

Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery offers a broad range of services beyond just baked goods, establishing itself as a full-service French cafe and brunch spot. These offerings cater to various dining preferences, from a quick grab-and-go coffee to a leisurely, authentic French meal.

• Full Breakfast and Brunch Service: Featuring classics like omelets (Classique, Florentine, Nordique), French Toast made from thick slices of homemade brioche (served with choices like maple syrup or Nutella), and Egg Benedict on a croissant roll.
• Artisanal French Bread and Pastries: Daily handmade production of a wide variety of breads, including Country Loaf, Sourdough, Rye, and their highly-praised Baguette, along with croissants (plain, chocolate, almond) and specialty items like the Jesuíte and Kouign Amann.
• Savory French Specialties: A selection of classic dishes like Homemade French Onion Soup, Quiche Lorraine, Croque Monsieur (French ham, Béchamel, Swiss cheese), Croque Madame (Croque Monsieur topped with a sunny-side-up organic egg), Grilled Cheese, and even Escargots (available for dine-in only).
• Tartines and Salads: Open-faced sandwiches (Tartines) like the Californian (avocado, goat cheese, tomatoes) and Brie-Licious, as well as hearty salads such as the Niçoise and Papa Poule (chicken, egg, avocado).
• Frenchie Sandwiches: Freshly made sandwiches on baguettes, including the Parisian (ham, butter, cornichons), Club, and Salmon Sandwich Ficelle.
• Desserts and Tarts: An extensive selection of small and large tarts (Apple, Pear Almond, Fresh Fruit, Lemon, Salted Caramel Walnut) and other sweets like Macarons, Flan Parisien, and Vegan Choco Dome.
• Online Ordering and Delivery: Customers can conveniently place orders for pickup or delivery through various online platforms, making it easy to enjoy their favorite French treats at home.
• Catering Services: The bakery offers catering options, ideal for events, office meetings, or family gatherings looking for a taste of authentic French cuisine and baked goods.

Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery stands out in the Southern California culinary scene due to several unique features and a steadfast commitment to French traditions. These highlights are what draw discerning local patrons to this specific Torrance location.

• Authentic French Ownership: The bakery is owned by sisters Sophie and Caroline, who hail from France, ensuring an authentic taste and execution of classic French cuisine and baking techniques—the true "French Savoir Faire."
• Everything is Made Fresh Daily, By Hand: A key feature is their dedication to freshness; the entire dedicated team makes all the pastries and bread by hand right in the bakery every morning, which is a significant factor in the perceived high quality of the bread and pastries.
• Signature Pastries: The bakery is well-known for its exceptional croissants—both the plain and almond versions are highly popular and receive rave reviews. The Jesuíte (flaky pastry with sliced almonds and powdered sugar) is often referred to as "epic" by enthusiastic customers.
• High-Quality French Staples: Their Baguette is frequently cited by patrons as possibly the best in the Los Angeles area, celebrated for its perfect consistency and flavor, serving as the base for many of their delicious sandwiches like the simple but exquisite Parisian Ficelle.
• Indoor and Outdoor Dining Options: The availability of a main dining area with ample seating, as well as a small outside patio, allows guests to choose the setting that best suits their preference for a cozy indoor experience or a sunny Californian meal.
• Transparency in Operation: The design of the café includes large glass partitions that allow patrons to observe the bakers at work, offering a glimpse into the transparent, hands-on process of creating their baked goods.
• Dietary Consideration Options: The menu includes several items to accommodate various needs, such as the Gluten Free Apricot Cake and several dishes that can be prepared on request with Gluten Free bread.

For Californian locals planning a visit, here is the essential contact information for Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery:

• Address: 2553 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505, USA
• Phone: (310) 325-5055

Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery offers a distinct culinary experience that makes it a must-visit in the Torrance area. While some customers note that the prices are a little high, the quality of the offerings justifies the choice, especially when seeking authentic French flavors.

The primary reason this cafe is worth choosing is the unparalleled quality of its handmade French goods. If you appreciate the difference that fresh, daily, in-house baking makes, Pinwheel is the spot for you. The bread and pastries, the absolute core of any French bakery, are consistently praised as delicious and of extremely high quality.

The atmosphere also plays a major role; it is a cozy, charming destination with ample seating. Despite the occasional critique on small side portions—like the salad that has been noted to be smaller than in the past, or only two small slices of baguette with a tiny package of butter—the main courses and baked items remain highly recommended.

Ultimately, what sets Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery apart is the combination of genuine French heritage brought by its owners, the professional and kind nature of the staff, and the superb, handmade quality of its menu items, which include:

• The Croissants and Almond Croissants, widely considered among the best locally.
• The French Toast with Nutella, which has been called "the best French toast" some customers have ever had.
• The classic savory options like the rich French Onion Soup and the flavorful Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame.
• The variety of spectacular fruit and specialty tarts, from the Small Fresh Fruit Tart to the Small Lemon Tart, all known for their buttery crusts and rich fillings.

For a truly authentic, high-quality French breakfast, brunch, or pastry fix in the South Bay, Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery is a top choice that brings a little piece of Paris right to your California neighborhood. The consistent quality of the main items and the welcoming, cheerful staff make this a local gem well worth navigating the busy Rolling Hills Plaza parking lot for.

Pinwheel Cafe & Bakery

2553 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505, USA