Razava Bread Co.

Welcome to Razava Bread Co., a true gem on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue that is quickly becoming a beloved fixture in the Twin Cities’ vibrant food scene. This is more than just a bakery; it is a convergence of deep family history, time-honored baking traditions, and an exciting menu infused with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. Razava Bread Co. is dedicated to serving “old world bread for the new world,” a philosophy that results in wholesome, flavorful, and highly digestible sourdough loaves and a unique cafe experience.

The story of Razava has roots stretching back to 1888, when Henry Baldinger, the great-grandfather of founder Steve Baldinger, brought the original 'Razava' recipe—a dark, nutritious Eastern European rye bread—to St. Paul. Today, the bakery honors that legacy by combining four generations of tradition with the artistry of Head Baker Omri Zin-Tamir, who previously ran the acclaimed Bakery on 22nd Street. Zin-Tamir is a master of naturally leavened, high-hydration doughs, focusing on long fermentations that take 36 to 48 hours per loaf, yielding complex flavors and textures. His Israeli background heavily influences the menu, creating a perfect synergy where the bread is not merely a vessel, but the main ingredient.

For Minnesotans seeking exceptional, hand-crafted food, Razava Bread Co. offers an experience centered entirely on quality and craftsmanship. The meticulous, slow process of their sourdough baking—from their signature Razava House Loaf to the hefty, four-pound Miche—ensures that every bite is rich in flavor and nutrition, upholding their simple yet powerful motto: “Great Bread Takes Time.”

The cafe environment is described by customers as having a "super cool boutique feel" with friendly staff and great service, creating a welcoming neighborhood hang on one of St. Paul's most popular avenues. Whether you are stopping in for a coffee and a bagel or sitting down for a savory brunch dish, Razava provides a unique and memorable local experience.

Located at the corner of Grand Avenue and St. Albans, Razava Bread Co. is situated in the heart of St. Paul’s historic and bustling Grand Avenue neighborhood. This prime location is easily accessible for both St. Paul residents and visitors traveling from Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities metro area.

The bakery is part of the street-level retail space in the Kenton House apartment complex, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere and easy access. For those driving, the location offers free street parking, which is a welcome amenity on a busy street like Grand Ave. Its proximity to other popular local establishments makes it an ideal stop during a day of shopping or exploring the area.

The physical space itself is designed to be inclusive and comfortable for all members of the community. Razava Bread Co. has ensured accessibility features are in place, making it a convenient choice for every visitor.

Razava Bread Co. is not just a place to buy a loaf of bread; it is a full-service cafe and artisan bakery offering a diverse range of handcrafted goods and prepared meals. Their commitment to quality is evident across their entire menu.

Services Offered

• In-Store Retail: A wide selection of freshly baked, naturally leavened breads, including specialty loaves and bagels, available for daily purchase.
• Dine-In Cafe: A dedicated cafe menu featuring bread-forward brunch and savory dishes, served in a welcoming setting with Wi-Fi access.
• Takeout Service: Convenient options for customers to order and pick up prepared food and retail bread.
• Catering: Services available for special events and larger orders (based on website information).
• Pre-Orders: A system to pre-order popular loaves and bagels to ensure availability, especially for high-demand items like Challah and the unique Jerusalem Bagels.
• Kosher Certification: The bakery is working toward or has achieved Kosher certification (Parve, Pas Yisroel) by Minnesota Kosher, serving the local Jewish community with certified products.
• Coffee and Tea Service: Offering a full array of expertly prepared beverages, including drip coffee, espresso tonic, cortado, and a variety of premium teas (Happy, Oolong, English Breakfast, Mint, Jasmine, Egyptian Chamomile).

Razava Bread Co. stands out in the crowded Twin Cities food scene through a combination of its historical roots, its international culinary influence, and its dedication to pure baking methods. These unique aspects are what make it a true destination for local food enthusiasts.

Features / Highlights

• Artisan Sourdough Focus: The entire operation revolves around long-fermented sourdough, with a baking process that often takes 36 to 48 hours for complex flavor, texture, and digestibility.
• Jerusalem Bagel: A customer favorite and standout item, this oblong, chewy, and aromatic bagel is completely crusted in sesame seeds and infused with olive oil, distinct from its New York-style counterpart.
• Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Menu Influence: Head Baker Omri Zin-Tamir’s background inspires a unique savory menu that complements the bread, featuring dishes like Whitefish Toast, Sabich (roasted potato and eggplant in a house-made pita), and a rich Muhammara Plate.
• Family Legacy: The bakery is the latest chapter in the Baldinger family's St. Paul baking history, which dates back to 1888, blending historical tradition with modern innovation.
• Commitment to Wholesome Ingredients: Breads are crafted using high-extraction flours and grains sourced from organic regenerative farms across the Midwest, stone-ground for peak flavor and nutrition.
• Accessibility: The location is fully committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating.
• SK Coffee Service: Features a "full on coffee gig" ensuring high-quality coffee and espresso drinks to pair with the baked goods.

The menu is a testament to the bakery's dedication to making bread the star. Signature loaves include the multigrain Razava House Loaf, the four-pound Miche (a French country bread), and the classic Traditional Baguette with a crackling crust. The specialty breads, such as the soft, golden Braided Challah (available on Fridays) and Buckwheat Pitas, further showcase the breadth of their expertise.

The savory cafe menu offers elevated brunch options that utilize their baked goods perfectly, such as the Sabich served in a house-made pita, or the various open-face toasts featuring toppings like ricotta and smoked mackerel or Campari tomatoes and garlic.

When deciding where to spend your money on artisanal bread and breakfast in the Twin Cities, Razava Bread Co. offers compelling reasons to choose their establishment.

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Razava Bread Co. means supporting a local Minnesota business that is deeply rooted in history while pushing the boundaries of modern artisan baking. It is a choice for quality, health, and flavor.

• For the Sourdough Enthusiast: The commitment to long, cold fermentation and high-quality, regionally-sourced flours means the sourdoughs (like the Razava House Loaf and San Francisco) offer a superior depth of flavor and texture that mass-produced bread simply cannot match. If you "geek out over fermentation, flavor, and flour," this is your spot.
• For a Unique Brunch Experience: The menu goes far beyond standard cafe fare. The Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, such as the Sabich, Whitefish Toast, and the side of house-made Labneh with Za'atar, offer a unique and flavorful culinary journey that is hard to find elsewhere in St. Paul.
• For Community and Connection: Razava has intentionally created a space where "great bread is best enjoyed together," making it a welcoming hub for neighbors and a place to experience St. Paul’s vibrant community spirit.
• For Quality Ingredients: The focus on high-extraction, stone-ground flours from regenerative Midwest farms speaks to a commitment to sustainability and superior nutrition, a value that resonates deeply with conscious consumers in Minnesota.

The exceptional quality of the Jerusalem Bagel, often selling out quickly, is reason enough for a visit. Whether taken home to enjoy with house schmear or savored as part of a dine-in dish, this product exemplifies the mastery of the bakery.

For Minnesotans looking for a new favorite bakery, Razava Bread Co. on Grand Avenue is a must-try destination that delivers on its promise of complex, wholesome, old-world bread and a truly delicious modern menu.

Contact Information

• Address: 685 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105, USA
• Phone: (763) 338-0853

Razava Bread Co.

685 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105, USA