Temple Pastries

Introduction / Overview

For residents of the Washington region who believe baking is an art form, **Temple Pastries** in Seattle's Central District is a required pilgrimage. It’s an acclaimed, queer-owned small business that has quickly gained a reputation far beyond a typical bakery, becoming a hub for pastry innovation and expertly crafted coffee. Temple Pastries is not just about sweet treats; it’s a commitment to precision, technique, and adventurous flavors, all executed with absolute finesse.

Founded by self-taught baker and Head Chef Christina Wood, the bakery specializes in **sourdough croissants** and other laminated dough creations like the famous **Cruffin** (a croissant-muffin hybrid). What truly sets this establishment apart is the fusion of global culinary influences and the incorporation of less common grains like rye and buckwheat, resulting in a menu that is constantly surprising and delightful. From an extraordinary **Cardamom Almond Brioche** to inventive, savory options like the Banh Mi Sausage Croissant, every item is made from scratch and by hand.

The space itself is surprisingly large and inviting, embodying a cool, minimalist aesthetic with plenty of natural light and beautiful, planty decor. It operates as both a stellar bakery and a full-service coffee shop, thanks to a partnership with the excellent **Broadcast Coffee Roasters**, ensuring that your pastry is perfectly paired with a high-quality espresso drink. Whether you're planning a quick visit for breakfast or looking for a comfortable place to hang out, Temple Pastries offers an elevated experience that Washingtonians consistently rave about.

Location and Accessibility

Temple Pastries is conveniently located in Seattle’s dynamic Central District, a highly accessible location that serves as a culinary crossroads for many Seattle neighborhoods.

Address: 2524 S Jackson St #104, Seattle, WA 98144, USA

The bakery is situated on South Jackson Street, making it easy to reach by car or public transportation. A key convenience for Washington locals driving to the shop is the availability of **free street parking** nearby, which can be a rarity in the city. The location also prioritizes physical accessibility for all patrons, featuring a **wheelchair accessible entrance**. The interior space is notably large for a local bakery, offering ample seating across two floors—downstairs seating, a larger upstairs mezzanine, and a few outdoor tables for enjoying a pastry and coffee on a nice Seattle day. The layout is designed to accommodate both quick visits for takeout and longer, comfortable dining experiences.

Services Offered

• Artisan Baked Goods: A core focus on laminated dough pastries, including sourdough croissants, cruffins, and **Kouign Amann**, all utilizing artisan production techniques.
• Specialty Coffee Shop Service: Offers a full menu of coffee and espresso drinks, brewed using beans from their partner, **Broadcast Coffee Roasters**, including seasonal and rotating specialty lattes.
• Takeout and Dine-in: Customers can enjoy their selections on-site with abundant seating, or utilize **in-store pickup** for a quick and efficient experience.
• Breakfast/All-Day Offerings: Serves a variety of items perfect for breakfast, including both sweet and savory pastries, a popular breakfast sandwich, and coffee.
• Baking Subscription Club: Offers the "Temple Baker's Club," a monthly curated box of freshly baked pastries, savory treats, and exclusive baked goods for subscribers.
• Pre-Ordering: Allows customers to pre-order certain specialty and holiday items, or even entire loaves of bread like the **Sesame Challah**, which is available only on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Desserts and Sweets: A rotating selection of desserts, including impeccably textured macarons (like the **Black Sesame Yuzu Macaron**), cookies, and various cakes and tarts.

Features / Highlights

• Flavor Innovation and Precision: The standout feature is the Head Chef's commitment to culinary creativity, blending classic French techniques with unique, globally-inspired flavors such as **Miso Caramel**, Coconut Curry, and Horchata in their baked goods.
• Laminated Dough Mastery: The bakery is renowned for its **sourdough croissants** and derivatives like the **Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cruffin**, which is consistently described as crunchy, creamy, and truly exceptional.
• Unique Bread Offerings: Specializing in artisan loaves like the **Sesame Challah** and the visually stunning **Milk Bread with Butterfly Pea Flower Swirl**, which uses natural ingredients to create a soft, colorful Japanese-style milk bread.
• Expansive and Welcoming Space: Features a surprisingly large, **multi-level seating area** (downstairs and upstairs), making it a great spot for hanging out, solo dining, or meeting friends, with a distinctive, minimalist-meets-planty vibe.
• Seasonal Weekend Specials: The menu is constantly refreshed with limited-time, weekend-only items that showcase the chef's creativity, such as the Blood Orange Campari Cake Donut or the Coconut Curry Puff Pastry.
• High-Quality Macarons: Customers highly praise the delicate, light texture and intense flavor of the macarons, noting them as superior to many others in the area (e.g., the Black Tea Lychee and Strawberry varieties).

Contact Information

Address: 2524 S Jackson St #104, Seattle, WA 98144, USA

Phone: The publicly listed business phone for general inquiries is often (352) 316-4593, though direct contact for pre-orders is often done through their online platform.

What is Worth Choosing

For a first-time visitor to Temple Pastries in Seattle, the ideal order should showcase their mastery of laminated dough and their flair for unique flavor combinations.

First and foremost, you must try the **Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cruffin** ($5.00). It is considered a house specialty and an absolute must-have. Patrons describe it as an unforgettable combination of a crunchy, flaky exterior (from the croissant dough) and a smooth, sweet interior (from the cream cheese filling).

Next, choose a **Seasonal Weekend Special** if your visit falls on a Saturday or Sunday. These are the items where the chef's innovation shines brightest, with past creations like the savory Miso Caramel and White Sesame Cruffin or the complex Horchata Brioche Donut showing the creative fusion that is the hallmark of the bakery. These specials demonstrate the commitment to using unexpected, high-impact flavors.

Finally, pair your pastries with a perfectly prepared coffee. Since they partner with Broadcast Coffee Roasters, you can expect a high-quality espresso. Ask about their **rotating seasonal lattes**—the bakery is known for experimenting with unique drink flavors (such as their past matcha and lemonade blend) that mirror the creativity of their baked goods. If you prefer a classic, a beautifully presented **Cortado** is always a reliable choice to complement the richness of the pastries.

The combination of an iconic Cruffin, an adventurous weekend special, and a delicious espresso makes for an authentic and truly rewarding Temple Pastries experience.

Temple Pastries

2524 S Jackson St #104, Seattle, WA 98144, USA