Boston's real French baguette đ„đ„đ„
đ„ Colette Bakery: Bostonâs Classic French BakeryâA Back Bay Gem My favorite ice cream shop owner once told me: Only 5 croissant spots in Boston are run by French people. Colette Bakeryâjoining Lakon as a new favoriteâproves why that matters. Unlike Lakonâs loaded, creative flavors, Colette sticks to classics: croissants, canelĂ©s, baguettes, pain aux raisins. Fun fact: I first tried their pastries when my Manhattan-raised âold moneyâ boss brought them inâeven if heâs annoying, his taste in baked goods is on point. Their new Back Bay location? It took over the former CafĂ© Madeline (RIP my croissant âwhite moonlightââstill sad the owner retired). đ Must-Try Bakes Classic Croissant & Choco-colette: đ„ French perfection. Flaky, buttery layers with crisp edges and a soft, airy centerâno greasy aftertaste. The chocolate version has a rich, melty filling that doesnât overwhelm the buttery base. Textbook execution. Brioche Caramel: đŻ My absolute favorite. The (puff pastry) stays crispy even the next dayâshattering slightly when you bite into it, then melting into a buttery cloud. The caramel filling is sweet but restrained, with a warm, toasty depth. Pro move: Try the raspberry version tooâtart, fruity, and even lighter than the caramel. CanelĂ©: đ§ A standout. The outer crust is dark, caramelized, and slightly chewy (not rock-hard), while the inside is soft, spongy, and packed with vanilla bean flavor. For a bakery thatâs not a âcanelĂ© specialist,â this is impressiveâeasily holds its own against fancy Parisian spots. đ The âMehâ Pain Aux Raisins: đ Recommended by many, but my friend wasnât a fan. The pastry is good, but the raisins are sparse, and the custard filling is mild to the point of blandness. A rare miss. âš Why It Works Authenticity: This is French baking at its most straightforwardâno gimmicks, just mastery of technique. The croissants rise properly, the canelĂ©s have that signature âcrunch-softâ contrast, and every bite tastes like it was made with care. Nostalgia: For anyone missing CafĂ© Madeline, Colette fills that classic French bakery void in Back Bay. Up Next: The ice cream shop owner also raved about NouvĂ©, a new Lexington spotâapparently, theyâre tough competition for French chocolate supplies. Stay tuned for that review. Budget Score: 4.5/5. Fair prices for the qualityâyouâre paying for skill, not frills. Colette isnât flashy, but itâs reliable. For buttery croissants, rich canelĂ©s, or a simple pain au chocolat, this is Back Bayâs new go-to. đ Colette Bakery 517 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118 #BostonFrenchBakery #BackBayEats #CroissantLovers