Cotton-Top Pastries — Restaurant in Helena

I'm a local who's been going here for several years. I think everyone would agree that many of Holly's baked goods are simply exquisite. Her French baking skills are a blessing to the community.

I did have to stop going because the atmosphere is very oppressive. Every time I go in, staff is just not friendly. They seem burdened by customers instead of grateful for our business. Knowing that their storefront doesn't allow more than a handful of customers at a time, there's no urgency or efficiency in fulfilling orders. Improving order fulfillment and offering online ordering would ensure as few customers as possible have to wait out in the cold or sun. I will give credit where it's due and say that there is one gal who is more friendly than the others.

There is also the issue of the way items are packaged. It's often very sloppy, and heavy items are placed on top of delicate items with frosting. People like to show off their items, but that experience is ruined because the packaging of the items has damaged the beautiful design.

Holly is also not very open to feedback. Last year's Thanksgiving pies were a little disappointing. The pumpkin filling hadn't fully set and became gritty. At $45 a pop, I would expect the quality to be a lot better. I did let the store know and I was completely ignored. I will say she did address concerns over people not being able to afford their Thanksgiving pies by having an Afterpay option. I really appreciate this offering.

I was spending up to $200 monthly on their product. Our hard earned dollars are keeping their business running and I don't feel appreciated as a customer. There seems to be hostility towards anyone who doesn't rave about their business and only some customers are appreciated, not all. I used to look forward to their Friday bake but I realized that I don't really get anything out of it and most of their items are just OK.

I know people who go here as a one-time thing when visiting will overlook the in-store experience and enjoy the baked goods. Cotton-Top has a ton of potential if they're willing to make business decisions that benefit their customers, instead of what's easiest for them. Being more customer centric would really elevate the experience and keep locals...

Hands down, these are the best pastries I’ve ever had. So buttery, so flavorful you can truly taste the care and craftsmanship in every bite. The chef pours her heart into each creation, and it shows.

I make it a point to visit every weekend. Sometimes they’re sold out, but most of the time, I manage to sneak in and grab one or two desserts. Everything I’ve tried has been outstanding.

They also offer some delicious savory options. Over the past few weeks, I’ve tried the Street Corn Croisstata and the Potato & Herb Croisstata both were amazing.

My weekly trip to Cotton-Top Pastries is something I look forward to all week. One of my absolute favorites is the Canelé de Bordeaux. It’s so good that I treat myself to one every week though it’s hard to resist getting more! 

The cruffins, a delightful mix between a croissant and a muffin, are also fantastic. They have a variety of other treats like cookies, biscuits, financiers, scones, pie bars, and quiche by the slice.

The menu changes weekly and is posted a few days in advance on their official Instagram stories. It’s always exciting to see what’s new.

Tucked away in historic Reeder’s Alley, the bakery adds so much charm to the experience. It truly deserves all the love it gets from Helena locals and anyone visiting the area.

You can grab a pastry and then head just behind the shop into the alley there are benches, little nooks, and corners where you can sit and...

I kinda don't want to leave this review simply because I want to keep Cotton Top a secret, but I feel like it's too late for that anyway.

I've yet to encounter the mystery person behind these overwhelmingly mind blowing pastries. All I know is whenever customers try to compliment the counter staff on how wonderful their products are, they cheerfully say: "Yes, we're very proud of her." I don't know who this "her" is, but she's clearly hitting it out of the park. Helena boasts some fantastic pastries at many bakeries, laminated or otherwise, but Cotton Top is a tier above the rest.

A must try is the churro cruffin. It's a croissant shaped like a muffin and tossed in cinnamon sugar. Biting into one results in a shattering whimsy resulting in a showering of flaky confetti, which is exactly what should happen. The interior crumb is a complex weaving of airy layers with a flavor of just the right combination of buttery goodness complemented by a perfect amount of fermentation.

I could gush on about the rest of their products as well, but I feel it might be best to encourage anyone reading this to visit Cotton Top themselves. Arrive early though. There tends to be a line and it's not uncommon for them to sell out by...