85°C Bakery Cafe - Lynnwood — Restaurant in Lynnwood

Summary: 85°C Bakery is a unique combination of Eastern and Western influences, with its roots in China. While the bakery offers a blend of traditional and European-style baked goods, we found the selection limited during our visit later in the evening. Despite this, the flavors were excellent, and I’m giving it four stars for its blend of styles and overall quality.

Ambience (4/5): The bakery has a modern, inviting atmosphere, but when we visited in the evening, many of the dessert plates were empty, limiting the variety of options. The combination of Eastern and Western influences in the decor and food adds a unique touch, but be sure to visit earlier in the day for a fuller selection.

Authenticity (4.5/5): While it’s not a typical Chinese bakery, 85°C offers an interesting mix of Eastern philosophy and Western European-style baking. The combination is well-executed, and the flavors reflect a balance of both influences. It’s a refreshing take on traditional Asian desserts with a Western twist.

Flavor (5/5): The cakes and breads we tried were flavorful and well-crafted. The sponge cakes, filled with fruit, were light and airy, with the right amount of sweetness. The balance between Eastern subtlety and Western richness came through in the desserts, making them a great option for anyone looking for something unique.

Cost (4.5/5): The prices are reasonable for what you get, with a full cake costing around $35 to $40 and serving 6 to 8 people. While the quality of the food is excellent, the limited variety available later in the day affected the overall value of our experience.

Service (4.5/5): The staff were friendly and efficient, though the limited selection made it difficult to experience the full range of what the bakery offers. They were quick to assist, and the service was smooth, but arriving earlier might offer a more complete experience.

Tips for Visiting:

Visit earlier for more variety: We visited later in the evening, and many items were sold out. If you want to see the full selection, plan to visit earlier in the day. A blend of Eastern and Western flavors: If you enjoy Asian desserts with a Western twist, this bakery offers a unique combination that’s worth trying. Great for special occasions: The full cakes are perfect for celebrations, with flavors and textures that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Not your typical bakery: While rooted in China, this bakery combines both Eastern and European-style baking, offering a distinctive experience compared to a traditional...

I had a horrible experience today at this store.

A couple days ago, I preordered a cake in person. Everything seemed fine when I ordered. However, when I came in to pickup the cake today, I found out they gave me the wrong cake. I should have read the order paper writing more carefully but thought I was charged correctly so I didn't think much of it. I was sure I pointed to the right cake when ordering.

The lady who took my order ultimately wrote "strawberry choc. mousse" instead of "strawberry mousse", so the cake was entirely different. When I told the cashier this was the incorrect cake, she accused me that I was wrong and that it would cost more to order that cake. She made it sound like I was some cheap person trying to get a discounted cake from them. Damn! If cost was a factor, I would have not gone to your store. A few bucks is not going to hurt my bank account.

Even the lady who wrote the order came out saying I was wrong and that she "checked with me that I wanted the chocolate one". Since they seemed so sure and I don't like confrontation, I said it was fine to refund and recharge the higher price. I then pulled out my receipt and sure enough, they charged me for the more expensive cake that I originally ordered. When I showed this to the cashier, she just gave me a shrug, fixed the order, and that was it. No apologizes or nothing.

I understand people make mistakes and I don't think the customer is always right. However, if you are going to accuse a customer for being wrong, you better be right. If proven otherwise, you apologize! An apology can go a long way.

I kept wondering what I could have done to cause the confusion. Then I remembered my kids considered getting the chocolate bear cake that looked cute in the display. Since the cake is for grandma, it didn't seem like the right cake to order. Even if they mistaken it for that cake, it was still not the cake I was given.

I cannot say I'll never come to this store since it is still convenient and I like their pastries. However, if I am on the fence on where to order a cake, I will take my business elsewhere. I have never had an issue like this before. Even if I was wrong, they did not have to give me so much attitude. It was not a personalized cake and could...

This place is slippin’! Don’t get me wrong, I love 85°C for their fresh baked goods and the awesome boba/coffee drink selection. My rating is compared to my experiences at 85°C in Taiwan, California, and at the Tukwila location. I was stoked to see that we now have one in the North Seattle area. I have been to this location now probably 7 or 8 times since they opened and I have slowly watched the quality of service decline. This place is popular. So, of course I expect it to be crowded. However, it is obvious that they are not staffed properly to keep up with the constant flow of customers.

The last three times I have gone there they messed up my drink order (ie left out boba, forgot lychee jelly, wrong ingredients). On my last visit it was three hours before closing and they were basically out of fresh baked breads with the exception of a few squid ink pastries and some gooey taro buns. Once I got through line to place my drink order they told me they were out of boba. So, I adjusted my order and waited, and waited for my drinks. Literally 35 mins after I paid, my drinks came out, but of course they screwed up the order. So I waited another 7mins for them to fix it. This 85°C is very small. So, while you wait it often only has standing room.

My summation of the place: The demand for baked goods and drinks is too much for this establishment. It’s crowded before you order, it’s crowded while you wait for your to be made, the baking staff can’t keep up, their boba supply is short, and their drink makers are slow...