Madrona Bakery — Restaurant in Mill Valley

Beautiful little bakery with great pastries (4/5 green stars) Zig-zagging through the streets of Mill Valley I told my friend that, once we park, we’ll have to get out of the car and race up the little hill to make it before closing. So we parked on Madrona St. because we were headed to the Madrona bakery and not Le Marais, as my friend had assumed. Never assume, I started preaching, and then remembered that we only had 7 minutes before closing. I don’t remember the last time I was so glad to get in the door before closing – the window on delicious pastries had almost closed but we made it just in time. We ordered quite a few things and Gemma (I think) threw in a couple of extra things to try out. Besides this, she was extremely helpful in describing the offerings and chitchatting about the challenges of running a bakery. It’s challenging, so give Madrona a try next time you are in Marin. I thought the cheddar and chutney sandwich was delicious and a bargain lunch for $12. Ditto for the olive focaccia and double-ditto for the cookies – I don’t remember what it was but, looking at the menu it must have been the cocoa-oat-pecan-cherry. My kind of cookie! Madrone made it onto the SF Chronicle’s list of the best bakeries in the Bay Area and deserves to be there.

I’m giving Madrona 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, based on the fact that most of the menu is vegetarian and there are also a few vegan items too. I’d love to see more vegan offerings – these days it’s not too hard to find a vegan butter substitute that’s pretty much indistinguishable from butter in many situations (muffins, scones, biscuits, cookies…). It would also be great to see more info on the Madrona website, although I do appreciate both chefs sharing their favorite Stanely Tucci moment – I’m a big fan of Big Night (fans of The Bear should check it out). Packaging for Madrona pastries is minimal – paper bags and small cardboard boxes. I like that they collaborate with local businesses on ingredients and items for sale (they also run workshops). A woman-owned and run business –...

I don’t know if it’s the way their goods are being stored but every time I’ve come in the last 8 months their croissants have been super dry. My guess is that they’re over baked. The plain croissant, chocolate croissant, and Nutella/gianduja croissant have all been super dry and tough. Given the amount of butter that is likely in them, something is wrong here. Also the fancy cuts and glazes look great but often lead to the contents leaking during baking.

To make matters worse, this place is run by people who clearly don’t care about cleanliness. Every time I come in the front of house looks like a disaster. Tables have crumbs all over them and on the floor. There are kids running around screaming on weekends (which, whatever) but the mess they leave is never cleaned up. (I also think it’s weird to serve hot coffee cups without their saucers.) I’ve asked for a towel to clean up my own table and have always been met with an exasperated look and a dramatic eye roll. The owner who is always rolling her eyes at her own patrons doesn’t seem to understand what keeps her in business?! I worked in the service industry for years and have a higher standard of both service and cleanliness than this place. Personally I am counting the days until Tartine comes to...

Stepping into this coffee shop feels like walking into a hidden gem you almost want to keep a secret. The moment you enter, you're wrapped in the cozy aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and warm pastries straight out of the oven.

The coffee is nothing short of perfection — rich, smooth, and brewed with real care.

The food deserves just as much love. I ordered a breakfast sandwich, and it was easily one of the best I've had — buttery, flaky, and packed with fresh, quality ingredients. The pastry case is a dream, too. Their croissants were golden, crispy on the outside, and melted in your mouth with every bite.

The vibes here tie it all together — amazing batistas, natural light pouring through big windows, and a mix of comfy couches and rustic wooden tables. It's the perfect spot to catch up with a friend, dive into a book, or just sip slowly and savor the moment.

A true 10/10 experience. I'll definitely be back — probably sooner...