My husband and I are big fans of quality pastries, so we've been planning to go here for a few months since the local Gainesville Asian pastry shop Sweet Buns Bakery is permanently closed.
This Wednesday evening, we finally had the time to stop by, and it was a deliciously memorable visit!
We arrived around 6:30 pm and parked near the entrance in a free parking lot with plenty of spaces. When we got in the door, we could see the early dinner crowd was already there with about 15 customers seated and around 5 waiting on line to pay for their orders at the counter. More people were coming in as we were browsing the sweets. The counter line moved pretty fast since the cashier was very efficient, and it seemed that most people paid with a credit card.
If you want to order in and avoid waiting in line (and aren't buying anything from the pre-packaged goodies), there's also a quick order kiosk near the start of the counter line that accepts card payment. The kiosk is only good for tea, fruit drinks, and appetizers. When you're ready to pay with your card, it gives you exactly 1 minute (60 seconds) to tap your card on the reader, so be prepared to use it, or your order will time out. I didn't wait for the timer to run out, so I'm not sure what exactly happens when 0 hits. (I had customized my green tea fruit drink and didn't want to start over)
Back to the bakery sections, near the entrance, there's a fridge for refrigerated cakes. Then, to the right, there's a section to browse and pick pre-packaged bread, pastries, and cookies. In that area, there is a station with tongs and trays for people who are interested in picking their own baked goods from the clear plexiglass displays for items such as buns (soooo many different buns - watch the video clip to see them all!), pastries, and tarts. Near the cashier is a section for a variety of moon cakes, so naturally, I got one of each type of moon cake and a few pineapple moon cakes for my co-workers. They also have custom-sized larger moon cakes that are available to order (the largest was as big as a dinner plate!). There are signs on all items with pricing and pastry names written in both Chinese and English, so there's never any question about how much anything costs. I genuinely appreciate this since I don't mind paying for quality baked goods as long as I know how much I'm paying âșïž My husband and I got 2 bags of pastry items ranging from several cold rolls to moon cakes to (my favorite) tiramisu, then we ordered in - popcorn chicken, jasmine tea, and a fruit tea. We were handed a table number by the cashier after ordering and went to seat ourselves.
The eating area was starting to fill up with dinner crowd people (a few families, several couples on dates, groups of friends/co-workers, and what looked like a solitary college kid doing homework on a laptop). There's free wifi as well, so that's convenient from a student standpoint. The tables are set apart about 4 feet from one another to allow for private conversation, but if it was more crowded, it might be tougher to hear your companion or difficult to walk between tables if you're a larger person. The peacock and foliage mural art provides a nice café feel, and the tables were fairly clean from what empty ones we spotted from our seats. Our order was ready in about 10 minutes, and my husband loved the chicken with orange sauce on the side. I enjoyed the fried mint leaves that were in the dish since, for some reason, they tasted a lot like tea leaves, which was very interesting.
Our entire pastry shop visit (including the 2 bags of pastries) cost around $100 with generous tip, and it was well worth the trip from Gainesville to get such delightful treats. On our way out, we used the restrooms before our road trip home, and they were clean and stocked. When we were walking to our car, we noticed an outdoor patio with tables, but it was empty since it was raining all day.
Bakery1908 is a definite must-stop-to-shop or date place in Orlando for any sweet toothed foodie and fresh tea fan! We'll be...
   Read moreIf youâre looking for an exceptional Chinese bakery experience in Orlando, look no further than 1908 Bakery. As someone who has visited and reviewed countless bakeries and restaurants, I can confidently say that this place is a true gem. From the moment you walk in, youâre greeted with an immaculate, well-organized space, a huge selection of both savory and sweet treats, and a customer service team that truly goes above and beyond. Whether youâre dining in, grabbing a quick bite to-go, or ordering for delivery, 1908 Bakery exceeds expectations in every way.
One of the first things that struck me was how incredibly clean and organized this bakery is. The moment you step inside, you can tell that they take great pride in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and presentation. The glass display cases are beautifully arranged, showcasing a wide variety of pastries, desserts, and savory options that look almost too good to eat. Itâs one of those places where you want to try everything because everything looks that good!
I was also blown away by the customer service. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always eager to help. Whether you have dietary preferences, need recommendations, or just want to learn more about their offerings, they are incredibly patient and welcoming. Their enthusiasm for their products is contagious, and you can tell they truly care about providing a great experience for every customer. From Savory to Sweet 1908 Bakery offers an impressive variety of freshly made items that cater to both savory and sweet cravings.
Their tofu is fresh, flavorful, and perfectly texturedânot too firm, not too soft. Itâs packed with rich umami flavor, making it a great choice whether youâre eating it alone or pairing it with something else. The dumplings here are absolutely incredible. The filling is juicy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, and the wrappers have that ideal balance of softness and chewiness. These dumplings taste homemade in the best possible wayâauthentic, comforting, and full of flavor. If youâre a fan of egg tarts, you will LOVE the ones here. The custard filling is silky smooth and perfectly sweet, while the crust is light, flaky, and butteryâexactly what an egg tart should be!
Other Classic Buns: Whether you love red bean, taro, or custard-filled buns, youâll find something to satisfy your cravings. Every bun is baked to perfection, with a soft and airy texture that melts in your mouth.
If you love chewy, glutinous rice-based desserts, their mochi and sesame balls are a must-try! The textures are spot-on, and the fillings are rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Their selection of light, fluffy cakes is outstanding. Whether youâre a fan of fresh fruit cakes, matcha-infused cheesecakes, or classic sponge cakes, they have something for everyone. An Impressive Selection No bakery experience is complete without great drinks, and 1908 Bakery does not disappoint. Their fruit drinks are refreshing, naturally sweet, and full of fresh flavors. Perfect for a hot day in Orlando! Coffee: If youâre a coffee lover, their selection is impressive and well-crafted. Whether you prefer a classic latte, a strong espresso, or something with an Asian twist, they have something for every coffee enthusiast. One of the best things about 1908 Bakery is that they offer both takeout and delivery, making it super convenient to enjoy their delicious offerings from the comfort of your home. Whether youâre picking up a quick breakfast, grabbing an afternoon treat, or ordering a selection of goodies for a gathering, their takeout and delivery service ensures you can always satisfy your cravings. Itâs rare to find a place that excels in every category, but 1908 Bakery truly does. Spotless environment, outstanding customer service, an incredible selection of fresh and delicious food, and the added convenience of takeout and deliveryâwhat more could you ask for?
If youâre in Orlando, this place is an...
   Read moreExcellent Asian bakery. The only reason I stress that this is an Asian bakery is because there are items I personally have not seen in traditional bakeries. Which is a great thing. They have everything from sliced breads, "donuts", cookies, cakes, milk teas, coffee, fruit juices and oh, DUMPLINGS.
First the pastries. We bought some kind of sponge pound cake that had a very simple yet delicious taste and texture. Think cotton candy cake. But not cotton candy flavor. Every bite literally melted in your mouth with a delicious pound cake taste. Amazingly good and not too sweet. The one item that I was a little surprised by was the cheesecake. It certainly is nowhere near what a traditional cheesecake tastes like. It's more like a mildly flavored cheese pound cake. It was spongey with a subtle hint of cheese. Not terrible but not what I was expecting. There were things I didn't try due to not being quite sure if I thought it would be for me. For example, they have a BBQ pork pastry which comes in a bun and turnover version. I asked an employee if they have ever tried it and he said no but that it is very popular and sells out usually by 3pm. He said the filling isn't pulled pork or chunks of meat in it but rather more like a BBQ pork "filling". So I didn't take the leap but will eventually try it for to it's popularity.
We did try the dumplings. We ordered the pan fried chicken dumplings. They have the option to get your dumplings pan fried, steamed or straight up fried. The chicken dumplings also had corn in them and comes with a small broccoli floret. Perfectly cooked with a crispy outside and tender inside. I will say I was impressed by the amount of filling which was a plump and satisfyingly filled dumpling. They have a station in the back which has your typical utensils like plastic knife, spoon and forks, napkins, as well as chopsticks and sauce packets (duck, soy, ketchup). Don't pass up on the complimentary chili sauce. It's not too spicy, actually very mild. Sprinkle in some soy sauce and dunk away. Super good. The only drawback I would say is, after visiting twice, a good 20 minute wait for dumplings.
All in all, having visited twice, I would highly recommend trying this place at least once. I know...
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