ID-eclair — Restaurant in Pasadena

whistles through teeth

Wow.

Croissants, eclairs, focaccia, macarons, baguettes, financiers, danishes, and several other things I can't even pronounce. And all of it plant-based? Get the eff out of here. I walked into ID-Eclair maybe three or four weeks back. There was no mention of "vegan" on the menu or in the case, so I asked. "Any of this vegan?" The guy looks at me, shrugs, and says, "All of it."

And that, is how my new obsession began.

Their approach is they don't need to boast about how vegan everything is. Honestly, you can't tell. Everything is exquisite, enjoy it, don't get tripped up on labels. If you snag a box of these goodies and head into the office, not one person will say anything other than, "Holy shit, can I have another one?" This place is four blocks from my kid's school, and directly on my route home, so now, I've got a mild pastry problem that I need to keep in check. Are four visits in one week too much? I'm going to tell myself it's not.

I started working through the croissants, both sweet options and savory, before moving to the fruit tarts and macarons. The danishes are fantastic, again both sweet and savory, with the leek and olive oil coming in first place for me. My wife digs the tomato danish, and the blueberry is also up there if I want to lean towards sweet. I've tried the palmiers, cinnamon twists, and anything else I can get my hands on. The variety changes, often with "du jour" items that rotate. There are probably half a dozen choices of croissants alone. Chocolate and almond, jalapeño and cheese, raspberry, "ham" and cheese, it's everything a croissant lover could dream of.

After plowing through the baked goods, I moved on to the sandwiches, salads, and soups. Fresh, tasty, and satisfying. I think my wife and I got the daily sandwich every lunch for three or four days straight. They use high-end vegan cheeses that pair awesomely with freshly baked bread. The richness of the cheese is pulled back by the arugula and heirloom tomato. Sublime.

It's a lovely spot. Small tables with comfy chairs and many windows providing incredible natural light create a great place to relax and enjoy your bites. The staff are beyond friendly and knowledgeable about their craft (shout out to Emily). It's just a great place to hang out and live a little. Even when I'm in a rush, their '$5 plain croissant and a coffee' deal pulls me in whether I like it or not. A fourth-generation French baker runs the place, and I promise he knows precisely what he's doing.

It's beyond good. It's great. And one hell of an addition to the...

Are my girlfriend and I crazy enough to travel 2 hours through an active windstorm in search of a new vegan gem? Yes we are. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

In the midst of all the closures plaguing the 2025 vegan restaurant scene, visiting ID-eclair sparked in me a newfound hope that an all-vegan business can thrive against all odds. There are a mere handful of all-vegan bakeries out there, and this one does everything right.

Right as we stepped in, we were greeted with an enthusiastic "Bonjour" from Emily and Alfredo. The interior was stunning, with the pastries delicately and intentionally lined up behind pristinely clear glass. Emily and Alfredo were knowledgeable about the pastries and enthusiastically explained their offerings. Listening to them made us want to try everything. We felt so compelled that we spent over $50 on just the pastries alone. We topped it off with a hot chocolate and iced Americano.

Macarons - I'd say these are the best vegan macarons around. I'm a big fan of Veron for their vegan macarons, but I'd say ID-eclair has a slight edge. I noticed that the fillings are very generous which was great for someone with a sweet tooth like me, but too overpowering for my girlfriend.

Chocolate croissant - My girlfriend loved these because of how conservative they were with the sugar. I got the impression that they were focusing on the flakiness and quality of the pastry rather than the sweetness. She says that this is the closest to non-vegan croissants she's tasted. Would recommend if you don't like your pastries to be overly sweet.

Hot chocolate & iced americano - pretty solid. As the owners mentioned in a response to a review on here, they have a state-of-the-art espresso machine. Can't go wrong with any of...

Move over, avocado toast—ID Éclair is redefining what plant-based indulgence looks like. Nestled in Pasadena, this spot feels more like an art gallery for pastries than a traditional bakery. The minimalist-chic decor vibes perfectly with its menu: fresh, innovative, and unapologetically 100% plant-based. No dairy, no problem.

Their éclairs are the main event—think delicate choux pastries filled with bold, unexpected flavors. Every bite strikes the perfect balance between light and decadent. Even if you're not plant-based, you'll find yourself wondering why anyone would need cream or butter in the first place.

And the crowd? Young, creative, and just as curated as the pastries themselves. It’s the kind of place where you’ll spot a mix of sneakerheads, photographers, and coffee lovers snapping pics before taking that first bite.

Also worth noting: the general manager is Filipino, and there’s a touch of that warm hospitality in the service. It’s laid-back but thoughtful—exactly what you want from a neighborhood gem.

Whether you’re here to grab a quick coffee and éclair or linger with friends for a low-key treat, ID Éclair is the kind of place that makes you feel cool just...