Seattle has another reason to brag about its food scene. Bakery Nouveau was just named one of the 14 best French bakeries in the U.S. by Tasting Table, landing alongside famous spots in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
If you’ve ever waited in the long line outside one of Bakery Nouveau’s three locations, this probably won’t come as a surprise. The French Seattle bakery has built a loyal following for its flaky croissants, rich cakes, savory sandwiches, and beautifully crafted pastries.
Tasting Table highlighted the bakery’s long list of awards and the reputation of founder William Leaman, who helped lead Team USA to gold at the 2005 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, one of the world’s top baking competitions. Since then, Leaman has continued earning recognition while growing Bakery Nouveau into a classic Seattle favorite.
The publication especially praised the bakery’s almond croissants, calling them the kind of pastry customers keep coming back for year after year. Chocolate croissants, macarons, truffles, and the popular ham-and-cheese sandwich also earned shoutouts for making the inevitable wait in line worth it.
As for how Tasting Table built the best-of list, the focus was on bakeries that deliver the kind of traditional pastries and breads you’d expect to find in France. Editors considered awards, industry recognition, and whether the bakers had trained or worked in France. They also looked for shops balancing classic techniques with creative flavors, using quality ingredients, and inspiring the kind of customer loyalty that leads to sold-out pastry cases and lines out the door.
Haven’t tried it yet? See for yourself at one of Bakery Nouveau’s three locations in West Seattle, Capitol Hill, or Burien.
