Albemarle Baking Company

My usual bakery where I get bread had the oven break down, so since I wanted to stop by the West Main Street Shops, I thought I would get bread at Albemarle Baking Co. I will not do this again. I purchase a loaf of multi gran bread, had it sliced and when I got it home it was burned on the bottom. Not just a little burned, but black. It’s not like the person who put it in the machine couldn’t have seen that it was black. What makes someone think it’s OK to sell burned bread to someone. Never again.

Macarons Found!!! French Macarons AND Coconut Macaroons (I’m guessing they are Italian?)!!! For the second time I was impressed to see this place running out near closing time! In my book this is a very good sign in many ways next time will come earlier and what we checked out we loved the coconut macaroon was so tender it was unbelievable and delicious the pistachio macaroon was pretty impressive! I do not remember the names of the other treats we consumed here though ALL were Delicious!

I come here every two days. The only place I go more often is work. Beautiful pastries. Also, there is always a great song playing on their stereo. Every time. Hot damn! This is bread!

Always delicious and freshly made bakery items. My favorite? The cranberry scone.
The staff couldn’t be any nicer, and the service is fast.
A few tables both inside and outside, but it seems most popular to take one for the road– or for the train! Charlottesville’s Amtrak station is right down the street. And a number of bus lines including the free trolley stop right at ABCs door.

The best bakery in Virginia! There is a cake. It’s not just any cake. My life wouldn’t be the same without it. Two words: Princess Cake.
I’m visiting CVille tomorrow and I will order it ahead of time because it sells out fast. I will take a pic. It has white marzipan with a single pink rose on top.

This bakery is amazing. You really can’t go wrong with any baked good here. I have tried the chocolate, mocha, pistachio (you must try this because it actually tastes like fresh pistachios) macarons, the almond croissant (pretty big in size considering the price), and the chocolate praline crunch cake dome (chocolate lovers must try this).
I wish they also sold more types of drinks and I also wish that their fruit tart would be softer (it was hard to bite into).

Cute little place, friendly staff. We just popped in to grab a yummy treat and maybe something for the trip home. They sadly do not have anything with Peanuts/​peanut butter (or any nuts for that matter) due to other people having allergies… so that was a HUGE bummer for me because I want peanut butter everything at all times, but the cookie we got was delicious. They also offer coffee, but I did not partake. Every one in there seemed to be enjoying their coffee and brunch sweets.

Baguette heaven: Their baguettes (french bread loaves) are among the best I’ve ever had. Wonderful! However, I think their breads are far better than their desserts, though. I’ve tried 5 or 6 of their pies/​pastries, and I was pretty unimpressed. I’ve never tried their cakes, so I cannot speak to those.

After reading some of the reviews I decided I need to say some things about this wonderful baking Company! Most of the reviews are really good and spot on but there were a couple that made me wonder did they write about the wrong place!
I have been coming to Albemarle Baking company for years and it has been my favorite place to get fresh bread, and an assortment of pastries, savory and sweet. Also cookies, cakes, quiche, focaccia, and so much more! They have an ideal location in the center of Main Street shopping areas. There is plenty of parking in the front and on either sides. I usually get my delicacies to go, but you certainly have the option of sitting at one of their small tables and enjoying the passersby through their big picture windows!
There are plenty of breads to choose from that change daily. This place has the best brioche and croissants in town. They have a current doughnut that is way more dense than a regular donut therefore it is equivalent to eating about two or three donuts. It is extremely delicious and they even give you the doughnut hole! They have the best sticky buns in town (you can get them with or without nuts) I haven’t tried all their cakes but the princess one is a favorite and is moist, airy and sweet to perfection. The opera cakes are also remarkable. The mini Keylime takes you back to the Florida Keys and leave you wanting more!
I can’t review each and everything I’ve tried but I have never been disappointed and I will always continue to come here!

Great little bakery in C-​ville! Husband and I been traveling, looking for a place to have breakfast. They are not a eatery, but just munching on their great quiche and croissants, along with delicious fresh coffee, was enough for us. Plus, taking home a couple of baguettes — hmm, already nibbling on it. Their sweets look great too. Oh, and super friendly staff, and clean, great smelling place.

Absolutely delicious bakery with a wide variety of goods — both sweet and savory — to satisfy any craving.
The chocolate cheesecake is beyond decadent — I thought that there was NO way I could finish an individual serving all by myself, but it was just too good to put down! My husband had an apple tart that gave all the quintessential delicious fall flavors in each bite. Our tot enjoyed gnawing on their bread as we gorged ourselves on the sweets!

Got our wedding cake done here. Riki is awesome to work with and nailed our wedding cake it was a huge hit! Their marzipan I could eat from a bowl! Thank you so much and we will be back for our year anniversary cake!

I went there for dessert and coffee recently. My wife and I had a cupcake and chocolate ganache. Both were excellent and prices were reasonable, considering the quality of these two items. Outdoor seating was adequate. The coffee was not too good and I saw only milk, not half-​and-​half or cream, to go with the coffee. If I had gotten something to go, it would probably be 5 stars but the bad coffee brings it to 4.

Best bakery in town! We’ve gotten the coconut macarons here for years… not usually my top choice of desserts, but there’s are great! For a birthday party last week we had some kind of Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse cake and it was HEAVEN! I could have eaten the entire thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Best Brioche Bread in town!

Visit yesterday left me disappointed. The currant donut was pretty good but too sweet. They could have left of the sugar on the outside. Plus it cost 2.75, which was too expensive for a donut. Their princess cupcake was dry and I didn’t care for the topping. The cake tasted off such that it tasted like was made with inferior oil. I grabbed the apple cider bread to go and was looking forward to having some later when I discovered that the bottom was burnt. For a loaf of bread that set me back over 5 dollars I am quite disappointed. They shouldn’t be selling burnt bread, especially at full price. I got their granola and have not had any. Fingers crossed that it will be good.

I went here for breakfast every day while staying Charlottesville and thus sampled various items. Everything I tried, including the coffee was delicious. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything they make. It’s also nice to watch the bakers making the breads and decorating the cakes (there is a large window into the kitchen). Highly recommend it.

We got a really excellent carrot cake here, not too sweet, with creamy icing. The cake didn’t have an overwhelming carrot flavor, but was good nevertheless.
I’ve tried the macarons, and they were not that worthwhile, and a little dry and flavorless.
The staff has always been friendly. All in all ABC is a good, reliable bakery, but nothing special. I’ll be back to try more of their pastries!

This place was my favorite thing about Charlottesville. They open early, have a great selection, and the staff was friendly and informative. And you can see the bakers at work behind glass right there in the store.
The quiche was good, the cinnamon rolls were good, but the sticky buns — oh those sticky buns! — so good — so crisp and cruchy at the edges, so moist inside, so wonderful, such a heavenly experience. And not too sticky.

Nice relaxed and inviting atmosphere at the ABC. Ordered the quiche and it was lovely — fluffy, filled with many ingredients and über tasty. The coffee is self-​served and comes in only one size and two choices — Blue Ridge Roast or Decaf. Frankly expected something more than a self-​service station for my cuppa joe but I guess that’s why it’s a baking company and not a café — I get it.
As for the macaroons, I was weary of the prepackaged selection but a pack of 6 (Raspberry, Blackberry, Pistachio, Chocolate & Coffee) at $ 6.25 is affordable considering the $ 2+ price range back home. Unfortunately, having had amazing macaroons in the past the one’s at ABC were below standard in my opinion (i.e. chalky, over-​baked, overly sweet). Guess I’ll have to satisfy my craving elsewhere. However, the chocolate croissant was blowy, flaky and with just the right amount of semi-​sweet chocolate.
Stick to the freshly baked good along the counters and you’d likely have a good meal. Enjoy!