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I don't think there is a bakery in Halifax that rivals Julien's for quality. Their bread is outstanding. The crust development is just perfection; thick, crispy crusts that crack into fluffy, light interiors.
Julien's has also mastered the croissant, making something properly proofed, buttery, airy and feather light. All of their pastries are equally wonderful. I've never had anything from Julien's that wasn't fresh, perfectly cooked and wonderfully presented. Halifax carboloaders would be at a loss without this place. If you haven't gone to the Hydrostone to check out their wares, or stopped by their booth at the Farmer's Market to have a decadent breakfast, you are missing out.
Who does not love fresh homemade breads. Well I know I do and Julien's is just the place to visit when you have the craving of something fresh and tasty.
After visiting the home base in Chester they actually told me that the bread is transported all over and they told me about this location in the Hydro stone. Well my sister turned me onto the sourdough bread and OMG is it good. Crispy thick crust with a light fully inside who would not love it. It will make you work through the outside as it is a bit of a pull to it but that is what I love about it. Now this is a treat for me and I love getting it and bringing it home with some butter and molasses. YUM.
Now this is not the only bread that they sell of course there is a side variety of textures and loaves to chose from. Another one is the 12 grain one. Pastry's as well is something that you will not leave this store without as they are too tempting to say no. Try the large cinnamon buns I guarantee that you will grab a table inside to be able to taste this lovely treat. Delicious that is all I can say.
Coffee as well as homemade Jams are available to take home so that you can enjoy that added flavor to something that is already delicious. Now if you can not wait until then you are more then welcome to pull up a chair as it is available to sit inside and have a hot drink with a pastry.
Its enduring run speaks for itself. Open for 25 years, Julien's is a local hotbed as well as a nationally acclaimed eatery. Its fabulous Artisan breads and pastries have stirred up a reputation, as Julien's was listed as "One of the Best in the Country" by Where To Eat in Canada. (The country's national food guide)
They offer a bucket load of bread types, including the 'spelt bread', which is made out of wheat-free flour. Hooray, wheat intolerance! Pastry treats appear as prize winners, as I take this opportunity to recommend giving the fruit tart a whirl. The squash soup is top notch as well.
If you haven't been to Julien's, its just a spot to hit. With its old school atmosphere and assured goodies, its one of Halifax's best flavours.
Listed in: There's No Place Like…
This will be a limited review, as I only go there for the bread. But what bread it is, a slice of heaven. The Brioche is amazing and the baguettes are delicious, and there is always a different bread there to satisfy my hunger. The only place for bread in Halifax
Over baked bread with a crust of razorblades. There is a reason that in the market Julien's is on the decline while the newer French bakery is on a serious tear.
Julien's, in the Hydrostone buildings, is a throwback to a simpler time. Fresh made breads line the shelves in baskets, waiting for you to make a selection (or two, or three). Fancier offerings can be found in the display cases that run in front of the cash area. Coffee is always brewing and a fine selection of teas are available to go along with that papillion purchase.
The baked goods are all fresh daily, baked off-site in the Chester location. Hearty sandwiches and a daily noon special never disappoint. Desserts run the gamut from simple to exquisite; both plainer fare (cookies, oatcakes) and more refined offerings (pastries, gelato) are proffered as a perfect finale to your meal.
Julien's has been chosen six times as "One of the Best in the Country" by Where To Eat in Canada. It's not hard to see why. Their products are sold locally at other vendors and they maintain a permanent location in the Saturday Halifax Farmers' Market.
Julien's has both indoor and outdoor seating. In fine weather, the Hydrostone buildings lend themselves to leisurely browsing. Why not finish up a window shopping expedition with a hot beverage and baked goods from Julien's?
I never got a chance to visit the actual shop in the Hydrostone, but luckily had 'yelped' some local bakeries in the area and knew to look for Julien's stall in the Farmer's Market. Good butter croissant, great cinnamon roll, and fantastic whole wheat loaf (which sustained my husband and I through a somewhat cold, windy, and rainy camping trip in Cape Breton the following week). I'm sure everything else in the bakery is just fabulous, I'm just sad I never got to try more pastry selections and have the full-on in-store experience.
I think I'm unwittingly involved in a bread love affair because my mind has been swimming with visions of loaves and tasty pastries for days.
Currently, sitting on my cutting board is a loaf of Julien's hearty Flax Sourdough, weighing in at $4.50 if you purchase it from Pete's. I have only visited the Hydrostone location on a few occasions, but definitely have found my trips in to be most delightful. It's nice to grab a cuppa-joe and one of Julien's fresh goodies straight from the horse's mouth.
Julien's bakes such a delightful array of loaves, from your standard multigrain to baguettes to specialty concoctions featuring gourmet ingredients. All loaves are baked in a wood-fired oven and Didier Julien (the expert behind the deliciousness) is not only highly-skilled but extremely well trained in the art of French baking.
Julien's lovingly-crafted loaves and goodies are a must. I urge you to indulge in an organic loaf ASAP. Whether sandwich making or simply having a slice with some fancy cheese, Julien's baked good are perfect for any and all occasions!
I can't believe i've been in Halifax for 6 years and yesterday was my first time trying out Julien's Patisserie Bakery and Café. I can usually be trusted to suss out a good bakery but... I seem to have missed this one.
First of all, I was extremely impressed with the apple fritter/danish (not sure which it was) that I had! mmm, good! I had heard that this spot was popular but a line up at 3pm on a tuesday afternoon? unheard of!
Some of the particularly yummy looking breads are as follows:
*10 grain
*Good Hearth (flax, sunflower and mustard seeds)
*Parisian Baguette
*Foccacia
*and a host of others!
Lots of delicious pastries and cakes as well. A point of interest for regulars will be this addition in term of holidays hours: 'Julien's' will be open 9am-5pm on Monday December 14th as well as Monday December 21st.
My sole complaint (and I think I might have been in on an 'off' day since nobody else has mentioned the service) but I found both bakery attendants pretty cheerless. Maybe I just underestimate how overwhelming a long bakery shift can be...
On a cold day, walking into Julien's is like walking into your grandma's kitchen--all cozy and warm, with delicious pastries for you to snack on!
Seriously, as soon as you walk in, you're confronted with delicious dilemmas: do you want the palmiers as big as your head, or the almond croissant that makes you weak in the knees just to look at it? Maybe you want a loaf of bread; would that be whole wheat or something more fun, like cheese? Perhaps a fancy pastry would be more your style...tiramisu, or perhaps a fresh fruit tart? Oof. I think my stomach is growling just thinking about it.
If you're looking for a great lunch spot, Julien's also makes tasty sandwiches on the spot, and you can grab one with a soup. This is a good place to meet friends, and do some catching up over lunch and a coffee.
Julien's is probably about the best argument I can make about why I wish I lived in the Hydrostone.
This busy but beautiful cafe is going to quickly become my favourite place to perch on Saturday mornings when I get some offsite work done - the coffee is superb, and a brioche with jam is probably the best $1.25 I've ever spent. A wide selection of breads make you hungry just looking, and the service is friendly, you get a sense of being a guest in someone's home, not just a customer.
Julien's is a french pastry shop and cafe, and the display cases are packed with irresistible sweets. I have a particular favourite: the pain-au-chocolat - a flaky croissant filled with dark chocolate goodness.
I also enjoy a nice mug of hot chocolate from here on a chilly day, but perhaps not avec the chocolate croissants. But really, too much chocolate - is that even possible?
The cafe is small and often full, but it's worth the wait in line for whatever you decide to indulge in, and even nicer if you can sit and enjoy it for a bit.
They also sell fantastic freshly-baked bread daily, including buttery brioche. My partner makes the most amazing chocolate bread pudding with this brioche! Must ... go ... to... Julien's.... now.
Yum. Yum, yum, yum. If you're ever wishing to bring me a present, please consider a Julien's croissant. You will be well on your way to winning my heart.
Of course other items are delicious as well. My boyfriend always begs for a canelé, and their bagels are regulars at our place under melted cheese and sprouts. At the café you're able to buy their whole line of bread and pastries, whatever's been made that day at least, plus a wide range of sandwiches, soups and Samosas. (I don't think they were going for an 'S' theme, but there you go.)
Julien's location in the Hydrostone is a favorite stop after a bit of yarn shopping at L K Yarns, just down the road. You can also find Julien's at the market on Saturdays or at Pete's Frootique, who often stock their pastries in a big basket hidden in the bread aisles.
Listed in: Croissant of Halifax
Truly, I'm not sure which I love more - Julien's in the Hydrostone market, which is right around the corner from me, or Julien's at the Halifax Saturday Farmers Market where Barb always greets us with her quirky sense of humor - I can't imagine coming back from the market without some pain chocolat, croissants that rival anything from my Montreal days, and some healthy artisan bread.
The cafe is always busy, no matter what the time of day. In the summer I love sitting out on the side patio and then when it gets cold there's nothing better than sipping a freshly brewed cappucino and sniffing in the wonderful aroma of baked breads.
Juliens is a staple in our lives. The shop at the Hydrostone has a great ambiance, it reminds me of the small cafes in Italy.
They make all their bread fresh daily. The good thing is you can order your bread ahead of time, which is great. Especially around Christmas, I always order bagels and our favorite breads, one being the 9 grain, they will slice it for you as well and of course the sourdough baguette, we just can not leave without it.
With Christmas approaching they have made their special German Cake and Pudding. It sells out fast. Going to Juliens over the Holidays is a must. I have gone when it is lined up out the door.
Juliens is famous for their lobster sandwich in the summer. I have had it and it is packed full of goodness. They have a great menu and always a lunch special.
Their chocolate is to die for. One of our favorite is the Croissant filled with chocolate. These are always a treat.
They have great coffee, hot chocolate (made with real milk) and teas.
I can say for sure that the variety of breads and treats are well worth the trip and I have not found anything that comes close.
Absolutley, the best pastries in the city, hands down...:)
Halifax, NS
Halifax, NS
Halifax, NS
Halifax, NS
Halifax, NS
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