Bread & Chocolate is a compact, family-owned bakery and coffeehouse at 867 Grand Ave, St Paul, Minnesota 55105, United States of America, near the Victoria Street intersection in the Summit Hill/Grand Avenue district. Its identity is straightforward and local: a counter-service stop for baked goods, fair-trade espresso drinks, breakfast, and lunch. Travelers come for a quick, well-made pastry and coffee, a casual panini or sandwich, and an easy starting point for exploring Grand Avenue shops and nearby Summit Avenue architecture.
What to Expect at Bread & Chocolate
The central feature is the pastry case, stocked for the morning crowd with cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, cookies, and chocolate-led sweets. Pair one with coffee, espresso, or tea; the drink menu also lists Moo’s drinks. Fair-trade espresso is a defining part of the coffee program, making this a practical stop for a cappuccino or other espresso-based drink rather than only a grab-and-go bakery run.
For a more substantial visit, the official breakfast-and-lunch menu centers on paninis, sandwiches, spread samplers, and salads. The experience is informal: order at the counter, choose from the day’s baked selection, then take one of the limited seats or carry your order onto Grand Avenue. The room’s compact scale and steady neighborhood rhythm are part of its appeal; it is better suited to coffee, a light meal, or a short catch-up than a long, full-service lunch.
- Morning pastry case: Cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, cookies, and chocolate-forward bakery treats are the first draw.
- Fair-trade espresso: Coffee, espresso, and tea drinks make it a useful breakfast or afternoon caffeine stop.
- Lunch menu: Paninis, sandwiches, salads, and spread samplers provide a fuller alternative to pastry alone.
- Counter-service format: Order quickly at the counter for dine-in or takeout, with limited seating inside.
- Grand Avenue location: The Victoria Street-area address puts independent shopping, cafés, and Summit Hill walks close by.
Bread & Chocolate at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 867 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Summit Hill, on Grand Avenue near Victoria Street |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 7 AM–6 PM; confirm before a special-trip visit |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission or tickets; pay only for food and drinks. See the official website for ordering. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30–60 minutes for coffee and pastry; about 60–75 minutes for lunch |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Metro Transit Route 63 serves Grand Avenue near Victoria Street; metered and unmetered street parking may be available on Grand and side streets. |
| Official Website / Phone | breadandchocolatebakery.com · 651-228-1017 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive near the 7 AM opening for the broadest pastry selection, especially on weekends, when popular items can thin out by late morning. Weekday mid-afternoons are generally a better fit for a quieter coffee stop. There is no table reservation or admission booking: order at the counter or use the bakery’s online-order option when available. Check the official site on holidays or before making a detour, as daily hours and menu availability can change.
Route 63 is the most direct public-transit option along Grand Avenue; use stops around Grand and Victoria and walk a short block or two. Drivers should allow extra time on Saturday mornings, when curbside spaces on Grand and nearby residential streets fill quickly. The bakery is a compact counter-service space with limited indoor seating. Strollers can be easier to manage by ordering to go; guests who need step-free entry, accessible seating, or restroom details should call before arrival. Within a 5–15 minute walk, browse Grand Avenue’s independent storefronts, head a few blocks north to Summit Avenue’s historic mansion-lined streetscape, or walk southeast to vegan comfort-food restaurant J. Selby’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Bread & Chocolate’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
Bread & Chocolate is listed as open daily from 7 AM to 6 PM. Go early for the strongest pastry selection; weekday mid-afternoons tend to be better for a less hurried coffee break.
Does Bread & Chocolate charge admission or require reservations?
No. This is a bakery and coffeehouse, so there is no admission fee, ticket, or table reservation. Purchase food and drinks at the counter, or check the official website for online ordering.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Allow 30–60 minutes for espresso and a pastry. Budget about an hour to 75 minutes if you are having a panini, sandwich, salad, or spread sampler before walking Grand or Summit Avenue.
Is Bread & Chocolate suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can easily share pastries or choose a quick lunch, though seating is limited. The compact layout makes advance planning useful for wheelchair users; call 651-228-1017 to confirm step-free access and accessible facilities.
When planning your Saint Paul travel guide or browsing verified bakery in Saint Paul, pair this stop with standout local spots including Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis, Caffe Biaggio, Days Inn by Wyndham St. Paul-Minneapolis-Midway, and J. Selby's (0.7 km away).
