Left Bank Pastry: A Sweet Haven in Olympia

One of the South Sound’s best treasures is in a small Olympia bakery heading towards the east side. Named for the southern bank of the River Seine in Paris, this French Pâtisserie features some of the greatest assortments of baked goods I’ve found in the entire South Sound region. In fact, Left Bank Pastry has garnered national acclaim when they were named one of the hundred best bakeries in America by Food & Wine magazine (May 2020). It is, in my opinion, the finest bakery in the South Sound!

While many small businesses struggled during the pandemic, this bakery had a growing customer base. It’s now not uncommon to see local residents waiting patiently, snaked in a line to get to the counter window every day. And, if you were to stand and line and listen, you won’t hear the crowd order just one or two pastries – they are stocking up!

The Kouign Amann (queen-a-mahn) is amazing to behold. I’ll admit, I’d never had one before and picked one up on a whim. (I mean, look at it, how could you not want to taste it?) Both sweet and salty, the Kouign Amann is unlike any other pastry I’ve ever tried. My respect for Left Bank only grew when I learned that this pastry is also widely considered to be the hardest pastry to bake.

If you happen to be in Olympia or just passing through, do not miss out on this treat!