Some of the best treats in Washington are not sitting on the main drag where everyone can see them. Tucked up a hill in the residential part of a Victorian seaport town, a small bakery has built a quiet reputation that travels much farther than the ferry ride it takes to reach it.
Regulars say the croissants here can hold their own against ones from France, and that is a bold thing to whisper about a shop this modest. The catch is that everything sells out, so the early birds win.
What follows is the full story of this little counter with a big following, and why folks keep making the climb.
A Bakery Tucked Off The Beaten Path
Up in the residential blocks of Port Townsend, Washington, Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery keeps its counter running at 617 Tyler St. The address puts it away from the busiest tourist strip, which is part of the fun of finding it.
Getting there involves a bit of a hunt. One handy landmark trick is to head up the stairs behind the Haller Statue and Fountain, walk toward the Fire Bell Tower, and follow the street uphill a few blocks.
The shop is small and cheerful, the kind of neighborhood spot that rewards people who wander off the main path. It sits near the Saturday farmers market, where the bakery also runs a stand right beside its own front door.
With a 4.6 star mark across more than 360 write-ups, word has clearly gotten around town and beyond. The location may feel like a puzzle at first, but the payoff at the top of the hill keeps folks coming back for another go.
Croissants That Earn Their Reputation
Croissants are the headliner here, mentioned more than any other item by people who stop in. Regulars go straight for the classic version, and some say it ranks right up there with croissants they have had in France.
The variety keeps things interesting too. Almond croissants come loaded with filling and run bigger than you might expect, while chocolate versions have earned praise as some of the best baked goods folks say they have tasted.
There is a savory side to the lineup as well, including a ham and cheese croissant for anyone who wants something heartier than a sweet start.
The one wrinkle is timing. Because everything is baked fresh that same day, the croissants tend to sell out quickly, and the shop does not hold orders over the phone.
It really is first come, first served, so the visitors who arrive early get the widest pick. Make the climb before the trays thin out, and the reputation speaks for itself.
Fresh-Baked Every Single Day
Freshness is the whole point at this counter. Everything is made the day it is sold, which is exactly why the shelves can empty out well before closing time.
That daily rhythm shapes how a visit goes. Show up late and you might find that much of the good stuff has already gone, though sometimes the later hours turn up unexpected finds that were baked in smaller batches.
The trade-off is honesty on a plate. Some folks note that the experience can shift with the day and how fast items are turning over, since a busy morning means a steadier stream of just-out-of-the-oven treats.
The bakery clearly cares about getting it right. When something misses the mark, the owner has stepped in to make things good, which says a lot about how seriously the shop takes its craft.
For the best odds, treat this place like a morning stop. The earlier the visit, the fuller the cases and the happier the haul.
Beyond The Pastry Case
Pastries may pull people in, but the offerings stretch well past the flaky stuff. A cold case holds artisan cheeses and butters, giving the shop a little market feel alongside the sweets.
Bread lovers do well here too. The loaves are truly artisan, and part of the adventure is spotting some of the more unusual ones that show up on the shelves.
Focaccia gets a lot of love, described as amazing and turning up often among the favorites folks list. Scones and danishes round out the case, along with cinnamon rolls and other morning treats.
There are practical odds and ends too, like pizza dough and the occasional pre-baked pie for anyone planning dinner at home.
The range means a group with different cravings can all leave happy. Sweet tooth or savory soul, the case has something worth carrying back down the hill.
Options For The Wheat-Free Crowd
Anyone who has to skip wheat knows how rare a good bakery option can be. This spot has quietly built a following among the wheat-free but not fully gluten-free crowd.
The lineup includes treasures like a wheat-free orange cake and a wheat-free rye bread. Both have earned praise for staying moist, and the rye works nicely for sandwiches at home.
The catch, once again, is timing. These items tend to sell out, and even folks who arrive later in the day have gotten lucky enough to snag the last of them.
The bakers get real credit for the effort. Turning out savory and sweet wheat-free choices that people actually cheer about takes real skill, not just a swap of one flour for another.
For travelers with dietary limits, that thoughtfulness makes the trip up the hill feel especially worth it. It is a small kindness baked into the menu.
A Small Shop With Big Charm
Charm does a lot of heavy lifting at a place this size. Folks describe it as quaint, cute, and the kind of lovely little shop you feel lucky to stumble upon.
The staff shape a good part of that warmth. Helpful suggestions come easily, the person at the counter works fast and thanks everyone for stopping in, and the whole thing feels welcoming rather than rushed.
There have been kind touches too, like a few extra treats slipped into a bag as a small surprise on the way out.
Comfort matters as well. During times when many places dropped the practice, the staff here were noted for wearing masks, a detail that meant a lot to guests who are immunocompromised.
Space is tight, and that is simply the trade for the cozy factor. What the shop lacks in square footage, it makes up for in genuine friendliness.
Grab A Seat And A Coffee
Seating is a bit of a lesson in managing expectations. There are no tables inside, so anyone hoping to linger indoors will want to plan around that.
Outside is where the perch lives. A little outdoor seating area sits along the side of the street, giving folks a spot to enjoy their haul without wandering far.
Drinks keep it simple. Drip coffee is on hand, along with cold bottled juices, and a Stumptown cold brew has won over more than a few people who tried it.
Here is a fun local twist for coffee planners. A nearby cafe, Better Living through Coffee, sells some of the same almond and chocolate croissants from this bakery, though with a smaller selection.
So you can pair your croissant with a proper cup and a street-side seat, or take it to go. Either way, the walk up burns off a calorie or two before the first bite.
Hours, Prices, And Planning Your Trip
Planning pays off with a shop that runs on a daily-bake schedule. The doors open at 7 AM Tuesday through Saturday and close at 6 PM, while Sunday runs a shorter 7 AM to 3 PM.
Mondays, the ovens rest.
Budget is easy to love. Items land in the one to ten dollar range, which means there is something for nearly any wallet.
Because so much sells out, mornings are the smart move. The earlier the arrival, the wider the selection, especially for the croissants and the wheat-free items that go fast.
Getting there is half the story. From the ferry side of town, the bakery sits uphill in the residential area, a few blocks past landmarks like the Haller Statue and Fountain and the Fire Bell Tower.
You can reach the shop through its website at panedamore.com for the latest details. A little forethought turns the hill climb into a very rewarding errand.
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