Ines Patisserie

Warning! Check your credit card statement, because they will charge you $ 1-​$ 2 more and tip themselves!
Had a receipt for $ 6 and the receipt said $ 6. They charged me $ 8. Luckily credit card company reversed it for me. Look at the other pictures posted here, other people have had this problem too.
Avoid these thieves!

Don’t pay attention to the negative reviews here, Ines has hands down the best French pastries in Seattle. The true test for me is a plain croissant and the ones are unbeatable. Norah, the owner and chef, is also an incredible woman with a great sense of humor. After having Norah’s pastries for a even a few weeks, you will not be able to go back to any other shop (including Bakery Nouveau).

Delicious Pastries. She is french after all. My favorite coffee shop in Seattle.

Deliciously unique pastries and strong espresso drinks in a light filled, clean white walled space. Classes available.

Holy crap what terrible owners. Such rude, unappreciative people. They really don’t give a damn whether they get returning customers to their soon out of business coffeeshop. The coffee she made me was absolutely ridiculous. I took one sip and had to spit it out and dump it out in a bush just a block away. It’s a pretentious place, the service lacks greatly, her husband scowls at you, she is the most unwelcoming person I’ve met in Seattle in a long time. All around, yuck. What a waste of $ 5. Go to any of the other 15 coffee shops within a two block radius and you’ll get way better service and way better product. Cannot wait to see the «for lease» sign pop on in that store window this summer.

The owner, Nora is a French lady who has horrible customer service. I’m a big fan of pastry shops and probably have been to every single one in Seattle but this was by far the worst. Please save your money and go somewhere else. There are flies all over the pastries and it is very unsanitary. You can find better pastries at bakery nouvea in Capitol Hill or Le panier near pikes place.

Stumbled upon this cute little café as I was exploring Capital Hill. The vibe is quite quintessential French, i loved how you can see the baking table from the coffee bar. While their bar had several decadent looking desserts and pastries, all i got that day was a soy latte, which came out decent. As I read more reviews I feel that there is more to this café than meets the eyes, and would love to experience it more. (Is there a cooking class? I’d love to try that!)
Overall, I loved the atmosphere of this café. The coffee on the other hand was good but overall nothing out of the ordinary. I look forward to trying a pastry the next time I am there: D
Tip: cash or debit card only! wished they would accept credit cards…

I contemplated a 4-​star rating on account of the inconvenient business hours… but Crumble & Flake, Besalu, and Honoré all maintain the same rather unfriendly hours, all shutting down on Mondays and Tuesdays and closing well before most people leave work.
This (apparently) is the price to pay for quality, artisan baked goodness.
Nohra is exacting is her choice of ingredients and her attention to detail can be seen, smelled and tasted.
I haven’t had a chance to sample all of her offerings yet, but she clearly has mastered the art and science of «pâte feuilletée» (puff pastry) and her rendition of the classic croissant fares (especially the rich-​but-​not-​too-​rich almond croissant) showcases her craft well.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the «macarons», which tasted more like the fruit they are named after and not like an overload of flavored sugar.
Her other French classics, such as the apple tart and the brioche, are also world class.
Bonus: she takes special orders!
As for some of the reviewers who complained about the prices, I am a bit perplex: why would you patronize, let alone review a one-​of-​a-​kind artisan bakery when you are content with industrial-​grade, assembly-​line Costco croissants, which evidently can be sold for much less? Why would you have no problem forking out 6 bucks for just-​above-​average Starbucks coffee mixed in a disposable cup with hot water and some pennies-​a-​gallon addenda?

I have walked by this place many times and somehow didn’t realize it was there. Went in a couple days ago and so glad I did. So adorable inside and the pastries easily rival crumble and flake which is another lovely bakery in Cap Hill. The owner is not friendly by American standards but as my French friend told me in France it’s suspicious to be overly friendly with strangers as it comes across fake. So I embrace that about her. Man the apple croissant turnover was melt in my mouth to die for and so pretty to look at before it met it’s demise in my belly.

I am not so sure that this place wants customers. I have given this place 3 chances and I am done. Every time I have been there I was never greeted, I waited over 5 minutes before I was acknowledged even though no one else was there and the third time I waited even longer with no one ahead of me in line or anything like that and I simply left without ordering anything. It doesn’t matter if the food is good or not because the service and the lack of interest in their customers is terribly off-​putting. I wouldn’t be saying this if I even got a nod of acknowledgement when I entered the store. Its too bad that they lost a customer like me, I was willing to pay the high prices if I got better service as they are very conveniently located close to where I live.

The French charm is present in food, service, and overall atmosphere. I instantly feel calmer when entering off the bustling streets in the heart of Capitol Hill, and wish I lived slightly closer, to frequent this spot more often.

I took the macaroon class.
We all had a wonderful time and learned a lot for Norah.
I was eating and loving foods I didn’t think I liked. Norah uses only the best ingredients.

This place has a few great things going for it, but a few things that go against it as well.
The positive:
— Really nice ambience. Modern, french, decent location.
— The almond croissant is absolutely superb! The best I’ve ever tried.
The negative:
— The same almond croissant is also $ 6.50, which is super expensive by any measurement. A cappuccino and the croissant came out to $ 12 somehow.
— The service is lackluster, and the coffee isn’t the best. I mean, judged simply by it’s pastry flavors, I would give it 5 stars, but then deduct 1 for a small selection and deduct another for the high prices.
I understand that you’re located in what seems to be an expensive location in capitol hill, but the prices simply aren’t justified by the pastry selection and taste. If that’s the case, then you better have some really good coffee or something else to make you stand out, but unfortunately the coffee doesn’t do that for me. Stump town is just around the corner if you want good coffee.
Also, the hours are a bit inconvenient. If this patisserie was open to at least 6−7pm on the weekends, I would hang out here more often. But 4pm on a weekend? Come on.

Nora, the owner (and the only employee I have met), is the archetypal French patissier. Extremely detailed, slow to warm to newcomers (but always polite and never rude!), friendly if she recognizes you as a repeat customer, and an incredible artisan. While service may be slower than if you go to the more «assembly line» service experience of Café Nouveau (where the pastry is also amazing!), the quality of your purchase will completely floor you. Yes, a bit more pricey, but when I walked in, Nora was at the back counter making freshly laminates dough and a stack of artisanal bricks of butter were situated next to her. I knew this was going to be good.
The first time I walked in, it was quiet with only an elderly couple enjoying a freshly made crêpe and coffee. I ordered a few hazelnut and chocolate croissants for a friend’s birthday. It tastes exactly the same as those I used to buy when I lived in Bordeaux.
If you don’t mind spending a dollar more for items creates individually and with obviously skilled hands, don’t walk to Ines… run! This is the type of business we as a community need to support. Fortunately, I live close. I plan on going back at my earliest convenience.

One of the best croissants in town. Amazing Galette de Roi for the Feast of he Ephiphany on January 6^th. Inez may not suffer fools but she delivers genius.

I am generally hard to impress especially when it comes to coffee and pastry. But today I was blown away at Ines patisserie. I had the pastry with raisin and an Americano. Being handed some steamed cream with my coffee was a nice touch and the flavor of the coffee was outstanding. The pastry was also super impressive, rich, balanced, satisfying. I’ve read a few complaints about the cost, personally I was a little surprised at how cheap my bill was. I appreciate and am happy to pay for quality and as far as I’m concerned Ines’ is worth every penny.

A home away from home. I was walking around cursing the gods in Olympus as to why brunch places in Seattle open so late when I stumbled on this gem. The first thing that caught my eye on the display whrre the boxes that reminded me of the boxes unique to my favorite patisserie in Montréal (Maison Christian Faure). I walked in and for the first time the smell of the pastries were as the gods of pastries had intended; purely heaven.
The ambiance is very delightful and welcoming. The music superb. The owner welcoming so much that it reminded me of a true French embrace: greeting of an artisan proud of the quality of the food and experience given to the customers… That’s how it’s to be!
I tried the pistachio tart, a cup of coffee and their eggs benedict on a heavenly brioche. I was smiling!
The brioche for once in Seattle didn’t smell egg-​y. The food is heavenly. A must try!:)

Beautiful space, deliciously buttery pastries and spot-​on cappuccinos. We also ordered the brioche with poached eggs but sadly the brioche toast was way too buttery. It was tasty but if it wasn’t soaking in butter, would have tasted much better. Same for the crêpe, the sauce was way too rich but good. Like everyone has already mentioned, the owner is not a picture of friendly-​warmth either. So overall 3.5 but rounding to 4.

What a wonderful place to get breakfast! I couldn’t believe that this place has already opened for a year, it still looks brand new! First of all, the interior Design of the café was so modern and look like a cozy home. Looks aside, this place is so simple and clean. The croissants… SO FLUFFY… I have never seen a croissant so fluffy before and it tasted spectacular. The texture of the croissant was crispy and it wasn’t oily like you would see from a typical croissant.
I couldn’t use my card unless it was $ 10 total, so I grabbed some coconut macaroons… The macaroons were very soft and flakey. You get the flakiness from the coconut which adds a nice sweetness to the macaroon.
The owner of this café is so sweet and the nicest person you’ll ever come across. The next time I come here I have to try the eggs because everyone was going crazy for it. Great place to mingle with your friends.
More updates to come! (Coffee and eggs)

2 stars. Service is poor. Pastries are less than mediocre.
Chocolate croissant $ 3. Limited on chocolate and consistent through the center. Not crispy and flaky like it should be. The top was caved in.
Almond croissant $ 6. SIX DOLLARS?! Are you kidding me? Certainly not for this quality! It’s looks like a 2 year old made it. Almonds are dumped mostly on 1 side, and powdered sugar dumped on the other. Something that looks like chocolate is dry and overflowing off one side. I thought itwas chocolate and the lady said yes, but it’s not, just a burnt layer of something. Inside is soggy and with too much sugar that over powers the almond. Furthermore, the burnt flavor made it not worth our calories! Into the garbage.

Great coffee and pastries. The place is beautiful so it’s a comfort for the eye and the tummy ;)
I tried the peach tart which was amazingly delicious. The coffee was great as well.
I highly recommend going there. It’s a nice place.

I’ve followed Nora from her previous location in Madison Valley. Her shop was under my office and I became a regular. She uses top quality ingredients in all her pastries. Especially the butter. I have yet to taste a croissant in Seattle that rivals it. She’s French and takes her craft seriously. EVERY pastry I’ve tried from her shop have been heaven in my mouth!!! I make the most obscene happy eating noises. You cannot go wrong with any of the fruit tarts, croissants, and her gluten free almond cake is yummy too!
Now. Nora is French. She’s not going to give you the warm fuzzies where costumer service is concerned. Personally, I really don’t care. Doesn’t bother me a bit. I’d much rather curt counter service and kick ass food vs. The other way around. If you’ve ever spent any time in NYC customer service is curt there too.
All in all, if you want some seriously delicious pastries. This is the place to visit. The warm fuzzies guaranteed will the the ones in your happy tummy :)
* Nora goes to France one month in the Summer and closes her shop during that time. Two weeks ago she was out of town, you may want to call ahead to make sure she’s open if your making a special trip there.

The pastries are delicious but the service is really dragging this place down.
Trying to get lunch the other day and the only woman working actually made a seemingly personal phone call after we walked into the restaurant and were reading the menu. She paused and motioned to us to make the order. When we read something off the menu, she said it wasn’t available, and then made some gesture suggesting that most of it wasn’t available (it was only 1 pm) but didn’t care to explain what. We ended up leaving. The food really is exceptional but the customer experience is too much to deal with.

I love everything French baked goods. I try to hit up every bakery in the area (new & old). Ines had been on my list and I finally decided to try it out. Upon walking in, everything played the part, pastries looked enticing. I decided to try a strawbery rhubarb tarte. The lady rang me up and I handed her my card. She handed me my receipt and that basic mediocre tarte cost a whole $ 6.00! She didn’t have the pricing on any of the pastries and I assumed it would be $ 3/​$ 4 like other bakeries. I felt duped in the mere fact that there weren’t any pricing placed around any of the items. If there were any signs, I sure as hell would have walked right out.
Lastly when I checked my back account I was charged an additional $ 1. Yes in the grand scheme of things I would not raise an issue but again it’s the principal. I know she did not have me sign a store receipt but this is ridiculous. Nothing was communicated to me of this price variance. I am unsure as to how a legitimate establishment can get away with such deceptive tactic.
I was (still am) beyond irate at this point. I will never go back to this place. Lessons learned and time to frequent other great and honest bakeries.

Wow, super impressed. I stopped in just about an hour ago, and I’m in pastry heaven. This place was recommended to me by a chocolatier named Hans in Madison Valley (at Ascona Chocolat Suisse). He said that the Ines bakery owner is his friend and that her bakery used to be in Madison Valley before she moved to the more central part of Capitol Hill.
Having driven and walked past the patisserie many times but never gone in, I went in today, and was pretty impressed. It’s easily one of the most beautiful bakeries I’ve ever been in. It has a clean modern aesthetic with Eames shell chairs. The bakery behind the counter is pristine and meticulously organized. Shelves are stacked with beautiful ingredients and containers.
I got a box of madeleines (looked like about 8 or 9 in the box), a raspberry rose financier (they threw in an one extra for free), and two palmiers, along with some hot chocolate. All told, this came to about $ 25.
The madeleine is perfect — spongy, a little crispy on the outside, delicate flavor — almost more lemony than almondy.
The financier is sweeter, with wonderful rose notes, a caramelized outside and a spongey, soft interior. It’s studded with raspberries and bursting with flavor.
The hot chocolate is wonderful — rich, decadent, chocolatey, not too sweet. The sign on the wall said they use 70% Venezuelan chocolate (I wonder, is it from Ascona?) In any case, it’s delicious. I haven’t had a chance to try the palmier yet, but I’m looking forward to it!
The lady who made my drink was the owner, and she was very friendly. I will definitely be back to try more desserts, especially their croissants!

I was sad that Ines moved away from Madison Valley, but delighted when I found it had relocated to Capitol Hill — just as easy to reach! I knew I had to visit eventually because, c’mon, it’s my pastry namesake (just a slightly different spelling).
I first tried to visit yesterday at about 3:30 PM. The sign on the door said «open,» but I looked inside and couldn’t see anyone, and when I tried the door it was locked. Very French indeed! But today I tried again and had better luck. I seemed to interrupt the owner as she was enjoying coffee with a friend, but she quickly rose to help me when I entered the Patisserie.
I selected just one pastry, a flaky croissant-​esque one that looked like a beautiful leaf/​turnover. It was $ 5, which seems a little steep, but I was also given a free piece of chocolate cake (perhaps because Ines was nearly closing and the cake would not keep, but hey, I’ll take it). I paid in cash because credit cards are not accepted for orders under $ 10, just an FYI.
The turnover, for lack of a better word (there were no signs, no prices posted), was apple, and it was simple and subtly delicious. Buttery, and the apple was REAL with none of that cloying, gelatinous glop that often accompanies turnovers. The apple filling was speckled with vanilla bean.
The shop is very beautiful and I think it would be nice to enjoy a coffee and a pastry inside with a friend when I have more time.

Check your credit card statements. I got charged an extra $ 2 for two mediocre pastries and an Americano. I’m sure I didn’t tip $ 2 on horrible service either. I don’t even want to bother going back to dispute this because I don’t have the energy to walk my butt back over there and ‘bother’ her. How do you run a business when you act like you don’t want to be bothered? Place pricing next to your items or have a menu or something. I felt I was charged $ 5 a pastry, excuse me, $ 6 a pastry, just for the heck of it. Wish her the best of luck on her business, but I won’t be coming back. If you decide to try this place, pay with cash or keep your receipts and check your statements. This really pissed me off.

The service could use some work… seriously. It seemed painful for them to do their jobs, not exactly how you want to be spending your hard earned money. I’ve been to Europe, and even they aren’t that bad… this place gives France a bad name. I could even stand the terrible service if they had other redeeming qualities… but they really don’t.
Prices are exorbitantly high, and this is coming from someone who doesn’t even bat an eyelash to regularly pay $$$$ for food. If it’s good, it’s so worth it, but this place falls short there too…
The pastries are nothing special. For starters the plain croissants are not much better than Costco’s (also coming from a friend who’s lived in France for years). I don’t know if they missed a few sticks of butter, but they were tough, not flaky. The insides were stringy but not moist. It was really confusing to me because they looked like everything I’ve seen in France, but tasted nothing like them. Tasted like something from Costco. And at least the stuff from Costco, you know what you’re getting yourself into. This seemed like it was a cruel mind game to screw with my senses. The other pastries are just «eh» at best even though they looked amazing.
I’m going to pass here… it may be nice for some people, but it’s definitely nothing that I would refer to anyone or come here again. What a shame, I was excited for this place too.