BurtoNZ bakery is a New Zealand style bakery specializing in savory pastries (Meat Pies), unique and traditional sweets as well as hand crafted Artisan Breads.
Excellent handpies. Note these do not have a lot of gravy; they are intended to be eaten without the filling dripping all over your shirtfront. Love the chicken, minced beef and cheese, and steak w/mashed potato as our personal favs, but all the pies are good, solid, well-filled, with a delicious crust pastry. We order them in advance to be picked up before we leave town, and bring them home. Note that one of the local farmers offers fresh eggs in a refrigerated cooler by the window, to the right of the door as you come in!
Yasmin B.
Place rating: 3 Windsor, CA
Came in for a breakfast roll but they had sold out so had to get a veggie roll instead. Also got a cupcake. Must say that I after all the great reviews I was very disappointed. The roll was bland and the cupcake was as hard as a tennis ball and as dry. I only gave it 3 stars cause the coffee was ok but other than that not at all what I expected. Will try to come back for the breakfasts rolls to see if that is any better.
L S.
Place rating: 4 Santa Rosa, CA
Its good. Kinda limited and pricey, but delicous. I take one star off brcause the women who helped us qas kinda rude and the boy seemed a little clueless, but i will give him credit, because i thibk it was his first week on the job.
Karin The R.
Place rating: 5 Novato, CA
BurtoNZ is an oasis of home. Wonderful savoury pies, pastries and breads. Honestly, these are the best I’ve had this side of the Pacific, and made me homesick for Wellington. Even my Aussie friends love BurtoNZ(for those of you who don’t know, NZ and Oz are both similar and different in cuisine, and competitive). For the uninitiated to New Zealand savoury pies are not like those from the British islands. The traditional pasty you may have encountered at pubs in the states or in the UK/Ireland are very different. New Zealand pies are much better, and have higher quality ingredients. A bit of history: Pasties were the«lunch box» of the Cornish miner, the Industrial Age worker, the farm hand and more. They were developed to give the worker a hearty sustaining meal by incorporating meat on one side(and it was not a high quality of meat) and vegetables on the other, with the inevitable mixing. Cornish miners carried them in to the mines at the beginning of their day, would eat as they could or were allowed. Be aware, the work day then was not 8 hours, it could be as much as 16 – 18 hours underground. So the food needed to be nurishing and sustaining. With out modern lunch boxes, the meal was incorporated into pastry. Sometimes doughy, sometimes flaky. Either way, this was not«huatè cuisine» rather fuel for the body. These found there way in to the pubs that workers may have been fortunate enough to visit. They began to evolve, mostly concentrating on meat fillings, with gravy, maybe cheese, mushroom or veg. Often times they were filled with«steak»(some cut of beef you might identify) and offal(aka guts). Though this has changed in Brit fare, one can still find that time honoured steak and kidney pie through out Britain and Ireland. Now, on to New Zealand pies. Do NOT confuse these with pasties, they are very different. Yes, They are still encased and can be eaten by hand, if you want, though the the crust is very different, leaning more towards a light, slightly flaky pie crust, they are still some what heavy for some Americans. Live with it and don’t complain. You can always dig to the contents, though I don’t recommend it. You’re missing out, if you do. It’s like not eating the crust of pizza. It’s the filling that is important. Cheeses, meats and seafoods, curries, vegetables. And mushrooms(a personal favourite.) BurtoNZ provides wonderful variants(I recommend the goat cheese pie, and if your lucky at the right time of year, the lamb), as well as standards. They have a quarterly«special» pie. This is a nice feature, and the menu does vary. The sausage rolls remind me of home and a quick bite. What’s wonderful is not only can you can get something hot to eat, they also have them cold for you to take home for another time. And the sweet side of things. Some are traditional some are variants to please the American palate. Try them all, you won’t be disappointed if it’s something you like. Just remember, you aren’t in an American bakery. A personal favourite is the lemon slices(lemon bars to Americans) Breads are rustic and good, with many kinds to choose from. All good from what I’ve sampled. I am partial to rye, so I tend to buy that more than others. While a bit far north for the usual City/Marin/southern Sonoma/Napa crowd, I highly recommend it and it is worth the trip, a great place to grab food on your way to the wine country. Get there early, they often sell out of more popular items(pretty much anything with mushrooms).
Reshni C.
Place rating: 5 Palo Alto, CA
This place is fantastic! I stopped by while spending a few days in Windsor after coming across it on Unilocal while searching for nearby bakeries. I’m from the South Pacific, so the fresh baked cream buns and pies sounded too good to pass up. Everything we tried there was delicious — the savory pies were a perfect, and the sweet treats were mouth watering(nothing was overly salty or too sweet) — the perfect balance of great ingredients. The owners were extremely friendly and were happy to answer questions or give suggestions. This place should be on everyone’s visit list when in the Windsor/Santa Rosa area.
Len S.
Place rating: 4 Windsor, CA
I stop here once or twice a week to purchase their fudge brownies($ 2.50) for my wife. I occasionally buy a loaf of bread — all the breads I have tried are very good with a nice crunchy crust and soft tasty bread inside. Although perhaps best known for their handheld meat pies, I have yet to try this item. I once had an interesting experience with the English version called a «pasty» and have steered clear of meat pies since. Stop by during the day, if possible, to meet the owner Warren — a most congenial Kiwi. Note — the shop is closed on Sunday, but they participate on Sunday’s at the Windsor Farmers’ Market.
Sunny D.
Place rating: 4 Santa Rosa, CA
Friendly family owned bakery in my home town. Have tried many pastries and all great! Especially like their chocolate chip cookies.
Brooke D.
Place rating: 5 Yakima, WA
This place is amazing! Best custard and macaroon I have ever had. Only wish I could try everything. Owner was great to talk to. Rest of the staff was über friendly. Will be back to taste the meat pies as well. Intrigued by the Scotch egg. Wish I could give it 6 stars.
Bob L.
Place rating: 5 Rohnert Park, CA
This place is awesome! The meat pies are fantastic… they are friendly… the owner will come out and check if everything is to your satisfaction… wonderful little place Good food, good people Thumbs way up!
Bryan B.
Place rating: 5 Sonoma, CA
My grandma is from New Zealand, and my Mom lived there for 2 – 3 years while growing up. I always heard stories about meat pies etc. so I was thrilled to find out about BurtoNZ. Today I went with my wife for lunch and had the beef pie with potato top, a sausage roll and the special stewed lamb pie. They were all amazing. I think I like my wife’s choice of the beef pie the best. The sausage roll was also amazing for only $ 2.75. We also shared one of the cream doughnuts, and it was awesome as well. Light, not too sweet. Great! Can’t wait to go back and bring my grandma some treats.
Ana G.
Place rating: 4 Renton, WA
Love their pies on a chilly winter’s day. The crust is perfect, and the fillings are tasty too. Chicken pot pie, bacon and egg, sausage roll, steak and mushroom, and Southwestern style – all are great. And for dessert I love the lambington! It’s an elevated version of a zinger, and so good!
Chris P.
Place rating: 5 Oakland, CA
Amazingly great baked goods! As an aussie recently relocated to the north bay I was so glad to find this place. Their meat pies are better then even a lot of places back in Aus, seriously! Get all your favs hear — steak and mushroom, potato pies, etc and then also try their seasonal pies like lamb stew, turkey+brie+potato+cranberry sauce. Bloody awesome! Their sausage rolls are terrific also. After you’ve filled up on these grab a vanilla slice, lemon slice, lamington or other NZ dessert for the road! They also sell a great selection of breads available. I’ve seen many other Kiwis, Fijians, Samoans, and Aussies there as people travel hours to come get a taste of home.
Amy D.
Place rating: 4 Fremont, CA
Since I’m an equal opportunity bakery sampler, I decided to check out the baked goods from New Zealand at BurtoNZ Bakery. We stopped by on the way back from Napa, and they were busy but not super packed on a Saturday afternoon. We tried: –Salami & Cheese Bread: The had samples out of this, and I thought it was just ok. –Sausage Roll($ 2.75, ): Yum– I loved the flaky pastry and the sausage inside was nice and flavorful. Recommended! –Nana Frank’s Tan Square(Caramel Shortbread Bar w/Assorted Nut Topping, $ 2, ): Yikes, I did not care for this at all– the caramel made with condensed milk was super sweet, and the shortbread tasted slightly underbaked. Skip! –Sticky Bun($ 2.75, ): Solid sticky bun, and it was flaky and sticky– recommended. I would definitely come back for the sausage roll and the sticky bun, and would check out their savory pies the next time around. They have plenty of tables inside and out if you feel like eating your baked goods there. Parking is easy since there is a big parking lot in this plaze.
Stephanie V.
Place rating: 5 Windsor, CA
I’m sold. All of those 4– and 5-star reviews paint a pretty accurate picture. I purchased an assortment of savory pies/croissants, plus a blueberry scone and peach/blackberry galette, and shared them with my coworkers. We were all very delighted with every bite we had. –Mushroom-goat cheese pie –Bacon and egg pie –ham and gruyère croissant –blueberry scone –peach/blackberry galette I have since been back for the mushroom-goat cheese pie and the ham and gruyère croissant. I’m not even a huge fan of goat cheese. They have their baking down to a perfect science. Super flaky and buttery croissants, and nice crusts on the pies. Atmosphere is simple, but there is ample seating. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Going first thing in the morning is key. I arrive about 8 and items are coming out of the oven. They are still warm by the time I get to work, around 8:20. Definitely check them out.
Christina M.
Place rating: 5 Healdsburg, CA
What’s not to love here? Great customer service, clean and sparkling bakery and dinning area, ample parking it is most certainly a strip mall gem ! I found them by accident even though I live close by they are usually closed when I stop by after work. if you are an early morning riser this is the place to come too. Bella Rosa coffee also local, sandwiches, pastries, meat pies, sausage rolls, quiche and the most incredible bread . I intend to visit more often and try everything at least once . They close at 5 pm weekdays and early Saturday and Sunday they are down at the Local Farmers Market . I met the owner who was very informative and friendly and heard that cute New Zealand accent a Kiwi for sure! I’m not a sweet pastry dessert fan like most of my family and friends so I will let them be the judge and report back. The meat pie I had today was flavorful and the pastry was perfection ! The best I’ve had in Sonoma county ever ! My grandfather was a Baker so I’m pretty picky, gotta give them an amazing 5 star jump up and down, fist pump, High five review of the day! As Arnold says«I’ll be back«!
Philip M.
Place rating: 4 Santa Rosa, CA
BurtonZ, thank you for finally getting me my fix of a New Zealand meat pie. I got to try a South African meat pie few years ago in San Diego, and I been yearning to try one a New Zealand-style meat pie for many years. I tasted the steak & mushroom meat pie and it was perfect. The pastry crust was flaky and there was more than enough filling inside the meat pie. For dessert, I had the Belgian chocolate chip cookie and the New Zealand cream doughnut. The desserts were a tad bit too sweet for me but that’s just my own personal taste buds talking. If you like sweets, they have a wide selection of waist-fattening desserts to choose from.
Tom S.
Place rating: 2 Kenwood, CA
Tried the creamy chicken pie and the sausage roll. Flavor was just okay. Thought the pastry was thick and gummy. $ 6.50 for the chicken pie(size barely covered the palm of my hand) is kind of a rip-off. Many local food reviewers rave about how great these pies are, I don’t agree. My impression: A starchy snack to not give a 2nd thought after swallowing the last bite. Great food here? — Nope!
Heather L.
Place rating: 5 Santa Rosa, CA
Have you been here yet? No? Put it on your agenda stat if you love being treated well and filling up on delicious homemade bread, baked goods, and meat pie. When you first enter there is usually a line. Don’t be scared, this is a sign of wonderful things to come and worth the wait. I recommend tasting the bread they usually have out with Australian butter. Yum. The meat pies are fantastic with a crumbly perfect pastry. I have tried the mushroom and chèvre(my favorite and it isn’t meat!), the classic with mashed potato on top, the steak and mushroom, and the sausage roll. All were fabulous, tender, and flavorful. I recommend asking for the special sauce that is like a cross between A-1 and ketchup. Great on the sausage roll. I love the New Zealand donut filled with cream and raspberry jam. Just a little jam to flavor but not overwhelm. I also love the raspberry cake is like an adult version of a Zinger only a million times better. The fresh breads are out of this world and full of wholesome ingredients and flavor. Check this local gem out! Yum!
Lisa M.
Place rating: 5 Santa Rosa, CA
I was really wowed by these baked goods. I got a sticky bun, sausage roll, shortbread, lemon bar, and the double cheese salami bread. It was all gone within 24 hours. My husband and I happily devoured everything. The dough for the sausage roll is lighter than puff pastry but more substantial than phyllo. Really buttery — in fact, everything was buttery. The lemon bar was my favorite. Just the right balance of sweet and tart with lots of fresh lemon flavor and a buttery crust. That salami cheese bread was dense in a good way and the cheeses tasted of a high quality. I’ll be back as often as my waistline will allow.
Em C.
Place rating: 4 Santa Rosa, CA
Nice lil Bakery to the side of Safeway. I had never noticed it in the two years I’ve lived up here. I’m always down to try bakeries(sweets are too hard to pass up), so I decided to stop in. It’s a cute lil place, with a variety of items. The have the usual suspects of cupcakes and pie. But they also have meat pie, which I eyed suspiciously. I might try them on next visit(other reviewers said them be tasty). I got a apple slice(pie slice) and two double chocolate biscotti. Both were tasty, although I like the biscotti a lot, not too sweet, not super crunchy(where you destroy your mouth). Plus there were chocolate chunks in it, mmmm. The apple slice was tasty, but a lil too sweet for my tastes. I’ll be back if only for the biscotti and the super friendly staff!