One of Napa Valley’s fanciest bakeries has a new location in Walnut Creek, California, and lines are out the door.
The bright green building on Main Street is beautiful, prominent, and impossible to miss.
It’s right next to Tomatina and took forever to construct! Now, this upscale bakery is dishing out treats like delectable morning buns, a giant case full of pies, and Oprah’s favorite English muffins.
This new addition to the Walnut Creek food scene is Model Bakery.
Originally founded almost a century ago in Napa Valley, Model Bakery is renowned for its delicious morning baked goods. It caused quite a stir when the local chain announced plans to open a new location in downtown Walnut Creek.
It’s nice to see fresh spots coming to Main Street, not just Broadway Plaza. It’s also refreshing to see a new chain investing in the Main Street area by building such a lavish and intricate store. And indeed, Model Bakery has done just that! We stopped by within a week of the bakery’s opening to check it out.
Visiting Model Bakery
The first thing you’ll notice about Model Bakery is its striking green facade. It looks like it’s been there for 50 years, even though it was just built a few months ago. The bakery occupies a historic building right across from Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek. The renovation honors the historic heritage of the building, giving it a timeless appearance.
You’ll often find lines out the door, which speaks to how popular Model Bakery has already become. In front of the bakery, there’s outdoor seating where you can meet a friend, enjoy a croissant, and people-watch on Main Street.
Inside, however, is where the magic happens. As soon as you enter, you’re surrounded by pastries. On the left, there’s a special section dedicated to pies. You can even glimpse the baking equipment in Model Bakery’s kitchen, providing clear evidence that everything is made fresh on-site.
Straight ahead, there’s a counter with a display case packed with all sorts of carb-intensive goodness.
- Cute holiday-themed cookies
- Tons of morning buns and pastries
- Loaves of bread perfect for taking home
- And, of course, those famous English muffins
Oprah once claimed these are the best English muffins in the world when she tried them at the Napa Valley location. They quickly became one of her favorites, and she often talks about them.
Naturally, we had to try them! But before that, we couldn’t resist loading up on pastries, including a delicious and flaky chocolate croissant.
Within the store, you’ll also find Model Bakery cookbooks and other items on display, lending a Napa Valley touch reminiscent of Bouchon Bakery in Yountville.
The interior space is a bit tight, but as you round the corner to pay, you’ll notice a barista station where you can order fancy espresso drinks. We tried their espresso, and it was excellent—a perfect complement to the giant, cinnamon-heavy morning buns.
The bakery’s interior carries a vintage theme, with black-and-white photos and classic upholstered booths. There’s one large table suitable for groups, but otherwise, smaller nooks are tucked throughout, ideal for working on a laptop or catching up with a friend over coffee.
Now, onto those English muffins! These are unlike any other we’ve had. Instead of being dense and crumbly, they’re soft, almost like small, yeasty dinner rolls.
Toasted and slathered with butter and jelly, they’re a not-too-sweet breakfast option that pairs perfectly with fresh-squeezed orange juice and espresso.
Of course, you’ll want to follow that with a cookie or croissant. The holiday cookies are adorable, although we found the croissants at other Walnut Creek bakeries, like Brioche de Paris, to be slightly better.
Model Bakery doesn’t rush you, and even though the space is cozy, it feels inviting and relaxed. The staff was friendly and helpful. We visited during their soft launch, so there were a few minor mistakes with our order, but they were quickly resolved.
Overall, we loved the classic yet upscale atmosphere of Model Bakery. It’s the kind of place you’d bring an out-of-town guest or settle into for a productive and uplifting morning.
It’s a bit different from nearby bakeries like Boudin, which feels more casual and family-oriented. Many of the baked goods here are elevated, particularly those Oprah-approved English muffins.
The inclusion of excellent coffee is a nice touch, often missing from other local bakeries. That said, if you’re solely after espresso, you might head to Bondadoso in Walnut Creek.
We’re thrilled to see Model Bakery open in Walnut Creek, and it’s sure to become one of our regular spots. It’s great to see new energy and businesses revitalizing the often-struggling downtown area. We hope Model Bakery will draw shoppers from Broadway Plaza to explore Historic Downtown.
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