Hello dear
Welcome to Criminal Baking Company
Criminal Baking Company, nestled in Santa Rosa, CA, is a beloved local bakery that combines passion with creativity. Renowned for its diverse offerings, this artisanal cafe specializes in gluten-free and vegan options, appealing to various dietary needs. Their signature breakfast sandwiches, like the Bacon Bandit and the Clucking Crook, burst with unique flavors thanks to fresh, local ingredients and inventive toppings. The space fosters a vibrant community vibe, often featuring local musicians and artwork, making each visit a delightful experience. With a commitment to quality and inclusivity, Criminal Baking Company stands out as a must-visit destination for both locals and visitors.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Vegan Bowl (GF)
Bomber Bowl (GF)
Warrior Bowl (GF)
Bringing Home the Bacon Breakfast Burrito
About
Criminal Baking Company
Welcome to the delightful world of Criminal Baking Company, a unique gem nestled in Santa Rosa, CA. This bakery cafe has quickly become a beloved hotspot for locals and visitors alike, proving that great food and a vibrant atmosphere can thrive in unexpected places. Located at 808 Donahue St, it invites you to indulge in handcrafted baked goods that are as creative as their names suggest. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast or enjoying a leisurely brunch, this establishment offers something for everyone!
One of the standout features of Criminal Baking Company is its dedication to inclusivity. They offer an array of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, ensuring that no one has to miss out on their delectable offerings. The rich selection includes mouthwatering pastries like the banana bread ($6.90) and an assortment of handcrafted scones that make for a perfect accompaniment to their expertly brewed coffee.
- Sweet Treats: Be sure to try the Sweet Fruit Scone ($7.20) and their Blackberry Lemon Poppyseed Muffin (GF) – each baked with love and attention to detail.
- Savory Options: For lunch, delve into offerings such as The Fast Talker — turkey breast with a zesty twist brought by lemon curd and basil-arugula pesto ($18.00) or the veggie-packed Alibi sandwich.
The settings of Criminal Baking Company highlight a chic yet casual vibe; it's outfitted with cozy lighting and communal seating that complements its hipster aesthetic. Patrons love to enjoy their meals outdoors, especially during sunny days, with heated options available for cooler weather. The space is not only accessible, being ADA-compliant, but also embraces a community-centered ethos with its vibrant cork board filled with local happenings and art from local artists adorning the walls.
True to its name, visitors often rave about the agile staff’s service—delivering everything with a side of friendliness that encapsulates the heart of Sonoma County’s culinary scene. The warm atmosphere resonates with feelings of nostalgia as you savor your meal, reminiscent of hanging out at a friend's welcoming pub for great food and company.
In every bite of their baked goods, you can taste the commitment to quality and creativity. Customers like Luke N. have shared how the unique flavors, like the Clucking Crook or the Bacon Bandit breakfast sandwiches, leave them coming back for more. Meanwhile, Ang P. marvels at the gluten-free specialties like chocolate crinkle cookies and freshly baked cinnamon rolls – each one an experience to savor fresh.
If you’re looking to indulge in high-quality, lovingly crafted baked goods while supporting a local business that embraces diversity and community spirit, look no further than Criminal Baking Company. They’re ready to welcome you with open arms and delicious treats!
Be a part of Santa Rosa’s culinary renaissance at Criminal Baking Company, where every bite is a little thrill and every visit marks a new culinary adventure!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ This is my favorite bakery cafe in Sonoma County! I go out of my way at least once a week to grab a cup of their delicious coffee and a treat from their glass case of freshly baked goods. My favorite hot breakfast sandwiches are the Clucking Crook and the Bacon Bandit (the lemon curd and basil/arugula pesto give it so much unique flavor). Also love the Hangry Hippie when I'm in the mood for that Nor Cal classic: a hot open-faced pizza bagel with plenty of avocado, cream cheese, tomato, and red onion (it almost beats Grateful Bagel's perfect version of that classic (in Sebastopol), but to be fair no other version ever will). I always try to get something a little different when I swing by because there always seems to be something new featured in their glass cases. They used to have a traditional cafe space over in the SOFA arts district, but now only have this warehouse space that houses their actual bakery/catering company. The smallish indoor space isn't the coziest (that kinda drafty warehouse feel), but they've strung up some lights and brought in some tables and benches to make it a little more cosy and festive. They have a classic big community cork board filled with fliers and cards promoting all sorts of local things: ukulele lessons, house painters, crystal healers, dog walkers, shaman therapists, and more. I stopped on a recent Sunday and this great folky, singer-songwriter was performing in the cafe. The place definitely embodies so many of the hippie, homegrown, good eatin', community-loving qualities I so loved about growing up in West Sonoma County back in the day. Something Santa Rosa needs more of these days. ”
“ Great pastries! Love everything! It's just to bad it's in a terrible location...no place to park, uneven ground, stairs! I almost fell last time so I won't take the chance on going back...with such wonderful food why wouldn't they want to move to a better place where us older people can enjoy too. I'm sure the rent is cheaper but more business means more money! ”
“ Gluten Free Bakery Specialization. ( but carry other wheat based items) Chocolate crinkle cookies are yum. We enjoyed their freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Must eat fresh! ”
“ Nice local bakery & coffee shop situated inside a warehouse building. Staff is extremely friendly. Great selection of pastries and breakfast items. Coffee pretty good too. Cool artwork from local artists in the wall. Overall they do well with the space they have - because of the setting it's not the most quaint space. Still worth frequenting! ”
“ I ordered two dozen cupcakes for a birthday party without knowing anything about Dawn or Criminal Baking, but I was tired of the usual nothing-but-frosting, overly sweet cupcakes at [the cupcake place on Mendocino]... or cookies from [the cookie shop near Costco]. Also, I needed some cupcakes to be vegan for a party guest. A Google search led me to Criminal Baking. Ordering and pickup were both easy, my order was accurate, and the cupcakes were not teenager-y sugar-bombs... something I definitely appreciated. But the best compliment came from my vegan guest, who said "This cupcake is so delicious that I can't even remember my own name!" My only recommendation is to have photos of the product on the ordering page, so newbies can feel excited to easily order exactly what they want. ”
“ First and foremost I love that this bakery has so many vegan and gluten free options, that's not something you see everywhere so koodos! Because of this, I ordered my 30th birthday cake from them and ordered their matcha flavor. The cake itself had great flavor and to be honest you wouldn't know that it was vegan and gluten free. My only disappointment is that the cake itself was very hard, and when I picked up they didn't give me instructions on when or how I should de thaw the cake. I think it would have been 10x better if it was thawed out properly. Overall I'll likely order from here again or just pop in for a coffee and pastry ”
“ Delicious baked goods. I came here specifically for the gluten free options and left with a big box of cookies, muffins and a scone. The cookies and scone were good... but the muffin was fantastic. I returned a second time and just got 4 GF blueberry muffins. They were best on day 1, but still alright when I had them as day-old or even 2-day. If you live locally get them fresh. I plan to take one of their cooking classes later this month. :) Friendly staff and really nice selection of flavors in their pastries and baked goods. Not hard to find during open hours. After hours you can drive by and never know it's there. Worth a visit and even worth waiting in line (so far there's been quite a line the three times I've been there). ”
“ Popped in late morning on Friday to pick up a treat for my hairstylist. Saw their Instagram post with Strawberry Rhubarb cheesecakes, so I thought I'd checked those out. Plenty of parking and a few tables for outside dining. They weren't busy at all. After carefully looking at all my options, I ended up grabbing the Strawberry Rhubarb cheesecake. This is my second visit in last 3 months, I remember staff being significantly friendlier. Maybe they are going through some changes. Service wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. ”
“ This place is so cute! They have a huge menu, I got a Warrior Bowl and swapped the vinaigrette for the avocado salsa. It was so yummy! I also got a London Fog and it had such a rich flavor. This is definitely a hidden spot that a lot of people need to visit. Their menu is crime themed and the employees are very friendly. The inside has a warehouse/industrial kind of vibe - very unique. Will be coming back! ”
