Julien’s Patisserie, Bakery & Cafe

First, I generally enjoy stopping here. Nice change from ‘Starbucks’. Terrific selection of pastries and bread. My only problem is, this isn’t actually a bakery. To my knowledge, everything is baked by another company and brought in. So… If you visit on a Sunday, for instance, the likelihood is there was no delivery, so you’re eating day old goods (at least).
When a place calls themselves Café and Bakery, I would expect everything prepared, that morning, on site.
If I’m wrong, please advise, and I’ll be happy to change my review. But this was information I received from an employee when I questioned them.

I used to be a huge fan of Julien’s. In the past few months, however, I’ve had less-​than-​optimal croissants and other breads — some with the texture of day-​old products sold at full price. The coffee is great, the chocolate/​fruit pastries are wonderful, but maybe some more attention could be paid to quality control, and ensuring that the goods are really fresh.

Finally, I had chance to try Juliens this morning! Unfortunately, I didnt have enough time to have my breakfast in the store, so I bought one scone, one ham & cheese croissant, and one Palmier. I had my croissant. It tasted sooo good! Also had a little bite of scone. It was good too.
Hope next time I have time to eat in the store ^_^

Julien’s is best known for bread and pastries, but they make a good coffee. It’s a bit off the beaten track for me, but if I’m in the ‘hood I drop in IF I CAN FIND PARKING. It was quiet when I entered, but a j’s the group came in and created havoc. Luckily, there’s a sheltered outdoor area, and folks don’t seem to linger. They do have WiFi.

I am always greeted with a big smile and served an excellent cup of coffee by the Store Manager. The store manager is continually ensuring the customers are happy and the café is very clean. The café has spectacular customer service, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and GREAT coffee. This makes for a terrific café. A refreshing change in a city filled with chain coffee shops. The staff are extremely friendly. The food is fantastic. They are creating a wonderful community of regulars.

Breakfast at Julien’s! How come I’ve never thought of that? It might be because I’m a mother of 2 very young children (one can’t even walk yet), and I live in the south end. I’m so glad I had out-​of-​town guests this week and they wanted Julien’s for breakfast.
I’ve always treated Julien’s as a pastry/​dessert place where you can also buy bread. and coffee. Oh but today I’ve discovered my new love: savoury scones! You’ve got to try them (I use plural because you can’t just have one). It was buttery and flakey, full of the fragrance of ham and green onions with a nice balance of the taste of sharp cheddar. It was not greasy nor dry. It was perfect.
For some reason all four of us ordered something savoury for breakfast along with our coffee or Chai Latte: scones, chicken samosa, ham&cheese croissant, and cheese croissant. The ham&cheese croissant had a bit of spiciness to it. It was a pleasant surprise.
Will I return for breakfast? Oh you bet’cha! So long as someone can babysit for me that early ;)

Had high hopes for this place from other people’s good reviews. We ordered an almond croissant, a blueberry fouillette or something like that, and a ham and cheese croissant. The blueberry thing was pretty good but the croissants didn’t really taste like croissants and were quite mushy for first thing in the morning. Mocha was ok but not memorable. It looks like a nice place to park yourself down to do work or read a book though. Too bad about the pastries. Oh well…

I have lived in Halifax for almost all my life and only recently discovered this place within the year. I could not believe what I was missing out on…
I try to visit here in the mornings a couple times a month, usually on the weekends. The ham and cheese scone from Jane’s or their ham and bocconcini croissant sandwich are my two favourite breakfast snacks. I want to try other things from this bakery but unfortunately I love these two too much to wander off.
My boyfriend’s recent order has been their focaccia sandwich that has a slice of marble cheese, grilled eggplant, and some other veggies (which is absolutely delicious). The blonde French lady that works there is so very sweet. She gave us a 20% discount off this because it was made the evening before so the bread wasn’t as fresh.
The coffee here is just okay. I usually just go down the street to Steve-o-Reno’s and get theirs.

The hydrostone shops rock and I now shop here every other day for bread. I find the prices a little high but other then that lots of choice and if you have a sweet tooth lots to pick from.

I really want to love the bread at Julien’s. It *looks* like a good bakery. I want it to be a good bakery! But it really isn’t. The bread is thoroughly «meh». Not what you’d expect to find at a true french bakery at all. The pastries are better, but nothing to go out of your way for.
Also, don’t expect to get any kind of lunch here – their savoury options are quite limited (bagel & cream cheese).
On the plus side, the location and the space are nice.
If you want true french sourdough magic in Halifax, you’ll have to track down locations that sell bread from La Vendéene. Their bread is outstanding.

What is better than living in the north end and being able to walk to the hydro stone to buy fresh brea and flowers? Nothing!
I have been going to Julien’s for as long as I can remember and so it seems fitting I should live right by this awesome bakery! They also have some fantastic sweet options and a nice place to sit for coffee too! The price is quite reasonable for the quality of the product, also the fact it saves you having to bake for yourself!
I highly recommend going and picking up some delicious options, I would go early as they sell out of things pretty quick… Another testament to how good they are!

For a French bakery, the baked goods were very disappointing. On two occasions I’ve purchased bread that, once I got home and opened it up, I realized was slightly burned on the bottom. Not exactly sure if that’s what they’re going for, but I’ve lived in Paris and Montréal and that’s certainly not how the bread is served up there. I’ve also been disappointed in the pastries: the almond croissant was definitely tasty, but not light and flaky. It was a bit soggy, actually, and had a chewy texture. Again, maybe this is the style they’re going for – and truthfully, it didn’t taste BAD or anything – but it’s just not that good. Finally, they have also gotten my orders wrong a couple of times. I ordered a lemon square, got a lemon tart, etc. No big deal, but disappointing nonetheless (I didn’t open the box till I got home).
I will say that I absolutely love the atmosphere. If you go on a warm day, you can sit outside in a lovely little courtyard between two charming old buildings in the historic hydrostone area. It’s a pretty little escape, and worth the visit for this alone.

Very very very expensive for what they offer!
Unfortunately they have an attitude because they are first out of… 2? 3? bakeries in Halifax! I don’t know!
Halifax has many places today for good coffee, reasonable prices and nice atmosphere!
Never going back again.
Also they close very early in the afternoon! But even when you go 1 hour before closing time you still feel unwelcome because they are preparing for closing!

OK, it’s a quaint bakery in the Hydrostone, making it «edgy» and hipster friendly (as one can judge by looking at the staff and prices)… So if that’s your thing then you will certainly love it here.
Otherwise, there really isn’t anything that really stood out in particular. Sure they put on a nice bread display, but it was mostly just «meh».
Theres a lot they could do to make the place have a cozier feel, but it mostly comes off as a little cold, and by that I don’t mean the temperature.
They get bonus points for having wifi and some gluten free stuff. It’s not that I wouldn’t go back there… it would just have to very much be on my daily routine path.

I love bread. If I could only have one food on a desert island, it would be bread (and a toaster, a generator and a pound of butter, but I digress). But I am picky about my bread. Julien’s does not pass my picky test. I like soft bread that is as germ-​free as possible. This can be accomplished by placing cooled bread into a bag. Julien’s leaves their bread uncovered all day to get rock-​hard and for flies to hang out on.
I will therefore not touch their bread.
Their desserts, however, I will touch. They are almost as beautiful as Gourmandise’s in the Seaport Market. I’m not sure if they are made in-​house or brought in, but either way they are lovely to look at and to eat. I also like that they carry Schoolhouse gluten-​free products (cake is cake, I don’t discriminate).
Prices are generally reasonable. Staff have always been polite if not always personable. The café itself is cozy and homey, plus it’s Hydrostone so it has a great location.

Their croissants are the best! You can’t find better.

I like Julien’s purely because I like baked goods, but I don’t love it.
I can’t think of anything I’ve had from there that I’ve thought about beyond the day I had it, which says a lot to me (I think about food way too much). I vaguely remember things being good, but that’s it. I know I’ve tried quite a few things in the dessert case and breads, but cannot name a single specific item.
What I do remember about Julien’s, which other Unilocalers have noted, is the lack of engaged counter staff. I don’t expect much when it comes to counter service – smile, get me what I want, ask me if I need anything else, and some sort of friendly close to the conversation. At Julien’s, I tend to get what I want, but none of the other typical pleasantries. I don’t know if they’ve just gotten so comfortable with their position that they don’t feel like they have to add to the customer experience or they are really trying to cultivate the whole disaffected vibe, but it certainly leaves a negative impression.

So THIS is where all the professors hang out!
Like a magnet, my professor parents somehow psychically «knew» they had to be here when they visited me. It was like a cellular pull or something. Hence my visit to Julienne’s for more than just coffee, during their stay.
Anyways, yum. I actually preferred the food at this location to the Chester location, where it is prepared. Their bread is great, and i found the almond croissant an unusual treat. Not overly sweet or greasy on the outside, but with an almost sinful almost almost-​custard inside. Cinnamon danish was pleasant too: subtle and light, no guilt or shame following.
Seating is about 20, maybe 10 tables, and some wobbly chairs so be careful putting your coffee down. One particular table at the front is very close to a grate in the ground so try not to fall in that like my dad almost did (it’s totally okay to laugh). Bread is available to be pre-​ordered and day old bread goes at a big discount.

I love Julien’s. As a former Hydrostone resident I can attest to some major changes with Julien’s over the course of 2012. They have a gorgeous new stone patio with fantastic seating in the warmer weather months and reliable wi-​fi if you want to hang out.
They serve my favorite local coffee from Java Blend, and will happily make any of their espresso based drinks iced for you on a hot summer day.
Fair warning that the treats to be had here are decadent, and delicious so come prepared for goodness that will break the calorie bank. They are known for their croissants, plain, cheese, chocolate or almond — all are to die for. I have a particular affection for their «haystack» cookie made with coconut (not the chocolate variety, but sweetness with some raisins and oh so delicious).
They have a wide range of breads — you can even order your holiday order for bread and sweets in advance to be sure to get your Christmas Morning brioche for french toast fixin’s. But if you’re early enough in the day you can usually find what you’re looking for without an advance order — plus if you’re lucky they may have something left over in the day old bin for half price.
If you’re looking for a weekend caffeine and sweet treat fix — just go. And enjoy!

Just savored a pair of cannelles from Julien’s at the Seaport market; soft and custardy on the inside dark and caramelized on the outside.

Julien’s is located in the always lovely Hydrostone area. I visited here with a friend this afternoon and had a pretty decent experince. The service was very friendly, although they seemed a bit confused and the communiction between the two workers was slightly limited.
I really enjoyed my Chai Latte and cookie, but noticed a couple of things:
Plastic chairs in a nice café really don’t cut it for me, they could up the ante a little and splurge for some nicer seating rather than patio furniture.
By the time we got there, around 4, there was very little in terms of baked goods. It would have been nice to have a few more options for snacks, but I understand how a lot of these places work, you gotta get there early to get the best stuff.
Overall, I liked Julien’s but think it might be nice to go back on a Saturday morning when there is a bit more selection.

Okay seriously. Is it me?
Yes — their baked goods are among the best. Their bagels perfectly balance a crispy outside with a chewy inside, their cheese croissants make me weep tears of joy, and their sourdough is the stuff that carby dreams are made of.
But honestly, I’ve had more personal and friendly interactions from an ATM.
I received a split-​second half smile from the cashier to signal that I should be telling her my order by now. I smiled, I ordered, she blinked and walked away. I didn’t see her again until my order came back with a simple, «Here.»
Sure. That covers the very basic interaction level required to run any customer-​facing business. I was able to receive what I wanted, pay for it, and walk away with it in hand so my personal expectations for a hint of friendliness should certainly not keep you away from this otherwise wonderful Hydrostone bakery. I’m just saying it kind of kills the mom ‘n pop shop mood that I wish Julien’s would have.