OctoberFeast Bakery

Alan stopped by OctoberFeast yesterday and they were closed. The name was being removed from the window. I was just there a few weeks ago. I’m not sure whether they will continue to sell their wares at farmers’ markets. I just called and left them a message asking about that. They made exceptional breads, dense, heavy and delicious and we loved their pretzel croissants. I will be very sad if they have closed entirely.

I’ve never been able to go because I’m pretty sure this place is closed — the store has been empty for several months.

bavarian style pretzels here! reminds me of my time spent in bavaria, germany. the owner is from munich, bavaria in germany and gets quite creative with it here from original style pretzels to croissant pretzels, and on certain days baguette pretzels (usually weekends only). i tried one of the reaper rolls (good for breakfast).
if you’re in downtown berkeley looking for a good german bakery that’s mainly focused on bread and grains then octoberfeast bakery is where you’ll find it.

I LOVE the idea that they have gluten free options. This makes me one happy chick especially when it comes to some desert love. The have a stellar gluten free bread that runs out quickly so get here early if you want some of the fresh outta the oven goodness. You walk in and its just a sexy tiny little place with a far-​away feeling of bakeries from all over the world. The owner is so friendly and helpful and filled my head with all sorts of info on their different options. The only hard thing to swallow is the price. I bought three cookies and two small cupcakes for my co workers and the total was $ 17. Totally worth the cost, but unfortunately won’t be able to do this very often! If you want a treat early in the day you won’t be dissapointed.

Awesome delicious bread at the Berkeley Market — I’m a fan of their rye bread, though it’s not something I usually purchase anywhere else. Their bread is so flavorful and slices perfectly for sandwiches — a nice tight but cakey crumb, just like my grandmother used to make.
They have many vegan options and even know the answers to such things as «is there egg wash on it?» — nice folks (esp Matt S!) and good food!
They do tend to sell out, so get there early!

I tried the pretzel croissant:
Very good. Nice soft buttery/​flaky/​flavorful interior, nice preztel exterior. But, the whole idea is something of a gimmick: it’s not really a value-​add over a typical good croissant.

I was on University one day and nearly walked past Octoberfeast. The storefront doesn’t jump out at you and the interior was a bit unusual — a bit dark, maybe wood-​paneled, and the counter and baked goods set at the back of the store. I had heard about this place and figured that while I was right there, I would stop in and check things out.
The selection seemed to be a lot of pretzels and bread and while it seemed a lovely tableau, nothing really called to me immediately. I asked the girl at the counter to recommend something and she steered me toward the reaper buns.
I had no idea what it was, but I was game and I bought one. Actually, she said something about pretzel dough when describing it, so I was expecting something savory.
Holy cow, though. my world was so rocked!
I wish I could have seen my face as I bit into that reaper bun; I realized it was sweet, and then as the amazing, delicious caramel flavors hit my tongue, I was completely sold. Sad as it may be, I am not even kidding when I say that I can’t remember the last time I put something so exciting in my mouth. My mouth was so happy! Every bite was pure deliciousness that I did not want to see end.
I can’t speak to their other items, but let me tell you that if you are looking for a mouth party, it would be completely worth your time to stop in and get a reaper bun.

I really enjoy this place. I was at a training a couple doors down and enjoyed walking over here to grab some apple danishes which were delicious. Most of the products that I saw on display were bread, which I’m sure was just as amazing. Not too much of a pastry variety, if that is what you’re looking for.

The baked goods here are a little pricey but in this Unilocaler’s opinion — it’s justified!
Try to get there in the morning when the goods are freshly baked, the pretzel croissant is INCREDIBLY better when it’s warm. But moving onto the star of this Bakery…
The Reaper Bun. It’s flaky pastry dough, caramelized brown sugar and ooey gooey, warm deliciousness. If you have any kind of love for pastries — skip the bread and go straight for this baby. At $ 3.50 it is definitely not your Elementary School’s 25c cookie, but believe me when I say you will not regret it!

I am born in germany and that what you get here is real, THE real deal.
I don’t know theprices anymore cause this is now two years ago since I worked for Dieter BUT here is the story:
First category: German bread is based on rye — why? lasts longer! Wheat bread lasts max a week (same quality) — but rye bread? Dieter makes this «Pumpernickel» which can last for months cause it entails no wheat at all.
The second category of bread you get is the bread mixed with Wheat: my favriot! This bread is basicaly what you get in Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and what have you. Healthy, nutrious and everyday bread. I am 6foot something tall and eat two slices in themorning I am full till noon. You get it with sesame, poppy seeds… all kinds of seeds — which connects you to nature.
Third category: Since Americans are usually not so into ‘hard’ hearty bread or that mix thing Dieter also bakes this german version of wheat bread which is almost like the Broetchen dough. You don’t know what Broetchen is? Man, don’t die without ever tried a Broetchen: Sunday morning, fresh coffee, Butter and Nutella and Broetchen — that’s what’s good!!! That;s what’s up.
Try that Sesame Bread Sunday morning at the San Raphael Farmers Market — advice: go early cause that bread is sold out 2 hours after the market opens (up there they already made it their weekend — thing).
Price: The bread is usually around 4 or 5 bucks (as far as I remember) but you get nutrition 10 times more than usual american bread: one slice of his bread and you are full till noon. For real!
He fired me from bread heaven — that’s why no 5 stars BUT his bread is 6 stars worth.
My own creation: take a slice of his bread (seriously what ever bread is fine) a bit of butter (germans know how much when I say a bit), a thin slice of gouda cheese and on top of that a thin slice of
1., apple or
2., banana
AND on top of that a little bit of honey.
That’s what’s up! Now we talking. Seriously. You try this once you will keep it for the rest of your life. You wonna show up and impress your girl friend — show her your seduce side? That’s the plan: try my fresh breadmove and her eyes will start get bigger and you will be THE MAN. Garanteed.
sidenote/​offtherecord: (I worked for the owner at several places: Berkeley Farmers market on thursday, pacifica season market, San Rafael on Sundays and Oakland-​Grand Lake on Saturday. He fired me caused I didn’t get my driver liscence on time — BUT this guy could fire me three times: he is the baker of german bread — he is unquestionable.)

The pretzel croissant was good. I wanted it to have a bit more pretzel flavor but enjoyed it. the regular pretzels were absolutely covered with poppy or sesame seeds. Will try one next time.
Also tried their reaper bun which is really a kouign-​amman. Delicious caramelized dough. I understand people being crazy about these.
Our party lingered and the woman working the counter was very patient and nice. Also recommended other restaurants for us to try. She couldn’t have been more helpful.

Yea, yea get the pretzel croissant. It’s pricey, since $ 2 worth of bread does not usually equate to one meal, but the hybrid pretzel crust and tender, buttery croissant innards is an experience to remember. I was skeptical about how the two foods could meld together, but their famous pastry is interestingly exactly what one would expect: a salty, chewy outside enveloping soft flaky goodness!
I trekked down to the store on University on a weekday just to get a pretzel loaf one afternoon, but sadly they were already out at ~2pm. It’s a strangely barren bakery, with dark wood paneling and just a few types of bread sitting on a small shelf behind the counter. The french bread-​like loaf that I ended up buying just because it was sizable for the price was stale when I ate it. I still want to try their pretzel loaf, but the rest of the breads are nothing special. They are at the Farmer’s Market on Center/​MLK on Sat mornings; perhaps I will catch them there again one of these days, because I wouldn’t go out of my way to get their products.

I originally came here because I wanted the cheese pretzel but they informed me that they don’t sell it. Thank god the cheese pretzel was out because the PRETZEL CROISSANT is where its at!
Its a perfect combination of salty and savoury and buttery. I usually only like salty food (thats why I wanted the cheese pretzel) but my bf only likes savory food and we finally found a great compromise.
I recommend that everyone gets this! 2 hrs after I ate the croissant, I still wanted another one. And after 2 dinners, I still want one right now.

Yep, get the pretzel croissant. They do freeze well, and the I reheated at 350 for about 10minutes, served with a runny over easy egg mmmm, mmm. I wish I had more.
The poppy pretzel was just okay, it was a little hard and needed to be maybe poppy AND salt. I’m betting if I had taken it home and heated it too (instead of stuffing it directly into my maw) it might have been way better too… a little mustard on the side.
I didn’t see them, (but maybe they had them) I wish they sold pretzel sandwich rolls. (Trader Joe’s used to sell them and the were awesome with ham & cheese!)

I am a big fan of their pretzel croissant. They have the a very thin slightly salty pretzel skin and the interior is all buttery goodness. They run $ 2.25 now at the Temescal Farmers Market.
Quick tip — they freeze well. So I tend to stock up and just microwave them for about 20 seconds when I want them for breakfast.
The pretzel croissant with a bit of Blue Chair Fruit Company jam and some coffee is the best kind of weekend morning for me.

I had walked along this part of University Avenue many times before but have never noticed this place until I recently started working nearby.
The first time I went in I didn’t know what to expect. Under the recommendation of the staff, I got a Reaper bun & a Pretzel croissant. I had no idea what the heck a reaper bun was but I gathered that it was a pastry which is coated in sugar. While I didn’t get to try any for myself, the boyfriend told me that it was sweet & simply delicious. As for the pretzel croissant, I thought it was very fragrant (like a pretzel) but still fluffy (like a croissant) — an overall very unique & intriguing concept. What was more interesting was how my boyfriend ate it — with mustard & salami.
Since the 2 previous items got such rave reviews, I decided to head back for more. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any reaper buns or croissants. So instead, I got an Almond danish, a Cinnamon swirl danish, & a slice of German chocolate cake. The almond danish had great almond flavor without being too sweet; & the pastry was flaky without feeling too heavy. The boyfriend ate the other danish as a midnight snack so all he could remember was that it was good but would’ve been even better warm. The cake was probably the best I’ve had; it was moist, flavorful, but not too sweet.
Yesterday @ the farmers’ market the boyfriend & I accidentally came across the stall & decided to get some snacks. He got a Blueberry custard danish which was flaky, not too sweet, but could have used more blueberries. I got a Bavarian pretzel which was very tough… probably the worst thing I’ve had here.
All in all I really like this bakery even though it is quite pricey. The only complaint I have is that there is no baking on site so items can run out. Until there is a permanent solution from the company, I guess I’ll just have to get there early.

Pretzel croissant is a must try. They also carry bamboo bread bags, for stashing loaves or baguettes.
The father-​son team is sweet and their passion for baked goods comes through in their nice demeanor and good customer service.

I will brave almost any weather to snag their pretzel croissants at my local farmers markets. At $ 2 each they are actually well priced for the exceptional quality, matched by no other bakery I know in the area.
I love the reaper buns, the cheese danishes and really enjoy their breads (Flax Hazelnut and a White French loaf of some sort).
So highly recommended!

Octoberfeast Bakery had a variety of dark breads (5+) and an assortment of pastries (pretzels, crossaints 2 – 3.5) on display at hayward’s farmer’s market.
sampling: reaper bread (3)
–sweet carmel taste topping on sweet, dense semi-​flakey bread. ideal with coffee or any hot brew. bread had the texture and taste of a crosissant.
crumbs:
–friendly helpful advice
–not much pastries on display. sales good or low inventory/​low sales prospects?

This place certainly has strange hours but I finally found it open and got the chance to try some of their baked goods this weekend. I only tried two items, but I loved both and now I can’t wait until I get a chance to go back.
The Cheese Pretzel (
) is completely covered in mild cheddar cheese. It think it is best eaten warm while the cheese is still soft and oozy. The pretzel part was soft, chewy and bready, but it was the abundance of cheese that made this pastry so good! It’s a bit oily as cheese can be when it’s hot so make sure you have a beverage on hand to wash away some of that oil. Perhaps a cold German beer would pair well with this pretzel.
The Pretzel Croissant (
) was excellent as well. It has the aroma of a fresh hot pretzel, it has the color of a pretzel yet inside you’ll find an airy, soft, sweet and layered bread that is without a doubt a croissant. Again this one was best eaten warm. I had two, and the one I warmed up was definitely better.
UPDATE 6÷22÷10 ~ I’ve been informed that OctoberFeast has a stall at the Stonestown Farmers Market from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Sundays in San Francisco. I will definitely check that out!