Third Cliff Bakery

A delightful local gem in Jamaica Plain that promises an experience beyond the ordinary bakery fare.

Recently traveled all the way down here from Boston to try the renowned croissants. Despite its compact selection, every pastry stood as a testament to quality over quantity. Amongst the ones I tried, certain treats particularly stood out. The Grapefruit Olive Oil Cake, while subtly hinting at citrus, astonished with its supremely soft, moist texture – reminding one of the homely goodness of a cornbread.

The bakery's flair for combining classic techniques with innovative flavors was also evident in their Kimchi & Cheddar Croissant. A delicate balance of tangy kimchi with the rich umami of cheddar made it an unforgettable bite. Equally commendable was the Apple and Cheddar Focaccia Slab. Their croissants, while resonating traditional notes, were flaky and carried the right amount of buttery goodness.

Third Cliff may not have a lot of visually ornate pastries, but they more than compensates with their phenomenal taste and affordability. If you're ever in Jamaica Plain, a visit to this bakery is more than worth the detour.

Stepping into Third Cliff Bakery is like entering a world where the flour is enchanted, the ovens are blessed by the baking gods themselves, and the pastries are so good, they must be plotting to take over the world one crumb at a time. Nestled in the heart of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, this bakery is the superhero of the pastry world, cape and all (though the cape might actually just be an apron).

Let's talk croissants. I'm convinced they have a secret ingredient (my money's on pixie dust or unicorn smiles) because they're so flaky and buttery, I half-expected them to float right out of my hand and back to their magical homeland. And the lattes? They're like Little cups of joy—if joy was delicious and didn't actually hurt when you bit into it. Each bite sends flavors partying across your taste buds like it's 1999 and Prince is there, cheering them on.

But the real cherry on top of this experience is the ambiance and staff. The place is so cozy and welcoming, you'll want to set up a tent and camp out (but please don't, the staff has enough on their hands). Speaking of the staff, they're so friendly and warm, I started wondering if they were part of some secret society dedicated to spreading joy through pastries.

In conclusion, Third Cliff Bakery isn't just serving baked goods; they're dishing out happiness

Lovely spot in JP that you can smell as you approach. I came on a rainy Friday right as they opened and by the time I left an hour later, it became busy, with lines firming throughout my time there.

There are a few seats, but it seems like most people get their things to-go. I sat at a table near the back with a book, and was comfortable eating my pastries and sipping on my Rosie Palmer.

I got the Lavender Kouign Amann and the Blueberry Hand Pie. I loved both their tastes and textures.

I would definitely come back to try more of their selection.

So impressed! All of the croissants were well layered, buttery, and flaky. The buttermilk croissant was delicious and I would never have thought kimchi in a croissant would work, but it did so well. The egg bites were delicious too. The lines can get long on the weekends so come early or on a weekday. 100% will come back though!

Update: Came back and had the garlic scapes, rosemary, and thyme croissant, which didn’t disappoint. Super herby, garlicky, and still had nice flakes to it despite the filling. This place has yet to miss!

This is the best bakery for classic pastries. I recommend their chocolate or guava and cheese croissants. I’m also a fan of the morning bun. Their menu doesn’t really change but I always order the same things each time I’m there. It’s a very small place but they do have a few tables and bathrooms.

Great hidden spot a short walk away from the end of the orange line. I was pleasantly surprised that they had multiple vegan options, including dairy-free ones too. The vegan breakfast bun and dairy-free cake were both excellent, and you'd hardly know they were healthy.

The space is trendy, but small; still plenty of seating when I went off-hours, and they have wifi too.

This place slaps. Especially love the morning buns and guava cream cheese croissants. The hot honey apple focaccia is also a killer. I love that they do so many interesting fillings and flavors. The croissant is flaky and delicious.

Have been wanting to try this place out for awhile now and I was really impressed! Probably the best croissant that I’ve had in the area. It was soft, tasty, and crisp. My only desire would’ve been to have ordered more! The coffee was also good (cold brew).

The place itself is a little pricey but that’s what JP has turned into lately. The location and quality of the food definitely justified it though.

Incredible local bakery/cafe in JP! Their croissant flavors are pretty unique and seasonal (both savory and sweet) and are a delight to eat! The croissant itself is very tasty!

Also like the coffee here. I'd definitely recommend a visit. Be prepared to stand in line if you go during popular times though!

Yes, the kimchi croissant is fantastic! But to me, the standout is the “plain” buttermilk croissant. It somehow walks the line of being melt in your mouth tender, incredibly flaky, and also moist. The flavor of it is perfect—the slightest tang with a hint of sweetness—but has that je ne sais pas quintessential croissant flavor (despite the non traditional form of it).

Everything here is delicious (and worth standing in line for) but make sure you don’t leave without a buttermilk croissant!

I used Third Cliff to cater the dessert for a dinner party, and they did a great job. The desserts were excellent and the service was on top of everything with punctual communication. The cinnamon butter rice crispy treats were a big hit.

I cannot recommend this bakery enough. I have gotten different items (coconut cold brew, iced latte, tea, all the pastries) each time I have come in, and every single time I cannot even begin to describe what I am eating, because its literally out of this world. The coconut cold brew today? There is literally no way for me to have known it would be like this. I was expecting something lightly coconut flavor and BAM the best coffee I have had in a long time. Creamy, sweet, and delicious. Do not even get me started on the croissants. It is like you went into my brain, picked out my favorite foods, and put them into different amazingly flaky croissant flavors! Anyways, I have lived around the corner from this place for almost a year and just recently discovered it. Talk about a hidden gem.

Love this place - best croissants in town, and the people are friendly and welcoming too! Line moves fast, if there is one, and worth the wait.

There is often a long wait, and for good reason! Good joe, good homemade pastry, novel flavors and cool little boutique products to boot. Would wait in line again

Small space but several seats, A+ cortado- $3, and the BEST pastries. I highly recommend the cheese and guava pastry.

I LOVE this place! It’s quaint and trendy and everyone is so friendly. The food is absolutely amazing; the croissants and other layered pastries (cardamom morning bun, lavendar kouign amen) are flaky and tender and melt in your mouth. The grapefruit olive oil cake is moist and tender with a delicate crumb. Their chai is wonderful; not overly sweet (though you can add sweetener at the counter to your taste) and full of warm spice and ginger notes. They have a line on weekend mornings, which speaks for itself as to how amazing they are, but it’s absolutely worth the wait. I’ve never been disappointed and I’ve been going there as part of my Friday routine every week for almost a year

Wonderful addition to the neighborhood! Third Cliff pastries are delicious and super fresh, the coffee is tasty and the staff are thoughtful and friendly! A must visit in JP! Pictured here is the vegan orange cardamom morning bun and the Thanksgiving croissant!

Espectacular pastries of great quality, freshness, and delicious flavors. Add fresh tasty coffee. A must try!

Delicious pastries with creative flavor combinations, great espresso drinks, and a light and airy atmosphere. We got a whole box of pastries to share, since it all looked so good. And we were not disappointed!

Sometimes a long wait but SO worth it!!! Every single pastry I've tried is so delicious. And the coffee is great too which is an added bonus!! I'm always here, it's the best