Downtown Bakery — A Must-Stop in Sonoma County
If you ever happen to find yourself in the vicinity of Healdsburg, make a beeline pronto to the Downtown Bakery & Creamery.
You will not regret it.
And your stomach will thank you profusely.
Started in 1987 by three Chez Panisse alums, this bakery makes everything from scratch — breads, ice cream, cookies, and pastries. There’s even a cafe menu if you want to sit for a spell to enjoy breakfast pizza, cheesy scrambled eggs or a Croque Madame that’s a croissant topped with herbed ricotta cheese and ham.
My husband and I can never resist the sticky buns ($2.25 each). This version is simply sublime — a flaky, buttery croissant-like dough formed into a muffin shape that has a crunchy topping of sugar. You also can buy them frozen to bake up fresh at home.
My other fave is the Fig Newton ($1.25 each). It’s ginormous as far as Fig Newtons go — a slab of tender pastry almost as big as your palm that enfolds a generous amount of pure fig filling. For Fig Newton lovers, it’s the ultimate version. For those who aren’t fans of Fig Newtons, this one will blow your mind.
Downtown Bakery’s focaccia ($4.75 each) shouldn’t be missed. They are baked in rounds about the size of a small individual pizza. The olive one is studded all over with Kalamatas. The tomato-Asiago is a dreamy blend of sweet and sharp.
If Healdsburg is out of your way, the Downtown Bakery also sells its delicious offerings every Saturday at the Ferry Building Farmers Market in San Francisco. Just get there early, though, before it’s all sold out.
Another Irresistible Bakery: The Cheese Board in Berkeley
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Wednesday, 26. October 2011 8:30
OMG I LOVE Fig Newton! Have you tried the new Fruit Thins? Pretty tasty but nothing like the original!
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 8:46
Yum, all these look fantastic. I’ve tried a few of their stuff at the Ferry Building farmers market. But I bet they’re even better fresh from the oven in Healdsburg!
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 8:52
Delicious baked goodies here! Would love to try the sticky buns!
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 9:04
Every time I’m in Healdsburg I have to make a stop at DB&C. A treasure.
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 10:13
I wish I were in the area…this place looks fantastic. Those fig newtons alone look like they’re worth making the trip for!
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 10:16
Those look incredible! Especially the Newtons. I’m not much of a Newton person but every kid I’ve ever met loves them, my son included. I’ve got to write that bakery down for the next trip up North.
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 11:28
I never liked the regular fig newtons but now I need to go back!
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 20:04
My first thought of the sticky bun was a curl of pork crackling
I have never heard of Fig Newton but it sure does look like a tasty mouthful especially with that thick layer of fig filling. With these, I tend to just nibble off the pastry first then pop that whole fig filling into my mouth 
Wednesday, 26. October 2011 23:49
Great! I thought we have to go to Sonoma for these yummy baked goods but Ferry building is not bad. But I’ll remember this place when we go to Sonoma. =) My husband drinks wine but I’m always focusing on food so this is a great info! I love good bread and I will never miss a chance. Heheh.
Thursday, 27. October 2011 2:37
All of that pastry and I can’t even reach into the screen!
Thursday, 27. October 2011 3:09
Oh my, that pizza alone was enough to convince me that I need to try this place…but then you featured all of these other baked goods! Amazing.
Friday, 4. November 2011 4:56
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Sunday, 5. August 2012 11:29
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Friday, 8. March 2013 6:48
We always have fig newtons in our cabinets, they were an all time favorite of mine growing up. I never thought to make them from scratch, now I’m going to search for recipes.
This bakery looks wonderful. You’d have a hard time pulling me out of there once I stepped in.