Rockridge
Rockridge, Oakland
6323 College AveOakland, CA 94618
The original shop, open on College Avenue since 1974. This is also the line to call for any order, from a birthday cake to a wedding tasting.
Daily, 7:30am to 7:00pm
Rockridge · Dimond · Solano
The morning bun that made the neighborhood walk uphill
La Farine has baked French breads, pastries, tarts, and cakes on College Avenue since 1974. Hand molded, made with pure butter, baked that morning, and sold only at our own counters.
Daily, 7:30am to 7:00pm · 510-654-0338
Three counters
Rockridge, the Dimond, and Solano Avenue
Open daily
Daily, 7:30am to 7:00pm
Orders by phone
510-654-0338
Since 1974
A small kitchen, a long fermentation, and a counter to stand at
When La Farine opened, College Avenue was quiet and the bakery kept European hours: in early, home early, closed for the month of August. The avenue got busy, the hours got longer, and the way we bake stayed where it started.
Breads get a real dose of time in fermentation, every loaf is molded by hand, and the baking is watched. Pastry is made with pure butter, the way a French pâtisserie makes it. Cakes are built in layers and decorated by hand.
Nothing carries preservatives, because nothing needs to last. What is on the shelf was baked that morning, and what does not sell goes to area food banks and senior centers.
The counter
What is in the case today
Six menus, all of it made in our own kitchen.
The morning bun
Croissant dough, brown sugar, cinnamon, a muffin pan
Croissant dough rolled thin, spread with brown sugar and cinnamon, rolled into a log, cut, and baked in muffin pans so the edges caramelize against the tin.
The current owner bought the bakery partly because of this pastry. Before he worked here, it was the only thing that got him across town in the morning.
Ordering
Give us 48 hours and a phone call
Cakes, party platters, and holiday breads are made to order. Most orders need 48 hours notice, and cakes larger than 8 inches need 72. Call the Rockridge counter at 510-654-0338 and a person will take it down.
- Most orders At least 48 hours notice.
- Cakes larger than 8 inches At least 72 hours notice.
- Some items Carry a minimum order. We will tell you the number when you call.
Three shops
Find the counter nearest you
Oakland, CA 94618
Dimond
Dimond District, Oakland
3411 Fruitvale AveOakland, CA 94602
The Fruitvale Avenue counter in the Dimond, a short walk from Dimond Park.
Daily, 7:30am to 7:00pm
Solano
Solano Avenue, Berkeley
1820 Solano AveBerkeley, CA 94707
Up on Solano near Thousand Oaks, the north Berkeley stop for morning buns and a baguette on the way home.
Daily, 7:30am to 7:00pm
Questions
What people ask at the counter
How much notice do you need for an order?
At least 48 hours for most orders. We are a retail bakery with a small kitchen and limited production capacity, so the notice is what lets us fit your order into the day’s baking.
What about a cake bigger than 8 inches?
Any cake larger than our regular 8-inch size needs at least 72 hours notice. Our cakes run from 6 inches up to 18, feeding 6 to 60.
Which cakes are made without alcohol?
Gateau du Printemps, Hazelnut Chocolate Torte, Genève, and Chamonix are made without any liqueur. Fresh Berries and Cream is made with a touch of Kirsch that is optional, so ask for it without.
Do you sell flour, yeast, or almond paste?
No. We do not sell our raw materials, but we are glad to point you to suppliers and just as glad to answer a home baker’s questions.
How can I pay?
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, local checks with current ID, and cash.
Which days are you closed?
Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas and the day after, and New Year’s Day plus the first week of January. Otherwise we are open daily, 7:30am to 7:00pm.
How does a wedding cake tasting work?
Pick three cakes from the wedding cake menu, call the bakery to book a complimentary tasting, and plan on about an hour. You taste at your own pace over coffee, then talk through the design.
Can I buy La Farine bread at a grocery store?
No. We do not wholesale. Our breads, pastries, and cakes are sold at our three shops and nowhere else.
Start an order
Tell us what you need, and we will call you back
This form is not a checkout. It reaches the bakery, and then someone calls you to confirm the size, the flavor, the day, and the price. If it is urgent, calling 510-654-0338 is faster.
- Most orders: At least 48 hours notice.
- Cakes larger than 8 inches: At least 72 hours notice.
- Some items: Carry a minimum order. We will tell you the number when you call.
We take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, local checks with current ID, and cash.
Your request is with the bakery
Someone from the bakery calls you back within one business day. Orders are confirmed by phone, so nothing is scheduled until you have spoken with us. If you need it sooner, call 510-654-0338.