Red Bench Bakery is an ideal drop-in place for breakfast, lunch, or a refreshing snack. It adds a lot to our downtown Excelsior, MN.
It is a charming little café for dining in with a friend or neighbor; it also has a pleasant street-side patio for dining during warmer months. Often, it is easy to buy a scone and coffee and enjoy them on the bench just outside the door. Dogs on a lease are welcome on the patio.
We’ve enjoyed several varieties of pastries, cookies, scones (my favorite is the Blueberry Scone), and cinnamon rolls – sometimes to go. Their selection of Artisan breads is the best around. Actually, they fill many pick-up orders for local families and businesses. Today, the daily offering of a filled brioche was raspberry. However, all the flavors are consistently delicious. The kids won’t miss having a donut, but I think the filled brioches are ideal for adults.
I also recommend both the Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, Vegetable Quiche, and Ratatouille Quiche. The soups and salads taste just-made with the freshest ingredients. We always love the street baguette. For certain meals, the Cardamon Bread is flavorful and has an amazing crust! You’ll find an excellent range of coffee, tea, and cold beverages. And they have fantastic ice cream to go.
The staff is friendly and kind, even when super busy. They always extend a warm welcome! It is a small space, but they really offer great products. The décor is warm natural tones and feels a bit like places we’ve enjoyed in Europe. It’s definitely worth a visit!
The chicken salad sandwich is great. The young lady behind the counter was great. Lovely, personality, kind and helpful.
The Older lady was rude, and no personality, no smile, and gentlemen was rude too.
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 2
1st visit on a very busy event weekend. Workers were very efficient, not necessarily friendly but not rude by any stretch. Americano was nice and strong and only $2.65 for 16oz. Raisin danish was incredible and every baked good and the all the bread looked fantastic.
Service
Dine in
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Bakery
I was hesitant. I like donuts. They don't have donuts. Their cinnamon roll is crazy good. Why? Perfect balance of sweet and savory. The cookies are delicious, however my kids stole them so I can't say I had much but those kids are picky. Chocolate croissant was great as well. Give it a shot. Only downside was the coffee is all pre programmed so nothing special.
I've been to Montreal, Paris, southern France, and the French Caribbean.all of which know how to make pastries. We are very lucky to have Red Bench in MN. They are absolutely on par (better in some cases) than the above countries. Love it; absolutely recommend.
Couldn’t be more grateful to have this amazing bakery in our community! The food is amazing and the pastries and everything else is delicious! Fantastic and always polite staff.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Delicious and the staff so kind
Best croissant ever !!
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Bakery
First time visiting the Excelsior location in a Sunday morning. I regularly visit the Chaska location. The food is equally delicious! However, the team in Excelsior could learn from the team in Chaska when it comes to customer service and friendliness. Wow! I was surprised at the stark contrast. There is definitely room for improvement with the Excelsior staff!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Bakery
I love this place and their stuff but they just close at random times. Even on days they are supposed to be open they are closed sometimes. I drove here a couple of times during their opening hours and they were closed each time. Been very disappointing. I suggest they make changes to their hours on google because it gets very confusing. 🫤
Food: 5
Seriously delicious bakery. Favorite items include the cinnamon roll, ham and Swiss croissant (warmed up) and the kouign amann. Also their iced americano is a strong kickstart to the day!
