The French Corner Bakery

The food is amazing. The pistachio macarons are to die for! And the cannolis are the best cannolis I have ever had. They have a variety of different baked goods, both savory and sweet. There is something for everyone. And you can get something for one or something for many. Chef Benjamin is sweet and funny. He made me cannolis even after I came in near closing and he was sold out. He then talked to me as he made them. He has a great sense of humor! The staff is incredibly friendly. And the atmosphere of the bakery makes you want to come in, sit down, and stay awhile. Will definitely return again and again and tell everyone I know about this wonderful place!!!

Wonderful place to get a spectacular loaf of fresh bread. The sweet treats have a wonderful flavor. Also lovely place to sit and relax. Friendly folks as well.

These folks are so happy to see you! What a refreshing and kind way to start your mouth-​watering visit. My Baguette was just out of the oven and the almond croissant was to die for!
Lovely little space to sit and have coffee and a goodie. A relaxing way to start your day or find wonderful treats to take home. Beautifully presented and small tarts both sweet and savory. Right behind McDonald’s (ugh) off Guess Rd on North Pointe Drive. You should go!

5 for a bakery in Durham the serves authentic French baked goods. The ownership is also engaging and friendly.
It’s a little difficult to locate but it’s basically toward the back side of plaza next to McDonalds off N. Point Dr.

We had to meet someone at McDonald’s and I seen this cute little corner french bakery. Cute little place. Very clean. the bread pudding was so AWESOME.

We love the French Corner Bakery! Hiding behind a McDonalds and a group of stores, you step inside the French Corner Bakery and find yourself in France. Everything is delicious. We try something new each time we stop by. Chef Benjamin is always friendly and welcoming. This is a must try!

Although a bit difficult to find, it is well worth the (little) effort. I have never really tasted a chocolate croissant until I had one there! Or an elephant ear (palmier). It is charmingly set up for a «meet and chat» and I cannot resist taking a loaf home when I leave. Delicious, fresh, will not disappoint.

In the words of Alanis Morissette, you oughta know. This hidden gem — needs to be found by all Durham foodies. You may have known Chef Benjamin from his earlier works with Neomond bakery and his awesome demonstrations that give so many NC State Fair goers reprieve. The best is that he greets you with a bonjour, dimples, stories about his 15-​year-​old son who helps out, and the heavenly smell of what’s cooking in the oven. While Durham is blessed with many great bakeries this one has a unique character and friendliness that can’t be found elsewhere. And I have had the most amazing croissants outside of France here and guess what? An almond chocolate croissant is coming soon! I would walk around with chocolate all over my face for this bakery.

I have made several trips here, and have tried various cupcakes, pastries, and most importantly, breads. It is in an out of the way place not far from Costco in Durham.
This is the real deal. He creates the sort of things you’d see in a real French patisserie. My favorite pastries are the apple and cherry squares. These are made with an unbelievably flaky and mildly sweet pastry and have a fruit filling in the center.
The breads are excellent. I have sampled the pumpernickel, the parisian loaf and the country sourdough.
Find your way here and bring home some delightful edibles.

Visited yesterday on the recommendation of a co-​worker. The breads looked really good but I was going out of town and didn’t want to waste a good loaf of bread. I did purchase the almond and chocolate croissants, both were huge and wonderful with good flavor and texture. As the baker’s assistant told me «you know this is a one bite addiction?» as he was holding an almond croissant in his hand. I also ordered 2 of the mini quiches for lunch, both were terrific with good flavor and texture. I’ll be back!

I have very mixed feelings about this place. The first challenge was finding it… it took me 3 tries, but I was determined. The best suggestion I have is to aim for the parking lot behind the new McDonalds on Guess Rd, and then walk toward the building next door, where there is a nail shop and a Vapor place. The bakery is around the back of the building, right next to the Vapor place, but facing onto I-​85, NOT visible from the road.
On the plus side, this appears to be a nice, low-​key, authentic operation. It smells wonderful as soon as you walk in the door and the friendly baker greets you with a cheery Bonjour– he seems to do everything himself. The bread and pastries are nicely displayed and there is good variety– croissants, baguettes, quiche, turnovers, muffins. There are a few small tables where you can sit and it’s a nice quiet atmosphere, with French music playing in the background.
Unfortunately the breads I have tried have been disappointing. I admit I prefer a dense, heavier loaf and look for a good crumb and good taste. The Raisin & Rye bread had the distinct flavors you’d expect in such a loaf, but the Pumpernickle (sic, aaaaggghhhh –yes that’s how it was spelled on the sign) seemed to be made of white flour with brown food coloring, and had none of the hearty taste I would expect. The croissants were not as buttery as I’d hoped. All the breads are wrapped in plastic, so any strong crust they may have once had, is long gone before you buy it. Overall, the bread flavors were bland and the textures soft.
We are fortunate here in Durham and the Triangle to have a few outstanding artisanal bakeries (Loaf, Guglhupf, Scratch, Boulted Bread, Chicken Bridge…) offering a wide range of truly inspired breads and pastries. I suppose the French Corner Bakery is a nice addition for those who want soft breads and sweets in North Durham. Based on my experience so far, it doesn’t hold a candle to the others.
One more thing bothered me: the chalkboards where the day’s breads are listed have Bible quotes on them. As a non-​Christian, I find this sort of thing puzzling at best, & if I am in a cranky state of mind, just plain distasteful. I do wonder why a business would have a point of making a religious message to its customers — it sure doesn’t make me feel welcome. All other things being equal I avoid places that include religious proselytizing as part of their business plan.

The following views are based on my own experience.
Parking: there are lots of spots to park outside but it is not easy to find the shop. It is close to the gas station though. Take you change and follow your GPS.
Service: The owner is really friendly n nice. Bakeries: I personally dislike their bakeries so you cannot make it to my bakery list. The quiches are savory and I am a sweet person so I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed it. But the crusts are well balanced though. I warmed up Chocolate croissant at home, but the interior was not smoothy compared to Boulted Bread or Loaf. The only thing I appreciated is the breads. Really Good. It is definitely a bread shop but not for sweet bakeries.
Atmosphere: kinda messy decoration inside but you can watch the owner bake breads.
Overall: judged by the quality of bakeries and relatively high price, I will only give 3 stars. If you are a savory, maybe here is your destiny. But not mine.

Easily missed location as its caddy-​cornered away from the entrance and faces 85. No signs out front at this time. The inside is unpretentious and bright. The Baker is also the counter person. He’s great. Sourdough loaf & Date Pastry were delicious.

North Durham needed a real bakery and Benjamin has given it to us. Breads are dense and chewy and all we’ve tried have been very good. Sweets are good, although limited, but this Master Baker seems to be further developing these product lines. He’s doing croissants now and they are great. I expect all of the shops wares to improve, as the place is relatively new and a bakery does need «to season» so to speak.
Big plus is that my French-​speaking wife has someone with whom to speak her native language, and that results in more visits to this great bakery!
My only concern is that the guy is going to kill himself keeping up with demand; 80+ hour work weeks are sustainable for only so long!

Bonjour! Let your nose be your guide as the smell of freshly baked breads and pastries whisk you into this authentic French bakery in northern Durham. The location on Pointe Drive is a bit hard to find but if you see the McDonalds and shopping strip with blue signs, you are in the right area. Master Chef Benjamin greets you with a jovial Bonjour. Upon entering the café, you will see frames with Parisian icons, the open bakery with large ovens and the chef himself kneading the dough. The fresh breads are displayed in a case at the front and descriptions on a chalk board menu. It is a family-​run business with everyone playing their part. I love the Singer sewing machine tables and heavy wooden tables in the back where you can sit and enjoy your treats and coffee. The chairs are covered with a fleur-​de-​lis burlap and there is French music playing in the background. There was a constant stream of customers and I heard Benjamin say they opened at 9am on Saturday and were sold out of baguettes by 9:30. We waited for him to put in the next batch and enjoyed a savory croissant in the meantime. The baguette was well worth the wait and I can see why Durhamites flock to this new bakery. Everything was superb and until next time… Au revoir :-)

Antique furniture pieces outfit the Bakery so that you may sit, enjoy a croissant and coffee, and take in the feel of a classic French scene in a most unexpected location: a small strip-​mall located behind McDonalds. Hipsters should love the juxtaposition. Francophiles should adore the memorabilia. Artisan home bakers will be in heaven, inspired and in admiration for this simple craft perfected.
Upon entering the bakery in its otherwise plane local, two questions came to mind while being transported to gay Paris-​Americana: why was this location chosen for what the owner is trying (& succeeding) to do, and how will an old-​French-​feel be made genuine without crossing the line into hokey touristy gimmicks?
To the former, perhaps the location was the most affordable in Durham, but I do hope for a migration closer to downtown once their success here is fully enjoyed. They *must* grow. The public must demand! To the latter, the American music played overhead and the Coke cooler ensure that the French flare is not taken too seriously, but it also left me feeling as though French Corner was not entirely sure of its identity yet – what does it want to be? How can it ensure that it’s atmosphere is as rich as its treats?
I am confident that the FCB, like a fine yeasted loaf, will grow into itself as word travels about this delightful gem that is focused on the simplest of foods. With all that is being fusioned in this culinary day and age, there comes a time for getting back to basics. A classic loaf of French bread, hot from the oven, with its four ingredients, reminds you of what pure, wholesome food tastes like, and at long last such a taste has been brought to the triangle.
Enjoyed on this trip: a croissant, black coffee, and a warm hunk of bread ripped from our Parisian loaf. All aces. Looking forward to upcoming wine tastings and baking classes.
Bienvenue, Chef Benjamin et famille, et merci pour les pains.

Love. It.
The focaccias are amazing, but the cupcakes! You won’t find «unique» flavors, but it’s the best classic cupcake in town.

Amazing bread! I don’t even like pumpernickel bread, but I ordered some because it smelled so good. Let’s just say, I destroyed the bread to the point that my husband had a taste of the crumbs. I should be ashamed, but I’m not.

Awesome bread and delicious muffins and coffee cake! Chef Benjamin is very friendly and it’s a great alternative to the other places by my job. Thanks Chef!

This place is amazing!!! It has the great bread. And is just a great place to hang out