Saint Michel Bakery

I’m actually depressed that this place will no longer be serving their ridiculously amazing pastries. Does anyone know why they closed? Or whether they plan on ever opening another location??? This is a tragedy.

I can’t believe this place will close for good in two days…
There isn’t much more that I can write about Saint Michel that hasn’t been written in the other five-​star reviews, so I won’t even bother.
To the owner: You’ll be sorely missed!

Absolutely devastated that Saint Michel is set to close. Best pastries and sandwiches this side of Paris. I wish the owner and wonderful staff well. Thanks for the great food.

Came here on a weekday after lunch. It’s tucked away in a warehouse type location. The place was empty. It’s probably busy in the morning. There was one employee who was on the phone. He came out from the back and said he would be with me in just a moment. Well that moment turned into 10 minutes. I didn’t want to wait any longer because the place is so small, hot and stuffy. Honestly, I don’t see how this place has almost a 5-​star rating — granted I didn’t even get to try their baked goods but that’s because service was non-​existent. Parking is limited.

Weirdly, a nondescript, semi-​industrial looking strip mall in Rockville is the place to go for delicious French pastries. The prices are excellent and the service is pleasant, but do plan on getting everything to go. There is a single small table next to the window, but this bare bones, tiny shop is not a cozy spot for a relaxing afternoon.
As others have mentioned, this is a cash-​only operation, so plan accordingly. The prices are very reasonable and you’ll walk out with a good number of pastries for less than $ 20.
If you’re planning to eat your croissant plain. spring for the slightly pricier, but even more delicious French butter version, which is darker in color and a bit crispier and more caramelized tasting. My husband gobbled up the croissants that I brought home with various accoutrements (chicken salad, nutella, jam) — and the regular version worked beautifully.
He also loved the generously filled chocolate and almond croissant. The almond croissant here is tremendous as well — the best one that I have found in the area to date.
We were both less impressed with the mini pastries. The filling ratio for this is not quite right and they are much, much crispier than the normal size options, shattering into shards of puff pastry at the first bite. Also, the mini caneles are disappointing. I’ve heard good thing about the full size version here, but they were sold out by the time we arrived.
In sum: totally worth making the trip to Rockville, stick with the normal sized options, and bring cash.

The love is still there. Will always be there. Why spend $ 1.50 on a generic chocolate croissant from the grocery store, when for just $ 1.95 you can get the real deal, authentically French and GMO-​free version here.
Speaking of their croissant, splurge the extra coinage ($ 2.15) for their plain croissants made with French butter. Take them home and eat with lots of jam. You’ll thank me.
This is my first visit back since the remodeling job. There is seating for four, but not a pretty view. I was so sad that the guy in front if me nabbed the last loaf of Country Bread ($ 3.50/lb now). Oh well, I guess I will just get an extra croissant to go. I just hope they make it home uneaten.

After trying nearly every bread/​pastry they have to offer, I can conclude they are ALL DELICIOUS!
Our usual order includes a baguette, almond & chocolate croissants and a bunch of caneles. I never had a canele before visiting Saint Michael’s. now I never leave without buying at least 5. I can usually make it home with a couple left in the bag. Sometimes I can’t.
Don’t be surprised if you walk into an empty shop, they are usually in the back baking yummy things. Be patient, it’s worth it.
The shop is a bit tucked away, but any gps should take care of you. Worth a visit for sure.
I’d recommend coming early for the best selection, and as previously mentioned they are cash only!

I’m pretty excited about finding this place b/​c the sandwiches, though I did not get to try, look very good and were extremely reasonably priced. What I did get was a ton of croissants. The reviews here made it sound like the croissants came straight out of Paris. However, I found them only passable. At least the price was reasonable. They really did stand a good chance to be outstanding given the great ingredients that the bakery incorporates (one version has super high quality butter), but the execution falls flat. Specifically, they didn’t have that tender flakiness that makes or breaks a croissant. I will return for the sandwiches. My rec is that you try the mini croissants (of which comes in plain and chocolate), and if it rocks your world, buy the larger sizes.

I was first introduced to this place when my husband met a friend here and returned home with an almond croissant that was so perfect I thought that surely he must have taken the red eye to Paris to purchase it. It was so delicious that I couldn’t believe it was made on american soil.
Today we journeyed there together for my first time. Now it is a bit tricky to find so look for the Amalfi Ristorante and turn in there and it will be on your right. Nothing fancy and in an industrial looking area but don’t let that fool you. It’s a small place that sells just the right things for a moment of indulgence and a dietary free for all. We purchased a baguette made with french flour, a macaroon which was coconut goodness with a hint of some kind of spice that I just couldn’t place. We also had bread pudding with chocolate chips in it, so good, a plain croissant, a chocolate lava like cake and these little Rolo looking pastries that I forgot the name of and devoured before I could take a picture. I certainly have to add a little extra to my workout today but it was so worth it.
There was a gentleman in there buying a sandwich on a multigrain baguette and it looked REALLY GOOD! That will be my savory choice on my next visit. You could get BLT, roast beef, horseradish and brie, brie with butter and pickles, a caprese sandwich and a few others that I can’t recall right now but it was a beautiful sandwich.
The place accepts cash only so don’t go in thinking you can give your card a swipe because you will walk out empty handed. This place seems to use quality ingredients and whoever the baker is, he/​she has a skill set that far exceeds any other bakery I have been to in the whole U. S. of A. They also sell hot drinks and if this place were in a more centrally located area there would be a line out the door and down the sidewalk everyday. It’s worth a trip to Rockville and would be a great place to pick up items for when you’re entertaining. I promise when I go back I will take pictures of the things I bought but that almond croissant didn’t have a chance. It was gone before we got to the first traffic light. Now that I sampled the magnificence that is Saint Michel Bakery my life will never be the same. I know, I know, a little dramatic but that’s how I’m feeling right now.
Bön Appetit!

I went around Wilkins Ave like twice before I found the place. Small but great bakeshop. Not a place for dine-​in or hangout, but you will surely love their croissants. Oh my goodness… chocolate almond croissant is awesome! Flaky, buttery and not to sweet. That satisfy my craving! I’m already planing to come back next week to try something else.
Definitely a place to go for delicious carbs!

I am a sucker for good bakeries, hence I catch my self drooling when I think about this shop…
If you like good bread, you will find yourself dreaming about this shop. They are THAT good. I am surprised the owner has not expanded because it is very very popular even if it is located in the middle of nowhere…

Like everyone says, the location is very tucked-​away. You probably won’t find it unless you’re looking for it, and even then it can be tricky. It’s located in the parking lot between Amalfi’s and the animal clinic on Wilkins Ave.
The sandwiches are really good and really filling. I like the «Complet» with turkey, which comes with egg, tomato, lettuce and other good things. The bread is pretty hard (and a little sharp) but it’s so good, and worth the struggle of chewing. It makes the sandwich feel like a real meal; maybe because you’re forced to eat it slower. There are pastries and coffee that look great also.
The place is really small and quiet, but there are a couple of tables if you’re looking to eat there. They don’t accept credit cards, so make sure you have cash.

The employee who was in there was so sweet and extremely friendly — we got a mini butter croissant, a regular-​sized almond croissant, and a mini canelé (which is a small French pastry with a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust — when I read the reviews, I asked for a cannoli, but realized it’s a French bakery, not an Italian one!). The butter croissant was okay; the almond croissant had a nice almond flavor throughout and it was nice and soft; the canelé tasted like a mini bundt cake with a solidified custard within. It seems as if the pastries are all cooked on the premise and they also had special items on the menu, such as the Croque Monsier and ham & cheese croissant.
+canele

I don’t know how many times I’ve driven around this industrial-​esque area looking for this bakery– the road sign is so tiny and only visible from one side. Big tip: Turn into the parking lot with Amalfi’s, and it will be on your right a little after you pass Amalfi’s.
It’s small, maybe a table or two, so don’t plan on having a nice long breakfast there or anything. But the workers speak French beautifully –a legit French bakery tucked away in Rockville (huh??). Even though I came in a little later in the day and most of the pastries were gone, what was left was still quite delicious. I will echo everyone’s comment about their amazing croissants– buttery with just enough crisp on the outside. They have a «regular» size croissant and baby size. Haven’t tried the babies, hopefully they are just as good.

This place is very small, but great bakery.
Croissants best around. Flaky, buttery deliciousness.
We also tried the multigrain baguette, which was much softer, lighter, and less dense than most multigrain baguette’s you’ll find. Very nicely done.

Tried French food when in Hong Kong once, never been to FRaNCe, not aware if I ate French pastry ever except French Macaroons. Oh GODIVA Chocolates count and French breads !
I drove to this Bakery looking for it for an hour… around and around Loehman’s and if this is authentic France like bakes they I will believe other Unilocalers… IT WAS GOOD.
Mini apple turnover, Epi bread was delicious, Canele was good just like Wikipedia describes it should be. Crunchy, crispy,(burnt??) in the outside and creamy soft inside.
The mini choco croissant, apple turnovers and mini raisin was flacky, crisp and after a bite the filling was buttery, juicy creamy sweet soft inside.
.looking for Wilkins… and was just few buildings away from where I have my granite counter top made… GESH ?!?

What a find! A coworker told me about this the other day, as it’s just a small walk from where I work. I had the MOST DELICIOUS almond/​chocolate croissant. It reminded me of being in Paris, tho the atmosphere is just a bit different ;) I knew that working out in Rockville had its benefits! I will return to try their sammiches and more pastries. NOMz!

This place is top notch. Seriously awesome pastries. The croissants and apple turnovers have me salivating just thinking about them. They are just simply buttery, luscious, and everything that you would want in a pastry.
But let us be real for a moment. The location blows, as does the fact that they do not accept credit cards. They do not have seating options, so you have to take everything to go.
If you are in the area, this place is worth putting up with the no credit card, no seating, situation. It is worth the flaky bits of croissant that cover your clothes and car.

This place is so hidden but well worth the journey. The croissant and almond croissant were fantastic, with crispy flaky exteriors hiding delicate fluffy buttery interiors. The chocolate croissant was disappointing though, with a rather plain texture that could’ve passed for a dinner roll. The cannele was also too dense, and a bit thick/​hard on the bottom. Still, the service is friendly and standout items were truly amazing.

One would never expect to find this place on depressing Wilkins Court– but there it is!
Don’t be fooled by the exterior (or even the interior which isn’t that exciting) — what’s inside is far better than you would imagine!
Saint Michel is croissant land — the offerings are croissant, chocolate croissant, almond croissants, mini croissants, apple turnovers, baguettes, and loaves of bread — be warned: it’s not a bakery in the American sense (i.e. a place that sells a million kinds of sweet treats), it has a fairly limited selection (though apparently they have sandwiches in the afternoon though I suspect one would want to get a sandwich to go, since Saint Michel only seems to have one table).
The croissants are beyond good — they are Paris good (and the main reason I went to Saint Michel is because I am just back from a trip to Paris and missing my daily Parisian breakfast) — light, not overly sweet, perfectly flaky, airy, decadent. Oh, and very reasonably priced (I bought two croissants and an apple turnover for $ 5.85).
As other reviewers note: it’s cash only. And closed on Sundays.