L'Etoile Patisserie - Huntsville, Alabama

Ed P.

Authentic baguette ( I was born in France) but quite expensive at $5.25. Bakery pastries good, but a noticeable absence of any fruit or marmalade. Very crowded on a Saturday morning with line snaking among the tables. I do recommended researching the least crowded times, but I will continue to frequent this place. I wish they had a greater variety of breads.

Bailey

Yall please don't come for me but...I'm not sure I get it?

This French pastry shop opened up a few years ago after the owner served goods for several years from his house. I've followed loosely since the early days and have always been impressed by the beauty and diversity of the products, and I am pleased that this business has found a permanent brick and mortar home. It's clear that it's very, very popular, as they still sell out of product many days of the week even several years in. This business is veteran-owned as well.

However, I've now tried this place 3 times and I just have not been a huge fan of the pastries themselves on any visit. I've held off on writing a review for years because I thought it was something wrong with me or I just got unlucky, but I suppose I have to face the music eventually, lol.

Pros: the inside is beautiful! There's not a ton of seating but it's neat as a pin and nicely designed. There's more seating on the patio.

Unlike some of the other less positive reviews, 2/3 visits I had lovely interactions with the employees! This most recent visit in particular, the young man working was very friendly and upbeat. My very first visit I remember the staff being a little standoffish, but that was way back when the business first opened and I'm sure opening jitters were still going on.

This time, I came with a friend from out of town to catch up before he needed to head back home. We arrived about 2 hours before closing; they were down to 2-3 items each for about 2-3 different types of pastry. My friend just got a coffee; I ordered an almond croissant to eat while we sat, and a chocolate torsades (chocolate puff pastry twist) for later. Of note, the coffee menu is very basic and purist here -- you won't be finding seasonal specials or syrups, just cappuccinos, espresso shots, etc. A little disappointing for me personally but nothing wrong with it inherently.

I've had their almond croissant before and didn't love it; I just ordered it again because it was available and generally a favorite of mine. They seem to make theirs by slicing a croissant open and then filling it with almond...something. It's very thin, almost like a glaze. I prefer my almond croissants to have the frangipane baked inside, and also for it to be thicker and more custardy. Idk which way is the "right" way, but this is just my preference. The flakiness factor was good, though parts of the pastry were a little dry.

The chocolate torsades I split with my husband for dessert later. It was also just okay. Lacking chocolate for my preference; also, a lot of the chocolate that it did have was still in the form of very tiny chocolate chips that hadn't melted into the pastry and created a sort of hard/almost pebble-y texture when bitten into. Again, I may be speaking in ignorance as perhaps this is how it is supposed to be served; however, this was my genuine feeling about it.

All the pastries I've had have been executed adequately, but I just haven't been quite as wowed as many others. This could certainly just be a tastes/preferences thing and I definitely encourage you to give this business a try and form your own opinions about it when you can.

Hannah B. E.

WOW-what a wonderful coffee and pastry shop. We enjoyed our food and coffee along with our conversation with the owner, Kevin. So personable and professional. We will definitely be back!! 100/10 recommend!

Joye H.

It smelled like heaven and the pastries looked divine! Saturday before Christmas and the Patisserie was packed with people waiting. It was our first visit, so I'm unsure if this is a daily occurrence.

My party of 3 each had a different pastry and coffee. All were light, fresh, and scrumptious!

I visit Huntsville several times a year and this is going onto my "must visit" list!!

Danny M.

Four of us stopped in after eating lunch around the corner as the girls wanted to check it out. Upon entering the coffee and fresh bakery smelled great but us guys were too full for anything else. The girls ordered a pastry of some kind and both agreed they were good but not like the French pastries of New Orleans. Both the girls said they would recommend L'Etoile Patisserie if passing through this area. Visited Friday February 28, 2025

Jennifer B.

I cannot say enough about this establishment: first class service, quality, and atmosphere are just the beginning. I feel as if I have never had a good croissant in my life before I tried L’Etoile. My favorites (and they are all tied for first place because there is no way to discern the best item in the display case): Koigne-Amman, quiche, pistachio choux. The owner takes time to greet customers regularly DURING service, everyone is so welcoming and willing to answer all my questions about items I am unfamiliar with, and the coffee menu is superb. L’Etoile is a Huntsville treasure, and I am a lifetime customer!

Morgan A.

Genuine French patisserie with a limited but excellent selection of authentic bakery items, and notably good quiche. They nail the French cafe vibe perfectly. My go-to weekly coffeehouse visit.

Naomi H.

Delicious French pastries, gorgeous ambiance, good coffee. I felt like I was in Paris again! The Choux à la crème was incredible.