Blackbird Bakery is a bakery on Bainbridge Island, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1] Established in 1999, the business is owned by Jeff Shepard and Heidi Umphenour. The menu includes various pastries and desserts, as well as coffee and other drinks. Blackbird has garnered a positive reception.
According to Seattle Metropolitan, "Downtowners, rolls of croissant dough dipped in vanilla sugar, have become a signature."[9] The Helen's French Roll has been described as a "minimalist-chic cousin" to coffee cake.[10] The shop serves toast with jam,[11] and bakes various kinds of bread, including oatmeal and multigrain varieties.[6]
History
Blackbird opened in 1999.[12][13] It is owned by Jeff Shepard and Heidi Umphenour, and has a "sister" establishment, Fork & Spoon.[14] Umphenour's foot broke in multiple places when an oven exploded at Blackbird.[15]
Reception
Lonely Planet Seattle recommends Blackbird for food when visiting Bainbridge Island.[16] Allison Williams and Allecia Vermillion included the business in Seattle Metropolitan's 2021 list of ten "sweet bakery day trips" from the city.[9] In 2023, Vermillion said Blackbird "is basically the old guard in Bainbridge".[11]The Seattle Times called the bakery "a big hit with islanders and tourists" in 2022.[17]
Frommer's has called Blackbird's cookies and pastries "good".[18]Northwest Travel & Life has recommended the Brioche Cinnamon Roll,[19] and Seattle Magazine has recommended the quiches.[20] In 2024, Aimee Rizzo and Kayla Sager-Riley of The Infatuation called the Helen's French Roll among the best pastries in the Puget Sound region, and said the blueberry scone with a lemon glaze "is also a non-negotiable".[21]