Nestled in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, Clementine Bakery has become a beloved local café known for its plant-based pastries, savory menu, and community-driven ethos. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or a curious foodie, this spot shines for its inclusive vibe and delicious offerings.
1. A Plant-Based, Community-Rooted Bakery
Clementine Bakery is not your ordinary neighborhood café—it’s intentionally plant-based and community-rooted. Located at 395 Classon Avenue, it offers a wide array of offerings: vegan pastries, custom cakes, to-go meals, and grocery provisions.
They emphasize using seasonal, local ingredients and sustainable sourcing, and the bakery is committed to inclusivity and celebrating all identities and backgrounds. Open daily from early morning to evening, it’s a welcoming hub in the Brooklyn neighborhood
2. What’s on the Menu: Pastries, Savory Items & More
The menu at Clementine is impressively varied. Their breakfast lineup includes:
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Avocado toast, bagels with cream cheese, BEC or SEC sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and biscuit with gravy.
Lunch and savory selections offer creative sandwiches like:
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BLAT, Tempeh Reuben, Autumnal, Schmancy, Crispy Chik’n, Po Boy, Mushroom Burger, and the Greene sandwich
Their bowls and salads include:
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Goddess Bowl, Falafel Bowl, Kale Caesar, and a Citrus Kale Salad.
Plus, fun sides like fries, disco fries, and buffalo cauliflower wings make for great complements.
Their pastry selection spans vegan and gluten-free treats: croissants, danishes, cinnamon rolls, muffins, fruit tarts, cookies, coffee cake, donuts, and more—many priced between $3–7 per item.
On the bakery beverage side, options include:
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Drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, cold brew, matcha latte, hot tea, kombucha-style drinks, smoothies, and more—with choices for oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk.
3. A Local Favorite with Stellar Reviews
Clementine Bakery has earned glowing reviews for its friendly staff, bohemian charm, and outdoor seating area. Reviewers note its clean, artsy aesthetic and highlight the accommodating, kind-hearted service.
On sites like HappyCow, it’s consistently praised as a vegan hotspot, with delicious daily baked goods like croissants and scones, plus sandwiches and burritos. The bakery has been operating since 2012 and is wheelchair-accessible with outdoor seating.
Despite its vegan focus, many patrons—vegan or not—leave delighted:
“Vegan heaven. That is all. The staff were so kind, too!”.
4. Custom Cakes & Community Convenience
Clementine also excels in custom cakes and bakery provisions:
- Custom cakes start at $40 for a 4-inch smash cake, scaling up to $225 for two tiers
- Customers can also build cupcake boxes, shop pantry goods, and order via Grubhub or DoorDash for convenient delivery
Everything aligns with their vegan and sustainably-sourced values, creating a seamless, caring experience from homemade sweet treats to daily essentials
5. Commitment to Inclusion & Sustainability
What sets Clementine apart is its alignment of purpose and practice:
- Their vegan focus extends to all bakery items and meals, creating accessible and compassionate dining for all dietary needs
- They prioritize local sourcing, seasonal ingredients, and community engagement, striving for sustainability in every bite
- Efforts to support diverse identities and causes reinforce their role as a socially responsible, inclusive bakery in the neighborhood.
6. Challenges and Current Community News
Recent news suggests some operational shifts:
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Reports indicate that in April, management informed longtime employees of plans to significantly reduce their hours, hinting at internal restructuring or financial pressure.
While not defining the bakery as a whole, it’s a reminder that even beloved local businesses face challenges—and transparent communities help advocate for fair labor practices.
Conclusion
Clementine Bakery is more than just a bakery—it’s a plant-based, community-rooted institution offering delicious vegan pastries, hearty meals, and custom cakes, all with an inclusive and sustainable ethos. From their vibrant menu to welcoming atmosphere, it’s no surprise Brooklynites and visitors rave about it. Despite recent staffing news, the bakery’s commitment to flavor, ethics, and community continues to shine.
FAQs About Clementine Bakery
Q1: Is everything vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, Clementine is entirely plant-based, with many gluten-free options available
Q2: Do they offer delivery?
Yes—they partner with Grubhub, DoorDash, and UberEats for delivery and pick-up orders
Q3: Can I order custom cakes?
Absolutely. Custom cakes begin at $40, with sizes ranging up to tiered options
Q4: Is there seating available?
There’s no indoor seating, but they offer shaded outdoor seating that earns praise from reviewers
Q5: Are they open daily?
Yes—open seven days a week, typically from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
