Imagine a place where the aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the salty sea air, and flaky croissants are served with a side of small-town charm.
Welcome to Beach Pea Baking Co. in Kittery, Maine.
Nestled in the quaint coastal town of Kittery, Beach Pea Baking Co. is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you’ve stumbled into a Norman Rockwell painting – if Norman Rockwell had a thing for artisanal bread and knew how to throw a mean latte.
This charming bakery and café is housed in a classic New England-style building, complete with weathered shingles and a welcoming porch that practically begs you to sit a spell and watch the world go by.
As you approach the bakery, you’ll notice the sign proudly proclaiming “ALL NATURAL BAKERY CAFE” – a promise they take as seriously as a lobsterman takes his catch.
The building itself looks like it could tell a thousand stories, each one probably involving someone exclaiming, “Holy cannoli, this bread is amazing!”
Step inside, and you’re immediately enveloped in a warm hug of heavenly aromas.
The air is thick with the scent of yeast, butter, and whatever magic pixie dust they sprinkle on their pastries to make them so irresistible.
It’s like walking into your grandmother’s kitchen, if your grandmother was a world-class pastry chef with a penchant for rustic charm.
The interior of Beach Pea Baking Co. is a delightful mix of cozy and quaint, with wooden beams, chalkboard menus, and display cases that could make a museum curator jealous.
It’s the kind of place where you half expect to see hobbits lounging in the corner, munching on second breakfast.
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show – the croissants.
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, sad airport kiosk croissants.
Oh no, these are the Beyoncé of baked goods, the Meryl Streep of morning pastries.
They’re so flaky, you’ll need a bib to catch all the buttery shards that will inevitably rain down upon you with each bite.
It’s like a delicious, edible snowstorm, and you’re the willing victim.
These croissants are the kind of pastry that makes you question everything you thought you knew about breakfast.
They’re crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and so buttery you might just slip right off your chair.
Each bite is a journey through layers of golden, flaky perfection.
It’s like the bakery has somehow managed to capture the essence of a perfect morning and bake it into a crescent-shaped miracle.
You’ll find yourself making involuntary happy noises with each mouthful, much to the amusement (or horror) of your fellow diners.
But don’t worry – they’re probably too busy swooning over their own croissants to notice.
But Beach Pea Baking Co. isn’t a one-trick pony.
Their menu is a veritable United Nations of baked goods, with everything from hearty sourdough loaves to delicate French pastries.
It’s like they took a grand tour of Europe’s best bakeries, came back to Maine, and said, “Hold my lobster roll, I’ve got some baking to do.”
Let’s take a moment to appreciate their bread selection, shall we?
We’re talking ciabatta that could make an Italian nonna weep with joy, baguettes so authentic you’ll be tempted to don a beret, and multigrain loaves that could probably solve world peace if we just gave them a chance.
Their rosemary bread is so aromatic, you could probably use it as an air freshener in your car.
(Note: Please don’t actually do this. Eat the bread instead. Your stomach will thank you.)
And don’t even get me started on their focaccia.
It’s like a pillowy cloud of carb-heaven, studded with herbs and olive oil.
One bite and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to a sun-drenched Italian piazza.
The sourdough? It’s got more personality than most people I know.
Tangy, complex, with a crust that crackles like nature’s own symphony.
And the rye bread? It’s so hearty and flavorful, it could probably bench press your sandwich for you.
Who knew bread could have muscles?
At Beach Pea Baking Co., every loaf is a star in its own right, ready for its close-up on your dinner table.
And then there are the sandwiches. Oh, the sandwiches.
These aren’t your average slap-some-meat-between-two-slices-of-bread affairs.
No, these are architectural marvels, towering creations that make you wonder if you should eat them or submit them to an art gallery.
The “Puckered Chicken” sandwich, with its roasted chicken breast, provolone, tomato, and romaine on rosemary bread, is so good it might make you forget about lobster rolls.
(I said might. Let’s not get crazy here.)
But wait, there’s more! (I feel like I’m in an infomercial, but I swear, this place just keeps on giving.)
Their salads are fresh enough to make a rabbit jealous, with options like the “68 Hours” – a concoction of roasted carrots, zucchini, red peppers, and goat cheese that’s so delicious, you’ll forget you’re eating something healthy.
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Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Sure, the food sounds great, but what about the coffee? I need my caffeine fix!”
Fear not, my jittery friends.
Beach Pea Baking Co. takes their coffee as seriously as a Mainer takes their lobster traps.
Their brews are strong enough to wake the dead, smooth enough to make you forget about that fancy big-city coffee shop, and served with a smile that’ll make you feel like you’ve just been inducted into a secret coffee cult.
(In a good way, of course.)
And we’re not just talking about your run-of-the-mill drip coffee here.
These folks have elevated the humble bean to an art form.
From velvety lattes that could double as a warm hug to espressos so intense they might make your hair stand on end, they’ve got a brew for every mood.
The baristas here are like coffee whisperers, coaxing flavors out of those beans that you didn’t even know existed.
It’s like they’ve discovered a fifth taste bud specifically for detecting coffee excellence.
And don’t even get me started on their cold brew – it’s smoother than a con artist at a millionaire’s convention.
Just be careful not to drink it too fast, or you might find yourself reorganizing your entire house before noon.
But what really sets Beach Pea Baking Co. apart is its commitment to quality and community.
They use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, supporting local farmers and producers.
It’s like they’re single-handedly keeping the “locavore” movement alive, one loaf of bread at a time.
You can practically taste the love and care that goes into every bite.
It’s enough to make you want to hug the baker – but maybe ask permission first.
Flour-covered hugs can get messy.
The bakery also has a charming outdoor seating area, perfect for those rare days when Maine isn’t cosplaying as the North Pole.
Picture this: you’re sitting at a picnic table, the sun warming your face, a perfect croissant in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other.
In the background, you can hear the faint sound of waves and seagulls.
It’s enough to make you wonder if you’ve died and gone to carb heaven.
But Beach Pea Baking Co. isn’t just about the food – it’s about the experience.
It’s about the way the staff greets you like an old friend, even if it’s your first time there.
It’s about the regulars who come in every day, not just for the pastries, but for the sense of community.
It’s about the way time seems to slow down a little when you’re there, allowing you to savor not just the food, but the moment.
And let’s not forget about their seasonal offerings.
Come fall, their pumpkin treats could give any basic PSL a run for its money.
In winter, their hearty soups and stews are like a warm hug for your insides.
Spring brings a burst of fresh, herby flavors that’ll make you want to frolic in a meadow.
And summer? Well, let’s just say their fruit pies could make you forget about ice cream.
(Almost.)
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “This all sounds great, but surely there must be a catch. Maybe the prices are astronomical?”
Nope.
Beach Pea Baking Co. manages to keep their prices reasonable, proving that you don’t need to sell a kidney to enjoy high-quality, artisanal baked goods.
It’s like they’ve discovered some sort of mathematical wizardry where quality plus affordability doesn’t equal bankruptcy.
Someone alert the Nobel committee!
But perhaps the most magical thing about Beach Pea Baking Co. is how it manages to be a tourist attraction without feeling touristy.
It’s authentic, unpretentious, and genuinely lovely – much like Maine itself.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to cancel your return ticket and start looking at real estate listings in Kittery.
So, whether you’re a local looking for your daily bread (and by bread, I mean croissant), a tourist seeking an authentic taste of Maine, or just someone who appreciates the art of a well-baked loaf, Beach Pea Baking Co. is worth a visit.
Just be warned: once you’ve tasted their croissants, all other pastries may pale in comparison.
You might find yourself making regular pilgrimages to Kittery, drawn by the siren song of flaky, buttery perfection.
In the end, Beach Pea Baking Co. is more than just a bakery.
It’s a testament to the power of good food to bring people together, to create community, and to make life just a little bit sweeter.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best things come in small packages – or in this case, in a small bakery in a small town in Maine.
So, the next time you find yourself in Kittery, do yourself a favor and stop by Beach Pea Baking Co.
Your taste buds will thank you, your Instagram feed will thank you (those croissants are seriously photogenic), and you’ll get to experience a little slice of Maine magic.
Just remember to save some croissants for the rest of us, okay?
For more information about their mouthwatering offerings and to stay updated on seasonal specials, visit Beach Pea Baking Co.’s website or Facebook page.
And when you’re ready to embark on your own carb-laden adventure, use this map to find your way to pastry paradise.
Where: 53 State Rd Ste A, Kittery, ME 03904
Trust me, your stomach (and your soul) will thank you.