“For croissants, the obvious top choice is always Bread & Chocolate, which has two different outlets, one in Pondicherry and the other in Auroville. They’re both really good for chocolate, almond as well as plain croissants. There’s also Marc’s Cafe, which has a pretty good blueberry croissant, they also serve a cheese croissant which is pretty delicious, but it’s a different type. The quintessential Auroville Bakery will give you the most budget friendly croissants you can get in the area, especially the best when you grab them fresh in the mornings. Baker Street in Pondicherry also has a good assortment of croissants and great eclairs. If you take a trip to an Auroville grocery store, you’ll find delicious dessert jars by a brand called Delicious Bites. Other beloved desserts for me include tiramisu at The Spot and crepes at Crêpe In Touch.” Ahilya Bamroo, actor and content creator
From French boulangeries to wood-fired warmth
Bread & Chocolate
“After travelling the world and cooking in different countries, Pondicherry caught my eye for work, life, and leisure! When I lived in France, I developed quite a liking for authentic croissants and surprisingly my first croissant in India was at Auroville’s Bread & Chocolate where I witnessed chef Daniel’s sourdough process come together beautifully in an old wood fired oven that elevated the taste of the croissants even further. For the fluffy french pastry, the best spots according to me are: Bread & Chocolate, Cafe des Arts, Baker Street, and Crêpe In Touch. I also have an unwavering loyalty when it comes to the Coromandel Cafe Bakery as chef Sriram tastefully whips up some of the best cheesecakes in town. With that being said, I’m always looking forward to what the bakeries in Pondy are up to.” Jay Adams, consulting chef
Flake-covered, chasing compote
Bread & Chocolate
“I’ve lived in Pondy for over eight years and personally the best croissants in town and easily one of the best in the country are at Bread & Chocolate. The care that goes into sourcing the ingredients to the level of precision is honestly like no other I have seen. My favourite way to eat the croissants is with their strawberry compote which is only available for a short duration during the winter months. The plain croissant which is so airy becomes a beautiful carrier of the tart, sour, and slightly sweet flavours of the compote. Every time I eat it, I’m covered in flakes and that in itself is the sign of a great croissant. Other beloved croissant spots for me include Auroville Bakery and Le Petit Four, which do a great plain croissant.” Mansi Reddy, marketing professional and budding mixologist