There are some places that invite you to stop in quickly, grab what you need and be on your way.
Paris Baguette is not one of those places.
Here, the experience begins the moment you walk through the door and see the pastry cases — rows and rows of them, filled with close to 100 different pastries, breads, savories and sweets. Guests walk the cases, tray in hand, choosing for themselves from an assortment that feels part bakery, part café and part little adventure.
“I often overhear guests saying, ‘Wow, it’s so hard to choose!’” says owner Kimberly O’Dell.
And that, really, is part of the magic.
Paris Baguette offers the familiar favorites people may expect — buttery croissants, baguettes and fresh-baked breads — but it also invites guests to explore something new. Alongside the classics, visitors may discover crab croquettes, sticky milk buns or savory items they have never tried before. It is the kind of place where a simple coffee run can turn into a small moment of discovery.
For first-time guests, Kimberly likes to begin with a question: savory, sweet or super sweet?
Those who love something beautiful and fruit-filled may be directed toward the “pretty pastries,” such as Raspberry Fruit Bites, Very Berry Tarts or Strawberry Croissants. For guests who lean sweeter, the Croissant Donuts — flaky, croissant-style donuts filled with custard and topped with icing — are always popular. Savory fans may love the Pastry Frank, similar to a giant pigs in a blanket.
Among the bakery café’s most-loved items are the Twist Donut, a light and fluffy yeast donut coated in sugar, and the Ham and Cheese Pastry, a buttery, flaky pastry filled with ham and cheese and topped with toasted Swiss cheese. Paris Baguette is also known for fresh sandwiches, salads and wraps, including the Harvest Grain Chicken Salad and Egg Salad, both prepared on fresh-baked breads.
And then, of course, there are the cakes.
One signature favorite is the Strawberry Soft Cream Cake, made with fluffy sponge cake, fresh fruit and Paris Baguette’s soft cream. Unlike traditional buttercream, soft cream is lightly sweetened whipped cream, giving the cake an airy texture that lets the fruit shine.
For Kimberly, bringing this little taste of Paris to the Smyrna/Vinings community has been about more than pastries and coffee. It has been about creating a neighborhood café where people feel known, welcomed and delighted — whether they are celebrating something big, meeting a friend or simply treating themselves on an ordinary afternoon.
“My favorite part of having this café is watching the joy on people’s faces as they enjoy our food,” she says.
Already, Paris Baguette has become part of local celebrations and everyday comforts. The team has created gender reveal cakes, welcomed regulars and offered what Kimberly lovingly calls “pastry happiness” to those who simply needed a bright spot in their day.
This summer, guests can also explore seasonal flavors including Blueberry Lemon, S’mores and Boursin Cheese, with new donuts, cakes, sandwiches and beverages joining the core menu.
Behind the scenes, the bakery is a daily labor of love. Team members begin arriving as early as 2 a.m. to bake and prepare fresh items for the day ahead. Paris Baguette is open every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., ready for early coffee runs, lunch breaks, afternoon treats and after-dinner desserts.
And if your favorite item sells out?
As Kimberly says with a smile, “Come back and see us tomorrow.”
Paris Baguette
4687 S Atlanta Rd SE, Suite #224
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (470) 949-3878
Facebook: Paris Baguette
Instagram: @parisbaguette_usa
Website: www.parisbaguette.com