Cruffin

Croissants baked every morning

Croissants are what Tartu comes here for, laminated by hand and baked fresh each morning in classic shapes and a few that are not. The cheesecake croissant is the signature, the one the shop is happy to say has won more hearts than most people ever do. Sourdough is the other anchor, vegan, and the reason a queue forms early for warm bread. Cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns sit alongside, and there are savory croissants for anyone who wants lunch instead of breakfast. In summer the counter adds ice cream and gelato made in house from the team's own recipes, and brunch is a weekend thing rather than an everyday menu.

Two rooms with different tempers

The original shop sits in Tartu's creative quarter at Aparaaditehas, and it is the workshop end of the operation: bread-scented, early, and closer to a bakery than a café. The Town Hall Square branch is the other face, a small Scandinavian-style bakery in the Old Town with large windows onto the square, soft light and music in the background. Pastries are made behind the counter in front of whoever is waiting, which keeps the second room honest about where the food comes from. Choose between them by mood: the creative quarter for a slow morning, the Old Town for the square.

Order the cheesecake croissant

Start with the cheesecake croissant, then choose by the time of day. Sourdough is the order if bread rather than pastry is the aim, a cinnamon roll or cardamom bun if the coffee needs company, and a savory croissant if the visit is closer to lunch. Coffee comes from Paper Mill, and the pairing is the shop's own default rather than an afterthought. Brunch is worth planning around at the end of the week, and in summer the ice cream is made in house, which is unusual for a bakery this size. For a first visit: a cheesecake croissant, a coffee, and a loaf of sourdough to carry out.