Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we will offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems).
Some problems can only be solved by an enormous cinnamon roll. Fortunately, there’s a bakery in my area that can shine some heavenly light on even the most hellish mornings.
Devil’s Food Bakery on South Gaylord Street can usually be spotted from afar: All you have to look for is the line that stretches out the door. (Don’t worry, it moves fairly quickly toward a tantalizing array of tasty treats.)
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The bakery was recommended to me during an outing at nearby Washington Park. I’m no pastry devotee, but the descriptions of Devil’s Food’s chocolate croissants and cakes just seemed too good not to get a taste of.
The bakery split off from its joint business endeavor, Devil’s Food Cookery, in 2021 and now is located just north of the restaurant. Its interior is rustic and quaint; a busy barista was kind enough to take a moment to let me know that the entire original building was gutted and intentionally filled with antiques to pull it back in time. Pastries are displayed in classic glass cases, and the cafe is filled with natural light pouring in from the sunroof.
On my last visit, I was able to snag the last strawberry peach danish and try a vanilla oat milk latte for around $11. I’m not sure when the last time was that I’ve eaten a danish and closed my eyes to savor the flaky exterior before ever reaching the filling.
Most of the space inside the cafe is taken up by the central barista counter, where employees zip around each other tending to customers, but there are a few seats if you’re lucky. Some allow you to peek through the windows of the next room, where you can watch the bakers at work. (But they leave promptly at 3 p.m. each day, so get there before then.)
The danish was too big for me to finish in one sitting, so I got to enjoy some of it the next day as well. But I’m already planning my next trip back for another treat.
Devil’s Food Bakery, 1004 S. Gaylord St., 303-777-9555. Open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. devilsfoodbakerydenver.com
