Twelve Takes on Cinnamon Rolls and Sticky Buns in Berkeley and Oakland
Featuring old standards and variations on the classics—which include pretzel dough, biscuit, macadamia nut, and gluten-free versions
Cinnamon rolls and sticky buns—what’s not to love about them? That’s an easy enough question.
Where’s the best place to get them in Berkeley or Oakland? Now, we’re getting into complicated territory. And it’s not just because there are a number of solid establishments that serve the treats—but also, there are so many ways to make a roll or bun in the Bay.
Here’s a list of where to get classic cinnamon rolls and sticky buns as well as their variations, from ones with loaded toppings, to vegan offerings, to pretzel dough rolls … and everything in between.
Classic Cinnamon Rolls
Bakesale Betty’s: Cinnamon Roll
Bakesale Betty is famous for her fried chicken sandwich, but don’t overlook her sweet baked goods! Yummy cinnamon rolls (as well as pies, cookies, and strawberry shortcake) can be found at the Temescal shop on Sundays.
Bakesale Betty is located at 5098 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.
Gregory’s Gourmet Desserts: Cinnamon Roll
Gregory Williams has a wide assortment of treats at his underground bakery, which is “Oakland’s best kept secret.” Call in advance to ask if his cinnamon rolls are available, which are generally sold on Wednesdays and Fridays (with icing included).
Williams likes to have fun in the kitchen, and changes his menu when creativity strikes. In the past, he’s served loaded cinnamon rolls with strawberries and cream cheese. More recently, he sold a special cinnamon roll peach cobbler bread pudding. (“It’s dangerous,” he writes.)
Gregory’s Gourmet Desserts is located at 285 23rd St., Oakland, CA 94612.
Nick’s Pizza: Cinnamon Roll
While this pizza place serves an excellent slice, it also makes a really, really good cinnamon roll. It’s not always on the menu, but when it is, consider getting one. They’ll warm it up for you and provide icing on the side.
Nick’s Pizza is located at 6400 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA 94609.
Sticky Buns
Sequoia Diner: Pecan Sticky Bun
Although I haven’t gotten the chance to try them for myself yet, these sticky buns come highly, highly, highly recommended. Sequoia Diner is located at 3719 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619.
Standard Fare: Cardamom-Malt Sticky Bun
Standard Fare is one of my favorite places to eat, period. But if you’re looking for a sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with these. But, a head’s up, the delicious, distinctly flavored cardamom-malt sticky buns are served only on Saturdays for brunch.
Standard Fare is located at 2701 Eighth St. #118, Berkeley, CA 94710.
Vegan and Gluten-Free
Cinnaholic: Vegan Cinnamon Roll (Toppings Optional)
You can get a plain or loaded vegan cinnamon roll at Cinnaholic. Everything there is vegan—and everything I’ve had there has been delicious. If you want a bite on a budget, they have discounted day-olds, too.
Cinnaholic started in Berkeley, but it’s since expanded to 53 locations in the U.S. and Canada, so you can satisfy your vegan sweet tooth from Edmonton to El Paso.
The flagship Cinnaholic store is located at 2132 Oxford St., Berkeley, CA 94704.
Mariposa Baking Company: Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll
Everything at Mariposa Baking Company is gluten-free, from their breads, to their cookies, to their cakes—to, of course, to their cinnamon rolls. When you stop by in-store, they’ll ask you if you want yours warmed up.
Mariposa Baking Co. has two locations, one in San Francisco and one in Oakland. The Oakland bakeshop is located at 5427 Telegraph Ave. d3, Oakland, CA 94609.
Variations on a Classic
Dream Fluff Donuts: Cinnamon Roll
You can get cinnamon rolls at many donut shops; my most recent one came from Dream Fluff, a reliable Berkeley standard.
As it uses donut dough, this is more a cross between the standard cinnamon roll and a glazed donut—a winning hybrid.
Dream Fluff Donuts is located at 2637 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705.
Ono Bakeshop: Macadamia Nut Cinnamon Roll
Ono Bakeshop is known for their islander treats, such as their Queen Emma cake slices and chocolate haupia pies. Adding to the island inspiration are their macadamia nuts topping their iced cinnamon rolls.
Ono Bakeshop is located at 1922 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704.
Sweet Adeline’s: Pecan Cinnamon Roll with Orange Glaze
Sweet Adeline’s cinnamon roll is “cinnamon, brown sugar and pecans swirled inside of a rich egg bread, topped with an orange glaze.” I enjoyed the citrusy, orange pop—it was an unexpected but lovely addition. The eggy dough was a little bit bready, and the roll almost brioche-like.
Sweet Adeline Bakeshop is located at 3350 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703.
Firebrand Artisan Breads: Pretzel Sticky Roll with Pecans
Firebrand is a stellar bakery near Broadway and Grand in Oakland, which bakes all of its pastries in a wood-fired oven. I enjoy their twist on a nutty sticky roll—they use pretzel dough! It’s a little savory and beautifully sweet.
Firebrand Artisan Breads is located at 2343 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612.
ButtercuP Diner: Frosted Cinnascuit
Here’s yet another cinnamon roll hybrid, this time with a Southern-style buttermilk biscuit. According to them, this is ButtercuP Diner’s own creation, a “house made biscuit dipped in cinnamon sugar, baked and topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting.”
ButtercuP Diner is located at 229 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607.
Jeni’s: Skillet Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream
This last entry is a baker’s dozen addition, taking our list to thirteen. 😃
The “dark caramel, cream cheese, pastry, and cinnamon” skillet cinnamon roll ice cream is a limited edition. Although it’s not technically from Berkeley or Oakland (it’s headquartered in Columbus, Ohio), Jeni’s ice cream can be found at local grocery stores. It also received a Bay Area plaudit when Nancy Pelosi revealed it’s one of her favorite ice cream brands.
Have a favorite cinnamon roll or sticky bun in Berkeley or Oakland that’s not on the list? Add your recommendation below!
3/28/23: A Redditor would like to add to the list Arizmendi’s pecan roll. Which reminds me, The Cheese Board Collective has a pecan roll as well (check their schedule for availability).
Open to letting suggestions keep … rolling in.
*eye roll*
(All right, all right, I’ll stop.)