Although Denmark’s most famous pastry, the Danish, actually originated in Austria, Danish baking is renowned across the world. Known for a wide variety of buttery, flakey pastries, and breads, traditional Danish baking is a treat not to be missed. Solvang, California, known for its Danish heritage and architecture, is also a cultural hotspot in America for traditional and authentic Danish bakeries. Take a look at this list of the best bakeries that Solvang has to offer.
What Are The Top 8 Danish Bakeries In Solvang?
1. Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
Mon-Thurs 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri-Sun 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Bent Olsen is a third-generation Danish master baker, serving up authentic, traditional Danish breads and pastries in Solvang since 1970. His award-winning Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery has won numerous awards and was lauded as the best bakery on the West Coast by Sunset Magazine.
Be sure to try the traditional Danish Custard Cringle and almond tarts. Other rare specialties like a RundsTykker Danish Continental Breakfast and Kransekage Scandinavian Wedding Cake are also on offer. Make sure to arrive early on weekends, as there’s often a line—but it’s worth it.
2. Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe (Dansk Bageri kafe og Conditori)
Mon, Wed-Thurs 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri-Sat 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Closed Tuesday
Authentic Danish pastries are truly a matter of family tradition at Birkholm Bakery & Cafe: Master baker Carl Birkholm’s bakery uses the same recipes his father, Carl “Cookie” Birkholm Senior, brought from Denmark in 1951, and his son, Thomas, is continuing the tradition from his father before him.
The selection of Danish bread and pastries can be overwhelming but fear not: anything you choose is bound to be authentic, traditional, and tasty.
3. Brod & Kage Bakery
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
While many of the bakeries in Solvang focus on their traditional roots, Solvang’s newest bakery is bringing a modern touch to Danish pastries and bread. Founded by the owners of Danish Mill Bakery, Brod & Kage offers a more modern experience like you might find if you went on a trip to Copenhagen today.
Animatronic puppets explaining the history of Danish bakeries and an elegant chocolate treat coated in 24-karat gold make Brod & Kage a welcome breath of fresh air to Solvang’s bakery scene.
4. Mortensen’s Danish Bakery
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Located in Petersen Village Square in downtown Solvang, Mortensen’s Danish Bakery has been run by its original owners for more than 40 years. The Petersen sisters carry on the legacy of Ove Mortensen, a master baker from Copenhagen.
The bakery has a wide selection of buttery and flakey Danish breads and pastries, and some of the best Danish butter cookies in Solvang. It is recognized as one of the finest Solvang bakeries.
5. Danish Mill Bakery
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Steeped in Danish history, the Danish Mill Bakery is a must-try for pastry lovers in Solvang. Arvid Petersen became a baker in 1931 and went on to work for one of the best bakeries in Copenhagen. He supplied baked goods for King Christian X before opening his own bakery. After immigrating to Solvang in 1957, he opened a new bakery, one of the first in Solvang.
This popular bakery can have long lines on the weekends, so be sure to arrive early and with a healthy appetite. Animatronic chefs making baked goods provide entertainment as you wait for your Danishes, cookies, and other traditional Danish bread.
6. Solvang Bakery
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
For Danish desserts that are a bit different, try Solvang Bakery, located near the famous Solvang Windmill downtown. Known for its cinnamon crisps, Danish waffles, tubs of butter cookies, cream puffs, and butter rings, Solvang Bakery is also renowned across the country for its famous custom gingerbread houses. Traditional Danish Layer Cake comes with marzipan, whipped cream, and raspberry jam.
Solvang Bakery also ships across the country and has a beautiful, organized website where you can shop for desserts for special occasions. Drop in and give them a try.
7. The Solvang Restaurant
Mon-Friday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sat-Sun 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Solvang Restaurant is not a traditional Danish bakery, but it deserves a spot on this list for one reason: Arne’s famous aebleskiver. Aebleskiver means “apple slices” in Danish, but they are actually deep-fried balls of dough stuffed with fruit jam. It’s one of the Danish treats not to be missed. Served with raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar, they can be eaten as a dessert or as a meal with Danish Sausage Medisterpolse.
The Solvang Restaurant is a sit-down diner but also has a window where you can order aebleskivers to-go. Don’t miss the chance to try this delicious Danish treat.
8. Esko’s Solvang Cafe
Sun-Tues, Fri-Sat 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Closed Wednesday and Thursday
For a bit of delicious coffee with a sweet treat, try Cafe Esko. With a variety of Danish treats and ice cream, the coffee is the star here, brewed hot and fresh to enjoy with your dessert.
Esko’s Solvang Cafe also has a small and private patio space in the side alley, making this an ideal stop for some delicious downtime away from the tourists on the main streets of Solvang.
Other Sweet Options
1. Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor
Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor is a hidden gem owned by the Solvang Trolley & Carriage Company. They serve over 20 flavors of handmade, local McConnell’s Ice Cream.
2. Solvang Flavors
Solvang Flavors makes a variety of different handmade gelatos from locally sourced and organic ingredients.
3. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
The Solvang branch of the famous Coloradan chocolatier features a gorgeous mural celebrating Solvang’s Danish heritage.
4. Old Danish Fudge Kitchen
The Old Danish Fudge Kitchen uses a traditional Danish fudge recipe that dates back to the late 1800s.
5. Ingeborg’s World-Famous Danish Chocolates
Ingeborg’s World Famous Danish Chocolates has been serving the highest quality of boxed chocolate and marzipan for over 60 years.
6. Swedish Candy Factory
Polkagris is a crunchy, chewy traditional Swedish candy. The Swedish Candy Factory is the only polkagris maker in the United States.
Looking for other things to do in Solvang? Check out our blog about the Top 28 Fun Things to do in Solvang.
