Santa Canela

Open for just over a year Santa Canela finds pastry chef Ellen Ramos rethinking the traditional Panaderia with better ingredients, modern design and French technique from her small shop in Highland Park. Formerly responsible for Pastry at Frogtown’s Mexican Seafood restaurant Loreto, the choice to strike out on her own in February 2025 almost immediately successful, guests at Santa Canela will discover a seasonally-changing menu tucked behind glass while staff busies themselves pouring Horchata and Burnt Cinnamon Lattes. No doubt championed by social-media, freshly piped LA-shaped Churros fried to order a necessity for first time visitors, it is after every crisp bite is gone that the humble Concha takes center stage with a lighter-than-average crumb gussied up by Cream. Certainly not a spot for 60-cent Pan Dulce, most items ranging $6 to $9, a look at Viennoiserie shows Chef Ramos far more talented than the usual East Los Angeles Baker whether one opts for a Croissant rolled in Cinnamon Sugar or Brittany’s signature Kouign Amann renamed La Odette around a pool of Cajeta.

Watch out for Santa Canela, you'll find a line and it's not just hype. Small business filling big demand for quality and flavor. Santa Canela offers a twist on latin flavors and a unique coffee break experience. We moved quickly through the line early on a rainy Saturday morning so not much impact from my pictures. I'll be back with reinforcements, this is becoming a local favorite. Jan 2026 - Delicious pastries, sadly the strawberry morita Long Juan is gone. The Odette is our new favorite. Tried the Smog City with the corn husk foam, highly recommended!

This is a small bakery/shop started by a pastry chef from Loreto that’s serving pastries inspired by Mexico City. We got four pastries (Santa Canela concha, orange blossom concha, morita donut, and champurdo long john) and a couple of their speciality drinks. I’ve heard great things about their strawberry filled morita donut but my favorite was definitely the Santa Canela concha because of the burnt vanilla cream filling. The two speciality drinks (burnt cinnamon latter and cafe de olla latte) were definitely on the sweeter side so keep that in mind when ordering! I came on a Saturday around noon and waited about 40 mins before I ordered. A bit or a longer wait than I expected as there were only about 10 people ahead of me. Overall the pastries were good but I would probably try to come earlier if we’re to come back.

What a true gem we discovered today at Santa Canela bakery! If you find yourself on the 110 freeway heading towards Pasadena, do yourself a favor and make this a pit stop – it's an absolute must-detour. From the moment we stepped in, we were charmed. This "cute little shop" exudes a warm and cozy ambiance, thanks to its inviting mid-century modern decor. The service was quick, friendly, and genuinely welcoming, making the experience even more pleasant. But let's talk about the pastries – they are nothing short of incredible. Each one we tried was a masterpiece: * The Champurado Long Juan truly hit the mark with its unique and comforting flavors. * The Morita Donut was a revelation. You can genuinely taste the subtle heat of the chile in the filling, beautifully balanced with a hint of smokiness and rounded out by the sweetness of strawberry. It's an unforgettable combination. * The Santa Canela Concha was exactly what a concha should be in terms of perfect texture. The filling was simply amazing, with distinct notes of toasted vanilla and a light touch of clove that elevated every bite. * However, the La Odette truly stole the show. Its cajeta filling was everything you could possibly want: sweet, rich, and decadently satisfying. Overall, Santa Canela Bakery is a delightful find. It's a place where exceptional pastries, charming ambiance, and friendly service come together to create a truly memorable experience. We left feeling completely satisfied and already planning our next visit. Don't miss out on this fantastic spot!

There are bakeries, and then there is Santa Canela. This Highland Park gem is operating on a completely different level. French pastry technique meets traditional Mexican pan dulce, and the combination is nothing short of stunning. Start with the LA-shaped churro because it is as fun as it sounds and twice as delicious. Then get the concha croissant, which manages to honor both of its inspirations fully rather than just splitting the difference. The champurrado-glazed donut is rich, warming, and deeply satisfying. Do not sleep on the savory options either. The potato soyrizo croissant is bold, hearty, and incredibly well-balanced. The space is modern and thoughtfully designed but warm enough that you want to settle in and stay. Santa Canela is reimagining what a panadería can be, and it is doing so beautifully. Five stars is not enough.