Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria

504 Bay Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, United States
+1 831-462-1200
$$$ Bakery
(3470 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria, the crown jewel of Capitola's food scene, located at 504 Bay Ave. This enchanting bakery transcends the ordinary, inviting you into a world where the aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the tantalizing scents of gourmet dinners and delightful pastries. With a phone number at +1 831-462-1200, this bakery is a must-visit for anyone in the area.

Gayle's is more than just a bakery — it's a culinary experience that caters to all your cravings. Start your visit by indulging in one of their homemade dinners. Think roast turkey drizzled with housemade gravy, accompanied by Mom's sourdough stuffing and fresh green beans, all for just $26.95. If you're in the mood for something different, don't miss their pistachio-crusted salmon, perfectly balanced in texture and flavor, served with herb-roasted baby Yukon potatoes. These dinners are available cold, allowing you to take them home and heat them at your leisure.

The bakery's menus boast an impressive selection of entree salads, such as the delightful Chicken Capellini Salad, which features grilled chicken breast and a medley of fresh ingredients tossed in a zesty tomato vinaigrette for $17.50. Or, opt for the vibrant Gayle's Favorite Salad, a nutritious blend of romaine, spring mix, and other fresh vegetables, all drizzled with a bright mustard vinaigrette for $14.95.

As you navigate through the bakery, your eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to the enticing display of pastries. Reviews highlight the delectable eclairs with custard, buttery croissants, and heavenly strawberry shortcake cookies, offering a perfect balance between quality and affordability. Customers have a special fondness for the Brookie — a delightful combination of brownie and chocolate chip cookie — that has earned rave reviews for its rich, decadent flavor. With a friendly staff quick to assist despite the buzz from eager patrons, the service at Gayle's is as remarkable as the food itself.

Many visitors love the inviting atmosphere, with ample space to relax and enjoy your meal. The cafe features a cozy covered patio where diners can bask in the sunshine or share a sweet moment over coffee and pastries. The ambiance is thoughtful and welcoming, perfect for friends catching up or families indulging in a weekend brunch.

In the words of a loyal customer, "Big yum!" and at Gayle’s Bakery, that is an understatement. The commitment to providing fresh, organic ingredients shines through every item on the menu. With every visit, you're not just enjoying a meal; you're partaking in a community tradition cherished by locals and visitors alike. So the next time you're near the Santa Cruz area, make a stop at Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria — prepare to fall in love with its charm, quality, and unforgettable flavors. You'll find that this gem is not just a bakery; it's a heartwarming culinary adventure waiting to be experienced!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers delivery
In-store pick-up for online orders
Has in-store shopping
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No same-day delivery
Offerings
Serves coffee
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Planning
Good for quick visit
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Openings Hours
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Monday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Tuesday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Wednesday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Thursday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Friday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Saturday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Sunday

6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

3470 Reviews
Lilian Gerch

16 Sep 2025

We got pastries. Ecclairs with custard, which are delicious, and a croissant, which was tasty. We haven't tried the Napoleon and the Croissant with chocolate yet. Even though the place was innondated with people, service was extremely fast. We only got the pastries to go. There is room to have lunch and have your dessert if you choose to. Parking is available in the back. Restroom is also available.

Dloppil

30 Aug 2025

This is a larger bakery with lots of options to choose from. As a matter of fact it's more than a bakery, it's an experience. We stopped in after reading all the great reviews. A local favorite is their Brookie, a brownie / chocolate chip cookie. However, we loved the strawberry shortcake cookie (which is a lot like a scone). They are truly wonderful. It can get a little crazy, so keep that in mind if you're in a rush. They have tried to figure out a way to help everyone with their number system, but the success depends on us the customers. Have patience and enjoy the experience.

Christopher Redada

26 Aug 2025

Beautiful Lunch and Bakery! A unique gem of Capitola. Come for their delicious lunch/ deli food and also try their cakes and pastries. Service is efficient and outstanding. They can help you with all their food choices. Good variety of salads, sandwiches, hot food, and more. They also have a cafe for more choices. Nice dinning area on a beautiful day. Come back to try many of their other dishes and sweets. Parking can be challenging. If you want a healthy fresh lunch, don't miss this place.

Noel Daniel

16 Aug 2025

Big yum. Becomes less crowded around 11am. Only 10 minute wait on a wednesday and all products were still available with new ones coming fresh out the kitchen. Impressively affordable for high quality food and service. 10/10 will eat again

Marwan

24 Jul 2025

Absolutely delighted with every visit to Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria! From the moment you step inside, the aroma of fresh-baked bread and roasted meats sets the mood for a fantastic meal. Their breads are crusty and flavorful, pastries buttery perfection, and the rotisserie chicken juicy and perfectly seasoned. The staff are always friendly and efficient, even when the place is bustling. Speaking of busy—Gayle’s is an amazing spot for Sunday brunch, though be prepared for a crowd; it’s clearly a local favorite for good reason! Even with the wait, everything is fresh and the experience is worth it. Five stars—deservedly so!

Juan Vargas

17 Jun 2025

Heard great things about this place and it didn't disappoint. We ordered a little bit of everything just to give it a try. All the baked goods are definitely where they shine, but the food there is great too! The service is quick considering how busy it is and the staff are friendly. we'll definitely come back when visiting Capitola.

Hayley

15 Jun 2025

The best bakery in the Santa Cruz area! It’s been a family favorite and tradition since I was a baby, and have been continuing to go as an adult when visiting friends and family. Food options and quality, service, and quaint ambience/atmosphere is outstanding. Wide variety of fresh, real, and organic options! They have a covered patio area with additional seating as well. Favorite bakery items- kouign-amann, fruit tarts, and the swedish princess cake. The latter was made for one of my birthdays, but I used to order them more frequently than I probably should’ve haha! They are the best!

Avantika Naik

06 Jun 2025

Gayle’s bakery is the perfect little place to stop by after enjoying the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The parking lot is a little cramped for the size of the place, which is huge inside. When you enter, make sure to get a ticket near the entrance. Keep an eye out for your number to be called, since the place can get overwhelming. The cases have lots of repeated goodies so you can find a place along the cases and keep looking from there. I really enjoyed the Java Freeze from the coffee bar. I also liked the ham croissant, the marionberry turnover was pretty solid, and the ham and cheese croissant was also good. There is plenty of seating and also a hot food section, which I didnt try this time. I will be back another time for sure!

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