Gluten-free vegan bakery and kitchen providing a quick lunch menu of soup, sandwiches, chili, and corn bread. Makes cakes, muffins, brownies, cookies, pastries, cinnamon buns, and even vegan dog treats. Moved here 2012 from Keyport. Open Mon-Thu 8:00am-7:00pm, Fri-Sat 8:00am-8:00pm, Sun 8:00am-5:00pm.
Categories: Vegan, American, Take-out, Bakery
34 Reviews
First Review by Carrot91
Contributions +92
best bakery for vegans - Edit
all of their food is great. staff is very friendly. their stromboli is my favorite lunch item and I love their cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, brownies, and cheesecake. Their broccoli cheddar quiche reminds me of a broccoli casserole my grandmother used to make. It's delicious. pretty much everything there is amazing. We order cakes from here for our birthdays. They made an adorable cookie monster cake for my son this year, and last year we had them make a Daniel Tiger one. It's always so good and the party guests love it, even the omnivores!
Pros: all vegan, really good
Cons: you may gain weight!
Contributions +180
Just ok - Edit
I was hoping the ice cream would not be soy based, but it is. The server told me that they used to serve almond ice cream but we're concerned about allergies. People can be allergic to soy, too. It would be great to have a choice of at least two types of milk for ice cream.
Contributions +33
I want a cupcake. - Edit
I live 5 minutes from this place and it’s like a dream come true. Everything I’ve had has been amazing. The regular lunch/dinner food is really delicious too. Definitely worth checking out.
Contributions +36
The best!! - Edit
What more is there to say? Great doughnuts (Somoa is best), love their Rugelah but very expensive (worth it for me)!
Contributions +16
I want that cake cake cake - Edit
It has the most options of any bakery I have been to. The cakes are delicious. try the yodel and the brownie.
Pros: Lots of options , pretty decorations
Contributions +140
magical - Edit
I love love love the food here. I drive an hour just to get it and it's soooo worth it! The baked goods are better than regular ones, and non vegans love it.
Contributions +21
Good desserts - Edit
I've been here twice and both times the desserts blew me away. I had a chocolate cupcake the first time, and the cookie dough cupcake the second time. They know what they're doing, especially with cupcakes. Cute little place, parking wasn't bad.
Contributions +213
friendly and tasty - Edit
Stopped by for lunch when I was nearby.
Nice lunch offerings.
Contributions +271
Fantastic cupcakes! - Edit
It is not near me, but the hour drive was SO WORTH IT!!! I went there to pick up a dozen gluten-free vegan cupcakes for my husband's birthday. His favorite: Hostess cupcake. Mine: Red velvet. He loved them! And so did everybody else. Highly recommended!
Pros: variety, gluten-free, well priced
Contributions +51
Willing to travel! - Edit
LOVE THIS PLACE! I will travel the hour just for a piece of eggplant stromboli. The take away selection of food is great also. However the mac n cheeze is a bit dry. All the baked goods are wonderful, especially the muffins and biscotti.
Contributions +46
bangin desserts and awesome staff - Edit
I drove an hour for these guys and I'll do it again. Totally worth it. Uber helpful staff and amazing desserts.
Contributions +41
Amazing bakery - Edit
It's hard to find any vegan bakery in NJ, but I doubt I'd find one better than this. They have pizza, mac and cheese, and more cupcakes than I could ever imagine.
Pros: amazing cake, amazing brownies, amazing food & even gf options
Cons: I don't live closer
Contributions +97
Heaven for Sweet-Toothers - Edit
I have a huge sweet tooth, so I love this place. Their selection is tremendous, and the array of unique flavors is outstanding (Green Tea, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Hostess, as well as the usual combinations.) Every cupcake flavor I've tried has been bangin'.
I am less of a fan their lunch items, and while I will get something now and then, I typically go there for the desserts. Somewhat pricey, especially to buy a bunch to bring to party or something, but worth it for a treat now and then.
Pros: Variety of unique flavors, Gluten Free options, Lots of different items
Cons: Extra sweet (too sweet for many) , Not cheap
Contributions +157
Not good - Edit
Their baked goods are way too sweet because they don't actually measure anything. Only the flour is organic, everything else is not. [edit by staff]
Contributions +55
Cute and sweet - Edit
I come to Papa Ganache way too much because it's on the way from my apartment to my parents home. Sometimes I come and get a coffee and chill with my laptop with a cookie or muffin. Having that option to me makes this place amazing.
They have quite a variety of treats and they are never lacking. Some favorites include: any muffin, the samoa cookie, brownie, apple pie pizza slice, pumpkin cookie, and many of their cupcakes and best of all...VEGAN RAINBOW COOKIES!!!!
They also offer savory foods but they're quite expensive.
I've ordered quite a number of birthday cakes here and they're always beautiful. They do fondant designs. I've gotten: a green tea cake with a Totoro on it, a Boston Cream Pie cake with Popeye for my dad, a Samoa cake and a Rainbow Cookie cake (!!!!!).
They also sell lots of non-bakery vegan treats like candies and such.
Pros: Huge variety of sweets, Savory foods, Wi-fi and seating
Cons: Can be pricey
Contributions +32
Awesome lunch - Edit
Today we had the Italian fried eggplant Stromboli, Israeli couscous soup, spinach orzo soup and their mac and cheese for lunch. All of it was very good. I'm not a big fan of vegan mac and cheese (I'm vegan but just never been a fan) but I really liked this one.
The staff (manager and guy at counter) were very friendly. The owner happened to be in while we were there but was not friendly. Which took away from our visit. Never said hello or smiled at us. I drop a chocolate Easter bunny by mistake by bumping into a display case they had which was wobbly and she said nothing to me even though I stated I was gonna pay for. I travel for a living and have been to numerous vegan places. Most are welcoming and friendly. She was not BUT her staff and food made up for it.
Sometimes a simple smile changed everything.
I also tried the creme brûlée cupcake, raspberry, chocolate cupcake and chocolate brownie which were good.
Contributions +187
Not As Good As They Used To Be - Edit
Below is my original review, and I really wish I could stand by it. I know they've have some changes in bakers in the past year or so, and I really feel it shows in their products.
I stop in once or twice a year when I'm back in Jersey and last week I picked up some goodies for Thanksgiving. Where the cupcakes used to be rich and flavorful, they now taste more generically sweet. It was really disappointing. I was once in love with their peanut butter and chocolate cupcake, but it's overly sugary now. I don't know if it's different ingredients and/or a different recipe, but I miss the old Papa Ganache.
FIRST REVIEW:
I cannot possibly say enough wonderful things about this bakery. My husband and I had our wedding yesterday and ordered 100 cupcakes from them. Vegans, vegetarians, folks with dairy allergies, and eat-everything-atarians alike all LOVED the cupcakes. They were decadent, beautiful and the hit of the party. I cannot tell you how many times someone held up one of those delicious little morsels in our direction and said, "Good choice!" The Chocolate Obsessions lasted a whole 3 minutes if we were lucky, and the Chocolate Peanut Butter ones were other-worldly. My husband couldn't get enough of the Drenched Elvis. For anyone concerned that they might taste odd or off, this couldn't be further from the truth. We even threw in two gluten free kinds and you couldn't tell the difference. Todd and Lisa, the owners, are absolute gems, as are the rest of the staff. They were sent along in lovely pink boxes and presented so nicely that my husband simply told our waitstaff to put a few in the cupcake holder, and lay the rest out in the boxes - not to mention how thoughtfully labeled they were, which was a huge help for our guests with dietary issues/needs. RUN, do not walk, to Papa Ganache, and do not hesitate to use them for any special occasion - you will not be sorry. My only regrets? We live in Denver. Lisa and Todd, please consider relocating - I can almost guarantee you your rent would be cheaper.
Updated from previous review on Monday October 11, 2010
Updated from previous review on Friday November 29, 2013
Pros: Variety, Presentation, Friendly, Professional Staff
Cons: Not in Denver!, Used to be better, Overly sugary taste now
Contributions +91
I really wanted to like this place - Edit
I live a mile from Papa Ganache and as a vegan mom to young vegan-since-birth children, I so did want to like Papa Ganache but, after trying for a few years, I just do not care for the place, most especially the management. [edit by staff - see tos].
Pros: Local, Baked products were good, VEGAN!
Cons: Not always friendly towards veganism, EXPENSIVE!!!!
Contributions +28
Disappointing - Edit
This place has potential, but unfortunately I don't think they truly get what vegan means. My first experience, I got a rude response when asking of the possibility of a soy free option. I had a few emails back and forth with the owner, who refused to address the palm oil issue. They seem to not care to even think about an alternative and would rather ignore the issue all together. As for the cupcakes themselves, I found them to be way too sweet, as if it was 99% just sugar.
Pros: no dairy
Cons: a lack of understanding
Contributions +258
Vegan Baked Goods Done Right - Edit
Papa Ganache makes excellent baked goods that have the right amount of sweetness. A lot of vegan bakeries go a little overboard with the sugar, but Papa Ganache does it just right. There are plenty of GLUTEN FREE options too which make it that much more awesome. Favorites include the chocolate chip scone and creme brulee cupcake. Their macaroni and cheese is not too shabby either if you're looking for some non sweets. The place is decorated in a cute, vintage interior design that harkens back to the old days of the soda fountain ice cream shop. All in all this place is excellent.
Pros: Great Food, Good Service, Great Interior
Contributions +36
Very Good - Edit
All items tasted were very good... especially the cookie sandwich stuffed with icing. Everything tastes fresh and healthy. Some other vegan bakeries taste like it is all sugar and grease... not at Papa Ganache though. Definitely worth the visit and I live over 50 miles away!
Pros: Taste, Healthy
Contributions +1250
I've only been once and I'm in love - Edit
I had the Green Tea cupcakes and the PB&J ones. The green tea were good but not quite might cup of tea. It's pretty heavy on the almond extract and I'm not a big fan of that flavor. The PB&J was so good it curled my toes! I'm a freak of nature so I find the amount of frosting to be going a little overboard. For those who are like me or just tired of getting icing up their nose, I have a tip. Tear of the bottom half of the cupcake and put it on top. Cupcake sandwiches are much easier to eat.
I also love the decor inside and would love to eat in the outdoor area once the weather gets warmer.
Contributions +25
DELICIOUS! - Edit
I had an apple tart, orange creamsicle cupcake and peach-plum pie, and all of them were incredible! The staff is unbelievably friendly and gave a really great detailed description of everything that was for sale.
The owner also makes a cheese spread that is GREAT! It comes in three flavors, and you can sample them before you buy them (but be warned, it will be really hard to say no after you try it!!)
Best vegan bakery I've been too yet :)
Pros: AMAZING food, Vegan cheese spread, Friendly Staff
Cons: A bit pricey
Contributions +13
Wonderful - Edit
This is a wonderful vegan bakery. Evrythig I have eaten from here is delicious. I am not vegan, yet I go out of my way to enjoys these treats. From the vegan cheese to the biscotti, cookies, cupcakes cakes, muffins and brownies you cant go wrong! They also serve scrumptious The owners are wonderful people. I am always greeted with a kind smile. I love everything about this bakery.
Pros: excellent baked goods, clean, friendly staff
Cons: great coffee
Contributions +6
Great bakery for vegans and non-vegans alike! - Edit
Fantastic cupcakes...zucchini muffins are my personal favorite. If it were closer I'd be there daily!
Pros: Great staff, yummy food, Nice atmosphere
Contributions +16
Best Vegan and Often Gluten-Free Bakery Around! :) - Edit
Papa Ganache absolutely changed my life! After acquiring a severe dairy allergy, I thought that a life of tasty sweets and desserts was over. Thanks to the vast variety of sweets in their shoppe, no taste bud has ever been left less than completely satiated. Whether your in the mood for rich chocolate, homemade pie, creamy frosting, nutty flavors, or just an absolute adventure of the palate, Papa Ganache has something for you! Who would have thought that you could pack so much quality and flavor into a cupcake?! And above everything else, the owners are incredibly friendly and accommodating. Their cupcakes and pastries are definitely not the only thing that has me driving 30 miles just to sample their newest creation. Wonderful! Fantastic! Scrumptious! It's worth the trip from any location! :)
Pros: Absolutely Scrumptious Desserts , Amazingly Generous and Wonderful Owners, Adorable Shoppe and Beautiful Location
Cons: Too Far Away! :(
Contributions +73
Heavenly - Edit
Even if you are a far distance, make the trip to this heavenly bakery and you will not be disappointed. Their cupcakes are devine with flavors such as Almond Joy and Orange Creamsicle. Your non-vegan friends will never know that there is absolutely no dairy or eggs in any of their delights. Cupcakes come in mini and regular size. You will want to just pop a dozen of the mini ones in your mouth without stopping. Also have cookies, brownies, biscotti. They also sell to area natural foods stores.
Pros: flavors of cupcakes, it's all vegan!, lovely atmosphere
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