7 Sweet Seattle-Area Bakeries to Try With Kids

Hello Robin Bakery: cookie bakery and ice cream shop

Find it: 522 19th Ave. E., Seattle, 206-735-7970 on Capitol Hill; and 2570 N.E. University Village St., Seattle, 206-397-3634, in University Village

The first day Robin Wehl Martin opened her bakery, her kids had a two-hour early dismissal from school, an unscheduled two-hour delay for snow and she forgot to pick up her 4-year-old from preschool. Since that hectic start in 2013, Robin’s eponymous cookie bakery has steadied the course and built a sizable following. When we first visited, she was wrapping a heap of “Mackles’mores” for an event where Macklemore was appearing.

Hello Robin offers a dozen kinds of cookies daily, rotating some 14 or so regular flavors and seasonal specials and leaving room for a “baker’s whim.” Her three kids love the classic chocolate chip, the flourless Mexican chocolate and that Mackles’more made with Theo chocolate.

Robin opened the bakery with a nudge from her friend, Molly Moon Neitzel, and now offers ice cream sammies made with a scoop of Molly Moon’s ice cream. This can also be ordered as a single open-faced sammie. Robin offers a special treat to those who prefer cookies to cakes: full-size cookie cakes. You can get a special message written on them, too.

We lucked out on timing during our visit and tasted a chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven. Gooey, melty, perfect.

Also try: Nuflours (518 15th Ave. E., Seattle) is a gluten- and peanut-free bakery (and products with eggs and dairy are clearly labeled). Nuflours puts brownies, tiramisu and chocolate éclairs back on the table for people avoiding gluten. The bakery offers a selection of products for online ordering. Orders must be picked up at the store (some items available at other locations), no shipping.  

Pair it with: Just a short walk down from the Capitol Hill location of Hello Robin Bakery is the Miller Community Center and Playfield (330 19th Ave. E.), a hub of the neighborhood. The popular toddler gym for ages 5 and younger is open Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. When the weather cooperates, head to the playfield for some space to run, kick a soccer ball or enjoy the play area. If you visit the U Village shop, steer your tots toward the cute covered play area, or venture across the cut to blast the wiggles at the Montlake Playfield playground.

Next treat: Despi Delite Bakery