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The French Secret To Pittsburgh’s Best Bakery: 7 Must-Try Pastries At La Gourmandine (2025 Update)

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For over a decade, La Gourmandine has been the undisputed heart of authentic French baking in Pittsburgh, PA. Founded by a French couple, Fabien and Lisanne Moreau, the bakery's philosophy is simple: to recreate the traditional, high-quality pastries and breads of France right in the Steel City. As of December 2025, the bakery continues to expand its footprint, bringing its delectable treats—from flaky croissants to rich chocolate creations—to more neighborhoods, solidifying its reputation as a three-time winner of "Best Bakery" awards. This deep dive explores the story behind the success, the multiple locations you can visit, and the seven essential, must-try items that make a trip to La Gourmandine an absolute culinary necessity for any resident or visitor.

The Masterminds: Fabien and Lisanne Moreau's Biography

La Gourmandine is the passion project of Fabien and Lisanne Moreau, a French couple who brought their culinary heritage across the Atlantic.
  • Names: Fabien Moreau (Co-owner and Baker) and Lisanne Moreau (Co-owner)
  • Origin: France.
  • Inspiration: The name "La Gourmandine" was inspired by the couple's favorite restaurant from their time living in Toulouse, France.
  • Arrival in Pittsburgh: The Moreaus arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2006, where Lisanne had family.
  • Founding Philosophy: To recreate the authentic, traditional French bakery experience, offering a little taste of France in Pittsburgh.
  • Recognition: La Gourmandine has been recognized multiple times, including as a three-time winner of Best Bakery awards.
The couple’s commitment to traditional methods and authentic ingredients is what sets La Gourmandine apart, making it a beloved institution in the Pittsburgh food scene.

All Current La Gourmandine Locations in Pittsburgh

The success of the original shop has led to a strategic expansion across the city, ensuring that a taste of Lyon is never too far away. The bakery operates several key locations, with the latest news confirming a new site to serve the bustling student and medical community.

The main locations currently serving the Pittsburgh area include:

  • Lawrenceville: 4605 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. (412) 682-2210. This is often cited as the flagship location that built the bakery's reputation.
  • Mt Lebanon: 300 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. (412) 343-3489. Serving the South Hills community with the same authentic French goods.
  • Downtown (Central Business District): 308 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. This location is popular for quick breakfast and lunch pickups in the heart of the city.
  • Hazelwood: 5013 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. This location is often available for delivery and pickup orders.
  • Oakland (Expansion): Fancy French pastries are expanding to Oakland, a major development reported in recent news. This new location aims to bring the bakery's excellence to a new part of the city.

Each bakery maintains the same high standards, offering a wide array of baked goods, breakfast pastries, custom cakes, and lunch sandwich specials.

7 Essential Menu Items You Must Try at La Gourmandine

While the entire menu is a testament to the art of French baking, certain items stand out as perennial favorites and must-try experiences. These selections showcase the quality of the ingredients and the mastery of the baking techniques employed by Fabien Moreau and his team.

1. The Classic Croissant (Le Croissant)

A true test of any French bakery is its croissant. La Gourmandine’s version is renowned for its perfect, flaky layers, rich buttery flavor, and light, airy interior. It is the quintessential breakfast pastry and a non-negotiable first purchase. This item truly captures the essence of a traditional Parisian *boulangerie*.

2. Éclair au Chocolat

This is a decadent masterpiece featuring *choux dough* filled with a smooth, rich chocolate *cremeux* and finished with a glossy chocolate *fondant* glaze. It offers a perfect balance of texture and intense chocolate flavor, making it a top contender for the best chocolate pastry in Pittsburgh.

3. Lardon Sandwich

Beyond the sweets, La Gourmandine is also famous for its lunch offerings. The Lardon sandwich, often featuring bacon, is consistently praised by customers as an "amazing" and "very good" savory option. It’s a hearty, flavorful choice that proves the bakery excels at both sweet and savory French *cuisine*.

4. Framboise (Raspberry Tart)

The Framboise, or raspberry tart, is a beautiful and refreshing pastry. It showcases the bakery's ability to balance rich pastry with the tartness of fresh fruit, providing a lighter option that is visually stunning and delicious. This is a favorite for those seeking a fruit-based dessert.

5. Delice de Pistache (New Item)

As the bakery constantly innovates, keep an eye out for new additions like the *Delice de pistache*. This item, whose name translates to "Pistachio Delight," is a newer offering that reflects the bakery's commitment to introducing contemporary French pastry trends to the local market.

6. Pain au Chocolat (Chocolate Croissant)

The Pain au Chocolat takes the excellence of the classic croissant and wraps it around a bar of rich, dark chocolate. It is a slightly sweeter, more indulgent version of the classic, perfect for a mid-morning treat or a dessert. The melted chocolate inside the warm, flaky pastry is pure bliss.

7. Custom Cakes and Tarts

For special occasions, La Gourmandine’s custom cakes and large tarts are a standout. These items allow the bakery's pastry chefs to demonstrate their full artistic and technical range, providing beautiful, authentic French centerpieces for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

Topical Authority and Entity List

La Gourmandine has successfully carved out a niche by offering an authentic French experience, focusing on traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients. Its topical authority is built on the consistent delivery of classic French bakery items, from everyday breads to intricate specialty pastries.

Key entities and concepts related to La Gourmandine Pittsburgh:

  • Fabien Moreau
  • Lisanne Moreau
  • French Bakery
  • Traditional French Baking
  • Boulangerie
  • Pâtisserie
  • Croissant
  • Pain au Chocolat
  • Éclair au Chocolat
  • Choux Dough
  • Chocolate Cremeux
  • Chocolate Fondant
  • Framboise (Raspberry Tart)
  • Delice de Pistache
  • Lardon Sandwich
  • Custom Cakes
  • Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
  • Mt Lebanon, Pittsburgh
  • Oakland, Pittsburgh (Expansion)
  • Toulouse, France (Inspiration)
  • Lunch Sandwich Specials
  • Breakfast Pastries
  • Artisan Breads
  • Pittsburgh Food Scene
  • Cochran Road
  • Butler Street
  • Forbes Avenue
  • Lyon (Culinary reference)

Why La Gourmandine Continues to Thrive in Pittsburgh

The enduring popularity of La Gourmandine is a testament to the founders' vision. They have not simply opened a bakery; they have imported a piece of French culture and culinary rigor. The quality is evident in every bite, from the crackle of the crust on their French bread to the delicate balance of sweetness in their tarts. The bakery is consistently cited as one of the best in Pittsburgh, not just for its pastries but also for its surprisingly affordable and delicious sandwiches. Whether you are picking up a loaf of artisan bread for dinner, a rich *eclair* for dessert, or a savory sandwich for lunch, La Gourmandine offers an authentic, high-quality experience that keeps customers coming back to its multiple locations across the city. The recent expansion into Oakland confirms that the demand for true French baking is stronger than ever.
The French Secret to Pittsburgh’s Best Bakery: 7 Must-Try Pastries at La Gourmandine (2025 Update)
la gourmandine pittsburgh
la gourmandine pittsburgh

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