History

The idea for Macrina Bakery & Café existed long before we opened our doors. The seed was planted while Leslie Mackie was in cooking school and continued to take root throughout her early restaurant career and during her travels.

In the search for a name for this new bakery, I wanted something not connected to any country or culture, yet reflecting my philosophy.

First liking the sound of the name Macrina, the 4th century Greek mystic and visionary, I later discovered through research, that Macrina started one of the first communities that held property in common and emphasized a simple, self-sufficient life. Caring as much as I do about the connection between bread and the communion of sharing that happens at meals, there is a natural bond with the philosophy of Macrina’s community.

Much has been written about the mystique of bread and how a simple and elementary food has such magnetism— the soul and passion of the baker transcends into the loaf that is shared with the community.

Based on the model of the traditional old-world village bakery; the bread has unique characteristics because of the use of available regional ingredients. The rustic European breads and baked goods from Macrina use as many indigenous products as possible as well as organic grains and natural ingredients.

The philosophy of the bakery is to enhance both the natural products and the flavor of the various grains. The baked goods are created from Northwest apples, potatoes, cranberries and hazelnuts, as well as wheat, rye, barley and buckwheat flour. Macrina Casera, the house bread, was developed to be eaten at any meal, complementing all foods.

The bakers at Macrina love bread and that shows in the quality. This is bread that celebrates the tradition of breaking bread with family and friends.

- Leslie Mackie

Leslie Mackie Rolling Dough
 

Accolades

2021

  • Our Maple Apple Pie was named one of the 12 Best Bakery Desserts for the Holidays by The Seattle Times

  • Listed as of the 21 Best Bakeries in Seattle by Female Foodie blog

2020

  • Named one of the 100 Best Bakeries in America by Food & Wine Magazine

2014

  • Named one of Seattle’s Best Bakeries by The Seattle Sun Times

  • Our Maple Apple Pie was named one of the 12 Best Bakery Desserts for the Holidays by The Seattle Times

  • Zagat named our Vegan Pumpkin Scone one of the Fab Fall Treats to Try Right Now

  • Our Maple Apple Mini Pie and Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart are included in SmarterTravel.com's roundup of America's Best Fall Foods

  • Voted Best Cookie in Seattle Weekly's Best of Seattle Readers' Poll

  • Included in Condé Nast Traveler's list of the 13 Sweetest Bakeries in America

  • Named one of the top 25 best bakeries in the world by BuzzFeed

  • Named one of the top 10 best bakeries in the U.S. by Fodors

  • Our Caramel Turtle Brownie is listed as one of Seattle's 6 Most Decadent Chocolate Desserts by Zagat

  • Included in Zagat's 7 Local Chains We Love in Seattle

  • Our Rick's Chocolate Apricot Espresso Cookie and Mrs. D's Chocolate Cookie are included in Seattle Magazine's 12 Best Cookies in Town

2013

  • Included in Seattle Magazine's list of 50 most powerful players in Seattle's food scene

  • Featured in The Daily Meal's roundup of America's 50 Best Bakeries

  • Named one of the Seattle's best brunches by Seattlepi.com

  • Included in Delish's roundup of America's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012

  • Belltown's pick for Best Sweet Shop in Seattle Magazine Best of 2012 issue

  • Included in Seattle Weekly's list of Seattle's top 10 hot chocolates

  • Our Red Velvet Cake is listed as one of ten cakes worth buying in a Bon Appetit blog

  • Our French Toast was included in Seattle Met’s list of “The New Seattle Breakfast”

2011

  • Voted Best Baked Goods in Seattle Weekly's annual readers poll

  • Named one of the best of the best breakfasts in Seattle by seattlepi.com

  • Readers' Choice for Best Bakery in Seattle Magazine's best restaurants poll

  • Named one of the top 10 best bread bakeries in America by Bon Appetit

2010

  • Reader's Choice for "Best Baked Goods" in Seattle Weekly

  • Reader's Choice for "Best Bakery" in Seattle Magazine

2009

  • Voted Best Baked Goods in Seattle Weekly's annual readers poll

  • U.S. Small Business Administration Award - Washington State Women In Business Champion Reader's Choice for "Best Bakery" in Seattle Magazine

2008

  • Recipient of Mayor's Small Business Award

  • Reader's Choice for "Best Bakery" in Seattle Magazine

  • Seattle Magazine Best Desserts

    • Best Rainy Day Sweet - Chocolate Cranberry Pound Cake

    • Best Birthday Cake - Mom's Chocolate Cake

    • Best Best Butter Cookie - Scottish Oat Cake

    • Best Fruity and Nutty Dessert - Cranberry Pumpkin Cheesecake

2004 - 2007

  • Leslie Mackie nominated for James Beard Foundation "Outstanding Pastry Chef Award"

2006 - 2007

  • Voted best bakery in Seattle Weekly's annual readers poll

2007

  • Voted best bakery in King 5 TV Evening Magazine's Best In Western Washington poll

2006

  • Voted best bakery by subscribers of The Local Newspaper

2005

  • Named Best Bakery in NWSource.Com People's Picks

2004

  • Audience winner for "Best Bakery" on citysearch.com