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About Mademoiselle Colette
Mademoiselle Colette is a French pastry shop and cafe on Lytton Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. The business describes itself as inspired by traditional Parisian cafes, with coziness and elegance as the qualities it aims for. It serves breakfast and lunch, sells pastries to go and bakes bread on a daily schedule.
The company was founded by Debora Ferrand, a Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef. Its stated mission is to bring joy to customers through exceptional pastries and bread. The Palo Alto shop is one of four. The others are on Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park, on Broadway in Redwood City and at 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane in Atherton, which the company lists as its newest location. Each shop has its own menu page. The Palo Alto menu differs a little from the Menlo Park and Redwood City menu.
On ingredients, the bakery says it uses organic and local produce along with premium French imports such as Beurre d'Isigny butter. It describes its croissants as hand rolled and says its pastries, bread and coffee are made daily.
Pastries, bread and the cafe menu
The Palo Alto menu is built around the pastry case. Breakfast viennoiseries include the plain croissant, pain au chocolat, almond croissant, ham and cheese croissant, kouign amann, a goat cheese kouign amann, chausson aux pommes, palmiers and a pastry the shop calls The Frenchie Dog. The dessert counter carries individual pastries such as a chocolate entremet, lime tart, strawberry vanilla tart, fraisier, chocolate eclair, Basque cheesecake, Parisian flan and assorted macarons.
The bread list is short and classic: pain de campagne, baguette and an olive loaf. For lunch, a grab and go section holds salads such as a chicken Caesar and a baby kale salad, plus sandwiches on baguette or focaccia, including a mortadella and pistachio focaccia. There is also chia pudding, panna cotta, a vegan granola and a set Parisian breakfast. Large quiches that serve six to eight people come in flavors such as Lorraine and goat cheese with leek.
The coffee bar covers the usual espresso drinks, from cortado and flat white to mocha, plus cold brew, matcha latte, chai and a French macaron latte. Cold drinks include fresh squeezed orange juice, Alain Milliat juices, Orangina and Lorina sparkling lemonade. The menu notes that items are baked fresh daily, sold until they run out and subject to change.
Ordering, cakes and catering
You can order online for pickup at the Palo Alto shop. The company also promotes its own mobile app. Whole cakes and tarts are a separate menu ordered ahead, with choices such as a raspberry tart, an exotic pavlova, a mille feuille and a cake called Le Voyage.
Catering covers made to order cakes, cocktail size savory and sweet bites, quiche and salad buffets, office breakfast pastries and coffee and tea service. The bakery says it pours Mr. Espresso coffee and Mariage Frères teas. Note the fine print: the full catering menu is available at the Menlo Park and Redwood City shops, while Palo Alto offers a smaller selection of sweet treats. Allow 24 to 72 hours for catering orders. The company also ships some items nationwide through Goldbelly and sells gift cards online.
Holiday pre-orders are a regular feature. The website advertises Thanksgiving pastries and pies with an online pre-order window, so check early in November if you want a tart for the table.
Who it suits
This is a good pick for a pastry and coffee before a downtown walk, a quick lunch from the grab and go case or a box of treats for the office. It works less well for a long weekend brunch, since the shop closes at 4 p.m. most days and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Dietary choices are limited. The Exotic Pavlova is the one item marked gluten free on the Palo Alto menu. Most pastries carry tags for gluten, dairy, egg or nuts.
Tips for visiting
Go in the morning for the widest choice of viennoiseries, since the bakery sells items until they are gone. On Sunday the early closing time catches people out, so plan a morning stop. If you want a whole cake, order it ahead rather than counting on the case.
The shop is an easy walk from University Avenue and the Palo Alto Caltrain station. Our bakeries and desserts guide lists other places for bread and sweets. The brunch guide covers weekend breakfasts. The downtown guide has ideas for the rest of the day.
Location and getting there
Mademoiselle Colette is at 499 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.5 miles away. That is roughly a 11 minute walk.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
Hours
| Monday to Saturday | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.
What is nearby
- Capital Tax, firm, under 0.1 mi
- Bank of America Lytton Avenue, service business, under 0.1 mi
- Acupuncture of Palo Alto, practice, under 0.1 mi
- Like! Hair Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- AT&T University Avenue, shop, under 0.1 mi
- Johnson Park, 0.1 mi
- Cogswell Plaza, 0.2 mi
- University Avenue, 0.3 mi
Other bakeries, ice cream and sweets nearby: SomiSomi (0.1 mi); Timothy Adams Chocolates (0.2 mi); Alegio Chocolate (0.3 mi); Salt & Straw (0.3 mi). Browse the full bakeries, ice cream and sweets list.
Before you go
- Popular items can sell out by early afternoon, especially on weekends. Go early for the best choice.
- Many bakeries take orders for cakes and large quantities. Allow a few days' notice for special orders.
- Seating is often limited, so plan to take treats to a nearby park if the shop is busy.
About this listing
Checked October 29, 2026 against Mademoiselle Colette official website; Palo Alto menu; About page; Catering page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mademoiselle Colette in Palo Alto?
Mademoiselle Colette is at 499 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, in the Downtown area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.5 miles away.
Can I order a whole cake from Mademoiselle Colette?
Yes. The bakery lists a cakes and tarts menu that is ordered in advance, including a chocolate entremet, a fraisier, a mille feuille and fruit tarts. Its catering page asks for 24 to 72 hours of notice. Orders go through its online pre-order system or the catering email and phone line.
Does the Palo Alto Mademoiselle Colette host private events?
Not at this location. The bakery lists private event spaces at its Atherton, Menlo Park and Redwood City shops. The Palo Alto shop also carries a smaller catering selection focused on sweet items rather than the full savory menu.
Does Mademoiselle Colette have gluten-free pastries?
Options are limited. On the Palo Alto menu, the Exotic Pavlova is the item marked gluten free. Many other items carry allergen tags for gluten, wheat, dairy, egg or nuts. Ask staff about the day's selection.
What are Mademoiselle Colette's hours?
Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m..