About

BonBonerie written in powdered sugar

Awards

Clients

TRACY DAUGHERTY

Tracy Daugherty

Meet Tracy Daugherty our general Manager. Like a boat at sea , Tracy steers the BonBonerie ship through stormy and quiet waters with confidence, grace and calm. Her devotion to developing the leadership skills of each department keeps clarity of philosophy and purpose throughout the bakery. Her door is always open  to the entire staff and she truly cares that each one of the 60 or so staff members feel a real sense of value. She is their advocate as well as a beacon for the vision of the owners.  

Tracy has been part of our team since 2005.

Our bakery lobby is OPEN!

We are limiting guests in the lobby to 6 people at a time. Masks are required for staff and recommended for all non-vaccinated guests. All orders need to be prepaid and placed in advance. We require at least 24 hours notice for orders.

Can I order online?

At this time we do not have an online ordering system in place. You can place an order by calling us at 513-321-3399 during our business hours. 

The Owners

Meet the owners of The BonBonerie Mary Pat Pace and Sharon Butler.

Rated Extraordinary to Perfection

Best of City Search

Best of City

 

CityBeat Best of Cincinnati

Best Wedding

Best Desserts

Best Bakery 

Staff Pick - Best Expansion of Business 

Best Expansion of Business 

Best Neighborhood Bakery 

 

Cincinnati Magazine Best of The City

Best Torte: Opera Cream

Hall of Fame Best Bakery & Best Scones 

Best Layer Cake

Best Afternoon Escape 

Best Bakery, Reader's Choice Best Local Flavor

Hall of Fame 

Best Tea Time

 

The Knot

Best of Wedding

 

Where The Locals Eat

Best Dessert 

 

Trip Advisor

Certificate of Excellence

Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce

Small Business Award Winner

Do I have to make reservations in the Café?

At this time we only take reservations for our elaborate, 3-tiered Afternoon Tea. All other tables are first come, first served. 

What COVID-19 measures are you taking?

We require masks at all times for staff members and recommend masks for non-vaccinated guests inside. We are limiting our bakery lobby to 6 guests at a time and ask that incoming guests wait outside until the lobby has fewer than 6 people before entering. We are continuing our sanitation standards of frequent cleaning, hand-washing, and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces. We also have hand sanitizer for staff and guests. In our Café, we’ve reduced capacity and spaced out tables to accommodate social distancing practices.

In the news

Sharon Butler
Sharon Butler

Sharon's recollection... 

It seems impossible to summarize thirty seven years of not only owning a business, but also being with the same partner, but this is the simple truth.

The following  ideas have remained intrinsic to what we have created at the BonBonerie.

#1. The pastry we create must be beautiful and delicious.

#2. Treat customers and staff as you would like to be treated.

#3. Art matters in the experience of space we created and causes we embrace

#4. A balanced life is essential for our idea of success. That means  melding family life, joy in the work and time for outside enrichment.

#5. Engagement with our community is mandatory

#6. “Live and Learn” is a philosophy that made it possible for each of us to make mistakes so we could  be more successful in the future. We still say it regularly.

#7. Luck plays a roll in every endeavor . We have been very very lucky.

#8. “Location location location” Who knew a shop on a one way street in an offbeat neighborhood could be such a perfect location?

What are your holiday hours?

This holiday season, we will be open from 10am-4pm Monday through Saturday. We'll be open early the week of Christmas, from 8am-4pm December 20th through 23rd. We're open from 7:30am-1pm on Christmas Eve. We will be open from 10am-4pm on December 31st. We will be closed every Sunday and the following dates:

 

Saturday, December 25

Saturday, January 1

January 2 through January 9 for our annual winter break

 

We will reopen with our January 2022 menu on Monday, January 10 at 10am.

Do I have to make reservations for Afternoon Tea?

Yes, at least 24 hours in advance. Our Afternoon Tea is an elaborate three-tiered display of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, quiche slices, and fresh fruit, and as such it requires more preparation. We do not require reservations for our Tea Lunch, which is a smaller version of our Afternoon Tea available as an item on our daily lunch menu.

LIZ BEITING

Liz Tye

Meet Liz Beiting the leader in our European Specialties department. Still waters run deep. That is Liz. Quietly attacking her daily list, it is amazing to watch as the refrigerators and bakery racks are filled to the brim with the greatest assortment of pastries produced in the entire bakery by any one department. Ask Liz to do it and you can rest assured it will be done. There is a high powered motor in that delicate frame. Watch out, here she comes. 

Liz has been part of our team since 1998.

opera cream picture
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARLENE ROUNDS / FOOD STYLING BY KATY DOENCH / PROP STYLING BY EMILY CESTONE

Must-Try Cookies from Five Local Bakeries - Cincinnati Magazine

Seven Cincinnati Icons to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth - Cincinnati Magazine

The BonBonerie in O'Bryonville Changed Cincinnati Forever - by Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer

O'Bryonville's BonBonerie Shares Their Gingerbread Recipe - CityBeat

BonBonerie Opens Special Outdoor Marketplace for the Holidays (2020) - CityBeat

 

Can I order food from the Café to go?

Absolutely! All our Café menu items are available to go, even our Afternoon Tea. Our Afternoon Tea to go still requires 24 hours’ notice, and there is an optional 3-tiered disposable gold stand you can purchase to display your treats at home.

Mary Pat Pace
Mary Pat Pace

Mary Pat's recollection....

Ever since I can remember I have loved sweets.  Candy, cakes, cookies, popsicles,Ice cream, soft drinks….anything with sugar!  I remember in my youth walking to the Hyde Park Square after school or in the summer with a neighborhood friend and going to either the 2 bakeries, the penny candy stores , the pharmacies stocked with candy, the soda fountains and of course Graeters.  They were all located there.  It was a sugarholics dream!  So I came to this profession honestly.

   My grandmother was a great baker and her coconut cake I still can taste. I grew up in a time that had very few cake mixes…or I guess I wasn’t exposed to them.  T.V. dinners had just come on the market!  Summers as a child were quiet and unstructured.  Mothers look for things to amuse us (this idea hasn’t changed much).  The events included making cookies and cakes, making frosting, anything that included a lot of butter, sugar eggs, flour, and whatever ingredients the recipe called for, all put together.  The true excitement was at the end seeing how much was left in the bowl to lick.   

 The food was simple and good- made with real ingredients and fresh fruits and vegetables.  We waited for peaches, cherries, and corn till July, and the window for the freshness was narrow (we didn’t have Chile’s or Mexico’s fruit in January).  We learned to do a lot of things with a bushel of tomatoes or apples. So it was natural to me when we started The BonBonerie in 1983 that real and fresh ingredients were not only very important but necessary.  At that point the world was full of frozen dinners and premade breakfast foods.  No one thought they had any time…potato buds and chicken McNuggets were the norm.

 Another aside is I love to travel and New York City in the 80’s  had so much to offer and was Nirvana to me.  The food was incredible.  The markets in China Town, The deli’s and bakeries in the city were all so beautiful and exciting and different from Cincinnati. I had an idea…… It was at that time I met Sharon who happened to be a sister of a colleague of mine.  At the time I was working as a social worker.  I   talked incessantly about food to anyone who would listen, and my friend said, “why don’t you call my sister who is working as a pastry chef?”  I did and the bond was instant.  She had the same upbringing, same ideas about food and same goals about how to pursue the love of food, and luckily for me she had real knowledge of restaurant and food preparation.  But in my opinion Sharon brought something intangible to this partnership….an artist view.  Its easy to execute a recipe…the finesse is the hard part.  She had a keen eye and a very discerning pallet.   Both were quite sophisticated.  She also had a drive for perfection that was unceasing (this particular characteristic drove me crazy at times) but I knew these qualities were necessary for success.

 For the 33 years we have been in business, we have never stood still.  Always tweaking recipes, finding and trying new ones, pushing for ideas that haven’t come to the mainstream, dumping things that don’t work or are out of style, and making sure the ingredients are the best. The investment of time and product while significant is truly worth it.  Quality and service are paramount to both of us.  I can’t finish without saying that our staff at the bakery is unbelievable.  They add youth, new ideas, and an enthusiasm to what we do, and are propelling us into the future.

How do I place an order?

You can place an order by calling  us at 513-321-3399 during our business hours or by stopping in to see us and placing the order in person. At this time we require payment in advance for all orders.

Is BonBonerie accessible?

The bakery has an accessible spot in the bakery parking lot. There are stairs that lead up to the bakery. If you require assistance up the stairs, or would like to have someone bring your order out to you, call us at 513-321-3399 ext. 2 and we'll be happy to help.

 

There are stairs that lead from the bakery parking lot down to the cafe. The cafe is more accessible from the street entrance, where there is one step before the entrance threshold. There are two steps to reach the restroom. If you are making a reservation in the cafe for someone with accessibility needs, please be sure to specify when speaking with a team member to ensure we reserve the appropriate table and location for your party.

ANGELA HURTTE

Angela Hurtte

Meet Angela Hurtte the leader in our cookie department. Truly an artist. No idea has stopped her imagination yet. And she has instilled this joy in creative problem solving to her team. We are all amazed each new season.

Angela has been part of our team since 2001.

Can I order online?

At this time we do not have an online ordering system in place. You can place an order by calling us at 513-321-3399 during our business hours. 

Is the Tearoom available for rental?

Yes, the Tearoom is available for event rental Monday through Friday 3pm-5pm and Saturday from 4pm-6pm. Please keep in mind that we are limiting capacity to comply with social distancing requirements. Call 513-321-3399 ext. 3 for details and reservations.

How far in advance do I need to place my holiday order?

The earlier you can place your order, the better. We base our holiday production on our order numbers and the earlier we have our numbers, the better we can prepare for the holiday season. We request at least a week’s notice for most items. We require at least 24 notice for all orders.

What are your hours?

We are open from 10am-4pm Monday through Saturday. We are closed Sundays (with the exception of private parties in the Café).

CHRISTINE BRYANT

Christine Bryant

Meet Christine Bryant our customer service manager. Ready for action. That's how we see Christine. Give her a challenge and she puts all her energy into resolving what needs to be resolved. Quickly, and with a great big smile. That is worth a lot.

Christine has been part of our team since 2005.

Can I order ahead and pick-up on the same day?

At this time we are not doing same-day orders. All our daily items are first-come, first-serve, but don't worry - we're making lots of extra cakes, cookies, and pastry trays for you to come in and grab!

How do I place a bakery order?

You can place an order by calling  us at 513-321-3399 during our business hours or by stopping in to see us and placing the order in person. At this time we require payment in advance for all orders.

How do I pick up my order?

When you arrive at the BonBonerie, there might be a line outside. Don't worry! The lines move quickly. If all you want to do is pick up your order, stand in the line to the right of the entrance. A staff member will come out, take the name on your order, and bring your order out to you. If you want to purchase items in addition to your order, stand in the line on the left. This line leads into the bakery. You can pic-up your order at the bakery counter and purchase your additional items.

 

If there's no line outside and there are fewer than 6 people in the lobby, come on in! You can pick up your order at the bakery counter.

 

We are not offering curbside delivery at this time except for those with accessibility needs.

Can I place a same-day bakery order?

We require at least 24 hours notice for all bakery orders. We make plenty of extra cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and more for same-day walk-ins. We're happy to write on a cake for you while you're here!

PAT RYAN

Pat Ryan

Meet Pat Ryan, our handler of all things wholesale and delivered. From delivering our products to vendors around the city to working with outside partners on developing exciting new opportunities, he's not afraid to think outside the cake box. He's the force behind our delicious Opera Cream Coffee Stout Beer in partnership with Platform Brewing Company and he's a tornado of fresh ideas. If you see the BonBonerie van about town, give the driver a wave - it's Pat!

What if I want to add on to my order?

You can add on items to your order by calling us at 513-321-3399 at least 24 hours in advance of your order date. If you need to purchase additional items while you are here, you can shop in the bakery lobby and pick up your order at the bakery counter.

How far ahead do I need to place my order for custom cakes, cutout cookies, or cupcakes?

There are so many variables to consider when ordering a custom design cake – flavor, design, size, tiers – that we recommend that you call the bakery as far ahead as you can. We always have our 6” and 9” monthly cake flavors in the bakery, but for your one-of-a-kind cakes, it’s best to call ahead at least seven full business days in advance. We have a limited amount of custom orders that we can take, so on some weekends we may be limited to less elaborate designs, or we may be at maximum capacity and cannot take any more.

 

For cutout cookies, our monthly designs are a phone call away and sold daily in the bakery, but if you choose from our gallery of other options – or find a design somewhere else you’d like us to use as inspiration – we need at least 3 whole business days’ notice (minimum order is 12 of each custom design).

 

For cupcakes, if you choose something different than our seasonal designs, we require at least 3 whole business days’ notice. We require at least a dozen ordered of any custom design.

Can I pick up my order at the Café?

All bakery orders must be picked up through the bakery. No orders can be picked up at the Café.

Is there a fee for a wedding cake tasting?

We offer this service complimentary to our guests looking to book their wedding cake with us. You can make your reservation for a tasting online here or by calling our wedding department at 513-321-3399 ext. 4.

Can I place a custom order in December?

We can do limited custom orders in December.

For custom cupcakes: Only available through Saturday, December 4th. Orders for that day must be placed at least 2 days in advance. Cupcake production will resume December 28th after 12pm. Orders for that day must be placed by December 20th.

For custom cutouts: We're booked for custom cutouts through Christmas. We're taking orders for December 30th and December 31st and will resume normal production when we reopen January 10 after our annual winter break.

For custom cake designs: Only available through Saturday, December 4th. Orders for that day must be placed by November 21st at the latest. Custom cake production will resume December 29th. Orders for that day must be placed by December 20th. For birthdays, non-holiday celebrations, or extra special holiday cakes, we have a small selection of cake designs available to choose from at this link here. Orders for these cakes must be placed by Saturday, December 11th.

How do I get to BonBonerie?

We are located at 2030 Madison Road. You can enter the Bakery through its main entrance in our parking lot off O’Bryon Street. O’Bryon Street is one-way off Madison. Our parking lot is on the left side with a large pink BonBonerie sign welcoming you. There is additional parking across the street in the Grandin lot that requires payment for parking. You can reach the Café from our parking lot as well by walking down through the Secret Garden and following signs indoors to the Café. You can also reach the Café though our entrance on Madison Road next to Hemptations.

Are you open on Sundays?

We are not open on Sundays.

What’s on your bakery menu?

We have a selection of customer favorite items that have been on every menu for years. Other than that, our menu rotates monthly with seasonal pastries, cookies, and cakes. To see what we have this month, visit our Bakery Menu page at this link here.

Are you open Christmas Eve?

Yes! We are open from 7:30am-1pm on Christmas Eve.

Why can’t I get something that’s not on your monthly menu?

Because we’re a small bakery, unfortunately we can’t make everything we like all the time. If there is a menu item that you need that isn’t on our menu for the month, we may be able to accommodate a special order (depending on availability of ingredients) if you’re looking to purchase the entire batch.

Are you open New Year’s Eve?

Yes! We are open from 10am-4pm on New Year’s Eve. 

Can I get the nutritional information for items?

Because we have hundreds of recipes, we don’t have the capability of working out the specific nutritional information of every item. We are happy to let you know the ingredients of any item to accommodate any allergy questions or dietary restrictions.

Do you have any vegan items?

At this time we do not have any vegan baked goods on our menu. If you’re looking for a great vegan bakery in Cincinnati, we recommend checking out Happy Chicks Bakery in Northside. We are always testing new recipes and adding new items, so feel free to check back!

Do you have any gluten-free items?

Absolutely! We have several bars and cookies that are naturally gluten-free. For a full list of what items we have this month, visit our bakery menu page for the month or give us a call at 513-321-3399.

What if I have a nut allergy?

We work with peanuts and tree nuts throughout the bakery. We thoroughly clean each station before starting another recipe, but because we make so many items in the same space, we cannot guarantee against any cross-contamination. If you’re looking for a completely nut-free bakery in Cincinnati, we recommend Cherbourg Cypress Bakery near Findlay Market.

Do you deliver?

We deliver to local zip codes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The delivery fee can range from $15 to $50 depending on the zip code. We recommend planning your delivered items in advance as delivery slots fill up, especially during the holiday season. To schedule a delivery or find out delivery fees for your zip code, call us at 513-321-3399. We also deliver products twice a week to Kremer’s Market in Northern Kentucky, Jungle Jim’s in Eastgate, and Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield. You can place an order to be picked up at any of those locations with no delivery fee.

Are you on any food delivery apps?

At this time we are not available on any food delivery apps.

Do you ship?

We can ship almost all of our cookies and many of our bars. We ship exclusively via UPS. To place an order for shipping, call us at 513-321-3399 during our business hours. Because of varying weather conditions and changing delivery schedules, we cannot ship our tortes. You can still order our classic Opera Cream Torte and Carrot Cake in 6” sizes through Cincy Favorites at this link here.