D'avant Bakery

D’Avant Bakery is a standout in an area already rich with Korean bakeries. With popular names like Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours nearby, it takes a lot to distinguish yourself, and D’Avant manages to do exactly that. Their cakes and drinks are a step above the usual chain offerings, with more balanced flavors and better overall quality. The prices are reasonable, especially considering the freshness and attention to detail. The place was packed with people when we visited, which says something about how much the community appreciates it. The atmosphere brought back personal memories for me of migrating to the United States and missing Korean style cakes and treats like 꽈배기, the twisted red bean donut. American cakes tend to be overwhelmingly sweet, but Korean French style baking has its own charm with lighter texture, subtle sweetness, and elegance. D’Avant captures that perfectly. Back in Korea, bakeries were not just places to buy pastries. They were comfortable gathering spots where friends and family met for a quick chat, a drink, and something freshly baked. D’Avant has that same feeling — a casual, lively space where people want to linger. I hope we can have a place like this in Princeton someday. It would be wonderful to have a spot that delivers both quality and nostalgia, with the kind of flavors that remind you of home while still fitting perfectly into modern café culture.

There are many Korean bakeries in NJ, but this bakery is far the best one! I tried first time in the summer while I visited my brother and came back. We tried many varieties and loved all; chestnut loaf bread, black cheese bread, thousand layer pastry, milk bread and Soboro red bean/ matcha bread. Can’t wait to come back to try other cakes in the near future.

Korean bakeries are a dime a dozen, especially in areas with dense Asian populations like Palisades Park. But when I asked fellow bread-lovers about their favorite spots, D'avant Bakery was mentioned with fair regularity. After a few visits, I'd have to agree. I've tried a number of things, all of which have ranged from satisfactory to superb. I love their loaves, which are unimaginably fluffy and have that touch of sweetness that elevate any sandwich or French toast that you make with them. Any of their signature croissant goodies are sure to please. My particular favorite is their million-layer croissant loaf, which allows you to tear a loaf of sugar-crusty bread into diaphanously thin slices. It's a magical piece of baking artistry, and I never leave D'avant without at least two of these in hand. This bakery gets a lot of love, which comes with its pluses and slight downsides. On the positive side of things, offerings are fresh and the staff works hard to keep things clean and organized, even with the regular throngs of people. That said, things slip through the cracks every now and again. Sometimes orders get mixed up, lines wind around to make aisles crowded, or wait times for service can get a little long. There is paid street parking but with so much popular commerce in the area, spots can be hard to come by, particularly during weekends or mealtimes.

Beautiful space and a lot of it they have so many pastries cakes breads and sandwiches to take away. So many fresh baked treats. The seating area has a nice amount of table and counter plus outdoor seating. Right off of the 166 stop njt. Very efficient service.

Amazing Bakery with great selection of Korean treats. Their Bakery section is wonderful and diverse but even better is their cake selection!!! A must try for your occasions.

Although a bit pricey, I think this is the best bakeries in Palisades Park. Everything here is well made and delicious. The cakes selection changes from time to time. You will need to pay at the cashier first before getting the cake. There are a wide variety of breads to choose from. There are both outdoor and indoor seating but the indoor seating is quite crammed.

The interior of D’AVANT is sleek and modern, buzzing with energy the moment you step in. It’s hands down the busiest café I’ve ever visited, yet the staff keeps things moving with impressive efficiency and friendliness. The pastries are solid—standouts include the crispy, cream-filled choux buns and the rich, indulgent Matcha Croissant Rolls. Everything is beautifully presented and made with clear attention to detail. The selection is massive, with a nice balance of sweet and savory offerings that show off a creative, playful touch. I enjoyed the choux cream honey bread quite a bit. The drink menu offers plenty of choices as well. I tried the Cloud Macchiato, which was rich, smooth, and pleasantly balanced—not too sweet, making it a perfect complement to the pastries. Overall, D’AVANT scores high on variety and creativity. While the quality is good, it doesn’t quite reach exceptional. Due to how crowded it gets, it’s not the place for a quiet afternoon, but it’s perfect for catching up with friends or grabbing an impressive treat on the go.