The Best Macarons in the Northwest

Currant Pistachio. Salted Caramel. Fleur de sel!

Where do you find the most elegant and flavorful French macarons outside of Paris? In the Pacific Northwest! These colorful little gems are popping up at bakeries throughout Seattle and Portland. 

When I happen upon a new bakery that specializes in French pastries, I always sample their macarons. In the Northwest, these little cookies range from $1 to $2.50 apiece, depending on the bakery. If I happen to love my sample, I’ll buy half a dozen in a variety of flavors and enjoy them with my coffee at home over the next few days. Pure indulgence!

What makes a perfect macaron? Every macaron connoisseur has their own list of criteria, but to meet mine the macaron’s meringue domes must  have a crackly surface, a texture similar to an egg shell. Under the crackly shell, the meringue should be moist and slightly chewy. Sandwiched in between these perfect meringue domes is the ganache or buttercream, neither too much nor too little. The ganache should be full of flavor, but not overly sweet.

There. Are you hungry yet?

Here are our top picks for French macarons in the Pacific Northwest.

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Pix Patisserie

2225 E Burnside St. in Portland (map)

photos by angrywane and starathena

The Salted Caramel Macaron at Pix Patisserie may be the single most delicious thing I’ve ever bitten into. Oh, but don’t stop there. Artisanal French macarons are a specialty at Pix, and you will have a rainbow of flavors to choose from, so grab half a dozen at least. May I recommend a Chestnut Whisky, a Lemon Basil and a Cassis Violet?

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Bakery Nouveau

4737 California Ave SW Seattle (map)

I’m completely spoiled. Seattle’s Bakery Nouveau is just a mile from my house and anyone who has tasted one of their crackly-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside macarons knows that they instantly transport you to Paris. You’ll want to get there as soon as they open if you want the best selection and don’t care to wait in a long line (this place draws a sizeable weekend morning crowd for their famous twice-baked almond croissants and other delicious pastries). My top flavors here are chocolate, blood orange and salted caramel – yum.

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Belle Epicurean

1206 4th Ave Seattle and 3109 E Madison St Seattle (map)

Belle Epicurean has two locations – one is in the Fairmont Hotel building on 4th Avenue downtown, and the newer location took over the Madison Park storefront that used to be Madison Video, a tidbit I must mention as that indie video store was the first place I worked when I moved to Seattle! This is why I stopped in – to check out what Belle Epicurean had done with the place. It’s bright and cozy inside, and the pastries are beautifully displayed. I ordered a chocolate macaron with my coffee, and then another, and then I tried an apple cinnamon… Ah, well, the awesome video store is unfortunately gone for good, but Belle Epicurean’s delicious macarons surely take the sting away for Madison Park residents.

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Honore Artisan Bakery

1413 Northwest 70th Street Seattle (map)

A friend from Ballard brought me a chocolate macaron from Honore to sample. I know, right? ONE MACARON. My friend, she did not know. You can’t eat just one macaron! But I did. I ate it. It was heavenly. And for the rest of the day, all I could think about was that crackly meringue crust and the creamy dark chocolate ganache filling as I contemplated sitting in traffic for a trip up to Ballard. I still haven’t made the trip, but perhaps you will. That ganache, it’s worth it.

photo by prb.

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Le Panier

1902 Pike Pl Seattle (map)

Who can walk past Le Panier at Seattle’s Pike Place Market and not stop in for a fresh-baked patisserie? Not me. Le Panier will always have a special place in my heart as the first place I ate a Parisan macaron, and I couldn’t possibly guess how many I’ve eaten here over the years. While Le Panier’s macarons aren’t my favorite in town (they’re sometimes a tad dry inside) they satiate my sweet tooth perfectly well alongside an americano.

photo by iriskh.

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The Great Macaron Giveaway!

LUCKY YOU! Northwest TripFinder has partnered with Pix Patisserie in Portland on the Great Macaron Giveaway of 2013!

Pix Patisserie will ship one lucky winner a Chartreuse Macaron Gift Box filled with 14 Parisan macarons in a variety of delicious flavors and bright colors!

TO ENTER

Pick a flavor! Visit Pix Patisserie’s menu of macaron varieties (scroll down at the link) and choose which flavor you would most like to try.  Then, leave your choice of flavor in a comment below! One entry per person, please.

This contest will close at midnight on Friday, March 1. We will pick one winner from the entrants at random, then contact the winner to obtain a shipping address so that Pix Patisserie can send them their macarons. All entrants will have the opportunity to sign up for Northwest TripFinder’s monthly email newsletter. See our giveaway rules here.

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Did we leave out your favorite bakery? Please tell us about it in a comment below so we can go there to sample their macarons!