Make a beautiful day even sweeter with a treat from Granier.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle
Only 25 minutes away from campus, Granier European Bakery & Café brings a little bit of Europe to Virginia Beach.
With an extensive menu, Granier serves freshly baked European-style pastries and brunch options, including omelets, sandwiches, salads and fresh juices.
As customers enter the bakery, they are struck by the welcoming and elegant vibe of the place. A sign on the wall indicates popular European locations: London, Barcelona, Rome and Lisbon.
Tables for two on the left and outside, big tables in the middle, a three person couch with two armchairs in the corner, and an extensive display of pastries in the front. There’s a place for everyone, whether customers are bringing friends, family, a study group or just want to enjoy some time alone
The first Granier Bakery opened 15 years ago in Barcelona, Spain. With over 400 locations around Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, South America and the U.S., Granier strives to bring pastries, coffee and European breakfast around the world to their customers.
Various pastries on display at Granier European Bakery & Café.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle
Open everyday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Virginia Beach location is the third in the U.S., the other two in Miami.
Gabriela Gonzalez, owner of the Virginia Beach location, said there are almost 400 Granier franchises just in Spain. “This is like the Starbucks over there,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said she fell in love with the concept after visiting Spain multiple times throughout the years. “We didn’t have something like that here,” she said.
She opened the Virginia Beach locations three and a half years ago after the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to transition jobs.
America’s convenient drive-through coffee culture contrasts with how drinking coffee is viewed in Europe and other parts of the world, where it is characterized by a more mindful and social experience.
Senior Inès Pouliquen, an international student from France, said that Granier is a mixture of French coffee shop and bakery. Pouliquen said that in France “you actually have to take your time, take a coffee, sit at the table. You can stay two minutes to drink a coffee or two hours and no one would mind.”
Originally from Venezuela, Gonzalez said she tries to offer a coffee shop experience similar to what someone would find in Europe or South America.
Granier’s breakfast menu pairs with their pastries and European coffee drinks.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle
Gonzalez said she had European customers ask her if they could “do what they do in Europe.” She said customers are happy to be able to take their time to drink a coffee or just talk for hours.
Granier’s pastries are made in Spain and shipped to the different franchise locations, ensuring a unique and authentic European flavor. “They ship it from Barcelona, and we bake it here. So that’s why the dough is different. It has less gluten, it’s less processed and it is amazing,” Gonzalez said. Even though the products come frozen, Gonzalez said the products taste the same as in Spain.
Pouliquen tried a chocolate eclair to compare to the European version, and called it the best one she’s tasted in the U.S. “The dough is the same, and the texture is also the same as in France,” Pouliquen said.
She took some pastries home for her family to try, and they also thought the flavours were authentic.
The Virginia Beach location serves breakfast options, including different styles of eggs and croissant sandwiches. The runny egg croissant features crispy bacon, a runny egg and mixed greens.
European-inspired chocolate eclair, nutella croissant and hot chocolates.
Duda Bernardo|Marlin Chronicle
The breakfast items are freshly made daily by their chefs. Gonzalez said having breakfast items is a way to Americanize the franchise, since those are not available in the Spanish locations.
With an extensive breakfast and brunch menu, Gonzalez said Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest times at Granier. She said that the best time to come and stay for hours is during the weekdays or weekend afternoons.
Isabel Gardner, a student at Tidewater Community College, said she visits the bakery regularly.
“I really like it here. I think that the coffee’s always really good, and they have really good pastries, and the people who work here are really nice and it’s a good place to sit and work,” she said. Gardner said she usually goes in the afternoon to sit and do homework with her friend.
Gardner said her favorite pastries are the tiramisu and Granier’s flaky pastries, such as the Nutella croissant.
To ensure it stays authentic to the European style, the franchise follows certain standards.
Gonzalez said they need to use Julius coffee, a brand from Vienna, Austria. She also said they need to buy Garnier pastries and use recipes that are given to them. “I think those two elements make it very European,” she said.
She said the franchise owners are flexible about letting her try new menu items, such as new beer and wine options that Gonzales said have been well received.
In hopes to build an afternoon clientele, Gonzalez introduced a new afternoon menu called Midday Delights. The menu features tapas, small Spanish savory dishes, such as mini pizzas, focaccia bread and tortillas Españolas (Spanish omelettes).
Pouliquen said Granier positively surprised her, describing it as the closest place she’s been to that resembles a French experience.
Since Granier has been very well received at this location, Gonzalez said they are looking to expand to a second Virginia Beach location soon.
Gonzalez also said they are thinking about keeping this location open until 9 p.m. to satisfy customers that come in for dinner and want to stay longer.
Located near the oceanfront at Hilltop East Shopping Center, this spot is the perfect choice for everyone who enjoys a special coffee experience. The drive is worth it for the incredible pastries, authentic flavors and fresh products you will find there. If you ever feel like getting to know a little bit more about Europe, consider visiting Granier European Bakery & Café at 1544 Laskin Road. Returning customers can get a loyalty card and with 10 purchases they earn a free coffee and croissant.
By Duda Bernardo
mdefreitasbernardo@vwu.edu
