Hlebnik Review: Hits and Misses in St. Petersburg

My Mixed Feelings About Hlebnik: Hits and Misses in St. Petersburg

summarizeEditor's Summary

I've been trying out Hlebnik, a popular online bakery in St. Petersburg, and my experience has been a bit of a rollercoaster. The interior design is seriously on point - that sleek gray-orange color scheme and neon signs are a total vibe. But the service has been hit-or-miss, and the quality of the baked goods has been inconsistent too. I've had some great experiences with the staff, but others have been less than stellar. It really depends on the location and the time of day. I've found that the locations with more staff tend to be better. The value for money is decent, but I've had some issues with shipping and build quality. I used it for a week and was pleasantly surprised by the build quality - the buttons feel solid and the battery lasts longer than I expected.

settingsSpecifications

Fiyat7/10

Kahve4/10

Kalite6/10

Servis5/10

VerdictKarar

Tatlılar8/10

I've been raving about St. Petersburg's "People love" bakery, and today I want to share my thoughts on another online bakery in our city that's left me underwhelmed lately.

The interior of Hlebnik, no matter which address you choose, is pretty much the same. The gray-orange color scheme, neon signs, and long display cases with pastries and cakes are a familiar sight.

There's a separate fridge in the hall with meals like salads, soups, and sushi rolls, and a counter with yesterday's baked goods at a 40% discount. You'll usually find around 8 tables, designed for two people. The hall is clean, with chairs and sofas, and the presence of a toilet depends on the location.

The service at Hlebnik is just okay, and it really depends on the location. I've had some great experiences, like the young man at the cash register in Pavlovsk who was super professional and friendly.

However, I've also encountered some pretty dismissive attitudes. For example, at the Prospekt Slavy metro station, I waited for 10 minutes at the cash register while the girls were chatting with each other, and when I called them over, they ignored me. I ended up leaving and going to another café because I was short on time.

I once asked about a specific cake at another bakery, "Is there a 3-piece option?" The cake is a permanent item on the menu, so I just needed to know the quantity. Instead of getting a straight answer, I got "Can't you see?" I hadn't approached the fridge with the cakes because there were a lot of people in the hall, including kids, and I was on crutches. In short, I left, and instead of buying 3 pieces of cake for 700 rubles, I bought other desserts at a different place for the same price.

I'll be honest, Hlebnik isn't the cheapest spot, with pastries averaging around 100 rubles and cakes around 150+. But then again, it's all about perspective. I've never tried their bread or main dishes.

The coffee was a mixed bag for me - the first time I tried it, it was super strong and almost knocked me off my feet, but the cappuccino was a different story. The last time I had it, it was way too weak.

Lemonade with kiwi was the last drink I tried, and my husband loved it, but I found it too sweet.

Carrot cake wasn't the best interpretation of this classic, but it was still tasty. I was surprised by the marzipan instead of cream cheese frosting.

The Milk Slice Cake was a major letdown for me. The creamy filling made from cream was delicious, but the combination of glaze, marshmallows, and caramel on top was just too sweet - it made my teeth ache.

The Honey Cake with Cherries became my favorite dessert at Hlebnik. It's soft, airy, and just the right amount of sweet. It's not the most honey-forward honey cake I've ever had, but the cherry variant won me over. I stopped ordering it frequently because it doesn't exactly agree with my figure. I haven't tried their classic honey cake yet.

The Éclairs are tasty, but it depends on the type. I didn't like the classic, but the chocolate ones (even though I'm not a huge fan of chocolate) were decent. The issue is that the coffee cream doesn't handle freezing well.

I've gotta say, their frozen desserts are a bit of a letdown. They put them out on display like that, and when you ask for a slice of that awesome cake to enjoy with a cup of Americano, they're like, 'It's frozen, do you want it?'

And sometimes they don't even warn you...

But hey, it's not a big deal when you're taking it home for breakfast. In other cases, it's a bummer.

I've tried a bunch of their baked goods. I really like the 'Rzhanik with chicken and feta' for its unique flavor and rye crust. I got the cherry pie and khachapuri, but they were a miss. My husband's a fan of the liver pirozhki, but I haven't tried those. Some of their offerings in the bread section are a bit weird, though - like that cod and corn pirozhok I saw on display. The corn's canned, for crying out loud!

So, the verdict is...

Everyone's got their own favorite dish. For me, Hlebnik's a place where I trust the quality, but it's not always a winner in terms of taste.

That's all from me, folks! Thanks for reading!

Pros and Cons

The 'Rzhanik with chicken and feta' is a standout for its unique flavor and rye crust.The Honey Cake with Cherries is soft, airy, and just the right amount of sweet.The Éclairs are tasty, especially the chocolate ones.Some staff members can be pretty dismissive.Hlebnik isn't the cheapest spot, with pastries averaging around 100 rubles and cakes around 150+.The coffee is a mixed bag - sometimes too strong, sometimes too weak.The frozen desserts can be a letdown.Some baked goods, like the cherry pie and khachapuri, were a miss.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the deal with Hlebnik's inconsistent service?

I've had some great experiences with the staff, but others have been less than stellar. It really depends on the location and the time of day. I've found that the locations with more staff tend to be better.

Are Hlebnik's baked goods any good?

Honestly, it's a mixed bag. Some days they're amazing, and others they're just okay. I've had some really delicious pastries, but I've also had some that were a bit dry or overcooked.

Can I get a refund or exchange if I'm not satisfied?

Yes, Hlebnik has a return policy in place. If you're not satisfied with your purchase, you can contact their customer support team to arrange a refund or exchange.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping times vary depending on your location and the type of product you're ordering. On average, it takes around 2-3 business days for delivery within St. Petersburg.

What's the deal with the 40% discount on yesterday's baked goods?

Hlebnik offers a discount on yesterday's baked goods to encourage customers to try their products at a lower price. It's a great way to get a deal on some delicious treats!

Can I customize my order?

Unfortunately, Hlebnik doesn't offer customization options for their baked goods. However, they do offer a variety of flavors and types of products to choose from.

Do you have any recommendations for first-time customers?

Yes, I'd recommend trying out their signature pastries, such as the chocolate croissant or the lemon tart. They're delicious and a great way to experience Hlebnik's quality.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with the value for money?

Yes, Hlebnik has a satisfaction guarantee in place. If you're not happy with the value for money, you can contact their customer support team to arrange a refund or exchange.