KIRKWOOD, Mo. – Croissants are a delightful indulgence at almost any time of day with their flaky texture and buttery layers. One St. Louis County bakery nearly took a title for having the best croissants nationwide.

Yelp recently released its “Top 100 croissants” list in anticipation of National Croissant Day earlier this week. The list ranked Kirkwood’s Nathaniel Reid Bakery second among all qualified US eateries for their croissants.

Nathaniel Reid Bakery, located in the 11000 block of Manchester Road, has been a St. Louis area staple since 2016. The bakery offers a variety of fresh-baked goods, including fresh-baked croissants, pastries and sandwiches.

Nathaniel Reid, owner and namesake of the company, directed top pastry kitchens around the United States, including in Las Vegas, Florida and California, prior to opening the Kirkwood bakery. The eatery has since been recognized for Missouri-based and Food Network awards.

For more history on Nathaniel Reid Bakery, click here.

To name the top croissant shops in the nation, a research team compiled data from U.S. businesses and searched reviews mentioning the word “croissant.” Yelp then accounted for several factors, including the volume and ratings of reviews, prior to Jan. 12.

Yelp says the featured eateries include “mouthwatering munchies” and “skillfully layered” bites.

Yelp also recently ranked a St. Louis ramen restaurant second in its “Top 100 places to eat” list for 2024.