Model Bakery in Gwynedd

Managed to buy a medium and more spicy giant pasty before they sold out only £4.50 each! Well worth it in this weather, warms the hands, stomach and heart!

Very good atmosphere and positive workers, really good. Fresh bread from doughnuts to bread, loved it

Had the spicy Kurdish pasty 😳, don’t be fooled it’s spicy but also well nice! Was pleasantly surprised to see that the pasty itself was made of bread rather than pastry. Absolutely delicious 😋

I had read about the Kurdish Pasty and was keen to try it. I went early as i'd read that sometimes these sell out quickly. The baker was lovely - friendly and chatty. I was there just after 9am and he said he'd been up, baking, since 4am, fulfilling stock for his little shop and for local restaurants. The pasty comes in two intensities - mild and spicy - and we had some discussion about which to choose. I chose the spicy one, as it was the most popular, and hubby and i had half each for tea. It cost £4.50, but was worth every penny. Not so hot to be unbearable - and very very tasty! We loved it! Its just a pity the shop is too far away for us to have one on a regular basis.

Called in to find something for lunch. The « pasty » was very special - a soft white dough enclosed a generous portion of meat and veg with pine nuts in a very spicy sauce - hot-hot-hot but lovely! Also a jam tart and an almond slice - plenty for two! Chatty, friendly baker, interesting options, but beware it’s cash only.

What a unique shop, this enthusiastic man bakes vegan and vegetarian exotically filled pasties, and creative cakes . And cheaply priced. Please support him as his business is challenged by the supermarkets in the village. He cares deeply about the food he creates.

The best bakery we’ve ever been to! The spicy Kurdish pasties are delicious and tasted lovely and fresh (we bought some frozen to take home), the cakes were tasty too, and the owner is so friendly. Will definitely be visiting again!

We only had 25 minutes for Ffestiniog Rail, so decided to try this place. Fabulous! I had a spinach and feta pasty, wife had Kurdish spicy one (even better!), and sister had steak and gravy - she liked it but she has pretty pedestrian tastes compared to the other selections. Just wish I had room (and time) to taste some of his other offerings!

Bought some of the excellent spicy pasties, some ring doughnuts and a couple of Eccles cakes. Everything was lovely. This was our second visit, and we were so glad to find that he is still here.

I’d researched ahead and this bakery looked good, but unfortunately due to travel plans we arrived after the lunch rush to find a lot of the food had sold out or was no longer warm (as there isn’t a heater display and we didn’t want them microwaved). Still, I enjoyed my chicken and mushroom pasty, but make sure you time your visit if you’re also planning on visiting.

Great Curdish pasties, something different & very delicious Friendly owner, will be going back to stock up before returning home

Great little, friendly, independent Bakery. Jamaican patty 💛💛💛 Cash only though, but there's a machine at the co op over the road.

I am really sad to write this review. I like to support local businesses particularly after this last year. However, I was sad to have not had any courtesy shown to me back. The owner was friendly but sadly sold me cakes that were stale. I took them home, they were were hard to touch. I went back to gently point this out but was told that they are fresh and I should've checked them before buying and leaving the shop and I wasn't getting my money back. He told me that he bakes the cakes and sells them over the next 3 days. If they are cut then of course they would dry out. I bought 7 pieces which at £2 is a small fortune. I was offered no alternative fresh products or my money but told it was my fault for not checking. Bread looked lovely and fresh, I think I just went for the wrong product. I would hate to put some one off buying anything else here but I think the buainess should know that like their bread, their cakes ahould also be sold fresh.

Amazing home made pasties! Had the red thai curry one (£2) and it was sooooo good. It's heartwarming to see the owner's achievements posted all over the shops. He is clearly proud of his job and work and is super friendly and knowledgable of the history of the town. Locals need the support as much as possible because of COVID and I'm happy to have dropped by Model Bakery!

The owner was very friendly and answered questions about the history of the town. He has clearly lived life to the fullest having certificates lining his wall for marathon running, computer science, military service and more! The chicken and mushroom pasty was fresh and very tasty.

Stopped by to get bread for lunch. Somehow ended up with a couple of Kurdish pasties which were excellent. Nice guy very welcoming asset to the village. Let's face it this place needs assets.

Stayed in Blaenau and visited several times. Good bread, great kurdish flat breads and pasties, and he'll bake to order if you need. Helps that the baker is a really interesting, friendly and entertaining guy. Highly recommended.

Popped in to try the Kurdish pasty after reading reviews on here. We could have spent hours chatting with the owner.

First visit to Blaenau. Went looking for welshcakes and discovered Kurmang's amazing flatbread and his signature Kurdish Pasties alongside eccles cakes and scones. A unique combination!

The vegan pasties are fab. My son is a carnivore, but reckons the vegan pasties are the best he's ever had. He requested them for his birthday.

I bought a slice of chocolate cake and a eccles cake. Both of them were light and nice. I enjoyed the chat with the friendly owner as well.

My partner and his son popped into the Bakery during our stay in Blaenau after the interesting posters in the window. They bought 2 loafs of bread. Kurmang (the owner and baker) noticed me outside with my dog, and came out to greet me, and asked if he could give my dog some ham!The next day I popped back, and bought one of his famous Kurdish Pasties. He again, was so friendly, remembered me from the day before, engaged on conversation about his marathon running. A fascinating guy.My partners boy was so impressed with the pasty, he drew Kurmang a picture. We took it to him on our last day where we bought more pasties and some welsh cakes. He is a lovely fella, the baked products are wonderful, and you should definitely visit if you are in town!

A real delight. Kurmag the baker, who also is a acredited rocket scientist. Has trademarked the Kurkish pasty. It is a full of flavour as he is of charachter. DO not order unless you enjoy quality spicy food

Kermangs spicy pasties are amazing, along with all his produce! He doesn't stock much during winter due to slower trade but often bakes for craft fairs around the area.

We happened upon this lovely gentleman in Caernarfon market hall , we bought a vegan and a mince Kurdish pasty - what can I say but they were the most delicious pasties - we did taste various types of bread and I’m kicking myself I didn’t get any as there wasn’t a mediocre one in the selection , they were all yummy . We will be making a trip to the shop .

Stopped by to grab a pastie for the trip home. Both meat and veggie Kurdish pasties were delicious, worth every penny. Well spiced, very flavoursome and quite light. Very friendly owner with fabulous moustache!

with nearly all the locals closing their business's it refreshing to find a quality baker in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Even though he is a foreigner he know the tastes of the locals.

Didn’t expect to find something like this in the middle of wales, some fantastic foods at a very reasonable price all served by the most polite and friendly gentlemen I have encountered! If ever in the area again this will be a definite must visit location

On a recent stay in Ffestiniog we found ourselves in town and hungry. Having read about Model Bakery, we wanted to try the famous Kurdish pasties. They didn't disappoint. Warm, spicy, generously filled and wonderfully satisfying.

Visited here by chance after getting off the Ffestiniog small gauge railway, bought a garlic and herb focaccia bread, wow! It was amazing and didn’t make it home! Pretty much inhaled it! Great little find in a lovely little heritage village.

I chanced on this place after a visit to the railway. i could not believe my eyes seeing a kurdish bakery here. The owner told me his own amazing story. I had a spicy Kurdish pasty which was amazing. He does a range of other tradtional welsh style pies, and a range of lovely breads and cakes.

I visited this wonderful bakery on a trip in north wales a few days ago. The Kurdish pasty was delicious. The shop owner was so friendly and welcoming and helped me find a place to buy souvenirs made from Welsh slate that I wanted. Thank you for that, really appreciated. I would definately recommend this place!

If you are in town don't miss the opportunity to try one of the best Kurdish pasties you'll ever have. But make sure to arrive early enough in the morning or you'll miss out. They go like hot cakes.

Visiting Blaenau Ffestiniog, we made a beeline for the Model Bakery, but being Easter Monday it was closed, but returning the following day, we were met by the worlds most friendly Kurdish Baker!

This was my second visit to the bakery.sadly too many years apart.went in for a Kurdish pastie,came out with a big bag full of the best cakes and bread I've ever tasted.the olive bread way awesome.i live over 200 miles away. this has got to be one of the best finds in the UK.

We were staying a ten minute walk away, and decided to get some fresh bread for breakfast. Make sure you leave some time as the manager is a top guy, who has led an interesting life. The sourdough cannot be recommended highly enough.

We stopped to try the renowned Kurdish pasty and had a lovely chat with the owner. He had an enthusiasm which created a good atmosphere. The pasty was brilliant, his own creation and quite unique.

At this small private bakery shop you will discovery probably the tastiest pasties in the world. These Kurdish pasties are bread based so light and fluffy but stuffed full of delicious minced beef in piri-piri sauce with pine nuts. WARNING! They are huge! You will...

Lovely bread and cakes. The kurdish pasty is to die for. The owner is very friendly. It is truly a gem in Snowdonia.

Visited over the Christmas period whilst holidaying in the area. We purchased a couple of loaves of fresh bread(the Rye was outstanding),we also tried the Kurdish pasties which were really tasty(a good mix of spiciness and a beautiful textured bread pasty to calm the heat),...

On holiday in North Wales staying in the village of Blanaeu Ffestiniog. Wanted to use local shops so this is where we bought our bread. Beautifully home baked, just as we like it. Also sold the best Eccles cake I have had in a while.

Encontré este tesoro casi por accidente, es un hombre Kurmang interesante, y su deliciosa. empanadas bastante Bien merece una visita.

Si quieres preguntar algo especial por su picante Kurdos Kurmang empanadas. No te arrepentirás. Si tienes tiempo pregunta Kurmang sobre su historia de vida. Estará dispuesto a hablar durante tanto tiempo como quieras. Una experiencia inolvidable.

Hable como él comentarios eran increíbles, y me encanta un buen sabroso pasty, y no me decepcionó!

Pasó por aquí para obtener algunas empanadas. Nunca oído hablar de antes y sin expectativas. El dueño era muy acogedor y un hombre fascinante. Sus empanadas kurdos eran sublimes. Me gustó especialmente la 'nueva' versión con coliflor y yogur.

Me apareció en la mañana del jueves a mediados de panadería local para comprar un par de panecillos recién horneados grande blanco @ 50 p cada uno. También me he comprado su famoso picante y dulce kurdo miel pan empanadas de su cabina en el mercado de productos locales, que se celebra Porthmadog en el Centro Comunitario por la Cob, el último sábado de cada mes. Este Blaenau es todo un personaje Baker! Su trabajo es difícil, simpático y lleno de entusiasmo e insto a todos a apoyar él si puedes.

Blaenau is rightly renowned for its walking, zip wire, caverns and heritage railway but right up there with those attractions is Mr Rashid's Kurdish bakery. Bread you'll be hard pushed to find on many British High Streets.Note: A take-out bakery not cafe.

We intended visiting and started by chatting with the owner in the doorway taking in the sunshine. Proceeding inside we got a description of his bread. Ate a good lunch on a bench almost opposite the rail station. Good fun and quality products found here.

The highlight of our trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog was the discovery of this bakery on the High Street. The owner of the bakery was a fascinating character who was happy to chat and pass the time of day and must been one of the few bakers in the country to have an Master of Science degree! Having switched career from IT to baking he now makes award winning breads including an absolutely delicious Honey bread flavoured with seeds and spices influenced by his Kurdish background. The lunchtime pasties were tasty and delicately flavoured , I particularly would recommend his vegan alternative. We will certainly seek out this bakery again when next in the area.

Always friendly service with a delicious range of products. Particularly like the different flavoured breads and his Moroccan pasties.

We were looking for lunch having just climbed Snowdon when we happened upon the bakery, the baker himself is an exceptionally kind and interesting man who made the whole experience very enjoyable. The Kurdish pasty itself was also delicious as were the other pastries served. An all round amazing bakery

Driving through Blaenau Ffestiniog in the morning we'd noticed the Model Bakers and made a note to return in the evening after our Zip Wire and Mine Tours.Parking was free and easy outside the Bakery Shop.The Bakery shop whilst small, stocked a good range of products, though was running low due to our visit at the end of the day. We brought 4 bread baps, and a couple of Smiley Face Biscuits with jam centre. As it was the end of the bay, the baker threw in a couple of extra rolls (to clear his shelves) free of charge and with no prompting - thankyou - we certainly enjoyed them.Having grown up in a small village bakery many years ago, I always love finding small bakery still going. The baker was approachable, friendly and extremely knowledgeable - all adding to the experience.Well worth stopping by if you're passing.

Was just browsing the local shops while on holiday with my partner and popped into this bakery. Visiting a bakers has never been so much fun. Its worth a visit to meet the shop owner who is a fabulous character and a brilliant baker and the smell of fresh baked bread inside is amazing.And a big thumbs up to the owner who talked me into buying one of his hot kurdish pasties which was probably the best pasty ive ever had.

Called in just for a pasty was totally blown away by the owner/baker , fab Kurdish pasty and the olive& honey bread a must to try...

Some very different items to your normally baker especially the Kurdish pastie. Which is lovely and I've tried many different types of food and this was up there with the best

We had taken the train from Porthmadog to Ffestiniog.....stopped off for some take out sandwiches and were surprised with the offerings available and the friendly welcome from the owner. The Kurdish pasties was fantastic and the cheese and ham rolls not short of good quality fillings....my Son also loved the Gingerbread man.....didn't expect to find such a gem......well worth a visit......

Surprenant boulanger, ex scientifique kurde, tombé amoureux de l'endroit et qui fabrique un excellent pain , innovant avec des spécialités de son pays de naissance

Very good quality bread, and cakes. The Kurdish pies are also popular. Lovely welcome always, and Mr Rashid, the owner, has made the ultimate effort as an incomer who has learnt the language of the majority of the townspeople, Welsh. Welcome to Wales Mr Rashid, you deserve our support!Please note - this NOT a restaurant, but a bakery.

Visited while on a Christmas break nearby, we popped in for sausage rolls but after meeting the chap behind the counter we also tried his Kurdish pasty. Pasty was lovely but so hot! But I recommend a try....worth a visit just to meet the lovely gent behind the counter who is very proud of his bakery.

a warm welcome awaits you at the bakery plus lots of nice bread, jam tarts for the children and the award winning Kurdish pasties- which are delicious ( and pretty spicy).

We called here for a pasty having seen the owner on a T.V.program some time ago.The Lady in the shop was very helpful and asked if we had any nut allergies before she sold us a pasty. We had a meat and potato pasty as well as two Kurdish ones. All of them were excellent and will call next time we are passing through Bleanau Ffestiniog for some more.

We called in for a sandwich for lunch. The home cooked ham bap with Kurdish salad was spot on and the cheese bap was nearly as good. We took the opportunity of buying a Kurdish loaf and we are glad we did. We were told that it was good buttered with soup or with a cheddar cheese or pate. We had it with cheese and it was really enjoyable. If you are in Festiniog and like a "different" type of bread - give this bakery a try.

The owner had a stall at the autumn fair in Tremadog. Wonderful breads etc on offer. We settled for a spicy pastie (delicious but not for the faint hearted) and a small oval honey and olive bread. Delicious. We passed the bakery in festiniog but it was closed. We will seek out another visit as the breads etc are authentic and the baker a delightful man to interact with.

Lovely welcome, super fresh bread, sausage rolls, pastries and doughnuts. Wish I had one at home! Good local knowledge.

If you like your pasties spicy then you should visit the model bakery for a Kurdish Pasty or a vegan pasty not so spicy, and plenty of choices of other bakery delights, served by a friendly lady named Lorna and Kurmang the baker.

Unique Kurdish Pasties. You must try them. Not for the folk who do nit like spice. Stunning product which got Kurmang onto the ITV cooking programme. I buy them in for our guests. Vegan options just as good

Great little bakery serving unusual (for this area) bread and pastries. Try the Kurdish flat bread with olive oil and seeds or the spicy Kurdish pastries that use a bread cover instead of pastry. Rye bread, wholemeal bread and others all available and reshuffle daily. Very personable owner and well worth a visit.

Lovely friendly baker and lady behind the counter. He sells his award winning bread that's baked daily. We had some fresh out of the oven today, it was heaven, so tasty. The kurdish pasties are full of meat and the outside is a thin bread layer instead of pastry, which I found myself preferring. We have also had sausage rolls that were very fresh. Everything is very reasonably price. Highly recommend.

G8t friendly service... lovely fresh products... nice setting... g8t value... nice selection of fresh pastries... centrally located.

This tiny bakery in Blaenau makes the most amazing hot,spicy Kurdish pasties ...the owner is a Kurd. These are wonderfully spicy and in a pitta pastry not traditional short crust pastry. Try them ! Trouble is when we went back the bakery closes early on Saturday. Check the times !

We had kurdish pasties which were very tasty if not a little too spicy for our tastes. The bread casing was very useful for cooling down the spices. The owner chatted to us whilst he warmed them up in the microwave. He seemed very friendly and checked we weren't allergic to any of the ingredients.We also had some fresh cream cakes which were delicious.

Fantastic pasties- we treated ourselves to the Vegan Kurdish pasties and they were huge..very tasty and well worth the money !!- would definitely recommend this lovely Bakery. Be Early to buy the Kurdish pasties.

We called into the village to kill some time as we were booked in to the Zip World thing at Llechwed Slate Caverns and it was a nice surprise. Shop looks a bit beaten-up from outside but the chap behind the counter was very warm and friendly, the food (doughnuts and flapjacks) was lovely and well worth it. Great stuff.

Kurdish pasties were great, as many other things I bought. I think I've found the best bread here. The prices were also great and the baker very gentle and friendly. Well done!

Had a couple of the Kurdish pasties recently and thoroughly enjoyed them, quite spicy and very filling too, went to get some more to take home one day but they had sold out!

Hot and spice with character. A stunning local speciality in Blaenau ffestiniog. Kermag is a local character not just a quality baker.He was featured on a ITV cooking programme

Unusual lunch but spicy and delicious. If your a fan of chilli con carne this breaded pasty is a treat filled the spot!

we stayed in a cottage about a 5 min walk from here and stopped by a couple of times. we had a chickpea Kurdish pasties and they are the best ive ever tasted, my partner also had a mince beef pasties which he also enjoyed, the owner is so friendly as is the lady that also works in their. its defiantly worth it to stop and purchase a famous Kurdish pastie as you wont be disappointed.....they are so much nicer than the greasy pastry ones

I was staying nearby with friends an told them about the bakery from having seen it on tv. We drove 25 minutes in the morning and arrived soon after opening. There was almost nothing there. Some biscuits and cakes in the window which didn't look fresh and a small choice of basic loaves. We were so disappointed.

Realised that the bakery near our hotel was featured on Britain's best bakery and had to pay a visit. My boyfriend had one of the famous Kurdish pasties and I had a spinach and feta one as I'm a veggie. The Kurdish one was rather spicy but nice for something different. My spinach and feta one was yummy, really nice pastry. I also bought a cream horn, and although nice with proper fresh cream (not the fake cream you find in some bakeries), but dare I say that it might have been a bit stale... ? The owner was really nice and friendly.

Just stopped at Ffestiniog for a comfort break and a quick snack on our way to Llandudno. Fancied a pastie and saw the Model Bakery with a friendly character standing in the door way. It turned out to be the owner Mr Rashid who introduced us to his 'trademarked' pasties. We bought a warmed one for £3 and what a great surprise. The pastie case is a made of baked bread and the filling is spicey mince with pine nuts and more. If you're passing through be sure to stop and try one.

I saw the bakery on TV's best bakery programme and couldn't leave the area without detouring to try their wares. The lady behing the counter was friendly and reccomended their best selling Kurdish pasty and Cheese and red onion bread. We took them home to eat them (lancashire). They were very good ... it's a shame they are so far from our home. But will certainly call in again next year for more pasty and bread.

My wife pointed me in the direction of the Model bakery after watching a programme on the television . The Kurdish pasties are lovely and quite spicy! and the speciality breads are really worth trying. Mr Rashid is very friendly and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit if you're into something a little different. Fantastic.

Firstly, I have to start by saying that this is NOT a restaurant or cafe: it's a proper bakery with freshly baked bread, cakes and pasties made every day by Kurmang Rashid, a Kurdish man who gave up his career and began a new one as the baker in Blaenau Ffestiniog. He'll happily chat to you about anything and everything. When we visited, my husband asked him why he had chosen Wales, and he explained how it reminded him of Kurdistan, with the mountains surrounding the town. He's a really interesting chap!He's famous for his Kurdish pasties, which are indeed delicious. They may look a bit like a Cornish pasty but they're far, far tastier. The bread (not pastry) crust wraps around a wonderfully spicy, garlicky beef mince with pine nuts. The taste amazing and you'll definitely want to go back for more. Kurmang also makes the most amazing bread. Try his gorgeous cheese and onion rolls, made with chunks of onion and loads of cheese. They make the best bacon sandwiches you'll ever eat! There's also a fantastic selection of cakes and goodies to choose from. If you're lucky enough to spot chocolate brownies in the window, buy one - and don't offer to share it. They're chewy, chocolatey and amazing.I can see future holidays in North Wales including a trip to Blaenau Ffestiniog just so we can eat food from Kurmang's Model Bakery!

So good to have something different! Never mind the rough edges some reviewers have mentioned, this is good wholesome non factory produced food and the banter from Mr Rashid always makes the process even more enjoyable - not to be missed and a great contrast to savour in this era of boring high street shop chains.Mr Rashid should go on Dragons Den with this product!

Stumbled across this unique bakery during a recent visit. We received a warm welcome from the owner, Kurmang Rashid, lovely bloke with an interesting past. We met his partner who was equally friendly. After hearing about Kurmang's famous Kurdish pasties, how could we not try one!We shared one as they were huge! It tasted great, they contain minced beef with piri piri sauce and pine nuts. A very substantial snack with a kick!If you are in the area, do call in and say hello from us :-)

Fantastic bakery. Homemade pastys abound -- try the Kurdish! Also great sweets. Right in the center of town

Had a warm welcome from the owner however he decided to teach us some welsh, but as soon as we left the shop my grandchild told me the welsh words that he learnt us was incorrect. The pasties where warm and not properly heated and the ice bunes were more like water being poured over a hard bun. The actually icing was runny and was not set. There was no sign of a hand basin in the shop for the members of staff to wash there hands. The floor was dirty and there was dust on the counters and selves. This could be because of the resent renovations to the town centre but none the less this is no reason to have a dirty shop.

The Model Bakery is a bakery from which you can get food to take away, hence reviewing it in the same category as a take-away restaurant.Mr Rashid's Kurdish pasties are seriously special. The casing is rather like naan bread and the inside is full, unlike most commercial pasties. We tried both the beef and the vegan (chick peas, lentils etc). Both were remarkably good and spiced in ways that were unlike any I have had before. Our friends wanted a vegan pasty but I had taken the last one. Mr Rashid heard that we were heading to CellB for a bite and offered to bake a pasty for our return. Sure enough, it was ready when we came back, hence top rating for service.Blaenau Ffestiniog is a far cry from the deep winter snow and searing summer heat of his homeland but the energy and enthusiasm Mr Rashid shows both for his craft and his adopted homeland make his bakery worth visiting both for his baking and for a chat.

We were sent here by the staff @ cellb as they recomended that we must try mr rasheeds kurdish pasties. We bought a phew so we could have with a cuppa when we got back to our cottage. Mr rasheed was very welcoming an to see a kurdish (i think) teaching us more welsh words was very impressive! Locals were going in and speaking their language with him and thats how he learnt. What a brilliant sense of community blaenau ffestiniog has. And the pasties were delicious, spicy, but very delicious.