sf, ca, usa
where to go for sweet and savory treats in SF?
the sf pastry trail features my top 9 bakeries* in the city
for a pain au chocolat
(my pastry of choice)
juniper. i mouthed “wow” when i took my first bite from this croissant. it was still warm, insanely buttery and flaky, and stuffed with 3, not 2, batons of chocolate. cannot wait to eat again.
arsicault. simply amazing. and huge. i know people love the chocolate almond croissant as well.
for delicious food + top tier people watching
b patisserie. i love sitting here in a little window nook and observing all the families and bus-takers on their daily journeys. and the pastries are delightful.
loquat. a cute corner spot in hayes valley. can be busy but if you’re able to grab a seat, it’s a great spot to enjoy your pastry and a drink in a sunny seat before walking around the area.
+ honorable mentions to devil’s teeth where i sat and read a book while it rained, juniper where i sat on a sunny stool and watched people enter the queue excitedly, and the tartine manufactory and inner sunset locations, both of which are spacious and absolutely beautiful spots to dine with and around people.
+ most others spots on this list often have long lines or nowhere to sit, so i thought it was worth shouting out these spots where you can hang a little longer.
for a classic, plain croissant
ariscault. the place to go. i’ve only been to the richmond location and, yes, have waited over an hour in line, but find it to be a great way to catch-up with a friend and then enjoy the farmers market after lol. they have another location in civic center plus a new one opening soon in mission rock. maybe don’t go on sunday during the farmers market if you hate a line, or check out one of the other locations.
juniper. seems very promising based on winning sf’s 2024 best croissant. plus the pain au chocolate i had was incredible, so i can only imagine...
for fruity, fun pastries
breadbelly. in love with their inventive, asian-inspired menu, including items like kaya toast, a hot dog-style char siu bun, everything bagel seasoning bun, and a double-baked fruit croissant. lively and cute outdoor seating in an otherwise quiet neighborhood streat.
grand opening. truly a special treat since they only pop-up on weekends in chinatown inside mister jiu’s kitchen (and in oakland, i believe?). asian-inspired goodies like a coconut bun and a hazelnut plum twice-baked croissant. bake sales are currently on hold as it looks like they’re “in the process of finding a permanent location” on their website - i can’t wait.
butter & crumble. most items honestly were a bit too sweet for me, but standouts were the mango orange curd cruffin and the pizza swirl for something savory. this is another hefty line - i’d recommend going on a weekday morning if you can swing it.
wishing you a lovely laminated lap around sf<3
for pastries and bread and lunch food and so much more
tartine. really can’t go wrong here. from a salmon tartine, to cake, to a pastry, to just ordering bread with butter & jam, you are in for a great time. i’ve been to the manufactory and sunset locations, but not yet the dolores location, which seems perfect for picnics.
for a cinnamon roll that will bring you back to life and knock you out at the same time
devils teeth baking company. this guy was oh so good. every bite was healing, but i also knew i should not have eaten half of it in one sitting. get it warmed up. i’ve only been to richmond location but they also have sunset and embarcadero outposts.
where i’ve yet to go
jina bakes. i must make it here before i leave. and before they sell out everyday.
arizmendi bakery. i walked in one afternoon, but they were already sold out of a ton of things, and nothing caught my eye. but i love the vibes here. you grab items from shelves kind of like tous le jour vibes before checking out. the space has super high ceilings, and it just makes me feel like a little kid picking out an afterschool treat.
day moon. a quaint window shop with pastries, breads, and sandwiches. close to ocean beach and gg park for a picnic.
+ want to save these the sf pastry trail as a google maps list? look no further than riiiiiight here.
*european-style-leaning bakeries for tranditional laminated pastries and some renditions. i have a whole other list of asian-style bakeries i love in chinatown, richmond, sunset, etc. that’s a whole other story. for starters: fancy wheat field bakery, lung lung bakery, pineapple king bakery.....
hmmm this cart sure looks empty. if only i could fill it with pastries?
a little shoutout - the map above was inspired by many a thing including sf store cats!