San Francisco has just so much to do- marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge, twist and turn down Lombard Street, get lost in one of those timeless West Coast sunsets, see enough tech bros for the rest of your life, grab a Beatnik book, day trip to the ancient redwoods, ride a cable car, get hazy in Haight-Ashbury, maybe top off the day with a museum or two.
But I’m proposing that you do none of that.
Actually, do as much of that as you can, but squeeze in some pain au chocolat between adventures.
In case you haven’t heard, San Francisco, California, has some badass bakeries (and breweries) that cover the full spectrum of baked goods.
Some of the most famous bakeries in San Francisco make more than just cakes. Fancy a French almond croissant or… an entire black forest cake?
These are the best bakeries in SF-
- Most Iconic Bakery in San Francisco: Golden Gate Bakery
- The Original San Francisco Sourdough: Boudin Bakery
- Best French Bakery: B. Patisserie
- Best German Bakery: Schubert’s Bakery
- Best Well-Rounded Bakery: Tartine Bakery
- Best Photo-Worthy Bakery: Craftsmen and Wolves Valencia
- Best Bakery with Gluten-Free Options: Jane the Bakery
- Best Bakery for Focaccia: Liguria Bakery
Golden Gate Bakery
Neighborhood: Chinatown
What to order: Egg Tarts, Mooncakes
Note: Cash only
Full Disclosure: I love Chinatown, and I’m biased. However, this SF neighborhood has some of the best food in the city! I highly recommend a guided culinary tour of Chinatown.
Golden Gate Bakery is a tiny family-owned joint located in Chinatown, known for its famous egg tarts, an absolutely soul-pleasing Chinese pastry with a flaky crust and creamy egg custard filling.
The bakery was established in 1974 by two sisters who learned the art of baking in their home village of Guangzhou, China.
Today, the business is run by the same family! Golden Gate Bakery’s egg tarts are so famous that people line up around the block to get them, and they usually sell out each day.
Golden Gate Bakery remains humble, unassuming, and without a website.
Also, GGB is so popular that the owners often go on vacation… Check out the fan-run Facebook page, Is the Golden Gate Bakery Open Today, before dropping by.
Boudin Bakery
Neighborhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
What to order: Sourdough, Clam Chowder, Tomato Soup, Bread Bowl
Note: If you can time it right, these sourdough loaves are a uniquely San Francisco souvenir
This sourdough is unlike any other sourdough in the entire world, literally. SF’s famously foggy climate is the perfect environment for the yeast that gives sourdough its classical sour flavor.
Boudin Bakery’s San Francisco-Style Sourdough has a chewy and tangy taste. The Fisherman’s Wharf bakery is in a historic building where you can watch breadmakers craft the original San Francisco Sourdough through an observation window.
The SF air is said to help Boudin’s San Francisco Sourdough get its exaggerated taste.
B. Patisserie
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
What to order: Chocolate Covered Banana, Kouign Amann, Tartine, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Almond Croissant, Black Sesame Latte
B. Patisserie is everything a true French bakery should be: a menagerie of pastries, enticingly exhibited, freshly baked, and glistening with goodness.
I love this bakery for two reasons—they have the most authentic French and Viennese-style pastries, and every item they have on the menu tastes like it was made with craftsmanship- it sounds cheesy (pun?), but there’s no other way to describe it!
You can’t miss the chocolate-covered banana, the kouign amann, and the almond croissant.
Schubert’s Bakery
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond
What to order: Mango Mousse, Swedish Princess Cake, Black Forest Cake
Personally, I think every human should try Schubert’s black forest cake before they die.
One of the most beloved bakeries in San Francisco actually started in Bavaria (or at least its owner, Jacob, did).
Founded in 1911 by German immigrant Jacob Schubert, the bakery quickly became known around the neighborhood for its delicious cakes and pastries using traditional European recipes and techniques.
Some of the favorites from 1911, such as the Neopolitan and the opera cake, are still poppin’.
Tartine Bakery
Neighborhood: Mission District
What to order: Country Loaf, Bread Pudding, Croque Monsieur, Gougere, Cream Tarts, Pain Au Chocolat
If you like your decadence with no expenses or calories spared, consider a pastry from the Tartine Bakery in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Some of the most popular items at Tartine Bakery include their morning bun, a flaky pastry with cinnamon and sugar, and the country loaf, a sourdough bread with a crispy crust and chewy interior.
If you fall in love with the neighborhood’s Latin flair, consider a guided culinary tour of the Mission District.
Craftsman and Wolves
Neighborhood: Mission District
What to Order: The Rebel Within, Kouign Amann
Everything on the menu here looks like it came straight off a Pinterest board, making it the most photo-worthy bakery in San Francisco.
Craftsman and Wolves was launched by William Werner in 2011 and has since made a name for itself with innovative pastries like The Rebel Within, a savory muffin with a soft-boiled egg in the center.
Jane the Bakery
Neighborhood: Lower Fillmore
What to order: Croissants, Sourdough Walnut Fig Bread
Note: Jane the Bakery describes itself as ‘upscale,’ and the prices reflect that.
At Jane the Bakery, you can find a big list of bread, from tangy sourdoughs to fragrant baguettes and spicy ryes…and one of the most extensive gluten-free menus in SF.
The croissants are the biggest draw beyond the gluten-free options, which typically sell out by 9AM.
Expect a line during most times of the day, but know it does move fast.
Liguria Bakery
Neighborhood: North Beach
What to order: Focaccia
Note: Cash only
Liguria, North Shore’s favorite Italian Bakery, sells only one thing: focaccia.
The bubbly, chewy focaccia rubbed with green onion, garlic, rosemary, or tomatoes is perfection. Like most food joints in Little Italy, Liguria’s is cash only, and there is always a line, so be prepared to wait.
Across the street, Washington Square is a scenic spot to eat your focaccia and contemplate life. If Italian food is your thing (I feel you!), consider a walking food tour of Little Italy.
The 10 Tastings of San Francisco
Neighborhood: Mission District
Serious foodies only: Go all in with a private tasting tour focused on the flavors that tell the story of San Francisco, one of America’s most iconic food destinations.
Unlike most tours with fixed itineraries, this private tour will customize each stop to your interests and food preferences. That means you’ll taste your way through the best San Francisco restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and bars while exploring landmarks and hidden gems.
Bakeries in San Francisco, FAQ
What is the best French Bakery in San Francisco?
If you ask me for the best French Bakery in San Francisco, I’d say B. Patisserie, hands down! However, SF is overflowing with good bakeries, so the answer to this question will change based on who you ask.
What is that famous French Bakery in San Francisco?
The most famous French Bakery in San Francisco is, without a doubt, B. Patisserie, with authentic Viennese-style pastries! This is the bakery you need when you’re looking for classically French desserts like tartines, almond croissants, macarons, and seasonal verrine in San Francisco.
Where can I find the best bread in San Francisco?
Liguria has the best focaccia bread in San Francisco, and Boudin has the famous sourdough. However, any of the bakeries in this post will give you some good dough!
What is the famous old bakery in San Francisco?
Boudin Bakery is the oldest continuously operating business in San Francisco. Serving San Francisco fresh bread daily since 1849, Boudin’s is definitely that famous old bakery.
Why is San Francisco Sourdough famous?
San Francisco Sourdough is famous for its robust sour flavor, partly due to being left out in SF’s specific climate. Boudin Bakery’s San Francisco sourdough is also more aerated and chewy than other types.
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