The top five bakeries in San Francisco right now

One thing you’ll notice when visiting San Francisco’s is people’s unfaltering willingness to wait in lines, especially for baked goods. Yes, the city is saturated with bakeries, but what sets the best ones apart are the lines that form outside their doors in the morning. 

Sometimes you’ll get lucky, especially at those that open later in the day. But for the most part, you’re going to wait around for a little bit. Here are the ones worth waiting for. 

Butter & Crumble 

People have been lining up for Sophie Smith’s croissants since before she even had her own space. Butter & Crumble was formed during the pandemic, when the now 28-year-old baked her viral cakes in rented kitchens around the city and sold them at pop-up events in the least likely of places. Last year she finally found an adorable storefront to call her own and customers have been dutifully lining up before opening since. 

Butter & Crumble opens at 9am and is usually sold out by noon. Get there early for your pick or keep up with the Instagram page for updates if you want to try to pop by later. Whatever you go for, make sure there’s croissant dough involved - although the chocolate chip cookies are equally delicious. 

b. Patisserie

Speaking of croissants, have you ever tried a chocolate banana almond one? Well you should, and it should be from B Patisserie. This Pac-Heights staple has been attracting crowds since 2012 for many reasons - the main one being its kouign amanns. Get the chocolate or seasonal one, and do not forget that banana croissant.

Jane the Bakery

Jane is perhaps one of the most well known bakeries around the city. There’s six different outposts but one shouldn’t be fooled by the Fillmore Street café. Keep on walking all the way to Japantown, where you’ll find the OG Jane location. Once there, enjoy fig walnut loaves, cardamom buns and challah and cinnamon rolls on weekends. 

Loquat 

Chocolate babka. Hayes Valley. That’s all you need to know. 

Tartine

When it comes to bread, look no further than Tartine. Don’t look elsewhere in the Mission, don’t look anywhere else around the city. Don’t even change state. Tartine wins all. Over the past 20 years, Chad Robertson and Elisabeth Prueitt have become world renowned for their perfect, consistent creations. There’s cookbooks, countless national reviews, thousands of followers and - luckily - a few locations. The one near Dolores Park is still the best. Don’t leave without a morning bun and half, yes half, country loaf. 

Arsicault 

We’re possibly saving the best for last here, but no bakery conversation is complete in San Francisco without mentioning Arsicault. Within one year of opening in 2015, Arsicault was named one of the best bakeries in the US by Bon Appetit. Their croissants are legendary, and they’re available from both the original location near Clement Street and the Civic Center. Nab whatever is left and make sure a kouign amann is in the bag.