If you’re in San Francisco and need a fix for your sweet tooth, we’ve got you covered. From macarons to chocolate lava cakes and everything in between, we’ve found the best bakeries and patisseries for all your sugar cravings!
This tiny bakery in Lower Haight specializes in petite choux and light and airy French cream puffs that are a sweet treat to satisfy any sugary craving. It also serves coffee, espresso, and tea as well.
1. Lady Yum
Lady Yum is a boutique shop specializing in local makers’ macarons, champagne, and artisanal products. They’re a great spot to grab a snack or an afternoon treat.
This whimsical Bellevue Square location has disco balls, glitzy decor, and fancy macarons. It offers 21 rotating flavors and fun champagne options.
They also offer catering for parties and events, a build-your-own gift basket program, and pre-made boxes. The shop is gluten-free and serves a variety of kid-friendly options, like chocolate and s’mores macarons.
They also sell macaron boxes you can take home and wine “to go.” Check out their Instagram for a glimpse of what they have on tap. Plus, they have a special selection of unique macarons for the gluten-free crowd, including mango habanero and fennel pear.
2. Schubert’s
One of San Francisco’s best-loved bakeries, Schubert’s has been slinging pastries to locals since 1911. Founded by German immigrants, this Inner Richmond institution is home to cakes that are reputedly out of this world, such as the Swedish Princess cake (a fluffy white cake topped with raspberry and kirsch custard and whipped cream) and Opera Cake (a rich hazelnut sponge layered with chocolate truffle and mocha-praline filling).
Fourth-generation owners Ralph and Luz Wenzel took over the bakery in 2015 and had faithfully produced the same old-fashioned cakes that have made it such a beloved local spot. The Wenzels’ main goal is to keep the menu virtually unchanged and do whatever they can to please their customers.
3. Miette
Renowned for beautiful cakes and whimsical confections, Miette is among the most beloved of San Francisco’s culinary destinations for locals and travelers alike. Its pretty Parisian aesthetic enchants visitors with tables piled high with beribboned bags of gingersnaps, homemade marshmallows, fleur de sel caramels, and rainbows of gumballs.
The shop in Hayes Valley is filled with old-fashioned candy, confections from around the world, and treats made by local artisans. A small shop connected to their bakery in Oakland and a boutique store recently opened in Larkspur Landing also carry a variety of Miette’s sweet treats.
Founded by self-taught baker Meg Ray, the shop started as a stall at area farmer’s markets in 2001 and has since grown into a full-fledged bakery with an array of French-inspired desserts. The pale pink walls and lovingly created cakes, cookies, and pastries line up in sparking glass display cases to evoke a slice of Parisian life on the San Francisco Bay.
4. Stonemill Matcha
If you’re a matcha lover looking for something that stands out above the crowd, this spot should be on your list of things to do in San Francisco. Located in the Mission, Stonemill Matcha specializes in upscale Japanese cuisine, emphasizing green tea powder. Their selection of iced matcha lattes, matcha cocktails, and matching desserts should not be missed.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the SF food scene, this coffee shop is a must-visit for its well-thought-out menu, thoughtfully curated wares, and impressive customer service. You’ll also be rewarded with a fun and festive vibe and eye-popping decor that is the talk of the town. They even have a special nighttime menu that is sure to impress.
5. Craftsman and Wolves
Craftsman and Wolves is a top-notch pastry shop in the Mission. Their bread and coffee put most bakeries to shame.
The bakery is owned and operated by William Werner, a nationally renowned pastry chef. It has two storefronts in the Mission and a farmers market stand in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
The bakery features a contemporary design that reflects the high artistry of its owner and founder. The space has a formal pastry counter made of wood topped with a blockade of glass.
