I'm a little obsessed with French pastries and one of my favorite things to do when traveling is search out the "best" bakery where I'm staying. Lots of research on Reddit and Yelp led me to Arsicault, and I couldn't be happier about it. This was easily the best croissant I've ever had and believe me, I've eaten A LOT of them. The layers were the most crisp, ultimate, light-as-air, texture ever. I got the ham and cheese croissant and I really loved the hint of rosemary it had. I also got a kouign-amann, savory bacon scone, and chocolate chip cookie, and all I can say is "oh my god," both because they were all amazing and because I basically ate myself sick in one sitting. Yes, the 10 minute walk through the Tenderloin was a little sketchy, but I would never let that keep me from pastries like THIS. And honestly it's not that bad on a bright and sunny Sunday morning. I got there at 8:15am and the seating areas were already full and there were about 10 people in line in front of me. Service was fast and incredibly friendly. I come to SF a couple times a year and I'm already looking forward to coming back to Arsicault! read more

will forever and always love this place. the blackberry hazelnut almond croissant is like no other in the world. i show every out of towner this spot without fail, and they are always stunned. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Arsicault Bakery is easily one of the best bakeries in San Francisco and absolutely worth the hype. The almond croissant is phenomenal--but the chocolate almond croissant may be even better. Flaky, buttery, perfectly baked, and packed with flavor, they're among the best pastries I've ever had. The sandwiches are also outstanding, made with the same attention to quality that makes their pastries so memorable. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast or lunch, it's hard to go wrong. A word of advice: get there early. Their most popular items regularly sell out, and for good reason. The quality is exceptional, and locals and visitors alike know it. Seating inside is limited, but there is a great little outdoor area that's perfect for enjoying your coffee and pastry while doing some people-watching. It's a quintessential San Francisco experience. One thing to keep in mind is that the bakery is close to the Tenderloin, so be aware of your surroundings when walking in the area. That said, the bakery itself is fantastic and well worth the visit. If you're a fan of world-class pastries, amazing sandwiches, and classic San Francisco charm, Arsicault Bakery is a must-visit. read more

See all

Arsicault absolutely lives up to the hype. This place is known for its croissants for a good reason. If you show up after lunch, you can walk in with no wait and little selection. So go early and get in line. It's well worth the wait. You are getting croissants, obviously. But if you have room or are feeling frisky there are also morning buns, turnovers, scones, kouign-amanns, cookies, pound cakes, quiche, loaves of bread, and sandwiches. Coffee drinks are Mr. Espresso and take another 10 minutes to make if you're in the morning rush. I still dream of the Blackberry, Almond, Hazelnut Croissant. It was everything you hope a flavored, twice baked croissant will be. Buttery, flaky, shatteringly crisp on the outside, tender and chewy on the inside. The blackberry compote balancing the sweet almond paste, so even though it's very sweet, you still greedily want more. By contrast, the plain, chocolate, and ham and cheese croissants are light and airy, showering you with buttery flakes as you break them open. Service is efficient, trying to kept the line moving. The only deterrent for some might be the neighborhood. If that's the case for you there are other locations to visit. Arsicault is worth the trip. If you love a sweet croissant, this should be high on your list. read more

See all

I tried this location's Arsicault with a friend recently on a weekday afternoon. While the line seemed long, it moved quickly, and we were able to get our warm pastries in time to satisfy our hunger. Blackberry Almond Croissant: This was my personal favorite! While it was on the slightly sweeter side, I loved the crumbly croissant, fresh powder, and blackberry that all complemented each other in a delicious pastry. Kouign Amann: The original kouign amann was just as crumbly and delicious, and not too sweet. read more

Arsicault - Kouign Amann (left), Blackberry Almond Croissant (right) - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Had to try because everyone says they are the best .... And yes, they do live up to the hype. I even went back twice because I wanted to bring back home to LA. I recommend the ham and cheese croissant. I would pass on the cookie. The second round I went back and def get the kouign-amann!!! Honestly I don't think you can go wrong with anything in the store. Go early for best selections. Parking is hard here and surrounding areas are a bit sketch. read more

Arsicault - Ham and cheese - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Great selection of viennoiserie. The croissants, pain au chocolat, danish and others were still flaky and delicious even several days after. A couple were frozen and tossed in a toaster oven for enjoyment back in LA and they were still delish!! read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Definitely worth checking out. My sister-in-law went to Ariscault as soon as they opened and there was quite a line. I met her up after. We took our pastries to union square to eat and chill and it was worth it. Really enjoyed their ham & cheese croissant read more

Arsicault - Ham & cheese croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Arsicault truly knows how to do croissants well. With so many new bakeries popping up, you'd think it might get overshadowed, but it's quite the opposite. There's a reason people are still willing to stand in line for these pastries. I'd love to visit the original location one day, but I stopped by this one since it was closer to where I was staying. I came on a Monday morning and there was no line, though there was still a steady flow of people coming in, working, or catching up with friends. We tried a variety of pastries including the traditional croissant, ham and cheese, blackberry almond, and kouign amann, and every single one impressed me. I usually gravitate toward a classic croissant, but the standout items for me were the kouign amann and the ham and cheese. Both were incredibly comforting and well executed. read more

Arsicault - Blackberry almond and traditional - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Arsicault is home to the best croissants in the country. The croissants are shatteringly flaky on the outside, soft and pillowy within. You can see the layers of buttery goodness, demonstrating good lamination techniques. I selected the blackberry almond hazelnut croissant and two of the ham and cheese. The ham and cheese is reminiscent of the classic French jambon-beurre, just reimagined in croissant form. I could pick up a subtle whisper of rosemary woven through the savory ham. I can see how Ariscault elevates their baked goods by selecting quality ingredients. The blackberry almond hazelnut croissant is a showstopper. The berry jam filling is perfectly balanced by the nuttiness of almond and hazelnut. Ariscault croissants satisfies your cravings for a sweet or savory pastry. Absolutely divine doesn't begin to cover it. Well worth the visit and wait! read more

See all

The pastries are delicious. We got the ham and cheese croissant, blackberry almond, almond croissant and a kouign amann. We actually asked for 2 blackberry one but the person taking our order was high or something, he was out of it. Probably smoked too much before work. We didn't check our order and came back and saw we were missing a blackberry almond croissant! Bummer. Everything tasted fresh and crispy. The layers of the croissant were top notch! Definitely a good bakery if you have the time to wait in line. read more

See all

Solid 4 stars!!!!!! The almond croissant is great; dense and tasty. Would come back for this for sure. The ham and cheese is ok. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Loved their chocolate almond croissant! I will mention that it was much heavier than we expected. It was huge and had some heft to it. The long line does go by quickly which we liked! We did NOT LIKE their chai. When we tried it, tasted like hot water, too hot as well. Expected it to be creamy or some milk or anything but it was just hot water. Not enjoyable. read more

See all

A great place to come to when it's your early weekend morning. This place gets crowded and there's always a line. Service here is very friendly and fast. It's a fast paced bakery. The pastries were delicious and fresh. I got full from just eating two pastures. So if you like good pastries with good atmosphere, then you've found it. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I just had the best kougn aman I have ever had in my whole entire life... parking was hard, figure it out.. read more

Arsicault - Bag - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love blackberries and the combination of blackberries with almond in a croissant is a dream-come-true for me. The croissant was beyond greasy and not flaky at all. I'm really not sure I could handle it more often than once a month when the blackberry pastry craving kicks in. read more

See all

This bakery is always packed whenever I come here and the location is easiest to get to by walking as parking is usually rough around it. They have alot of variety but the croissants are delicious. The croissants are flakey and soft til the last bite. I usually get two different types for a contrast of flavor and they hit everytime. They have so many types of pastries, so you will never leave empty handed. Morning bun, Scone, cookies, and turnovers just to name a few of my go-tos. The pastries might be the most popular items but they do offer coffee, quiche, and sandwich items as well. If you can get a fresh baguette, it is always nice to have for later. The inside and outside have some seating but I usually grab and go. This place is worth the walk if you are nearby. read more

Got treated to a plain croissant from here. Wow, it was so good. Delicately crunchy. Buttery. Just a big surprise to make my day. It was so filling that I delayed eating my lunch. read more

See all

Simplicity crafted through detail. Delicacy elevated into pure indulgence. Butter croissants; golden, flaky, perfectly layered ; melting effortlessly with every bite. Chocolate croissants rich and balanced, where each fold of pastry embraces the cocoa with elegance. Artisan rolls, delicate pastries, refined small bites... this is not just bakery; it's an experience. And the coffee. Perfect. Aromatic. Intense. Full-bodied. An espresso that awakens the senses and lingers with character; exactly what you expect in a city as discerning as San Francisco. But beyond the flavors, the service. Attentive. Professional. Warm. The kind of hospitality that makes you feel seen, welcomed, and valued; the kind you immediately recognize when you understand true service excellence. I have truly discovered a place in San Francisco where simplicity becomes art, where every detail matters, and where flavor has identity. The Atmospheres Was Unique read more

See all

4.5 out of 5. We noticed a long line and decided to give this bakery a try. The line moved quickly and the service was efficient. The inside was clean but busy, and I appreciated that they offer a bathroom, sink area, and a water station. Both items we ordered were extremely delicious with subtle flavors. The kouign amann was a must try since everyone seemed to be ordering it. It was thick, sweet on the inside, nicely caramelized, and surprisingly light in taste. The almond croissant was excellent. I loved the texture. The outside was very flaky, and the inside was doughy and gooey with rich almond cream. An outstanding pastry. read more

See all

This place has been raved by so many SF friends, and for good reason! Loves: + Delicious croissants. I liked the ham & cheese one more than the chocolate almond one, as the latter felt very sweet to me + Amazing pastries. I only tried the orange cardamom kouign amann but there were other items like the morning bun that looked delightful and fluffy + Kind and lovely service + Quick moving line + Spacious inside (and possibly outdoors in the summer? looks like they could put many tables out there) While there are multiple locations in the city, the rumors are correct that this one moves fast. Arsicault was a good time and I would gladly go back. :) read more

Arsicault - Orange cardamom bun, ham and cheese croissant, and chocolate almond croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ordered: Plain Croissant (~$5) Almond Croissant (~$6) Blackberry Almond Hazelnut Croissant (~$7) Kouign Amann (~$6) Aya's take: Arsicault is an SF staple and often noted as having a croissant that's "better than the ones in France" so of course I had to give it a try. We arrived around 8:15am on a Sunday; there were about 10 people in line but it moved quick. By 8:30am, we were already out the door with our pastries. Arsicault has a simpler menu and everything is incredibly fresh! The Plain Croissant was excellent but my favorite item was actually the Almond Croissant. I'm not big on Almond Croissants at all but this is truly the best I've had! It's flaky on the outside and nutty, light, and almost creamy on the inside. It's so balanced and somehow doesn't feel overly heavy or sugary at all. The Blackberry Almond Hazelnut Croissant was a close second! The blackberry spread was delicious but I didn't get any essence of hazelnut. The Kouign Amann was buttery, sweet, and indulgent yet so refined. You can't go wrong with anything here. Solid pastries across the board! read more

See all

Arsicault needs to introduction. I really like this location though, the line is much shorter and it's easy to get to. I ordered a lot of stuff but the staff was really sweet and patient, offering recommendations when I asked. The display is helpful, with everything clearly labeled and super enticing to be honest. It's a little hard to find and the area is obviously not the nicest but it's worth it. This time I tried the blackberry croissant and kouign aman, unfortunately the were cold by the time I got back (really can't blame them for that) but they were still delicious. The blackberry croissant was on the sweeter side. Everyone else loved the pastries as well. read more

See all

The best croissants in the bay!! It's always busy but the line moves fast. The staff work hard to keep pumping out more fresh pastries. This location has some seating as well to enjoy. Chocolate croissant: warm gooey chocolate, excellent texture, so satisfyingly flaky Almond croissant: an amazing balance between a very crispy outside and a light, pillowy inside. The lamination is executed to perfection. The almond filling was very fragrant and yummy, but not overpoweringly sweet. Biting into these croissants might make you question all other croissants you've had before. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I was lucky enough to try "America's best croissant" without a wait by dropping by on a weekday morning. I was worried after seeing crazy long lines on social media. I'm not the biggest croissant fan, but I have to say this is definitely in my top two favorite croissants (competing with CAR artisanal croissants in LA). Layers were solid and it was genuinely so buttery and delicious. I got the chocolate almond croissant, which I highly recommend as the best of both worlds. There's some inside and outside seating. I wish they gave the option to get a plate if you're eating there. It's very pretty inside and the people working there are friendly. I would definitely recommend, but I'm not sure I would wait more than 20 minutes. Would love to come back with a group and split a few different pastries! read more

See all

If you've been to either location you know Arsicault knows how to do baked goods. Still the best croissants I've ever had. Sometimes there is a long line, especially at the other location, but this one is always fairly reasonable. Absolutely nightmare to find parking, but it's worth it. Best to come in pairs so one person can drive around and the other can go get it. I'm sure many transit riders come here and it is so good it is worth the bother. FOOD: Baked goods both savory and sweet. Chocolate almond croissant is the best and big enough to share or save for the next day. Kouign Amann is delicious, also. And try something savory. We love the ham and cheese croissant. Their chocolate chip cookies are good, but their croissants are so terrific it's just not worth it. But they are excellent. SERVICE: Usually good. It might take some time if there's a line, but they are working hard and efficiently inside. Packaged nicely and neatly and the portions are great. COST: Worth it at twice the price. Seriously. Higher than average, but lower than expected. Just so good. read more

Arsicault - The neon sign lets you know you're there - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I don't know what all the hoopla is about . Just an average bakery. Ham croissant was pretty average ( had a small piece of ham in it ) This place doesn't compare to butter and crumble read more

I ordered three items here and waited less than 10 minutes. Line moved quickly and staff were friendly. kouign-amann: 3/5. Was first time trying so have nothing to compare it to. It was a lil crispy on the outside but sweet and felt heavy. pretty standard and decent. Ham and cheese croissant: 3.5/5. I got lots of recommendations and heard every person in front of me order this. The croissant is yummy and flakey; however didn't really taste any cheese and ham was tough. Nothing special in my opinion. Almond chocolate croissant: 4/5. Favorite of the three! Very rich and decadent. Best one I've had, would definitely order again. Overall, for being known for croissants they were decent but nothing memorable. This isn't a spot I'd go out of my way to visit or crave. The service here was nice and there was line moved fast quickly at this location, likely because it's in a less desirable area. It didn't feel very comfortable to linger, but if you don't want to wait, this spot is a good option. Otherwise, there are two other locations I've heard are nicer. read more

Arsicault - Top: chocolate almond croissant, left: kouign-amann, right: ham and cheese croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time trying Arsicault and it was incredible! Be mindful of this location as parking can be a pain but I got pretty lucky on a Saturday morning. The line wasn't too long and service was super quick -- the assembly line the pastries so it's a fast process. Some nice seating options inside too which is convenient. I got the chocolate almond croissant and you can tell that thing was made with love. Oozing with fresh almond filling and smooth chocolate. The croissant itself was perfectly buttery, flaky and crunchy. Hands down one of the best croissants I've ever had -- so good, I had to grab another one to go! I also got the vanilla latte and it was good but nothing to write home about. I will definitely be back for more croissants when I'm back in SF! read more

See all

OMG!! This bakery is just too good! We came early around 8:45-9am. The line wasn't that long, It took us roughly 15-20 mins to get inside. We ordered the plain croissant, vegetarian galette, blackberry coconut scone and almond chocolate croissant with iced latte. Everything was so delicious. The plain croissant just melts in the mouth, it's so so good! Buttery and flaky. The most surprising for me was the almond chocolate one, I usually don't go for the sweet one but their almond filling was melt in the mouth. They don't have a lot of seating so people usually either eat there or take it to go and eat around the oracle park. The service is fast and courteous. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time at this location. The kind is slightly shorter than the other location and it goes just as fast. I do love that this location had a good amount of seating and has coffee options! The service is the same between the two locations - fast and sweet. The pastries were amazing as always. We got the morning bun, chocolate croissant and chocolate almond croissant. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Every bit as good as the other two locations! I got the chocolate croissant which a as usual was a great balance of soft, flaky and chewy. Good service and there's plenty of seating inside, along with a patio area outside. The only downside is it's located in one of the sketchiest parts of the city, near the civic center. So it's not the most pleasant experience to be walking around nearby after picking up a bite. But I'm very happy to have other location, especially one closer to the heart of the city! read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

A coworker living in San Francisco recommended this spot and said it's a can't miss. I'm fairly skeptical of any place that is described as a can't miss or as a must try on a vacation, but Arsicault lived up to the hype. Even though it's busy, the line moves quickly, the staff is patient, and the tables clear up regularly so I had no trouble getting a seat either of the times I went. They also have a clean bathroom and a courtyard with some seating during warmer weather. I've tried the raisin kouign amann, apricot bostick, and blueberry hazelnut almond croissant and they've all been delicious. The croissant though is what makes this spot live up to the hype. It sounds like a lot of flavors but it works and is hands down the best croissant I've had, so delicious that my brother and I were thinking of it weeks later. One day, my friend (whose family owns a pastry store) said he had a life changing croissant on his trip to SF and I said I did too. When we compared notes, it turned out we were both talking about this specific croissant -- a testament to how amazing this croissant is. read more

Arsicault - Blueberry almond hazelnut croissant, apricot bostock - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

I got the Ham and Cheese Croissant and a Cappuccino. The Ham and Cheese Croissant was flaky, buttery, and savory. It felt pretty filling. The Cappuccino was good too, but I would get something sweeter next time. I've tried the Almond Croissant which was also really good but a bit too sweet for me. It was a bit messy with the amount of powdered sugar on top. The Chocolate Chip Cookie was also sweet, chocolatey with a bit of salt to cut through the sweetness. It was a pretty decadent cookie. Definitely for the croissants, note that it's super flaky and will make a mess while you're eating haha. My friend and I came here on Sunday at 10am, and the line to order wrapped around the gate. It took around 40 minutes before we were able to order. There are limited tables inside and outside. I think most people were doing grab and go orders anyways. There is a restroom in the store. I definitely would come again to try their other pastries! read more

See all

First time trying this location and I'd say we like our original location more. The staff refused to give us a box for our pastries since we were a little short of a dozen... I mean you're paying a decent amount of these pastries and I doubt a box is going to hurt the bottom line. The kouign amann specifcally tastes better at the more original location imo. Parking is barely there on the street but there is a large passenger loading zone nearby you could have someone wait while grabbing pastries. read more

As someone who lived in the UK and has visited France many times, I can confidently say Ariscault's croissants are on par with what you'd find in France. My favorite croissant here is the chocolate & almond croissant. In addition, their Parisian baguette: ham, butter, and salt on a baguette, is simply delicious and took me right back to Paris. The only small letdown is the seating area, which feels a bit cramped and could be cleaner. Still, the quality of the croissants and baguettes more than makes up for it! A 5-star experience overall. read more

I came here twice over the weekend since I wanted to try a few of their items. On my first visit, I came around 1pm. Options were limited so I got a chocolate croissant and the savory scone. I felt that the chocolate croissant was wayyyy too buttery where it came off oily. The savory scone was decent as a savory option since they didn't have the ham and cheese croissant that I really wanted to try. But, I don't think I would get it again. For my second visit, I came about 40 minutes before closing and the options were limited once again, so I only ended up getting a plain croissant. The plain croissant was very good. It was buttery and flaky. Everything that you want a croissant to be. Overall, I would recommend trying this spot out but maybe come earlier in the day if you want more options. read more

Arsicault - Chocolate croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

I highly recommend this bakery. Probably some of the flakiest and delicious croissants I've ever had in my life. I was there on a Saturday and arrived about 10 minutes before they opened. There was already a line, so definitely plan to arrive early if you're in a rush. However, the line does move pretty fast. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

What an amazing bakery! The line out the door is totally justified. Parking can be a bit tricky but they have lots of seating outside. The amount of pastries they had was astonishing and everything looked so good. We settled on the scone, the chocolate chip cookie, and the palmier. We also got two coffees. Everything was a five star. We just loved everything. I think my only complaint would be that the scone was a bit dry but other than that we are so glad we went. I also think that they use powdered sugar on too many things. People don't want all that sweetness. I think what would be better is to make the pastries and then have powdered sugar out by where the coffee milks are and then people could add powdered sugar to their bakery item if they wanted. read more

See all

Order: Ham and cheese croissant: buttery, flaky outside with lots of ham and cheese inside. Best when it is toasted. Chocolate croissant: rich dark chocolate interior that was not too sweet or bitter. Chocolate chip cookie: dark chocolate and sea salt with the perfect amount of crunch Heart of the city. There was no wait on a weekday afternoon, and they had the ham and cheese in stock!! A unique croissant to this location is the blackberry almond hazelnut. Two employee were taking orders and another one at the register. Seating is available inside and outside. the area isn't the best for parking, but easily accessible by bus, train, or bart. read more

See all