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

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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

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

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I had an almond croissant and it had some powders sugar on the top. It was very yummy, flaky and had a nice flavorful filling in the middle. I do wish it had double the amount of filling however. I'll def come and try it out again to check the rest of the menu and get a drink to get a good feel on their menu. Service was fast, space in line was a bit crowded but I see why with the way that pastry tasted. read more

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I love this place...just love the pastries and the aroma of it all!!! That's why I keep coming back. I'm so glad they're still here. Service is always fast and friendly. Love this place! Had to pick up my absolute favorite, the Kouign Aman (can't do wrong with that one). By the way this one is actually located on McAllister St. not Golden Gate area (edit from previous). read more

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Best croissants that I've had in the Bay, even better than some in Paris. Really sugary and filling, I'd recommend splitting with a friend. This location can be a bit sketchy but it is very accessible as the majority of MUNI light rails and BART trains go through the nearest location/Civic Center. I got the almond chocolate croissant, kouign amann, and an iced vanilla latte ($18 total). The almond chocolate croissant was a bit overkill, I'd probably stick with one or the other next time. So flaky, you will make a mess from eating this!! The iced vanilla latte was also incredibly tasty. I'd say that this is definitely a once in a while indulgence for me, maybe to take some out-of-towners to. I wouldn't consider this an everyday spot to frequent just because of how heavy the pastries are! read more

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Delicious, big, buttery, flaky croissants. I came here in the morning, got in line with commuters grabbing a pastry and coffee on their way to work, and basked in the warm scent of butter and bread. Get ready because the line moves quickly and at your turn, you will need to choose from an assortment of traditional and almond croissants as well as breads, galettes, and more. I enjoyed a traditional ham and cheese on the spot and took a blackberry jam almond for the road. The croissants are delectable and peel off into large flaky chunks until you uncover the soft, warm inside. The ham and cheese adds a nice savoriness to the traditional croissant that made for a satisfying breakfast. For my almond croissant, I was recommended the jam as a less sweet option than the chocolate. These are large and filling almond croissants that are indulgently buttery. Coffee is made to order and I waited a few minutes for a double espresso. Don't come here for the coffee, though. This is the place to treat yourself to a croissant and cover yourself in flaky crumbs while watching the hustle and bustle of downtown SF on a weekday morning. read more

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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

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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

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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

We barely made it before they closed. The selection was slim. I actually dropped my wife off and drove around looking for parking. She ended up getting some plain croissants. Flakey, buttery, with a soft inside. You could really taste the butter! No inside dining at all, but some outdoors. The interior was decent. read more

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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 walk by Arsicault almost every day, and the smell alone has been tempting me for ages--today I finally gave in, and I'm so glad I did. There was a bit of a line when I arrived, but it moved quickly. You order at the counter, then head down to the register to pay. Super efficient, and the staff was friendly. There's limited seating inside and a few spots outside, which is nice if you want to enjoy your pastry on the spot. Arsicault is known for their croissants, but the Apple Turnover caught my eye--and it did not disappoint. Incredibly flaky, loaded with apple filling, and just the right amount of sweetness. It basically exploded into buttery flakes with every bite (in the best way). They offer coffee and espresso drinks too, though I was already coffeed out for the morning. If the turnover is this good, I have to come back for the croissants. Arsicault lives up to the hype--and then some. read more

Arsicault - Case of pastries - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Stop by during my trip to SF to check out the hype (+) very good croissant. I highly recommend their plain because the other ones I tried were slightly too sweet for me (+) drinks are ok , at good price points and can customize (-) the lines were crazy, I came on a Friday at around 11am and there was about 20 people in front of me which took about (25 min). (-) this particular location was quite small, it was hard to get a seat on the inside , and tight to get out. read more

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I made the mistake of stopping by in the late afternoon just before closing... please do yourself a favor don't do that. Get there early to enjoy the full experience and selection! Even though I was a latecomer, they still had a few plain croissants left. So very yummy! Buttery and flakey, they definitely know their way around a quality croissant. This particular location isn't in the best place of town and parking is hard to come by. However, the interior is spacious and they have plenty of patio seating! read more

Arsicault - Plain Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm so happy to see Arsicault expanding and opening more locations. They really deserve all the success they're having and I hope they decide to open more locations on the peninsula. Their pastries are so tasty and always fresh. I usually visit around 10:30am on the weekend and always have their full selection available. The croissants are the closest I've had in the U.S. that comes close to what you can get in Paris. They're flaky, buttery, and just really well made. The kouign amann is also amazing. Other Favorites? Definitely the chocolate, almond, and chocolate almond croissants. It's always a struggle to choose, so I usually end up leaving with at least 3-4 pastries... and no regrets. Their cookies are also solid! If you haven't been yet, go... and if you have, you already know what the hype is about. read more

Finally got to try this place with my friend and we were so impressed! We visited the Civic Center location before going to the Asian Art Museum for a quick breakfast. We've heard the line is usually long, but to our luck, it was a fast moving line of about 10 people ahead of us. The servers were friendly and accommodated us well when we ordered. I ordered the Blackberry Almond Hazelnut Croissant, and it's game changing. I see why people say this is one of the best croissant places. Everything is made fresh, and I love the softness and flakiness of this croissant. We decided to enjoy our croissants outside at their tables on a nice sunny day in the city. I haven't been back since most of the locations are far from me, but I think about this croissant from time to time. I would love to visit again soon! read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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So nice to have a location in Mission Bay! I love their croissants but I decided to get their morning bun instead. The morning bun was super fluffy and soft on the inside and a little flakey on the outside. It had the right amount of cinnamon sugar. Would highly recommend! read more

Arsicault - Morning Bun - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Literally devoured everything we ordered!! Since they're most known for them, we tried 4 different croissants: Plain: 10/10 Incredibly buttery and flakey. All the best things you imagine when you think of a croissant!!! Almond: 8/10 The almond taste was a bit too subtle for me, and it tasted like a mixture between almond and vanilla instead. The top has a cookie-like covering which is absolutely delicious!! Chocolate: 7/10 The chocolate was incredible, however the distribution was a bit off. The bites where you got some chocolate were great, but for the ones without any chocolate, it tasted like a slightly-less better version of the plain croissant. Would skip this next time. Ham and cheese: 8/10 Would eat this over and over again just for the cheese!!! Ham is mid, a bit too herb-y for my liking. HIGHLY recommend the chocolate chip cookie! Most people skip this and just get the croissants, but it's seriously incredible. It's the perfect blend of slightly crunchy, almost toffee-like on the outside and chewy on the inside with great chocolate dispersion throughout. Coffee is quite average, would skip and go somewhere else. Service is pretty fast for how busy they are, and the overall ambience inside is quite lovely. There's quite a bit of seating both inside and outside, and they have WiFi if you ask. Would absolutely be back! read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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First time at the Civic Center location of this bakery chain..had to get in line to go in but the line moved pretty quick. Their products are amazing....the croissants remind me of my time in Paris, their Kouign Amman melts in the mouth & tantalizes your taste buds, the pain au chocolat has chocolate on both sides so there is no missing out if you split one with another person & the ham & cheese croissant was amazing. I'll be going back to try more...I strongly recommend you do too. read more

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We stopped by this location in early afternoon on a weekday and surprisingly they had most things, and while there wasn't a line or anything, all of the pretty limited seating was full. We got an orange cardamom monkey bread and a pain au chocolat. The pain au chocolate was super flaky, had a million layers, and the chocolate was super rich. And there was a lot of it. The monkey bread was crisply caramelized like a kouign amann and the flavors were subtle but delicious. read more

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Yummy, tasting pastries...got the quiche today and it taste great. Courteous, efficient staff. Lively atmosphere. read more

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Delicious croissants, great pastry selection, and a cute interior! Definitely a popular spot but didn't have trouble getting a seat. read more

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arsicault completely lives up to its hype. came here around noon on saturday and waited around 10 minutes in line, but it moved quickly and is so worth it! I had to try the chocolate almond croissant, which was so flaky, buttery, and delicious without being too rich. we also ordered the parisian baguette sandwich with ham, cheese, and butter. the ingredients are so simple but they came together so well. my friend got the ham and cheese croissant as well and said it was also delicious. I also have to emphasize how amazing their coffee is!! we all ordered iced vanilla lattes which were sweet, smooth, and so flavorful. this location has lots of seating indoors as well which I appreciated, and the bakery itself is very clean and well-lit. the staff are so friendly and fast! I will definitely be back to try the other pastries. read more

Arsicault - ham and cheese croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Decided to try out this Arsicault location! I got my go to: almond croissant $5.75 ea No line at all. There was some seating inside. The flavor was there, but compared to the other location, it was kind of cold. Not sure if there's an option to re-heat, but will definitely ask. Street/metered parking only. read more

At this rate, I'm pretty sure I eat Arsicault pastries on a monthly basis. Love their chocolate almond croissant: it's rich in flavor with a delicious almond filling and powdered sugar on top. their plain croissants are also fantastic: incredibly flakey with the most satisfying crunch. Be warned though, these pastries are quite large and heavy -- I can never have more than 1 at a time. they also sell baguettes which I've personally really loved. The McAllister St location usually always has a line but it moves quickly. The inside is spacious with high ceilings and you can see the endless supply of pastries that they're baking in the background. there's also a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating if you're looking to sit down and enjoy your food. Staff is friendly and very efficient. Very popular amongst locals and well worth the hype! read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Last time I went to Arsicault, they didn't have the blackberry almond hazelnut croissant so I decided to go back to try it! Went on a Sunday around 11:30am and it was pretty crowded. There is some indoors and outdoors seating. We waited about 15 minutes in line and ordered a variety of items: kouign amann, blackberry almond hazelnut croissant, almond croissant, apricot bostock, and veggie galette. Veggie galette (4/5): Pretty good! Basically veggie pizza with no sauce. The dough was soft which was a nice contrast with the crunchiness of the veggies. I would have liked to have some sort of sauce on it but my friends enjoyed! Apricot bostock (4/5): Looked delicious! I liked the slice of apricot and the sweet jam in the middle. The bread had a cornbread-like texture. The crust was a little overcooked Kouign amman (4.5/5): I have never heard of this so first time trying it! This was a little too buttery but it had a nice, crispy exterior from the sugar and the inside was moist Almond croissant (5/5): Perfectly made with a soft, buttery interior and flakey exterior. The almond filling was nice and sweet. I was unsure if I would like this since I usually don't enjoy nutty flavors, but this was delicious! Blackberry almond hazelnut croissant (5/5): This was soooo good. I loved the tartness of the blackberry combined with the sweetness of the almond and hazelnut filling. The blackberry and almond croissants were amazing! The blackberry one especially was probably one of the best desserts I've ever had. The other items were pretty good as well, but I would come back to Arsicault just for these croissants. read more

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Wow! Arsicault is fantastic. The Kouign-amann is possibly the best I've ever had. I had a couple croissants and they were both delicious. The line moves fast so don't let that scare you. The people behind the counter were doing a great job. Keep up the good work! read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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DISCLOSURE: THIS REVIEW WAS IN MY EDITS FOR ABOUT A YR BUT IT IS WORTH POSTING Usually a hit this time it was a miss. My boyfriend went to go pick up two iced mocha lattes with oat milk per usual. Line was longer than usual service slower than usual but oh my god the quality was poor poor poor. The latte was watery and though it was large & iced it was placed in a small to go cup and wasn't filled all the way. I called they said too bad we should have told them then but I told them I couldn't believe even McDonalds had a better policy on correcting orders. The assistant manager was very bad. read more

Excellent pastries. Fluffy and light, but crispy on the outside. The almond filling was a sweet compliment to the puffy croissant. Definitely would come back again. Though there maybe a long line, it moves rather quickly. They're very efficient and quick. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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THE BEST CROISSANTS EVER. No contest. My favorite is the ham and cheese. While I've noticed there's been a little less ham and cheese over time, it still puts all other croissants to shame. Flaky, buttery, and consistently amazing. I also prefer this location since it's less crowded and perfect for grab-and-go. Worth every visit. read more

I came here around 11 a.m. and there was already a long line, but it moved pretty quickly and I was in and out fast. I wanted to try their ham and cheese croissant, but unfortunately they were sold out and making more at the time. Blackberry Bostock: 3/5 - It was good! Not my favorite, but the fruit paired nicely with the bread. Chocolate Almond Croissant: 5/5 - Holy, this was a literal foodgasm. I got lucky and snagged one from a fresh batch -- the chocolate was so gooey and warm, and the bread inside was incredibly soft. If this croissant was that good, I can only imagine how amazing the others must be! I'll definitely be coming back to try that ham and cheese croissant and a few more pastries. read more

Arsicault - BlackBerry Bostock and Chocolate almond croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'm Arsicault obsessed. In particular, the chocolate almond croissant. Everything they make is absolute gold, but this is stuff is like a drug. I actually don't love almonds but love the flavor, which makes this even more perfect. The chocolate almond croissant is absolutely filled with almond paste and rich chocolate but no actual almond flakes. The filling is so good! Besides the chocolate almond croissant, I really enjoy the quiche. It's a standout because of how moist and creamy the filling is on the crisp crust. The kougin aman is also a hit! Yes, the area surrounding this location is rough and not ideal for walking. They keep the shop front very clean and the seating area is fenced off a bit, but keep in mind that the nearby neighborhood is not great so I would not stroll around. It is absolutely worth a visit for the croissants though. read more

Arsicault - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Arsicault is a French bakery with three locations and a cult following in the San Francisco area. This particular location is located on McAllister St in the heart of the Mid-Market area. Along with their daily pastries, they also offer coffee, small bites, bread, and some other foods (like quiche and sandwiches) here. There is some seating both inside and outside this location if you're to enjoy your treats on-site. I arrived to early Saturday afternoon for a little pick-me-up and found myself waiting in line (as expected given it's popularity) - that being said, the line did move fairly quickly which is a testament to the staff's efficiency in taking and preparing your order. We decided to get their (1) almond croissant, (2) kouign amann, and (3) financier. I'm a recent convert to loving almond croissants, and Arsicault's would certainly make anyone a believer in their deliciousness. The flaky pastry pairs perfect with the not-to-sweet filling, and is a bite to die for. I would honestly be back just for this one alone! For those who aren't familiar with it, kouign amann is laminated pastry very similar to a croissant; however, much sweeter with caramelized layers. Although, I'm a big fan of kouign amann, I can find them overly sweet at times - that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and found it to be very balanced overall! The outer layers were a bit tougher than I'm used to; however, that's made up by the fluffy delicious interior. Last, but not least, the financier, which is a small French almond cake that's light and moist, with a crisp exterior. Arsicault's bite-sized financier's are the perfect if you're looking for something sweet without it being too heavy. Despite being in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for my entire life, this was my first visit to Arsicault; however, it definitely won't be my last! I can't wait to try out their other pastries and perhaps some of their foods as well. If you haven't tried Arsicault yet, then I highly recommend you to visit one of their various locations - I'm sure you'll come to love it too! read more

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The veggie galette underrated. Light, buttery pastry with thinly sliced squash, zucchini, and tomato with a light creamy filling. The quiche with bacon eas also very creamy but not heavy, with carmelized onions soooo good. Ham and cheese croissant. Their croissants are superior. I wish I got the normal almond croissant because the choco almond was very rich, which some might like albiet. Aside from the chocolate the frangipane is soooo yummy. Busy always but line moves quick. Limited indoor and outdoor seating. Would love to try their sandiwiches or whole loaf bread sometime! read more

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Not the prettiest bakery and it's in a sketchy neighborhood, but it's close to work and generally not as busy as other locations. I've never really had to wait in a long line here, and if I come in the afternoon, I'm usually in and out in less than 5 minutes. Pickings are slimmer in the PM though. The croissants are consistently amazing and I do have a soft spot for their almond croissants. These bad boys are also quite hefty and I don't even want to know how much butter goes into these pastries. Very excited for the upcoming Palo Alto location! read more

I feel like I have taken a long break from reviewing plain croissants but I had to jump back in after I found out that Ariscault opened a location near my work hotel. Located right on the edge of Google Maps' lines of the Tenderloin, Ariscault on McAllister is bathed in a ton of natural light, perfect for those who need to snap photos of their buttery baked goods. For how busy this place gets, the workers remain extremely friendly and fast. Somehow, the croissant tastes vastly different than NYC plain croissants. Perhaps is made with slightly less salt and maybe it's baked correctly whereas some NYC places overbake the croissant bottoms. The middle is airy but still yields tension when ripped while simultaneously being house by flaky and delicate outsides. The croissant is delicious and leaks less butter than one would expect. The chocolate chip cookie definitely uses brown butter and Valrhona feves, probably Guanaja or Manjari if I had to guess. The crunchy edges of the cookie give way to a sublime jammy, fudgy and sweet interior. read more

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They make good croissants in a continent where such things are nearly impossible to find. That alone deserves some praise. Are they perfect? No, I find them a bit on the too oily side. Are they good enough to make me wish I could eat them every morning without consequences or guilt? Most definitely. Generally there's a very short wait, not long enough to disrupt your morning schedule. read more

Love the sandwiches and chocolate croissant. incredible flakage i see why this was so recommended online. I was still picking flakes from my skirt when i left! i like it here idk read more

Love this place. The line never takes longer than 15 minutes and croissants are always amazing. I have tried almost every item they sell and all very yummy. Quality of the croissant is so good. It is so flakey and buttery. When warm, the croissants are EVEN more magical. The chocolate almond is my favorite but if you're looking for something savory, would recommend the ham and cheese read more

Arsicault - Chocolate, ham and cheese, almond croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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