My son came into Backhaus specifically for one of their cookies, but they had already sold out for the day. When the staff realized that was what he had come in for, they gave him a couple of the "reject" cookies that had already been set aside for employees. Needless to say, he was thrilled. It was a small gesture, but an incredibly thoughtful one that really made his day. Backhaus has fantastic baked goods, but it's this kind of genuine customer service that makes the place stand out. We'll definitely keep coming back. read more

Decided to get in line a lil after 10am on a Saturday. The line moved pretty quickly! We knew we wanted the vanilla latte - got it iced and hot. I got mine with almond milk. It's a good latte! There were so many baked options. We asked the worker for recommendations. We asked about the almond vs chocolate hazelnut croissants & savory options. Speck & egg was the top specific mention, but she added that they're all good. I learned that speck was ham. We ended up getting the chocolate hazelnut croissant & speck & egg. We got the last one of the croissant, so I can only imagine how fast things run out. Baked to perfection - flakey and not dense at all. The croissant did get a bit too sweet over time. There's two tables inside and one bigger one outside. It can get a little crowded with everyone waiting for their drinks. I'm glad I got to try it! I'd come back - lots more to try. Street parking can be a hit or miss nearby. Wherever you park, it's still a nice walk in the downtown area. read more

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Backhaus bakery seems to try to bring the Best of SF down here. Imitation is the sincerest... There's a line every morning. NO gluten free options. Burlingame location has breakfast options. 4.4 on yelp. Kouign Amann ($6) original - 85% as good as B Patisserie in SF. Slightly overdone. 8.5/10 Country Bread ($12.50/8.25) - 80% as good as Tartine. Very dark. 8/10 Morning bun ($5.75) 60% as good as Ariscault. Under sweet and lots of dough. 6/10 Pretzel Epi bread ($9.75 salted) is good but not great. Dense. 8/10 Someday I'll see how close the croissant is. If you are jonesing and do not want to drive to the City.. Overall - Very Good Food - Very Good Decor - Very Good Service - Good Value - Good Would we come back - Maybe read more

Went to the San Mateo Backhaus and was very impressed! I've been to the Burlingame location and I love this one equally. The baristas are super efficient and nice to talk to. The interior was limited seating but the back patio is spacious. I got a croissant and an iced americano. The crossing was delicate, flakey, warm, buttery and tender- so delicious! The coffee was very satisfying, with a bold, smooth flavor. Great experience- also bonus points because this location is walking distance to the Central Park Japanese Garden. read more

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The plain croissant was excellent--beautifully flaky with a delicate sweetness and satisfying crunch on the outside, while remaining soft and pillowy on the inside. The chocolate croissant was just as good, featuring the perfect balance of sweet and slightly bitter chocolate wrapped in layers of buttery, flaky pastry. The latte, topped with a leaf design, was rich, smooth, and flavorful. It provided the perfect pick-me-up while making a headache disappear. The café offers plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, with additional space upstairs and downstairs. Friendly staff, a welcoming atmosphere, delicious pastries, and good coffee make this cafe well worth a visit. read more

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Excellent bakery! We we're strolling down the street of San Mateo and stopped in at the bakery. We had a delicious cheese twist, a really good croissant, and a nice kouign aman . Fast service, clean, bakery, nice time. read more

Backhaus has been on my to-visit list for so long! Two of us ordered: croissant $5.50 cold brew $6.75 Cold brew definitely on the pricier side. Coffee was standard and croissant was nice. Came by in the afternoon around 2:30PM after lunch, so not much was left. Staff mentioned to come early in the morning since they usually sell out within a few hours! Street parking / garage parking a few blocks away. read more

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We've gone here so many times and I'm finally writing a review. The food is so amazing. I can't stress enough how much you're gonna love it. Some of this was from the Burlingame location and some of it was from the San Mateo location. They're both awesome. the service is great at each of them and the ambience is wonderful. Also, I highly recommend it. read more

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Update 4/1/26 - came in yesterday and tried a new item. The passion fruit danish, and omg... I'm obsessed!!!! It was so dang delicious, I went back today in the hopes it might be there again. Needless to say, I figured the chances were pretty slim!!! No way it would be there. however to my overwhelming happiness it was Don't judge me. had to get a couple!! I even told the kind staff members helping me... PLEASE..... tell the Chef.. to make these a regular. & That all the baked goods are great, but this danish is amazing!!! It's just that good, to me!! The dough is a perfect soft chew, layered almost with just enough butter and sweetness. The passion fruit shines with the perfect tart and zip.... And that marshmallowy meringue on it, is delightful. " You did your thing with this danish Chef" This danish now trumps my go to kouign Amann. By the way. I'm from Hawaii, so it might be one reason this flavor speaks to me, but I'm pretty sure anyone who likes a little tart, bright, perfect sweet will also enjoy it. If not more for me I did get an epi for my friend and a couple other goodies as well. I dropped off two items to a friend who works near and she could not thank me enough and tell me how much she enjoyed her goodies too. read more

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Life can be sour. We need something sweet to balance it out. That's why a great bakery is so important in the world. Birthday, wedding, breakfast, or just because it's Tuesday, having a reason to walk into a bakery is one of the great things about being alive. I mean, tell me the scent of fresh baked bread/cookies/croissants or cake isn't life affirming. There's a bevy of baked goodness here, but I came for one thing. The pistachio raspberry croissant. I've never been crazy about the nut, but for some reason I love all things pistachio flavored. Just check out my cross section pic...look at that ooey gooey pistachio filling! And with the raspberry...just beautiful! Sorry to say, the flavor fell flat. JUST KIDDING!!! This croissant tastes as good as it looks! AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS! These babies tend to sell out, so you need to go early if you hope to snag one. I've called ahead to check & asked them to save one for me. A couple of times. Thing is, when we've gone later in the day snagging the last ones, the exterior was a touch on the dry side. That's inevitable after they've been sitting out for hours, so go early to avoid this. They're worth it. We've tried the scones & the morning buns; both were solid but the stars here are the croissants. The ambience here is light & airy. There's a patio out back; on a beautiful day it's the icing on the cake. Pun totally intended. 4 & 1/2 stars read more

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Was in town looking for some good coffee. Coffee was decent (we ordered a vanilla latte and a flat white). But I think this place obviously shines for their freshly baked artisan breads and pastries. The pistachio raspberry croissant seemed like a popular choice and I can see why. Flaky, buttery, creamy, nutty, with just enough sweetness of raspberry. These guys know what they're doing. Quaint little outdoor patio in the back if you're lucky enough to find an open table, some shady spots, some sunny, depending on what you prefer. Next time I'm around I'd love to try their breads. read more

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Your morning coffee is a ritual, right? A daily routine with sights, sounds, and smells; also aromas and, for drowsy me, awakening if I'm very lucky. Usually my coffee ritual involves a familiar, welcoming place. Today that place was Backhaus, a San Mateo Bakery and Coffee house The staff is friendly, skilled, and blessedly quick given the frequent lines. Backhaus is a local favorite. I suggest one of their "little dude" bites (flaky goodness, a touch of chocolate, and lightly salted) and a mocha (8 or 12 oz) made from (I kid not!) Ritual beans. There's not much inside seating space and it can feel crowded so you're probably going to take your coffee to go. Prices are a touch high but the quality matches and such is the lot for those of us in search of a good pour. You'll find that good pour here. read more

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I ordered an espresso. They were serving a single origin from ritual and its dailed in well. There was good crema and creamy texture, with fruity undertones complementing mild acidity. 4/5 Would definitely come back if in the area. read more

Backhaus - Espresso with sparkling water - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Backhaus has been on my radar for forever, so I was so excited to finally try them on a Sunday morning. I came in around 9am and they were already sold out of some items, but I did manage to get my hands on one of their famous croissants! I ended up getting the Pistachio Raspberry Croissant and Chocolate Chip Cookie. Both pastries are PHENOMENAL. The Bay Area truly does have a fantastic pastry (especially croissant) scene, but Backhaus is definitely up there. I loved how well the flavors came through in both, and the textures were great. They were also baked perfectly. I definitely want to try more of their offerings in the future! In general, this place well deserves the hype. read more

In the mornings, there's always a long line, which already tells you how popular this bakery is. It's also incredibly creative--both in flavors and presentation. By late morning, most items are usually sold out. I've visited twice: once around 10 a.m., and another time close to closing, around 3 p.m. When I came at 10 a.m., almost all of the choices were still available, which made it the perfect time to visit. On the other hand, during my late-afternoon visit, there was very little left. Recommendation: The Speck & Egg Croissant Bowl was especially creative and absolutely delicious. The Kouign-amann is a solid, can't-go-wrong choice, and the black sesame version was also excellent. Seating is limited, but they do offer drinks, so it's possible to eat in. The high ceiling makes the space feel open and comfortable, even when it's busy. If you want the full selection, I highly recommend coming earlier in the day. This place is clearly in high demand, and it's easy to see why. read more

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It's been a while since I've been back to this location but it was a Friday afternoon and there was still plenty of pastries and bread left to choose. I was looking for a walnut bread but the cashier informed it was a seasonal bread that hasn't returned yet. I opt for their epi bread ($8) which makes for great mini avocado toasties! I also saw a very interesting seasonal slipper bread with flavor, Japanese curry (vegetarian)! It was surprisingly delicious because the base was made with sourdough, but the texture was quite nice and the savory curry was delicious! I hope they carry this item more in the future! read more

Backhaus - Seasonal slipper: Japanese curry - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Very famous bakery in San Mateo downtown. They started from Farmer's Market and now they have two storefront. Both store are very busy. Today we stopped by the Burlingame one and line pretty long and decided to stop by San Mateo store. Line was long but move quickly. We got litte dudes, almond croissant, and spek and egg. We also get latte. They have plenty of pastries and all made in the shop. Pricewise is reasonable eventhough I think a bit high. I usually get almond , croissant, or ham and cheese croissant. read more

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First time coming here after hearing reviews. Food: the pastry I got was yummy! First time tasting this particular dessert after seeing a video post about it. Service: nice staff. Ambiance: clean and simple. read more

Backhaus - Kouian Amman - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Arrived at about 10 am on a busy Saturday and was able to grab a few remaining goodies before they sold out- sourdough loaf, kouign amann, morning bun, cheese bread and some coffee (including the express tonic- yum! with a dash of citrus). Everything was baked to perfection, so good. Fave was the sourdough. read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Great coffee and pastries! We especially loved the pistachio raspberry croissant and the stuffed everything bagel croissant one. The drinks were great too! Not much seating but otherwise amazing. read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

I love this cafe and the minimalist furnishings! Reminded me so much of the cafes in Europe. We went in late after our workout @ coreyoga, so missed out in trying out their pastries and baked goods. It was sold out by 1 PM, so it must have been really good! Their espresso tonic was delicious and how creative to add an orange peel on top. It was nicely decorated for the holidays too. Not a lot of tables indoors, but there's a lot of outdoor seating in the back patio. Service was quick since we walked in around 1 pm (no line at all). read more

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The bakes here was some of the top ones I have had. I tried a couple of bakeries on my road trip up the Pacific Northwest and this was one of my favorites! I tried the cheesy twist, morning bun, and the ham and cheese croissant. I am pretty sure I tried other things but I can't remember exactly what but these were the stars. The cheesy twist kind of tasted like there was an Alfredo type sauce along with the cheese. It was delicious. One thing I wish I would have done is ask for it heated because I saw some other people doing that and it looked delicious. The morning bun was so good. It had a beautiful medley of spices that truly brightened your morning. The flavors were so balanced. As for the ham and cheese croissant, the star was the ham. The flavor of the ham reminded me of a thanksgiving ham. It was amazing! Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with anything here. I regret not getting a full loaf of bread to take home with me. read more

Updating review from the pandemic era (pastries were dry and boxed, now they are fresh and on display). Good coffee and pastries. The flat white was smooth and strong tasting. Good consistency and made with ritual coffee (nice and local). The chocolate croissant had a nice crisp bite on the outside and featured nice layers inside which were soft and airy. The chocolate was dark and rich, very good taste. Not a whole lot of chocolate, but enough to keep the flavors going. Hard to get pastries here unless you come early early as they sell out pretty fast. The availability is not the greatest (especially compared to some other bakeries). Would be nice if they made a bit more. Anyway, at least chocolate croissants seem to last past noon time in what I've observed. read more

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I've tried quite a few of their items over the years and all the pastries are quite good. The real standout item for me is the mini chocolate sourdough though. The texture is both soft and chewy with great chocolate flavor. I can eat it alone but it's even better when warmed up. Highly recommend it! read more

Backhaus - Chocolate sourdough - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Phenomenal pastries and I love the location because they're also nearby shops. You can check out. I tried the everything cream cheese pastry so it was essentially a puff pastry with everything wiggles seasoning and housemaid cream cheese. It was just delicious and super super crispy. read more

Backhaus - Everything cream cheese - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here with my wife cause she was in the mood for breakfast. There was a line out the door but it seemed to be moving decently fast even for a saturday so we were able to get in and order in less than 15 minutes. The workers were friendly and since we ordered for there, we grabbed our baked goods and coffee and sat in the back patio space which is nice and quaint! Great vibes and good coffee in a ceramic mug which is very much what I would expect for the area but it was a great way to take a breather on our road trip north to enjoy a quiet saturday morning! Wife got the pistachio raspberry croissant and I got the chocolate croissant since it would balance with the mocha I got! Both great choices for breakfast! read more

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Backhaus is one of the top bakeries in the Bay Area for a really good reason!! It's one of the best around here, and the lines really speak for itself. There's always a long line on the weekends, and pastries get sold out very quickly, so I typically try to go on the weekdays, if I can. However, I did stop by this past Sunday with my bf and to our surprise, they had some of our favorites (except the pistachio raspberry, my all time favorite!). We got the Ham and Cheese croissant which was easily 5/5. The rosemary spiced ham inside the flaky croissant is just the best way to start our morning!! I love how generous they are with the filling inside. When you take a bite, it's perfectly buttery, crisp, flaky on the outside with ham and cheese perfection inside!! My second favorite item to get aside from the Pistachio Raspberry croissant is the Everything Croissant bowl. When we were in line, we saw only one left in the shelf, but there were a few customers in front of us. I was crossing my fingers that they wouldn't take the last one because I can already taste it! It has everything bagel seasoning outside with a cream cheese filling inside. I like it way more than an everything bagel for sure! Again, Backhaus has perfected the flaky croissant pastry, making this pastry super desirable and super satisfying to eat in the morning. I love getting pastries here, and I will definitely be back again to get the Pistachio Raspberry croissant that I'm really craving now. The lines are well-worth it! You can even call them ahead of time to ask if they have anything left before heading over there. They're pretty friendly about it too. read more

Backhaus - Everything Croissant Bowl and Ham and Cheese Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Every pastry we got from here went absolutely bonkers!! We arrived just about 15 minutes after opening (we intended to arrive beforehand but got sidetracked) and there was already a bit of a line out the door. We waited for about 5 minutes or so before getting to the front and placing our order--this place had been on my list for a while, so I had a lot I wanted to try! We ended up getting the morning bun, the apple crumble cake, a pear-ginger scone, and the mini chocolate sourdough. I did not get to try their signature breakfast pastry with the egg inside. Every single piece was IMMACULATE, and it is totally worth the hype! Apple crumble cake was so soft with a perfect crumble top, morning bun was so flaky and crispy and light, and the mini chocolate sourdough we got was fresh out the oven, warm, soft, and with melty chocolate spots inside. I can definitely see why it's one of their signature pieces! The pear-ginger scone was a notch below the rest, but still outstanding, with my only complaint being that it was a tad too sweet. I definitely want to come by and try more of their stuff, especially the kouign amann which I believe they have a seasonal passion fruit flavor of in addition to the traditional kouign amann. They also have a location in Burlingame that serves brunch, so I plan to check that out as well! read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Got coffee at this coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon! The inside was a bit packed. There is some seating inside but the outside garden is has more availability. They have a bakery side, but I tried their coffee and thought it was decent. I have yet to try their other location! There is one restroom. Parking is available outside - it's not free. Will be back! read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Have been to Burlingame location before. This time a friend brought back some delicious pastries from the San Mateo location. Pastries were fresh and had pretty unique flavors. Particularly appreciate the novelty and different combinations of both sweet and savory options. Will definitely be back when in downtown San Mateo read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Delicious! The chocolate milk bun was great. They were very patient and kind with our big order. They have a kids milk. The fig leaf latte was yummy and not too sweet. Cute back patio! read more

I've been curious about Backhaus for a while and finally decided to check it out after hearing they had a back patio where you can hang out and work. The space itself is super cute, especially the tucked-away patio, which feels like a hidden little escape. I ordered an almond croissant and an iced latte. The croissant was a bit on the sweeter side for me, but the latte was really good. The staff was friendly and welcoming, which made the visit feel nice overall. A couple of small things: I was a little disappointed to learn they don't have WiFi, so it's not the best spot if you're planning to get work done. Also, napkins weren't given with the order and I couldn't find any out, so make sure to ask for those. Lastly, one of the wooden chairs in the patio had a broken slat that snagged my pants and actually left a small tear -- definitely something I hope they fix soon! Overall, it's a charming bakery with good coffee and a cozy atmosphere, especially if you're just looking to enjoy a pastry or coffee outdoors. read more

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This is an excellent bakery in the San Mateo area! My friends and I arrived at around 8:45 or 9am, and there was a line out the door. All the pastries looked fresh and smelled amazing. There is limited seating inside, a garden in the back with more seating, and one table outside. The line moved quickly, and I ordered a chocolate croissant and a peach and raspberry scone. It was a really hard decision, because everything looked so good! The chocolate croissant was one of the best ones I've ever had. It was buttery, flaky, and the chocolate was soft and flavorful. The scone was sweet and had a hint of corn. Not sure if there is cornmeal in it, or if I'm making that up, but it was really good! There is a lot of street parking nearby, and it was easy to find a spot on a Sunday morning. read more

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Wowowowowow. We've always seen a line out the door at this spot when we're in town for breakfast at Foreigner so this time we made sure to start at Backhaus. This is an incredible bakery that seemed to emphasize their bread. Don't get me wrong, you'll still get some delicious bakery items, but wow their "bread with seeds" is stellar. It's like a good version of Ezekiel bread you want to eat. They had about 3-4 people at the front taking orders at one time, so the line shouldn't be too bad. We got about 4 different items: - morning bun 5/5 - pistachio and raspberry croissant 5/5 (says my husband since he didn't share) - slipper (it tasted like foccacia with apples) 2/4 - seeds with bread loaf 5/5 (she thicc) read more

still one of my favorite cafes in the bay. i love the mugs they use for the lattes, wonderful latte art, and top tier pastries. the backyard is consistently the best place to chill. can't wait to be back! read more

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Okay-ish mocha & morning bun. It sure does seem to be a pretty popular spot to hangout going by the crowd at closing time and also the fact that they had run out of most of their pastries.. but the taste was just alright. They had switched off their oven so we couldn't get our pastry warmed up which FOR ME, also affected how it tasted. They have a cute outdoor space in the back to sit down, have your drinks and chit-chat! read more

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Indoors is really clean and had great lighting and also has an upstairs. Service was standard and fast! Seasonal cinnamon girl latte/shaken espresso (i forgot) was SO good. Coffee was strong and also I like the ice they used read more

Backhaus - cinnamon latte - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

My sister and I tried the chocolate sourdough which is only available on the weekends & it was amazing! It was hearty and had the perfect balance of savory and sweet without being overly sweet. The portion size was just right (we ended up finishing it in one go). We also ordered the speck and egg, which was good as well. It had a nice citrus flavor on top that helped cut through the savory aspect. Would definitely come back for the chocolate sourdough! read more

Backhaus - Chocolate sourdough (only on weekends) - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This is a nice cafe bakery with excellent baked goods and a superb beautiful backyard outdoor sitting area. The perfect place to relax with friends over coffee tea and baked goods. I ordered green tea - which they brew themselves (expect t9 wait a little, but no tea bags) - really good. The strawberry pistachio croissant - wow this is truly excellent. Unique and the flavour is so good. Very flaky. I had the coffee cake which is also excellent. Highly recommended. It's a bit $$ but that's more that everything in Bay Area is really $. read more

Backhaus - Really nice backyard cafe - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

I visited Backhaus this past Wednesday at around 1:30pm and enjoyed my experience! I was initially worried that they would be completely out of all pastries by the time we arrived, but there were still a good variety of options. I originally wanted to try their Pistachio Raspberry Croissant, Everything Croissant Bowl, or Speck and Egg, but they didn't have any of those at the time we got there, so we got their Almond Croissant and Morning Bun. Both pastries were delicious! Both were super flaky and fluffy and had the perfect amount of flavor. We also got their Iced Mocha and Iced Latte which were not bad but pretty average (the best part was definitely their extraordinary pastries!) We sat in the outside area in the back which was super cute. Loved the ambiance outside. Service was also fast and the staff answered any questions I had well. Overall beautiful bakery - will be back earlier next time to try their other pastries! read more

Backhaus - Backyard view of the bakery - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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