I had my heart set on the speck and egg breakfast bowl, but darn it! They did not have it! We settled on the mushroom galette, both types of kouign amann: regular and strawberry, and a chocolate croissant. We gobbled up the mushroom galette and strawberry kouign amann right away because those looked the most perishable. Wow, just wow! Their pastry crust is so light, flaky, and crispy. The strawberry kouign amann was shatteringly crisp as well and was filled with a sweet strawberry jam and cream surprise in the middle. Don't be discouraged if there's a line out the door. It moves fairly quickly. Once you're at the front of the line, be prepared to rattle off your order because they put you on the spot like you're on Jeopardy! After you get your bag of goodness, you can enjoy it in their cute back patio. They also have two small tables inside and a couple in the front of the establishment. I will definitely be back for more and hope they have the speck and egg breakfast bowl next time. read more

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I've been to backhaus multiple times - to try the pistachio raspberry croissant, but they always sell out so quickly! This time I arrived at 7:30 in the morning and scored one! It simply tastes amazing - the tang from the raspberry balances out the richness from the pistachios. The croissant has a great flakey texture. The kuoign Amann was good- perfect crunch of sugar on the outside to the flakiness inside. However I wish the black sesame flavour was stronger - the kumquat jam overruled the sesame. I've also tried their regular croissants and it's the best in the bay (even better than the real popular bakeries in the city!) - not too buttery but super flaky. 100% RECOMMENDED! The outdoor seating area is a nice spot to enjoy the baked goods and read a book, especially in the mornings when it's quiet. read more

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Backhaus always satisfies! Today we got pistachio raspberry croissants and enjoyed them at the nearby park. Perfectly laminated and delicious raspberry and pistachio filling. Delicious and well worth the price. With a flat white, I was in heaven. This Backhaus is my favorite nearby bakery. (I live in Burlingame and the Burlingame one doesn't compare to this one and doesn't have a wide selection of pastries. It's like a completely different bakery.) read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Backhaus has the reputation that it does for being such a great bakery for a reason. The quality is top tier for their pastries. In my most recent visit I came by pretty late at around 2pm so a good chunk of their pastries were already sold out, but they still had some croissants luckily. Service is good and helpful if you have any questions regarding their coffee or the coffee beans that they sell. They are attentive and ask what type of coffee machine you have and much more. What I ordered recently: - Iced Mocha with Oatmilk ($7.25) - Croissant ($5.50) - Ham and Cheese Croissant ($7.25) Their mocha is actually one of the best mochas I have had in a long time. Yes their cups are tiny for the price, but the quality is there. It's not Starbucks mocha where it just tastes like a regular hot chocolate. You can actually taste the coffee flavor in the mocha. Their croissants are also incredible. So buttery, flakey on the outside, and soft on the inside. You can tell just by looking at them that they are legit. Their ham and cheese croissant is addicting. So cheesy and tasty. My only regret is not ordering more because they are top tier. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. I never come in the mornings on the weekend with how hectic it can get sometimes and it being a small space inside, but it was still worth it coming later in the day for me personally. They have great coffee and pastries. I'd recommend Backhaus as an option to anyone that asks me what are some of the best bakeries in the Bay Area. read more

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Arrived right at opening and apart from the very sleepy/quiet street, people were already waiting outside...on a weekday! It's the first time I've been able to snag a raspberry pistachio croissant and it was sooo good! The pistachio is not too pasty or overwhelming. The croissants are buttery and flakey. The only slight miss was the chocolate hazelnut croissant - only because it felt very sweet and dense, but maybe that's just my taste. I wish they had the chocolate banana croissant they had a while back. It's the first time I've tried their coffee and it was really good. Everyone was very nice and the small in the front but it looks like there's a back area for seating. read more

First time at this place. I've been trying different cafes this year, and this one is pretty up in my list. The wait time is the only downside of this place. The place inside is pretty tight, so the line usually goes outside the door. Their pastries are actually so delicious. The regular croissant itself is so flavorful and fluffy. I get the hype. Cute place to grab a quick bite & yap with friends. read more

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Food: tasty Service: very inefficient and slow. I'd gladly pay tips but not for this place. Unfortunately tips are included which might be another reason service is slow. Please train your employees behind the counter. read more

New coffee spot unlocked in San Mateo BackHaus did not disappoint -- loved their croissant and latte (the fluffiest foam ever ). They also have a special Fig Leaf latte -- didn't try it this time but saw so many people ordering it The staff there are nice and super patient! Definitely coming back! read more

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Mortadella sandwich. All I have to say about backhaus is to try the mortadella sandwich. A perfect blend of mortadella, straciatella cheese, pistachios and arugula that pairs so well with its flaky, buttery croissant casing. read more

Such a warm, welcoming staff and delicious fresh-baked breads and pastries. Stopped in for an afternoon treat and took home the whole wheat sourdough loaf. read more

Backhaus - Whole wheat sourdough loaf. So hearty, fresh and delicious! - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Overhyped. Mocha latte was way too sweet. Like drinking chocolate syrup. Blueberry pastry was very good, morning bun was dry. It's pricey for being just average. Slow service, workers were friendly, inside was clean. Overall, won't be going back. read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I try to stop by whenever I'm in the area. Baked goods are solid and staff are friendly. I won't deduct a star for this but I did order a pie once during the holiday season and it was disappointing. I wouldn't recommend especially for the price. read more

Went here with my friend to get some work done, only to realize there is no wifi (and poor service). Minimal seating indoors, but has a few tables in their "backyard." Ordered a latte--was okay, nothing special. Same with their pastries. Staff seems friendly, but I probably won't be back. read more

Pricey! Detailed breakdown below: **Service, 5/5** Friendly and efficient service! **Decor & cleanliness, 5/5** Front of the bakery is pretty small, but check out their cute seating area out back. **Price & taste, 3/5** I got an everything bagel croissant which was a cool concept, but the cream cheese in the middle meant the croissant couldn't rise and puff up at the bottom. There were parts that ended up being a bit dense and stale/wet, while the edges were drier but not crisp the way you expect a satisfying flakey croissant to be. It might've also been a consequence of my timing: I arrived around 2PM so maybe it just wasn't fresh? Asiago and black pepper loaf was solid, but I ended up giving it away to my partner because the whole loaf was a little too funky-smelling for me -- totally my personal preference though and doesn't factor into the rating. At $14 for the loaf though, this might've been the most expensive fresh bread I've purchased, and I don't think it would've been worth the price even if I really enjoyed it. read more

Backhaus - Everything bagel croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The spiced chai (with almond milk) was weak and lack richness...not to mention excessively pricey. $8.25 for 12oz. $2.05 more than Starbucks, which would be a better choice based on quality (even at SB mediocrity). Staff were friendly. Place looked nice with high ceiling, but has limited seating and customer queuing area. I was originally going to come back in the morning to try the pastries (which looked interesting); now...hmmm. read more

Despite having been to downtown San Mateo a handful of times, this is the first time that I've stopped by Backhaus. I finally had a chance to drop by and couldn't be happier with the pastries my wife and I were able to try out. My wife ordered the "Speck & Egg Breakfast Bowl" while I got their "Raspberry with Cardamom Streusel Seasonal Coffee Cake". If you've ever been to Craftsman and Wolves in San Francisco, they are famous for a savory cheddar scallion muffin with a soft-cooked egg inside they call "The Rebel Within". The "Speck & Egg Breakfast Bowl" from Backhaus is better in every way imaginable. The egg on the inside is cooked better and the flavors are much more balanced. If you can only stop by to try one item, this is the item to try. Though I really enjoyed my seasonal coffee cake as well, its hard to rain praise on it after having tried the speck and egg pastry. If you're in downtown San Mateo, you should definitely check out Backhaus and grab one of their pastries. read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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No wait at lunchtime on a Friday in March. I already thought I'd found the perfect Portuguese egg tart at my local Chinese bakery, but I was proven wrong after having this. Pastel de Nata ($7 total with tax/tips) - 5 stars. This was mindblowingly good! Perfect buttery flaky crust, silky filing. And I had eaten it a day old - I can't imagine how much better it would have been fresh! read more

Backhaus - Pastel de Nata ($7 total with tax/tips) - 5 stars. This was mindblowingly good! Perfect buttery flaky crust, silky filing. 2024-03-08 Fri - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Love coming here before work to grab a coffee and snack! When I get to work early, I always come here. All their pastries look delicious too. I've had their croissants and I loved them. They have some fun flavors as well. I am not a coffee expert but I thought it was very good. They seem to put a lot of care into making their coffee drinks. PSA: coffee will probably take 10+ minutes. I've come to work late cause I assumed my latter would come out in 2 minutes. read more

Backhaus - Chocolate banana walnut croissant - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Busy, busy, busy spot. Fresh breads, pastries, and coffee options. Friendly service and staff. Though the lines can be long, the wait is not excessive. Limited seating in the front and a few tables in the back patio. Ambiance is casual. Get here early if you want some there baked goods. Give this spot a try. read more

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Came on a sunday afternoon and there was a line but it moved fairly quick. I ordered ham and cheese croissant and morning bun and both were quite delectable! - ham and cheese croissant was nice and flakey. not as crispy as croissante or arsicault but still good quality. and it even tasted better when I toasted it at home - morning bun was lightly sweet and has a hint of orange zest which was nice. although it does get harder if not eaten right away. - outdoor seating in the back(haus) is a nice vibe on a sunny afternoon! read more

Backhaus - ham and cheese croissant and morning bun - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Prices are outrageous and pastries are just okay. Just drive into SF if you want quality pastries.

I have been going to this backhaus location for years and have experienced severe decline in overall customer service and vibe , not to mention increase in price. The biggest problem is that there is ZERO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NO RECOURSE. They have cut off their phone line so you cannot call to ask a question. You have to Email and THEY DONT RESPOND. A few weeks ago in November, I visited Backhaus and bought bunch of assortment of pastries and loafs spending almost $80. I buy a bunch every time I visit because im bringing them back home to eat them with family. The workers here are SO RUDE and unorganized that they cannot manage an order of more than a few pastries at a time. I came home and they forgot one of the items - olive fougasse. I was SO disappointed especially because I drove 15 min to pick these up. And of course I didn't bother getting a receipt. I called them and I learned they don't pick up and I have to email. Should I bother? I was like why not - I emailed them. Got NO RESPONSE for 2 weeks. Then I visited them again and mentioned this at the counter while yet again purchasing another large order of pastries and loaves. The woman was kind and she said please bring it up next time and she'll give me the olive fougasse next time because they didn't have it that day. I think she was one of the managers or owners. I was satisfied with this and left. Fast forward to today - the same woman was not there but I mentioned this about olive fougasse to the girl ringing me up. She gave me the biggest attitude - said in such condescending tone "when were you here? We can refund you, this one (olive fougasse) is larger size", basically she can't fathom the SPIRIT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE due to them upsizing this product and price and thinks I'd rather receive the old outdated $10 refund??? Rather than get the bread I have paid for and didn't receive???? Why would a customer who's spending over $50 or even $100 on STUPID PASTRIES want to stand there and be talked to that way for $10 refund while they fumble around with the register?? No I want my BREAD THAT I PAID FOR and some customer service. All the while the same Asian dude who packed my order that day and forgot to include olive fougasse stood there at the next register... I just can't with this place and their crappy workers with baaaaad attitude. Please train your people better or pay them better. Why do you have so many useless souls there lingering at the front that can't even properly manage an order - pack the goods and ring people up. How can you be so incompetent packing up bread or simply, providing good customer service by talking nicely to your customers who are willing to pay for your goods????? If you must have a pastry and can't drive to SF for some decent croissant (as others have mentioned this place gets away with it because of lack of competition. Go to SF instead if you can) and must come here : buy few pastries at a time and GET YOUR RECEIPT. Although you have been warned - even if you have a receipt and try to correct an order im not sure if you'd even be able to get any sort of customer service. 0 star. read more

This is a cute little cafe place with some great bread bakeries. Their coffee drinkes was pretty good! Their bakeries was nice too! They prep your coffee and bakeries fairly quickly too so the wait time isn't that long after ordering. However, since they're kind of popular, sometimes there's a line waiting to order. They too also have very limited seating area, but their little sitting area in the back is a nice little place. Would recommend stopping by to get a drink! read more

Went here on a Wednesday morning and there was only a few pastries and bread left. What caught my eye was the apple turnover and the savory mushroom.(forgot what its called) The apple turnover tasted bitter since it was burnt.For the price, there should have been more filling and not burnt! The mushroom was good and again for the price there should have been more mushrooms. We also ordered a cup of hot mocha and we like it. read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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***4.5 stars*** Arrived around 10:00am on a Sunday. Based on the reviews, I thought it would be way more crowded, but there was no wait when we arrived. However it did start getting slightly busier by the time we left around 10:30am. The bakery has very cute decor and cozy vibes and service was wonderful. We brought our food to the outdoor tables in the back patio. We got the chocolate croissant, ham and cheese croissant, kouign amann, and the everything croissant bowl with cream cheese. My favorite was the everything croissant bowl! It was very flavorful and I always love a good savory pastry. Next I liked the kouign amann best. Chocolate croissant and ham and cheese croissant were about the same ranking for me. They were pretty good! Not as flaky as some other bakeries but still enjoyable. I feel like if the croissants were warmed up, they'd be 100x better. But apparently they don't provide this service (my friend overheard the employees telling a customer that they don't offer that). I appreciated how the chocolate filled up a good portion of the croissant (see pic) and not just a tiny portion in the center like many chocolate croissants. Overall, fantastic bakery and I'd come back! read more

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Went there at around 1pm on a Saturday, no lines but most pastries were out already. Fortunately I was still able to get a ham croissant plus a cup of coffee. I asked them to heat it up for me and it was delicious. There are some tables in the back of the store, all outdoor but it's nice on a sunny day read more

As delicious as it's always been. Their croissants are still good, their breads are amazing! And coffee is also really good here. Love this place. Although small space, it's comfortable and have some seating options indoor and also in the adorable outdoor patio. Staff are very nice & friendly. read more

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Came by on a Sunday morning and the line was very long! By the time we reached the cashier it was about 20-30 minutes. Most of the pastries in the case were still there so that was nice, though I was seeking out the pistachio raspberry croissant and it wasn't available. I got the pumpkin tea cake, the ham and cheese croissant, the chocolate croissant, and the pear danish. I also ordered an iced vanilla latte. It was good, but the vanilla flavor wasn't very prominent. The pumpkin tea cake was soft and fluffy. I also enjoyed the ham and cheese croissant (though I would have loved more cheese!). They're very very busy so I would understand why they wouldn't do it, but I think the croissants would have tasted much better warmed up! There's a small outdoor area in the back of the shop where there are chairs and tables to enjoy your pastries before you go. read more

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Be prepared for a long line! We visited on a Sunday morning around 10:15 AM and waited around 30 minutes. Definitely worth it though! We stumbled across Backhaus while waiting for a restaurant to open. The line waaay out the door made it seem more appealing to us so we joined the crowd and queue'd in haha. HUGE selection of pastries, breads, baked goods, etc. I'd STRONGLY recommend the Speck and Egg croissant - I've never had anything like it! The croissants here are flakey and soft. I loved the speck and egg because of the savory flavors it had, especially with the heaping of green onions on top of it. I'd suggest the Everything Croissant as my second favorite! I didn't really enjoy the chocolate chip cookie / chocolate croissant as much, the chocolate in both tasted like they had a lot of depth - probably ideal for those who enjoy dark chocolate though. My only cons about this place (apart from the line) would be their ordering process; you order at the register then wait for someone to call out your order. This leaves a lot of room for error, and they ended up getting our order wrong even though we only got a few pastries. Make sure you check your bags before you leave! read more

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Came on a Sunday morning. Parking was easy, and the line was super fast. It seemed like there was a decent wait for coffee drinks, but I was just getting bread/pastries, and it took me 2 minutes. I got the chocolate chip bread bun, which was just ok. You can tell it's well made, but maybe the ceiling on an item like this is just not super high. Kinda just tasted like a well made dinner roll with chocolate chips. The other pastry options weren't super inspiring either. Also got a loaf of their seeded sourdough, and this was great. Super chewy and moist inside, awesome crust, tons of seeds and nuts loaded throughout the inside. Sour taste is not overwhelming, and honestly just a really good sourdough loaf. Definitely recommend their bread! read more

I had high hopes for this place as all the reviews and photos looked amazing. Service was friendly and quick. It's a small shop so expect a line to order but you can head to the back where they have an outdoor patio to enjoy your pastry and coffee. Came in early in the AM and got the pistachio croissant and the Speck & Egg Breakfast Bowl. They were delicious in flavor yet lacking the correct crispness and moisture in the pastry. The speck and egg is a nice savory croissant topped with green onions and an egg cooked inside. The pistachio raspberry croissant had a jam inside. The pastries are alright, and a bit pricey ($6.75 for a croissant). They aren't as buttery as some outstanding pastries I have had and there are just better bakeries that I would rather travel to. read more

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The coffee here is incredibly smooth -- one of the best I've had in a long time. I also love the outdoor patio; it's quiet, romantic, and gives serious European vibes. Perfect spot to relax, read a book, or catch up with a friend. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Backhaus is hands down my favorite bakery in San Mateo! The line is usually long but it's so worth it. Go early or they WILL run out of things. Everything I have had from here so far is delicioussss. I usually opt for the various pastries and a latte, but they also have a wide selection of bread that I have had my eye on and will be back for. Some of my favorites from here include the everything croissant bowl, speck and egg breakfast bowl and almond croissant. Their pastries are perfectly flaky and buttery. You will not be disappointed! They also have a nice back patio with some tables and shade -- a nice spot for catching up with friends or working remotely on a sunny day! read more

Visiting a friend from college, the first place she took me to was Backhaus. After hearing about it for 4 years I was excited to finally try it and I can say it lived up to its reputation. I got their cardamom latte and we split a ginormous chocolate chip cookie with one of their specialty pastries (not pictured as it was immediately consumed). So yummy and a perfect treat to enjoy in their back patio area! I've been craving their coffee + pastries the entire time I've been writing this & while I have heard that the place can be pretty popular, we were able to find a less-busy time to stop by. It's definitely worth it :) read more

Backhaus - Bakeries Near Me - San Mateo, California

Stopped by to see if they had some baked goods left since it was 1:46pm. We picked up: Ham and Cheese Croissant - so flakey and buttery. Morning Bun - cinnamon and sugar goodness in a crunchy, flakey pastry. Olive loaf: So good! The bread is seasoned so well with the olives. read more

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Came for a pastry, left with three scrumptious baked treats.. Sweet pastries are what I ususally go for. Establishment is designed to be very efficient and inviting to guests. I love all the lighting inside, so inviting and makes you just wanna stay there and enjoy a beverage and pastry. The staff are all very welcoming with great smiles and will always give great recommendations for what you like! Thank you! read more

The line is always long, but definitely worth the wait. I even debated going back in line for another ham and cheese croissant. It had so much flavor for being so simple. And it was the perfect size. The morning bun was not overly sweet and had a hint of orange. It was the best morning bun that I've ever eaten. It was flaky and just delicious. The cinnamon girl drink that I got was nice too. They use a coffee syrup...I'm not sure if that means concentrate lol or what but it was good The little dudes I didn't care for. They were too salty for MY TASTEBUDS. I scraped off the salt. But texture and quality they were really nice. Everything here looks amazing. I cannot wait to come back and try the other things. The shop is really cute inside and the workers were all really nice. It seems a little overwhelming at first because they're so busy, but they let you take your time choosing what you want and you can view the whole case before making your decisions which is nice. Also, the workers seem very knowledgeable about the allergens in each pastry. I was listening to another customer ask questions about nuts and it was nice because I didn't have to ask for myself lol read more

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What they do really well is the Country sourdough hearth loaves. These crusty crunchy loaves are moist and chewy inside. Fragrant and flavorful. I love quarter inch slices slathered with good salted butter. Best enjoyed the first day. After that, they taste like regular sourdough. I find their pastries to be a bit dry, their cookie too crispy. So far, I have not find anything else of theirs I crave other than their Country Loaves. Tiny inside, but outdoor patio in the back is surely cute! read more

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Was it worth it to stand in line for 45 minutes to get in and order? You're damn right it was. What a great little shop with artisan prepared breads and pastries. We picked up some pastries for breakfast. The Ham and Egg along with a raisin bun. They were delicious, flaky and flavorful. We also picked up a couple of loaves of Sourdough which were perfect. Service was friendly and quick . It's a small shop so expect a line to order but once you get your food you can head to the back where they have an outdoor patio to enjoy your pastry and coffee. Next time I'm in San Mateo I am definitely going back. read more

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I went here today and had an iced almond milk latte and ham and cheese croissant! The people working were very nice and the line moved quickly. The coffee took around 15 minutes. The croissant was just ok and you could tell it had been sitting out for a while. They have a cute outdoor area in the back that I enjoyed my treats in. I wouldn't drive here again from Menlo Park but it's a good place for coffee if you're in the area. read more