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    Semifreddi's Bakery

    4.3 (149 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Semifreddi's Bakery Photos

    SEMIFREDDI'S BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Semifreddi's Bakery

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    Hot Chocolate with lots and lots of whipped cream and powdered chocolate.
    Chiara A.

    Remember when buying whole loaves, remember to ask them to have them slice it for you before leaving the store. Unfortunately, I forgot when I bought two bloody loaves of bread. I went back a couple of hours later to see if they could slice it for me. The attendant had to check with management on the phone. Unfortunately, they could not honor the request since I was bringing back product. I had bought same day. And once it leaves the store, that's it. Needless to say, I'm pretty angry about it. It'll be a long bloody while before I step foot into this place again.

    Sold at Costco now!

    This review is for the tour and I hope to make it to this location soon!! I had the absolute pleasure of going on a tour at Semifreddies, and it was such a special experience! From start to finish, the team made me feel so welcome and gave me a true behind-the-scenes look at what makes this bakery so beloved. Huge kudos to Cary, Sean, and Mike--they were warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing their craft. It was also such an honor to meet TJ, the head baker, who was on his way out after many years of dedication. Hearing about his journey and seeing the heart he poured into the bakery was inspiring. The bread here is everything you could want--local, artisan, fresh, and baked with love. You can really taste the care and tradition behind every loaf. What impressed me just as much as the bread was the people: everyone I met was kind-hearted, down-to-earth, and clearly proud of what they do. Semifreddies isn't just a bakery--it's a community gem. If you haven't tried their bread yet, you're missing out on something truly special.

    Chai Latte (Soy Milk)
    Kyra K.

    Semifreddis will always hold a nostalgic place in my heart. Back in high school, my best friend and I would walk here during lunch period to get a chai latte and a pastry. It was a tradition for us but since graduating I haven't made an effort to come back. Semifreddi's Bakery has been around the Bay Area for decades. This is their original location where it's homey, locally operated, with a neighborhood vibe to it. But their production line is huge, with a factory in Alameda, and high-quality bread found all throughout the area. They freshly bake and sell various baked goods--from their well-known sourdough, buttery pastries, and different breads. Plus flavorful drinks to pair such as coffees and teas. The bakery is small with lines out the door. It's more of a grab-and-go but a few benches around the area. I'm a huge fan of Semifreddi's baguettes often eating them as a snack as a child. In high school my go-to was their chai lattes and various pastries. I've tried their croissant, chocolate croissant, almond croissant, and morning bun (almond is my favorite)! Their pastries are flaky, chewy, and buttery. Today, I had to get my hands on their Iced Chai Latte with Soy Milk. Their iced drinks come in one size and are affordable. The taste of chai wasn't too strong, the drink was milky, and it was lightly spiced. Are their drinks and pastries the best I've had? No. But, it's good for what it's worth if you're in the area. I say go for their bread, versus the former. If you're in the Albany, Kensington, or El Cerrito area and want to get your hands on baked goods check out Semifreddi's! You can find their breads in grocery stores but if you want drinks or pastries then check out their small bakery. The items are affordable, the service is efficient, and it's always good to support locals. Parking is free throughout the neighborhood. This place will always be special to me.

    chicken sandwich
    Mito I.

    Quick Summary: - Favorite bakeries in the Bay Area - They also sell their breads and pastries at some of the grocery stores - Crispy but gentle on teeth kind of crust, even gentler when it's toasted - Serves coffee and sandwiches - Coffee is not sour - No seats inside; a table and chair outside I first saw this bakery name a couple of years ago in a restaurant called Gergorie in Berkeley. I recall waiting for my order and in the kitchen I see bags of bread loafs with the Semifreddi logo. It was a great discovery and since then I became a fan of this bakery. Over the years I bought Semifreddi bread from grocery stores that also sell local ingredients. Although I had thoughts of going to the main bakery store, the chance was hard to align. Finally, when brainstorming with the family on where to eat, this was listed, so off we went. The bakery is situated in a small neighborhood of little shops. Walking there, it felt like a great streets to do a morning stroll down this lane and pick up a loaf or two on the way home. The bakery is cozy small, inside up to 3 guests could stand around, but there is a risk of blocking the view of the bakery shelves. On the busier hour, the line was out of the door. Along with their breads, there were also some pastries and a sandwich menu. For today, we ordered a cafe au lait and a chicken sandwich. Once I ordered the coffee, the staff gestured over to the coffee station, where there were two types of coffee: French roast or decaf. For cafe au lait, we can choose whichever size we wanted, and after filling up to a favorite amount, we took the cup back to the staff to fill it up with the warm frothy milk. Happily, the coffee was piping hot and it wasn't sour. After a few minutes, the sandwich was ready and we ate it outside at one of the provided tables and chairs. The sandwich was cut in half, so it was easy to share with the family. Just as I imagined with the Semifreddi bread, when it's toasted the crust becomes lighter but very crispy. It is very easy to bite into it. It also kept the fillings inside in place and no liquid sauce leaked out either. The texture and how well the bread holds the sandwich together is a great slice of bread. I got the sandwich with the chicken and basil paste, and that was really good! I ate half of the sandwich, so for breakfast it is light (for me), so I also ate their breakfast buns. This was a nice flaky and fluffy bun, another one of my favorite pastries to eat.

    Grilled chicken sandwich
    Chris W.

    Got the toasted grilled chicken sandwich - it was fine, about a 5-10 min wait, liked the use of the panini press to warm up the bread but the chicken pieces were dry and could use more flavor. My friend likes the coffee here.

    We ate in our car on this chilly morning!
    Donni U.

    Great experience with super nice Staff!! They happily served us up and even offered me hot water to add to my cup of their excellent cup of French Roast. Of course the neighborhood feel, the puppy in the line and the lovely fellow customers added to our very positive experience! So great to frequent small local venues!!

    So good!!!
    Shayla B.

    The cookies damnit, the COOKIES!!! Do yourself a favor and get them NOW! LAWD Geezus Christ. These cookies are so friggin' delicious! I know that this bakery is known for their bread but... I haven't yet tried their bread. To be honest, I'm lightweight afraid too. Because if their bread tastes as good as their cookies, we about to be havin' some problems up in here! Shayla needs no more addictions. NO MORE. None. Zip. Zilch. Okay fine, I'll keep the cookie addiction... but everything else must go. Oatmeal raisin for the win. I swear it was melting in my mouth like chocolate. Softer than a baby's bottom. Buttery and sweet. One bite made my eyes roll to the back of my head. It was at that point that I knew... I would never be able to resist cookies from Semifreddi's. NEVA eva eva! Don't even get me started on their chocolate chip. Man. These folks are trying to cause ya girl to have a heart attack. All I can say is that these bad boys were fresher than fresh, and absolutely sensational. The softest most delectable cookies! Apparently they have a location in Alameda too, but I'm not even sure where it is. In any event, I would have NO problems coming to this shop in Kensington for more of these addictive cookies! At some point, I DO plan on actually trying some other things here too but um.... yeah. For now, I'll be sticking to those cookies. Puh-lease and thank you! (Wink wink).

    Montage of images from Semifreddi's Bakery
    Ed U.

    ** The following review reflects my takeout experience DURING the shelter-in-place order currently in effect. ** Everybody knows Semifreddi's breads. Their artisan loaves are in lots of the more upscale corner markets and grocery stores as well as the better sandwich shops throughout the Bay Area. Even though their main bakery and wholesale operation are in Alameda, their one retail shop is right off Colusa Circle in Kensington. It took a pandemic for Jamie W. and me to finally try it because we're both carb averse, except when possible viral mortality is involved. In that case, we made an exception and went up to the front door where they set up an order window to minimize human contact. We shared a $2.45 Butter Croissant to go (photo: https://bit.ly/3cIna8a). We actually just walked a few yards to a tiny plaza where an empty bench was awaiting. We split a large, flaky croissant and devoured it in short order. We'll try to be good and not become regulars, but those Blueberry Cream Cheese Danishes, Apple Turnovers, and Cinnamon Morning Buns looked awfully enticing. We may be in trouble. BAKED GOODS - 4 stars...a buttery, flaky croissant even if it wasn't fresh out of the oven AMBIANCE - n/a...shelter-in-place is a bummer SERVICE - 4 stars...fast and unobtrusive TOTAL - 4 stars...Semifreddi doesn't mean semi-good RELATED - Looking for eats in this part of the East Bay? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18

    Exterior of Semifreddi's Bakery in Kensington.

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Awesome bread means great sandwiches! They also serve a good selection of pastries that are delicious.

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    17 years ago

    Yum. I love their morning buns. And have to admit that is the only thing I've had as they are right next to my chiropractor.

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

    #2 go to place for breakfast. BLT, hot chocolate, blueberry cheese danish.

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    18 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Mike And Cary M.

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    12 years ago

    I thought their pastries (cinnamon twist and morning bun) were just mediocre. Coffee the same.

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    13 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Incredible baked goods for an incredible price. And near closing time pastries are only a dollar.

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    13 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    13 years ago

    I've returned a number of times and the service and friendliness of the staff has improved, so I'm updating my rating to 4 stars.

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    17 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    Mike And Cary M.

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    10 years ago

    This is my morning spot. The staff is amazing. Lindsey is so on top of her game and makes me smile every morning I see her. Love this place-

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    17 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Good bread, but watch out, the cashiers may short change you, as they did me for $10, then laughed at me.

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    10 years ago

    Very fresh product. They bake their bread daily (unlike quite a few places) and obviously regard quality as a high priority.

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    15 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    Page 4 of 4

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    Pâtisserie Rotha

    Pâtisserie Rotha

    4.8
    (334 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    Everything here is amazing, but the one thing you must try is the almond chocolate croissant. I'm…read morenot sure what type of butter they use, but it is so creamy and so rich. I love it! If you ask, they will heat it up just a little bit for you. The inside gets warmer than the outside and the contrast is amazing. I usually go early and the person at the front is so helpful. This is a great place, and a wonderful addition to the San Pablo community.

    This little charming patisserie sure knows how to whip up some delicious croissants. So good that…read morepart of me doesn't even want to post about it--just to keep the line short! If you've ever had Arsicault, then you'll understand what I mean when I say this place is a true contender. And the best part? You don't have to travel far, pay that toll bridge, or deal with expensive gas. Save all that and give this place a try! Do note: Canelé -- available Friday to Sunday Pastel de nata (Portuguese tarts) -- available Saturday & Sunday What I've tried: Croissant -- Yum, yum, yum! From end to end, it has that perfectly crunchy exterior, and not a hollow bite in sight. Every bite is flaky, buttery, and satisfying. Chocolate Croissant -- A must if you love chocolate. Rich, flaky, and indulgent. Almond Croissant -- Another delicious contender. Nutty, sweet, and absolutely worth it. Apricot Croissant -- Not bad at all. The apricot adds a nice touch without overpowering the pastry. Bostock -- This one was a miss for me. It looked beautiful, but it was missing that little finesse that makes you want another bite. Gâteau au Fromage (Basque Cheesecake) -- A bit pricey, but so worth the splurge because they really know how to nail it. One bite and you won't be able to stop until it's gone. Pastel de Nata -- Crispy edges with a delicate, creamy, and delicious filling. That crunch is everything. Canelé -- These babies sell fast, so make sure to get there when they open. I love the crunchy exterior paired with that soft, custardy inside. Yum, yum, yum! Chocolate Fondant -- Not bad, but not my favorite. I've definitely had better elsewhere. Chocolate Hazelnut Cake -- The flavor was nice, but I found this one just a tad dry. Bottom line: While not everything was a home run, their croissants, canelés, Basque cheesecake, and pastel de nata are absolutely worth coming back for. A hidden gem that delivers big on flavor without the long drive. Definitely worth the visit!

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    Croissant
    Croissant
    Caneles, Traditional Brioche, Orange Brioche, Egg Tarts, Pain au Chocolat, and Almond Croissant
    Caneles, Traditional Brioche, Orange Brioche, Egg Tarts, Pain au Chocolat, and Almond Croissant
    Pâtisserie Rotha

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    Jaffa Coffee Roasters

    Jaffa Coffee Roasters

    4.7
    (162 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Staff were friendly, very knowledgeable, and helpful. I ordered a mocha and later a red tea and…read morethey were both excellent. Definitely coming back! Baristas explained that they are up for trying different and sometimes unusual combinations for their customers. I wasn't adventurous this time, but it made me want to explore in the future. I came here to work, hoping for a relatively warm and cozy spot that wasn't too sleepy. I was not disappointed. The wifi was good, music was fun and unobtrusive. Decorations and layout gave a friendly, welcoming environment. Not only were the benches and padded chairs comfy, the ambiance was kept even in the bathroom. Spacious, warm lighting, cute bathroom with a great mirror and cool sink. I don't ever ding places for hospital-looking bathrooms (you know, fluorescent lights, questionable floors, sand paper toilet paper...) but this was one of the few where I was impressed. Good to know: Jaffa cakes are only available on the weekend Parking: Some of the streets nearby are resident-only parking so make sure to double check!

    We were greeted by the loveliest person when we walked in. He was helping someone in front of us…read morewho seemed like a lot, kept interrupting those around her after she ordered but the person running the front was patient and kind. I ordered a cortado which was good while the hubby ordered the orange latter. We were told ordering it iced makes it a tad sweeter and that was correct advice. The latte was sweet but still delicious. I'd probably order it hot next time. It's a large space with merchandise, beans, and accessories for sale. They've also got a good sized menu for coffee and tea drinkers alike.

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    Jason Al-Ghussein, artist and muralist, absolutely SLAYED this mural
    Jason Al-Ghussein, artist and muralist, absolutely SLAYED this mural
    Winter warmer: apple cider mm!

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    Winter warmer: apple cider mm!

    Semifreddi's Bakery - bakeries - Updated August 2026

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