If there’s one thing I’ll wake up early for, it’s a damn good sweet treat. And as a croissant lover— Arsicault Bakery in San Francisco is said to have some of the best. But does it really live up to the hype? Well that’s what I’m here to find out and tell you.
Arsicault Bakery is a no-frills, small-batch French bakery that has gained a cult following for its buttery, flaky pastries. It won an award as Bon Apetit’s best bakery in the country in 2016 as well as San Francisco’s top 5 croissants in 2023. The space is tiny, with just enough room to order and grab your treats to go, but the aroma of fresh-baked croissants alone makes the visit worth it. These pastries are absolutely worth waiting for. Expect a line, especially in the mornings, but it moves quickly!! When I showed up around 9:15 am on a Sunday there was a good 20-30 people ahead of me. But I had my pastries in hand 15 minutes later.
What I Ordered
I went with two croissants:
- Blackberry Almond Hazelnut Croissant – A beautiful pastry filled with a rich blackberry jam, almond filling, and a hint of hazelnut. The balance of tart and sweet was perfect. I didn’t get much hazelnut flavor coming through, but still enjoyed the flavor of this a lot. The crunch on this croissant was insane. And perfect at room temperature – the tell tale sign of a good croissant.
- Chocolate Almond Croissant – Flaky, golden, and a deep chocolate flavor, this croissant has got to be the best chocolate croissant I have ever had. The perfect contrast of crisp outer layers and soft filling inside. It wasn’t overly sweet, which I appreciated, and the chocolate quality was excellent.
Verdict
100% yes this is worth it. If you’re a pastry lover, Arsicault is a must-visit. Their croissants easily rank among the best I’ve had—flaky, rich, and packed with flavor. Just get there early before they sell out and to beat the line!
Next time, I’m trying their plain butter croissant to see if it’s truly as legendary as people say. But for now, I can safely say it’s definitely worth the hype.
If you’ve been to Arsicault Bakery let me know what you tried and if you liked it in the comments!! This part 1 of my San Francisco Eats Mini-Series! Be sure to follow me on IG + Tik Tok to hear first when the next posts are dropping!
If you’re new here—hi, I’m Ivy! I started The Ivy Vines to share my favorite recipes, foodie finds, and more with you. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find something delicious to try!
Happy reading + eating!
– Ivy 🌱
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