Bay Bread

If you want to experience Paris but can't afford the airfare just stop by Boulangerie. Everything I have tasted including breads, pastries, cookies and cakes are to die for!
I especially like the croissants, baguettes, fruit pasteries and cannelles. You can view the cooks at work and it appears very clean. The food is fresh and many of the staff have French accents!

We were on vacation from NJ and tried them out as one of the best in SF. Nice little shop with quick service. Was hoping for more actual pastry selection, as opposed to tarts. Worth the visit, but not for breakfast,necessarily. Owners cautioned us against photos (could only take 1--hey what do you want, we were tourists!:)).

Pros: Quick service

Cons: Small selection vs some bakers in Philly, NY, for example

The folks at Bay Bread on Pine are not just bakers...they are truly masters of the craft.
They've perfected the components of texture and taste in everything I've tried from their menu. The GOATCHEESE & BERRY TART is magnificent! A delicious blend of sweet, a hint of savory, always crisp berries that actually taste like berries should.
The breads...where to start? Any bread afficiando knows that the crust can make or break the experience. And Bay Breads has their recipes down to perfection. Plus, so many varieties to choose from. I highly recommend the WALNUT & SCALLION BAGUETTE, PISTACHIO & FIG DEMI BAGUETTE, and the GRUYERE & FETA ROLL.

Three other major pluses:
1) THE PRICES-Totally affordable, even for a student's budget
2) THE STAFF-they know their stuff...and they keep the lines moving.
3) THE FREE SAMPLES-always something yummy out on the counter to whet the appetite. And not just the usual. They happily pass out the finer delicacies too!

Lastly, haven't tried their coffee, so I cannot comment on that point. But there's a plethora of coffee shops in the area to get your fix.

Pros: VARIETY, prices, and sheer taste!

Cons: Closed Mondays, No Seating

WOW, What a beautiful sight. Just to see all those beautiful pastries, bread, cookies and more in display is to die for. I get the Chocolate croissant and oh boy, what a delicious rush. The staff is great. I appreciated their wonderful knowledge and joy in describing it. The famous canneles de bordeaux, the delicious and testy madeleine, I got several bags of it. The gorgeous fruit tart that you can't leave without it, and of course the bread. The variety of the bread is amazing and I bought a wonderful large round bread call a peasant and the epi baguette. Once reviewing the wonderful selection of lunch items, we decide to get the small quiche lorraine and salmon, the french pate cornichon, and their latest french hotdog. Lots of calories, I know but why not... The variety of macaroons is incredible. I will be back!

Pros: Organic Product, lots of choices, Great Service

Cons: Parking, crowded sometime

My review is of the pastries...haven't tried the breads or quiches yet. My favorite: Almond Croissant is heavenly. Chocolate croissant is good. Canelles are ok. Baba au Rhum is so-so.Good tarts. Overwhelming presentation in nice small shop. The bad part? The madeleines are APPALLINGLY BAD, for a 'french' bakery. They are bland, dry, and cakey. Not the way they should be. Starbucks and NM (when they used to have a bakery) are much better. For something as simple as madeleines, they were pathetic coming from the place. Sure they have the domes and look yummy, but don't be fooled. Pricey, but ok on occasion. The other bad thing...the service. Unfriendly, no smiles...the lady behind the counter acted as if I should be grateful to be there, and she was somewhat impatient and made me feel hurried and stupid when I couldn't pronounce something in french.

Pros: lots of choices

Cons: lots of choices, haughty service

A few years ago, I spent some quality time finding the perfect chocolate croissant in San Francisco bakeries and Bay Bread Boulangerie was my top choice! However, as my family always chose the almond croissant, I had to give it a go...and now, I'm a converted almond croissant girl. Yum yum! Unfortunately, I don't always make it there in the mornings, which of course, means they will be sold out. But when I do get my hands on one of those, the sweetness of the almond paste is divine! The toasted almonds on the top are just crisp and the texture of the overall croissant is just lovely. Not a bad way to spend $2.25.

Pros: croissants, fresh baked goods, good variety

Cons: no dining area, parking, crowded

This place is phenomonal. The pain au chocolat? The tarts (the potato and pancetta or goat cheese and vegetable are to die for)? The bread? The gateau?
Yum!
YUM!!!!

Pros: The food, The staff, The service

Cons: No dining area

I have loved this place for years, adoring nearly everything and going 1-2 times a week...but in the past 6-12 months the quality has taken a huge nosedive. Where should I start? Croissants with the texture of bread rolls. Soggy macaroons. Canelle that are just barely OK. It's such a disappointment. I keep trying, hoping things will improve, but as of this afternoon, no deal.

Don't have time for a trip to Paris? Never mind, just get over to Pine, Polk or Cole, and experience baked goods as good as the best in Paris. Fantastic crusty breads, hearty yet delicate desserts, everything is superb and the prices are extremely reasonable, with desserts costing between $3 and $4.5.

A real lunch bargain is their $4 Croque Monsieur, not any old grilled cheese with ham, but their own bread, several kinds of cheese (and lots of it--including the entire top covered in it), plus lean ham and a delictable white cheese sauce.

Baked goods just don't get any better than this!

Pros: Delicious, Hand-made, Quality

Almond croissants, chewy melt-in-your-mouth macaroons, and CANNELLES are to-die-for. While the Boulange de Cole Valley is nominated for best bakery, I think that this location has the better-looking, fresher, selection and friendlier service. It's my favorite bakery in San Francisco!

Pros: CANNELLES, French pastries, macaroons!

This is the only place in the City that has the best bread and croissants outside of France. The owner is from Bordeaux and makes the best cannelles! My other favorite are the almond croissants although the last time I purchase a half dozen, they were overfilled with almond paste and a bit on the overly sweet side. Overall a wonderful place to pick up an authentic French style sandwich on a wonderful baguette!

This is the only boulangerie in SF where I see a large number of French-speaking customers every time I go and where the offerings are like those I saw in Paris. Taste the goods and you'll be hooked. The macarons, canelles, and chocolate brioche are the things I keep coming back for, even though I don't live anywhere nearby. If you like bakeries, this one will become your favorite.

This place is AMAZING! Although I've never stepped foot in the actual place, the man that had me over for dinner picked up some olive bread, and pastries for my Birthday Celebration. I thought I was going to passout from joy. The chocolate crossaints are amazing (put them in the oven for a few minutes to let the chocolate melt--- pure heaven) Not to mention the Olive Bread...oh my god! To die for! YUMMMMMMYYYYYYY.