Hello dear
At Arsicault Bakery Civic Center, located in the heart of San Francisco, we blend French-inspired baking with a welcoming atmosphere. Our story is rooted in a passion for crafting exceptional pastries, from our flaky plain and chocolate croissants to mouthwatering morning buns and savory galettes. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and quality, each bite transports you to a Parisian café. Our location is designed for everyone, featuring wheelchair accessibility, outdoor seating, and a range of conveniences like QR code menus and compostable containers. Join us for breakfast or brunch, and savor the delightful experience that has captured the hearts of our visitors.
About
Welcome to Arsicault Bakery Civic Center, a gem located in the heart of San Francisco, where the aroma of freshly baked pastries and breads envelops you as soon as you step through the door. Nestled at 87 McAllister St, this bakery is celebrated not just for its exceptional offerings, but for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. With features like wheelchair accessibility and gender-neutral restrooms, Arsicault ensures that everyone can delight in its culinary creations.
As you explore the menu, prepare to embark on a pastry adventure. The daily options range from classic Plain Croissants ($4.25) to decadent Chocolate Almond Croissants ($6.50). Many patrons rave about the Morning Bun ($4.75), a must-try that elevates the humble cinnamon roll to new heights. The Raisin Kouign Amann ($5.75) also receives accolades for its unique flavor profile, leaving taste buds dancing with joy. With each bite of these pastries, you can truly appreciate the skill and passion that goes into their creation.
One feature that sets Arsicault apart is its commitment to sustainability. With plastic-free packaging and compostable containers, you can indulge guilt-free. Moreover, the availability of outdoor seating allows you to enjoy your delicious meal while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of San Francisco.
While the bakery does get busy—especially around opening time—service is consistently quick and friendly. Many customers note the cleanliness of the interior and the cozy seating that accommodates both individuals and groups. Plus, for tech-savvy visitors, QR code menus and free Wi-Fi offer a modern touch to your dining experience.
Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or a delightful sweet treat to share with friends, Arsicault Bakery Civic Center promises an unforgettable experience. With offerings that are both delectable and impeccably crafted, this bakery deserves a place on your must-visit list during your time in San Francisco.
So next time you find yourself wandering near Civic Center, don’t miss the chance to savor some of the best croissants in the city. Just remember to check the time, as they close at 3 PM—because you certainly want to ensure that you get to experience the endless joy that is Arsicault Bakery.
“ Hello, welcome to my review! I highly recommend these croissants. For my sweet lovers get the chocolate almond. Savory the regular croissant is flaky and amazing. Parking might be hard since it's the city. Interior seating is 10-15 spaces. Quick and easy service. Thank you! ”
“ Best croissant ever?!!! And yes...I have had them in Paris!!! With three locations in the area you have to go and try this place out! We got here right at 8am when they opened and the line was not bad at all. Clean modern interior with indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered a little of everything and LOVED everything we purchased. The croissants are amazing but our favorites were the MORNING BUN (wow, what they did with the cinnamon was next level - who needs a cinnamon roll!) and the RAISIN KOUIGN. They close at 3pm so schedule accordingly! ”
“ Soooo good. The McAllister location is the best. Always a short line with great seating options. This location also has amazing coffee and croissant options. The blackberry almond croissant became a staple in my house instantly. This was my first time trying the sourdough apricot and I'm definitely getting it again next time. ”
“ Overall: 3.5/5 This is by far the lightest croissant I've had in the states. My only complaint is that some items get cold and aren't good anymore for those eating at the store. I ordered a ham and cheese when it came out fresh (10/10 delicious). I'd go back any day for this fresh croissant again. I got an almond croissant but it was just cold and deflated. I'd advise to select your croissant based on which ones look the freshest because my cold almond croissant was edible but not good. Kouign-amann was 4/5 standard and good. Also: -0.5 stars for location. I walked through downtown SF to get here. ”
“ I've had Arsicault once before on a work trip and decided to come on a day trip. We got the plain croissant and chocolate croissant. Both were 10/10. You can tell the chocolate is high quality which is awesome. The employees were very friendly and helpful with our peanut allergy. While there was a line, service was quick. We really liked the outdoor sink. There aren't any outlets, so it's not a sit and do work place. 10/10 would recommend. ”
“ Honestly kinda worth going to this location since there was basically no wait and plenty of seating compared to the OG location. It's kinda funny because the first time I went to the OG location they ONLY had ham+cheese croissants left and this location was sold out of that one. I really liked the caramelized pasty bits. They were puff pastry sticks that were coated in a sugar syrup? The pastry was super flaky and crispy and the coating was just sweet enough. It kind of reminded me of the flavours of a palmier, which I absolutely love. ”
“ I had the day off and figured I'd finally make my way here after living in the city for 10 years. I debated on this location or the original, but decided on Civic Center since it was easier to get to on public transportation. I arrived around 8:30am and was expecting it to be deep in the Tenderloin, but it's right off Market and I found the surrounding area to be perfectly fine. There was a short line when I arrived and while everything looks good, I just got the basics: an almond croissant and a plain croissant, with a vanilla oat milk latte to wash it down. The service was friendly and quick, and my drink was ready in less than 5 minutes. Having just come off BART, I appreciated that they have a handwashing sink outside of the bathroom. There's a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating and I found a seat before another morning rush came in. Latte: I never expect a bakery to have good coffee but this was delicious. Not too sweet and the small was a perfect size for me. Almond croissant: This is my favorite type of croissant and it didn't disappoint. The croissant was flaky but not dry, and the amount of almond paste was perfect. I love sweets and I wouldn't say this was overly sweet, just the right balance of flavors. I'm saving the plain croissant for later but now I'm excited to dig into it. ”
“ The flakiest and most buttery croissants I've ever tasted in my entire life. I'm a huge fan of discovering new bakeries and I saw their other location had thousands of reviews so I knew I had to check it out to confirm the hype. This specific location is located closer to the tenderloin area so just walk around a little more high alert but a lot of individuals just keep to themselves. We came on an early Sunday morning and we didn't have to wait longer than 15 mins. However, after we got our pastries, the line got significantly longer but I'm assuming it does not compare to the og location. We got a ham and cheese croissant, chocolate almond croissant, and a blackberry almond croissant. Our absolute favorite was the blackberry almond croissant, an actual 10/10. The perfect amount of sweetness where I did not get sick of it after finishing. If there wasn't a line after us, I would've gone back in line to order another one. I think this place is definitely work checking out to either eat there or take it to a park and enjoy with some friends. ”