Arsicault Bakery
The Verdict
"Get the plain croissant first. If it's your first visit, that's all you need to understand why this place won best bakery in America."
What you need to know
Arsicault Bakery earned Bon Appétit’s best new bakery in America title in 2016, and the line hasn’t let up since. Owner and baker Armando Lacayo took the name from his great-grandparents’ boulangerie in France. The focus is classic French technique: hand-laminated croissants made with premium butter, baked until the layers shatter. The original opened on Arguello in April 2015.
The Food
The plain croissant is the essential order. Flaky, buttery, deeply caramelized on the outside. The almond croissant is the other order most people are willing to wait for. Pain au chocolat, kouign-amann, and a small selection of other pastries fill out the case. The menu stays tight on purpose.
The Space
Small, focused, counter service. The Inner Richmond original on Arguello is the smallest. A second Civic Center location and a third downtown shop expand access. Weekend mornings draw lines at all of them.
Practical Info
Price: Croissants $5 to $7
Reservations: None. Walk-in only.
Best time: Early morning weekdays for the freshest pastries and shortest line.
Inner Richmond Address: 397 Arguello Boulevard, near Clement Street
Civic Center Address: 245 Hyde Street
📍 Location: This restaurant is in The Richmond. Explore the neighborhood →