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    Backhaus

    4.4 (920 reviews)
    Closed • 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Backhaus Photos

    Business Info

    BACKHAUS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Backhaus

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    Cheese and ham croissant
    Alison V.

    Delicious pastries made in-house, wonderful lattes and a secret little garden to relax in - Backhaus is a new favorite. The ham and cheese croissant was so moist, flavorful, and filled with ham. Absolutely worth the calories. I also appreciate that dogs are allowed in the back garden. What a gem.

    Almond croissant
    Caroline L.

    You need to come here super early on the weekend in order to get the food stuff. When we got there by 10:30 on the weekend, most stuff was already gone. We got the almond croissant which was solid. Wasn't our favorite bakery but was solid.

    Croissant and cold brew
    Brennan S.

    Went to the San Mateo Backhaus and was very impressed! I've been to the Burlingame location and I love this one equally. The baristas are super efficient and nice to talk to. The interior was limited seating but the back patio is spacious. I got a croissant and an iced americano. The crossing was delicate, flakey, warm, buttery and tender- so delicious! The coffee was very satisfying, with a bold, smooth flavor. Great experience- also bonus points because this location is walking distance to the Central Park Japanese Garden.

    Candy C.

    The plain croissant was excellent--beautifully flaky with a delicate sweetness and satisfying crunch on the outside, while remaining soft and pillowy on the inside. The chocolate croissant was just as good, featuring the perfect balance of sweet and slightly bitter chocolate wrapped in layers of buttery, flaky pastry. The latte, topped with a leaf design, was rich, smooth, and flavorful. It provided the perfect pick-me-up while making a headache disappear. The café offers plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, with additional space upstairs and downstairs. Friendly staff, a welcoming atmosphere, delicious pastries, and good coffee make this cafe well worth a visit.

    Inside
    Arthur T.

    Backhaus has been on my to-visit list for so long! Two of us ordered: croissant $5.50 cold brew $6.75 Cold brew definitely on the pricier side. Coffee was standard and croissant was nice. Came by in the afternoon around 2:30PM after lunch, so not much was left. Staff mentioned to come early in the morning since they usually sell out within a few hours! Street parking / garage parking a few blocks away.

    chocolate hazelnut croissant
    Helen L.

    got here 11am on a saturday and they already had some sold out items and then the line grew outside when i was stepping out with my bread. no misses!! i got the chocolate hazelnut croissant and the tomato girl and both items were great, i just wish they were warmer. super flaky texture, good flavors in fillings, can feel a bit dense but it's so good that becomes a good thing. also has the cutest vibes in the backyard. we also tried their drinks - the cinnamon girl coffee significantly slapped more than the san mateo fog earl grey, happy to be back for more pastries

    Line always
    Malissa M.

    Update 4/1/26 - came in yesterday and tried a new item. The passion fruit danish, and omg... I'm obsessed!!!! It was so dang delicious, I went back today in the hopes it might be there again. Needless to say, I figured the chances were pretty slim!!! No way it would be there. however to my overwhelming happiness it was Don't judge me. had to get a couple!! I even told the kind staff members helping me... PLEASE..... tell the Chef.. to make these a regular. & That all the baked goods are great, but this danish is amazing!!! It's just that good, to me!! The dough is a perfect soft chew, layered almost with just enough butter and sweetness. The passion fruit shines with the perfect tart and zip.... And that marshmallowy meringue on it, is delightful. " You did your thing with this danish Chef" This danish now trumps my go to kouign Amann. By the way. I'm from Hawaii, so it might be one reason this flavor speaks to me, but I'm pretty sure anyone who likes a little tart, bright, perfect sweet will also enjoy it. If not more for me I did get an epi for my friend and a couple other goodies as well. I dropped off two items to a friend who works near and she could not thank me enough and tell me how much she enjoyed her goodies too.

    Kouign Amann
    Cat N.

    We've gone here so many times and I'm finally writing a review. The food is so amazing. I can't stress enough how much you're gonna love it. Some of this was from the Burlingame location and some of it was from the San Mateo location. They're both awesome. the service is great at each of them and the ambience is wonderful. Also, I highly recommend it.

    Pistachio raspberry croissant.  Must order!
    Veronica T.

    Life can be sour. We need something sweet to balance it out. That's why a great bakery is so important in the world. Birthday, wedding, breakfast, or just because it's Tuesday, having a reason to walk into a bakery is one of the great things about being alive. I mean, tell me the scent of fresh baked bread/cookies/croissants or cake isn't life affirming. There's a bevy of baked goodness here, but I came for one thing. The pistachio raspberry croissant. I've never been crazy about the nut, but for some reason I love all things pistachio flavored. Just check out my cross section pic...look at that ooey gooey pistachio filling! And with the raspberry...just beautiful! Sorry to say, the flavor fell flat. JUST KIDDING!!! This croissant tastes as good as it looks! AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS! These babies tend to sell out, so you need to go early if you hope to snag one. I've called ahead to check & asked them to save one for me. A couple of times. Thing is, when we've gone later in the day snagging the last ones, the exterior was a touch on the dry side. That's inevitable after they've been sitting out for hours, so go early to avoid this. They're worth it. We've tried the scones & the morning buns; both were solid but the stars here are the croissants. The ambience here is light & airy. There's a patio out back; on a beautiful day it's the icing on the cake. Pun totally intended. 4 & 1/2 stars

    My morning coffee - a 12 oz mocha
    Jeff T.

    Your morning coffee is a ritual, right? A daily routine with sights, sounds, and smells; also aromas and, for drowsy me, awakening if I'm very lucky. Usually my coffee ritual involves a familiar, welcoming place. Today that place was Backhaus, a San Mateo Bakery and Coffee house The staff is friendly, skilled, and blessedly quick given the frequent lines. Backhaus is a local favorite. I suggest one of their "little dude" bites (flaky goodness, a touch of chocolate, and lightly salted) and a mocha (8 or 12 oz) made from (I kid not!) Ritual beans. There's not much inside seating space and it can feel crowded so you're probably going to take your coffee to go. Prices are a touch high but the quality matches and such is the lot for those of us in search of a good pour. You'll find that good pour here.

    Espresso with sparkling water
    Felix W.

    I ordered an espresso. They were serving a single origin from ritual and its dailed in well. There was good crema and creamy texture, with fruity undertones complementing mild acidity. 4/5 Would definitely come back if in the area.

    KOUIGN AMANN, BLACK SESAME & KUMQUAT KOUIGN AMANN, SAUERKRAUT PRETZEL, CHOCOLATE TEA CARE SLICE, SPECK & EGG CROISSANT BOWL
    Rei K.

    In the mornings, there's always a long line, which already tells you how popular this bakery is. It's also incredibly creative--both in flavors and presentation. By late morning, most items are usually sold out. I've visited twice: once around 10 a.m., and another time close to closing, around 3 p.m. When I came at 10 a.m., almost all of the choices were still available, which made it the perfect time to visit. On the other hand, during my late-afternoon visit, there was very little left. Recommendation: The Speck & Egg Croissant Bowl was especially creative and absolutely delicious. The Kouign-amann is a solid, can't-go-wrong choice, and the black sesame version was also excellent. Seating is limited, but they do offer drinks, so it's possible to eat in. The high ceiling makes the space feel open and comfortable, even when it's busy. If you want the full selection, I highly recommend coming earlier in the day. This place is clearly in high demand, and it's easy to see why.

    Seasonal slipper: Japanese curry
    Tran H.

    It's been a while since I've been back to this location but it was a Friday afternoon and there was still plenty of pastries and bread left to choose. I was looking for a walnut bread but the cashier informed it was a seasonal bread that hasn't returned yet. I opt for their epi bread ($8) which makes for great mini avocado toasties! I also saw a very interesting seasonal slipper bread with flavor, Japanese curry (vegetarian)! It was surprisingly delicious because the base was made with sourdough, but the texture was quite nice and the savory curry was delicious! I hope they carry this item more in the future!

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    Anne M.

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    Friendly staff, great bread, nice atmosphere filled with aromatic coffee and positive energy. Love this place!

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    Page 1 of 23

    Backhaus Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Backhaus

    Anyone know what their hours are 12/26/25?

    We are closed today. Back open tomorrow, 12/27.

    Is this place dog friendly?

    No only service dogs allowed.

    Any gluten free options?

    Unfortunately we currently do not have any products on the menu that are naturally gluten free. As a business using as much flour as we do, we are unable to guarantee zero potential of cross contamination, so we choose not to create gluten free… 

    Is there unlimited free wifi?

    Hi. Do the pastries have lard or pork products?

    No butter

    Does your croissant contain eggs?

    The dough itself does not contain any egg, but we apply an egg wash (egg & heavy whipping cream) to the outside prior to baking.

    Can I place preorder in case things run out?

    I saw people picking up orders while I was in line there.

    How do I buy a croissant?

    you can go later in the day for croissants, they make more batches throughout the day, for other pastries like morning bun, galette, etc you have to go before 10AM on a weekday or 9AM on a weekend since they run out quickly.

    Hi! I recently ordered a latte with oat milk. I am just curious which brand of oat milk do you guys use?

    We use Minor Figures oat milk.

    Is the patio in the back open for outdoor dining during COVID?

    No, we are currently not offering any outdoor seating, sorry.

    Can you come in to purchase or is it online only?

    We have extras for walk-up customers, but pastries often sell out early, so it’s best to come in the morning.

    Are any baked goods available on walk-in basis, without online preorder?

    I was told they sold out of the pastries when I stopped by around noon on a Sunday. So get there early if you want to a pastry with your coffee

    How come their website doesn't have descriptions of each bread or pastry? I always want to know more about each pastry, ingredients, flavor, etc, but their in store menus are so minimal.

    It can be hard online to know exactly what's in something. However, in store the servers can tell you what the items are and what's in them. They've helped me pick some good pastries before.

    What days is your olive bread sold?

    Our olive sourdough is available every Wednesday, and we also offer olive fougasse on Saturdays and Sundays.

    Any nut free pastries?

    Yes. Plain croissants, pretzel twists, fruit pastries, etc. But if you have a severe allergy, might need to special request (glove change, etc.). The pastries with nuts are right next to the ones without.

    Is the bakery located inside of a building?

    There is a front entrance. Easy to miss since it is between two stores.

    Any items without dairy?

    Currently all of our breads are dairy free, with the exception of the Asiago & Black Pepper loaf (available Fridays only) and any pretzel products. All of our pastries contain dairy.

    Will they be open New Year's Day? Getting conflicting information online

    No they're closed NYE and Nee Years Day

    Do you sell sourdough without seeds?

    Yes, we currently bake our Country loaf as well as a porridge loaf Wednesday through Sunday, an olive loaf on Wednesdays, Marbled Rye (with caraway) on Thursdays, and Asiago & Black Pepper on Fridays. We also offer a whole wheat loaf with raisins,… 

    What time on weekends do the majority of the pastries run out? 1:30 pm I guess is too late!

    I'd say the good pastries (at least my favorite) are gone by 10 AM!

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    We stopped by Sama Coffee Shop for a coffee and a quick dessert while we were in the area. It's a…read morecharming Turkish-style café with a nice selection of coffee drinks, creative lattes, teas, pastries, and desserts. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a good place to sit for a bit and enjoy a drink and something sweet. Overall, I would say our experience was fine. The coffee and dessert were good, but nothing really stood out enough that I would make a special trip from the South Bay to San Mateo just to come here. That said, if you're already in the area and looking for a casual coffee spot with some Turkish-inspired treats and a relaxed atmosphere, it's definitely worth stopping by.

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    Kaizen & Coffee - $9 single origin pour over & iced black sesame latte

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    I got here at 7:30AM on a Saturday, thinking I could beat the crowd, and I just barely did! The…read moreline went out the door soon after I arrived. The folks here must be doing something right to have such a high demand for their offerings. When I first walked in, I could smell the light and fruity aroma of the beans that they use. They also have a variety of beans from different roasters that you could purchase. I got the Tahitian Vanilla Bean latte to try and it was very tasty! The baristas were also very friendly and genuine, despite being quite busy. If I lived closer, I would definitely be a regular here!

    Miso caramel never had anything like it, i'm shocked and…read moreimpressed and very down to get this again or try other things on the menu also the Miso caramel didn't overpower the coffee taste at All which is imo rare? Pandan Matcha! this is the strongest pandan flavor i've had in a while and it was really good!! it did overpower the matcha flavor but I didn't mind because I like pandan and this was really good and not superrrrr artificial or sweet like other places. If you are looking for a strong matcha taste, this drink might not be for you tho service was great and speedy considering how long the line was (30min before closing too wow) I also loved the decor and I think this would be a great place to work: there's wifi, some seating and power sockets

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    Ceré Tea - Black Sesame Matcha Einspanner (oatmilk, 50% sweetness)

    Ceré Tea

    4.5(171 reviews)
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    I was eating next door on a Sunday afternoon and saw lots of people going in and coming out with…read moredelicious looking matcha drinks. I watched their reactions when taking the first sip, it was a lot of head nodding and thumbs upping to their friends so I felt like I had to go in and try for myself. Went in and ordered an earl gray matcha and my partner ordered a passion mango tea w boba. The matcha & the passion fruit was so good! The boba was chewy and sweet. I would definitely recommend coming and trying! I really wanted to try their strawberry matcha but I'm always so skeptical (I have trust issues w bad strawb matchas) but the earl gray was good, so maybe I'll try next visit. The interior was nice, menu was straight forward on the wall and on the check out table -- only thing is the description of the drinks weren't shown on the menus until you're on the self check out kiosk. I was curious about the sunny side up matcha thinking it was made with real egg yolk (which I thought kinda weird?) but the kiosk said that it was mango. You didn't really talk to staff at all & the drinks came out pretty fast! Would come back again.

    I'll round up because I want this place to do well. This was my second time coming here. The first…read moretime, my husband ordered a hojicha einspanner. The second time, I ordered a matcha einspanner, and he got the hojicha einspanner again. Maybe I'm just not too familiar with how to drink einspanners, but the cream pretty much sat on top of the drink. At first, I was mostly just drinking the matcha, which was fine because it was flavorful and seemed to be good quality. Once I got toward the end of the drink, that's when I started tasting the cream. The cream was a little too thick for my liking and left a film-like texture in my mouth, which I didn't love. Since I enjoyed the overall flavor of the drink, I'll give it a 4! The ambiance is cute, and the service was easy. You just order from a kiosk, and they call your name once your drink is ready. The first time I went was on a weekend, and the line was out the door. This time, I went on a weekday, and it was pretty empty. If you're looking for a sweet, caffeinated drink as a pick-me-up, I'd recommend trying it at least once.

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    Anton - Holiday Chocolate Crepe Cake - 3/5

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    I've come to this place on many occasions and I have to say it never disappoints. Anton stands out…read morewith its Crepe cakes but the other desserts are delicious too. When you walk in, there is always someone there to greet you and inform you of the new crepe cakes available and what they have in stock. So far, I've tried the Hokkaido Milk Crepe Cake, the Matcha Crepe Cake, Tiramisu Crepe Cake, the Pistachio Crepe Cake, the matcha tart and the mango panna cotta. My favorites are the Hokkaido Milk Crepe Cake and the Pistachio Crepe Cake. All of the cakes are not too sweet and have great balance. It's so good that you don't even realize that it's done. If you're feeling adventurous, give the Panna Cotta a try. It won't disappoint! Overall, one of the best crepe cakes I've had on the West Coast.

    This was my first time trying this cake shop. Layered cakes like these seem to be getting more and…read moremore popular in the U.S. I've tried Lady M before, and I felt that most of their flavors, except for the green tea one, were a bit on the sweet side. The two cakes I ordered here were actually quite light and not overly sweet, and the flavors were also pretty unique. They also offer special seasonal flavors for certain holidays, which is a nice touch. Overall, I think it's a pretty good place to try! 第一次嘗試這家蛋糕店,這種分層式的蛋糕感覺在美國越來越多,我之前吃過Lady M,感覺他們除了綠茶以外,口味都偏甜。這家的蛋糕其實我點的這兩款都挺清淡的,口味也很特殊,加上在某些特定的節日,店家還會推出應景的不同口味蛋糕,感覺挺不錯的。

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    Recently discovered this place and today I was with my baby who fallen asleep in the car. I ordered…read moreonline but I couldn't park or figure out how to pick up my order. I stopped in front of their coffee shop and run back forth saying that my baby is sleeping, let me know when it is ready. So the cook bought my sandwich to the car even though I didn't ask for that. Awwww as postpartum mama who did not have her breakfast and coffee at 11am, I was so touched by their excellent service! Coffee was so smooth and my sandwich like my grandma did - so yummy! They just earned forever customer! :-)

    I've been here a number of times, they're located in a business complex, but they're also open on…read morethe weekends so we pop in here and there for coffee or a snack. We've tried a good number of things on the menu and the main thing for me is that even though the prices are not steep, the food portions are quite small. Even the bagels are not standard-sized bagels, they're smaller and feel more like a mini bagel. Whenever I order any rice dish, I'm never full. Taste is average at best across everything I've tried. So even though it's not expensive, it doesn't feel quite worth it. The drinks are good, I've enjoyed most of what I've tried. The space is pretty big and open, good for working or hanging out and the staff is usually friendly. The only time I've had a negative experience with service was with the owner or manager (not sure), she was a bit rude and stand-offish.

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    •$$

    cafe kazka is such a hidden gem in foster city! my friend and I came to check it out for lunch…read moreafter hearing it was a hong kong-style cafe, and were not disappointed at all. first, the cafe is so cute and also spotless- I could've stayed all day just reading or doing work. there was lots of outdoor seating overlooking the water which was so nice! I got an iced HK style coffee + milk tea which I've never had before but was so delicious. I'd definitely come back to try the other fruity drinks too! we ordered the tom yum noodles, preserved vegetables & pork noodle soup, salt & pepper fries, and the HK style french toast with peanut butter. the french toast was our favorite- it was fluffy and chewy and was just like the HK classic. the noodle dishes were both so hearty and flavorful too, and the portions were a good size. it did take a bit long for everything to come out, but it did seem like there was only one person working and she was very kind and accommodating when we had questions about our order. we didn't mind at all, especially sitting outside and enjoying the view! overall, I'll for sure be back for the drinks and to try some other HK style street food.

    This was my first time trying Cafe Kazka, and unfortunately, I was very disappointed. The…read morerestaurant seemed seriously understaffed and very disorganized. I ordered the lemongrass pork jaw rice. There were only about six pieces of meat, and the lemongrass was chopped into very tiny pieces and mixed into the sauce. The problem was that the lemongrass was extremely tough, almost like small pieces of tree branches, and impossible to chew. I had to spit them out, but because they were chopped so finely and mixed throughout the sauce and meat, it was very difficult to eat. If this is how they prepare the dish, they should reconsider the way they cook and serve lemongrass dishes--or consider removing this dish from the menu. I also waited about 30 minutes for my food. After such a long wait, I expected the food to at least arrive hot, but it was already cold. It seemed like the food had been sitting in the kitchen for a while because there weren't enough staff to bring it out to customers. The table service and cleanliness were also disappointing. There were no staff available to clean the tables, and I actually saw customers moving previous customers' dirty plates to one side and wiping the table themselves. Our table was also extremely sticky. The restaurant really needs to review its food delivery process. Instead of having staff run around the dining area trying to find the right table number, they could simply have customers pick up their food using an order number. This would probably make the process much faster and more organized. Overall, the food was just so-so, the service was slow, and the whole restaurant felt very unorganized. Unfortunately, I will not be coming back.

    Photos
    Cafe Kazka - Inside

    Inside

    Cafe Kazka - Duck breast rice

    Duck breast rice

    Cafe Kazka - Fried fish siu mai

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    Fried fish siu mai

    Backhaus - bakeries - Updated September 2026

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