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Backhaus

4.4 (925 reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated 3 months ago

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BACKHAUS ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Backhaus

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Christine C.

The pastries are still great as usual. I was surprised to see many selection on Friday at 10:30 am, bc it's usually gone by then! Looking forward to try the Burlingame location.

Chocolate hazelnut croissant, speck & egg
Jenny Y.

Decided to get in line a lil after 10am on a Saturday. The line moved pretty quickly! We knew we wanted the vanilla latte - got it iced and hot. I got mine with almond milk. It's a good latte! There were so many baked options. We asked the worker for recommendations. We asked about the almond vs chocolate hazelnut croissants & savory options. Speck & egg was the top specific mention, but she added that they're all good. I learned that speck was ham. We ended up getting the chocolate hazelnut croissant & speck & egg. We got the last one of the croissant, so I can only imagine how fast things run out. Baked to perfection - flakey and not dense at all. The croissant did get a bit too sweet over time. There's two tables inside and one bigger one outside. It can get a little crowded with everyone waiting for their drinks. I'm glad I got to try it! I'd come back - lots more to try. Street parking can be a hit or miss nearby. Wherever you park, it's still a nice walk in the downtown area.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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.

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

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the fresh, creative pastries, quality breads, and welcoming atmosphere.

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1 year ago

Amazing bread! Friendly staff. I only wish that the lines were shorter and moved faster!

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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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Jiro Cafe & Bakery - Yuzu Cheesecake/ゆずチーズケーキ

Jiro Cafe & Bakery

4.4(134 reviews)
4.1 mi
•$

Hey hey hey! (Good old "Music Champ" or for those not familiar with that Japanese variety show,…read more"Fat Albert"!) Another legit Japanese bakery in the Yay? You bet! Jiro/Jirou Cafe & Bakery (Jirou Sabou/二郎茶房) is a Japanese cafe on Belmont's Las Pulgas and Carlmont. From what I have gathered as I did my prior scouting/dining scouting (I can't recall anymore), the place is only 3 years old. Seeing that I'm a San Jose/Milpitas cat, I'll type what this place has over Clover and vice versa. This is done not only so that I can recall what I ordered should I enter as I get off 101 again. This is also done so that Belmont residents, Frisco ones and those nearby can get an idea of what to expect when they can decide whether Jiro or Clover has the better batch of items. I felt awful for staying in for 3 hours of the 4 weekend hours of operation yesterday, but as I type up this review and remember to insert the usual "Yes guys, the ladies are cute!" statement, I did get more items before this place closed for the day. I blame/thank the music, especially an Utada Hikaru-san song. The staff's really terrific. The look seems random with a simple look wall and a white and pink stripe look wall that gives me shades of Anna Miller's, but it works because the place is really cute. I mean, there's a Kuromi decoration as opposed to the Too Short name dropped Kitty in Clover! Though there's a kiosk, there's also the ever important bottle of sanitizer and the register should you pay with cash. Okay, I better get the comparison paragraph pair out of the way. Let me show you something--I mean start with what Jiro has over Clover! (Yay "In Living Color".) As I typed in the last paragraph, Jiro has Kuromi. Beside that, there are items such as an iced houjicha latte with in house cream, Japanese sodas including my San Franciscan friend's melon soda that made him wish he's back in Japan, cat shaped bread along with multiple forms of cat decorations, Anpan Man pan with Jiro being the second place I have been to carrying them after Sac's Mahoroba, big savory sandwiches such as yakisoba sando, tonkatsu quesadilla, yuzu cheesecake, pan such as sakura pan, matcha panna cotta, Belgian chocolate brownies, juurokucha bottles (a non-caffeinated tea of 16 ingredients) and on the go snacks such as the Japanese animal crackers boxes. I can't forget the seating, an element Clover had before the pandemic mess. What Clover has over Jiro. Clover has the cooler Sanrio character. Regarding the foods and drinks, Clover has Italian sodas with the Torani syrups, ice cream for the French ones as opposed to cream or half and half, piroshiki/pirozhki, mini versions of sandwiches such as korokke/croquette and okonomiyaki/modan'yaki pan (savory pancake with noodles for the latter if you are not familiar with Japanese food), donut twists, strawberry sando, and Japanese strawberry shortcake. Regarding what I bought, I picked out items I can't get at the other Japanese bakeries I've been to in the sakura pan, the yuzu cheesecake and the houjicha latte. The latte's cream is so silky. The sakura pan is also good. As for the cheesecake, while I think Charlie's (as in the cheesecake place on Redmond) makes the most yummy cheesecake, Jiro's for me probably makes the least guilty cheesecake (a very good trait to have) because it's not that sweet, and yuzu's a good fruit to have. The flaws. Outside of the parking lot across the street, the place has really bad parking, as you can only park for 20 minutes in front of the cafe. You figure that there's the lot around the corner, but don't use it, as it's for the medical center. Also, there are limited hours of operation (11-5 Wednesday to Friday and 12-4 on the weekends). Neither flaw can't be helped I suppose, especially since Belmont isn't really a suburb you think of regarding Japanese food. If only there's a fruit sando or a korokke pan. Jiro is an amazing spot for me. While it unfortunately will never be my top Japanese bakery (I've known Clover's for around 20 years), it is a very good bakery never the less. To think, I found this spot on the fly after having lunch. If you live in Belmont, visit this place often because having a Japanese bakery is like having a Mr. Mays baseball card or for some of you, a shiny Pokemon. Get there early so you don't miss out on items. +/Jiro is a jiving cafe because of its adorable staff, brilliant visuals, and a grand list of Japanese pastries and drinks. -/Carpy parking and limited hours made me twitch.

Such a quaint and homey little shop! They bake fresh Japanese pastries/buns, just like the ones you…read moresee in anime. The menu online is exactly the same as the in-store kiosk. Unfortunately they were out of a lot of items. Wait time after ordering took 15 minutes because they were short on workers. They were super nice though and kept checking in on everyone while running around. Tonkatsu Quesadilla ($12 + $1 curry sauce): Super interesting! Corn was weird but overall it was tasty and crispy. I feel like the curry sauce was needed otherwise it would be too dry. Yakisoba Sando ($7.50): The noodles alone were good but carbs on carbs was too much for me.

Photos
Jiro Cafe & Bakery - Interior: there are ~3 tables plus additional bar seating by the front window

Interior: there are ~3 tables plus additional bar seating by the front window

Jiro Cafe & Bakery - Crab sandp - more like crab salad over buns. Tasty!

Crab sandp - more like crab salad over buns. Tasty!

Jiro Cafe & Bakery - Hojicha latte

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Hojicha latte

Sama Coffee Shop - Gold Digger Latte

Sama Coffee Shop

4.1(457 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Sama…read morehits the sweet spot of delicious drinks, good space to work, and decent surrounding parking options. The Rose Cardamom Honey Latte surprised me because I LOVED IT. It reminded me of a Vietnamese coffee in terms of coffee strength but balanced by sweetness. I was scared it would be too sweet or one flavor would be overpowered, but you can taste everything and the latte is very well balanced. My drink came out super fast after ordering at the register, and the decor is super aesthetic. Lots of good seating options and there are outlets for studying or working.

Sama Coffee Shop in San Mateo understands that a café can be more than a place to consume coffee;…read moreit can be an exercise in atmosphere and appetite. The room is quietly elegant, its Middle Eastern influences expressed through considered décor rather than theatrical excess. There is an appealing sense of decorum here; a place designed to encourage lingering rather than turnover. The coffee is similarly assured. Turkish coffee possesses the requisite depth and bitterness, while the rose-cardamom-honey latte introduces floral sweetness and spice with admirable restraint. The pastries and sweets--particularly the baklava and kunafeh--provide a luxurious counterpoint without descending entirely into confectionery excess. At roughly $10-$20 per person, Sama occupies a sensible price point for an experience that feels considerably more considered than the average neighborhood coffee shop. Sama is, ultimately, a café with a point of view and that is increasingly rare. The service was designed to provide you with a feeling that you're like a beloved family member. Eager to answer all questions asked and make you feel like you're at home.

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Sama Coffee Shop - Rose Cardamom Honey Burma

Rose Cardamom Honey Burma

Sama Coffee Shop - Rose Cardamom Honey Latte and her Biscoff Cloud by her side

Rose Cardamom Honey Latte and her Biscoff Cloud by her side

Sama Coffee Shop - Pastries

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Pastries

Backhaus - bakeries - Updated November 2026

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