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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Hot tip: everything is good here! There's a nice secluded backyard that is a great spot for a coffee chat. I like their sweeter pastries, like the kouign amann and chocolate croissant. The staff is always nice and the line moves relatively quickly. read more
I had my heart set on the speck and egg breakfast bowl, but darn it! They did not have it! We settled on the mushroom galette, both types of kouign amann: regular and strawberry, and a chocolate croissant. We gobbled up the mushroom galette and strawberry kouign amann right away because those looked the most perishable. Wow, just wow! Their pastry crust is so light, flaky, and crispy. The strawberry kouign amann was shatteringly crisp as well and was filled with a sweet strawberry jam and cream surprise in the middle. Don't be discouraged if there's a line out the door. It moves fairly quickly. Once you're at the front of the line, be prepared to rattle off your order because they put you on the spot like you're on Jeopardy! After you get your bag of goodness, you can enjoy it in their cute back patio. They also have two small tables inside and a couple in the front of the establishment. I will definitely be back for more and hope they have the speck and egg breakfast bowl next time. read more
5 months ago
Came here earlier today with some friends, great & quick service with excellent food to top it all off! read more
2 years ago
This popular bakery in San Mateo made for a great breakfast stop. We arrived on a Sunday morning with a line formed along the block. The line moved quickly, however, so it didn't feel like too long of a wait. The back patio was all full, but the table in front was available, so we had our breakfast amid the line of customers. I really enjoyed the Strawberrg Kouign Amann, this pastry was very delicious and satisfied my morning hunger before going on a hike. The San Mateo Fog was an Earl Grey iced latte, it was decent, but it felt a little water downed, which masked some of the flavor. We also got a loaf of their Seeded Sourdough to make some homemade sandwiches. The bread was tasty and plenty. read more
There is always a line for this bakery and for good reason! We absolutely loved their almond croissant and their earl Grey scone. The almond croissant was flaky, they even toasted it in the oven for us. The earl Grey scone had The perfect amount of tea flavoring and it was crispy on the outside and not dry!! read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
My friend and I live about an hour away from each other, and so San Mateo was a good halfway point to meet. She had seen Backhaus at some farmers markets in the past and so suggested to meet here. This coffee shop reminds me of the really hip and nice coffee shops in the city. There is not much indoor seating - I think just a couple of tables, but there is a patio area all the way in the back of the shop with a handful of chairs and tables that has a really nice ambiance. We were really looking forward to ordering some of their pastries but as we arrived an hour before their closing time, we unfortunately saw an empty pastry display case. The cold coffee I ordered was okay. The employees were quite friendly though ! I will have to come back for their pastries one of these days. read more
My biggest regret was not getting here earlier. I got here around 12:30 on a Friday and there were just a handful of pastries left. I got a croissant ($5.50) and it was amazing! Super crispy and flakey but still soft and plush inside with a rich buttery flavor. The epi baguette ($7.50) was really good too and I ordered a side of butter ($2) to go with it. I rarely see cardamon latte ($7.50) so of course I had to try it. Very impressed with everything I had and would definitely come back to try more, hopefully earlier in the day. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
My raspberry pistachio croissant was excellent! I enjoyed spending my morning here sipping coffee and catching up on my journaling! Everyone was friendly and helpful, and the awesome music playlist was conducive to singing along. There was a very cool vibe! I'll have to go back early on the weekend to try their sourdough chocolate bread! read more
Great pastries! We got in late morning on a Saturday, and they were definitely busy, but we got our food quickly along with a table on the back patio outdoors. We tried a ton of stuff. All great! Chocolate chip cookie, chocolate croissant, coffee cake, chocolate bread...I think a few more things even. Great croissants. Flaky and light. read more
Backhaus has the reputation that it does for being such a great bakery for a reason. The quality is top tier for their pastries. In my most recent visit I came by pretty late at around 2pm so a good chunk of their pastries were already sold out, but they still had some croissants luckily. Service is good and helpful if you have any questions regarding their coffee or the coffee beans that they sell. They are attentive and ask what type of coffee machine you have and much more. What I ordered recently: - Iced Mocha with Oatmilk ($7.25) - Croissant ($5.50) - Ham and Cheese Croissant ($7.25) Their mocha is actually one of the best mochas I have had in a long time. Yes their cups are tiny for the price, but the quality is there. It's not Starbucks mocha where it just tastes like a regular hot chocolate. You can actually taste the coffee flavor in the mocha. Their croissants are also incredible. So buttery, flakey on the outside, and soft on the inside. You can tell just by looking at them that they are legit. Their ham and cheese croissant is addicting. So cheesy and tasty. My only regret is not ordering more because they are top tier. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. I never come in the mornings on the weekend with how hectic it can get sometimes and it being a small space inside, but it was still worth it coming later in the day for me personally. They have great coffee and pastries. I'd recommend Backhaus as an option to anyone that asks me what are some of the best bakeries in the Bay Area. read more
2 years ago
I've been to backhaus multiple times - to try the pistachio raspberry croissant, but they always sell out so quickly! This time I arrived at 7:30 in the morning and scored one! It simply tastes amazing - the tang from the raspberry balances out the richness from the pistachios. The croissant has a great flakey texture. The kuoign Amann was good- perfect crunch of sugar on the outside to the flakiness inside. However I wish the black sesame flavour was stronger - the kumquat jam overruled the sesame. I've also tried their regular croissants and it's the best in the bay (even better than the real popular bakeries in the city!) - not too buttery but super flaky. 100% RECOMMENDED! The outdoor seating area is a nice spot to enjoy the baked goods and read a book, especially in the mornings when it's quiet. read more
2 years ago
Pricey! Detailed breakdown below: **Service, 5/5** Friendly and efficient service! **Decor & cleanliness, 5/5** Front of the bakery is pretty small, but check out their cute seating area out back. **Price & taste, 3/5** I got an everything bagel croissant which was a cool concept, but the cream cheese in the middle meant the croissant couldn't rise and puff up at the bottom. There were parts that ended up being a bit dense and stale/wet, while the edges were drier but not crisp the way you expect a satisfying flakey croissant to be. It might've also been a consequence of my timing: I arrived around 2PM so maybe it just wasn't fresh? Asiago and black pepper loaf was solid, but I ended up giving it away to my partner because the whole loaf was a little too funky-smelling for me -- totally my personal preference though and doesn't factor into the rating. At $14 for the loaf though, this might've been the most expensive fresh bread I've purchased, and I don't think it would've been worth the price even if I really enjoyed it. read more
2 years ago
First time at this place. I've been trying different cafes this year, and this one is pretty up in my list. The wait time is the only downside of this place. The place inside is pretty tight, so the line usually goes outside the door. Their pastries are actually so delicious. The regular croissant itself is so flavorful and fluffy. I get the hype. Cute place to grab a quick bite & yap with friends. read more
1 year ago
Despite having been to downtown San Mateo a handful of times, this is the first time that I've stopped by Backhaus. I finally had a chance to drop by and couldn't be happier with the pastries my wife and I were able to try out. My wife ordered the "Speck & Egg Breakfast Bowl" while I got their "Raspberry with Cardamom Streusel Seasonal Coffee Cake". If you've ever been to Craftsman and Wolves in San Francisco, they are famous for a savory cheddar scallion muffin with a soft-cooked egg inside they call "The Rebel Within". The "Speck & Egg Breakfast Bowl" from Backhaus is better in every way imaginable. The egg on the inside is cooked better and the flavors are much more balanced. If you can only stop by to try one item, this is the item to try. Though I really enjoyed my seasonal coffee cake as well, its hard to rain praise on it after having tried the speck and egg pastry. If you're in downtown San Mateo, you should definitely check out Backhaus and grab one of their pastries. read more
No wait at lunchtime on a Friday in March. I already thought I'd found the perfect Portuguese egg tart at my local Chinese bakery, but I was proven wrong after having this. Pastel de Nata ($7 total with tax/tips) - 5 stars. This was mindblowingly good! Perfect buttery flaky crust, silky filing. And I had eaten it a day old - I can't imagine how much better it would have been fresh! read more
3 years ago
Love coming here before work to grab a coffee and snack! When I get to work early, I always come here. All their pastries look delicious too. I've had their croissants and I loved them. They have some fun flavors as well. I am not a coffee expert but I thought it was very good. They seem to put a lot of care into making their coffee drinks. PSA: coffee will probably take 10+ minutes. I've come to work late cause I assumed my latter would come out in 2 minutes. read more
Busy, busy, busy spot. Fresh breads, pastries, and coffee options. Friendly service and staff. Though the lines can be long, the wait is not excessive. Limited seating in the front and a few tables in the back patio. Ambiance is casual. Get here early if you want some there baked goods. Give this spot a try. read more
1 year ago
New coffee spot unlocked in San Mateo BackHaus did not disappoint -- loved their croissant and latte (the fluffiest foam ever ). They also have a special Fig Leaf latte -- didn't try it this time but saw so many people ordering it The staff there are nice and super patient! Definitely coming back! read more
Came on a sunday afternoon and there was a line but it moved fairly quick. I ordered ham and cheese croissant and morning bun and both were quite delectable! - ham and cheese croissant was nice and flakey. not as crispy as croissante or arsicault but still good quality. and it even tasted better when I toasted it at home - morning bun was lightly sweet and has a hint of orange zest which was nice. although it does get harder if not eaten right away. - outdoor seating in the back(haus) is a nice vibe on a sunny afternoon! read more
1 year ago
Such a warm, welcoming staff and delicious fresh-baked breads and pastries. Stopped in for an afternoon treat and took home the whole wheat sourdough loaf. read more
Overhyped. Mocha latte was way too sweet. Like drinking chocolate syrup. Blueberry pastry was very good, morning bun was dry. It's pricey for being just average. Slow service, workers were friendly, inside was clean. Overall, won't be going back. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
7 months ago
***4.5 stars*** Arrived around 10:00am on a Sunday. Based on the reviews, I thought it would be way more crowded, but there was no wait when we arrived. However it did start getting slightly busier by the time we left around 10:30am. The bakery has very cute decor and cozy vibes and service was wonderful. We brought our food to the outdoor tables in the back patio. We got the chocolate croissant, ham and cheese croissant, kouign amann, and the everything croissant bowl with cream cheese. My favorite was the everything croissant bowl! It was very flavorful and I always love a good savory pastry. Next I liked the kouign amann best. Chocolate croissant and ham and cheese croissant were about the same ranking for me. They were pretty good! Not as flaky as some other bakeries but still enjoyable. I feel like if the croissants were warmed up, they'd be 100x better. But apparently they don't provide this service (my friend overheard the employees telling a customer that they don't offer that). I appreciated how the chocolate filled up a good portion of the croissant (see pic) and not just a tiny portion in the center like many chocolate croissants. Overall, fantastic bakery and I'd come back! read more
Came by on a Sunday morning and the line was very long! By the time we reached the cashier it was about 20-30 minutes. Most of the pastries in the case were still there so that was nice, though I was seeking out the pistachio raspberry croissant and it wasn't available. I got the pumpkin tea cake, the ham and cheese croissant, the chocolate croissant, and the pear danish. I also ordered an iced vanilla latte. It was good, but the vanilla flavor wasn't very prominent. The pumpkin tea cake was soft and fluffy. I also enjoyed the ham and cheese croissant (though I would have loved more cheese!). They're very very busy so I would understand why they wouldn't do it, but I think the croissants would have tasted much better warmed up! There's a small outdoor area in the back of the shop where there are chairs and tables to enjoy your pastries before you go. read more
Be prepared for a long line! We visited on a Sunday morning around 10:15 AM and waited around 30 minutes. Definitely worth it though! We stumbled across Backhaus while waiting for a restaurant to open. The line waaay out the door made it seem more appealing to us so we joined the crowd and queue'd in haha. HUGE selection of pastries, breads, baked goods, etc. I'd STRONGLY recommend the Speck and Egg croissant - I've never had anything like it! The croissants here are flakey and soft. I loved the speck and egg because of the savory flavors it had, especially with the heaping of green onions on top of it. I'd suggest the Everything Croissant as my second favorite! I didn't really enjoy the chocolate chip cookie / chocolate croissant as much, the chocolate in both tasted like they had a lot of depth - probably ideal for those who enjoy dark chocolate though. My only cons about this place (apart from the line) would be their ordering process; you order at the register then wait for someone to call out your order. This leaves a lot of room for error, and they ended up getting our order wrong even though we only got a few pastries. Make sure you check your bags before you leave! read more
7 months ago
I had high hopes for this place as all the reviews and photos looked amazing. Service was friendly and quick. It's a small shop so expect a line to order but you can head to the back where they have an outdoor patio to enjoy your pastry and coffee. Came in early in the AM and got the pistachio croissant and the Speck & Egg Breakfast Bowl. They were delicious in flavor yet lacking the correct crispness and moisture in the pastry. The speck and egg is a nice savory croissant topped with green onions and an egg cooked inside. The pistachio raspberry croissant had a jam inside. The pastries are alright, and a bit pricey ($6.75 for a croissant). They aren't as buttery as some outstanding pastries I have had and there are just better bakeries that I would rather travel to. read more
More info about Backhaus
32 E 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
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(650) 200-9493
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http://backhausbread.com
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Ask the Community - Backhaus
Anyone know what their hours are 12/26/25?
We are closed today. Back open tomorrow, 12/27.
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?
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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32 reviews that are not currently recommended
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