Juniper
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I loved: Raspberry Almond Croissant I really liked: Strawberry Lychee Choux I liked: Banana Matcha Latte Strawberry Matcha Latte Juniper has quickly become one of those SF cafes where the pastries and drinks feel like they were made to be enjoyed together. The Raspberry Almond Croissant is easily the standout. There's a lot going on between the sweet raspberry, savory almond flavor, and all the different textures, but somehow it works. The raspberry comes through really nicely without getting lost in everything else. The Strawberry Lychee Choux is another winner. Light, flavorful, and honestly kind of addicting. It's one of those pastries where you take a bite and immediately want another. Both matcha drinks are solid, though definitely on the lighter side when it comes to matcha flavor. The Banana Matcha Latte does a good job balancing the banana without letting it overpower the drink. The Strawberry Matcha Latte is decent too, although the strawberry can lean a little bitter. Neither blew me away on its own, but paired with the sweeter pastries, they work really well. Juniper is almost always busy when I'm here, but the staff are consistently super nice and accommodating. The cafe itself can feel packed, but there's a reason people keep coming back. Great pastries, good drinks, and everything complements each other really well. Feels like a nice cozy cafe if you're in the area #goodeats
=== Beautiful croissants === Walked in at 2:10 pm less than an hour before closing expecting nothing to be left. But was lucky enough that they had croissants left. Choice of plain, ham and cheese, and bacon-something. Since it's my first time there, had to try the plain! Super cute but I was headed elsewhere so I took it to go. +++ Beautiful croissant. Even for a croissant near closing, this thing was beautiful. I've never seen gloss on a croissant like that. ++ Tasted great. Every "premium" croissant I've ever tasted just tastes like CostCo except with an extra stick of butter per croissant, and I'm not a huge fan of over-buttering things. This was rich but not overly so. Textures were amazing with crisp exterior and airy fluffy interior - so much so I had to take a photo of the half-eaten croissant just to show it off. + Interior was super cute. I was on the run so I didn't catch a photo but plenty of others from other Yelpers (thanks other Yelpers!) I'm not in the City often but if I was in the area, I would totally bring folks by.
I'd been looking forward to trying Juniper - mainly for the black sesame kouign amann - but also to check out the hype (all of my friends and coworkers told me that I must visit). I ventured to Juniper during the late morning rush, and while there was a line out the door, it moved quickly and the bakers were hard at work keeping the pastries stocked throughout the morning. As I waited in line, I admired the impressive selection of sweet and savory croissants. Since I visited during the summer, many of the pastries featured fresh tomato and stone fruits. While I was tempted to try one of each, I was on a mission during this visit to try the black sesame kouign amann. When I placed my order at the counter, I was served a fresh-from-the oven kouign amann - this rarely happens! I couldn't resist trying a piece as I left the bakery, and it was indeed exquisite. The black sesame kouign amann from B. Patisserie is my gold standard, and Juniper's version is a close contender. While the black sesame flavor is much lighter and the texture fluffier than the B. Patisserie version, I liked the abundance of the crispy edges (as well as the year-round availability). I will certainly be back to try more of Juniper's pastries.
Visited on a Sunday afternoon around 11AM, and the line wrapped around the store. The line moved fairly fast (~15 min wait), and there were menus posted outside the door to look at while waiting. They still had all their items in stock, including the seasonal fruit danish and elote danish. I opted to try the cubano croissant since it was labeled as award winning on the menu. I was surprised to find a decently thick cut of pork inside the croissant, since most croissants are typically rolled with thinly sliced pieces of meat. The croissant was flaky and buttery. Definitely a must try for a savory option. There are a few tables at the back of the bakery to chat/eat but it can get crowded when people are waiting for their items. Solid spot for delicious pastry items!
On a Saturday morning at 11am was a bit of a line around the corner but it wasn't too bad, maybe 20 minutes, and once you're inside time passes quickly looking at the bakery case. We tried the pain au chocolat, Cubano croissant, black sesame kouign amann and regular croissant. The texture of the regular croissant was lightly crisp on the outside and flaky inside, though not as buttery and rich as we hoped. The pain au chocolat and kouign amann were great pastries with a subtle sweetness. The Cubano was easily the best with an incredibly tender croissant and savory sandwich flavor.
Labor Day line was a bit daunting, but always worth the wait. Was very tempted by the Tomato Bomb but opted for old reliable lemon choux.
We came around 9:45 am on Labor Day, so of course there was a line. But it moved fairly quickly. First of all, I loved my iced banana Matcha with coconut cold foam. So good and dairy free! Next, the pastries. We tried the hazelnut passionfruit choux, which is the best bite I've had in ages. Absolutely insane textures and flavors. The raspberry almond croissant was rich, flaky, and filled with fresh raspberries. I was expecting a layer of frangipane inside, but I think it was just the sliced almonds on top. That was my only complaint, but it was still delicious. My husband loved his orange pecan sticky bun. We got a couple other pastries to take hime to our kids. Loved and would definitely return!
Came here on a weekend afternoon and there was a healthy line outside. It moved quickly though, and they were still making fresh pastries! We tried a few different croissants - the pain au chocolat, cubano croissant, tomato bomb, and breakfast sandwich. All of the croissants were really good with a nice crispy texture. I preferred the sweet croissants over the savory, but having both was a nice balance. The staff were really friendly and we were luckily able to find some seating inside. A nice place for a quick breakfast/brunch!
Juniper is in my top 3 bakeries you must go to in San Francisco! I have been here a handful of times already and can confidently say everything I have had here has been exceptional and delicious. The pastries are all flaky and crispy, and you can tell they were crafted by a true craftsman. I think what makes Juniper so special is the selection of unique flavors they have. My favorite being their award-winning Cubano croissant, their black sesame kouign amann, and their choux pastries. I do want to call out how much I appreciate the amount of savory pastries they have since I don't always want a sweet treat the moment I wake up. To note, Juniper is typically busy, but I have never waited in line for more than 10 minutes, even on weekends. They also have a lot of tables for seating, but because of the flow of people, it might be difficult to find a spot. Stop by here if you're around the area! They are also a sister shop of Saint Frank, so you can get some coffee while you're here as well.
Juniper is a cozy little cafe on the corner of a busy street. They serve unique pastries and have a nice drink menu. Lots of variety here. Service was a 5/5. I was instantly greeted and personally recommended a pastry. Shout out Chris and Jess for their outstanding service! All the staff at Juniper are so friendly, you can really tell they enjoy working here. The Chai Latte was nice and creamy. I do prefer it a little stronger and less sweet, but there were no sugar adjustments. Still recommend chai lovers to try this drink. I'm not the hugest pastry fan, and with a quick glance around the room, it seems like most people just came here for the coffee and ambiance. Overall, a sweet spot to chill and do work. Next time I'll try some of their food options.
Unfortunately today I will have to give a 3 when it is usually a strong 4 to 5. I think their system of waiting in the back of the line if you're ONLY going to get a drink is inefficient. I usually don't want a pastry, just a drink but to wait in the long line and behind people who are taking their time (as they should) picking their pastries and when there is usually another person available is, again, inefficient. I'm sure with the obviously incredible creativity they have in making their pastries they can spare some to come up with an alternative more streamlined system for a drinks only line.
I've seen Juniper on social media and saw I was in the area and decided to give them a try. I got the raspberry almond croissant and my boyfriend got the ham & cheese croissant with a cold brew. I was a bit hesitant because I'm not the biggest raspberry fan, but I really enjoyed it! The almond and raspberry paired really greatly together, and I could only imagine how much better it would be if it were fresh. We came at around 12:30 on a Monday and the pastry selection seemed a bit slim, but I do believe they are constantly baking items throughout the day. There's a good handful of seating indoors, and I did enjoy that they allowed you to enjoy the pastries there. Would love to try other items from Juniper in the future!
This place was lovely!! visiting from out of state and we stopped by, there was a bit of a wait but it goes by fast. Come earlier in the day as they tend to sell out towards the end of the day. The cappuccino was smooth, dark and really good. We also tried the raspberry almond croissant which was to die for, as well as a pain au chocolate and a regular croissant which were all great.
1 day ago
date & time: wednesday september 29, 2026 @ 2pm coffee date: the husband vibe: work wives & besties in isabel marant boho inspired white tops w/ matching short flowy skirt w/ dainty gold jewelry & the row bag decor: aesthetic, minimalistic & vibey coffee spot service: efficient devour: arguably the best raspberry & almond croissant in the city total: $7.50 read more
5 days ago
A lover of savory pastries like me? Look no further! For those who are tired of the general rotation of chocolate croissants and various other bakeries catered to sweet tooths, Juniper has something for everyone! TOMATO BOMB A standout dish! Their Tomato Bomb is absolutely delicious and bursting with flavor; it is so savory and I wish it wasn't only a seasonal thing! Sadly, I think it's only available during the summer. MUSHROOM DANISH If you're a mushroom aficionado like me, you will also enjoy this dish. The pastry is perfectly flaky, just like the Tomato Bomb, and very good. The mushrooms are well-seasoned as well. BLACK SESAME KOUIGN-AMANN I dream about this pastry. Truly, the sesame adds this toasted flavor to the sweet kouign-amann, which is perfectly flaky and also very rich. This is my favorite thing to get. I will almost always get a black sesame kouign-amann every time I visit Juniper. LYCHEE CHOUX PASTRY I think this is generally people's favorite but as I don't like sweet pastries as much--especially sweet pastries with sweet fillings--it wasn't my personal favorite. However, my boyfriend who has a big sweet tooth certainly really enjoyed it. Finally, the interior of the bakery is extremely cute. There is actually a lot of seating for such a busy bakery that looks small from the outside. The staff are effective and friendly, and everything is very clean. read more
18 days ago
Juniper has some seriously good pastries. There are so many varieties here, both savory and sweet, and I love that they have combinations you don't see everywhere else. I tried the mulberry pastry and it was so good. The flavor was really unique and had a nice balance without feeling too heavy. Unfortunately, it's seasonal, so I'm hoping they bring it back because I would definitely get it again. Their espresso tonic is also a hit. It's refreshing and goes really well with the pastries, especially if you want something a little lighter alongside all the baked goods. The only downside is that there aren't many seats and the line can get pretty long, especially in the mornings. Definitely come early if you want to avoid a long wait or have a better chance of finding a table. Such a fun spot for pastries and coffee, especially if you like trying things that are a little different from the usual. read more
1 month ago
I loved: Raspberry Almond Croissant I really liked: Strawberry Lychee Choux I liked: Banana Matcha Latte Strawberry Matcha Latte Juniper has quickly become one of those SF cafes where the pastries and drinks feel like they were made to be enjoyed together. The Raspberry Almond Croissant is easily the standout. There's a lot going on between the sweet raspberry, savory almond flavor, and all the different textures, but somehow it works. The raspberry comes through really nicely without getting lost in everything else. The Strawberry Lychee Choux is another winner. Light, flavorful, and honestly kind of addicting. It's one of those pastries where you take a bite and immediately want another. Both matcha drinks are solid, though definitely on the lighter side when it comes to matcha flavor. The Banana Matcha Latte does a good job balancing the banana without letting it overpower the drink. The Strawberry Matcha Latte is decent too, although the strawberry can lean a little bitter. Neither blew me away on its own, but paired with the sweeter pastries, they work really well. Juniper is almost always busy when I'm here, but the staff are consistently super nice and accommodating. The cafe itself can feel packed, but there's a reason people keep coming back. Great pastries, good drinks, and everything complements each other really well. Feels like a nice cozy cafe if you're in the area #goodeats read more
=== Beautiful croissants === Walked in at 2:10 pm less than an hour before closing expecting nothing to be left. But was lucky enough that they had croissants left. Choice of plain, ham and cheese, and bacon-something. Since it's my first time there, had to try the plain! Super cute but I was headed elsewhere so I took it to go. +++ Beautiful croissant. Even for a croissant near closing, this thing was beautiful. I've never seen gloss on a croissant like that. ++ Tasted great. Every "premium" croissant I've ever tasted just tastes like CostCo except with an extra stick of butter per croissant, and I'm not a huge fan of over-buttering things. This was rich but not overly so. Textures were amazing with crisp exterior and airy fluffy interior - so much so I had to take a photo of the half-eaten croissant just to show it off. + Interior was super cute. I was on the run so I didn't catch a photo but plenty of others from other Yelpers (thanks other Yelpers!) I'm not in the City often but if I was in the area, I would totally bring folks by. read more
I'd been looking forward to trying Juniper - mainly for the black sesame kouign amann - but also to check out the hype (all of my friends and coworkers told me that I must visit). I ventured to Juniper during the late morning rush, and while there was a line out the door, it moved quickly and the bakers were hard at work keeping the pastries stocked throughout the morning. As I waited in line, I admired the impressive selection of sweet and savory croissants. Since I visited during the summer, many of the pastries featured fresh tomato and stone fruits. While I was tempted to try one of each, I was on a mission during this visit to try the black sesame kouign amann. When I placed my order at the counter, I was served a fresh-from-the oven kouign amann - this rarely happens! I couldn't resist trying a piece as I left the bakery, and it was indeed exquisite. The black sesame kouign amann from B. Patisserie is my gold standard, and Juniper's version is a close contender. While the black sesame flavor is much lighter and the texture fluffier than the B. Patisserie version, I liked the abundance of the crispy edges (as well as the year-round availability). I will certainly be back to try more of Juniper's pastries. read more
Visited on a Sunday afternoon around 11AM, and the line wrapped around the store. The line moved fairly fast (~15 min wait), and there were menus posted outside the door to look at while waiting. They still had all their items in stock, including the seasonal fruit danish and elote danish. I opted to try the cubano croissant since it was labeled as award winning on the menu. I was surprised to find a decently thick cut of pork inside the croissant, since most croissants are typically rolled with thinly sliced pieces of meat. The croissant was flaky and buttery. Definitely a must try for a savory option. There are a few tables at the back of the bakery to chat/eat but it can get crowded when people are waiting for their items. Solid spot for delicious pastry items! read more
On a Saturday morning at 11am was a bit of a line around the corner but it wasn't too bad, maybe 20 minutes, and once you're inside time passes quickly looking at the bakery case. We tried the pain au chocolat, Cubano croissant, black sesame kouign amann and regular croissant. The texture of the regular croissant was lightly crisp on the outside and flaky inside, though not as buttery and rich as we hoped. The pain au chocolat and kouign amann were great pastries with a subtle sweetness. The Cubano was easily the best with an incredibly tender croissant and savory sandwich flavor. read more
We came around 9:45 am on Labor Day, so of course there was a line. But it moved fairly quickly. First of all, I loved my iced banana Matcha with coconut cold foam. So good and dairy free! Next, the pastries. We tried the hazelnut passionfruit choux, which is the best bite I've had in ages. Absolutely insane textures and flavors. The raspberry almond croissant was rich, flaky, and filled with fresh raspberries. I was expecting a layer of frangipane inside, but I think it was just the sliced almonds on top. That was my only complaint, but it was still delicious. My husband loved his orange pecan sticky bun. We got a couple other pastries to take hime to our kids. Loved and would definitely return! read more
Came here on a weekend afternoon and there was a healthy line outside. It moved quickly though, and they were still making fresh pastries! We tried a few different croissants - the pain au chocolat, cubano croissant, tomato bomb, and breakfast sandwich. All of the croissants were really good with a nice crispy texture. I preferred the sweet croissants over the savory, but having both was a nice balance. The staff were really friendly and we were luckily able to find some seating inside. A nice place for a quick breakfast/brunch! read more
Juniper is in my top 3 bakeries you must go to in San Francisco! I have been here a handful of times already and can confidently say everything I have had here has been exceptional and delicious. The pastries are all flaky and crispy, and you can tell they were crafted by a true craftsman. I think what makes Juniper so special is the selection of unique flavors they have. My favorite being their award-winning Cubano croissant, their black sesame kouign amann, and their choux pastries. I do want to call out how much I appreciate the amount of savory pastries they have since I don't always want a sweet treat the moment I wake up. To note, Juniper is typically busy, but I have never waited in line for more than 10 minutes, even on weekends. They also have a lot of tables for seating, but because of the flow of people, it might be difficult to find a spot. Stop by here if you're around the area! They are also a sister shop of Saint Frank, so you can get some coffee while you're here as well. read more
Juniper is a cozy little cafe on the corner of a busy street. They serve unique pastries and have a nice drink menu. Lots of variety here. Service was a 5/5. I was instantly greeted and personally recommended a pastry. Shout out Chris and Jess for their outstanding service! All the staff at Juniper are so friendly, you can really tell they enjoy working here. The Chai Latte was nice and creamy. I do prefer it a little stronger and less sweet, but there were no sugar adjustments. Still recommend chai lovers to try this drink. I'm not the hugest pastry fan, and with a quick glance around the room, it seems like most people just came here for the coffee and ambiance. Overall, a sweet spot to chill and do work. Next time I'll try some of their food options. read more
1 month ago
Unfortunately today I will have to give a 3 when it is usually a strong 4 to 5. I think their system of waiting in the back of the line if you're ONLY going to get a drink is inefficient. I usually don't want a pastry, just a drink but to wait in the long line and behind people who are taking their time (as they should) picking their pastries and when there is usually another person available is, again, inefficient. I'm sure with the obviously incredible creativity they have in making their pastries they can spare some to come up with an alternative more streamlined system for a drinks only line. read more
I've seen Juniper on social media and saw I was in the area and decided to give them a try. I got the raspberry almond croissant and my boyfriend got the ham & cheese croissant with a cold brew. I was a bit hesitant because I'm not the biggest raspberry fan, but I really enjoyed it! The almond and raspberry paired really greatly together, and I could only imagine how much better it would be if it were fresh. We came at around 12:30 on a Monday and the pastry selection seemed a bit slim, but I do believe they are constantly baking items throughout the day. There's a good handful of seating indoors, and I did enjoy that they allowed you to enjoy the pastries there. Would love to try other items from Juniper in the future! read more
This place was lovely!! visiting from out of state and we stopped by, there was a bit of a wait but it goes by fast. Come earlier in the day as they tend to sell out towards the end of the day. The cappuccino was smooth, dark and really good. We also tried the raspberry almond croissant which was to die for, as well as a pain au chocolate and a regular croissant which were all great. read more
I found this lovely place by accident after walking around Polk street looking for donuts. lol I saw a line of people waiting to order and got curious. Checked out the menu and it piqued my interest after I saw words like yuzu, cubano croissant and mojo pork! Service was fast and friendly! They accommodated my request for a box (an option) but they didn't have a bag, I had to carry this beautiful box with my hand which was inconvenient but fine by me. They were definitely kind enough to help me check for available pastries in the back even tho the chances of them being gone (since it was afternoon) were high. I appreciated the effort and their willingness to do this. Overall I would recommend it! I love their croissants! Plain croissants and special ones- you can't go wrong! Ambiance is wonderful, quaint hallway with seats for you to relax. It seems it was packed when I came in so I couldn't sit and chill. Perhaps another time when I am in the neighborhood I can just relax and enjoy a book with great pastries. read more
1 month ago
Came here on sunday around 11 and the line was around 15 mins. I got the regular croissant and the ham and cheese croissant. Both were good. There are about 10 small tables inside the bakery and some bar seatings by the window. Will come back for their other pastries if I'm around but probably won't make a trip out of my way here. read more
First time! An extension of Saint Frank coffee and what a hit. Long lines but it moves at a decent pace so don't let it scare you from waiting. Great menu options of pastries and drinks. Wonderful service. Casual ambiance with limited seating. Drinks were on point and the pastries were beautiful, sweet and an overall delight. Check them out. read more
4 months ago
Mulberry lemon cream (10/10): Wow so glad I snagged their seasonal mulberry pastry in time! So delicious and fresh. Loved that the cream was not too sweet or overpowering either. Cubano (7.5/10): not bad but seemed to be lacking a bit of punch. I think it could have used more accidity honestly as it was most cheese, meat, and bread. I personally would get the kimchi bacon instead Kimchi bacon Danish (9/10): loved this pairing! Pastry was flaky and crunchy and the kimchi brightened the pastry very well Definitely coming back in the future! read more
First visit here based on a friend's recommendation, and this place has quickly become one of my favorite bakeries in all of San Francisco. Their croissants are straight fire, super flaky, buttery, with that perfect crisp exterior and airy layers inside. My personal favorite is Black Sesame Kouign-Amann is next level with its addictively crispy caramelized edges and that deep sweet earthy black sesame flavor running through the center of it. The seasonal choux are always creative and delicious, and the Mulberry Lemon Cream Danishes are bright, tangy, and also addictive, with that fresh mulberry flavor cutting through the rich cream. Everything tastes fresh and is made with care. The staff is genuinely friendly and helpful, which makes the experience even better. The only downside is that it can get crowded fast with lines out the door early, especially on weekends and holidays. Go early if you want the best selection. Nothing pretentious, just excellent quality pastries done right. The croissants and Black Sesame Kouign-Amann alone are worth the trip. 5 stars. Juniper Bakery is a must-hit spot and deserves its spot on my Top 5 SF bakery must-haves. read more
4 months ago
This review considers that I arrived close to closing time and missed out on other pastries. When I came here I ordered a croissant and hot mocha with oatmilk. My thoughts on the croissant and coffee: -Croissant:it was soft on the inside and it was flaky but not excessively and it didn't taste store bought like the kind you buy in bulk. Of course this is just a croissant so only so much can be said but the texture was nice and enjoyable. -Coffee: the drink was not memorable for me but that's fine since I wasn't really coming here for a drink but rather a pastry. I intend to come back and make it on time for their other pastries. read more
I decided to come in here after walking past it because I caught a glimpse of the inside and I'm so happy I did!! It was one of the best places I went to while in SF. The pastries were amazing and fresh. They were baking them constantly, and they'd make sure to give you a fresh one when you ordered. I chose the mulberry lemon curd danish (I think it was a weekend specialty item) and it was my favorite. It was filled with lemon curd and mulberry jam. I also got the raspberry almond croissant and the bacon kimchi danish. The bacon kimchi danish was the perfect savory pastry. The rose pistachio latte was also sooo good. I thought the box design was cute too. read more
5 months ago
I almost don't want to write this review because Juniper is already busy and I don't want it to be even harder to get great pastries, but here we go. Juniper should definitely be in your top picks for San Francisco bakeries. There's so much hype these days on social media about pastries in general, but Juniper delivers. I always go with a Pain Au Chocolat on my first visit as my litmus test and boy did Juniper pass. I also enjoyed the Kouign Amann that my partner got. I NEED to go back to try more, and can't wait. I have a feelin' I'll over-order next time and take some to go. My only regret was not ordering more, but we were walking around and didn't wanna lug a box of pastries :) Would absolutely recommend - the line moves fast and the service is friendly. Not a TON of seating, but people tend to eat and move on, so you should be able to find a table for two fairly easily. Bigger parties might want to grab and go. read more
I got a Cubano croissant and a regular latte. Cubano was well executed: crispy outside, tender pork in the side with pickles and ham and gooey cheese. Latte is smooth and not too bitter. I actually prefer my latte to be bitter but it is good for people who like more milk flavor in their latte. Morning line is long but it moves around fairly quickly. They gave homeless free coffees! Very nice for them to do so! Hopefully they share leftover pastries with homeless as well. read more
13 days ago
Came on a whim to try their choux but got myself a Cubano croissant as well! The Cubano was huge and after having it warmed up, I'm now a fan of savory croissants. Was also recommended the Juniper lemon choux and it did not disappoint. A tiny pastry treat that packs a lot of bright flavors with the lemon, berry and mint. The meringue is a beautiful topping too. I think it easily beats a typical cafe cookie or muffin! Both of the pastries and a hot House blend coffee came to about $20. It's relatively small inside but have the minimum space to get some work done on a laptop or tablet if needed. read more
5 months ago
Came by a Thursday morning at around 8AM. There was a short line, but moved very fast. I was in and out in round 15min. I ordered a cubano croissant, almond croissant and a cappuccino. The cubano croissant sounded very unique and it seemed to be very popular, so I decided to give it a try. It was actually pretty good, although I expected it to have a bit more pork inside. The almond croissant was also very good, the dough was more flaky than buttery, but nonetheless flavorful. The cappuccino was good, the actual coffee taste wad more on the acidic side, but not super tart. Overall, would revisit and try more of their pastries! read more
5 months ago
Busy bakery on a Saturday morning but luckily the wait wasn't too long (~20 min). The bakery has a small crowded space for seating but typically turnover is pretty quick. We got the asparagus proscuitto danish, cubano, juniper lemon choux, and seasonal blackberry croissant. The croissants were all perfectly crisp and flaky - lived up to the hype! Wish the cubano filling was a little warmer inside when we ate it. Will come back next time to try more of the chouxs :) read more
No real complaints here. The space is a bit tight, but the line moved quickly when I visited on a Friday late morning. The coffee was fine, nothing particularly memorable, but the pastries were the highlight. The traditional croissant was buttery and well executed. I later got to try a few more items thanks to a friend, including the mushroom danish, which was a nicely balanced savory option, the banana chocolate almond pastry, which was pleasantly not too sweet, and a chocolate chip cookie with a great chewy texture. Everything felt thoughtfully made and well balanced. That said, my friend waited about 40 minutes in line for those pastries, which I personally would not do. While the quality is definitely there, I'd recommend coming during off-peak hours to really enjoy the experience without the wait. read more
There will be a line after 9am on the weekend even on raining days! Parking is difficult on Polk unless you come very early in the morning. All the pastries are baked fresh and you can even see some being baked right in front of you. The indoor seating area is very crowded. My favorite is the Sesame Kouign-Amann which was unique and I haven't seen at any bakery elsewhere. You can taste thick sesame paste. I liked the Chocolate Crossiant more than regular crossiant. Ariscault's crossiants are still more superior, but they have a lot more variety here. read more
This upmarket bakery cafe comes from the owners of Saint Frank Coffee, so I knew it was going to be a worthwhile stop even before I stopped by. I remember when this location used to be a middling roast chicken shop, and way before that was a rich LGBTQ history that included a major pre-Stonewall riot in the cafeteria that was here back in 1966. There's no evidence of that all these years later. Now the most arresting sight is the display of huge croissants. I wasn't hungry enough for the mammoth $9 Cubano filled with ham, mojo pork, pickle, French-style seeded mustard, and gruyere, but I indulged in the $5 Traditional Croissant, among the most buttery flakiest I've ever had (Photo 8). Along with my piping hot $4.75 Americano (Photo 10), it was enough for breakfast. FOOD - 4 stars...a satisfying combo of caffeine and croissant AMBIANCE - 4 stars...pleasant enough, crowds quickly SERVICE - 4 stars...attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...if size matters to you...and flakiness RELATED - Exploring Polk Gulch? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/DKXtdwq-8H read more
This place has won a lot of different awards of best croissants of SF, so had to check them out. Better than most croissants, but prefer arsicault and b&c. Still very good though! Didn't have to wait in a line, so that was a pro. Decent amount of seating too! read more
24 days ago
I have been waiting for the opportunity to try this place, and it didn't disappoint, we tried Apple pearl croissant which was to die for, the lightness of the croissant and the tart and sweetness of the apple made it so balanced, so good, we also tried the breakfast croissant , perfectly cooked nice seasoning, no complaints read more
Finally had a chance to give Juniper a try, and I arrived on a Saturday around 10am. Even though there was what looked to be a pretty long line out the door we were able to order and get our pastries, find a seat in the collection of somewhat crowded indoor tables and stools and enjoy a few pastries in less than an hour. The workers are quick and efficient and it's clear that despite having a robust menu and being quite busy they've got an excellent system going to make sure fresh pastries are coming out reasonably fast. The interior is more industrial and small and definitely more of a grab and go, or sit down for a quick few bites type of vibe. My friend and i got a few things to try, but the standouts were the mulberry danish, and the kimchi bacon Danish. All the pastries were crisp, with many buttery layers and were clearly well made but these two had the most flavor and stood out as offerings that are a bit more unique compared to other bakeries in the city. We also tried the black sesame kouign amann, which was more reminiscent of a morning bun type pastry, and the cubano and the ham and cheese croissants, which were good but just lacking a little in flavor. Overall, Juniper has excellent pastries, and I'll definitely be sure to grab a plain croissant next time to try it out as well - some pastries pack a bit more flavor than others but given how quickly the like moves I'll definitely be back again to try some of their othering offerings soon! read more
We ordered four pastries-- pain au chocolate, which we both thought didn't have enough chocolate, the mushroom danish which tasted fine, ham and cheese croissant also fine, and the sticky bun which I thought was meh. We also ordered the Sister Moon coffee which was good and a chai latte which was meh. I'm always chasing a flavorful chai that I once had during college and this was fine, somewhat the same or worse than the store-bought teabags that I make at home. The customer service was very good. We ate in instead of walking back to our hotel. The cafe was very cramped and busy. You can easily eavesdrop on the person sitting two feet away from you. read more
In the quest for the best croissant in San Francisco I was referred by someone who said their favorite croissant was located on Polk street. I was intrigued by hearing that was awarded the best croissants in San Francisco in 2024. I was puzzled because I was not aware of the award. I started to wonder who their competitors were and if they as flakey as some in SF. The place I had to investigate their croissant is Juniper on Polk street in San Francisco . I am quite skeptical about awards and always find them subjective and if there are motives behind the decisions. I came in with an open mind . I first ordered their Raspberry Yuzu Iced Tea and it was not sweet but a bit tarty . I then ordered the traditional croissant. It looked good but wonder if they passed the flake test in SF. The croissant was delicious. It was buttery and flakey like some in SF. It was one of the best croissants I had in the city but not the best I had. It's definitely top 5 in San Francisco and a must try. This place is not the best croissant but its top "rank" that's "point-blank "provides coffee inside strong like a "tank"courtesy of coffee roaster "Saint Frank" It's a "must "this ranking I somewhat "trust"the croissant has a good "crust" it's flakey like in SF you can see the "flakey dust " read more
7 months ago
The title of "best croissant in SF" is a big one. But after multiple visits here, I just really can't say that I agree with that assessment. Sorry, but I cannot lie. I actually think the choux pastry are the stars here, & they certainly warrant a visit. These works of art are as delectable as they are pretty. I try every flavor available & the lemon has been the favorite every time. I just couldn't believe how good this was. One of the best sweet things I've eaten in a long time. I want a dozen for myself! The Cubano croissant was a must order due to sheer curiosity. The croissant itself was superior to the fillings, both in taste and in volume. Tried it, won't be a repeat order. I'd rather get an actual cubano sammy from the deli. Parking pretty nonexistent. Our system is pull up, I hop out & order, he circles & picks me up. These choux are so worth it. 4 stars read more
Yum! Their croissants and coffees are a hit. There was a line out the door at around 2pm on a weekend but it moved really fast. The barista was non-stop making drinks. The shop is decent sized, with about 10 tables in the back. It's amazing to see full trays of croissants getting rolled out - truly a work of art! I asked if they ever participate in Too Good to Go, and they said occasionally, depending on what exactly is leftover. I'd come back! But I'd keep my valuables with me, and not in the car! read more
mulberry lemon custard danish was the highlight !!! custard was soooooo good. very beautiful too kimchi bacon danish was a nice surprise :)) very yummy. dont eat bacon often but would eat this again. just not toooo fond of the kimchi taste but overall tastes good. simple chocolate croissant was delish. very flaky and crispy. chocolate filling was nice :)) read more
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More info about Juniper
1401 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109
Polk Gulch, Nob Hill
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http://www.juniper.cafe
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Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes we do! We have a gluten free brownie, pb&j blondie, and an orange cake muffin
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