50 Best Bakeries near El Cerrito

“I bought a lemon cake for a dinner party and it was a hit, with everyone going for a second piece. The person who served me was very friendly and helpful. There's no shortage of bakeries in the East Bay but I can't see a reason to go somewhere else for a cake.“

“Amazing pastries. Been coming here for decades. Quiche, chicken pocket pies and blueberry Danish are some of my favorites. But my #1 favorite is cheese sticks. Twisted sticks of puff pastry layered with cheese, cayenne and mustard I believe. Discontinued a few years ago but reintroduced recently. Initial samples were without cayenne or mustard but most recent sample had some mustard I'm sure and was much like the originals I remember. Keep it up and I'll be back for more. I remember fondly cornmeal scones with cheese and bacon too. I like the quiche and the ranch scramble for brunch.“

“I am Italian. We passed by here by chance in 2017 and apparently 8 years later we are still talking about it. A dive into the past and a focaccia to remember; a bit on the soft side compared to the way we have them where I am from. Packed with care.“

“A very cozy place in the financial district. Even though we went on a weekend, there were still a lot of people working there. Their pour over coffee is reasonably priced and they also provide coffee beans in the shop. I like the paintings they have inside. The coffee also comes with a postcard telling us where the coffee beans come from and the history, which I think is very nice. If you like coffee, I recommend giving this place a try.“

“Absolutely the best French pasteries I’ve had on this continent!“

“We were gifted our first ever Bake Sum box. After trying just one bite of a Yuzu meringue bun I knew I needed more. Ordered our second BSB last week and shared amongst the roomies, huge hit. Well baked, not too sweet, great flavor combinations. 10/10 would recommend the Bake Sum box. If you can’t grab a box, you can grab al a cart day of pick ups just to tide you over until you can get a box 😋“

“The pasteis de nata are very good in the morning. Later in the day they are less fresh. The pastry is very, very small though, smaller than at other local bakeries and smaller than they are in Portugal. For me, it doesn’t feel like good value for the price.“

“Great bread and croissants at this bakery. The croissants have a combination of lamination and texture that is hard to do, as well as a great flavor. The sourdough bread is delicious and a big loaf too. You can get coffee, and sit inside or outside; the seating area is small but nice.“

“Pain au chocolat was phenomenal. Canele was mediocre. I had high expectations for a French bakery. Seasonal croissant seemed to be a berry crumble type double baked croissant. Tasty and fresh! Went on a weekday morning with no plans so the casual atmosphere and no line was nice and relaxing.

Their pate en croute assortment looked like art. Would’ve loved to try but hopefully another time.“

“Wow…just wow. Several of my friends recommended that I try out Loquat when I moved to San Francisco, and I can absolutely see why — it fully lives up to the hype with its outstanding pastries, great coffee, and amazing vibes. The pastries, to quote a French friend, “rival the ones available in Paris,” although I’m not sure what she’s comparing them to given everything is Mediterranean inspired.

For a savory treat, I adore their feta and eggplant boureka, which has a remarkably rich and flavorful filling encased in a buttery, flakey shell. It’s topped with a very generous helping of poppy seeds, so be prepared to have seeds in your teeth for the rest of the day, but it’s 100% worth it.

They have tons of amazing sweet treats, ranging from croissants to cakes, but their classic is the salted chocolate babka muffin. It is literally to die for — the bread is perfectly flaky, with just the right amount of butter to make it rich but not overwhelming. The dark chocolate is wonderful and not overly sweet, but any sugar is balanced out by the salt. Genuinely the only thing wrong with this is that I can’t have it every single day.

Beyond the classics, they also have a rotating set of seasonal items that are all wonderful. I overheard a server chatting with the table next to mine and describing a seasonal dish featuring a summer Italian hot pepper. She got the brunch version of the dish with full peppers, eggs, and bread, but they also have a pastry-fied version in the form of a boureka. Literally everything is outstanding, and I cannot wait to make my way back here!“

“Jane is my favorite bakery in San Francisco!! Wide variety of delicious pastries and amazing selection of bread - try the cardamom bun, pistachio strawberry Nutella tart and purple corn bread - also fresh salads and sandwiches.“

“This place makes the absolute BEST Fougasse! It is olive-y the duck fat it’s made with makes it, crisp, light, and perfectly moist. The crusty outside is lightly salted to perfection. Their pastries are also exquisite, I haven’t had anything I didn’t like, but I ALWAYS come for the Fougasse! Best to get there early when they are nice and fresh and warm and before they sell out!“

“Breakfast is definitely the best thing here.“

“Best of the best. Tons of choices, exquisite French patisseries, true North African specialties… there is so much to choose from. High quality and scrumptious! We will be back!!!“

“The lady that owns the shop is so sweet and her service was amazing! The pineapple buns were still warm and very fresh. There’s also a huge variety of moon cakes to choose from! You can tell she takes pride in her business and everything is made with love.“

“HERCULES is a great place to live crime rate is low compared to other cities . But it would help a lot to encourage neighborhood watch “ MODESTY ASIDE I DO . I have knocked to several houses esp when I was still working swing shift I kept my eyes open n still doing it if garages are open when I go hone from work n 1 time called the police station when 1 of the neighbor’s garage was opened n no one answered when I knocked her door . Let’s have a neighborhood watch all over “ HERCULES THIS IS OUR HOME AND WE HAVE PROTECT IT AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVES HERE . OUR CITY OFFICIALS SHOULD BE TOUGH LIKE ( MANILA PHILIPPINES ) MAYOR FRANCISCO DOMOGOSO HE MADE N MAKING MANILA A NICE PLACE TO LIVE IN . MANILA IS HOW MANY TIMES BIGGER THAN HERCULES !! HE WAS JUST A MAYOR FOR 7 MOS BUT MADE A LOT OF CHANGES NO WONDER PEOPLE LOVE HIM SO MUCH NOT ONLY IN MANILA BUT ALL OVER THE WORLD .“

“We wanted to try some mooncakes and decided to get a variety of items for Sunday brunch. No parking but we knew that. The lady was helpful once she figured out we were doing a brunch.

The mooncakes were mostly new flavors (e..g. lotus seed)for us. Sweet and extremely dense, think plutonium. Perhaps an acquired taste.

Pork buns were very good, also coconut and pineapple pastries. The curry beef bun was a standout. Nice alternative to usual brunch. Well worth coming back.“

“Ok ok ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok“

“Cash only spot local Chinatown gem. Loved the almond cookies. Walked by on a Sunday around 1 pm no line yet. Quick efficient and tasty like something out of Chinese grandmas kitchen in ziplock bags (the cookies). Chewy and not overly sweet just the perfect almond cookie.“

“The pizza was everything 🥹🤤🧘🏿“

“This sweet shop is inside a Japanese market. The owners and staff are friendly. Their signature coffee crunch cake hits the spot! The cake is soft, and the sweetness is just right — it is the kind of cake you can indulge in without feeling sick due to the sugar content.“

“Gregory’s gourmet deserts is a little peace of heaven on earth! The soul that goes into his deserts are not only filled with passion but also with flavor! Humble beginnings and beautiful cheesecakes are coming out of his paradise! I am from Wisconsin and we know a thing or two about cheese but I can tell you we can’t compare to Gregory and his cheesecakes! I hope he decides one day to create a cookbook because he is just that amazing! I can’t express how heavenly and rich his deserts are but please don’t pass this gem up if you do, you will regret it!!!“

“I absolutely love this place—their cakes are fabulous! However, it would be great if they could stick to their posted hours. I arrived at 2:50 PM on a Wednesday, and there was a sign outside that said open (I’ve attached a photo). The cashier was inside but told me they were already closed, which was confusing. I used to stop by around this time every week after work, so it was disappointing. If they’re closing before 3 PM, it would really help to update the posted hours so customers know what to expect.“

“Friendly Italian Bakery on Vallejo St

Excellent cappuccino and biscotti

Any of their bakery delights are sure to warm the heart and fill the belly. This place does it well, I highly recommend a stop by 🙇🏻‍♂️☀️“

“My experience here was truly amazing!😋🥰😍“

“😍Once I week I allow my self the indulgence of one of their amazing cookies. It's my cookie Friday treat. Soooooo good. Ya gotta try it!“

“Nothing better than a fresh warm fortune cookie. Even the packaged ones are great. Just come by to watch the cookie maker machine and operator a bit and grab a bag of cookies.

Still great, but long lines at Saturday dinnertime.“

“I came by this bakery yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! I got the pineapple bun (no filling) and the paper wrapped sponge cake and both were exceptional...might be the best I've had in SF Chinatown. The pineapple bun and a thick outer layer which made for a nice crunch. It was sweet and buttery, which was the perfect topping to the fluffy warm bun. The sponge cake was very airy and melts in your mouth. It had a warm vanilla and eggy flavor, which I appreciated as other bakeries usually make them more plain.

The shop itself is nothing fancy and looks like your run of the mill Chinese bakery. The lady who helped me felt like she was rushing me and had a bit of an attitude, but that's a given coming to these kinda places. But, don't be discouraged, the food is worth it though!“

“Lovely team that I cannot thank enough for their kindness and professional service. I ordered a pistachio tart for a birthday and it was absolutely divine. The right amount of sweetness and richness while being light. Only the highest of quality ingredients used. I will only be ordering birthday cakes from them from now on. Special thanks to Estelle.“

“sourdough croissants, the corn cherry and oat scones, sundry shortbread flavours that are always exquisite...and today, a new treat, a lil pizza" bakers special" with kale and mojo and crust texture inexplicable, beyond magic. ✨👍🏽✨“

“I spent about $45…for a whole bunch of yummy stuff! It’s amazing to be able to go straight to the bakery, and also kind of dangerous. You can see some of the menu on the window outside as you wait in line (there will almost always be a line), and you can peek in and see the day’s selection of breads and pastries. Only two parties at a time fit inside to order. There’s a small parking lot in front and more parking behind. I highly recommend the seasonal focaccia pizzas! An pain epi, just yum.“

“I had an amazing experience with Crumble & Whisk! They catered a community event for me during the holiday season, and I can't wait to use them again! This Black-owned bakery offers the most delicious, fresh-baked treats with a perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the buttery, flaky pastries to the rich, moist cakes, every bite is a delight. The staff is warm and welcoming, making you feel like family from the moment you walk in. Their commitment to quality and community is truly inspiring. Charles is a master at his craft, and both his catering and baking will elevate anyone's event to the highest standard.“

“Lors de notre séjour à San Francisco nous avons découvert Le Marais Bakery. Nous avons ADORÉ, la nourriture est délicieuse et le service vraiment très chaleureux et très professionnel. L’équipe est souriante et au petit soin. N’hésitez pas à vous arrêter pour déguster les délicieuses viennoiseries et/ou les autres plats proposés, vous ne serez pas déçu(e)s!!“

“Super easy to work with getting my design exactly how I wanted. Not sweet or greasy~ so cute!“

“The olive bread was amazing, as well as the croissants and other pastries. The service was off the charts, truly exceptional! Highly recommended.“

“Oh my heart - how did I not know about this bakery before 🌟 it’s probably a good thing that I no longer live a couple of blocks from it otherwise I’d have to size up my entire wardrobe. Tried the cheesecake, salted egg yolk cookie, almond meringue and the amazing egg tarts … everything was delicious with a dash of the kind of pixie dust that comes from love, talent and artisanal care 💖“

“😍Once I week I allow my self the indulgence of one of their amazing cookies. It's my cookie Friday treat. Soooooo good. Ya gotta try it!“

“I just tried your original scone from Whole Foods here in San Jose, and it is so delicious and moisty! Please keep making them. Hope to visit your cafe in Berkeley one day.“

“Amazing food and vibes. The plumb crumb cookie is my new favorite cookie in the bay! It’s like a tiny fruit tart—I think the base is a short bread cookie, and it has a chewy crumble + fresh fruit on top. The other shortbready cookie with jam was also very good.

The two other things I tried were the nectarine chiffon cake and the plum tart. The cake was light and not too sweet, and had just the right amount of cream. The plum tart was also very tasty.

Besides the food, the aesthetics of the place are beautiful and unique. Just look at the picture of the menu!

Overall one of my favorite bakeries in the bay, highly recommend!“

“In fond of the lava lemonade. And the bagels are delish.“

“What a cute little bakery! I came here by chance after an event at the bookstore on the corner, and I'm really glad I did. Other bakeries are pretty chaotic, loud, and intimidating. This one is very chill and calm. The auntie at the counter patiently takes your order, I can't say that for all Chinatown bakeries! I got a green onion bun, a bo-lo bao (called a pineapple bun, because it looks like a pineapple), a cha siu bolo bao, a ham and cheese bao. All were really light and fluffy. My favorite was the cha siu bolo bao! But, also the mango mochi, that were on the counter, those were really really good and my family finished those in minutes. Highly recommend making the trip down Wavery to find i-Cafe!“

“This is a newer bakery in the area. It has a small parking lot. The inside has always been clean and the bread always looks and tastes fresh in addition to very neatly presented. My parents like it as well. The service has always been delivered with a smile. As far as the foods, I've only tried the tamales and they were good. The pudin is my favorite bakery item. 😋“

“The Desserts reminds you of the Cake table on Thanksgiving at Grandma's house. yummy! yummy yummy for your tummy!😍😍“

“love it for a afternoon treat w the kiddos“

“this place is amazing!!! will not disappoint!!“

“My partner and I stopped by on a Saturday. It was super busy in the mall, as expected, but the line went by surprisingly fast. We ordered cream puffs as well as a couple of drinks. The cream puffs were absolutely delicious - the matcha is our favorite. The drinks were good too - better than a chain coffee shop but not the best matcha latte in comparison to other matcha lattes.“

“What else is there to say. This place is wonderful.“