The French Spot — Restaurant in San Francisco

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Exquisite Taste of France — Bursting with Freshness and Heart

From the moment you step in, The French Spot radiates passion. Every pastry—whether a flaky croissant or the inventive Mochicro—is baked fresh daily, delivering a symphony of textures and flavors that instantly captivate the senses .

The croissants, especially the Mochicro with its delicate glaze and chewy mochi center, crackle with that signature buttery crispness—almost audibly so, reminding you just how fresh they are Desserts like the croissant bread pudding, kouign‑amann, and mini pies are equally mesmerizing—and good luck leaving without trying at least one.

But it’s not just the sweetness that shines—the savory offerings are equally thoughtful. The tomato‑spinach and ham‑cheese quiches use house‑made crusts and rich fillings, standing out for their balance and freshness. Even the drinks—a vibrant iced Vietnamese coffee and house‑infused chai latte—feel artisanal, crafted to elevate each bite

What truly sets The French Spot apart is the intentionality behind every detail. The menu reads like a love letter to French café culture—from the tender quiches and vibrant sandwiches to the towering display of sweet treats and pet‑friendly patio vibes

In short: this place doesn’t just bake pastries—it crafts experiences. Each bite is a testament to fresh ingredients, impeccable technique, and heartfelt dedication. It’s rare to find such a perfect blend of quality and care wrapped in every croissant and quiche.

Five stars...

I've been coming here since they took over this space that used to be Mr. Holmes. They've done a great job making it their own with the decor and their pastries.

I've had many of their pastries and the one that stood out the most for me is the ube mochicro: a croissant with ube frosting and ube mochi inside. I don't think I'm being biased because I'm Filipino and love all things ube. It's actually really good croissant! I love the flaky layers of the croissant with the chewy texture of the mochi. And the ube flavor is just right in sweetness. And don't skip the Nutella babka!

As far as the savory pastries, I've had the ham/cheese croissant, the Korean garlic bun, and the margarita focaccia. I really liked the focaccia. It was fluffy and chewy. If it had marinara sauce, then it would've been a really yummy pizza. The quiches are really good too.

Today I wanted to treat myself so I got the raspberry supreme croissant. It was decadent! And again, not too sweet yet still rich. It definitely hit the spot for me.

Everyone that I met there had been so nice. There's a few places to sit, inside and out, but most people get theirs to go. Definitely stop by when you're in the TL for...

In short: My favorite bakery in San Francisco.

I've been going here regularly for about a year now and can say with some amount of certainty that this is at least in the top three best bakeries in SF, if not number one. Here's what you need to know, as well as some minor criticisms.

First: These determinations come from arriving at 9:00 AM. Selection wears down by noon so I'd recommend arriving early.

Second: coffee is... fine. If you need coffee, it's there. I wouldn't call it a strong suit, but it's sufficient.

Third: while they do have seating and outdoor dining, it's not really the kind of place where you'd bring a laptop and hang out all day. It's much more a "show up, get pastries, go" kind of vibe. I don't think they'd object if you did bring one, but please don't.

Fourth: the five star determination is made on the basis of their sweet pastries. They do have savory options, but I've not found them as compelling.

Lastly, selection rotates. Their options will change week to week, but there are recurring character, like bread pudding, which I can't recommend...