Best Bakeries in San Jose, California

Bakery counters in San Jose worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.

Where to queue for bread and pastry

Peters' Bakery ★ 4.5

Bakery$Alum RockTue-Sat 06:30-18:00American pastry and celebration cakes

San Jose legend baking since 1936 and famed for its Burnt Almond Cake: white custard encrusted in toasted almonds that regulars have ordered for decades.

Worth the queue: Burnt Almond Cake

3108 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127

Milk Belly Bakery ★ 4.3

Bakery$$DowntownWed-Sat 09:00-15:30Asian-American artisan bread

Asian-American artisan bakery in downtown San Jose using organic Central Milling flours to craft ultra-soft shokupan milk bread and sourdough toasts.

Worth the queue: Shokupan milk bread loaf

30 E Santa Clara St, Ste 110, San Jose, CA 95113

Preligen's Artisan Bakery ★ 4.4

Bakery$$Willow GlenWed-Mon 07:00-15:00Walk-in onlyFrench viennoiserie and entremets

Willow Glen French patisserie opened in 2024 by a Bellagio-trained chef, producing from-scratch croissants, entremets, and dome cakes in small batches.

Worth the queue: Almond croissant

1597 Meridian Ave, Ste D, San Jose, CA 95125

Cocola Bakery ★ 4.1

Bakery$$Santana RowSun-Thu 08:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-00:00French pastry and patisserie

Upscale French-style patisserie in Santana Row baking daily croissants, eclairs, macarons, and mousse cakes with outdoor bistro seating until midnight.

Worth the queue: Mango passion fruit mousse Bamboo cake

333 Santana Row, Ste 1045, San Jose, CA 95128

Pink Elephant Bakery ★ 4.2

Bakery$East San JoseMon-Sun 05:30-21:00Mexican pan dulce and custom cakes

Family-owned East San Jose institution baking authentic pan dulce since 1978, with bolillos, flaky empanadas, flan, and towering tres leches cakes.

Worth the queue: Tres leches cake

415 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116

Dulcinea Panaderia Oaxaquena ★ 4.0

Bakery$DowntownMon-Sat 05:00-21:00, Sun 05:00-19:00Walk-in onlyOaxacan pan dulce and traditional breads

Authentic Oaxacan bakery near SJSU baking pan de yema, conchas, and empanadas from 05:00, alongside tamales and Oaxacan hot chocolate in a no-frills space.

Worth the queue: Pan de yema

795 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95112

Clover Bakery and Cafe ★ 3.9

Bakery$$West San JoseTue-Sun 08:00-17:00Walk-in onlyAsian fusion baked goods

West San Jose Asian-fusion bakery with a cult following for savory shrimp burgers, spam-inspired bakes, onigiri, and sweet pastries baked each morning.

Worth the queue: Shrimp burger on house-baked bun

4342 Moorpark Ave, Ste A, San Jose, CA 95129

CA Bakehouse ★ 4.2

Bakery$$East San JoseFri 12:00-16:00, Sat 12:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-16:00Walk-in onlyAsian-inspired pastry

Weekend-only East San Jose pop-up bakery renowned for pandan Portuguese egg tarts with handmade puff dough and ube croissants with kaya coconut filling.

Worth the queue: Pandan Portuguese egg tart

979 Story Rd, Unit 7066, San Jose, CA 95122

Paris Avenue ★ 4.1

Bakery$$Willow GlenTue-Sun 08:00-16:00French cakes and farm-to-table savory

Willow Glen French market bakery by Ed and Mimi Brown, using organic Napa farmhouse produce to supply seasonal cakes, salads, and house-made tarts.

Worth the queue: Parisian Strawberry Cake

896 Willow St, San Jose, CA 95125

85 Degrees C Bakery Cafe ★ 3.6

Bakery$South San JoseMon-Sat 07:00-20:30, Sun 08:00-20:30Walk-in onlyTaiwanese bakery and sea salt coffee

Taiwanese chain baking daily sourdough, brioche, and taro pastries alongside its famous sea salt coffee and Japanese soufflé cheesecakes at low prices.

Worth the queue: Sea salt coffee

541 W Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95136