Arsicault in the Richmond always has a line, even when it's 55 degrees out ("California cold"). Join the horde of cyclists, families, and tourists—this French bakery/to-go window pumps out the city's finest croissants. The must-order is the almond version, a buttery masterpiece that unleashes a confetti-like cloud of sugary, crispy flakes with every bite. Also load up on fluffy ham and cheese croissants, kouign amann with ultra-caramelized bottoms, and chocolate chip cookies.

As you might guess by the name, this Chinese bakery in the Sunset specializes in pineapple buns, and they're not your standard bolo bao. There are a near-overwhelming range of fillings, and if you ate here every day for a month you'd miraculously never have the same thing. They come with slabs of melty guava butter, salted egg custard, matcha mochi and red bean paste, barbecue pork, and more. Fill a box with at least a dozen of the pillowy beauties, and hot dog buns and egg tarts.

The kalbijjim croissant from Jina Bakes will change your life. It’s stuffed with well-spiced short rib (made at Daeho), and topped with mozzarella cheese that's torched until bubbly and charred. It's just one of many examples that show off the Japantown bakery's pastry wizardy, and balanced flavors that typically involve a Japanese or Korean twist. Cream puffs are generously filled with hojicha or matcha cream, and injeolmi croissants are covered in chewy rice cake and roasted soybean powder.

B. Patisserie smells like ten tubs of butter. That’s reason enough to go Order Everything Mode at this Lower Pacific Heights bakery. Another is the fact that they've been spreading the kouign amann gospel for over a decade. They are the best in town, with sugary shells and stretchy, butter-soaked inner layers. Ordering a box of simple plain is one foolproof plan, as is never passing on the seasonal flavors, like mango passionfruit, chocolate churro, or corn cheese.

Butter & Crumble is a palace of pastry. And everyone knows it—the North Beach bakery attracts lines of butter enthusiasts who line up daily for impeccable croissants. The ones here won’t weigh you down for the rest of the day. Each is light and crackly, with inner layers so thin they’re transparent. The menu rotates, but expect playful twists, like the bacon, egg, and cheese croissant with a egg yolk, or the peppermint bark pain suisse that tastes like a candy cane had a baby with a brownie.

The salted chocolate babka from this Jewish and Levantine-inspired bakery is so swirly and beautiful that they could induce hypnosis. It’s why we’ll always cancel our AM plans and get to this pink-toned Hayes Valley cafe for a relaxed morning meal, which always includes some strong espresso. Also get the flaky bourekas filled with warm ricotta and sage, and a slice of chocolate cake filled with velvety espresso buttercream, which you should absolutely eat for breakfast.

Staring longingly at the case of hefty Cantonese dim sum (and then buying one of each) is the classic move at Good Mong Kok in Chinatown. You can get a couple of bags from this takeout-only institution for less than $10, and the portions are massive. They serve generously stuffed baked barbecue pork buns, squishy hot dog buns, and sesame balls that walk the line between perfectly soft and crisp.

Even if you’re coming in for a quick pastry to go, Day Moon will have you making small talk with strangers for hours. Time slows down at this minimalist bakery, which perfectly aligns with the Outer Sunset's no-rush energy. Just take a seat at an outdoor bench and strike up a conversation about organic dog treats or the surf forecast. A trip here isn’t complete without trying their tangy sourdough baguettes, tart upside-down cakes, or a simple butter and Toma cheese sandwich on a seeded roll.

This all-day Russian cafe and bakery has savory piroshkis, flaky pastries, and a never-ending menu of cookies, tarts, and cakes (there's also a full menu of entrées). Basically, this Richmond spot, which has been around in some form since the 1950s, is the one-stop shop for all the warm, sweet, savory, and comforting pastries that'll make you feel like an overused cable knit sweater.

In a world where full-time jobs are optional hobbies, every morning would start with a long breakfast at The Mill. You could spend hours at this NoPa cafe and bakery gazing at the frequently changing art installations and watching stylish neighbors getting their daily caffeine dose, especially if you stay fueled by their phenomenal Josey Baker Bread. The whole-grain sourdough is tangy and crusty, and serves as the base for toast topped with things like smashed avocado.