The 20 Best Sourdough and Artisanal Bread Bakeries in San Francisco

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San Francisco’s rich baking tradition has made it a haven for sourdough and artisanal bread enthusiasts. Here’s a curated list of 20 standout bakeries in and around the city, each celebrated for their exceptional loaves.

1. Tartine Bakery

Renowned for its country bread with a blistered crust and moist crumb, Tartine has set the gold standard for sourdough in San Francisco.

2. Boudin Bakery

Established in 1849, Boudin is the city’s oldest continuously operating bakery, famed for its classic San Francisco sourdough.

3. Josey Baker Bread

Operating out of The Mill, Josey Baker Bread offers hearty, whole-grain sourdoughs that have garnered a dedicated following.

4. Arsicault Bakery

While famed for its pastries, Arsicault also crafts exceptional breads, including a notable sourdough baguette.

5. Acme Bread Company

Located in the Ferry Building, Acme offers a variety of artisanal breads, with their sourdough being a standout.

6. Della Fattoria

Based in Petaluma, Della Fattoria’s sourdough has been lauded by Bon Appétit and continues to impress bread aficionados.

7. Wild Flour Bread

Situated in Freestone, Wild Flour Bread is a destination for those seeking wood-fired sourdough loaves amidst scenic surroundings.

8. Jane The Bakery

Jane offers a diverse selection of breads, with their sourdough miche being particularly noteworthy.

9. Semifreddi’s Bakery

A Bay Area staple, Semifreddi’s produces a range of breads, with their sourdough baguette being a customer favorite.

10. Firebrand Artisan Breads

Located in Oakland, Firebrand specializes in hand-crafted, wood-fired breads, including a robust sourdough.

11. Neighbor Bakehouse

Known for innovative pastries, Neighbor Bakehouse also offers sourdough loaves that reflect their commitment to quality.

12. The Midwife and the Baker

Combining traditional techniques with modern flavors, this bakery offers sourdough breads that have garnered acclaim.

13. Marla Bakery

Marla’s naturally leavened breads, including their sourdough, are a testament to their artisanal approach.

14. Thorough Bread and Pastry

Offering French-style breads, their sourdough baguette is a must-try for bread enthusiasts.

15. Patisserie B

While primarily known for its pastries, Patisserie B also offers beautifully crafted sourdough loaves with a refined flavor.

16. Manresa Bread

A spin-off from the Michelin-starred Manresa restaurant, this bakery specializes in naturally leavened sourdough with a deep, complex flavor.

17. Alchemy Bread

Based in Sonoma, Alchemy Bread is a small-batch operation dedicated to slow fermentation and high hydration sourdoughs.

18. Canyon Market

This neighborhood gem in Glen Park offers house-made sourdough loaves that have become a local favorite.

19. Backhaus Bakery

A San Mateo-based bakery known for naturally fermented sourdoughs with a deep, tangy complexity.

20. Little Sky Bakery

Operating primarily through farmers’ markets, Little Sky Bakery produces slow-fermented sourdough with exceptional depth of flavor.

This list is just the beginning of San Francisco’s vibrant artisanal bread scene. Whether you’re after a tangy, slow-fermented classic or an innovative whole-grain sourdough, these bakeries have something to offer. Which one are you heading to first?