photo: Bread & Cie
January 30th is National Croissant Day and we’re saying”Oui! Oui!” to celebrating the buttery, flaky French pastry that everyone loves. Croissants are perfectly divine on their own, but they can also be filled with everything from chocolate and almond paste to ham and cheese. We’ve toured the city to find the most mouthwatering croissants this side of Paris. Read on to see where to say “Bon Appétit” to this versatile culinary delight and to learn about a local baker’s new spin called the Froissant™!
photo: Renee G. via Yelp
Le Parfait Paris
With two main locations in Little Italy and Liberty Public Market, Le Parfait Paris serves up croissants every way imaginable. They’ve got plain, with almond filling, with chocolate filling, with almond and chocolate filling… or perhaps you’re in the mood for something more substantial? They also serve croissant sandwiches, including the Alsacien (Swiss cheese, eggs, Canadian bacon) and Saumon (smoked salmon, red onions, capers, cream cheese).
Le Parfait Paris
555 G St.
San Diego, Ca 92101
619-245-4457
2820 Historic Decatur Rd.
San Diego, Ca 92106
619-245-4457
Online: leparfaitparis.com
photo: Bread & Cie
Bread & Cie
This Hillcrest mainstay has a huge array of fresh bread and pastries, including several mouthwatering croissants. In addition to the plain, they also serve almond, chocolate, chocolate and almond, and cinnamon. All are made fresh by hand each day with only the best European butter (which contains more butterfat, meaning it melts faster, meaning your croissant is unbelievably flaky). Paired with a cup of coffee, it’s a great start to any day.
Bread & Cie
350 University Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92103
619-683-9322
Online: breadandcie.com
photo: Cardamom Cafe and Bakery via Facebook
Cardamom Cafe and Bakery
Is 11 a.m. late breakfast or early lunch? At Cardamom you can make it both. Pick up one of their outstanding almond croissants (named the best in town by San Diego Magazine) as a late-morning snack, but don’t leave before trying one of their famous stuffed croissant sandwiches. Two options include chicken salad with tarragon dressing and the Messy Grilled Cheese with basil and roasted tomato spread. But the great news here is that any of their sandwiches can be made to order as a stuffed croissant.
2977 Upas St.
San Diego, Ca 92104
619-546-5609
Online: cardamomsandiego.com
photo: Extraordinary Desserts
Extraordinary Desserts
Just when you thought a croissant couldn’t get any more decadent, this popular San Diego dessert spot does something, well, extraordinary. Meet the Froissant™. Owner Karen Krasne said the inspiration came from her love of almond croissants and warm glazed donuts. Her genius invention is a flaky croissant, deep fried and rolled in vanilla bean sugar, before being filled with rich vanilla custard. Sounds like magic!
Extraordinary Desserts
2929 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92103
619-294-2132
1430 Union St.
San Diego, Ca 92101
619-294-7001
Online: extraordinarydesserts.com
photo: Petite Madeline via Facebook
Petite Madeline
Located just blocks from the beach in Oceanside, this bistro and bakery is a popular spot for a post-surfing refuel. Their croissants are made in-house using a traditional method that takes three days. The care is obvious the moment you bite into one of their flaky pastries. If you need something more substantial, their Breakfast Croissant Sandwich comes loaded with eggs, ham and cheese or spinach and feta.
Petite Madeline
223 N. Coast Highway
Oceanside, Ca 92054
760-231-7300
Online: petitemadelinebakery.com
Tell us your favorite spot to pick up a croissant in the comments!
—Michelle Franklin
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