Paris Baguette

These are my go-​to pastries whenever I stop by Paris Baguette:
— Guava pastry
— Curry bread
— Green tea/​Matcha croissant twist
— Chocolate chip croissant twist
Not sure if any of those items are what I just called them, but I think you’ll definitely know what I’m talking about when you see them (sorry, if this is totally not helpful, heh!). My new favorite is definitely the guava pastry I got on my last visit. It was perfectly flaky and I very much appreciated the crunchy bits of turbinado sugar that was sprinkled on top. The guava jam — who knows if it’s from a jar or fresh — was tastyyyyy. The only other time I’ve had a similar guava pastry was from Porto’s and while PB’s was not as good, it will suffice.
I always have a pleasant experience when I come in to PB! Quick, friendly, easy service!

My bf and I love the curry croquette and I love their mochi-​like items such as the sticky donut or sweet rice ball. Their other pastries like the sweet potato or red bean pastries are super flaky and delicious but a bit too sweet. Their cakes are awesome though, very airy/​fluffy — I tried the green tea one and their macarons are not bad!
Great place to spend your afternoon either studying or with your significant other grabbing a quick bit/​coffee :)

Food and coffee is decent, but this is more of TO-​GO café. The place was better last year, the cramped space is getting more ghetto and the Wi-​Fi internet is ridiculously slow

I ordered the matcha latte and it was delicious. the breads are so good and the staff are so friendly

I was never an asian pastry person. I’ve only been to a small Paris Baguette once in Southern California but this location is very spacious and clean, making it a great study spot. I got the donut with cream cheese fillings and this apple pastry that i forgot the name of. Bottom line — The pastries here are really pricey!!! I rather go to 85 degrees for their fresh and warm breads next time.

I had mixed feeling about this place. I ordered baby shower cake online and then I was told the order did not go through while I was in store to pick it up!!! You can imagine how I felt at that moment. i even did not bother to yell or argue with them, I just needed a cake for the baby shower later on that day!!! And two cashier I talked had almost the worst customer service. They were really cold. They just looked at me and told me without any face expression. Nothing! It felt like I did not something wrong. I do not know much they get paid, but they definitely looked very unhappy there.
And then it’s the manager who saved my day. She was nice and warm, tried her best to recreate a cake for me in 30 minutes. And she also gave me coupon for free cake in the future. Still, you wont be able talked to the manager unless they massed up your order :(.
The cake was good. They were standard Asian light fruit cake. That’s also why i did not give them one star.
Mostly, I do not even bother to write reviews for places like this. But I just felt that my review may help you to make decision of ordering anything important from this place. Just be extra cautious of ordering anything online from them. This place can ruin your day!
The whole place just made me feel depressed, even though they have such bright interior décor. The staff are really unhappy there, especially if your compare to other chain places.

After a 1.5 hour trip on public transportation on a dreary morning with El Niño’s rains pouring down, Paris Baguette was the first thing I saw as I ascended the Bart escalators. A nicely remodeled and tastefully furnished venue, with a decent selection of pastries awaited me when I entered the building. Scanning the pastries as I walked through both aisles, I noticed that nothing looked that appetizing. Perhaps it was because I had spent the past 90 minutes in the cloying, humid train, or perhaps because approximately 85% of the pastries were just sitting out in the store without any form of protection from the coughs, sneezes, and breath of literally everyone who entered. After that disappointing stroll through the pastries, my self control and critical thought processes went on pause. I ordered a Green Tea Latte because «it sounded good.» I realized my mistake as I handed over my credit card and charged FOUR DOLLARS for a small onto it.
I wedged my way through the narrow aisle to a table (with nice cushioned chairs) and waited for my overpriced latte. When I was called to retrieve it, I realized the fully-​filled pastel green cup was going to make maneuvering the narrow aisles a difficult obstacle. Slowly but surely I wedged my way past an astonished woman, who was probably wondering if I was going to successfully make it to my table without spilling my latte all over myself, and I made it back to my table without humiliating myself. I sat down, slowly drinking away four of my hard-​earned dollars. It was overly sweet, and kind of made me nauseous. I had also forgot that milk can make a sore throat worse, so each sip brought me a little more pain.
So there I was, drinking a less-​than-​mediocre, expensive green tea latte that was making me sadder by the moment. A moment that I wish I could erase, but I will never forget. I hope you all can learn from my mistake.

I’ve visited this location a few times, but after 85 Degrees opened up, I haven’t been back.
I’ve enjoyed everything that I’ve purchased from them so far, but still they’re competing with 85 Degrees and when they’re both located within walking distance from each other… it’s a very close call.
I do have to admit that they make ordering cakes online pretty simple. I’ve picked up two birthday cakes from them and both cakes were very tasty and the cakes were both ready when I arrived. I especially love the way they package the cakes in the very handy carry away box coupled with their very useful plastic cake knife that also includes a few candles and a match. How much more convenient can it get?

I really wanted to do you a good one Paris Baguette, but there were just too many things I couldn’t let go no matter how glossy your displays and chic interior is.
I initially went in planning to try their pastries/​macarons but was dazzled by the cakes display and in MAJOR need to celebrate the end of Cal instruction after four pre-​Dead Week finals. Aesthetics were top notch with glazed fruit, pillowy smooth frosting application, and chocolate garnishes – I was hopelessly seduced.
Post-​damage, I can only vouch for the quality of their crème brulees, which while visually impeccable, ended up being too sweet for my stomach. Props on the texture though because it was velvety smooth inside; however, they don’t have the hard top which is its hallmark!
Other offerings that piqued my interest were their alfajor and macarons that are equally as beautiful (and make great gifts probably), but I’m wary post-​crème brulee.
As for the reason I didn’t go for the pastries when it’s your standard Asian bakery element: not completely covered bakery displays = fruit flies all up in your bread! Made me wonder how long they stand out there :/​
But here was the clincher: service! Absolutely inept, no effort to organize the line properly (ie so many people with breads cutting those trying to get service for display items when they’re both done at the register). Even more frustratingly, there was no effort to correct it. It amounted to the longest wait ever when there were only two people in front of me!
That said, I’ll probably visit one more time to see how the macarons and wifi pan out because the study spot potential is there with a decent sized seating area and CUSHIONED CHAIRS. But probably wouldn’t give much else a try when prime gelato is a couple doors down for my sweet tooth fix

I’m honestly not a big fan of this place… Especially with Sheng Kee & now 85c in the picture, the only good thing is that they’re located right next to the BART station, perfect to grab a lil something to eat before you board your train. The service is also not that great either and I’ve definitely seen better staff at other stores. The interior is really nice though, with seats for studying students and the place is well maintained and clean.
Most things are a little pricey and usually overpriced, but the soft cakes and sweet potato bread are definitely worth getting.

Not really what I’d call a peaceful, well run place, but okay for a leisurely cake/​pastry now and then.
COFFEE
They brew Ritual, but the regular coffee is so bad. The espresso drinks are okay but highly dependent on barista. I also find it really strange that they keep their creamer behind the counter. Is downtown Berkeley so bad that people are stealing cartons of creamer from coffee shops? But how do the other cafes manage? Regardless, know in advance that if you want some creamer with your Americano, you had better be prepared to ask for it (they sometimes offer) and not even be able to pour it yourself (they always do it for you).
PASTRIES
Good looking (so much glazing!) but 80% of them are really meh. Also pricey as hell for an Asian bakery (you’re paying a tax for their pretty furniture). I like the idea of sweet potato pastries, but i can’t say any of them have been that memorable. They all basically taste the same.
SERVICE
Generally incompetent and never fast. About half of my visits, I was rung up by what seemed like a completely new cashier. what gives? Do they not pay for any training before they stick them in there? If there’s even two people in front of you, you know you’re going to have to wait a while.
AMBIANCE
Vibes range from cozy to weird as hell. Today when I went there was a female barista banging her portafilter sharply and repeatedly while cursing («UGH goddammit!!») in a high pitched voice as she failed, time after time, to make a drink. The most bizarre part was that none of her colleagues acted like this was anything out of the ordinary. Does she always do this? I guess it’s hard to make a 6 shot drink, but apparently the task was so all-​consuming she didn’t have the wherewithal to pour a couple of already brewed coffees from the dispenser right behind her — a few of us stood there for ~5 minutes until some other guy finally came and dispensed it to us. In this time the frazzled barista had an output of exactly zero drinks. That said, I’ve had plenty of okay encounters here, but this was such a strange café experience that I felt compelled to memorialize it here.
Basically, it’s a very mixed bag, and I don’t think I’ll ever get coffee here again, but I’m sure to drop in for the occasional cake or pastry once in a while.

I got a salted caramel macaroon and a caramel alfajor *i wanted the hazel nut alfajor but it’s okay because the caramel was really good* the girl cashier was very sweet! It wasn’t too busy so I was in and out!
Not a huge fan of macaroons but I wanted to give it a try buuuuuut eh, glad I tried the alfajor, it’s a must TRY!

I love their cakes and breads, not too sweet and not too bland either. Loved the fact that they have boba there, all in one café– drinks and dessert. Clean and they have an awesome leather benches you can sit at, plus a reflection effect of yourself above the ceiling if you want to check yourself out. Staffs look tired and just whatever, but wasn’t rude.

Oh yum yum…
My friend took me here after always talking about it. The store looks so clean and edgy. The treats were also heavenly. I mean you can’t go wrong coming into this place.

The quality of the food is amazing
A customer bought a croissant and didn’t wanted it but paid for it. Manager wanted to put it back on the line for sale. Not sure where they found this guy but it really sounded the staff is totally unhappy to work at Paris baguette.
I’m gonna start to look at this company differently. This is disgusting

I’ve gone to a number of Paris Baguettes and been intrigued by the offerings, but ultimately disappointed by them coming up stale. Until yesterday.
What I realized is that you have to go in the morning. I finally walked in at like 9 AM, and grabbed a bunch of random stuff (a pea twist, a walnut/​cream cheese bread, and a small fruit tart). It was crisp, it was fresh, it was great.
If you’re not familiar with the (rapidly growing) trend of European-​motifed Korean bakery chains (and yes, there are multiple), All of these places offer self-​service, reasonably-​priced bakery goods on the spectrum from Western (ie Croissants) to East Asian (ie red bean buns). I’ve found this particular location to focus on sweets, and a bit more Western/​Fusion. It’s a fun outing, and you can grab a breakfast without breaking the bank.
I’ve gone here a few times, and it’s always great to find something new. If you’re in a rush and want a fun breakfast or dessert option, stop right in.

Very cute place. It’s spacious, clean, with inviting and comfortable décor. Soft sofas! Cute display of cakes and pastries!
I had fruit shaved ice, a fruit tart, and a large raspberry macaron. Pricing is a little high. But I have to say, they took a long time preparing my shaved ice. And it wasn’t as pretty as they had advertised it to be. Overall, it’s an okay place. I guess I’ll come back if I’m having a fruit tart craving, and a macaron craving when the ones at UCafe aren’t cutting it.
Shaved ice is better at TASTE (formerly Honey Berry) on Telegraph.

Surprised at the lower rating for this place as the food is here is top notch. I don’t know the history of this place, but on the basis of my brief time here everything was perfect.
My parents were born in Europe (and I often go) so when I see European desserts I’m always willing to give it a try and I tried the french doughnut which made me feel like I was back home in Ulqini. It’s basically a doughnut covered in so much sugar that you might get dizzy from eating it. However, it’s really good and this place nailed it. I couldn’t believe the sensation of eating it.
Just based on the quality of this doughnut, I’m giving this place flying colors. I’ll probably come again at some point and try something else, but what I have tried was amazing. Thumbs up.

I agree with Unilocal’s rating on this one — it is about 3 stars. I’ve known they opened up a Paris Baguette in Berkeley for awhile but wasn’t quite sure where it was exactly. Last week I came across it when I went for Ben & Jerry’s free cone day.
My impression of this place is that while it is in the heart of downtown and right across from BART… it feels out of place somehow? I guess it is convenient though for BART commuters — grab a snack on the go in the morning or on the way home after school/​work. Freshly pastries made daily along with sweet treats, decadent cakes, and even fresh sandwiches! Located about 15min walking distance from UCB — it definitely is giving Sheng Kee (which is only ½ block from campus) a run for its money even though its further away.
The staff are friendly and helpful. Place is relatively clean and plenty of royal seating. Bathroom available but you must have a receipt (i.e. you need to be a customer). The seating actually spills into an office bldg next door so if you want some peace & quiet — you can sit at one of the tables there instead.
I shared a chicken salad sandwich with a friend and it was quite good — very fresh and gold flavor. I’ve also had one of their seasonal strawberry treats and their super cute ROYAL PUDDING that comes with an equally cute spoon to eat with when you get pay at the register. Taste is similar to Crème brûlée and flan in my opinion: D I’m keeping the jar because it has a hippo on it & they are awesome lol.
I also tried their large pistachio macaron and I must admit the flavor is even better than Bouchon Bakery (though texture wise I still prefer Bouchon). It was bursting with flavor and I only wished I had gotten more than one!
So the one thing I haven’t been impressed with is how when I stop by in the afternoon — there is very limited selection of goodies. If you ask the staff, they’ll tell you they won’t be making more of that item for the day. It just seems weird to me as the bakery closes late but they stop making stuff by mid-​afternoon? Perhaps it’s slow at night and they don’t want to be wasteful. I guess next time I just have to make a point to get their earlier for the best selection: D :D

Cool chill sit down place
At first I didn’t want to go in. Another fancy «french» chain for the snobbery crowd? Ah I don’t want to go in.
Alas, it was late and stores around the area were closing, and because we didn’t want to venture too far from the Bart station, we decided to go in for a quick coffee.
Turns out, at that time of night, you get 2 pastries for the price of one. Nice! I got the apple turnover, which even though looked small, tasted actually quite crispy and had a sweet glaze on the outside. I also got the green tea latte – damn that was nice. SO sugary on top, with a nice latte art pattern too. Before I knew it I had already drank the whole cup.
As with other Paris Baguette stores, the place looked very clean on the inside, with bright lighting everywhere and white furnishings.
Overall, a cool place to hang out.