Ambrosia Bakery

TLDR: friendly service and good eats! We had the sour cream fruit tart and it was very nice. The savory items were great and flavorful without being too salty and overwhelming. The princess cake is sweet on the outside but moist and not too sweet on the inside. The price is pretty fair as well, we got four items and it came out to just around $20!

I have loved this bakery since the early 90s. Nothing beats their princess cake, pastries, and cookies.

This afternoon, my daughter and I were waiting at the counter to order some cake when a male staff member clearly skipped us and went straight to serve the next white customer. It felt uncomfortable and disappointing. Thankfully, a female staff member quickly helped us with a very kind attitude — she was wonderful. My daughter enjoyed the cake, but the experience really ruined our good mood, and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving any tip. Afterward, I noticed other reviews mentioning similar experiences toward Asian customers. It’s really disappointing to see this pattern — I hope the store can do better in treating everyone equally.

This is my childhood bakery. I've been coming here for over 20yrs. Today I picked up a Princess cake for my dad's birthday. I called them last minute at 9am today and they had the cake ready for me (less than 1hr) with the correct writing on the cake. I got a croissant and cheese Danish, both delicious. Service was good and the bakery was very clean

7/7/23: The cookies 🍪 were good. Not much different from most other places, but they were of high quality. Might be a bit less expensive than Noe Valley Bakery, though. The 🍓🍌🥤shake drink was tasty. Polite staff. What sets this bakery apart from Noe Valley Bakery is that at Noe Valley Bakery, the workers are obnoxious. They give you a nasty look when you don't tip for their simply putting your purchase into a box & ringing you up! At Ambrosia Bakery, the workers are not obnoxious kids! They're hard working & do not give you a nasty look when you pay for what you bought!

MUST-TRY ICONIC DESSERT IN SAN FRANCISCO: the Swedish Princess Cake. Where to get it? Ambrosia Bakery! I love their Swedish Princess Cake. All I can say is, wow! The layers of sponge cake, whipped cream, pastry cream, raspberry jam, and marzipan all blended together perfectly, creating a delicious and visually stunning dessert. Check out the heart shaped cake for Valentine’s Day! The quality of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and the cake was light and not too sweet. Ambrosia Bakery definitely knows how to make an indulgent Swedish Princess Cake. This cake is high on our list every year for birthdays. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new dessert to try in San Francisco. You won't be disappointed! I’ve been going to Ambrosia for decades, and their muffins, tricolor mousse and tiramisu cakes are the bomb. You really cannot go wrong with any of their cakes.

Excellent little bakery! They made a cake for a baby shower I went to recently. It tasted great, looked amazing, and was just great overall. Would recommend this place for any kinda cake ordering.

Exquisite delicacies served in a lovely environment. Friendly and efficient service. Reasonable prices. Superlative quality. Don't miss it.

The fruit tart taste so good, and the the way It's look so refreshing. Also the service is great , and ambiance is nice

Fruit tart cake was beautiful and a party hit. Ordered online the day before for a friend's birthday. It was ready on time and the bakery had a friendly small business vibe I appreciated. Usually am on the other side of town but good excuse to visit Stones town and old stomping grounds by SF State!

Ambrosia Bakery is a nice and lowkey place located in the Lakeside neighborhood of SF, selling cakes and pastries. Their pastries are simple. Nothing super fancy and unique in terms of flavors and combos, but still tasty. Sometimes you just need the basics when it comes to pastries. Ambiance: The inside is cozy and compact. There are a few pastry shelves and a few tables for seating. It is clean and simple. Food: Choconana Croissant: 4/5. Croissant was not flaky but was soft and chewy. Chocolate had a nice flavor and the banana added a nice bite to it. Banana was not mushy. Chocolate Chip Cookie: 4/5. Nice size for a cookie. The cookie came with nuts on it, I think walnut? It had a nice toast/crunch to it. Cookie was good, not too sweet. Would be great with tea. Sundried Tomato Twist: 2/5. This one I would not recommend. Not enough of the tomato filling. Bread was not chewy and soft. Pretty bland overall. Service: Workers were friendly. My girlfriend and I brought our dogs so we took turns going in and out the bakery to browse the menu for our to-go order. Workers were kind enough to let our pets inside for a quick minute as we decided on what to order. Value: Price was on the cheaper end compared to other bakeries. I noticed some items were 50 cents to a dollar cheaper than other places. While I don't think Ambrosia brands itself with artisanal and flashy/extraordinary items, it does a good job of providing a wide range of tasty pastries for the neighborhood. I noticed a few locals come in to order and the staff knowing them by a first name basis which is nice to see. I would definitely come back next time to try one of their cakes. I would recommend their cookies and croissants, but will pass on the twist.

Look no further! Support your local bakery and visit Ambrosia. There is plenty of metered parking outside on Ocean Ave. Inside, there are tables and chairs for indoor dining and the ambiance is quite cozy. They have tea, coffee, cakes, baked goods like pastries, tarts, muffins, little cookies, etc. I called them to see if they do gender reveal cakes and they said yes. I requested a strawberry shortcake and that they change the inside filling to the color of the baby reveal. I went in person and showed them my blood test results and I paid for the cake then and there as well. On the day of pick up, the cake was ready on time as promised and I loved the added sprinkles! The cake tasted delicious and it was everything we wanted in a cake for our baby's gender reveal. The staff were kind and friendly. I'd order another cake from them for another occasion. Their holiday yule logs look yummy!!

They have good pastry and sandwiches. I have had many of their offerings and love them all especially the pastry twists! Both savory and sweet always hit the spot! It's an older establishment with friendly, patient staff and servers. I love how its has cute seating thats comfy and cafe like. The stuff is baked fresh and it's not for everyone but I have a soft spot for ambrosia.

Needed to order a birthday fruit tart in under 24 hours and this worked out perfectly! I placed my order for takeout on Yelp and in less than 24 hours it was ready for pickup. I really appreciated the fact I didn't need to place the order 48 hours ahead like some other places. The price is a bit steep for a fruit tart that size but the convenience made it worth it. There weren't any customization options that I saw, but I called in and they were able to add a cute Happt Birthday on it.

Love this local bakery, always friendly staffs, great food and drinks, cozy environment :)

Overpriced and not worth the high price. The biscotti is soft as a sponge, bland and thin. $4.00? A ripoff. PLENTY of better bakeries in San Francisco. Franchise bakeries like Boulangery are just as good or better for baked goods.

I came here to pick up a birthday cake. It was pretty last minute but they assured me that they'd have whole cakes if I walked in. All the cake slices looked so delicious, and I chose the Strawberry Shortcake cake. The full sized cakes are big enough for 8-10 people (more if you don't cut huge slices) and we had plenty of leftovers. The cake was $50 and they also wrote a personalized message on it for me. I loved how light and fluffy the cream was, and there are plenty of strawberries sandwiches between layers. The woman who helped me was super nice. This seems like such a cute local spot, and I'll definitely come back for a cup of tea and a slice of cake!

Welcoming, friendly, clean and delicious! We tried several desserts and loved them all. Thanks!!

I don't really understand where Yelp.com San Francisco came from..it's not really fair or good...this was a nice promotion...nice bakery with cakes and cafe drinks...Ocean and 19th...promotion was positive for the holidays...old quaint block...near a busy intersection...so many homes from some time...I didn't live here at all...big is an understatement..buy that cake!

Ordered the 9" fruit tart from here and it did not disappoint. The crust itself was excellent and the cream/fruit wasn't too sweet. Both complimented each other nicely. Service was quick and I can see myself skiing some work here.

Good cakes and pastries. Very consistent products. The staff are all very quick and attentive. Solid go to for the last second cake for small gatherings. Their drinks are serviceable but there's better options within 5 minutes. They also offer soups and sandwiches but I haven't tried them. (They look decent)

Reliable cake bake shop in San Francisco. Great place to come to order or pick up a cake for any occasion. The cakes are tasty, made with quality ingredients, and pretty to look at. Service is fast and efficient. There are also a number of tables available for those looking to stop in for coffee and other pastries. Ambiance is warm and welcoming-would not hesitate to make this a place to meet up with a friend or colleague.

I've been ordering our party cakes from Ambrosia, "Fantasia" is the one I always order, excellent tasting cake, not sweet at all, I love the "all over" white chocolate trimmings. Besides the different kinds of cakes, their cookies & freshly made sandwiches are fantastic - highly recommendable!

Not to brag, but I can inhale their slice of cake and four giant bites its that good! Are you walking and you will find a mix of regulars having a pastry/coffee, and you may also see small groups enjoying some goodies. Not only do they have a pastry counter, but you can order full cakes, and custom cakes . My most favorite is the Princess cake.

Stopped in here on a whim and was NOT impressed. The muffins were so dry. I even got a sour cream custard square and equally so dry it was unpalatable. Judging by the reviews I may have caught them on an off day, but I don't think I'll be trying them again. The items were not cheap either- rather on the more expensive side. I used to go to this restaurant and they serves almond muffins and I was hoping the almond poppy seed one would be similar. The guy at the counter wasn't keen on giving recommendations either. They do have an area you can purchase coffee or a pastry and enjoy it there, so that is a perk. Overall, I feel like there are a lot of other quality bakeries in the city I would rather frequent. Sorry ambrosia.

Ambrosia Bakery is truly a hidden gem, consistently crafting the most exquisite and delicious cakes and baked goods. Keith and his team create decadent and elegant displays that elevate any special occasion to a new level of sophistication. We are especially grateful for the Christmas Eve desserts you provided--each creation brought smiles to all our guests and made the evening unforgettable. Your artistry and dedication to quality shine through in every bite. We eagerly look forward to celebrating 2025 with your stunning and delicate creations. Thank you for your exceptional work and for making life's moments even sweeter!!

We stopped in to get the Diplomat cake. It was a huge hit at the birthday party and everyone had nothing but nice things to say about it. The fruits were also fresh and tasty. While waiting for the cake to package, I ordered a couple cookies. Both were soft and chewy. My favorite was the white chocolate macadamia nut. It taste fresh and homemade, which I feel is sometimes hard to achieve with taste. Inside is very nice and clean, and the workers are very helpful.

We love to go there for the chocolate beehive and the fruit tart. The staff were friendly and quick. Their fruit tart is the bomb, the best I've tasted thus far. Tina

Had a banana chocolate croissant...yummy treat. Store clean, many different cakes, sandwiches, cookies and a few other pastries. This was Saturday and there was lots of staff. Eventhough several staff members.. only one helping the line. they probably could work on better team work, but I look forward to trying a cake or two in the future.

We recently tried Ambrosia bakery, and had the opportunity to try their Fantasia cake and Princess cake. They were both great in flavor, not overly sweet, and the cake was very moist and pleasant. They were able to customize the princess cake for us with a light pink color as well (there's an additional cost for this), which was perfect for a baby shower. Overall, I'm glad to have found a new bakery to go to for cakes in the future!

Ambrosia has become my treat to myself on a busy day. My husband (not much of a bakery fan) is especially a fan of the baguette and oatmeal raisin cookies! I am very happy that they are now using and selling coffee beans roasted locally by Heady Cup. The staff is very welcoming and friendly.

Ordered another birthday cake for my daughter. I've been hankering a Princess cake & it's long overdue. Since it being a birthday / Halloween cake, I wanted it to be the color orange. It does cost extra for color change but lucky for me, it was pumpkin theme & it was no additional cost. Of course when picking up, it was a beautiful cake! My daughter loved it. My next Princess cake will might be my Bday. I can't get enough of this cake! The service here is always the best & friendly.

I ordered my daughter's Quinceañera cake from Ambrosia Bakery, it looked just perfect and it was delicious. My new favorite "orchata cake", everyone who tried was amaze by it. Thank you so much Keith for doing such a beautiful cake for a such special magical day.

Recently tried their Fantasia cake for a friend's birthday and it was absolutely delicious. The berries were a little tart since they're not in season but the cream help balance the tartness. The cream wasn't too sweet which I enjoyed and the cake was really moist. We also tried their Princess cake and it was probably one of the best Princess cakes I've tried because it had the right amount of cream. I can see why the Princess cake is popular! Will definitely have to try their other cakes in the future.

This place is really ridiculous pricey . 10 cookies for $40 dollars. Is cheaper to buy a filet mignon. I willl never go back agai. Sorry

Been a while since I had the princess cake here and I regret that! It's even better than I remember. Soft, fresh, fragrant, delicious, almost in a....delicate way. pivotally , *not too sweet* A clean, bright, welcoming neighborhood hub on that stretch of Ocean that really needs it. Long live Ambrosia

The fruit tart is my absolute favorite here. The custard's light sweetness pairs well with the crunchy crust. During the holidays, I always grab one to share with family and friends. However, the overall experience left a negative encounter with a female staff member. When I changed my order last minute, I perceived a hint of rudeness as she rolled her eyes and her tone shifted. Despite that, it's a decent bakery offering a wide variety of cakes and pastries. The quick and homey bakery atmosphere is appealing, plus there's ample metered parking,

Ambience 5/5 Lots of areas for metered street parking outside of the bakery, there is also residential parking for free around the area. Walk in, there is usually jazz, music, playing, and a nice display of all the baked goods, both on the shelves behind the counter, as well as in the glass counter. There are 4-5 tables along the side if you wanted to dine in. However, most people end up taking out. Food 4.5/5 I would say that the pastries are all pretty tasty. Standard baked goods that you might find, they have a great assortment of different types of croissants, the cinnamon twists are great, and apparently most popular., as well as a few scones, muffins, cake slices, fruit, tarts, and a side area where they sell sandwiches and salads! I came here and got the chocolate Nutella croissant, which was amazing, and tried to lemon twist, which was actually a lot softer than I anticipated (I'm used to the crisp cinnamon twist so it was a wonderful delight with my coffee!) We also got the cake here. The cappuccino it looks beautiful, elegance, and a very tasty! Has that spongy-Asian cake type fluff so it's not too dense. We have also previously tried the princess cake which had a almond marzipan exterior (green) with a raspberry jam and layers of custard (very tasty and interesting appearance haha!) Would definitely recommend :) everyone is very nice and efficient as well!

I used to come here a lot many moons ago specially for their cinnamon twists. Those babies are not too sweet, perfect texture, and oh so addicting. Fast forward about +10yrs later, still good. If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that I like to surprise my nephews with treats every time I visit them. So, when I picked up a few twists and delivered them, I watched intently with my side eye for their reaction. "Mmm good (with a thumbs up)". Phew! Project plump up the nuggets is a success. I'm always on the lookout for rugelach's and theirs is top notch! Will definitely come back.

Hands down, one of my favorite bakeries and a true Lakeside gem! I've been coming here for years and stand by their fruit tart cake - probably the best in the city. Other notable baked goods are their muffins (love the sour cream one!) and their princess cakes! Overall, the service here is always friendly and I love the neighborhood atmosphere of this spot.

Nothing is more delightful and indulgent than having birthday cake for breakfast. My foodie friend BuuChau first discovered this bakery when it was in Milpitas and for my birthday last month bought me a delicious strawberry shortcake. So many fresh strawberries enrobed in whipped cream and pillow-y cake (the shortcake is not the biscuit type texture), it made for the best version of breakfast birthday cake I've yet to have.

The fruit tart was delicious! You can taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients. The staff is always friendly and warm. They have many other delicious pastries as well! Definitely give them a try if you're around the area.

I love going to this bakery. I've been going there for a couple years now it's so delicious. They are always so helpful nice location you could always find parking.

I love this bakery . Clean , bright and busy. I am here during lunch time , nice to know they have lunch specials. It is half a sandwich and soup.The baked goods are awesome. I am a lover of cakes and I am like a kid in a candy store. I was helped by this wonderful girl, and she showed me their best sellers so I'm sharing them with you. I just tasted the cookie with Raspberry which was so delicious.

I've been going to Ambrosia since 2010. I love their morning pastries: custard danish, cheese danish, raspberry danish, apricot danish, and fruit danish. If you get the muffins, I recommend the cranberry, strawberry, and almond poppy seed muffin. I'm not crazy about their blueberry muffin or the lemon poppy seed muffin. For birthdays, I typically order the cappuccino cake. Anytime I've been to Ambrosia, it's always been very clean & tidy. When I have the time, I enjoy sitting down and having a coffee and pastry. Ambrosia is a neighborhood gem.

3 mini pastries for $20!? OMG! Inflation was gone wild! There's no stopping of these ridiculous price increase. As much as I love their cakes here, I can't justify paying these steep prices. I would rather go to Whole Foods and buy their cakes which is as good and way cheaper, sorry Amborsia. If you want your customers to come back or increase your business, please lower your prices to something more reasonable.

We were celebrating my aunt's 100th birthday and looking for a special cake. We decided on the Birthday Cake from Ambrosia bakery. We were not disappointed! The cake was moist and had a peach and whipped cream filling, extra tasty and light. The outside was whipped cream and fruit. This cake was a big hit at the party, now I know where to get great cakes for special occasions !

Solid neighborhood bakery. Good prices, good selection, fresh goods. More affordable than Noe Valley bakery, though frankly Noe Valley goods are a bit higher quality.

For visit on December 28, 2023. The family was in to pick up our annual ivory princess cake for our daughter, but we never can resist picking up extra baked goods while we're at the bakery. Our selection was two mini fruit tarts, fruit danishes, ham and cheese croissants, strawberry and blueberry muffins, rugelach which Dad was interested in trying, and the reviewed new Coco Nutella croissant. We were helped by a young lady, who has been with the bakery for three years. There had been a couple of customers before us, and quite a few after us waiting for service with a couple of them also picking up preordered cakes. The customers who were children were excitedly looking at the baked offerings to make their selection. The dining tables were all occupied by customers enjoying their beverages and pastries. The baked goods never last more than 2 days as we eat them for breakfast, snack, and dessert.

My favorite place to get fruit tarts! Found this place for my best friend's birthday and it's become my go to bakery for a birthday fruit tart! Online ordering and pick up is super easy, the workers are nice, and the tart is fantastic. $46 for a 9" tart and custom message included. Definitely want to try some of their other stuff, it all looks so yummy

Love Ambrosia's Cakes Great Friendly Customer Service Modern Ambiance What more can I say? A family friend brought one of their fruit tarts and it was AMAZING! Best cakes hands down! Gotta taste them all!

Best fruit tart and good chocolate cakes and fruit cakes. Very friendly staff waiting to help when you arrive.

Easy to order online or over phone. I ordered a 8 Inch princess cake $50 and ask to have it in red color $3 extra. Raspberry filling with custard in white cake whipped cream marzipan. Cake was surprisingly not too sweet. Soft and creamy texture. Some of us didn't like marzipan so it's easily separated from the cake. Plenty of other yummy cookies and cakes on displayed. Meter parking.

Ambrosia Bakery has been around for years! I even applied for a job here when I was in high school... unfortunately didn't receive a call back, but no hard feelings lol. This review is specifically for their Carrot Cake. I tried it for the first time at a friends Chinese banquet dinner and fell in love! I had it again recently for my birthday and it was just as good. This is my new go to bakery for family events. Comparable to Schubert's, parking is easy, and not nearly as far!

We recently tried the Cappuccion cake from Ambrosia and it was beyond amazing. So good that you'd have to hold back from going for seconds and thirds. Light, fresh, and not too sweet! That prompted us to get another cake from them for a special birthday celebration. Their custard cake, the Diplomat, was also amazing! I'm excited to try the other cakes over time. They're now our go-to local bakery shop for cakes!

Their bran muffin is so moist. Yum. Came here for fruit tart and princess cake slice. All so reasonably priced. All three items $16. This is such a great place for neighborhoody find. Thank you Ambrosia for being here all these years.

I bought this $50 tart to eat with my family on Christmas Eve and it ruined our Christmas. All the raspberries on the tart had mold on them on the bottom. My daughter picked one up and that's when I noticed the mold on the tart. I know fruit can spoil but if you are paying a premium for a tart, I expect it to last longer than a day.