Elena's

The "Elena's Bread" is very similar to the sweet Spanish rolls I used to get at Nanding's in Hawaii. Good egg-free pastry for people like me, who are allergic to eggs (the other items here will have egg in them)

When Elena's first opened as a restaurant, I went there for a big birthday bash for my friend. The Mediterranean food was excellent with ample servings of delicious dishes. When they decided to become a bakery, I wasn't sure that they'd be as successful as they are now. I've sampled their Senorita breads & I love their soft, slightly sweet taste that practically melts in your mouth! I've tried their cookies too & they're also amazing! Glad they decided to stay! The owners are wonderful, most attentive to their customers & they never try to make you feel like you have to buy more! A big plus is that it's all at affordable prices! No $10 per cookie here!

Honestly Elena’s bread is the best bread I’ve ever had. I tried it 2 pieces the first day and couldn’t stop thinking about it and came back the next day for 10. Never had anything like it, highly recommend

Absolutely amazing experience! We stopped by Elena Mediterranean Cuisine this morning to pick up some bread for the office and was warmly greeted by the owner. It was our first time there, and he went above and beyond—freshly baking a batch for us and even offering samples. The pastries were incredible, but what really stood out was the genuine hospitality. I’ll definitely be coming back, not just for the delicious baked goods, but for the exceptional service. Highly recommend!

How hasn’t everyone discovered Elena yet?! Truly one of North Beach’s best kept secrets. Elena has an old school vibe that I so dearly miss - intimate seating with white tablecloth, jazzy music playing throughout the meal, beautiful art on the walls. impeccable food, and a friendly owner. They have a wonderful global wine list with unbeatable prices, and a few rare vintages. Here’s what we ordered: - Hummus. A speciality of the house, and it was a health portion. The addition of red pepper was perfection. - Calamari. Crispy and fresh with two yummy dipping sauces. - Garlic Bread with Pesto. A must order. - Bucatini Pomodoro with Italian Sausage. Wow, you can tell this was homemade with love. The pasta was cooked to perfection, the sauce had some heat to it (but not super spicy) and it was topped with fresh parsley. - Tiramisu. The best way to end our meal - moist, creamy, and a nice balance of delicate and rich. The prices were so reasonable, this might become our weekly staple!

I love Elena’s! It’s SO DELICIOUS and very affordable! Every time I come to San Francisco I have to get their Señorita Bread. They always are baking it fresh so it’s fresh and hot when you eat it! I also love their cookies and baklava. They are also really kind and lovely!

One of the best meals I have had in San Francisco. The tiramisu is to die for, and make sure you ask for the secret menu “Kobbideh”. The beef kebab was so tasty, and the food was incredible quality considering the price. The Falafel and Hummus really felt homemade and wasn’t too creamy or too heavy. Highly recommended and I will be back.

Really delicious food! Some of the highest quality dishes in North Beach! Everything was beautiful and tasted great, chicken, lamb, snapper, salad, and hummus! Fantastic and very friendly service as well, highly recommend!

my parents and my girlfriend walked down little Italy in San Francisco recently and came across Elena's bread. The advertisement for Señorita bread is what struck our interest. The service was so good that the guy behind the counter offered to give us a sample. The ambience was a walk-in café with coffee. Needless to say the señorita bread is much more better here from a local business than multiple franchisees across the Bay Area

Guess it was meant to be. After going to a legacy staple bakery a block away, I stumbled upon this 'new' store. This is a good gauge as to how long since I've walked on Columbus Avenue. It's been open since March 2025. Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of pastries available here (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=DaXRyEen5KEmnbenPwjpaQ), (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=2aRETLsFlFVteNckhbogRg).. It took me a little time to absorb what I saw before deciding on what to try. I ordered a few things with the intent to try something now and some later. I started with the Elena's bread (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=OVO16H6p6BrcBqLqbvip6w), which, judging by the signage, is their signature one. The gentleman who took my order packed my other items and asked meet to wait as the Elena's bread was baking. What? These would come piping hot in a box as I ordered ten to try and share with friends (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=XE-Fv6BQdHUaOtZw9RnWJw). With errands to do and already carrying a bag, I tried it ten minutes later. They were still extremely warm and most importantly delicious. I'd had this on Oahu and a South Bay version but this one is memorable. There was a filling inside which reminded me of the Chinese staple "chicken tail bun" (Gai Mei Bao in Cantonese), smooth yet not overly sweet. One wasn't enough so I ate another but stopped since lunch was only an hour or so later. They were still hot as they slightly cooled from my six-block walk to my next errand destination after stopping at a bank. I reheated them randomly throughout the week as a snack or part of breakfast. The next morning, I tried the second of the three pastries that I bought, the baklava (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=qhfzyajJj7f0WBid0Yukig). It was taller than most that I've tried elsewhere. The layers were visually evident (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=48&select=xVRMEy_RfBzMsrR61Ab17A) as well as the ingredients especially with sprinkling of pistachios on top and in the filling. The baker's palate is consistent in being moderately sweet. I like the famed La Cocina business in the Mission's version, this is flakier and less dense.The last thing that I tried from this shopping trip was the double chocolate brownie (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=0u3BcROUpKFfI44JESnUlg); unlike the other two sweets, this was on the heavier side from the smooth and moist fudge to the plentiful chocolate chips on top. Thank you, Max, for helping me with my order and briefly explaining your company's background. I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness of everything especially the senorita bread. Stop here if you crave hot bread.

Pretty good Spanish bread especially I got mine hot and fresh. They were soft and sweet and make sure you eat them while they're hot. $8 for 10 pieces (on the small size) which is affordable for SF, But if you've been to Honolulu Spanish rolls are all over the place and their Spanish rolls are bigger and cheaper for only $8 a dozen. However if you never had it, I suggest you try it.

Amazing bread and an even better owner! I was walking by and hadn't been planning on entering any businesses on the way home. However, the perk of a free sample and the aromatic whiff of sweetness brought me in to Elena Mediterranean Cuisine. They say money cant buy happiness but it can buy this bread. The sample hooked me and I bought a box. Come in and try it yourself!

Elena's bread that's all I have to say. get it get a lot of it. Share it or don't share it. Yummy yummy yummy.

Nice owner and they gave me a free sample to try! The box of 10 comes in warm and gooey soft Spanish bread ! I devoured 3 pieces in seconds and stop myself from having more haha

I'm so happy Elena's Bread has opened up in this location! I love this bread so much and it was the perfect treat for a day walking around North Beach and Chinatown! The owner is so sweet and kind. We will definitely be back!

Not sure if it's the owner but bf and I walked by while peeping in the store, and the owner came out and asked if we wanted a sample. SAMPLE??? yes please n_n Tried the Elena's bread and it had a subtle sweet taste and it is very soft. We decided to get some and a pistachio baklava. Baklava is tasty and not overly drenched in butter. $5 and would get again. Its sweet but the best part is that it wasn't too buttery as many other places. Very sweet worker and we prob wouldn't have purchased as we never knew what it tasted like. It is 10 pieces for $8.

Let me start off by saying that little cafe in San Francisco we stopped by was great! We got each Elena bread and a coffee, and enjoyed them at a table set up right on a street. Just like other reviews say, the bread was warm, soft, and perfectly sweet ( l'm not even a big fun of sweets), yet it was absolutely to die for. Their coffee... oh wow... I'd give it five stars! We ended up buying a dozen Elena breads to take home to L.A. I highly recommended trying them at least once in your life. They'll never let you down. We'd definitely go back again the next time we visit SF!

the most incredible starbread ! i've never had it before yesterday. it was so nice to stumble across this total gem in little italy. the owner / baker is so nice !!! i highly recommend this delicious bakery. and they even have a spot to sit outside for people watching.

I was recommended to go here by another neighborhood business. It was AMAZING! The Filipino bread was something I have never had before, and it was a delight. Light, fluffy, a delicate sprinkle of sugar... warm right out of the oven. I highly recommend! I also tried both kinds of baklava and an espresso. It was the perfect mid morning breakfast/snack. This is a small storefront, but a gem in North Beach.

This bread is served fresh and warm. It's slightly sweet with some sort of glaze and absolutely to die for. I might finish the whole box immediately. I'm just thinking of all the people I want to bring here.

So good! Owner also very nice. Gave me a sample to try right away. Great spot. On par with star bread

Nice bakery in the North beach area, bought the sweet bread 20 pieces. Dropped by Sunday morning at 9am got the freshly baked sweet bread. Really good to start the morning. Definietly a place to go.

Such a nice man working there (owner) offered my kids and me a free sample of the bread and we loved it! Wow. I ended up buying 5 of them and they are gone. Now I want more. So so good. I can't wait to go back.

Food was amazing! I ordered the Bucatini Pomodoro with added chicken. Appetizers for the table included Calamari Fritti, fried mozzarella cheese, Caesar salad, Caprese, and garlic bread. Our wine choice included Chianti and Moscato D'Asti! The whole experience was top notch. Big thanks to Chef/owner Nadar!!

We had the Elena bread, so incredibly delicious! I highly recommend. Even my picky kid loved it.

The cookies and Elena's bread were amazing! So excited for this new bakery and definitely will return!