Cherylynn N.
Yelp
Opening in January 2023, I had Juniper bookmarked for their pâte à choux but didn't buy any.
Cuz baby, you gotta save all your calories for their BOMB croissants!
In the recent SF Croissant Competition by Frenchly, French Morning and L'Apero, Juniper crushed it, winning all three awards:
People's choice, best original creation, AND best croissant in the city!
Juniper is open for takeout and dine-in. No outdoor seating. In-person orders only.
Free dog treats available at the counter.
M E N U
Pastries: Sweet + savory croissants and danishes ($5-$8.75), cookies ($4.50), muffins ($4.50), choux ($4), and more.
Drinks: Coffee + tea (owned by Saint Frank Coffee). Oat milk available for +75 cent supplement.
4% SF Healthy Tax.
Note: Cubano + Chocolate Croissants are limited. Once they sell out that's it. Per staff, if you want to snag one, come on/before 9 am.
D R I N K S
https://tinyurl.com/4ckc2wjn
* Matcha Latte ($6.25) w/ oat milk (+75 cents) // 4.5 stars
Ceremonial grade, the matcha latte was strong and robust with a good vegetal earthiness (unlike most cafes that serve what tastes like iced milk w/ a splash of matcha). First time trying London-based Minor Figures Oat Milk and I like it better than Oatly. It gave a more silky mouthfeel to the latte and a natural sweetness to balance the bitter notes of the matcha.
* Iced Coffee, Sister Moon ($3.75)
Not my drink but friend said, it was solid.
V I E N N O I S E R I E
* Traditional Croissant ($5) // 5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/2fzuub7a
Winner of "Best Croissant":
Perfectly golden brown with a good rise, distinctive laminated flaky layers, and honeycomb center. Deliciously buttery with a great contrast between the shatteringly crispy exterior and the airy soft interior.
* Cubano Croissant ($8.75) // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/45cccyt5
Winner of "Best Original Creation":
Cuban meets French fusion, a creative spin on the traditional ham & cheese croissant - mojo marinated pork shoulder, ham, gruyère cheese, stone ground mustard, and paper thin pickles are encapsulated in a sturdy yet soft croissant. Well-balanced savory-tangy-zesty flavors and crunchy-soft textures, it hits!
Next time, I'm bringing one home to warm up so the cheese gets nice and melty.
While Ariscault was named "Best Bakery in America" by Bon Appétit, I like Juniper's croissants better, they're not as heavy and greasy.
S E R V I C E
The staff is friendly, fast, and efficient given how busy they are. Positive vibes all around.
They were kind enough to cut our croissants in half since we were sharing them.
A M B I A N C E
Modern, casual, and bustling with about 8 tables, communal table in back, and window counter seats.
P A R K I N G
Easy metered parking in the mornings.
Overall, the city is home to many great bakeries - are Juniper's croissants deserving of the accolades and worth the hype?
Everyone has different palates and taste preferences but...
After taste testing the croissants in the car, we hopped back in the short line again to buy croissants for others...and so did the group in front of us!