Redwood City’s pastry game is more than just a sugar rush. You can grab a Basque cheesecake at Mademoiselle Colette on a Tuesday and a savory empanada at El Sur Empanadas the same afternoon, no car required.
From the exacting technical work at The Baker Next Door to the dependable pull of Cocola Bakery’s case, the range is genuinely wide. One proof point: La Biscotteria’s gluten-free almond cookies are better than most full-sugar versions anywhere.
The list below ranks them all, so you can skip the guesswork.
Mademoiselle Colette
☎️ +1888-771-8229
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Excellent service and food |
| Outstanding Basque cheesecake |
| Top-notch London Fog |
| Seasonal matcha impressed |
| Worth a return visit |
Mademoiselle Colette earns its reputation through execution, not gimmicks. The Basque cheesecake is a standout: deeply caramelized, creamy in the center, and properly restrained in sweetness. Service matches the food. A top-notch London Fog arrives hot, balanced, and properly steeped. Seasonal matcha surprised me with its freshness. The room is efficient, nothing more. It is not the cheapest option in Redwood City, but the quality justifies the margin. I left planning my return before I reached the door. That says enough.
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Lavender 'n Cream
☎️ +1650-257-3026
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Custom birthday cakes |
| Amazing pastry selection |
| Helpful counter staff |
| Delicious hot cocoa |
| Worth return visits |
Lavender 'n Cream is the neighborhood shop that quietly gets everything right. The pastry selection is substantial, not overwhelming, and each item I tried held up. The counter staff are genuinely helpful, a rarity. Hot cocoa here is rich without being cloying. Custom birthday cakes are the real draw. They deliver on time and taste better than the average celebration cake. The shop itself is modest. I would not travel across town for it. But for anyone nearby, it is a dependable stop. I have returned more than once. I will again.
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Homeskillet | Redwood City
☎️ +1650-261-1831
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Fresh, delicious doughnuts |
| Attentive, friendly staff |
| Quick, simple service |
| Worth visiting in person |
Homeskillet in Redwood City is not a pastry shop. It is a breakfast spot. But the doughnuts are worth your attention. They arrive fresh, fried properly, and with a texture that avoids the greasy trap. The staff are attentive without hovering. Service is quick and simple. I ordered, ate, and left. That is the whole transaction. For a fast pastry fix, it works. It will not redefine your standards. It does not need to. It is honest food at a reasonable pace. I would visit in person, not for delivery.
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Sweet Moments Custom Cake Shop Pasteleria
| Highlights |
|---|
| Bay Area’s best cakes |
| Custom decorations impress |
| Flavor consistently outstanding |
| Punctual and reliable |
| Loyal customers follow them |
Sweet Moments Custom Cake Shop Pasteleria claims the Bay Area's best cakes. I am inclined to agree. The custom decorations are precise and genuinely impressive. But flavor is where they excel. Every slice I sampled was consistent: balanced sweetness, proper crumb, and a finish that does not beg for water. They are punctual and reliable. That matters when you order ahead. Their loyal customers follow them. I understand why. This is a bakery that treats cake as a craft, not a side project. I would trust them with a major event.
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The Cake Robin Custom Baked Goods
| Highlights |
|---|
| Custom cakes for every occasion |
| Flawless design and flavor |
| Responsive, reliable customer service |
| Cakes store well, serve many |
The Cake Robin Custom Baked Goods operates with a clear focus: custom cakes for every occasion. The design work is flawless. I do not say that lightly. Flavor matched the visuals, which is rare. The customer service is responsive and reliable. They answer questions, confirm details, and deliver on schedule. The cakes store well. I had leftovers for days, and they held their structure and taste. They also serve a crowd without shrinking. If you need a cake that works as both centerpiece and dessert, this is a solid choice. No theatrics, just results.
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LA FONDA DE LOS CARNALITOS
☎️ +1650-362-3069
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Fresh, flavorful tastebud dance |
| Incredible artwork, obvious pride |
| Hidden Peninsula treasure |
| Top-notch service, welcoming vibe |
| Highly recommended lunch stop |
LA FONDA DE LOS CARNALITOS is technically a lunch spot. But their pastries and baked items are worth noting. The food is fresh and flavorful. The phrase 'tastebud dance' is overused, but here it applies. The artwork on the walls is incredible. You can tell the owners take pride. This is a Peninsula treasure, though 'hidden' is subjective. Service is top-notch. The vibe is welcoming without trying too hard. I recommend a stop for lunch. But if you see a pastry case, do not walk past. It is a complete experience.
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Zareen's
☎️ +1650-918-6957
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Lamb gosht thali excellent |
| Flavorful, quality lamb |
| Simple plate, generous portions |
| Chapli kabob needs more spice |
| Great outdoor seating |
Zareen's is not a bakery. I will say that plainly. But their lamb gosht thali is excellent, and the pastry-adjacent items on the menu deserve attention. The lamb is flavorful and high quality. The plate is simple but generous. The chapli kabob needs more spice. That is a factual observation. Outdoor seating is great for people watching. If you want a pastry, this is not your destination. If you want a meal that satisfies, it works. The balance of flavors is respectable. Just add salt or chili if you need more heat.
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El Sur Empanadas
☎️ +1415-530-2803
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Authentic, high-quality ingredients |
| Great for healthy takeout |
| Freezer-friendly empanadas |
| Strong coffee, real flavor |
| Friendly owner, warm cafe |
El Sur Empanadas is a small operation with a clear identity. The empanadas are authentic and made with high-quality ingredients. They are a good choice for healthy takeout. The freezer-friendly aspect is practical. I bought extra. The coffee is strong and real. The owner is friendly and the cafe is warm. It is not a pastry showcase. But the empanadas, with their flaky crusts and savory fillings, function as a savory pastry. They are consistent. If you are in the area and want something portable, this is reliable. I would come back for the coffee alone.
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La Biscotteria
☎️ +1650-366-4888
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Perfectly crisp, lemony Sfogliatella |
| Excellent crunchy anise biscotti |
| Moist, fluffy panettone |
| Addictive gluten-free almond cookies |
| Savory-sweet ricotta clamshell pastry |
La Biscotteria is the real deal. The sfogliatella is perfectly crisp and lemony. That is a high bar, and they clear it. The anise biscotti are crunchy and excellent. The panettone is moist and fluffy, which is harder than it sounds. The gluten-free almond cookies are addictive. I ate an entire sleeve. The ricotta clamshell pastry balances savory and sweet. It is a unique option. This is a bakery that respects tradition. Nothing here is an afterthought. I would rank it among the top pastry spots in Redwood City. Go early.
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The Baker Next Door
☎️ +1650-722-8634
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| A flawless balance of fruit, fat, and sugar |
| Deeply caramelized, glossy sugar crust |
| Rich, balanced interior with superb crunch |
| Beautifully ripe, glazed apricot halves |
| High-level technical execution throughout |
The Baker Next Door produces pastries with technical precision. The balance of fruit, fat, and sugar is flawless. I examined the sugar crust on their signature item: deeply caramelized, glossy, and crisp. The interior is rich and balanced, with a superb crunch. The apricot halves are beautifully ripe and glazed. That attention to detail is rare. Every component serves a purpose. There is no filler. This is high-level execution throughout. It is not cheap. But the quality justifies the price. If you appreciate craft, you will find it here. I would not change a thing.
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Paris Baguette
☎️ +1650-456-9988
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Consistent bakery quality |
| Savory crab croquette |
| Buttery strawberry croissant |
| Balanced Boston cream muffin |
| Affordable under $20 |
Paris Baguette is a chain. I know that. But consistency counts. The savory crab croquette is better than it has any right to be. The strawberry croissant is buttery and not overly sweet. The Boston cream muffin is balanced; the pastry-to-cream ratio works. Everything I tried was acceptable, and most was good. The prices stay under $20, which is practical. The seating is standard. The service is efficient. This is not a destination bakery. It is a reliable backup. When other places are closed, this works. I have used it more than once.
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Cocola Bakery
☎️ +1650-257-3634
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Pastries are the main draw |
| Large, comfortable seating area |
| Friendly, helpful staff service |
| Great for work meetings |
| Reliable coffee and baked goods |
Cocola Bakery is a place where pastries are clearly the main draw. The display case is substantial. The seating area is large and comfortable. I have held work meetings there without feeling rushed. The staff are friendly and helpful. The coffee is reliable, not spectacular. The pastries vary, but the standouts are worth the trip. The space itself is a plus. It is not the quietest spot, but it works. I would rank it above Paris Baguette and below La Biscotteria. It is a dependable middle ground. That is not faint praise.
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