Cinnamon rolls are impossible to resist, especially if you live in San Francisco. There are over 15 bakeries serving warm, soft, sweet, and gooey cinnamon rolls.
We have been exploring them all in a quest to find the best cinnamon rolls in San Francisco!
Read on below to learn more about where to get a cinnamon roll in San Francisco!
What Is Cinnamon Roll Perfection
These sweet doughy treats have a sticky filling on top of a fluffy yeast dough base. The gooey filling is made from brown sugar, makara cinnamon, and butter. This mix is spread onto the dough before rolling it up, slicing and baking!
They are often topped off with an icing glaze once they come out of the oven as well as some sprinkles!
For me, the ultimate cinnamon bun should be soft and buttery with a slight resistance in the dough. I want to be able to bite into it without worrying about it falling apart. Sometimes though, I want to be able to unroll its layers so it needs to stay intact!
The cream cheese frosting needs to have the right balance between sweet and tart and must be creamy. Timing is everything when it comes to icing a cinnamon roll. If it’s too hot, the icing will melt off. If it’s too cold, it won’t set on the cinnamon roll so decadently.
If my cinnamon roll comes with added indulgences like almonds or pecans, I am even happier! But the aspects I have mentioned above are the essential qualities of a good cinnamon roll for me!
If you’re after a classic cinnamon roll or one with a bit more flair, you’ll be spoilt for choice in San Francisco.
Devil’s Teeth Baking Company
Whether you’re going for their cinnamon rolls or their cinnamon donut muffins, Devi’s Teeth Baking Company in San Francisco is special.
(Photo courtesy of Devil’s Teeth Baking Company)
- Yelp Review: 4.5
- TripAdvisor: 4.5
- Facebook: 4.8
- Average Score: 4.6
Get there early and you’ll get vegan-friendly cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven!
The beauty of these cinnamon rolls is the delicate layers of dough, reminiscent of a croissant. It’s a challenge to get a dough that thin and keep it soft, but Devils Teeth Baking Company nailed it!
The biggest surprise for me was the very obvious lack of cream cheese frosting. Instead, these cinnamon rolls are glazed with a brown sugar paste, which I would indulge in a second time!
They have some other great menu options and you’d be foolish if you don’t pick a few things to try.
They offer two locations, one on Noriega Street and one on Balboa Street (both in San Francisco). Both stores are open until 4 pm. Devils Teeth also offers delivery and takeout, as well as street parking.
Rolling Out Cafe
Opened in 2011, the Rolling Out Cafe in San Francisco offers traditional cinnamon rolls but there’s so much more to experience. If you’re searching for the best cinnamon rolls in San Francisco, keep reading. Their Hawaiin Sticky Buns are ridiculously good!
- Yelp Review: 4.5
- TripAdvisor: 4.5
- Facebook: 4.4
- Average Score: 4.5
Rolling Out Cafe is not your traditional coffee shop or bakery. It has a homely feel about it, without any airs or graces.
My advice is, “Skip past their traditional cinnamon roll.” It’s nice, but I am not rushing to write home about it. Their Hawaiin Sticky Buns though, deserve a spot on your Bucket List!
It takes the humble cinnamon roll to the next level with a sweet pineapple glaze that soaks into the crust of the roll. It’s well worth the stop at this Asian-inspired quaint cafe.
Rolling Out Cafe offers delivery and takeout. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options. What I love about them is that you can place your order in advance and Bruno is happy to tailor items to your needs.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to relax with a coffee and a cinnamon roll, Rolling Out Cafe is the place to be!
Bob’s Donut & Pastry Shop
These aren’t your typical cinnamon rolls like Grandma used to make. Bob’s is a time-honored tradition for those in the bay area and foodies across the country. Everything is bigger at Bob’s Donut & Pastry Shop which serves massive 9″ donuts!
(Photo Courtesy of Bob’s Donut & Pastry Shop)
- Yelp Review: 4.5
- TripAdvisor: 4.5
- Facebook: 4.6
- Average Score: 4.5
We’re not talking about traditional cinnamon rolls here either, folks. Bob’s cinnamon roll is essentially a donut roll with cinnamon between the layers. They’re glazed while still quite warm so the glaze melts in rather than making a frosted layer.
Decide for yourself if you want to call it a cinnamon roll, but it deserves a spot on my list nonetheless.
Bob’s Donuts is a vegan-friendly establishment, which means that anyone can enjoy a sweet treat. They accept credit cards and Android and Apple Pay.
(Photos Courtesy of Bob’s Donuts & Patries)
If you’re looking for something a little more filling than a cinnamon roll, check out the sandwiches. They’re made on artisan bread with unique toppings and you can even add some of Bob’s homemade mustard!
Bob’s Donuts is open 24 hours a day every day of the week. There is no excuse not to try one of their delicious treats!
But wait there’s more! Keep reading about the best cinnamon rolls in San Francisco!
Jane The Bakery
Everything you see at Jane The Bakery is Instagram-worthy. You’ll quickly be distracted by artisan bread and pastries but we went for their cinnamon rolls which didn’t disappoint.
(Photo courtesy of Jane The Bakery)
- Yelp Review: 4.5
- TripAdvisor: 4.5
- Facebook: 4.6
- Average Score: 4.5
Jane The Bakery’s cinnamon rolls are the stuff of legend. They’re delicious and so comforting.
The rolls are baked fresh daily, so you can count on soft, gooey goodness every time you visit Jane The Bakery.
They offer delivery, takeout, and outdoor seating for those who want to enjoy their rolls in the sun. They also offer gluten-free options and vegan options. They also do catering, so it’s worth sampling their wares for your next party.
Jane The Bakery accepts credit cards and Apple Pay, making it easy to pay on your way out the door (or over the phone). They also have a private lot parking option if you don’t want to search for street parking or garage parking.
Jane The Bakery is a casual experience. You’ll find hipsters and business folks alike enjoying their cinnamon rolls here!
Kahnfections
Kahnfections serves a Princess Leia Cinnamon roll that is out of this world!
(Photo courtesy of Kahnfections)
- Yelp Review: 4.5
- TripAdvisor: 4.5
- Facebook: 5.0
- Average Score: 4.7
But, if you’re looking for a cinnamon roll like Grandma used to make, Kahnfections can help.
These rolls have won awards for their fluffiness and taste and they’re not too sweet. I was disappointed by the lack of glaze on my cinnamon roll, but the texture of the pastry itself was perfect!
(Photo courtesy of Kahnfections)
They also offer many other types of baked goods such as muffins, croissants, and cookies. I recommend the almond croissant or the salted chocolate chip cookie.
Kahnfections offer delivery and takeout. They offer gluten-free options and credit cards, Apple Pay, or cryptocurrency are accepted. They also have gender-neutral restrooms and are open to all.
The Verdict on the Best Cinnamon Rolls in San Francisco
Ultimately, I think finding the best cinnamon rolls in San Francisco is completely subjective. It’s impossible to pick one as the unquestionable “San Francisco Cinnamon Rolls Ruler”!
Is it about the quality of food? The parking situation? The customer service?
In the end, it comes down to individual preference. Readers, which location do you believe has the best cinnamon rolls in San Francisco?
If you’ve been inspired to try your hand at creating the perfect cinnamon roll, check out this article!
