Noe Valley Bakery & Bread Company
4073 24th Street
(between Castro St & Noe St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 550-1405
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
50 reviews
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond
"Napoleon Cake...cannot go wrong, get this. Ah..I forget what our usuals are. Give them a try. SO MANY to choose from. Definitely…" read more »
180 Reviews for Noe Valley Bakery & Bread Company
I go to the Farmer's Market every week. I have tasted much of what the different tents have to offer. Noe Valley Bakery have excellent baked goods, and laid back staff. If you are tired of the lines and attitude that you find over at Della Fattoria, try NVB&BC. They are about ten feet away, but a world of difference.
Tip: Get the Asiago Cheese bread http://www.yelp.com/bi... . Heat in an oven until warmed through. Sprinkle with Tobasco sauce. Heaven.
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5 stars for their current window display--a mini carnival scene that my son absolutely loves. Unfortunately, he's got an egg allergy that prevents him from enjoying most of the delectible delights but no matter--he's pleased as punch to stand outside and gaze at the merry-go-round, parachutes, and roller coaster. Words cannot describe how excited the Z-man gets when we take him to see "carnival caper" at the bakery. And for that, Noe Valley Bakery will forever be my favorite bakery.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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01/26/2008
A delightful little neighborhood bakery. Their cupcakes--especially those of the red velvet and… Read more »
WELL.
I just came back from Noe Valley bakery.....The girl gave me the wrong muffin and I realized it when I got back to work...so I go back to tell her she gave me the wrong one. SO SHE PUTS THE MUFFIN THAT SHE ORIGINALLY GAVE ME BACK IN THE CASE! I know from working in food that once the food is out in the open public and then returned...it is NOT allowed to go back in the case and be re sold to another customer! I may look harmless but I could've done anything to that muffin!...NOT ok!
I love Noe Valley Bakery but now I SERIOUSLY question it.....
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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04/15/2008
I love this bakery. My work has gotten cakes from here for peoples bdays and they are sooooo good.… Read more »
VERY VERY MOIST
My girlfriend got a couple of cupcakes from here for her birthday. I had a taste of the Red Velvet and Carrot Cake.
Of the two....the Carrot Cake was unbelievably moist and good.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the frosting was Soooooooooooooooooooooo good.
My sister and I have been searching the city for red velvet cupcakes and luckily, we stumbled upon this place. Their cupcakes are amazing and this is now our go-to place for cupcakes and other pastries. First off, the red velvet cupcakes here are sooooo good. They are super moist and just the right amount of sweetness. The frosting is also perfect, not too sweet and not too plain. The other cupcakes they offer are also really good! The hostess-looking cupcake is really delicious, especially with the cream-filling. The lemon-drop cupcake has a nice zing to it. And the carrot cupcake is perfect, just like the red velvet cupcake! delish! Also my sister gets the personal-size cheesecakes from here and it looked and tasted amazing!
I really like the location of this bakery. A lot of restaurants and clothing stores in the neighborhood. There is also a lot of metered parking so it shouldn't be too tough to find parking.
i have a sweet tooth and i'm picky about what sweets i want. Noe's cupcakes seems to do the job. i think my friend got the hint because today he stopped by work with cupcakes to cheer me up!
The cupcakes are moist , fluffy and finger licking good! each are around $2.50 each and i recommend sharing or else you might go into a sugar coma!
here are a few of my favs:
fleur de sel: choco cupcake with cream filling and choc icing sprinkled with sea salt (that whole salty/sweet thing)
red velvet: red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing
lemon drop: white cake with lemon icing and a cute bee on top!
moistest cupcake: SUPER moist choco cake with choco ganache icing
i've had the tuna sandwich and it was alright. the bread was a little stale but the tuna filling itself tasted good. they also sell pre-packed dough of their own cookies and scones.
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Cupcakes are excellent as are the brownies - actually, all of the baked goods are great.
Stay away from the sandwiches - they sound great, but they're $7.00 for two tiny pieces of bread with two even smaller pieces of whatever meat choice you've made, with no condiments. Go with Noe Valley Deli a few doors down.
Some of the best cupcakes in town! Not too much sugar, butter cream, moist.
Also, good cheese scones and cakes.
Their blueberry pecan scones (the kind you buy frozen and bake at home) are excellent. They are so buttery that we actually pour the excess melted butter off the pan after pulling them out of the oven. Yup, no lie.
They make good cupcakes (good, but not the best - my favorite is the Chocolate-Caramel-fleur De Sel Cupcake), breads, and sandwiches.
Their coffee is really top-notch in my book.
I just tried their new "Stud Muffin." I liked the name (though the guy behind the counter was cringing with embarrassment!), but it wasn't the studliest muffin. It was a chocolate muffin, with cream cheese and sparse chocolate chips - it had a slight coffe taste (I don't like coffee in my chocolate - I'm a chocolate purist!), and I've had better at other places.
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I love this bakery. I would give it 5 stars but the bloody carbs make me fat.
Noe Valley Bakery's cupcakes are so-so. Whenever I have a cupcake there, it only reminds me of how good the cupcakes are in other cities (ie the Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery in NYC has so many different options, AND they're only $1.50 apiece). I know there are other options in Noe Valley, but I'm hesitant to try the ones at Belgano because $3 seems ridiculous for a cupcake.
Anyhoo...NVB does have some noteworthy items: the savory cheese, sweet cheese, and raspberry croissants are quite delicious.
What I love about Noe Valley Bakery is the proximity of my house to this yummy yummy place. Considering my quest to eat healthier, I guess this can be perceived as a bad thing. However when you're craving for their famous red velvet cupcake, the things that are so wrong can taste ohhhh so right. Their hazelnut strawberry ready made cake is also a great pick-up for any celebration/occasion that you forgot to pre-order for. All I can say...tasty, tasty, & tasty!
Recommendations:
Red Velvet Cupcake (These go fast. Today, they were out by 11:30am. Come early!)
Carrot Cake Cupcake
Sweet Cheese Croissant
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Why did I chance upon this place, just as my Cal Poly decathlete son is about to graduate and return home to nag me about diet and exercise! I had never heard about Noe Valley Bakery - I was, in fact, on my way home from an appointment, driving slowly down 24th Street, when I simultaneously spotted their sign and the empty parking space in front of the store. It was fate and I am not one to circumvent fate.
Forty dollars and thirty minutes later, I walked out of Noe Valley Bakery, armed with numerous bags, vowing that I must return for several items I just couldn't justify purchasing in the same visit.
That afternoon, I shared my treasures at a staff meeting. What ecstasy! Everything was wonderful from the Mexican wedding cookies to the apricot hammentashen, to my personal favorite, the chocolate and cherry rugelach. En route to work, I ate a pecan sticky bun that almost made me turn around for more ( no will power, as you can see ).
There were so many incredible choices, I had difficulty making a decision - the fruit tarts looked fabulous but I figured they would be a total mess by the time I arrived at my destination but I won't rule them out for a future visits...then there are the scones...oh, and wonderful cakes...good grief, I'm 63, how much more can I eat, especially with Jeremy coming home from college to nag me about my weight!!!
Noe Valley Bakery serves great bread, cookies & cupcakes. My photo includes a special occasion cake from NVB. It was a 1/2 sheet vanilla chiffon cake with strawberry bavarian filling and vanilla buttercream. The cake was adorable and very delicious!
The cupcakes are delicious. For those of you that suffer from "dry cake syndrome", your search for a remedy has ended! Some of the NVB cupcakes have filling within them. My cupcake faves include:
1. Chocolate-Caramel-fleur De Sel Cupcake: Caramel ganache frosting, caramel bavarian filling
2. Mocha Cupcake: Chocolate-coffee frosting, mocha buttecream filling
3. Most-Est Cupcake: Looks like a Ding-Dong, Chocolate ganache, bavarian cream filling
4. Red Velvet Cupcake: chocolate cupcake w/ red dye, topped with cream cheese frosting
5. Zinger'd Cupcake: Looks like a Zinger, Raspberry buttercream frosting w/ pink coconut shavings, raspberry bavarian filling
6. Fudge Cupcake/Vanilla Cupcake: favorite classics
I bought these cupcakes for a party. Everyone loved the cupcakes and was asking directions to NVB. A definite crowd favorite!
I also bought the asiago cheese bread loaf, Mexican wedding cookies, and Pecan tarts. All were delicious too. NVB is a complete bakery -- will be back again soon.
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This place is fantastic. Why is it when I'm not supposed to eat gluten I find all these fantastic bakeries? Why?
Their apricot bread is sublime - more apricots than bread. The chocolate cherry bread is wonderful also.
My wife loves their rugalach.
Never had anything I didn't like from them - my only complaint is that they stopped distributing in the East Bay - but it makes me find them at the Farmer's Market - they are worth the trek.
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Went in to get cupcakes after eating at Barney's gourmet burgers. I ended up spending $11 on four cupcakes, two of them being red velvet. Well worth every penny!
We make a special trip across town to get the fig bread. the apricot bread is like dessert. worth it to pick up at the Sat. am Ferry Plaza farmers market too. ONe of SF's very best!
We wanted to have a few different flavors at our wedding, so we decided cupcakes were the best (and most frugal) way to do that. We sampled cupcakes at plenty of places recommended here on Yelp, but Noe Valley was the best by far. We ended up choosing three varieties: red velvet, The Mostest, and the Zingers. We also had a homemade cake cake.
Now, whenever we want a pick-me-up, we stop by for a cupcake or two. They really are the best in San Francisco.
I wanted to love these cupcakes, I really did. I'm sorry, they were just OK. Mine was a little on the dry side and the frosting was kinda thick and bland.
What I did love was the ice cream cookie. Oh my goodness...a cookie shaped in an ice cream cone complete with icing and sprinkles on a chocolate cookie base. Three words: Dee - Lish - Ous!
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Their cupcakes are to die for around here. It's moist and has the perfect ratio of frosting to cupcake. Red velvet takes the cake!
i love their cupcakes!!!! all of them are good!
I've also had their bread and cookies..their baked goods are on point!
this is a gem of a place on this block.
my only peeve is when the person in front of me takes ALL the chocolate cupcakes before I can get to one!!!!
You can call me the "Hostess with the Most-est (Cupcake stuffed in my mouf)." The "Most-est" is Noe Valley Bakery's version of the Hostess cupcake, filled with Bavarian cream and topped with chocolate ganache. And at $2.25, why would you ever buy a Hostess cupcake ever again? And if you love Hostess Zingers, they make a Zinger'd cupcake. (Oh, I know you used to beg your mom to put one in your lunch box when you were little!)
So moist and rich, eating what seems like an entire stick of butter never tasted better! In fact, I'm actually eating a Chocolate-Caramel-Fleur de Sel Cupcake, which is a chocolate cake filled with a Caramel Bavarian Cream, topped with a Caramel Chocolate Ganache frosting with Fleur de Sel sprinkled on top. Yes, right now. Chocolate frosting is getting all over my keyboard, but it's so worth it. The combination of salty and sweet is heavenly.
I've also had their cherry chocolate bread, which is delicious! Are they really vegan?! I would've never thought.
Ok, gotta run to get some milk to wash this cupcake down!
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Carlos A is now my favorite yelper... why? Because I can be won over with one damn fine cupcake. He brought a little love muffin (aka the Chocolate Caramel-Fleur De Sel) from Noe Valley Bakery by Yelp HQ today. I took one bite of dark chocolate with sea salt and whoa nelly. I haven't been the same since. Carlos, I heart you but I especially heart my cupcake.
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Chocolate - Caramel-fleur De Sel Cupcake (4)
Red Velvet Cupcake (2)
Boston Cream Pie Cupcake (2)
Zinger'd Cupcake (1)
Mocha Cupcake (2)
Carrot Cupcake (1)
This is how I filled my dozen.
Ate one sitting in the car because I couldn't wait!
I guarantee they'll be gone by tomorrow!!
Ever since a co-worker brought in Noe Valley Bakery Cupcakes, I have been craving them. I make up reasons to go to Noe Valley just so I can have one. Today, I couldn't resist and bought the whole dozen. I'm so excited - it just made my week!!!!! :)
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My downfall was the Asiago Cheese Bread. One sniff, one taste of the nutty cheesy goodness, I knew my life would never be the same. Hopeless, addicted, I could furtively eat an entire loaf over the course of an evening. Who the hell needed popcorn as a snack? Thank God NVB does not come to the Tuesday Farmer's Market at the Ferry Bldg. any longer, I've lost 20 pounds! Then, I made the fatal error in judgement, I went to NVB on 24th Street...... for the damned delicious asiago cheese bread, the apricot ginger bread, the double raisin bread, the brioche (if you get there early enough) and the scones. All yummers. The cookies! yes, yesy, yes, the cookies! Baguettes, very tasty and the breadsticks, like popcorn!
I think I am in a minority, however, their cupcakes did nothing for me. I like frosting, but the thick coating on top was heavy and ordinary in flavor. The cupcakes were dry and the one's I tried with fillings, the fillings were sort of gummy and tasteless. Dissapointing. That said, I will not subtract a star for the cupcakes, they are not what NVB is known for.
Service is hit and miss. Sometimes you get wonderful service, other times, your server is doing you a huge favor to bag the bread and take your money. Be warned, surly behavior is not smiled upon, but the bread here is worth it.
I've been a customer since they opened their doors ... it's a cross between a patisserie & boulangerie, and they do both equally well.
Cupcakes are in this year, unfortunately at the expense of their savory selection (galettes are out!). Not a fan of cupcakes ... Chocolate Eclairs on the other hand YES!
Other notables - apricot ginger bread, strawberry rhubarb pie, pain au chocolat, chocolate chip cookies.
the coffee has definitely improved over the years ... for those who avoid Starbucks in support of local businesses.
To be avoided Saturday mornings, and the day before major holidays.
The guy I have been dating needed "space" this weekend ...
*cue death march*
...and I needed a cupcake.
The Caramel Fleur de Sel cupcake is the best cupcake I have *ever* had. Ever. My eyes rolled back in my head.
The Lemon one with the bee is a close second.
Who needs men when there are little edible bees on lemon cupcakes??
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There were two Birthdays in the office this month, so my co-workers arranged to get two smaller cakes here- (I haven't actually been to the location) one Carrot cake, and one Hazelnut cake with Strawberries. They were frosted very 'cutely" Little carrots were depicted with orange and green frosting on the carrot, and the Hazelnut had a very moist nut filled texture and flavor. Yum! I just ate another leftover piece! It held up really well. This is not Tartine Bakery, nor is it Safeway cake, it's in between: better than average cake but not snobby. I identify with that!
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I was on my way back from a dental appt yesterday and realized I was
close to Noe Valley and needed some bread for a casual dinner. I had
invited my friend over for some rustic homemade soup that called for some crusty bread. I was in a rush to get back to work so I decided that if
there was a parking spot close by I would stop in. Low and behold the parking god found me a space right smack dab in front. Asiago cheese
bread still hot from the oven, pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting for dessert and a buttery croissant for me since I'd skipped breakfast to get to the dentist. Smelling that warm asiago cheese bread in the car drove me to madness but I remained in control and didn't rip into the loaf. With the quality and tastiness of what I purchased and the parking spot right in front, the full 5 stars.
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I dream about the "mostess" cupcakes from Noe Bakery. Also love the bake-at-home blueberry pecan scones, the mini quiches, tartlets, croissants, and just about everything they make! So good, you'll be addicted!
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They do have good cupcakes. The chocolate w/ ganache (reminds me of a ding dong) is my fave. I ordered a baptism cake here that was supposed to be shaped like a bible. Although it didn't really look like it & it cost an extra $18. But it was delish. Not to sweet but sweet enough to crave some more.
Love their little cuppy-cakes. And the price isn't too shabby, either. My favorites are the red velvet and caramel fleur de sel. So good. The perfect little snack for strolling on a sunny day-- delightful. The cupcakes are moist, and could maybe do with a bit more icing. But I'm an icing fiend, so that may explain it.
Overall, a cute little bakery. There's no place to sit, which is kind of a bummer. But everything I've had here is great-- and not just the cupcakes. The Swiss cheese croissant is very tasty and I've bought baguette and sliced loaves here before, which were also nice. You can tell everything is very fresh.
They lose a star, however, for running out of cupcakes one Sunday when my friends and I made a special trip here for the express purpose of cupcake procurement. It was only 2pm, and no cupcakes? I was devastated.
But I will be back. And I will have my cupcakes.
Too many tasty options!!
My favorite is the Organic Fig Bread. Toast it in the morning and it tastes like a super-fresh Fig Newton! I also loved the cinnamon coffee cake, but felt a bit gluttenous eating it. And if you're having a party, getting a variety of cupcakes is a total hit.
You also have to love that they have a little metal hook by the door for "puppy parking."
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Not very good but very pricey.
Very talkative and rude customer service.
Makes me feel the same way as if my therapist were baking cookies during a session.
And, if you live in Noe Valley, you've probably been to France, have a therapist and know what I mean.
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Delicious, wonderful, beautiful cupcakes. Great challah and the soda (seasonal) bread are fantastic. Hiii-lariously poor customer service. WTF? How can someone be so miserable around delicious desserts?
p.s. I p/u'd an ass-load of assorted cupcakes in January (for a party, geez) and the counter guy was nice to me. I don't remember his name but I haven't seem him since. Cupcake guy, where ever you are now, I wish you a happy, contented and peaceful life.
I called and ordered 25 cupcakes for next day pick up. They couldn't do anything custom, but were happy to do what they could. The employee even explained to me on the phone what my choices were. The cupcakes were gorgeous (although pricey of course) and very tasty and a real hit at the birthday party!
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They have the best challah in SF (even if no one who works there can pronounce it - say it with me people CHallah; not holla, not chola. CHA-lah!)
I ordered a photo cake for my friend's 30th surprise birthday party and it came out great! The cake, vanilla cake with strawberry bavarian cream and white frosting was absolutely delicious! The strawberries were real fresh strawberries and the cream was light and fluffy, as was the cake. Light, delicious and not overly sweet. Perfect! Their cupcakes are yummy as well...can't wait to try more!
Summary: The counter help was attentive and quick, but not very helpful.
The Most-est cupcake was bland compared to a chocolate cupcake from Miette. This was confirmed by my friend.
The Mousse cupcake was also bland and chocolate flakes on top weren't very tasty either. The presentation is good. The bakery is clean and well lit. Service was reasonably fast.
The details:
I was considering ordering a wedding cake for my sister here but changed my mind. First off, beyond showing me the order book, the counter person was not very helpful. When I told him that I wanted to try something that would give me an idea of what their cakes tasted like, he told me that there wasn't anything. He said that the cupcake batter was completely different than the cake batter and the mousse cupcake was different too.
I ended up buying a mousse and a Most-ess.
Compared to a chocolate cupcake with butter cream from Miette, the Most-est had no flavor. My friend stated that she would have preferred a real Hostess cupcake.
Compared to a chocolate mousse from Citizen Cake, the mousse was bland and uninteresting. After sampling it, we threw the other 1/2 of it away because it wasn't worth wasting calories. (it's not every day that I throw away chocolate mousse!)
Maybe it's unfair to compare it to the other 2 bakeries since it's in a lower price category, but I doubt that I would make a trip to Noe Valley for the cupcakes. Next time I'll try their savory offerings.
BEST CUPCAKE I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.
And that's the only thing I've ever had from this place. Five immediate stars.
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