Business Details
Your Trusted Source for Authentic Sourdough
Boudin Bakery, established in 1849, stands as San Francisco's oldest continuously operating business, renowned for crafting The Original San Francisco Sourdough. Our commitment to tradition is rooted in a 174-year-old mother dough starter, preserved and nurtured since the Gold Rush era, which gives our bread its distinctive tangy flavor and artisanal quality. With 29 locations across California, including our flagship bakery on Fisherman's Wharf, we combine historical legacy with modern innovation to offer fresh-baked bread, made-to-order meals, and full-service catering. Our team of master bakers employs time-honored techniques while embracing contemporary culinary trends, ensuring every product reflects both authenticity and quality.As stewards of San Francisco's culinary heritage, we educate visitors through bakery demonstrations and maintain partnerships with local artisans to support regional food culture. Our dedication to excellence extends to our Boudin Loyalty Rewards program, which recognizes our customers' enduring support, and our Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch partnership, underscoring our commitment to sustainable practices. Through generations, we've maintained rigorous quality control standards, using only four simple ingredientsflour, water, salt, and mother doughto create bread that remains naturally better for you.
Services
Sourdough bread production
Bakery cafes
Catering services
Wholesale bread
Online store
Highlights and features
- We have 174 years of continuous sourdough baking tradition since 1849
- Our mother dough starter is preserved from the original Gold Rush era
- We operate 29 locations with expert bakers maintaining traditional methods
- Our catering services feature authentic sourdough-based menus for events
- We offer educational bakery demonstrations at our Fisherman's Wharf flagship
Services
Sourdough bread production
Boudin Bakery crafts authentic sourdough bread using a 174-year-old mother dough starter. Our traditional baking process preserves natural flavors while maintaining strict quality standards. Customers enjoy fresh-baked loaves daily at our retail locations and through wholesale distribution.
Bakery cafes
Our 29 California locations offer made-to-order meals featuring sourdough-based dishes. Guests enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner options in casual family-friendly environments. The Fisherman's Wharf flagship includes a demonstration bakery and educational exhibits.
Catering services
Boudin Catering provides sourdough-centric menus for events of all sizes. Our services include customized menu planning, on-site preparation, and delivery throughout California. We specialize in creating memorable experiences with our signature breads and local ingredients.
Wholesale bread
We supply premium sourdough products to restaurants, retailers, and institutions across California. Our wholesale program maintains strict quality control while offering flexible ordering options. Partners receive regular deliveries of fresh-baked bread and specialty items.
Online store
The Boudin online store offers nationwide delivery of sourdough bread and gift baskets. Customers can order fresh or frozen bread products, baking kits, and branded merchandise. We provide detailed warming instructions for optimal product enjoyment.
Questions
What makes Boudin sourdough different from other breads?
Our sourdough uses a 174-year-old mother dough starter cultivated during the Gold Rush, giving it unique flavor and texture characteristics found nowhere else.
Can I visit the original Boudin Bakery location?
Yes, our Fisherman's Wharf flagship at 160 Jefferson Street offers bakery demonstrations, dining, and historical exhibits about San Francisco's bread-making heritage.
Do you offer catering services for special events?
We provide full-service catering featuring sourdough-based menus for weddings, corporate events, and private parties throughout California.
How can I participate in the Boudin Loyalty Rewards program?
Join at any Boudin SF location or online to earn points for purchases, receive monthly free sourdough rewards, and get birthday treats.
What are the proper warming instructions for Boudin bread?
Preheat oven to 425°F, mist bread with water, and warm for 5-6 minutes. Do not use microwave ovens to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Valerio Gutierrez
Jan 28, 2022
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I been here couple times and it always have been good, but today the clam chowder wasnt as good as it used to be, salty, and way too thick. I noticed this time it wasnt as busy at before, i remember on a Sunday afternoon it was packed, line to order was long and there was no tables available now it has changed a lot.
Jennifer Thomas
Jan 27, 2022
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We got pulled in by the smell of fresh sour dough bread. Bought a sour dough turtle, which was expensive but yummy. Breakfast sandwich and crab Benedict were both tasty, if a little under-seasoned.
Anne
Jan 20, 2022
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This is a sourdough bread lovers dream. This rating is from my daughter whose favorite thing in the world is sourdough bread. She now is spoiled because she doesn't like any other sourdough bread except for theirs. She got the garlic sourdough bread aided at the restaurant took it back to the hotel and ate it the next morning for breakfast because she didn't want to waste it. It was that good. This restaurant is right on the water so it also has a great view.
Bwanders
Jan 14, 2022
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Had a delicious lunch with my sister sitting on the balcony of Boudins. The food was delicious and the server was incredibly nice as well! The only down side is the wait times but other than that everything was great!
Arron Griffiths
Jan 03, 2022
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There is a ground floor Caffertia as well as a top floor restaurant. I went to the Cafe, and got the iconic clam chowder bread blow. Well worth the $13 for the meal, if you eat the bowl (which you should totally do.. else what's the point ) Then you will be very full and happy . The chowder is nice think and creamy with a little fishy toast, but not too fish like some chowder. Bread is a soft chewy slightly sour bread. Goes great together. Nice thing is the place is open late even on a Sunday!!
Osama Malik
Jan 01, 2022
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Boudin was one of the places on my list of places to try in San Francisco, particularly the clam chowder sourdough bread bowl. It definitely lived up to its hype and was a satisfying meal for my first proper lunch in the city. We also ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches which were just as delicious. If I were to come back, I would try the tomato soup in a bread bowl. The restaurant was very busy since it was in a central area of Fishermans Wharf, but all the staff knew what they were doing and knew how to keep things moving at a good pace so we didnt have to wait too long.
