It’s a tradition the French remain very attached to, and one which has seduced many Americans: the galette des rois, or King Cake, celebrating Epiphany and marking, in a festive fashion, the start of the new year. And Frenchly and French Morning have put together a list of the pastry shops selling this famous puff pastry and frangipane dessert. (As this list is non-exhaustive, if you are a pâtissier offering galettes, let us know!
San Francisco
Le Marais Bakery
Le Marais Bakery is offering a traditional frangipane galette for 10 to 12 people for $45 (the price hasn’t risen since last year, which is worth mentioning). The ceramic fève, which you yourself can insert inside the frangipane filling, comes with a paper crown. Order online for pickup in one of their stores. Marais Bakery, 3 addresses : 498 Sanchez St., SF – (415) 872-9026; 1138 Sutter St., SF – (415) 872-9694; 250 E Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley.
Maison Danel
For those Frenchies nostalgic for the porcelain fèves of their childhood, you should pay a visit to Maison Danel. This year, the tea room will offer galettes filled with almond cream with fèves from the personal family collection of Chef Danel. These desserts, priced at $60, serves 6-8 people. And, as in France, they are slipped into a paper back with their golden crowns. Order 24 hours in advance, online or by phone, for pickup in-store through January 29. Maison Danel, 1030 Polk Street – (415) 685-5900
Maison Nico
The gourmet grocery store Maison Nico offers a traditional galette des rois with luscious almond cream. But, as they do every year, they will also offer a fruit option: in 2024, with orange and yuzu. Each serves 8-10 people and is priced at $55, and comes with a fève and crown. Orders are open starting Saturday, January 6, and go on throughout the month. Order 48 hours in advance for pickup in-store. Maison Nico, 710 Montgomery Street – (415) 359-1000.
Arizmendi Bakery
Arizmendi Bakery, the Inner Sunset cooperative, offers two galettes for celebrating the three kings. The first, a Mexican version called Rosca de Reyes, is available the day of Epiphany, Saturday, January 6, with candied fruits representing precious jewels (the gifts of the magi), and a baby Jesus fève hidden inside. The second, a classic French frangipane galette, is available on Friday, January 5, and Saturday, January 6. Both versions can be purchased as whole cakes or by the slice, and are available to order online. Arizmendi Bakery Cooperative, 1331 9th Avenue – (415) 566-3117.
ONE65
Golden puff pastry, almond cream… Chef Claude Le Tohic’s One65 pastry shop offers a little taste of France in the middle of Union Square. Each galette serves 6 and costs $55, and comes with a fève and crown. Order online here and select your pickup date between Friday, January 5, and Sunday, January 7. ONE65, 165 O’Farrell Street – (415) 814-8888.
Thorough Bread & Pastry
Thorough Bread & Pastry, the bakery-pastry shop of Michel Suas, founder of the San Francisco Baking Institute (SFBI), is offering a traditional French galette of puff pastry filled with almond cream. Order online or in-store. Pay attention to the pickup hours: the bakery is only open on Wednesdays and Sundays, between 8am and 3pm. Thorough Bread & Pastry, 248 Church Street – (415) 558-0690.
Berkeley
Rhota
If you want to get one of the fabulous warm croissants at Rhota, you’ll need to wake up early: every morning, there’s a line in front of the small boutique of the eponymous chef, trained at the École Ferrandi in Paris and by pastry legend Pierre Hermé. This pastry shop offers a classic frangipane galette that serves 6-8 people for $43, which comes with a crown and an almond fève. Order yours in-store throughout the first half of January. Rhota, 1051 San Pablo Avenue, Albany – (510) 529-4704.
La Noisette Sweets
Alain Shocron’s classic frangipane galette is available in three sizes: large ($32), medium ($24), and individual ($7). But the special 2024 galette from La Noisette Sweets is made with chocolate and hazelnut, with a crust made from Valrhona chocolate ($50). Advance orders are recommended, online or by phone at (510) 813-8300 through the end of January. You’ll leave with a fève and a crown as well, all the ingredients you need to appreciate this French custom. La Noisette Sweets, 2701 8th Street, Suite 116.
Santa Rosa
Sarmentine
The Santa Rosa bakery Sarmentine has three sizes of galettes: 8, 10, and 12 inches, priced between $38 and $66. There are two versions of the dessert offered: a classic frangipane, and a brioche version. This house specialty is a childhood reference for all those hailing from the South of France. (Priced between $25 and $48 depending on the size.) Order by email or in-store. These galettes will take center stage until the end of the month of January, and are sold with a crown and a bakery-themed fève. Sarmentine, 52 Mission Circle, Ste 112 – (707) 623 9595.
Mountain View
Maison Alyzée
The tea room Maison Alyzée, which has recently expanded with a second location in Burlingame, offers two galettes this year. The first is made with classic puff pastry, frangipane with almond cream and Tahitian vanilla, and Isigny butter. Three sizes are available: for 4-6 ($50), 6-8 ($60), or 8-10 ($72). But the bakery’s signature galette is hazelnut flavored, and serves 6-8, at a price of $70. All come with a fève and golden crown. Order online or in-store for pickup or delivery in the Bay Area. Maison Alyzée also sells individual galettes. Maison Alyzée, 212 Castro Street – (650) 960-1212; 1208 Burlingame Avenue – (650) 425 72 94
Palo Alto
Douce France
Douce France, the Palo Alto bakery and tea room, is offering grandma’s recipe for a frangipane galette des rois this year. Priced at $35, it serves 8-10 people, and comes with a crown and fève. Order in-store or by phone at (650) 322-3601 through the end of the month of January. Douce France, 855 El Camino Real, #104, Town & Country Village.
Mademoiselle Colette
The various locations of Mademoiselle Colette, founded by Débora Ferrand, will offer a classic frangipane galette this year, with a touch of bitter almond and an inverted puff pastry. Each galette serves 6 and costs $49, with a new addition this year: individual galettes for $8. At the oven is Chef Julien Arnaud, freshly arrived last autumn. Order in-store or online, and make sure to verify the pickup hours for each boutique. Mademoiselle Colette Palo Alto, 499 Lytton Avenue – (650) 272-6873; Menlo Park,816 Santa Cruz Avenue – (650) 644-8469 ; Redwood City,2401 Broadway Avenue – (650) 260-2260.
Los Gatos
Fleur de Cocoa
Fleur de Cocoa offers a frangipane galette for 6-8 people for $52, and one for 10-12 people for $62. A crown and ceramic fève are included. They will be available until the end of January, available for order 24 hours in advance by phone at 408-354-3574. Fleur de Cocoa, 39 N Santa Cruz Avenue.
This article was originally published in French on French Morning. It has been translated by Catherine Rickman.
