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Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro

Item: Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro
Author: Geneva Ives

Cuisine: Bakery, European, French

Price Range: $

10Best Says

The best chocolate croissant you will ever enjoy is not waiting for you in Paris. (Sorry if that shakes up some plans for intercontinental travel but, don't worry, they still have the best escargot.) No, it is right here in Santa Barbara, waiting, nay, beckoning from the beautiful glass case at Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro. Before you even take the first bite, you know there is something different about this croissant, something that makes it superior to any previous croissant you've eaten. Just put one finger on the shell and you will feel the difference; the crust is so flaky and perfectly baked that it literally shatters at the touch! And yet somehow, through a magical method likely known only to Monsieur Renaud, the interior is still moist and chewy. And the chocolate? Of the highest quality, dark yet sweet and not too much.

Address:

3315 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 569-2400

Hours:

Mon-Sat: 7am-5pm
Sun: 7am-3pm

Website:

renaudsbakery.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Geneva Ives
Santa Barbara Local Expert

Breakfast/Brunch, San Roque's Best Restaurants: "The almond croissants are pretty dang amazing, too."
Best Restaurants: "Stick to the pastries, and you're in for a treat."
Take Out: "Here for lunch? Hate sweets? On a diet? Doesn't matter - order one of their chocolate croissants anyway. It will change your life."

Best for Breakfast/Brunch Because: Go to Renaud's for the best chocolate croissant you will ever have in your life. That is not an exaggeration.
Best for San Roque's Best Restaurants Because: Arguably the best chocolate croissants outside of Paris (and we'd put them up against Parisian croissants, too).
Recommended as Best Restaurants Because: Go to Renaud's for the best chocolate croissant you will ever have in your life. That's not an exaggeration.
Best for Take Out Because: Breakfast can be takeout, too! Save yourself the early morning hassle and visit Renaud's for amazing pastries.

Sample Menu
- Popular Items
  
  Renaud's Salad
  
  Organic mixed greens with a Dijon mustard dressing, grilled chicken, tomatoes, aged Gruyere cheese and a hard-boiled egg. Served with a toasted garlic baguette. ($9.75)
  
  Beef Sandwich
  
  Tri-tip seared with shallots, garlic and parsley. Topped with melted aged Gruyere cheese on a homemade soft roll. ($11.50)
  
  Ratatouille Tartine
  
  Our homemade ratatouille with melted Swiss cheese on multigrain toast. ($9.25)
  
  Croque Monsieur
  
  Béchamel sauce, Swiss cheese and choice of ham or sautéed mushrooms on homemade pain de mie. ($9.25)
  
  Plain Croissant
  
  ($2.55)

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