Three California bakeries ranked 12 best in the world

The Golden State is rolling in dough.Three California bakeries have risen to the top of a new global ranking, beating out powerhouses from Paris to Seoul to earn spots among the 12 best bakeries in the world for 2026.

Santa Monica’s smash-hit Petitgrain Boulangerie and San Francisco’s Butter & Crumble and Arsicault Bakery all made the coveted list, released by Beli, the wildly popular restaurant ranking app that’s become a Gen Z favorite.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story The rankings, which Beli said were based on a whopping 140 million ratings from app users, put the California trio in delicious company alongside acclaimed addresses in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Edinburgh and beyond.And while the Danes ultimately took the crown, California proved it can hold its own against Europe’s pastry elite.San Francisco’s Arsicault Bakery, a cult favorite for impossibly flaky croissants, was California’s top performer, landing at number three worldwide.

The shop’s buttery, golden-brown creations have earned a devoted following and notoriously long lines.They were previously named the best new bakery in America by Bon Appetit, which praised the pastries for their extraordinary flaky layers and tender interiors.Southern California showed up in sixth place, with Santa Monica’s Petitgrain.

Helmed by Clemence de Lutz, the tiny storefront has quickly become one of LA’s most prized stops for pastry, drawing devoted pilgrims for croissants, cinnamon rolls, sourdough breads and cookies.Bakers start shaping pastries and such at the ungodly hour of 1 a.m.

— staggering production until 6 a.m.to ensure freshness, de Lutz previously told the California Post.Due to overwhelming demand, de Lutz recently expanded her operations with the opening of Petitpain et Ch...