RB
Relic Bakery & Kitchen
Artisanal pastries and coffee crafted with precision in San Diego's East Village.
4.4
Bakery
$$
Artisanal pastries and coffee crafted with precision in San Diego's East Village.
Relic Bakery & Kitchen is a premier bakery in San Diego's East Village, offering a sharp and intentional experience from the moment you walk in. Known for its calm energy and fast-moving pastry case, Relic specializes in flaky croissants, innovative pastries like apple pie kouign-amann and cardamom buns, and expertly dialed-in coffee such as balanced flat whites. The open-air space with high ceilings provides a welcoming atmosphere for meeting friends or relaxing, complemented by friendly staff and a focus on both sweet and savory treats, including house-made English muffins and savory lamb croissants.
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Handcrafted croissants, danishes, buns, and innovative sweet/savory items like almond croissants and beef croissants.
Expertly prepared espresso drinks, including balanced flat whites and lattes, using high-quality beans.
Freshly made breakfast sandwiches on house-made English muffins and savory focaccia for a satisfying meal.
Boxed pastries and baked goods for take-home enjoyment or sharing with family and friends.
Relax in our open-air space with high ceilings, ideal for meeting friends or enjoying a calm bakery experience.
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Overall rating
Brandon
I was so excited to try Relic. Watched a bunch of TikTok’s and everyone seemed to love this spot. I am a bakery and coffee lover. While all the food looks aesthetically pleasing. I found the actual pastries to be a let down. Nothing special, and quite pricy. The cinnamon roll was not your typical cinnamon roll & my iced lattes were flavorless / bitter. Ending up spending $50 and was left feeling empty and let down. I do not see myself returning. Feels like I burned $50. Oh whale.
rated by maryam • food critic
Relic is the kind of San Diego bakery that feels sharp and intentional from the second you walk in. The case moves fast, the energy is calm, and it’s clear they’re serious about both pastry and coffee. The flat whites were dialed in, balanced espresso with silky milk, and that clean texture that makes a flat white feel like a choice, not a default. The almond croissant was deeply flaky with a rich almond filling that stays nutty and toasty, not overly sweet. The apple pastry we got was pure fall comfort, apple and white chocolate on the inside, warm spice throughout, and somehow still very light and airy. The outside was super crispy and flaky in layers, with that crunchy brown sugar crust that snaps a little before it melts. More on social media: @ratedbymaryam
prezelonline
Environment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You do have to line up outside, which can be a bit cold — but it’s worth it. Tried a wide range of items and almost everything was excellent: • Danish Tebrike (4/5) – double baked, with coconut filling and caramel at the bottom. Rich, well-balanced, and very satisfying. • Cardamom Bun (5/5) – sweet but not heavy, topped with flaky salt. The contrast is perfect, and the bread is baked just right with a crisp exterior. • Apple Pie Kouign-Amann (5/5) – crispy croissant layers on the outside with apple filling inside. Just the right level of sweetness. • Butter Croissant (4/5) – classic and delicious. • Beef Croissant (5/5) – according to my friend, very good. • Chocolate Sourdough (5/5) – soft and airy inside, with a lovely chocolate aroma. A favorite. ❤️ Service really stood out. I bought a lot and had trouble carrying everything, so the staff found string and tied the boxes for me. I also accidentally scheduled my online pickup at the wrong location, but they were kind enough to pack everything for me anyway instead of making me come back. That alone made my day — I left very happy.
regis kwong
San Diego is really becoming a capital for great bakeries and patisseries! Besides Izola, there are so many new excellent spots in the downtown area, and Relic Bakery is one of the standouts. We recently visited and their pastries are truly awesome. The croissants are buttery and flaky, and the focaccia is fantastic — we picked up a few varieties to share with the family, and everyone enjoyed them. The space has a nice open-air feel with high ceilings, making it a great place to meet friends or just relax. Street parking was easy, and the staff were super friendly. Relic Bakery is definitely worth a visit if you love good pastries and a welcoming atmosphere.
David Spiewak
New bakery on 15th in East Village. Off the beaten path a tad but this place is totally worth it. When we walked in, there was a small line but it went quickly, the place was packed! The breakfast sandwich was incredible. The English muffin was made in house and was light and fluffy. The savory lamb croissant was so so good as well. Plenty of savory and sweet treats there. Had breakfast this am, but will definitely be back for lunch (and to take some croissants back home with me). Such an incredible addition to the ever so growing East Village food scene. This place is an absolute must try!
