The Inner Richmond just got a little sweeter - and savorier - with the opening of Batches Bakehouse. The quaint hole-in-the-wall located at 4th Avenue, near the corner of Clement, popped open its doors on December 1, expanding the offerings of the local culinary map, which saw the Richmond rank among the best neighborhoods in the world in Late October.

The bakery, a sister to the beloved Blue Danube Coffee House, is dishing out homemade bagels and an assortment of pastries. Not surprisingly, Blue Danube, which previously sourced parties from outside vendors, will now also carry Batches Bakehouse goods. According to Batches staff, the move to in-house baking was a logical step for the owners, seamlessly tying the two establishments together. While the Bakeshop's website teases a "coming soon" tagline, their doors are indeed open, serving up freshly-made goodies much to locals' delight—though snagging an item seems to be a game of quick fingers as their popular caramelized onion bagels were sold out upon our visit.

As for the coffee house, Blue Danube stands out in San Francisco's café scene with its bohemian flair and homey atmosphere that delivers unparalleled comfort. A local staple since 1979, the coffee house has garnered attention not just for its coffee but also as a cultural hub, hosting spaces for local artists and events. It garnered the coveted status of a San Francisco Legacy Business in the end of 2021.

While Batches Bakehouse may not offer seating, the buzz-worthy menu has not disappointed—the "Hey Bay-Bae" and the "Farm to Bagel" are just a few options that tease the palate on weekends, although when we showed up, at least one of the weekend items was already sold out. Those looking to grab a bite will have to join the queue early, or better yet, jump on their holiday pre-orders, which range from gingerbread cookies to sugar cookie decorating kits perfect for the season's festivities.