The ovens are preheating, the dough is proofing, and the employees have their piping bags on alert. San Antonio's first Paris Baguette, a South Korean bakery chain known for its cheerful rainbow cake and flaky pain au chocolate, is days away from opening at downtown's Gunter Hotel at 311 N. St Mary's St.
The refurbished downtown property recently shared a social media update showing bakers decorating cakes in preparation for the debut. The café is still playing coy on the exact opening date, but the kitchen is fully operational and ready for its first customers. Phone and email requests for clarification were not returned in time for publication.
"We're excited to share that San Antonio's very FIRST Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe is opening right here at The Gunter Hotel," wrote a Gunter rep. "Our team is already in training and getting ready to welcome you with freshly baked pastries, breads, and more."
Jiwon Choi Song, a co-owner of the storied downtown property, first announced the project in fall 2024 while revealing the hotel's $50 million refresh. According to an earlier release, she is a longtime fan of Paris Baguette and quickly got to work securing the concept for an empty space on the building's first floor.
Rainbow cakes are one of Paris Baguette's most popular offerings, whatever the season.Paris Baguette/ Facebook
Although Paris Baguette is just getting its foothold in the United States, it is beloved internationally, making French pastries out of more than 4,000 locations worldwide. In addition to baking up sweet treats like a cappuccino cake shaped like a coffee mug, the chain serves salads, sandwiches, and savory bites like pizzettas made from laminated dough.
It will also give downtown office workers and tourists a new spot to grab a cup of joe. The extensive beverage menu combines basics like cold brew and mochas with specialty drinks, including pumpkin pie lattes and mango smoothies.
And it might just pose some competition to the growing local chain La Panadería. The downtown outpost of the bakery — just steps away from the new Paris Baguette — still draws long lines despite having been opened in 2017.
"We're on a mission to revive the concept of the neighborhood bakery café across the U.S., and we're excited to see Jiwon take this on in her own community," said Darren Tipton, Paris Baguette chief executive officer, in an earlier release. "No other bakery café franchisors are doing what Paris Baguette is on the same scale.
Bánh mì is the centerpiece of the menu.Photo by Katie James.