Cinderella Bakery on 6th Avenue and Balboa Street in the Inner Richmond is a solid favorite local business of mine. They make a consistently delicious iced latte in which the espresso flavor holds up to the milk. The bakery menu is full of tasty sweet treats like hamentashen, cherry turnovers, honey cake, and more, alongside savory piroshki served fried or baked. My personal favorite is the fried beef and gorgonzola piroshki. They also sell baked breads and offer a full cafe menu with breakfasts, soups, sandwiches, and Russian dumplings. The chicken cutlet with mashed potatoes is a winner.

We were pumped to visit Cinderella’s new location in the Mission on 24th Street on August 28th. We arrived to find a long line of eager customers. The exterior was beautifully painted with a vibrant mural named “Viva Cinderella” which depicts a blend of Russian and Mexican cultures, and pays homage to La Victoria Panadería, formerly housed in the space.

The interior was light, bright, and thoughtfully designed, anchored by stunning artwork at the back of the cafe depicting Russian folklore and hospitality rituals. A golden samovar sits in the center of the mural surrounded by scenes of music, dance, and figures in traditional dress that evoke hospitality, heritage, and folkloric beauty.

I saw all of my familiar favorites behind the glass, and the iced latte was just as good as the Richmond original! For sweets, I highly recommend the raisin swirl, the cherry turnover, and the blueberry brioche. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.