The wait is finally over for one of San Antonio’s most anticipated restaurant debuts. Paris Baguette, the cult-favorite South Korean bakery chain known for its eye-popping assortment of French pastries, will celebrate its grand opening at downtown’s Gunter Hotel at 311 N. St Mary’s St. on December 9.
The refurbished downtown property teased Alamo City in September with a social media update showing bakers decorating cakes in preparation for what appeared to be an imminent opening. Paris Baguette is making up for the false hopes with some very grand festivities.
The Gunter will close off the street for the affair, which begins with a ceremonial cake and ribbon cutting at 9 am. There will also be introductory deals, giveaways, and raffles for prizes like free cakes for a year, gift cards, lunch for the office, and boxes of free pastries. The event is free but requires an RSVP.
Although Paris Baguette is just making inroads in the United States, it has a devoted international customer base. The chain makes French pastries out of more than 4,000 locations worldwide, ranging from viral sensations like crookies to panko doughnuts stuffed with potato curry. The menu also includes a few lunch favorites like chicken Caesar wraps.
The bakery also gives a new spot to refuel. The lengthy beverage menu combines basics like cold brew and mochas with specialty drinks, including pumpkin pie lattes and mango smoothies.
Jiwon Choi Song, a co-owner of the storied downtown property, first announced the project in fall 2024 while revealing the hotel’s $57 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.
“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.”