Café dear Leon is a wonderful new addition the Canton neighborhood who offers great coffee and even better pastries. Make sure to check their website or social media page to check their daily offerings because everything this is made fresh so their website will tell you when certain goods will begin selling. I made the mistake of going later in the afternoon and a lot of offerings we're sold out really quickly so go early! So far I've tried the mocha latte and the chai tea and it was delicious especially the chai Tamago sando is a must-try! It's a classic Japanese egg sandwich with a soft yolk egg in the center. The filling is creamy and flavorful enveloped in a soft, pillowy, and toasted buttery bread. Matcha Hazelnut loaf was scrumptious. The slight bitterness of the matcha and the chocolate gives it a night balance and contrast while the hazelnuts throughout gave it nice textures. read more

Café Dear Leon - Tamago Sando and matcha hazelnut loaf - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Solid Cappuccino! Note: this cafe has various hours, especially now during the pandemic. It's good to check before coming in. But their coffee though!! Wonderful, solid, full espresso, and the blends they use are always different, and I like it even better this way! Can't wait for warmer weather again so I can sit at their patio, while sipping a nice cup of espresso. You must stop by! read more

We stopped by Cafe Dear Leon for some pastries and coffees a couple of weeks ago. The pastries were great (we had a Kouign-Amann and a ham and cheese croissant), and the coffees were great too. During COVID, they're only allowing two parties (total of four people) in the shop at a time, but that doesn't make much of a difference really, because Cafe Dear Leon is so tiny that's about how many people can fit in the shop anyway! On a Sunday morning around 9, the line was already pretty long (almost down to the corner of the block at Potomac); I think it took about 25 minutes to get inside to order. I believe they just added some outside seating, but when we were there they didn't have that yet, but we enjoyed our pastries and coffee at one of the benches in O'Donnell Square Park, which was really great. Baltimore has some great bakeries, and Cafe Dear Leon is definitely on the list! Would happily visit again. read more

Café Dear Leon - Kouign Amann and ham and cheese croissant - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Very cool concept, unique baked goods and sandwiches. Long line is worth it! The crab and tamago sando is one of my faves.

Okay so I like to sleep in on the weekends so sometimes it's hard to get here because they sell out of items pretty quickly and there's no reason they're not going to do that because they're incredible. I got to try the egg sandwich and it is awesome. The bread is so soft and flavorful and the egg it's just how this world. The shop is really cute and I literally like the coffee selection. I got to try an iced coffee and it was truly delicious. I will try and wake up early so I get to try this delicious shop again. read more

Everything was too yummy, and I devoured my snack before I had the chance to get a picture. I tried the pastry that's pronounced like the word queen. It was so buttery and delicious and just melted in my mouth. It took everything in my power to not turn my car around to go back and get another. Prices are reasonable, my pastry was 3.50. I have fortunately went on a weekday at like 7 AM so there was not a line, but I can understand why there would be a line on the weekends. There is a lot of variety in the pastries and a good drink menu to match. While I was there was no vegetarian salty pastry option, as all of them had meat if they were savory. I will definitely be back to try something new! read more

Love Love Love this tucked away spot! While I did have to wait about 20 minutes in line due to space restrictions, the pastries I bought more than made up for it. The citrus danish was was so perfectly sweet but had just the right amount of acidity -- I can't wait to order every other danish off the menu! Just as a heads up, there aren't too many vegan options, I believe that it's just the focaccia bread. We happened to snag an almond focaccia loaf and easily polished it off on the short walk to the waterfront. I honestly come here more for the pastries rather than the drinks, but I do like that you have a variety of milk options! Can't wait to visit again! read more

My favorite cafe in Baltimore! You gotta stop by if you're in the area or visiting. There's always a line out the door (usually a 15-20 min wait in my experience) but absolutely worth the wait!! The tamago sando (egg sandwich) is a must try. The only downside is that it doesn't come out until 11 am usually, and some of the baked goods are sold out by then since they open super early (around 6 am from what I remember). Its also korean owned which is awesome. Everything that I've ever tried from here has been amazing and I love bringing visitors here. Definitely plan on paying this cafe a visit if you're in the area! read more

This place is legit 100%. Better than any coffee shop in Los Angeles trendiest neighborhood. The pastries is good so is the coffee. The best coffee shop in Baltimore read more

I've yet to be disappointed by anything I've tried here. Pastries,beverages, sandwiches, you name it! Are all amazing. The menu isn't extensive, but the quality of the food is so good. So far I recommend: - focaccia -salmon focaccia - egg sandwich - chai latte - coffee bun I recommend getting there within the first hour they start serving their sandwiches. They said they generally sell out quick. It's definitely worth coming early for! read more

Café Dear Leon - Egg sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Wow!! Their egg sandwich was so good! Would highly recommend it. Make sure to check out the release of the foods, because they run out really fast. I believe egg sandwiches come out at 11? Would definitely double check though. The chai latte was really cute and also yummy! The price range is a little pricey but it's definitely worth to check out. The place is really adorable and I love the decor. It was a little hard to find because there is no big sign that says cafe dear Leon, but other than that, totally a worth it experience. Will definitely be back to try out other items released at a different time! read more

Café Dear Leon - Egg sandwich (tamago) and chai latte - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Favorite cafe in the world so far. I was in Baltimore for a very brief period of time and my schedule was hectic, but I made it a point to wake up early despite not being a morning person, to eat their pastries and grab coffee. This place was better than cafes I've been to in Paris. I had the best focaccia of my life here, and the most delicious chocolate croissants. I even had them wrap some so I could take them home and they held up well on my flight! read more

How have I never reviewed my faves?! I am in such love with everything here: the financiers are everything, the tamago Sando is good, but the crab & egg salad is next level...the crème brûlée tart, the croissants, the focaccia...I mean, I've tried almost everything and everything slaps!! read more

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Best Bakery you can find in Baltimore. I found it by accident, but once I walked into their cute little shop, I ordered everything I saw lol everything I ordered was super. read more

This place is amazing! Food-- I bought the tamago sandwich and the crab tamago sandwich. They were both amazing, but the crab tamago took the figurative cake. I actually called people while I was eating it to let them know I had the best crab egg salad sandwich if my life. The bread was amazing, perfectly toasted with a hint of sweet that paired well with the egg salad. The crab was sweet and succulent and had a presence that was felt but not overwhelming. Personally there was more scallions than I would like, but that's on me rather than the sandwich. It's must visit if you're in the Baltimore/fells point area. P.S. pay attention to the baking schedule so you're not disappointed! read more

We went on a Sunday morning after a workout. The line was down the block but moved quickly and is well worth the wait! We got the cold brew and seasonal yuzu peppermint tea as drinks. The Yuzu was super refreshing and the cold brew woke us up. The croissants were fluffy and delicious. The ham and cheese and almond croissants were both delightful and balanced each other out as savory and sweet. The everything focaccia is also so flavorful. read more

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High quality pastries and coffee. The only downside is that the line gets longer every wknd morning, but that means they know what they are doing. They change their bake schedule I believe on a monthly basis, keeping it interesting. Make sure to check it out on their website before going. read more

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Exceeded all expectations! Got the crab sando and the salmon focaccia - both amazing. Definitely will be back! read more

Café Dear Leon - Crab sando - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Very tasty sweets, breakfast, and coffees/teas, but definitely a little pricey. They are known for their egg sandwich which I def recommend

This is my favorite bakery!! Hands-down! The staff here are SO delightful and helpful explaining all the new goodies. My fiancé and I happily wait in line on the weekends just to get some goodies and coffee to-go! You have got to try this spot soon, and if you're a regular, we'll see you around! read more

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Most of the restaurants on the square are mediocre at best as far as food goes, but the location and ambiance are what makes them....that is definitely not the case for Cafe Dear Leon. Their pastries are amazing! At first you might see the line and be turned off, but just wait my friend. There is a reason for the line, because these pastries are flipping delicious. Then you might get to the front and see the prices and be like "whoa, $7 for a pastry?", But give it a chance because I promise it is worth every penny. First off, each pastry feels like it weighs a pound. I always get the seasonal pastry with fruit in it and it is just chock full of fruit and cream...like there is serious heft to that thing. I take the first bite and I feel like I'm getting at least $5 worth of butter and milk in that pastry. And for the skill that it takes to get a pastry that fluffy and delicious, honestly, I'd probably pay more. We take all of our out of town friends here to impress them, but really just as an excuse to get ourselves pastries. Just take note of what goodies they bring out at what time before you go! read more

Café Dear Leon - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This place is absolutely amazing and blew away my expectations. Everything I tasted here was phenomenal! Their flavor profiles are unique and perfectly seasoned. My favorite items were the savory ones. Their seasonal heirloom tomato and ricotta cheese on focaccia was AMAZING. I don't know what they did to the tomatoes, but they were tart and marinated and delicious. With the thinly sliced sour shallots on top, it made for a delectable treat. I also loved their smoked salmon on everything croissant- it had a perfectly cooked egg and avocado with it. All the flavors were explosive and mind-blowing seriously. Their sweet baked goods, like their raspberry lychee croissant as well as their kouign amman and other croissants were delicious too. I cannot believe this place exists in Baltimore- truly a gem in our city! read more

everything was good but nothing was mind-blowingly amazing the croissant was super yum but maybe a little too greasy, the maritozzo was meh and I only really liked the cream filling (but cream is always good to me lol), cruller and babka were good but wouldn't get again, egg tart was prob my favorite overall a solid bakery but not worth the line or price read more

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Wow! New to the area and I stumbled across this cute quaint coffee stop. It's worth the small wait due to covid and it's definitely worth the hype. I ordered a caramel latte one day and a lavender latte the next. AWESOME!! The almond croissant is delectable, fresh, and not too sweet. Dear Leon, thank you...love Brittany. read more

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Matcha ice latte and egg sandwich was bomb.com. Came on a Sunday morning and was packed! Line outside the door so be prepared to wait. Guess that's always a good sign when the place has a good aesthetic, good food, and chill vibes. read more

I literally hate waiting in lines and would rather go to onestar sober than wait in a line. But for cafe dear Leon, I will wait, conduct traffic, help make sure the line is lining. Very cute Korean owned bakery located at the square. Everyone knows that you have to wait in line because things go fast and once they are out... better luck tomorrow. They play great chill music, it's a small space but I don't ever feel congested in there. People are usually respectful of each other which is great. Now let's get into it. The coffee is just coffee. I get it w my food but it's not AMAZING, a bit expensive for the size but still strong. NOW THE FOOD.. can tamago and tamago literally I would want to be these sandwiches in my next life I love it so much. The SMOKED SALMON is soooo good and probably slept on but the cucumber they have is absolutely nuts. I die everytime. They have this oat scone that is very good and the butter they comes with it- I would drink it if I could. Please also get the soboro it is perfect. They had this season blueberry cheese tart thing that was very good but I'm not sure on when they bring it back or what's up with the seasonal dishes they are pretty good with keeping ig up to date with announcements. read more

Café Dear Leon - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Would give have given this a 5 star but brought it down for following reasons below. Overall very good pastries and probably best in baltimore. All the pastries taste fresh and i can tell because when i try them the next day it tastes soggy. My wife and i have tried several of the pastries and other goods from the morning kouign, tamago sandwiches, almond croissant, cookies, quiche. My favorite is the morning kouign because it is so flaky and just right sweetness. The coffee is good but nothing special. Its a good compliment for the pastry but probably wouldnt stand in the line just for the coffee. Its comparable to starbucks price however the quality of the espresso is much more rich and you can taste the difference. They have alternatives to regular milk. Reason why i would give it 4 out of stars is first i noticed one of the worker who was cleaning the outside and came in to take over did not wash hands with soap. I used to work in the food industry and this was always emphasized to me to wash my hands before touching food. Second is the wait can be very long 15-30 min primetimr however if you come off hours its great and you may get lucky. Lastly workers are probably not the friendliness which i understand because of the volume of people they see. A short welcome could change the perception of the store. All in all great place for a pastry. Be prepared to wait!! read more

My very first tamago, and I'm glad I had it here! The sando was perfectly seasoned, and the egg was moist. I only tried two other pastries but I know I'll back to try their pain au chocolat and salmon focaccia. read more

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First of all, the dutch loaf AND chocolate chip cookies have this shop living rent free in my head. In terms of spending money on bakery items, this place has my vote. It has a lot of pros: good coffee, cute outdoor seating, nice staff, and good bakery items. The only cons I can think of are for those who are particular about their coffee spaces. We could not find available parking directly by the building, but it's Baltimore so it is to be expected. They have no indoor seating arrangements, so if the weather is crap you probably wont get a chance to sit down at the location. They are popular, which is a good sign for me, but for others can be an annoyance since the line can get long and some of their items sell out pretty early in the morning. I will definitely come back another day to try some of their other items and give updates. Side note: I was not a fan of the cheese cake because it was on the verge of too sweet for me. That is personal preference, so take that as you will. read more

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Not a huge pastry fan, and i have been following this place on insta for quite sometime, so decided to make the trek to Canton, got a bunch of their pastries and coffee. The coffee was unremarkable, however the pastries and tamango sandwich i ordered were good. The sandwich is pre-made and i felt the bread was hard, ordered a salmon croissant and i believe a cheesecake. I enjoyed the salmon croissant, the cheesecake was ok. May try them again. read more

Cafe Dear Leon is a real treat! The first time I went was for their pizza pop-up - the line was almost around the corner, but the wait was so worth it. I love the cozy feel of the shop, the food itself is delicious as was the lemon drink (I forget the name). There were close by tables outside the Cafe and in the park for the 6 of us to enjoy our pizza. More likely, though, you are reading this review to hear more about their pastries! I absolutely absolutely absolutely love their almond croissant. I have not had another one like it in Baltimore. We also got the goat cheese hazelnut focaccia which was delicious. I honestly don't know the situation with their various pastry times (as seen on their website). I walked in on a late Saturday, hoping for the best and got really lucky to snag a pastry without a significant wait. From conversations with others, it seems to be best to plan your visit strategically if you are looking for a specific pastry. Will report back if I figure it out! Until then, everything that I have tried from Cafe Dear Leon has been delicious. As long as they are open, it's likely worth a visit! read more

One of the best bakeries in baltimore city! Their baked goods are fresh each day, so be sure to get there early (before 10 am) if you want your pick! They don't have seating, but it's on the edge of canton square so you can just walk across the street to a bench in the park. It's very popular though - be prepared to wait outside in line for almost an hour if you arrive on a weekend day after 9am. read more

Café Dear Leon - Cafes Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This is the one place I've seen with a perfect five stars across the internet review sites. It's deserving of them. Tips to make your experience perfect the end of this review. Café Dear Leon is like a French bakery transplanted in the City of Baltimore. The pastries are light & airy but at the same time mouthwateringly decadent. Their menu changes every month & they frequently add seasonal variations. The location is perfect & the size of the shop with modest outdoor seating gives you a true small town café feeling. The staff are so knowledgeable and extremely friendly (and obviously talented!). If you ever have the chance to score some of their banana pudding do it. A few tips to make your experience memorable: - They publish their menu on Instagram @cafedearleon. - What you see on the counter is what they have. Once they sell out of something they're out for the day. - The daily menu begins at 6am. At 9am & 11am there are different menu items. They typically start with breakfast & pastries & then gradually migrate towards sandwiches & lunch like items. - There is usually a line. If you're visiting on the weekend there will be a long line. Plan to arrive at least half an hour before your menu items go on sale to ensure you get some if visiting on the weekend. read more

It's like what everybody says about this place - super cute, fancy and delightful baked items, and smiling staff. The first time we went, I had the red pie as it was one of the only things I felt safe having while preggo, while my husband had their lox open-faced sandwich. The next time, my hubby got their lox for me, and he tried the eggo sando. The first bite I took into the lox sandwich, my eyes widened at the soft texture and saltiness of the fish married with the creaminess of the boiled egg on top and the crunchiness of the huge, airy focaccia underneath. I immediately questioned the husband how on earth he feigned this was only "okay" that first time as I drooled watching him have it. Going through labor was tough, but to be able to enjoy Cafe Leon's lox sandwich (among many other amazing reasons) made that experience a worthwhile one. In terms of their drinks: I love their flat white. The matcha latte is great, but I'd prefer a little sweetener in it. read more

I haven't been to Paris but I do not have an average palette so when I say these almond croissants are the best I ever had!!! And that matcha cake. OMG!!! read more

Everything here is amazing, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There's such a wide selection of baked goods and sandwiches no matter what time of day you decide to come. Beware there is a line around 11, which is when the tamago sando comes out. After coming here twice I can confirm that the tamago sando is my favorite menu item and it's worth the wait even in the cold weather. It's packed with creamy egg and such a nice kick from the mustard too. The oat pecan cookie deserves a mention because I'm not a cookie fan but it's the right about of sweetness with a crunch from the pecans. Finally, the focaccia is so fluffy and flavorful reminds me of a breadstick from a pizzeria but make it fancy. read more

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One of my fave bakeries in the city! Their pastries are just so flaky, crispy, and has the right amount of crunch. Paired with the cream or filling, it's literally heaven in your mouth. Also obsessed with their sandwiches! I recommend their deli sandwich with the green pesto sauce, the crab tamago, and the ham & cheese croissant. read more

The staff is great and always answers all of my questions. The pastries are very authentic and on display as if they were shooting for a magazine. Today, I stopped by around 11 so I could try the crab and egg sandwich. What a pleasant surprise! read more

Love the coffee here and pastry selection. I tried their white mocha and the ham/cheese croissant. Delish! Very tiny coffee place in Canton but worth the stop. read more

My favorite place everrrrr! Staple in canton. It is worth the long line in the cold, rain, or snow! I recommend it to everyone!! It's masterful! Artistic! The most amazing and so thankful to have in our neighborhood!! The BEST ALMOND CROISSANT EVERRRR and I studied abroad in France!!! I have never had something I did not love. Their coffee (lavender late) and hot chocolate so good. They treat their staff well and prioritize them, which I really respect!! read more