Café Dear Leon - Menu

2929 O'Donnell St, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA, United States

🛍 Food, Casual, Coffee, Great Coffee

5 💬 1408 Reviews

Phone: +16673122977,+16673359160

Address: 2929 O'Donnell St, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA, United States

City: Baltimore

Menu Dishes: 12

Reviews: 1408

Website: https://cafedearleon.com

"Possibly one of the best bakeries in the entire country? Forget crab cakes; when you’re in Baltimore, you must visit Café Dear Leon, like how a foodie trip to SF is not complete without Tartine.I was struck by how much better CDL is than even the top bakeries in NYC. They’ve mastered the art of the laminated dough—croissants, kouign amanns, danishes, quiches. Also, their scones are the best I’ve ever had.CDL releases baked goods on a strict schedule. Check their website. Once an item has sold out for the day, that’s it. The most popular items are completely gone in less than an hour on a weekend. During the colder months, CDL doesn’t have any seating as they need the space to keep guests warm while queueing.The pastries do retain their crispness throughout the day, but obviously they’re much better when fresh out of the oven.I’ll be haunted by the fact that I can’t just hop over to CDL whenever I have a craving for pastries."

Full menu - 12 options

All prices are estimates on menu.

Dessert

Indian

Bread

Salads

Seafood

Sides

Sandwiches

Lee Lee

Hands down THE BEST baked goods. I got lucky with no line due to bad weather but would definitely be back for lunch items! A must stop if you are in the area.

Address

Show Map

Reviews

Joe
Joe

This place is so good! There's a line out the door before 830 am. You order inside, and wait outside for your food. Different food items get released at different times of day. Everything is delicious! My friend said it's a top 5 chai


Sh
Sh

We waited in line for 30 minutes on a Sunday morning, but it was definitely worth it. We tried their butter, almond, and chocolate croissants, and they were phenomenal—so crunchy and delicious. We also sampled their cheesecake, which was equally amazing. We’ll definitely return the next time we’re in Baltimore. The city has so many fantastic restaurants and cafes, but more needs to be done to promote these gems.


Jennifer
Jennifer

Drove 25 minutes out of my way at 6am on a Sunday to try this spot I've been stalking on Instagram and it did not disappoint! This cute Cafe is bright and inviting with super helpful and friendly staff! I ordered the Ham and Cheese Croissant along with a Cream Cheese Blueberry Muffin. The croissant was perfectly savory and flaky with warm gooey cheese. The muffin was sweet and moist with bit of crunch from the topping. Perfect mix of sweet and savory to the day! View menu


Howard
Howard

Came highly recommended by a local friend. Small line on Thursday Friday mornings around 10/11am. Apparently the line gets long on weekends but well worth it! They publish their menu on their website daily. First day we got their butternut squash sandwich (v good , Korean Kalby short rib croissant (unreal!! , quiche, and coffee cake. Second day I got an almond croissant. Absolutely will line up again for this place. Great bake and the savoury things are amazing!


Barbara
Barbara

You can either sit outside or take your order to go, but the interior is quite charming. The staff member who assisted us was very friendly and helped us choose a drink we would enjoy. The menu is small and straightforward. My drink was decent, but the highlight was definitely the apple danish—it was absolutely delicious! The pastry was expertly made. I also appreciated that they allow dogs inside to place orders, and they have a water bowl outside for pets, which is great if you're out walking with your furry friend.


Jennifer
Jennifer

The pastries and coffees at this beautifully designed café are simply delightful. Everything I sampled during my multiple visits was truly outstanding. I had the pleasure of trying the smoked salmon focaccia, ham and cheese croissant, almond croissant, Danish loaf, sweet potato tart (a seasonal offering), crab and egg salad sandwich, poached pear tart (also seasonal), and an oat milk latte. The quality of the baked goods amazed me; they featured perfectly crisp crusts, a delicate flakiness, and exquisite flavor balance. View menu


Samuel
Samuel

Amazing bakery definitely recommend if you're in the area. The staff is so friendly and everything we had was perfectly baked. My favorite was the creme brulee tart, but I also really enjoyed the financier and ham cheese croissant. Would absolutely go back! A quick warning though: there can be quite a long line, so I would normally recommend going early but their menu (at least in November 2023) is time based so they don't have all of the items available at any given time.Parking: Easy to street park nearby in my experience!


Dan
Dan

Cafe Dear Leon is an absolute treasure that consistently impresses. My favorite is their Japanese iced coffee—it's bold, smooth, and the perfect boost. The menu features an incredible variety of fresh and flavorful dishes that cater to all tastes, making each visit a delightful culinary adventure. What really distinguishes this cafe is its fantastic staff; they are attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about fostering a welcoming environment. Whether you're a coffee lover or a food enthusiast, Cafe Dear Leon is a must-visit spot for an always outstanding experience.


Richard
Richard

Possibly one of the best bakeries in the entire country? Forget crab cakes; when you’re in Baltimore, you must visit Café Dear Leon, like how a foodie trip to SF is not complete without Tartine.I was struck by how much better CDL is than even the top bakeries in NYC. They’ve mastered the art of the laminated dough—croissants, kouign amanns, danishes, quiches. Also, their scones are the best I’ve ever had.CDL releases baked goods on a strict schedule. Check their website. Once an item has sold out for the day, that’s it. The most popular items are completely gone in less than an hour on a weekend. During the colder months, CDL doesn’t have any seating as they need the space to keep guests war... View menu

Baltimore

Baltimore

Baltimore, a historic port city, is known for its blue crabs and seafood, with dishes like crab cakes and Old Bay seasoning being local specialties.

Categories

  • Food Delight in our diverse food selection, offering a blend of classic favorites and innovative dishes. Each item is crafted with the freshest ingredients to tantalize your taste buds and provide a memorable dining experience.
  • Casual Our Casual menu offers delicious comfort food for effortless dining. From juicy burgers and scrumptious sandwiches to fresh salads and hearty mains, our diverse selection provides a delightful experience for any casual outing. View menu
  • Coffee Indulge in our rich and aromatic coffee selection, expertly brewed to awaken your senses. From classic espresso to creamy lattes, discover the perfect blend to start your day on a flavorful note.
  • Great Coffee Discover our selection of great coffee, crafted from expertly roasted beans for a rich and aromatic experience. Indulge in a variety of meticulously brewed options, from classic espressos to innovative specialties.

Amenities

  • Wifi
  • Takeout
  • menu
  • Outdoor
  • menu
  • Delivery

Similar Restaurants

Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen

Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen

Baltimore, United States Of America, 21230-4008

Menu • Food • Kitchen • Seafood • Catering


"Highly recommend Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen! The food is served fresh and hot. We were a party of eight and ordered Fried Whiting with Yams and Mac n Cheese, Chicken and Waffles, Fried Chicken Wings, Chicken Tenders, Fried Shrimp, French Fries, and Collard Greens. The Sweet Potato Waffles were absolutely delicious! The fried chicken, shrimp, and fish were cooked perfectly and tasted as good as they looked. The seasoning was just right—not too salty, allowing the flavors to shine. The yams and collards were a real treat for the taste buds. And the cornbread? Simply amazing. My only disappointment was that the first taste was free (haha). The Mac n Cheese was decent, but the Chicken Tenders didn’t quite live up to their name; however, they did remake them for us to take home. The space is small and simple, with old-school music that adds to the enjoyable dining experience. They limit dining to one hour to ensure everyone can enjoy the food, which I appreciate—I dislike when people linger for too long when others are waiting. The staff were friendly, making us feel valued and appreciated. Prices are reasonable. One downside was that many items were unavailable, including grits—which was a big letdown since I was looking forward to the famous Shrimp and Grits—as well as butter, potato salad, seafood salad, and tartar sauce. I recommend calling ahead if you’re craving a specific dish. Despite this, it was a great dining choice and lived up to the positive reviews. Overall, we left satisfied and would gladly return. Parking is street parking only, as there’s no dedicated lot."