Le Pain Quotidien

Love coming here for my coffee in the morning. Best organic coffee in the city. It’s also super cozy inside to just relax and read a book. :) Enjoy!

During today’s snowstorm, I read a tweet by Le Pain Quotidian that mentioned they were offering brownies and hot chocolate once the snowfall hit above a foot. I got dressed and my husband and I decided to brave the storm because we thought it would be nice to warm up with a special treat. Unfortunately, when we got there the store was CLOSING. The doors were locked and the chairs were up. This was EXTREMELY disappointing as our block was not well plowed and the weather was getting worse. The only reason we left our apartment was to spend time at LPQ and enjoy a warm drink and snack.
It is really nice when businesses offer promotions and advertise them through social media, but Le Pain Quotidien did not stay true to what they said. We will be taking our business elsewhere for the foreseeable future, which is sad because this location is so close to our apartment.

This review is for the non-​waiter, 2^nd avenue entrance side. The cashier was very nice.. . um.. .that’s about it. The other employees – unprofessional. One worker who I guess was finished with his shift or on a break sat at a table five feet from the cashier and carried on a yelling conversation with her while I tried to drink my cappuccino and read by book. I have no idea what prevented him from getting up and going over to her. I had to put my iPod on to drown him out. Next, I notice that I’m suddenly freezing – the front door is propped open. I ask the cashier and another guy behind the counter if I can close it. They both say yes. I do. Then some guy with a mop pops up from behind the counter (was he UNDER it?) and chastises me for closing the door, saying he is mopping with a smelly bleach cleaner and if the door isn’t open we’ll all die from the smell. Well, I suggest, since you’re closing in an hour and a half, why don’t you mop THEN? Sooooo.. .since it is now unbearably cold I go to the table service section and explain what happened and ask if I can sit in there with my drink. I have to hear the whole speech about how it’s not done and since it’s not crowded he’ll do me a favor. OMG. This was just a pain in the ass for an almost $ 5 cappuccino and what I’d hoped would be 30 minutes of peace and quiet.

Favorite lunch restaurant to go to. Always quick, fresh and delicious. Food is decently priced, healthy and consistent :)

This location of Le Pain Quotidien lost a star. The food is good, as always, but the service! Jesus Christmas, it is slow! It takes them 20 minutes to bring you coffee and a bread basket. If your order food? Forget about it!!!

This location sucks! I’m not happy to say that… but another bad experience at 77^th and second ave. location.
Let’s start since the beginning… I went there with my husband and 2 others friends and asked for a table to us. The hostess said that was no table available and WE said «No problem, we are going to wait» (the reason of we in capital letters is that I DO think she rather prefer us to leave). We stepped a little further to not block the door and she asked in a not polite way to go back to the small space. Okay we did that and of course I asked everybody if they continue what to wait for a table and the answer was yes. Less than 2 minutes later she asked: «Are you sure you guys want to wait for a table? You can sit in the other area but that is no table service.» And my husband asked if that was a place for us there… The answer was «I don’t know.» !!! So my husband said: «can you check for us pls». So she went there and said yes. (I wish we decided to not stay but as I’m pregnant and I was the one was desiring a tartine everybody was trying to please me I think lol –better laugh)
So me and one of my friends went to do the order and as my name is easer I put my name on both orders. We four order sparkling hibiscus for drink. Two of that came first and I had to remember the guy the other two… Good if that was not almost just ice in the two others glasses. So I came back to the woman that took the orders (the only one working there that had a smile) and she said that she will ask for more. So I went back to the table and the guy that was preparing said they were out of the sparkling hibiscus. So I said to him that he could said it before putting just ice in the glasses. Ah! I asked for plate and no we couldn’t have plates siting there. And I had to remember the water that I asked… Uffff

This place was such a delight after a stressful day apartment-​hunting! The women behind the counter greeted us with such friendly smiles and were very accommodating with our order. My mom got the Belgian waffle and I got the avocado toast. While the Belgian waffle was smaller than expected, my mom was thoroughly pleased with the quality. My avocado toast was unique in the sense that it had a different array of spices sprinkled on top. As I usually make them differently at home, this avocado toast was delicious. The location is ideal as their outdoor seating has a fantastic view of the moderately busy street. Inside, the shop is cozy and you can find people studying or working away on their laptops. I will definitely be returning here on an afternoon off so I can truly enjoy the atmosphere and food together.

The food is fine, but the experience leaves much to be desired. You truly get better service at mcdonalds than you do here. One of us ordered water and the other ordered coffee. The water came right away but only for the person who actively ordered it, rather than water for everyone which seems customary. The coffee came 20 minutes later. After the waiter took our order, we never saw him again. Someone else brought us our food, and the soup was lukewarm. No one came to ask if we wanted more water, if the food was good etc. About 40 minutes after we finished eating, we got our check, but it had the wrong food on it.
Are they trying to be leisurely and European? Is that’s what’s up with the looooong waits and no water? If so it’s not working!

I havent had the best expiriences here. I just got a hot chocolate and it is literally just a cup filled half way with warm milk and the rest is foam… I paid almost 5 dollars for this.

What a joke. I really don’t want to be a jerk, as the staff was very friendly, but $ 30 for two open-​faced «sandwiches» that have the aesthetic of a coach airplane flight, is very disappointing.
My photo barely does justice to the lack of thought that goes into this sandwich. The cold chicken tasted okay, but looked like it came from a can, if that’s even possible. I’m sorry guys, I really wanted to like this nice neighborhood bakery-​style restaurant.
Do no waste your money on their «sandwiches.» I did not try the bakery goods, cookies etc. There is really not much else on their menu to even make a meal out of anything.

This is the second location I have tried and I’ve fallen in love with these restaurants. If you are looking for a brunch place with a fresh French atmosphere, you’ll enjoy a stop here. It will give you a little piece of Europe.

LOVE the food. Servers are friendly but very slow. You are better off ordering at the counter and seating yourself outside.

«No Pain in My Quotidien»
A pretty solid location. Has me in and out with my Chia Muffin (LOVE) and Iced Green Tea in less than 5 minutes.
I’m surprised how calm this place is during the weekday morning. I imagine it’s truly for the ladies who lunch with their strollers. I have to say I have seen many a customer be outrageously rude to the staff. I know, I know, insert your groans and comments about how its the «Upper East Side» blah blah blah. I still find it unacceptable. I am so sure the woman who screamed «CAN YOU MOVE IT ALONG PLEASE» to the counter staff, only to order a BRAN muffin to go, truly needed it to help remove that stick from her you know what.
Recently remodeled… now offering a larger inside dining area and new outdoor seating.
I got turned onto this place in SOHO when a friend recommended their iced coffee black. Fan ever since. I still don’t know if I am saying the name right… and I don’t care!

This menu looked amazing, great reviews from people leaving the restaurant, but the service was horrendous. We were seated, given menus, and then ignored for a solid 20 minutes. Chaos ensued throughout the restaurant, as waiters wandered aimlessly with food delivering to the wrong table, checks being given to wrong tables, and management apologizing profusely to the group of 8 they seemed to accommodate while single handedly ignoring the rest of the facility. Stay away if it is the last thing you do. After the 20 minute mark we got up, left, and if anything they seemed relieved there were 3 less people to serve. I’d give them no stars if that was an option.

Great food and a wonderful staff — Gary and Creg are super!
In the winter the fireplace is so cozy and tranquil.
It’s my home away from home–

Me and a few friends were looking for a quick and healthy bite before heading over to our friends engagement party in the Upper East Side. Amidst all of the area’s pricey sit down options and greasy fast bites Le Pain seemed like a solid choice that fell somewhere in the middle.
Even though there are a bunch of locations throughout NYC none of us had ever been before. We were surprised to learn that the grab and go section up at the front is just for coffees and pastries and you’ll need to sit in the seated section in the back for sandwiches, salads, etc.
We were in a bit of a pinch and needed to be in and out in about 40 minutes. It didn’t seem too crowded and our waiter told us that 40 minutes would be plenty of time. Boy, was he wrong. It took 10 minutes to bring us a glass of water, and 20 minutes to bring us our glasses of wine which was a telltale sign of the trouble to come. After about 30 minutes we still had no food in front of us. When we asked the waiter how much longer it would be he told us that it could be a bit of a wait because he was the only one on staff. Hmm… Seems as if he told us that 40 minutes would be sufficient because he wanted more business.
We had about 3 minutes to scarf down our food before running out the door to make it in time for the surprise. Not Le Pain’s fault that we were in a mega rush because of that, but I would have appreciated a bit more honesty about the kitchen delay when I asked before we were even seated.
Luckily, the food itself was pretty decent. Somewhat overpriced, but delicious nonetheless. We all went with tartines and they were all beautifully presented. Mine was piled high with fresh slices of turkey and avocado.
Moral of the story– because the food and vibe is cutesy and relaxed but the service is painfully slow come here for a long and leisure lunch and not if you are in a rush.

So I would not recommend coming here, necessarily, over any of the other cafes in the area, but what I love most is that they sell their bread. This is more of a full service, full menu, and grocery place than anywhere else around here.
I always get a quarter loaf of their whole wheat bread — very good, simple, bread. But it goes bad quickly so be sure to use it fast! Their coffee is so-​so but I do love their croissants and hazelnut spread.
I’ve tried to do work at this location, but found it to be a bit loud and the seats rather uncomfortable.

I came here one Saturday morning for some breakfast/​brunch. The communal table and newspapers are a nice touch. The food is tasty enough but nothing special. It seems to be like a more expensive version of Au Bön Pain or Panera. If you’re looking for small sandwiches and soups, don’t waste your money here, just hit up Lenny’s around the corner for a more filling, less expensive breakfast.

This Le Pain Quotidien is my favorite one. It is always quieter and less crowded than others. You know it’s food. It’s always great. Must try their Brunette spread with gorgeous bread basket and sexy hot chocolate.

My sister and I are far from vegan/​organic eaters, but this little café was a block away from our UES accommodations so convenience brought us in.
This cute chain café can be found throughout Manhattan, but I love this quaint location with its floor ceiling windows for people watching, rustic wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and warm fireplace in the back.
Plenty of organic and vegan selections here. I ordered the organic masala chai latte with soy milk ($ 4.25) served in a small bowl… how European! Great subtle chai flavor and enjoyed the slight sweetness from the agave honey. The riz au lait ($ 3.95) was such a great light breakfast-​organic brown rice pudding sweetened with soy milk and agave at only 130 calories!
Great spot to sit and sip on a coffee and munch on a pastry. They also sell some great products including their agave honey for your take home pleasure!