Essence Bakery Cafe

I had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. The atmosphere was lacking and felt a bit drab. My chai was one of the worst I’ve had in the Valley. It was incredibly bitter, almost as if it had been seeped for too long or the spices had burned. The Gruyère pastry was flaky but very oily. Overall the experience was below average.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Bakery

Trying some new bakeries and breakfast spots around Arcadia and stopped by Essence for a bite this past week.

I ordered the Egg Sandwich and thought it was delicious. The bun was so soft and eggs were cooked perfectly. The French Scrambled Eggs went well with the baguette, which also came with a jam that was to die for. I could eat this breakfast every day! The coffee and pastry didn’t disappoint either!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic pastries! The chocolate croissant and plain croissant are some of the best I’ve had in a while.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Breakfast special was outstanding.
12/1. French chocolate macaroni amazing. Will go back on my next visit to phoenix.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very, very good coffee and a nice delicate egg sando. Not cheap, but then again, where is? More the kinda coffee place for a breakfast date than a coffee place to hammer out excel spreadsheets, but that's just my opinion.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The reason I gave overall 2 stars is I always try the authenticity of the origin of the food. French Bakeries are my favorite. I have tried couple I'm both east valley and west valley. I have a go to place in Phoenix, but I was in the area and tried Essence Bakery today. The breads were good but the pastries not so much. I tried couple of macaroons I was very disappointed. My honest opinion is that it has lost the originality. The Ambience is good and cozy. I had not other bitter experience. The Food needs the French Love. Every bit of the food should take you to France through the pallet.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Croissants

The best butter croissant I’ve ever had is here. Try it.

Essence Bakery is incredible! I hate to give it a review because in time it will be more popular than it already is! The food is great and the pastries are out-of-this-world good! Get there early, or you're leaving empty-handed of some of those pastries. After them, all others taste like cardboard!

Kid-friendliness: Yes, they ARE "kid-friendly."

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Quiche Lorraine, Coconut Cream Pie, Croissants, Pistachio Croissant, Chocolate Almond Croissant, Doughnut, Parisian, Big Breakfast Plate, Ham and Cheese Croissant, Drip Coffee, Cake, Plain Croissant, Bakery

This place is way overpriced for the quantity of food you receive.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 5

Really good pastries, wish they had the ability to warm them up but that’s my only complaint

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Croissants

Very rare to find very good food like this that’s healthy food that uses organic- non pesticide - herbicide ingredients & non canola oil. At very good prices considering Organic everything as much as possible - even the flour and coffee. + only uses extra virgin olive oil food. Thank you essence.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Thia place is amazing! Everything is made from scratch.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The croissant is extremely good but would be 5 stars if you guys bought a toaster to heat them up before 🥹🥹 💕

Bad coffee and no Wi-Fi in a café?!?!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 2

This is a good place. The service is polite enough when they get to you. Wait times are too long and they need a better system.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Croissants