I happen to enjoy this simple place to have a coffee and pastry. I have been a fan for years and used to order Yule Log cakes for Christmas when I had lots of family!
Emily M.
Amazing Encinitas staple. Love their pastries every time. Been a while since I went but their crepes are good if I remember right.
Gary H.
Having a coffee and croissant her makes me feel like I am in the south of France and not in a strip mall. Outdoor seating, French music over the intercom and delicious coffee and treats... even the owner (I believe she is) very pleasant and focused on her customers. If not the owner, she deserves a promotion. Very enjoyable.
Darlene C.
The best catering we've ever had! Delicious crepes all prepared on site. People are still talking about it. Delightful catering staff - personable and professional. Crepes were absolutely delicious and plentiful. Wish we had another event coming up so we could hire Isabelle Brien's again. Will have to think up an excuse to throw another party!
Nancy C.
Delectable croissants and other bakery delights. They also cater at the house, making a special event very memorable. They made crepes for our guests day after a family wedding and it was perfect!
Vicky R.
Cake and pastries are the best. I have to try their crepes. The staff are great and very helpful with my orders. Great location and very clean.
Layla F.
Oct 9 2023 we were on an emergency mission for crème puffs , or a birthday cake , a fruit tart maybe ? , something ! The beignets I had ordered from another bakery were inadequate. Horrible , they were little dry balls of dough So off we go to Isabelle Brien French Pastry We walk in after 1pm to an almost empty pastry case This place sells out fast. No cakes or crème puffs were left Fortunately the lady taking orders remembered an order that was either canceled or not picked up. She showed us this beautiful homeless cake White cake , whipped cream with raspberry jam inside. We could have it and they would change the birthday greeting to "happy birthday sam". I'll have to say we couldn't have ordered a more perfect cake than this one. Tonight we sang happy birthday and cut into the cake and WOW! My gosh it was amazing. Everyone commented on the cake. Where did we order it from ? It's so light , the raspberries add the perfect contrast to the white cake and whipped cream. The almonds on the side gave it an amazing flavor and crunch ! Today was our lucky day! Just perfect. Oh !! I was given a discounted price for the cake too !! Thank you
Kennedy G.
Drove to discount tire before they opened after my night shift and at 7am I was carried across the parking lot to this delightful shop like a cartoon mouse wafting through the air on fresh bread steam. The cafe was darling and I'm so happy with the food and coffee!
Inna Z.
I love coming here for an occasional treat. The pastries are flavorful and unique. However this is the second time I was sold a burned pastry to go. See pic. It's like eating a dry burned shoe sole. Simply unacceptable and very disappointing. Now I will make sure to check before I leave
S G.
I had a blueberry muffin a year ago and it was really good. I try not to eat too many cupcakes because they are usually loaded with fat but I had an urge so I went to buy one. First thing that surprised me was that the case was loaded with blueberry muffins, they were usually out of them whenever I stopped in. I now know why. When the muffin was rung up it was $4.95! For one freaking muffin. They used to be around $3. I bought it anyway as a treat but when I went to eat it that night I was surprised at how bad it was. It was dry, had a different consistency as before and had an odd aftertaste, nothing like I remembered. So, not sure what happened here and if they are going to charge ridiculous prices the quality should not be going down. I realize rents are high everywhere as are labor costs but at least keep the quality high and don't raise prices to comical levels.
I really wish I could have given them a 5/5. It's a lovely bakery, well decorated and the staff are very nice. It's a little on the pricy side which I would not have minded if my sandwich was good. But the bread was half toasted and a bit stale. I was thinking I'd get a nice fresh French loaf. It was thrown together and not good. The tomatoes were either old or had been in the fridge too long.
Chris R.
Stop in for crapes they don't close until 6PM but guess what kitchen closes at 2PM. Where does it say this? No where on the website or online? Hours say until 6.
Juliana D.
My family has been ordering cakes from Isabelle's for years for special occasions. Her Christmas log cake deserves extra recognition (I look forward to it every year), but I also adore her pastries! Everyone who works there is lovely, but it's always nice to say hello to Isabelle herself when I go. If weather allows (which let's be honest, it usually does in Southern California), the patio is a perfect place to take in some sun and catch up with friends over pastries and coffee.
Taura G.
Delicious French Cafe with excellent customer service. We stopped here on the way back out of town for breakfast. There are outside and inside tables to enjoy your yummy selections. Inside there is beautiful and soft French cafe music, with about 5-7 tables. Outside I saw a customer with a Corgi enjoying her breakfast, so you may bring pets for patio dining. Both dining areas are very clean, LOVE THIS!We were greeted right away by a very nice woman (I assume she is Isabelle). She was very cheerful, kind, and welcoming. She answered a couple of questions that my husband and I had about the menu. We ordered a Monaco Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, a Monaco Breakfast Crépe, an Apricot Danish, a Cafe Au Lait, and a Hazelnut Latte. I love that they have real metal utensils for dining in, awesome! Our food came out within about 10-15 minutes, perfect. Everything was hot and prepared deliciously. The eggs were prepared perfectly and tasted delicious! Croissants are LARGE AND PERFECT consistency; melted in my mouth.We normally go to the French Oven in Scripps Ranch but the choice to come here was a great one. Definitely a great experience here and we will come back.The owner talked us into trying a freshly made Florentine to go on the road. Although it needed to be refrigerated, we definitely wanted to try it, so we brought it with us.
Hanan G.
I have had many French pastries this one just wasn't it ! I would not recommend it to someone who is looking for a nice breakfast, also the pastries didn't feel or taste fresh. Along with this my customer service experience was unsatisfactory.
I happen to enjoy this simple place to have a coffee and pastry. I have been a fan for years and used to order Yule Log cakes for Christmas when I had lots of family!
Amazing Encinitas staple. Love their pastries every time. Been a while since I went but their crepes are good if I remember right.
Having a coffee and croissant her makes me feel like I am in the south of France and not in a strip mall. Outdoor seating, French music over the intercom and delicious coffee and treats... even the owner (I believe she is) very pleasant and focused on her customers. If not the owner, she deserves a promotion. Very enjoyable.
The best catering we've ever had! Delicious crepes all prepared on site. People are still talking about it. Delightful catering staff - personable and professional. Crepes were absolutely delicious and plentiful. Wish we had another event coming up so we could hire Isabelle Brien's again. Will have to think up an excuse to throw another party!
Delectable croissants and other bakery delights. They also cater at the house, making a special event very memorable. They made crepes for our guests day after a family wedding and it was perfect!
Cake and pastries are the best. I have to try their crepes. The staff are great and very helpful with my orders. Great location and very clean.
Oct 9 2023 we were on an emergency mission for crème puffs , or a birthday cake , a fruit tart maybe ? , something ! The beignets I had ordered from another bakery were inadequate. Horrible , they were little dry balls of dough So off we go to Isabelle Brien French Pastry We walk in after 1pm to an almost empty pastry case This place sells out fast. No cakes or crème puffs were left Fortunately the lady taking orders remembered an order that was either canceled or not picked up. She showed us this beautiful homeless cake White cake , whipped cream with raspberry jam inside. We could have it and they would change the birthday greeting to "happy birthday sam". I'll have to say we couldn't have ordered a more perfect cake than this one. Tonight we sang happy birthday and cut into the cake and WOW! My gosh it was amazing. Everyone commented on the cake. Where did we order it from ? It's so light , the raspberries add the perfect contrast to the white cake and whipped cream. The almonds on the side gave it an amazing flavor and crunch ! Today was our lucky day! Just perfect. Oh !! I was given a discounted price for the cake too !! Thank you
Drove to discount tire before they opened after my night shift and at 7am I was carried across the parking lot to this delightful shop like a cartoon mouse wafting through the air on fresh bread steam. The cafe was darling and I'm so happy with the food and coffee!
I love coming here for an occasional treat. The pastries are flavorful and unique. However this is the second time I was sold a burned pastry to go. See pic. It's like eating a dry burned shoe sole. Simply unacceptable and very disappointing. Now I will make sure to check before I leave
I had a blueberry muffin a year ago and it was really good. I try not to eat too many cupcakes because they are usually loaded with fat but I had an urge so I went to buy one. First thing that surprised me was that the case was loaded with blueberry muffins, they were usually out of them whenever I stopped in. I now know why. When the muffin was rung up it was $4.95! For one freaking muffin. They used to be around $3. I bought it anyway as a treat but when I went to eat it that night I was surprised at how bad it was. It was dry, had a different consistency as before and had an odd aftertaste, nothing like I remembered. So, not sure what happened here and if they are going to charge ridiculous prices the quality should not be going down. I realize rents are high everywhere as are labor costs but at least keep the quality high and don't raise prices to comical levels.
Restaurantji Recommends
I really wish I could have given them a 5/5. It's a lovely bakery, well decorated and the staff are very nice. It's a little on the pricy side which I would not have minded if my sandwich was good. But the bread was half toasted and a bit stale. I was thinking I'd get a nice fresh French loaf. It was thrown together and not good. The tomatoes were either old or had been in the fridge too long.
Stop in for crapes they don't close until 6PM but guess what kitchen closes at 2PM. Where does it say this? No where on the website or online? Hours say until 6.
My family has been ordering cakes from Isabelle's for years for special occasions. Her Christmas log cake deserves extra recognition (I look forward to it every year), but I also adore her pastries! Everyone who works there is lovely, but it's always nice to say hello to Isabelle herself when I go. If weather allows (which let's be honest, it usually does in Southern California), the patio is a perfect place to take in some sun and catch up with friends over pastries and coffee.
Delicious French Cafe with excellent customer service. We stopped here on the way back out of town for breakfast. There are outside and inside tables to enjoy your yummy selections. Inside there is beautiful and soft French cafe music, with about 5-7 tables. Outside I saw a customer with a Corgi enjoying her breakfast, so you may bring pets for patio dining. Both dining areas are very clean, LOVE THIS!We were greeted right away by a very nice woman (I assume she is Isabelle). She was very cheerful, kind, and welcoming. She answered a couple of questions that my husband and I had about the menu. We ordered a Monaco Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, a Monaco Breakfast Crépe, an Apricot Danish, a Cafe Au Lait, and a Hazelnut Latte. I love that they have real metal utensils for dining in, awesome! Our food came out within about 10-15 minutes, perfect. Everything was hot and prepared deliciously. The eggs were prepared perfectly and tasted delicious! Croissants are LARGE AND PERFECT consistency; melted in my mouth.We normally go to the French Oven in Scripps Ranch but the choice to come here was a great one. Definitely a great experience here and we will come back.The owner talked us into trying a freshly made Florentine to go on the road. Although it needed to be refrigerated, we definitely wanted to try it, so we brought it with us.
I have had many French pastries this one just wasn't it ! I would not recommend it to someone who is looking for a nice breakfast, also the pastries didn't feel or taste fresh. Along with this my customer service experience was unsatisfactory.