Le Pain Quotidien

The food was bad I get a chicken sandwich and it was hard and bad but the pastries and other stuff was very good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Croissant was not up to par

I was craving Belgian hot chocolate. I asked if it was dark chocolate and confirmed it was. Served well but … it wasn’t hot and was watered down. I was told their hot chocolate doesn’t have flavor and I won’t be able taste the chocolate. That’s a first. Quite a disappointment for what was paid. Dark hit chocolate actually looks dark and is hot … not light brown and Luke warm.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Overall it was pretty good, pastry’s were nice, the butter croissant was pretty decent, the hazelnut twist was fun to try different spread on, the French doughnut was very nice.

My biggest issue is that they serve hot beverages in soup bowls. So it is impossible to drink them until the outside is cool which means the beverage inside has also cooled off. Why don’t they use normal cups?

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

They play very loud classical music, as if they like to have you leave soon.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 3

food and drinks are okay, wouldn’t go out of your way to come here but it’s passable

Vegetarian options: a lot of options

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Bakery

Someone working here is losing hair! On two occasions i found hair in my food!!! 3cm in length

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

It's hard to give a rating because it's so hit or miss here. The service is marginally better than it is at other locations, but the manager is the worst and should really be fired. He will unnecessarily run a leaf blower while noticing that people are trying to have a work meeting on their laptop, and blame delivery drivers for stealing food (seriously, that is not okay on so many levels) when it's the store that messes up an order and omits items that you paid money for. I like Le Pain Quotidian for the fact that it's easy to get something relatively healthy and fresh (the vinaigrettes are proper vinaigrettes without sugar and using things like fresh lemon juice), but even that is hit or miss because the bread can sometimes be on the drier side and things like salad will be gritty because they don't wash the kale well enough.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

FWIW, this is the first review I've ever given with fewer than 3 stars.

I ordered an Americano "for here" with lots of room. When I asked for a splash of oatmilk (I can't have cream) he charged me $1.00 so I declined the surcharge. No extra charge for cream tho ... My drink was served in a to-go cup, no room. I asked to have it put in a ceramic mug and all they had were gigantic bowls, no handles. I have small hands and would have been required to use 2 hands to lift a really hot bowl. So I asked them to keep it in the to-go cup.

Throughout the ordering experience, they kept asking if I wanted table service. It is really confusing if the space is a coffee shop or a cafe. The counter service felt like any coffee bar with pastries and a drink menu but they also have wait service and a breakfast menu.

I sat at a table to drink my coffee and catch up on emails and it became apparent I was expected to use table service ordering if I intended to take a table. It was awkward because I already ordered.

I then took a sip of my Americano and it was scalding hot. I order americanos 3 to 4 days a week and have never scalded my tongue .

At this point, I left the restaurant and the Americano.

It's a shame because the space is ideal for enjoying a coffee alone or with friends. I'm not surprised the place was nearly empty at 8:30 am.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

The bread is great, as are the donuts. The quiche meal is good, but overpriced for the piece you get with the little salad. It's a pricy place, IMHO, even for DC.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

A good little cafe in the heart of Eastern Market. The food seems nice and fresh and the atmosphere is very welcoming. Prices are a bit high.

Parking: Always tough parking around the market

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Arugula Salad Eggs and Side of Bacon, Roasted Turkey & Avocado Tartine, Avocado Toast, Bakery, Roasted Veggies & Feta Flatbread, Sunny Side Breakfast Bowl

We stopped in here for breakfast on our way to the metro, and we’re already planning to return tomorrow morning. From the moment we walked in, Elizabeth welcomed us with warmth and a delightful smile, making us feel right at home. Her lovely demeanor set the tone for a fantastic dining experience.

The menu is impressively diverse, offering a range of healthy and satisfying options. Everything we ordered was nothing short of perfection, right down to the artisanal bread served with an array of jams and spreads. We tried the goat cheese and mushroom omelet, which was rich and flavorful, and the cauliflower and cheddar frittata, which was light yet satisfying.

The coffee was exactly what we needed—hot, fresh, and strong. Though we were tempted by the desserts and pastries, which looked absolutely amazing, we decided to save them for tomorrow. This place is truly a gem, and we can’t wait to indulge in more of what they have to offer!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bakery

Poor to average service. Had to leave after no acknowledgement for 10 minutes.

Service: 3

Came here for breakfast on a Sunday morning and it wasn’t that busy so already a win. We decided to sit outside because it was a nice day. The chairs aren’t the coziest and when it was time to eat, there were tons of flies. It may be good to have the table fans for this issue.

Menu has so many options. I really appreciate this because everyone has different dietary restrictions so this helps. However I ordered the turkey bacon avocado on toast. I asked for it to be on a croissant but I was told no. Sourdough bread and super seed bread were the only choices. So lots of options, limited substitutions.

Our server sent someone else to tell me no. That was weird but I know for a fact it would’ve been better with a croissant.

Overall though, the food and service were good. No huge complaints and everyone enjoyed their meal mostly.

I would definitely come back and I would recommend others try it as well, just brung your own croissants.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Belgian Waffle with Fruit

The girl at the front register was very nice, kind, and friendly. She has to get promoted. She was very friendly even when very bad customers came in the store. Hope and she is ok because If it was me in her position I would be very upset with them.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5