Great sandwiches both hot and cold ingredients are fresher than the chain sandwich shops. Prices are comparable to them as well. They charge for chips Lea includes them with your
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ameera Shaw
A really cute and quaint cafe with a nice vibe. Some of the best croissants I have ever had! Coffee and tea drinks are also really good. I really miss there iced matcha latte and wish they would bring it back. Croissant and baguette breakfast sandwiches are pretty good. I just think they are missing some kind of sauce.
Great food - especielly pastriesJason is a an excellent manager, always smiling while working multiple fronts - he caresAlittle loud and seating not the most comfortable
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Garcia
I love this little place in the loop! I often stop here in the mornings on my way to work for a chai tea latte (my favorite place for it; not overly sweet or saccharine, nice amount of spice) and a croissant, which is always heavenly buttery and flaky. The staff are nice, and the environment is chill and quaint in the morning. I've come for lunch as well (their croissants sandwiches are excellent) and it's much busier, so you may want to order ahead. Otherwise, I've still never had to wait more than 7-10 minutes for my order at most.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant
Mike Somers
Lovely building, friendly staff, delicious flaky croissants. Great way to start my day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Croissant
Sabrina Whitlow
I haven't ordered from Lea in a while, but today, I had a taste for their Chicken Vendome sandwich . I ordered the sandwich without bacon and added tomato...all good there - except the tomatoes are mealy, and there's no aioli, which makes for a VERY bland, and somewhat dry sandwich. I also ordered the side salad instead of the standard chips. That was an extra $1. When I got back to the office from picking up my order, I discovered they gave me chips, in spite of the order ticket clearly showing I ordered the salad with an extra side of dressing. NOT HAPPY. I also ordered the Apple Tartelette, so all in, including a 10% tip, my total was over $20. FYI, I tried to call to let them know all of this, but there's no option to speak to a live human, or even to leave a message, or to provide any feedback on the order app -Toast.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Apple Tart
T H
I witnessed one of the owners be so racist to a Doordash driver that the driver came back in tears. I saw the same owner serve an elderly woman a pan aux chocolat that fell on the floor. Never have known those floors to be mopped either. Despicable behavior from both owners to staff. Do not support this
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Meredith Hirshfeld
Yummy sandwiches, great bread and croissants, very reasonably priced and super quick.
In an effort to try out a couple more breakfast/brunch spots during our stay in Chicago, we decided to swing by Lea, which is a French-style cafe just a block or so from the riverfront. Ordering is straightforward and completely through a kiosk - we opted for a Le Parisien (lightly smoked ham, swiss, salted butter), pain au chocolat, and coffee. Was pretty intrigued by the croque madame but wanted something easier to eat on the go.At first bite, the sandwich was cold, and I realized I didn't order one of the toasted options. But, the baguette had a great texture, chewy on the inside and somehow crunchy on the exterior despite not being heated up. I think this is the first sandwich I've had where the simplicity of the filling really puts the spotlight on the bread - definitely made me want to visit France and see how this place compares.
Aaron K.
Great food and coffee! I don't usually leave reviews but the guy at the counter was so nice and welcoming I felt it was necessary to post about this gem.
Anastasia Shu
Food is great, service - horrible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Kath Gregorio
I'm a client who goes there at least once a week The food quality is high!Fresh and authentic French pastries.I recommend the almond croissant and baguette! ♡
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Croissant, Almond Croissant, Apple Tart, Baguette Sandwich
Hajnalka Morse
Excellent place with delicious baked goods!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Baguette Sandwich, Pain Au Chocolat
Great sandwiches both hot and cold ingredients are fresher than the chain sandwich shops. Prices are comparable to them as well. They charge for chips Lea includes them with your
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A really cute and quaint cafe with a nice vibe. Some of the best croissants I have ever had! Coffee and tea drinks are also really good. I really miss there iced matcha latte and wish they would bring it back. Croissant and baguette breakfast sandwiches are pretty good. I just think they are missing some kind of sauce.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croque Avocat, Croisant, Almond Croissant, Baguette Sandwich, Pain Au Chocolat
Fantastic sandwiches!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baguette Sandwich
Great food - especielly pastriesJason is a an excellent manager, always smiling while working multiple fronts - he caresAlittle loud and seating not the most comfortable
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this little place in the loop! I often stop here in the mornings on my way to work for a chai tea latte (my favorite place for it; not overly sweet or saccharine, nice amount of spice) and a croissant, which is always heavenly buttery and flaky. The staff are nice, and the environment is chill and quaint in the morning. I've come for lunch as well (their croissants sandwiches are excellent) and it's much busier, so you may want to order ahead. Otherwise, I've still never had to wait more than 7-10 minutes for my order at most.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant
Lovely building, friendly staff, delicious flaky croissants. Great way to start my day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Croissant
I haven't ordered from Lea in a while, but today, I had a taste for their Chicken Vendome sandwich . I ordered the sandwich without bacon and added tomato...all good there - except the tomatoes are mealy, and there's no aioli, which makes for a VERY bland, and somewhat dry sandwich. I also ordered the side salad instead of the standard chips. That was an extra $1. When I got back to the office from picking up my order, I discovered they gave me chips, in spite of the order ticket clearly showing I ordered the salad with an extra side of dressing. NOT HAPPY. I also ordered the Apple Tartelette, so all in, including a 10% tip, my total was over $20. FYI, I tried to call to let them know all of this, but there's no option to speak to a live human, or even to leave a message, or to provide any feedback on the order app -Toast.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Apple Tart
I witnessed one of the owners be so racist to a Doordash driver that the driver came back in tears. I saw the same owner serve an elderly woman a pan aux chocolat that fell on the floor. Never have known those floors to be mopped either. Despicable behavior from both owners to staff. Do not support this
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Yummy sandwiches, great bread and croissants, very reasonably priced and super quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Croissant, Almond Croissant, Baguette Sandwich, Pain Au Chocolat
It's a small place and self-service ordering at kiosk no cash ordering. The food is decent.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
In an effort to try out a couple more breakfast/brunch spots during our stay in Chicago, we decided to swing by Lea, which is a French-style cafe just a block or so from the riverfront. Ordering is straightforward and completely through a kiosk - we opted for a Le Parisien (lightly smoked ham, swiss, salted butter), pain au chocolat, and coffee. Was pretty intrigued by the croque madame but wanted something easier to eat on the go.At first bite, the sandwich was cold, and I realized I didn't order one of the toasted options. But, the baguette had a great texture, chewy on the inside and somehow crunchy on the exterior despite not being heated up. I think this is the first sandwich I've had where the simplicity of the filling really puts the spotlight on the bread - definitely made me want to visit France and see how this place compares.
Great food and coffee! I don't usually leave reviews but the guy at the counter was so nice and welcoming I felt it was necessary to post about this gem.
Food is great, service - horrible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
I'm a client who goes there at least once a week The food quality is high!Fresh and authentic French pastries.I recommend the almond croissant and baguette! ♡
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butter Croissant, Almond Croissant, Apple Tart, Baguette Sandwich
Excellent place with delicious baked goods!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Almond Croissant, Baguette Sandwich, Pain Au Chocolat