Café Dear Leon

2929 O'Donnell St, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
+1 667-335-9160
$$$ Bakery
(580 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Café Dear Leon, a beloved bakery nestled in the heart of Baltimore at 2929 O'Donnell St. This charming eatery has become a staple for locals and visitors alike, known for its exquisite pastries and warm, welcoming atmosphere. With a reputation for crafting delightful baked goods, Café Dear Leon invites you to experience a culinary journey that tantalizes the senses.

The moment you step inside, you're enveloped by the comforting aroma of fresh-baked goods that beckons you to explore the tempting offerings. Their bake schedule kicks off bright and early at 7:30 AM, making it the perfect spot to start your day. Indulge in their renowned Blueberry Galette, a flaky crust filled with juicy blueberries that burst with flavor at every bite. Or perhaps you’re in the mood for something sweet to dip into your morning coffee; the selection of cookies and Financier are simply irresistible.

For a light breakfast, you can't go wrong with their Yogurt Parfait or Overnight Oats, each priced at just $6.50. Both are crafted with care, offering a refreshing option that's as satisfying as it is nutritious. To complement your meal, you can choose from whole, oat, or almond milk for just $1.00, ensuring every sip matches your dietary preferences.

What truly sets Café Dear Leon apart are the praises sung by its devoted patrons. Claire, one of their many enthusiastic customers, celebrated the bakery's fifth birthday by recommending their special croissant filled with raspberry and vanilla cream—a creation described as a “perfect balance of flavors and textures.” Meanwhile, Youngmin Cho highlights the rewarding experience of patiently waiting in line, revealing that every bite of their breads is worth it. A visit here promises enjoyment not just in the food, but in the entire experience.

Other customers rave about the Carb Dip Bagel, with Josh Freed claiming it was worth a detour from his usual travel route. Dharmaveer Singh, a self-proclaimed bakery connoisseur, expresses his admiration, calling it his favorite among many bakeries he has visited. The consistent accolades speak to the bakery's commitment to quality and deliciousness.

Café Dear Leon is more than just a bakery; it’s a community hub where deliciousness meets comfort. Each ingredient is thoughtfully selected, ensuring that flavors shine without overwhelming sweetness, making it a haven for both sweet and savory cravings alike. Whether you're stopping by for a light breakfast or an indulgent pastry, you're guaranteed an experience that will leave your taste buds dancing and your heart full. So why not join the growing community of delighted customers? Embrace the wait and relish the rewards that await you at this fantastic Baltimore treasure!

Service options
In-store pick-up for online orders
Has in-store shopping
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
No delivery
No dine-in
No same-day delivery
Offerings
Serves coffee
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours
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Monday

Closed

Tuesday

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sunday

6:00 AM - 4:00 PM

580 Reviews
Claire

21 Sep 2025

Happy 5th birthday to Cafe Dear Leon!! What a wonderful place to have in Baltimore. I don't go often, but every time I have gone it has been consistently amazing. This weekend they had a special croissant filled with raspberry and vanilla cream - it was so good. A perfect balance of flavors, great textures. Definitely an indulgent treat, as there was a lot of cream inside the croissant, I split it with a friend. The ham and cheese croissant was also excellent. My friends loved their blueberry lemon ricotta danish and crap dip bagel. The only slight let down was the filling to bread ratio in the coffee bun- the coffee cream inside was great and we wanted more! My iced latte was also great. I will note that we went on a Saturday morning and 9am and waited until 10:15am or so before getting to the front of the line and ordering. It was a pleasant day and I knew we'd be in for the wait, so I didn't mind. Only 6 customers can be inside of the shop at a time and there's one cash register. There is some seating outdoors and there was a water cooler available when we were there, which was nice.

Youngmin Cho

19 Sep 2025

I visited at 10 AM and there was a waiting line. BUT it was absolutely worth it. I ordered several breads, and every bite was satisfying. The coffee was also good flavored. All staff were professional and warmly welcoming. I am definitely willing to revisit.

Matt P

05 Jul 2025

It took me a minute before I actually went..... And I'm pretty sure this was Cosmopolitan back in the day (if you know you know) but in any case it's this wonderful place now, so embrace it. Incredible sandos! Why have you not had one? Have 2. YES there will be a line. It's how it goes. Deal with it. It's worth the wait!

M G

30 Jun 2025

I am their top loyal customer I will bet. I have tried and even drove hours since graduation. Please try their croissant. Simple taste goes for almond. Their seasonal fruit flavors definitely try it. I like the guava and raspberry ones. Mango is fine. Crème brûlée tart used to be my fav, I think the size becomes smaller and a little too sweet for me now. I like their sandwiches especially the Brie one which is so fresh. But I don’t like the crab bagel which is too salty for me. I like their matcha and hojicha!

Josh Freed

27 Jun 2025

When I travel I always skip tolls. Not to save money but it takes me off the beaten path and through small towns a s big cities to find great food. In this case I came across Café Dear Leon. Everything was delicious but their Carb Dip Bagel is worth the wait and taking a detour. I bought 2. One for day of and one for breakfast 2 days later. I made an egg sandwich that I added my Fauquier Famous Bomb Sauce!

kayleigh

23 Jun 2025

arrived at around 8:30 on a sunday morning and waited about 30 minutes. SO worth the wait! their sweet pastries are a dream for anyone who doesn’t have a major sweet tooth. i tried the guava & cheese danish, blueberries & lemon ricotta danish, and creme brulee tart from the sweet pastry options, and all were filled so generously without tasting too sweet. both danishes had tart flavors that balanced the sweetness so perfectly, and i’ll definitely be thinking about the guava & cheese danish for a long time!

Dharamveer Singh

09 Jun 2025

I have been to a lot of bakeries and this might be my favorite out of all of them. We are truly lucky to have a bakery of this caliber in Baltimore. The Crab Dip bagel and Crème Brûlée tart are divine. Get there early and follow the bake schedule listed on their website. They sell out quick!

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