Le Pain Quotidien: A Cozy Upper East Side Café for a Taste of Europe

Le Pain Quotidien Introduce

Located on the Upper East Side, Le Pain Quotidien at 1270 1st Avenue is a beloved neighborhood spot that brings a touch of European charm to New York City. The name, which means "The Daily Bread" in French, perfectly captures the restaurant's philosophy: a commitment to simple, rustic, and organic fare made with high-quality ingredients. More than just a café, it’s a tranquil and casual gathering place where locals and visitors can enjoy healthy and comforting food in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Le Pain Quotidien has carved out a unique niche in the city's bustling food scene. It's a place where you can grab a quick coffee and a delicious pastry on the go, settle in for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, or simply find a cozy corner to work or chat. The communal tables are a signature feature, fostering a sense of community and connection that is often hard to find in a big city. The ambiance is trendy yet casual, making it a perfect spot for all types of crowds, from solo diners and groups to families with kids.

The menu is centered around fresh, wholesome ingredients, with a focus on organic dishes and healthy options. From their famous avocado toast to a variety of salads and tartines, there's a conscious effort to offer food that is as good for you as it is delicious. The dedication to quality is apparent in every item, from the rich coffee to the fantastic desserts.

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The Le Pain Quotidien location is conveniently situated at 1270 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. This address places it right in the heart of the Upper East Side, a vibrant residential neighborhood known for its beautiful architecture and proximity to landmarks like the East River and Carl Schurz Park. Its location on 1st Avenue makes it a bustling spot, easily accessible for those living and working in the area.

For accessibility, Le Pain Quotidien is committed to providing a comfortable experience for all guests. The restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it easy to enter the space. Inside, there are wheelchair accessible restrooms and wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their meal without any issues.

For those traveling with a four-legged friend, the café is dog-friendly, allowing dogs in the outdoor seating area. The neighborhood offers paid street parking, providing a convenient option for those arriving by car. The central location also makes it a great spot for a quick bite or a relaxing meal while exploring the Upper East Side.

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Le Pain Quotidien offers a wide range of services designed to fit into the fast-paced New York lifestyle while still providing a quality dining experience.

Service Options: The café provides a variety of ways to get your food, including dine-in, takeout, delivery, and no-contact delivery. For added convenience, they also offer curbside pickup and onsite services for a quick grab-and-go option.
Dining Options: You can visit Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and even dinner. The menu is flexible, catering to different dining times and preferences.
Offerings: The menu is packed with choices. Highlights include a variety of organic dishes, healthy options, and classic comfort food. For those with specific dietary needs, the café has excellent vegan and vegetarian options. They also offer small plates for a quick bite.
Beverages: Le Pain Quotidien is known for its excellent selection of beverages. Patrons rave about the great coffee and great tea selection, which are perfect for starting your day or for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Amenities: Guests can take advantage of the restrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is a great amenity for those who want to work or study in the casual atmosphere.

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Several features and highlights make Le Pain Quotidien a standout destination on the Upper East Side.

Bakery and Pastries: One of the most-loved features is the café's commitment to freshly baked goods. The Pain au Chocolat and Belgian Waffle are staples, while the French Cream Doughnut is a popular choice for those with a sweet tooth. Customer reviews often mention the high quality of the baked goods and the fantastic desserts, such as the Belgian Chocolate Brownie.
Quality Beverages: Le Pain Quotidien is a go-to spot for coffee and tea lovers. The coffee is described as "strong and good," and the tea selection is praised for its quality. These beverages are the perfect complement to any meal or a delightful treat on their own.
Healthy and Delicious Menu: The menu offers a fantastic balance of healthy and comforting. The Avocado Toast is a signature dish and a popular choice. For those looking for something more substantial, the Quinoa & Avocado Salad or the Black Lentil Bowl are excellent, healthy options.
Atmosphere and Vibe: The atmosphere is a blend of casual and trendy. It’s a place where you can feel at home, whether you're alone with a book, meeting friends, or dining with your family. The communal table concept creates a welcoming, unpretentious environment. The café is also noted as being LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space.
Children and Families: Le Pain Quotidien is an excellent choice for families. It’s described as "good for kids" and offers high chairs and a dedicated kids' menu, making it a stress-free dining option for parents.

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For more information or to place an order, you can reach Le Pain Quotidien at:

Address: 1270 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA

Phone: (212) 988-5001

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What makes Le Pain Quotidien worth choosing is its unwavering commitment to providing wholesome, high-quality food in a welcoming and relaxed setting. In a city where dining can sometimes feel rushed and impersonal, this café offers a much-needed sense of community and calm.

The food is a clear reason to visit. The menu's focus on organic ingredients and rustic preparations ensures that everything tastes fresh and authentic. Whether you're in the mood for a simple, perfectly executed Avocado Toast or a rich, decadent Dark & White Chocolate Mousse Cake, the quality is consistently high. Customer reviews confirm this, with one diner calling the coffee "strong and good" and the brownie "fantastic." The variety of options, from a hearty breakfast bowl to light salads, means there's always something to satisfy your craving.

Beyond the food, the atmosphere and service are what truly set Le Pain Quotidien apart. The casual, communal vibe is unique and inviting, making it a great place to linger. Customer feedback often mentions the friendly and efficient service, noting that the staff is always welcoming and the line is "always short," even during busy times. This is a testament to their dedication to providing a pleasant experience. It's the kind of place you can stop into on a whim, as one reviewer did, and be pleasantly surprised by the quality and the warm atmosphere. For New Yorkers seeking a reliable spot for a healthy meal, a quick bite, or a leisurely coffee break, Le Pain Quotidien is an excellent and dependable choice.

Le Pain Quotidien Menu

Popular
Sunny Side Breakfast Bowl
Warm farro tossed with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potato, topped with caramelized onions, Tuscan kale, and pistachio dukkah. Crowned with a sunny-side egg* and citrus-cumin salt. Served with a slice of our artisanal sourdough bread.
Avocado Toast
A toasted slice of our signature sourdough bread, topped with fresh avocado mash, citrus cumin salt, and chia seeds with a side of marinated kale and a lemon wedge.
French Cream Doughnut
Golden-brown brioche doughnut shell hand-filled with French cream, finished with a flourish of powdered sugar.
Two Soft-Boiled Eggs
Delicate soft-boiled eggs with tender, golden yolks paired with an assortment of our signature breads for dipping, sandwiching, and spreading.

Breakfast
Avocado & Tomato Omelette
A fluffy omelette filled with fresh tomatoes and tomato-pepper jam, topped with creamy avocado. Served with a petite green salad.
Belgian Waffle
Warm Belgian waffle topped with fresh whipped cream and a fresh berry medley.
Dutch Mini-Pancakes
Fluffy, golden mini pancakes served with sliced banana, whipped maple butter, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Add a fresh medley of berries for a burst of flavor!
Smoked Salmon Omelette
A fluffy scallion omelette crowned with delicate smoked salmon, served with a side of creamy Greek yogurt and flourished with fresh dill. Served with a petite green salad.
Sunny Side Breakfast Bowl
Warm farro tossed with roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potato, topped with caramelized onions, Tuscan kale, and pistachio dukkah. Crowned with a sunny-side egg* and citrus-cumin salt. Served with a slice of our artisanal sourdough bread.
Two Soft-Boiled Eggs
Delicate soft-boiled eggs with tender, golden yolks paired with an assortment of our signature breads for dipping, sandwiching, and spreading.

Viennoiseries
Pain au Chocolat
Buttery, flaky croissant layers enveloping rich, melted Belgian chocolate in every bite.
Mixed Berry Tart
A buttery shell hand-filled with our smooth white chocolate and housemade pastry cream, topped with a medley of fresh berries, apricot glaze, and shaved almonds.
Cheese Danish
A golden-crisp, layered pastry with a rich, melted cheese center that delivers a perfectly sweet and tangy bite.
Croissant
A buttery, golden, flaky pastry made from delicately rolled and folded dough.

Tartines
Chicken Mozzarella Melt
A toasted slice of our signature sourdough, layered with fresh mozzarella, tender chicken, housemade tomato-pepper jam, and a drizzle of basil oil.
Avocado Toast
A toasted slice of our signature sourdough bread, topped with fresh avocado mash, citrus cumin salt, and chia seeds with a side of marinated kale and a lemon wedge.
Smoked Salmon
A toasted, buttered slice of our signature sourdough bread, topped with thinly sliced smoked salmon, scallions and dill. Served with a side of herb aioli.

Hot dishes
Quiche Lorraine
A golden, buttery crust encasing a velvety blend of savory ham, Gruyère, and fragrant leeks. Accompanied by a refreshing seasonal green salad.

Salads
Black Lentil Bowl
A vibrant medley of black lentils, balsamic-roasted beets, creamy hummus, grape tomatoes, and mixed greens. Finished with pistachio dukkah, house vinaigrette, and a drizzle of spicy tahini. Served with a slice of artisanal bread. Add smoked salmon for a savory touch!
Quinoa & Avocado Salad
Organic quinoa tossed with fresh herbs, chickpeas, cucumber-tomato salad, and crisp radishes. Topped with avocado and finished with our house basil vinaigrette. Served with a slice of artisanal bread.

Desserts
French Cream Doughnut
Golden-brown brioche doughnut shell hand-filled with French cream, finished with a flourish of powdered sugar.
Dark & White Chocolate Mousse Cake
A silky pairing of layered dark and white chocolate mousse finished with a smooth dark chocolate glaze and adorned with hazelnuts.

Le Pain Quotidien Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Organic dishes
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating

Amenities
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Paid street parking

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Le Pain Quotidien Photos

Le Pain Quotidien Location

Le Pain Quotidien

New York New York County New York 1st Avenue

1270 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA

Le Pain Quotidien Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 418 user reviews.

pastrieshealthyavocado toastbrunchlattesaladbrowniebowlvegandining room

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

We often walk around in NYC to see what’s happening. Today we were on the upper Eastside and stopped in at this Le Pain location. We have stopped here a couple of times over the past few years.Today we had coffee and the Belgium Chocolate Brownie. The coffee was strong and good. The brownie was fantastic and quite large.
May 09 · THE EXPLORER
The line is always short and the person at the counter has always been friendly. I like their pain au chocolat and baguettes are passable. I've never eaten in the dining room but I see people there all the time with laptops or eating and chatting and it looks like a good atmosphere. They run out of baguettes by the afternoon sometimes.
July 29 · Eric Alvarado
Great location with plenty of seating inside. The staff were friendly. I ordered a quiche, and it, and the salad that came with it, tasted great …. however, the crust was soggy.Maybe that’s how French quiche is served. I don’t know, but it was a good enough experience to go back and try it all again.
August 12 · Chad Feay
The food is as good as remembered. It was spacious and clean inside. It felt comfortable inside.It was open early and that was convenient for us.The bakery looked and smelled awesome.The waffle was tinier than I expected, and it might just be a NYC thing.
December 28 · Ü Lee
I am really disappointed: Just messed up a brand new pullover on one of their broken chairs that had nails stick out all around its back. No chance to put that one on again but apart from the offer to get it fixed somehow and have Pain Q. pay for it (I do not live in NYC) and an "I am sorry, I wish I could do more" there was nothing to make up for a ruined new pullover. It is not always about money. Sometimes a small gesture like the offer of a free drink or tiny sweet makes all the change.
February 13 · Claire J.