LA French Bakery (Les Petits Pleasures) at 125 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, FL
Transported to France â One Pastry at a Time đ«đ·
Tucked away along A1A Beach Blvd in St. Augustine, Une Autre Histoire, La French Bakery (Les Petits Pleasures) is more than just a bakery â itâs a charming escape into the heart of France. From the moment you step inside, the air fills with the sweet aroma of fresh-baked pastries, and the gentle sound of French music sets the mood for a delightful experience. This cozy, European-style cafĂ© feels like a well-kept secret, where time slows down and flavor takes center stage.
Owners StĂ©phanie and Philippe have lovingly recreated the feel of a French sidewalk cafĂ©. Vintage photos from France adorn the walls, and every detail â from the buttery croissants to the savory sausage crepes â reflects authenticity. The cafĂ©âs motto couldnât be more fitting: YOU ARE NOT IN A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. YOU ARE IN A FRENCH BAKERY. SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY. BON APPĂTIT!
What to Try: Whether youâre an early riser looking for a buttery pain au chocolat or a mid-morning explorer seeking something heartier, the selection here is both elegant and satisfying. Favorites include: âą Flaky croissants made with imported French flour and butter âą Eclairs, fruit tarts, and dainty French cakes that look straight out of a Parisian patisserie âą Savory sausage crepes and croissant sandwiches, with the signature chicken salad croissant, vegan omelette with vegetables being a standout.
The coffee here deserves its own praise â rich, full-bodied, and perfectly paired with any pastry of your choosing.
Atmosphere: The vibe is casual, cozy, and intimate. Seating is limited, but that adds to the charm. Whether youâre seated inside or at a small bistro table outside, youâll feel like youâre watching the world go by from a little cafĂ© in Provence.
A Note on Pricing: Hereâs the twist â there are no visible prices, no printed menu, and no chalkboard. You order from the beautiful glass display, and the total is revealed at the register. Be prepared: the prices lean on the higher side, and thereâs an additional 3-4% surcharge for credit card payments. Itâs a subtle business strategy that might raise eyebrows, especially for first-time visitors. A little more transparency here would go a long way.
One Suggestion: for owners Swap out the Splenda and offer brown sugar or sugar cubes instead â it would better align with the authentic European cafĂ© vibe.
Final Thoughts: LA French Bakery isnât just about food â itâs about experience. Itâs a celebration of French culinary tradition in the heart of coastal Florida. Yes, itâs a bit of a splurge, but for a slice of France served with love and artistry, itâs worth savoring.
âš Bon appĂ©tit and donât forget to take your time â thatâs how the...
   Read moreI was excited to try this place, the pastries looked amazing. I wanted to get several items to take back to our vacation condo. Sadly, I did not get the chance. While in line, the woman at the counter was assisting other patrons and speaking French with some of them as she took their orders I am guessing she is an owner. She, helped prepare everyoneâs order and made their coffees. She saw myself and friend standing there and apologized and said one moment. We said âno worriesâ as we could tell she was busy. We waited a few minutes longer and she had disappeared. Another person came by with a mop, looked at us and said âsorry. âAgain no problem. Two other women came out to bring more food to the case, looked at us and went back into the kitchen where I observed a man wiping the floor and 2 other women making food. Again the owner shows up and grabbed a couple forks in front of us and said âexcuse me.â At this point we had been standing there for over 15 minutes waiting for someone to take our order. The owner was gone again she had gone outside, she eventually walks back in with another employee and instead of helping us, they walked right past us to have a discussion in the kitchen with the employees about whatever was spilled on the floor back there. At this point, we decided to leave. We were on a timeline as we had to pick up a friend from the airport. As soon as we left, the owner came back to the counter and helped another couple who came on after us. Perhaps we didnât look as well dressed.( we were in shorts and t -shirts) as the people before us, with whom the owner spoke with about their experiences in France. This bakery missed out on a healthy sale. My MIL is French so I appreciate good French pastries, crepes and quiche, all of which I was planning on purchasing, especially the croissants and tarts for dessert tonight. I am familiar with the amount of talent and effort it takes to make them so I understand the higher costs. I also prefer to support local businesses whenever I travel and am a patient person. I realize there is cultural difference however ,this is just bad customer service. Itâs hard to understand when Iâve seen or interacted with 6 employees and my order...
   Read moreThere is no amount of praise that I can give that will be able to express my love of Les Petits Pleasures! I am so grateful they have chosen Anastasia Island as their home. Southerners know that "love" is the most important ingredient in any recipe, but I think we could learn a thing or two from France. The level of thoughtfulness, creativity, and care put into each dish is special for this tourist-centric area, in my opinion. The owners, operators, and staff are all passionate and knowledgeable about their food--if you don't know where to start, just ask! It also has a great cafe-like atmosphere--you are welcome to enjoy yourself at your leisure. It serves as a hub for conversations and connections, and you'll find many people meeting here to catch up, have business lunches, or host social gatherings. I have also studied here with no rush or pressure to leave. The option for inside and outside tables, as well as a window bar, makes for a very comfortable experience.
I like to try something new every time I come in, but I do have some favorites. For sandwiches, La Parisian, Turkey and Brie, and the Hot Croissant (ham, gruyere, and bechamel) are my favorites. Their fresh fruit pastries are necessary, do not leave without one--they have made me a believer in pears, a fruit I once found superfluous at best. But my absolute favorite is their cream-stuffed brioche. I am NOT a fan of cream-filled pastries, but this? The cream has an almost airy feel and the bread is light and softly sweet. It's better than any donut you've ever had.
The have a sign in their shop that I love, and a reminder I'd like to emphasize: You are not in a fast food restaurant. You are in a French bakery. Slow down and enjoy. Les Petits Pleasures is a culinary experience, and we're lucky to have...
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