Le Vingt Trois Cafe & Bakery — Restaurant in Herndon

Tucked away in an unexpected corner of Herndon, this café may look industrial from the outside—but step inside and it’s all modern French charm, aromatic coffee, and thoughtfully made bites that keep locals and visitors alike coming back. Whether you’re starting your day with a birthday latte or catching up with friends over flaky croissants and seasonal drinks, this spot blends cozy ambiance with culinary finesse.

The Vibe: Parisian Aesthetic Meets Local Comfort Despite its low-key location in an industrial park, the interior tells a different story: think French bakery vibes, white-and-wood décor, and an atmosphere that feels both elegant and easygoing. There’s a tiny patio out front for sunnier days, and inside, it’s bright, welcoming, and filled with the scent of fresh espresso and warm bread. Weekday mornings fill up fast, and by lunchtime, it’s often bustling. Still, the staff remains warm, efficient, and attentive—some even remember your order if you’re a regular.

The Menu: Simple, Flavor-Forward, and Seasonal This café leans into classic French staples with a twist, alongside creative seasonal lattes and solid coffee options. Top picks from the regulars: Jambon Beurre – A rustic French sandwich with Brie, prosciutto, and special butter on a crusty baguette. It’s light, flavorful, and always hits. Pro tip: ask for extra arugula if you like a fresh peppery bite.

Pesto Poulet – A strong contender for best sandwich, this one’s packed with flavor and a favorite among new visitors.

Croissant Sandwiches – Flaky, delicate, and made fresh. The vegetarian croissant of the day is a standout. Some guests say the croissants could be flakier, but most agree they’re still better than what you’ll find at the store.

Falafel Plate – Filling and delicious, though spicy jalapeño chunks might surprise spice-sensitive eaters.

Seasonal Lattes – From the Paris Rose (vanilla, lavender, cream foam, and rose) to May Flowers (raspberry cold foam with vanilla), these drinks are as beautiful as they are balanced.

Pastries & Tarts – The apricot tart is a favorite, and many reviewers mention the desserts look as good as they taste. Coffee offerings are thoughtful, from bold macchiatos to oat milk cappuccinos. While one reviewer didn’t catch the hazelnut flavor in their latte, most agree the creative drink menu is worth exploring.

Service & Details That Matter Ordering is counter-style, and food is brought to your table. While a couple of guests noted chipped mugs or missing silverware, the staff was quick to offer fixes and remained consistently friendly. Condiments are available at a self-serve station, and there’s plenty of accessible seating and parking—a bonus for such a hidden spot.

Whether you’re a latte lover, croissant snob, or just someone in need of a little café magic, this Herndon gem delivers. It’s not just about the food—it’s the ambience, service, and care that elevates the entire experience.

Come for the vibes, stay for the Jambon Beurre, and don’t leave without a seasonal latte in hand. Definitely a place worth returning to—and if you’re nearby, it’s one of the best casual cafés to add to your go-to list.

Once you're fueled with caffeine and croissants, swing by PullUpDC for the best cannabis selection in the city. Whether you're chilling at home or planning a picnic with pastries, PullUpDC has your good...

July 31, 2023 Raiken and Cam rock the place. They are the anchors and both know how to make my drink. Always smiling and eager to recommend from the menu. Katie-is also the heart and soul of this place. Most of the time you don't see her, she is always back in the kitchen and whips up dishes and assemble desserts and sandwiches for the customers. All three are amazing, including Mary, the owner!

Written 1 yr ago: This place is always clean and has a nice ambiance with a French flair to it. The sandwiches have delicate flavors and has the right balance. The bread makes such a difference. It is fresh and crusty from outside and just right. My fav even though I haven’t tried all of them are, Jambon Beurre, Villageois, and Jardiniere.

Top of it you have, Stephanie and Annabel, who anchor the place and run it well. Although they are temporary, they help out Mary. Both of them do things with a smile and are efficient. They train new staff when they can and just love their spunk. Stephanie invented the Whippiciono and knows exactly how I like it and she always has it down right! Annabel, has learned how to make my whippiciono too! Thank you both, you ladies ROCK the place! New hires, Rachel who has been there for some time, has taught me to be patient and she too learned how to make the whippiciono the way I like it. I am a high maintenance and they do such a good job of making sure I am one happy customer. Thank you Rachel, you have got it down right and I appreciate it. You also help me pick the desserts even though I need to stay away from them. Their latest new addition to the team is Vya, she is such a wonderful person with a champagne like personality. It’s amazing to watch her greet each customer with enthusiasm and make sure the customers orders are correct.

Now let’s talk about Mary, she is the heart and soul of this place. She whips out the best desserts that are not too sweet but deliciously good. I am not a cake person at all but she got me to eat her cakes. Check it out! My favs- pistachio ricotta cake, almond cake, almond coffee cake. And...

Let me start by saying that this is such an overpriced place. We all know that everything has gone more expensive. There's no denial about that!

This place is dirty. The chairs cushions are in desaray. The couches need some washing and tables need to get polished.

We knew that they close at 4pm but we thought maybe by 3 we could still get at least a pastry and coffee. So we arrive and were told they were still serving sandwiches.

I was shocked to see the amount we had to pay but in the back of my mind I'm thinking it's ok this place has so many great reviews. The cashier was in a rush and frustrated with us. It was our first time and didn't really know what to order. He didn't even welcome us or offered guidance for first time customer.

Anyways, they were 3 tables available. They were all dirty still with cups plates and napkins. At this point we had already paid.

We wanted the sandwiches first with the salad...then coffee with our desert. Deserts came first 🤔 Sandwiches come Second ( and there was nothing special about them). The chicken felt like it was boiled. The avocados brown from being old. The baguette had nothing to do with a french baguette or even freshly made.... no no no The guy forgot about the salad and when he brought it and I promise you guys the vinaigrette was nothing but balsamic vinegar. At this point we still had 10 mn. The cashier and the other guy started shutting the blinds and sweeping the floor and the woman cook had a bucket and was ready to clean as well.

I left disgusted and humiliated. You do not treat your customers like this. You owe them some respect. The employees of this place need training and guidance. The menu needs to be revised as well.

One thing for sure. I will not go back...