Leaven Bakery — Restaurant in New Albany

Leaven Bakery is the hidden gem of New Albany! We have visited on two different mornings and each visit the food was equally amazing.

When you walk in, you are immediately greeted happily by the owners/chefs as they cook and bake in the open concept kitchen right beside you. They have two dining rooms inside, and a few tables with umbrellas outside. It's open and spacious, and bright. The staff is so friendly.

There is a case of made-from-scratch desserts and breads (that sourdough, though) that change. We have tried a lot of them, as well as two of their breakfast sandwiches. They make their sandwiches with fresh bread they bake themselves, and they are huge! Breakfast sandwiches are served with herbed potatoes. They serve drip coffee and offer organic juices and other beverages.

I do have a few observations to share. If you plan to order a breakfast sandwich, make sure you have a little time to wait. Since everything is made to serve, it takes a little longer for the sandwiches. Secondly, I wish the menu was a little larger because I want to try more of their delicious creations! :)

We...

To understand this place, we need to go all the way back to Ancient Greek mythology. After feeding forbidden food to the gods, Tantalus was banished to the bottom layer of hell and compelled to stand for the rest of time in neck-deep water, his feet planted firmly at the base of a tree bearing the most luscious, succulent fruit you’ve ever seen. Fruit that, to Tantalus’ eternal dismay, will forever be just out of reach of his starved, desperate grasp. He is and forever will be tantalized by what he may never have.

To eat at Leaven Bakery is what I imagine it would feel like if, after thousands of years of yearning, Tantalus finally got a taste of that fruit. The owners and staff are as lovely as can be and, not being hyperbolic in any way, I genuinely think they are the most capable chefs in a 50-mile radius. Even on Mother’s Day, one of their busiest days of the year, I felt like I was walking into my friends’ kitchen. The atmosphere is fantastic, they play great music, and the food is as good as...

We live about 40 minutes away. So we don't make it to Leaven Bakery as often as we would like to! We were in town this weekend for surgery at Baptist. We she was released from her clear liquid diet I asked what sounded good. She asked me, if I thought Leaven would be open. (Due to it being Easter weekend.) So I left, to get her favorite cinnamon roll in town. We wanted to do something nice for the staff on her floor! So I ordered 8 additional rolls. I didn't picture nurses being able to sit still long enough to eat an entire roll. I asked if they could maybe cut them into 1/4 pieces. She went above and beyond placing the quarter pieces in small muffin papers with a splash of Easter decor! The nurses won't stop talking about how amazing they are and how much they appreciated it! Leaven is the definition of what smaller local businesses should be!

Thank You! Chris Newlin

ps. I forgot to order sausage for her. She loves their house made...