Laika Cheesecake & Espresso — Restaurant in New Braunfels

I wanted to try Laika Cheesecake & Espresso in New Braunfels well after it opened so they could get over the new location opening hype. Today my daughter and I went for a taste. Ok, weird I know but neither one of us really like cheesecake, therefore they recommended the tres leches. It was very good, creamy and very sweet and tasted like I expect tres leches to taste. We would eat it again. Prices for jars, individual servings, are $7 (bring back 10 empty jars for a free one). The slices are $9, I believe most people share this size but I bet real cheesecake lover’s eat the whole thing. The refrigerators behind the counters are fully stocked, so they probably not running out during the day now they have been open a while. They have gluten and sugar free but no vegan options. They do have a drive thru off of Unicorn street. They also have a very handicapped friendly parking lot because there is no curb once you park in front of the parking stop. I didn’t have to walk around to a ramp because every parking spot is accessible to all storefronts. Coffee, espresso and tea prices are from $2.75 to $6, very affordable. I had a cappuccino and my daughter had Earl Grey hot tea, both were very good. 2 people there are very friendly and explained everything since it was our first time, great job staff! Now to the inside, they play retro music, which we enjoyed. Very mod with an industrial twist according to my daughter. Nice and spacious, 5 small tables with hard plastic chairs and along the back wall are 5 bench’s with backs, 1 tall table with 5 cushioned bar chairs, a long bar with 4 bar chairs and 2 ball bubble chairs that swivel. They don’t have high chairs or toddler chairs, however there is plenty of room for strollers. We sat inside reading for over 30 minutes after eating as people came and went. Plugs including USBs are all around, so you can plan on hanging out for a while. There is only 1 toilet in a unisex bathroom. That’s everything. Give it a try, we are...

It's...okay.

During my first visit, they were completely sold out on the cheesecake slices so I grabbed some of their jars. The service is okay and there was a huge wait. But I'm assuming its because the employees are new and don't know how to process customers. The jars were very unimpressive. It was cream cheese on top of loose graham cracker and is very pricey. It was sweet, but not a "good" cheesecake by any means.

During my second visit, they had some slices available. I ordered the espresso (which was good and not too sweet) and two slices of cheesecake. The service was more timely and positive. But the graham cracker on the cheesecake was cooked, which is nice. But the actual "cheese" of the cheesecake tasted like raw cream cheese and didn't really impress.

I don't understand the hype. It's a quaint location but it seems really overhyped. The cheesecake slices are okay, but the jars are terrible. I think the other bakeries in town can do a better cheesecake but may not have as many flavors. My overall recommendation: Skip this...

I went to the other Lakia with a friend near downtown a few days back and was not disappointed. So I wanted to check this one closer to my home as well. First thing you will notice is that is double the size of the other shop. The shop is catering towards customers looking for a small gourmet experience, at a reasonable price and they deliver. However, for me the main reason I wanted to return was to bring my 78 year old friend who is a foodie but can't eat large portions. The desert jars was a perfect solution for her. She could enjoy a small jar of a very hight quality desert and be able to put it away after a few bites to enjoy it later. This sound crazy but I know a lot of folks who can't eat very large portions, so is hard for them a place to eat out and enjoy something special like this. This is now our special spot that I know she will truly enjoy. Thank you and keep up...