Update in response to comment: I would love to come back and take advantage of your offer in the below comment but I never keep receipts nor did I get one the day of my purchase. So disappointing. We spent over $10 on 3 macarons and 2 of the 3 were stale and hard as rocks! We drove up from Ahwatukee because we love macarons and we're excited to try this place. What a waste of time and money. So sad. read more

I would not go here for breakfast. The food is very overpriced - I paid almost $20 for french toast and bacon. The french toast was a very bland and a little sour. It came with a tiny plastic cup of cold syrup instead of a warm dispenser. In addition, we waited forever for two orders. read more

I called and they asked me to be on hold for a moment and I was on hold for over 10 minutes. I called again thinking they maybe forgot, and I was on hold again. Not good customer service.. read more

OMG I wish I'd found this place sooner when I moved here 4 years ago. I haven't been able to eat there during COVID,but their takeout pastries are out of this world. We've served them at picnic breakfasts during COVID. Everyone loves them and fortunately we always buy too many so there are leftovers. Ok, we buy too many on purpose. The chocolate almond croissants are delicious!!! read more

Thank you! -Visited you Sunday. Delicious egg sandwich and baguettes this trip. We took some cookies to our new neighbors. See you next time. read more

Essence Bakery Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Used to love coming here and haven't had any issues prior with coming in grabbing a macaron and walking out while holding my small pup who is 4 pounds. It's hot in Arizona, I'm not going to leave my dog in a hot car when I'm running in to grab one thing and then back out and I'm also not leaving my car unlocked to keep the car running. I'd understand if we were going to sit and eat there but we were running in to grab a macaron for my girlfriends birthday as a surprise and was met with subpar customer service, not friendly at all, instantly coming off with an attitude about my pup which again, was going to be a quick grab a macaron, pay and go back to the car. Would you leave your baby in the car? Even if it's for a quick run in? No. Arizona is HOT. Cars get HOT. Also, the forced tipping is ridiculous for someone just handing me a macaron. Definitely not coming back, unfortunate that one bad experience can outweigh the few good ones. read more

My friends and I come regularly for breakfast, and we've surrendered to the fact that we'll never leave without a made from scratch pastry. We've tried to understand how a chocolate croissant can be completely cool but still have melted, gooey chocolate on the inside. Obviously, the answer is..MAGIC, and we never pass up magic desserts at any meal. The food is incredible. In 10 years of eating here I've liked everything I've ordered. I usually get the huevos frenchos, oat pancakes, or the special the chef creates for the week. The chef uses local, organic ingredients and is a true artist. Art takes time so don't expect to be in and out in 30 minutes if you're there for breakfast. When you want to relax into your morning, enjoying your time and your food, have a meal at Essence. read more

The pastries are outstanding. The pistachio danish was our favorite but everything else is equally delicious. If you're in the area, this place is a must! read more

Exquisite recipes. Complex and delicious. Chef is exceptional. We really do love the food and folks here.

French toast was overcooked and mediocre, it was just slightly burnt french toast with fruit slices on top, not nearly close to the compote it was supposed to be. Wife's avocado toast was overcooked and hard to bite and cut through. Not worth the $45 bill. The bakery was a little scarce and had only macaroons. At least my wife liked her meal taste. Menu items are not accommodating like asking for half and half versus regular milk for coffees or getting a food item without a certain topping. The prices were extremely expensive for the level of quality you get. Not really worth it. But this is only my opinion. I wish I had a better experience. I was a little too hopeful. Mediocre american food with a French name tagged to it and charging more doesn't produce quality. I do wish the bakery had more of a selection. read more

We were expecting a relaxing lunch with good food and pleasant service. We were disappointed on both fronts. Sandwich arrived not as ordered, and with cold soup. It was returned for the original order, but not without argument and protestations from the server. X-buzzer to this place. read more

Amazing pastries! 10/10 would recommend visiting! Masks are required inside, and you just grab your food and go!

The absolute BEST pastry and fresh, hand-made food you will find outside of Paris! Have been a patron & fan of all foods Essences for years; from Tempe location to E. Indian School Rd. No one puts more thought into sourcing ingredients or skill into the preparation than Chef Eugenia Theodosopoulos. Give yourself a treat & indulge your palate at Essence. read more

I got a gift card from my job's holiday party and decided to go here today. I got an egg sandwich, no tomato with spinach on a croissant. It was average, and so very greasy. It really took away from the experience. I would have hated to pay almost $11 for that. It's a cute location, but I probably won't go back read more

Essence Bakery Cafe - Greasy sandwich box - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

This is close to my house and I'm always looking for new places for coffee, breakfast, and a little work time. The food and coffee here are good, but probably not worth the cost. And there is NO WIFi! How do you have a cafe with no WiFi? I assume they just don't want people to linger, but it seems very unwelcoming, and at the very least, there should be sign. You could easily make a nice sign before people come in, order food, and expect to be able to get on WiFi. read more

I've heard rave review after rave review about this bakery and I've got to say, it certainly didn't disappoint! I stopped in for breakfast this morning and ordered the french scrambled eggs with bacon, toast, fresh jam and a vanilla latte. First and foremost, I love that they asked if I wanted my bacon chewy or crispy as this is a big source of debate amongst bacon lovers. (: My scrambled eggs were literally melt-in-your-mouth creamy and the flavor medley was just outstanding. Probably THE best scrambled eggs I've ever eaten. And that latte...oh, that latte. *dreamy sigh* It was what every latte on the planet should be. The ideal drinking temperature, creamy, rich and teeming with real vanilla bean. I can't wait to come back again in the future and try something new and most certainly delectable. Hats off, Essence. read more

Legit pastries. A-plus croissants. Particularly enjoyed the chocolate and pistachio options. Highly recommend.

One of my family members brought me here after yoga. HOLY COW! SERIOUSLY. If there is one thing I Love in this life, It's a damn good croissant. And they're hard to find. A TRULY great croissant. And here at Essence? I think I have to say top croissant ever. ALSO, the macarons. I've always sort of detested macarons in general. They always seem like dry puffs of air. Well, I tried a few of their large size macarons and I think I finally understand what a macaron is supposed to taste like. The raspberry rose on tastes like silky sweet flowers, and the lemon one was SO delightful. We went there once more on our way out of town, & got breakfast and pastries to go. I also have to vouche for their french scrambled eggs, and potato cake. They just do everything here so well, there is not words.... Thank you Essence Bakery. I Love you! read more

Love this place! I come for coffee and a croissant almost every Saturday and it never ceases to blow my mind! And that is just the basics of their menu. Highly recommend. read more

The slowest service I have ever received, plus the girls don't have the best customer service. Very dry and not friendly. I waited over 15 minutes for a coffee and a salad. Don't go there if you are in a rush read more

Oh my heaven! This was absolutely THE BEST BREAKFAST I've ever experienced! I had the special: scrambled organic eggs, spinach, chives and mild cheddar cheese topped with avocado! Melt in your mouth. Came with whole grain toast and apricot preserves. There are plenty of other things on the menu! We had to try a chocolate croissant (Oh my) and walked out with a variety of croissants and macarons for later! Absolutely excellent! Service was outstanding! You need to go to this little piece of heaven! read more

Such a fun place with cute decor and yummy food! Perfect hangout spot with girlfriends especially, if you want some sandwiches or desserts. I had the jalapeño croque-monsieur with potato salad. I loved it. Sandwich was savory, creamy with a little kick. Potato salad was yummy and perfect for a hot Arizona day. If you do not like mustard though, I suggest you skip it. I will be returning to try more stuff read more

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Oh...my...lordy people. I wish I had a photo, but you would think it was drawn or photos hopped. I've tried their breakfast and lunch, but the pastries really drive this bakery. Granted they are super pricey, baking ingredients are almost still cheap, their skill and craftsmanship make the most amazing chocolate/pistachio croissants as well as a multitude of other desserts. Totally recommend checking them out if you can spare some change. read more

Yes always great authentic French pastries however this visit warranted a 'review'. I had the international flavor brunch 'special' that included organic squash blossoms pressed between house made corn tortilla and plenty of oaxaca cheese. It did not stop there, this quesadilla was topped with organic eggs scrambled (I got my requested egg whites instead) and warm pepper bacon (c photo). Temperature was perfect of all ingredients and a finely diced fresh house made salsa clinched it for me. Palate and nutritionally balanced brunch. Get on their email list for weekly 'specials'! read more

Essence Bakery Cafe - Brunch Special Quesadilla - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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I almost hesitate to review as the more people that know about this the harder it will be to park....but this is really my favorite place to lunch in Arcadia. Love the salads, sandwiches and of course the macaron's are the bomb. We've also catered for corporate breakfasts and the food was superb. They have a small dining room as well, which looks like it would be really great for a group lunch or lunch meeting. Really the only downside here is the limited parking. read more

Two goods and a bad here. Iced dirty chai latte was delicious and smooth and the chocolate caramel sea salt tarte was decadent. I would definitely order either one again and the tarte could easily be shared between two for two satisfying portions. However, the large meyer lemon macaron was disappointing. I got it to go and the shell was greasy and was crumbling as it took it out of the paper bag. It was oily and mushy. I may try their macarons again and opt of the small ones to see how those are. read more

Mediocre food, inept service, dismal interior. Menu is a poor guide to what they actually have available.

$15 plus tax for breakfast and it was only me!!!!!!! A breakfast sandwich and coffee. This place is outrageously expensive. Why is has $$ is a mystery. I ordered a classic breakfast sandwich and requested is on a croissant and there was a $2.00 up charge! Two extremely small pieces of avocado was $.90. So an egg sandwich became $9.40. The individual pastries were slightly overpriced but very good. The brewed coffe is extremely weak and no better then Circle K. AND.......NO WiFi!!! AND louder then normal background music that was Annoying and not selected for a relaxing early morning breakfast. I really think the music is for the young staff not for ambience. With all this being said, the food was good. read more

Fantastic!! The quiche was amazing, hubby had the sausage turnover- the flakiest ever !! Coffee was hot. Great job Team Essence !!

The food was excellent but it's very disappointing that the staff makes me feel like I shouldn't come back. I haven't felt such uncomfortable energies. It's hard to explain but once you walk in there and see the looks every person gets for entering their business you'll see what I'm talking about. It was such an unwelcoming feeling. I asked a question about the menu and was made to feel stupid because I wanted something other than cream In my coffee. When the woman gave me my drink it was like I was putting her out for simply standing behind the coffee machine and doing her job. I really want to come back because the bakery items were amazing but I haven't felt so eager to leave an environment like I did today in a really long time. Very sad about it because they have the potential to be an awesome Phoenix spot. read more

Food here is excellent. Counter service is hit and miss. Would go there more often if there was more consistency at the counter. We've been semi-regulars since they opened. Was disappointed today when the counter person told us at 10:57 that breakfast was over. We were in line when someone in the kitchen said "no more breakfast" and changed the hanging breakfast sign to a lunch sign. Considering we are in line already, I think it would be a reasonable accommodation to serve us breakfast. We left without ordering anything. The attendant didn't offer to check with the kitchen and didn't seem to care. Will definitely be back because of the great food and local ownership. read more

I absolutely love their macarons! The pistachio ones are my favorite!!! I hope they offer cooking classes at some point because I would love to be able to make them as well as they do! read more

Delicious pan au chocolate! Reminded me of Paris. Order yours early if you plan to have it on the weekend.

The breakfast special was perfect. Took a pistachio pastry home, along with bread, all amazing. We will be back!

Today I went into Essence with the idea of having a few macaroons that are typically a favorite. When we went inside, there was no macaroons, so we decided to order something off the menu. I decided to order the buttermilk pancake. I asked the lady taking my order what they included,because I've never had an oat pancake before. She said, "it's just a pancake "and "I don't know it's a pancake". We then were seated and received no water or an offer for drinks. When we went up to the front to ask for some water, the lady, taking our order, aggressively dismissed us by asking for the next person in line, while making eye contact with us. When the pancakes finally came out, and I took a bite, they were absolutely the most regurgitating, disgusting, gut wrenching pancakes I've ever had. They honestly tasted like spoiled milk and baby food, as well as a hint of lemon juice and a buttermilk pancake. Not only do they taste extremely awful, but they looked extremely awful, they were burnt to a crisp and charred with pieces of burnt pancake, flaking off. we got up and left abruptly with no plans to ever spend another dime here again. read more

Had breakfast here today and I can't say enough about how delicious their almond croissant was. They had a lot of temping baked goods, but that will have to be another time. I also ate the eggs and potatoes, both were good. My husband had a breakfast sandwich which he really liked too. Service was excellent and found parking easily in the back. read more

1. Best spanikofala in Maricopa County! 2. Our compliments and appreciation to Essence Bakery for closing while they assessed the situation after a staff member tested positive for the CoVID19 virus. If only our governor would be so responsible and concerned for our welfare. read more

The French Macaroons were so darn good!!! Definitely worth it. And the chocolate croissant was wonderfully crispy on the outside and so soft inside. Definitely a must try. read more

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Stopped in for lunch after a recommendation from Alaskan Pride down the street. We both ordered the Mediterranean Plates. We also had some delicious treats for dessert! Fresh and delicious! The staff is friendly and helpful. We will return when we are in the city. read more

This place is very quaint and cute with lots of yummy pastries. Coffee is just decent, had a cappuccino which froth was underwhelming and vanilla latte which was ok. The breakfast puff pastry with sausage inside was scrumptious but I think the reason to return here would be the pastries. I got a cream cheese Danish which was flaky in all the right ways and 5 mini macarons which were all delicious and hand made! (Espresso, hazelnut, pistachio, pumpkin, and vanilla bean). Also service was great! read more