Sophia DeGennaro
Two years after Glory Doughnuts closed, a new cafe has taken its place downtown. Le Luna Bakery & Cafe opened its doors in January 2024, after purchasing and renovating the space in 2023.
Walking into the building is a complete tonal shift from the busy hubbub and noise of downtown. The atmosphere is comfortable and familiar – soft jazz tracks play in the background, and the buzz of conversation and noise of the kitchen make the space feel lived-in and welcoming. The decorations range from plants to books to candles, all placed with intention on the shelves and tables. Most tables had vases of flowers, adding a soft floral note to the powerful – but not overwhelming – smell of coffee and pastries.
The actual space is full of cream and white colors with wood-toned and black accents, creating a classy rustic modern vibe. Le Luna has lots of natural lighting, with two walls having wide, nearly corner-to-corner windows to allow sunlight to illuminate the space.
The architecture makes the space feel very open, and there’s seating for larger groups and smaller groups alike. Both of the large windows have bar-style tables and stools perfect for people watching, and a long farmhouse-style table in the center is great for groups. There’s also a few small tables for two, and a couched lounge area with games and candles.
I tried a classic Earl Gray tea, a peach almond pastry and a classic croissant – the mark of any good bakery. They offered everything from almond croissants to salmon quiche, with plenty of stops in between for those who’d like to try them. Their Facebook advertises that everything is made fresh each day, and their rotating menu seems to reflect that. Although staples like croissants and pain au chocolat seem to be available every day, specialty and seasonal items rotate depending on the day.
The service was fast and friendly, and I had my tea and two items in less than a minute. The tea was delicious – and at $2.50, it was a perfectly reasonable price.
The croissant was bigger than I expected for the price and had a very flaky and buttery crust. Croissants are typically made with “laminated” dough, a type of dough that has had butter folded in to create layers of butter and dough – giving croissants their distinctive and sought-after cross-section. Le Luna’s croissants show off the power of laminated dough beautifully, with the cross-section revealing a very impressive rise. The croissant was $4.25.
The peach almond pastry had a very lovely presentation – the laminated dough that made up its base was perfectly flaky and dusted with powdered sugar. The center was filled with peach slices, and it smelled like fresh peaches and almonds. Underneath the peaches was a sugared almond puree, creating a delicious and texturally diverse flavor profile. The peach pastry was the most expensive item ordered, at $5.95, but felt worth the price for it’s delicious flavors.
Overall, Le Luna is a great space to check out. It seems perfect for study sessions, coffee dates, or lunch with friends. The cozy, specific vibe that Le Luna cultivates – a jazzy, rustic modern feel – may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s certainly a must–try!
Le Luna is located at 162 West Patrick St., just a short walk from Hood through downtown. There is also free, on-site parking behind the building, just across from Mullinix park. Their current hours are posted as 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
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