Essence Bakery Cafe

Chocolate raspberry croissant is my all time favorite. These baked goods are always my go to for a picnic or get together of some form. But the bakery itself is super cute too. Perfect for working or catching up with a friend. It gets busy on the weekends though. There are more parking in the back but still limited spots.

We’ve been coming here for years because the croissants are so good! We’ve always gotten a variety of them to take home but during our last visit we received some pretty unbelievable service. We were standing at the counter taking a look at the croissants and desserts & trying to narrow down what we wanted since we were planning on getting quite a few croissants for family. We must have been taking too long because the lady who was helping us full on rolled her eyes in front of us while we were finally placing our order. We were pretty shocked about the treatment but ignored it and finished placing our order. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she was having an off day but it was still incredibly rude. Maybe it was because we came in about half an hour before they were going to close? But there were still other customers sitting around leisurely and there was no one behind us trying to order. All in all, the service was pretty disappointing since we’ve been coming here for so long.

The building is a white square, so it can be easy to miss. Once there, it’s clean inside, and cute! There are a lot of good seating options. Food: the cookies are fine. I wouldn’t get one again. The croissants are absolutely delicious! And the macarons are the best I’ve had in AZ!!!! They’re obviously homemade, and they’re heckin’ big! The service is so friendly and quick :)

I first discovered Essence when they were still in their original Tempe location, and I’ve been a regular ever since they moved to Indian School Road. The food is consistently excellent, and the pastries are every bit as good as those I enjoyed while visiting Paris. As a locally owned business, Essence is an important part of the community. It’s the kind of place where I almost always run into someone I know, which adds to its charm. My favorites are the seasonal omelets—they’re so light and fluffy they’re like little clouds on a plate. The specials are always worth considering, too. And no visit is complete without a croissant. Whether it’s a savory cheese croissant or a sweet passion fruit and chocolate creation, they’re all fantastic. My personal favorite is the pistachio croissant. Service can occasionally take a little longer than expected, but quality takes time, and the results are always worth the wait. If you’re looking for a neighborhood bakery and café that combines exceptional food, world-class pastries, and a welcoming community atmosphere, Essence is one of Phoenix’s gems.

My God, I cannot even begin to describe the amazing bakery and coffee sold here! The croissants are the best I had outside Lacroix Pâtissier, Paris. No kidding. The efforts of the staff are wonderful. Go! You won't be disappointed.

Essence Bakery Café is one of those places that instantly feels warm and inviting the moment you walk in. The bread and pastries are clearly made with care, with great texture, flavor, and freshness that stand out from typical bakeries. Whether you’re stopping in for coffee and a pastry or sitting down for a meal, everything feels thoughtfully prepared and unhurried. The space is cozy without feeling cramped, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. It’s a great local café when you want quality baked goods and a comfortable place to enjoy them.

Absolutely horrible, make sure to check your food carefully before leaving. I drove for an hour to come purchase many food items from this bakery. One of those items was the quiche Lorraine from their quick service area. When I got home I discovered both of the quiche's had mold growing all over them due to the bakery not safely storing their refrigerated goods that were obviously left out over the weekend. This is a major health hazard and I may even report it to the health department. After I complained I was refunded but nothing was done to compensate for this issue. Essence Bakery did not offer to replace the food items or comp my bill as a properly managed food establishment should. I recommend finding another bakery to eat at if not, eat here your own risk for food poisoning.

I heard about the macarons from a coworker and had to get out there to snag some. I got there late but they still had enough to try all the flavors available. The raspberry and lemon were incredible. The rest which were vanilla, chocolate and I think salted caramel were good but not on the same level as the previous two. The salted caramel and vanilla tasted sort of the same which wasn't really a bad thing, but I was hoping for more distinct flavor.