Fresh Baguette

I write this review with genuine disappointment. I used to be a huge fan of Fresh Baguette — so much so that I would drive 45 minutes to the Rockville location before the McLean shop opened. I even stood in line at 5 a.m. for the McLean grand opening, which is not something I would normally do. That’s how much I believed in the product and the brand. Unfortunately, something has changed. Customer service aside, the quality — particularly of the baguette — has declined significantly. What is most concerning is that the baguette is no longer a baguette in any meaningful sense. The loaf I purchased recently from the McLean location lacks the defining characteristics of a proper baguette: there is no irregular, open crumb structure, no light and airy interior, and no slight chew that one expects. The interior is dense and uniform, as shown in the attached photos. This is especially disappointing because it was not always this way. Fresh Baguette built its reputation on authenticity and quality, and it’s sad to see that standard slip as the company has expanded. I hope this feedback is taken seriously, because many long-time customers like myself truly want Fresh Baguette to return to what made it special in the first place.

Everything I’ve eaten here has been amazing! From the pastries to the little croissant bagels, YUM!! I’ve had the plain croissant, chocolate croissant, kouign amann, and the eclair. All delicious. And I love their cro’gel - croissant bagel. They have them in a large size and a mini. I always get the mini so I can enjoy some pastries too. I do wish their coffee offerings had more, like I always want a chai and they don’t have that. But that’s okay. I also like that they have a little market with European snacks and treats, makes this place different from others.

Fresh Baguette in McLean is a go-to spot and never disappoints. The bread is always fresh and well-made — exactly what you'd expect from a quality bakery. Beyond the baguettes, they offer a great selection of pastries, sandwiches, and other options that keep you coming back for more. What truly stands out is the team; friendly, efficient, and genuinely welcoming every time you visit. Thank you & God bless you and your family 😊

Who ever made the croissants today should never be allowed to make them again. It’s a solid brick of bitter dough. This is the worst croissant I have had anywhere, which is a shame since usually these are the best. But this level of failure is not forgivable. It’s obvious from their outside they aren’t right and should not have been sold to customers.

I had the Norwegian sandwich with smoked salmon and the coffee eclair. The sandwich was a little dry and needed more cream cheese but tasty. The coffee eclair was good and very rich. I would probably try other menu items in the future. It was in the same building as my dentist so good for a quick bite. Staff is friendly and they also have an outdoor seating area which is nice. Worth a try if you’re nearby. The French theme is interesting and they also sell items that you can’t find elsewhere.

The inside tables and atmosphere leave something to be desired bc it's one long counter with very few tables and it feels kind of cramped. But the coffee and pastries are delicious and I love their bread. I go there for baguettes, sandwiches, and pastries. I will say the shell on their raspberry tarts is too thick and a weird consistency - but the caramel one is amazing.

We love our unique sandwiches we get at Fresh Baguette. Yesterday we walked over there and did take out. Though we have enjoyed sitting outside too!

Did a quick to go order for coffee and eclairs. The eclairs seemed something I would get from Walmart or any similar store. Coffee was ok

Everything I've eaten here has been amazing! From the pastries to the little croissant bagels, YUM!! I've had the plain croissant, chocolate croissant, kouign amann, and the eclair. All delicious. And I love their cro'gel - croissant bagel. They have them in a large size and a mini. I always get the mini so I can enjoy some pastries too. I do wish their coffee offerings had more, like I always want a chai and they don't have that. But that's okay. I also like that they have a little market with European snacks and treats, makes this place different from others.

The opal noir was meh. The croissants were good along with the baguettes. The raspberry croissants are stunning to look at but the seeds get stuck in your teeth. So I would experience it once and then treat it like an oddity. The eclair is too small and expensive for me to try it. Parking is easy.

Croissant and pastry galore, glad another location of Fresh Baguette opened up near me in McLean! The buttery Nutella Croissant and the savory Cro'gel are my picks! Interestingly, the croissants aren't baked in a traditional oven, they are baked in a rotating circular oven. The almond croissants were baking when I arrived and waited for them to finish in 15 min before snagging one! The fluffy Nutella Croissant has a small decadent filling of Nutella. The Raspberry Croissant had a nice raspberry puree. I wasn't a big fan of the Almond Croissant and the brown almond paste. I prefer a more traditional yellow almond cream filling with frangipane. The flaky Cro'gel has an unique texture like a croissant in the shape of a bagel. Feels like I'm eating an airy everything garlicky bagel without all of the carbs! I bought 2 Cro'gels and made egg and cheese sandwiches for dinner. Will be back for the Plain and Nutella Croissant and Cro'gel!

This spot won 2024 Best Baguette in the DMV as voted on by the French Embassy. I don't know how you can challenge that expert opinion. The baguettes are indeed delicious and, yes, super fresh. The pastries here are also sublimely delicious and beautiful. They have coffee, tea and a selection of equally lovely looking sandwiches but I have not tried any of those yet. Pastries are on the expensive side at $5-6 for a filled croissant and $8-10 for a gourmet individual pastry, but they are a worthy little splurge! There are paid memberships that give you discounts on each purchase and would be worth it if you come here often. Service is friendly and efficient; there are some outdoor tables in front if you would like to enjoy your treat here.

Quiche was dry ; over cooked. Capachino was not hot; Chef who waited on us was not friendly.

The sandwich was decent and very aesthetically pleasing. It wasn't as crispy as I would've imagined. Also the Dijon mustard in one of the sandwich was a little too much and took away from the taste of everything. Other than that, a good place to check out if you're in the area!

Fantastic breads and delicious croissants - the best of any in the area. Very friendly service too.

This place used to be so great when they first opened. I used to come daily for my baguette and coffee. I would drop by for breakfast and lunch. The past several times I have gone there, it has been terrible. This last time, the coffee was not even warm and a traditionally cold sandwich came out hot and looked unappetizing. Unfortunately, I carried out and could not send them back. I threw everything out because coffee was not drinkable and food was inedible. Clearly, the staff is not trained or trained well. On several occasions, I would come in, and they wouldn't have any bread. It's basically a bread shop. I don't know how they are getting 5 stars because my recent experiences have not been remotely good.

Got goodies delivered from here for the office and let me tell you, LOVE LOVE LOVE! Everything made here is delicious. We got to try lots of different pastries. My favorite are the mini chocolate croissants and regular croissants. They are perfect in flavor, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside! The brownies are soft and chewy but at the same time, crispy on the outside! Everything was packed so carefully and nice in the boxes. Will deffinitely order here again and will try their coffee next!

I love this place and I'm actually grateful that I'm able to get a real French baguette close to home. Order some of their traditional sandwiches and you'll see how simplicity becomes perfection. The Parisian a jam, cheese, and butter on a Parisian baguette will have you rethinking what we have been doing wrong in America by adding a ton of ham and cheese without flavor and add simple but great quality ingredients. The raclette sandwich is also divine. It touches and balances the four characteristic of a great dish: heat, fat, acidity, and salt. They service is also amazing, they take their time to prepare items ensuring things are done right. Also try their desserts I haven't had one to disappoint

It's a clean, French-style spot with comfy outdoor seating under some nice shade. Inside, you can see pastries and baguettes baking in the oven behind the cashier. I tried a croissant, took it outside, and really enjoyed its freshness, buttery taste, and layers. It was such a good experience that I've been going back regularly, whether it's for another croissant, a baguette, or their weekly fresh bread specials. You should definitely enjoy it out!

The service is impressive and so friendly . The baked good are perfection- especially the croissant ! Location is walkable and easy to get to for lunch during the week if you work in the Tyson's area. Can't say enough great things about it .

First of all, Yelp needs to increase the stars to be more than 5 ! Because 5 is not enough for that place! I will not be able to stop talking about that place so you better save your time from reading my endless review and go try it immediately and also subscribe to their unbelievable Coffee subscription the phenomenal "Fresh Brew Club " ! For $11 after taxes, includes all Espresso drinks , hot & and cold, and hot chocolate ! Up to 5 drinks a day , you can a drink every 45 minutes. Locations in the best neighborhoods : McLean Bethesda Rockville Georgetown Old Town Alexandria Amazing authentic French Cafe! You can find everything! Macrons, Fresh Bread , and croissants with multiple varieties - the Kouign Amann is unbelievable, "you can say it as koonya maann " - Savory Croissant and Quiches , Pastries & Gateaux , other baked goods , large cakes and large quiches and my favorite the sandwiches!!! This place has a phenomenal item that I have never seen elsewhere. It's the Cro'gel !!! Croissant dough in a bagel shape!!! Crispy on the top and taste very unique from a croissant or a bagel I tried the amazing Norwegian Cro'gel and my cousin got the village !! Both were far beyond amazing! I also got the Parisian Baguette Sophie was the Cafe attendant that helped me with her suggestions, and she also told me about the Fresh Brew Club . Her service went above and beyond with her beautiful smile and patience with first-time customers like myself

I liked this place because it's always fresh. The prices a little bit higher for small pieces of dessert, but overall it's good. You can find place for sitting inside or outside. Staff is very friendly.

Only been here one time and I was impressed. Love the theme of this place from the awesome display case showing the actual product. The store's design is really nice, inviting and well lit. Even their website was easy to navigate, had picture's of the products as well making it easy to make choices. Staff was friendly, prompt and inviting. Grabbed a chocolate Croissant, along with a loaf of their raisin walnut. The fact their breads are organic is a big advantage. All non organic grains grown in the US are sprayed with folic acid (nasty stuff). Then the flour is enriched with things I do not want to consume nor does any of us need in our system. Read the ingredients of corporate grocery store fresh baked bread. No human should be consuming that, as it's not real bread. The baked goods ended up being top quality from my experience. I've been trying loafs of bread from every local bakery I can find. This one will be added to my repeat list. I usually test a bakery by their sourdough which I will try on my next visit. I have had it from a local small store that sources their bread from here. It was very delicious.

French bakery with a wide range of pastries Have one of each of their different variations of pastries labeled and out on display, which makes it easier to figure out what you want to get The two guys who work there are French and have awesome accents Have a $10/month coffee deal where you pay a monthly subscription for $10 and then can get unlimited coffee, tea, and iced latte's! The pastries that my GF and I tried were nothing special, but their vanilla iced coffee was solid. They also have a crossing-bagel, which I imagine food-influencers go crazy for Limited seating available at three small tables

FAVORITE croissant spot in the area! So happy there's a location closer to the heart of northern VA/easier access. Located right across from McLean Butcher, there's an easy parking lot right behind. Croissants, pastries, baguettes..all delicious. Baked fresh, the breads/pastries are perfectly flaky on the outside and soft interior. Go early, anything that runs out isn't replenished. The croque monsieur is just ok, the bread is the best part. -1 was for the man at the counter that helped us. He was borderline rude, never smiled, and then got impatient with us when asked to correct it. But we'll certainly be back for the delicious goods.

This place is awesome. 1. The food: great Everything we had tasted amazing. What makes this place special is the NEW and never before seen items, as in different things compared to other bakeries, such as Kouign Amann & Cannele! Where else can you try these? only here. 2. Drinks: pretty good 3. Service: nice, a bit slow, but very polite 4. Inside: could use some comfier seats and more tables

One year ago I used to like the place but now when I find out more fresh baguette in McLean Virginia is using low quality compass coffee which is generic with no roasting date on the package and they are missing the Parisian French spirit no French music old words are all white the only two pictures which are crooked the coffee was removed from coffee area and it's now you know she has just want to make sure nobody steals any coffee but you know people just did themselves small refill no big deal because if you are paying $15 for the sandwich you shouldn't be so cheap on it even some extra coffee with you to the customers there's no French atmosphere like I stayed with one more time and I'm long time resident of McLean since 1989 so in general I'm disappointed when I found out that he was low quality coffee same as Starbucks Starbucks is the worst they have a GMO there was coffee in the world

Chocolate croissants, apple turnover and cinnamon roll are my favorites! Quiet cafe and excellent staff!

I discovered this little cafe on my way out to Great Falls for a hike. I stopped by for a coffee and croissant but ended up with coffee and a couple of other things entirely! It's a very cute café with a small amount of indoor and outdoor seating. They have a pretty impressive assortment of baked goods here. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of labeling all food offerings on display with descriptions so that you can try something new! I have to come back and try the Nutella croissant, but the Kouign Amann was perfect! I only wish they had asked if I wanted it to be warmed up. I also tried the sunny side up Crogel and it was very good, although the bacon to everything else ratio was off (too much tomato, generous amount of Mayo, and a nice size egg. But not enough bacon!). I loved the croissant-bagel hybrid concept itself. Coffee was unremarkable but still very solid. I had a caramel macchiato. I will definitely make this place a regular stop for my morning snack before a hike!

Excellence. I ordered catering (the assorted Cro'Gel Sandwiches) for a business event. SO GOOD! Everything arrived 15 minutes early and there were none left at the end. Guests raved about the taste and freshness of the ingredients. I will absolutely use them again.

Wonderful new breakfast spot for my family. I bring the doggos and my rents a couple times a week to get their cro'gel sandwiches. They're DELICIOUS!!!!!! The croissant bagels - what a divine creation. Tastes like heaven. I've tried em all and we all have favorites. My dad loves the sunny side with bacon, mom loves the Norwegian which is a refreshing salmon and cucumber combo, and my personal favorite is the Californian with roasted Turkey and avocado. The Sunny Side Up Bacon and Californian both have an oregano aioli that brings the sammies up ten notches. It's creamy and refreshing. The Norwegian has chive cream cheese that goes beautifully with smoked salmon. My SIL also noted she thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate croissant. The staff are friendly and helpful but I think they need to get the line better in order. When I walk in, no one really knows who was first, or I sure do but the staff won't. It creates an awkward situation at times but I appreciate the staff's enthusiasm. I'm not one for tipping when I'm picking up food myself but I can see how they're taking time to put together the sandwiches and I'll add a 15% tip at times to show me appreciation for those extra details. The coffee is also delicious- whole family approves it as being fresh and not too strong, light or bold. It's not a free refill but the cup sizing is hefty so you get a good bang for your buck. I might even consider joining their sip club to enjoy the beverage discount from it since we go there often. There's a slight inconvenience of coming when busy bc of the valet parking situation. If there's street parking up front, I'd suggest you take to that first.

Literally the best almond croissant I've ever had in my life! Hands down! Singing **simply the best** all the way home. I also tried the raisin swirl and traditional baguette all very fresh. The display is all very cute.

They were good, but I went a few weeks ago and can't remember what I ordered. So, that tells me I didn't have anything that stood out to me. I'll have to try again.

Found Fresh Baguette by luck while in McLean on business. Absolutely delicious pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and bread! The staff were helpful and friendly! A quaint place for coffee and a bite! Would totally meet a friend here for coffee. Can't wait to go back!

if you've not been yet you really need to get over to Fresh Baguette if you want THE BEST breads and pastries. The French Embassy recently conducted a survey and found that Fresh Baguette has the best baguettes in the DMV. all of their food is very good, especially their Crogel (croissant disguised an everything bagel) sandwiches. My fav is the Sunny Side Up but seriously everything on their menu is excellent. They have very good coffee and tea selections as well. And the staff is very friendly and helpful.

Ooh la la! Beautiful work of food art. Bread is soft and flavorful. Prices are on the higher end but if you think about the work that's put into making croissant, we'll worth it. Wonderful customer service. Small shaded seating area outside and indoor sitting makes it a great place to have your morning coffee and brunch. I had the village and it was flaky and flavorful. You have to go. Your tummy will thank you for it. Don't be surprised if there's a line, but service is fast and you won't be waiting too long.

I heard this place had really great croissants so I made its point to give them a try. I arrived minutes before closing and the staff was really friendly and welcoming. I apologized for coming in minutes before they closed, but they were so accommodating to us. Also, surprisingly, the croissants tasted fresh, even at the end of the day! The bakery itself has a nice aesthetic. The place was very clean. I will definitely be coming back here.

Great pastries. The chocolate eclair was absolutely delicious. I stopped by closer to closing time; but I was greeted and assisted all the same. Since this place is close to my work, I definitely know where to stop by when I'm looking for a tasty snack!

I can't rave enough about the pastries. The almond croissant at almost all other bakeries is usually a regular croissant, baked with almond topping THEN sliced in to add the almond paste/butter. Fresh Baguette's almond croissant has the almond paste/butter filling added in and baked. So my gorgeously delicious croissant is untainted Love this bakery chain and love this particular location best! Sweetest staff and they hustle! I also got their seasonal PSL which is not too sweet, not to pumpkiny and has a lighter flavor. As with most of their coffee/drinks, they're more on the "French" style vs the overly sweet/overzealous American style of Starbucks (not shaming, I love them as a special dessert treat). I do prefer Italian coffees/espresso but this was a nice balance with the carb overload. To each their own!

I love going to new bakeries, here and all over Europe. I was excited to try this new one. I had a ham and cheese croissant. It was very good - super flaky and good filling. The pastry looked delicious, but I know from experience that this doesn't mean that it necessarily is. I ordered one of my favorite pastries, Kouign Amman, which is hard to find in the States. I was very disappointed. It didn't taste anything like the real thing, which has many layers and cinnamon. This was basically a plain dinner roll with a little sugar on the bottom. The inside was solid bread. I very seldom do this, but I actually threw it out. Because of this, I didn't buy anything else there. They really shouldn't advertise this as a Kouign Amman or they should actually make the real thing. Not sure if I'll go back.

I have mixed feelings about this place. I went with my mom for a Saturday brunch. We ordered a petit cro'gel sandwich (a cross between croissant and bagel), assorted mini pastries, roasted veggies quiche, and a cappuccino. We also ordered some fresh baguette loaves to go. The place on the inside looks upscale, and the staff were very pleasant to deal with. The food was good (except for the mini eclairs that had a frozen center instead of creamy filling) and the cappuccino was fine. My only issue is the management decision to cheapen out on plates, cutlery, and cups. For a pricey place like this, I'm shocked that patrons are served in cheap flimsy paper plates and plastic wrapped cutlery (that doesn't even match in color). Even hot drinks are left for you to put a sleeve on. No, trays, mugs, or metal cutlery. The patio tables are never tended to or cleaned. I'd go back to pick up some goodies and fresh bread, but won't sit to eat there again.

Honestly, the best. The food is yummy and the space is cute, but most importantly they have incredible, happy service, always. Going here genuinely makes my day better. Joe is always such a delight and is so helpful, but genuinely joyous, as well. Coming here is becoming a ritual for me because of how wonderful the team is. If you're in the Northern Virginia area, don't miss this place! The food and service will leave you delighted.

Great place and great food, we absolutely loved it until the construction company behind the building moved in and restricted any parking around the building. I have tried to park in the street out front and have been yelled at by two goons from the construction company. I have tried to park my car to the side of the building and I have even got out of my car to ask the construction worker security bullies where to park and they tell me to just go. When asked where to park, they tell me to take it up with the chipotle or fresh baguette management company. So, I love your baguettes and all your pastries, but I can't park here and thus will take my business elsewhere. Sorry.

Not your ordinary pecan pie. Outstanding in taste not too sweet and loaded with pecans. Service top notch.

I was not impressed. The bakery did not smell like baked goods. The way they displayed the goods (only one stale looking specimen for each type of baked good being sold) made them look unappealing in comparison to their location in Alexandria. I think it might be the lighting or something. We purchased two items - a pumpkin mousse cake and an allegedly freshly baked baguette that was hard as a rock. The pumpkin cake was just ok but the bread was not good even fresh of the oven/bake-rack. It was hard and chewy inside even though we tried to soften it with some water before we reheated it to no avail. Strangely, the bread had no smell and was extremely bland.

This place has some characters, it is a pastry gallery, where every piece was perfectly crafted and full of surprises. You can literally have breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea at there; no problem at all. I got so many from the this bakery, and not a single piece disappointed me. Also, Adrian is MY MAN, this gentleman was just AWESOME! I'll see you again soon, my friend.

Cute little traditional bakery place! Finally come to McLean! Love their pastries and bread. And definitely try their crogel sandwich! My go-to breakfast place right now.

Went here last week and got a crogel, almond, Nutella, and chocolate croissant. All were amazing, with the crogel, and almond croissant being my favorite! A big parking lot, so you don't have to worry about parking. I do wish they had more beverages to choose from, such as chai tea. I also asked if they could make their hot drinks iced and unfortunately they can't. However I'm going in for their bread and their breads are great!

I am always on a hunt for a next level croissants in this area. I was so bummed I had just found out about this place! Visited this place on a Sunday evening right before they close. I was so happy they still had all pastries I wanted to try. This place is pretty clean and the staff were very friendly. I liked their KOUIGN AMANN the best. So buttery, flaky with just the right amount of caramelized shell on the top. I will definitely be returning to try other pastries and sandwiches.

Good pastries (croissants, kouign aman, brioche, tartes etc). Very few tables inside (but outdoor seating is good when weather is nice. Very few drink options other than coffee. Most people grab and go.

Fantastic baked goods. Parking is dicey, especially since spaces tend to be taken by construction trucks on the project adjacent to the building. We have done takeout only. Very friendly staff. The croissants (and anything done with puff pastry) are heavenly! The sourdough whole wheat bread is perfect--hearty flavor and texture with a crisp crust. We love the baguettes too. We have enjoyed a wonderful raspberry tart too...not cheap but exquisite baked items. Check it out!

The food was very good . Since it was just snack time, my husband and I each tried a mini cro-gel (croissant dough in the form of a bagel ). His was called a Norwegian with smoked salmon and mine was called a Parisian with ham and cheese. They were very very good and different from anything we've tasted before. Our server was very helpful . Just wished they still had the kouign amann which I haven't been able to find in this area. Overall, a great experience and we'll be back.

Great spot! Excellent pastries, delicious coffee, warm customer service. Definitely check it out next time you're in McLean. The crogel (croissant/bagel) is delicious!

This is really an exceptionally good bakery. Almost everything we have tried is at the highest level (except the pain au raison). Croissants, muffins, bread and other sweets are as good as anywhere else in the DC area and the kitchen has a particular knack for not over-sweetening items, which is a common problem. The only slight critique would be that the staff is often overwhelmed. There should be at least three people working in the front but there are usually only two. Management should add additional staff to alleviate waits and make the experience more pleasant for both staff and customers.

The croissants here are meh! I can't smell or taste the butter. And it's too doughy, almost like a bread. Baguettes are okay, nothing special. The ciabata is rock hard and makes my teeth have a workout. In terms of croissants there are much better options (Tatte, Boulangerie Christophe, Sunday Morning bakehouse). In terms of bread, even Wegmans' baguette and ciabata is better.

I've literally never had a bad experience or order here. The Sandwich Village is my favorite, along with the iced latte. Delicious!

Great americanos and their ham and Swiss croissant just melts in your mouth. The service is always friendly and I want to eventually buy some of the products they have in the corner of the store. The atmosphere is very cozy and welcoming. I have recommended this place to several friends and coworkers!