C'est La Vie French Bakery & Cafe
Looking for a charming spot to enjoy a delightful meal in New Hope, PA? C'est La Vie French Bakery & Cafe is the place to be. Located at 20 S Main St, this cozy French bakery and cafe brings a little taste of France to the heart of New Hope, making it an ideal spot for both locals and visitors.
When you step inside, you’re greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant has a lovely moderate noise level, which creates a relaxed, friendly vibe perfect for casual dining. Whether you're here for a quick bite or a leisurely brunch, the environment makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful meal in good company. And if the weather is nice, why not take advantage of their outdoor seating? The fresh air adds a nice touch, especially if you're dining with family or friends.
C'est La Vie is also a great place for families with kids. With a welcoming space and a menu that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters, you won’t have to worry about your little ones being entertained or finding something they love. It's a family-friendly environment that caters to all ages.
But let’s talk food—C'est La Vie French Bakery & Cafe offers a wide selection of freshly baked goods, sandwiches, and delicious French-inspired dishes. Whether you're in the mood for a buttery croissant, a savory quiche, or a rich, flavorful coffee, they’ve got you covered. The authenticity of their French offerings will transport your taste buds straight to Paris, all while you sit comfortably in the charming setting.
So, whether you’re a local or just passing through, C'est La Vie offers a unique dining experience that blends the best of French cuisine with a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere. With its outdoor seating and vibrant ambiance, it’s no wonder this spot has become a local favorite.
Reviews
absolutely incredible pastries at unbeatable prices !! i came here on a date with my boyfriend and had a lovely time. he got the coffee and baguette. the pain au chocolat/chocolate croissant was good, although there was nothing particularly grand about it that set it apart from others i've had. the almond cookie was amazing, not dry at all and the decorative cat chocolate was so cute !! would have paired great with a hot chocolate. the macarons are derivative from the typical french style; they were very very good, just don't expect a regular macaron experience ! very moist, it had a nice spongy texture as well as being not too sweet. the inside has a great ambience and friendly staff, and the outside seating has a great view of the river. i've got to try the pistachio horn next time i visit !
After a nearby winery stop on Saturday, my top tier chums and I popped by this café for some coffee and to take a bit of a breather from the insanity of the downtown New Hope area (which seems to get more and more chaotic every year). C'est La Vie has some noticeable signage on the main drag, but the actual establishment is tucked away down a little side street/alley. There's some decent outdoor seating that has a pleasant view of the Delaware River, but unfortunately we ended up getting over there 20 minutes prior to the closure of that section of the café - we probably would have lingered a bit longer otherwise. There was a solid handful of customers in the establishment when we walked in, so I'd say we ended up waiting close to 10 minutes from the time of entry to us all receiving our orders. Nothing egregious, and the line moved pretty efficiently. There was a rude older gentleman who cut the line and made some distasteful comments to the staff, but I think they handled that about as well as you can. I decided to get a small vanilla latte, and then impulsively requested a Napoleon pastry after making eye contact with it in the display counter. Neither purchase was regretted. One small piece of constructive feedback though - there's a menu up on the wall, but it doesn't explicitly indicate that lattes are an option. Not a huge deal (and there's an argument to be made that lattes are ubiquitous in any coffee place), but I did have a solid 30 seconds of debate about my backup drink because I wasn't sure if they'd have that latte. Anyway. The latte was very good, and the Napoleon was gigantic, as you can see from the attached picture. Delicate, flaky and pretty much perfect from a pastry perspective. It's a little hard to eat in my opinion because of its by definition tiered structure, but that's certainly not C'est La Vie's fault. I knew what I was getting into. There's no such as a hidden gem when it comes to downtown New Hope, but this place at least doesn't feel like you're in the middle of a cattle stockyard of tourists. And as a bonus, it offers above average coffee and pastries.
This place is a little hidden gem in new hope! I had the chocolate mousse and it was amazing. The seating area is small but very nice and overlooks the Delaware river
Great assortment of pastries, sweet and savory croissants, fresh delicious bakery items. Apple strudels, and more! We split a ham and cheese croissant ( warmed up) and a nice soft, thick chocolate chip cookie. It's more towards the back by the water, off the sidewalk. Seating area outside. But we walked and shopped with our selections. There was a line but it went fast. We really enjoyed this little bakery. The workers were pleasant, too.
Cute little French bakery in a little ducky spot in new hope. Stopped in shortly after opening on a Saturday morning. Ordered two creme puffs, chocolate croissant and a mini vanilla cake. Creme puff was so good not overtly sweet which is why I prefer a lot of European style sweets. Chocolate croissant was fresh and the chocolate was still kind of soft in it. I enjoyed it however I like it when the chocolate sets a bit but that definitely is no diss to the bakery because I arrived early shortly after they made it and that's what happens. Anyway really good, the bakery gives old school European bakery vibes which I love. Service was great as well.