Recently arrived in Louisiana over the summer, 85℃ is a Taiwanese bakery and chain cafe located in Metairie. With many shops across the U.S., the brand is known for its sea salt whipped cream coffee and European and Asian influenced pastries. Customers engage in a cafe experience similar to the traditional Taiwanese bakery, as they use trays and tongs to freely grab bread. Founded in 2004, the owner started the cafe to provide premium pastries at an affordable price after being inspired by high-end hotel cafes. He chose the name from his perfected temperature for brewing espresso—85 degrees Celsius!

You’ll never catch this cafe empty of people. In fact, Newman Senior Joyce He’26 comments: “Every chance I get to go, it’s always crowded with people of all different backgrounds and ages.” As one walks into the bustling bakery, they’re greeted with the smell of fresh bread, refreshing drinks, and light chatter. There’s a cozy ambience and a wide variety of pastries on display. The bread is a free-for-all grab, so get your plate and start piling! A good range of drinks, such as milk tea, fruit tea, smoothies, and coffee, is also provided. You can get these through the kiosks on the side of the store. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, have no fear. We’ve got some reviews for you:

• The red bean bread is a classic, must-try that you can’t go wrong with. The soft, cloudy bread mixed with sweet red bean paste brings a creamy texture and earthy flavor. I would definitely recommend this if you haven’t tried red bean before.
•  Often an underrated option, the cakes are also a good choice. Mango creme brulee and strawberry chocolate mousse are my personal favorites.

Overall, if you’re looking for a versatile bakery with tons of options, this place takes the cake. If you’ve visited, let us know your thoughts!