Brio Brio Bakery & Café
About This Spot
Stepping into Brio Brio Bakery & Café is like finding a quiet, welcoming corner where the day slows down just enough for you to savor small, thoughtfully crafted pleasures. Nestled in Lake Forest, the café feels both familiar and refreshingly distinct — a spot where the gentle hum of conversation blends with the occasional clink of cutlery and the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread.
The atmosphere invites lingering moments, whether you’re catching up with a friend over coffee or treating yourself to a peaceful solo brunch. Soft sunlight filters through the outdoor canopies, creating a warm glow that perfectly complements the café’s understated charm. Inside, clean lines and simple décor provide a calm backdrop, drawing your attention to the real stars: the food and drink.
Here, the menu unfolds as a quiet celebration of Japanese-inspired flavors and artisanal baking. There’s a softness to the breads and pastries that speaks of care and tradition — the kind you notice in the delicate crumb of a brioche or the gentle bitterness of a matcha scone. Sandwiches invite you to explore thoughtful combinations, from the subtle umami of chashu pork to the fresh brightness of chicken pesto, each one wrapped in clouds of shokupan that feel almost like a secret luxury.
The drinks follow suit with a similar devotion to nuance. A hojicha latte, warm and softly roasted, pairs effortlessly with a slice of cheesecake topped with seasonal touches, while vibrant matcha concoctions carry a quiet vibrancy that refreshes without overwhelming. It’s a place where attention to detail unfolds naturally without ever feeling overdone.
Brio Brio’s charm lies in these human moments — the gentle flow of the friendly service, the thoughtful little seasonal touches that make each visit just a bit more special, and the comfort of knowing you can return again and again to find something authentic and satisfying. Whether it’s a weekend treat or a midday pause, this café offers a steady, inviting rhythm in the busy landscape of everyday life.
What’s Available Here
-
Identifies as women-owned
- Outdoor seating
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
- Dogs allowed outside
Location & Hours
| Monday | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Closed | |
| Friday | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
Guest Reviews
Share Your Experience
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Dawn Tran 08 Jan 2026
I had such a great experience here and can’t stop thinking about the food. Everything felt thoughtfully made and genuinely delicious. The mentaiko mozzarella sando was a standout — made with real Japanese milk bread, it was incredibly soft and fluffy with an addictive bite. I’m already planning to buy a full loaf next time because the bread alone was that good. I also tried the roast beef sando, which was so loaded that I couldn’t even finish half — generous portions and full of flavor. For dessert, the custard was perfectly balanced, not overly eggy and just the right amount of richness. The matcha cheesecake had one of the best textures I’ve had — light but not too light, with the perfect density and a smooth matcha flavor that wasn’t overpowering. The matcha drink was also excellent, and you can really taste the quality knowing their matcha comes straight from Japan. The space itself was clean and modern, the merch was absolutely adorable, and the customer service was so kind and welcoming. Such a lovely spot — I’ll definitely be back.
David Nguyen 03 Dec 2025
Got the brisket sando that was just average, not good but not bad. The brisket was soft but dry. The bread was good though. For the price I was expecting better, sticking with the classic sandos might be better. Came with a side salad that had a very light and refreshing vinaigrette. The Black Sesame Matcha Latte was excellent.
Selina Oeien 22 Nov 2025
Brio brio is always my go-to for coffee and pastries when I am in the area — their iced oat milk lattes are delicious, the service is always friendly. The only downside is that they stopped serving some of my favorite items, including their rustic bread sandwiches and the best matcha scone I have ever tried (and believe me, I am on the lookout haha!). But will still be back for the inviting flow, the coffee, and also the lemon brioche!
Hangry Trails 05 Nov 2025
Back again at one of my favorite Japanese bakery cafés! They always have the cutest seasonal touches. This time, some of the bakery items are dressed up for Halloween Tried the Hojicha cheesecake today, topped with a little chocolate Halloween decoration. Super creamy and rich, and honestly huge for one person, definitely shareable if you’re just getting dessert. Loved it just as much as their Matcha cheesecake. From past visits, I’ve also had their Matcha latte and Hojicha latte, both nice, though not standout. If you’re picking just one thing, go for the cheesecake or pastries! They also have sandwiches and other savory menu items, so it’s a great spot whether you’re here for lunch or just a sweet treat. Plenty of cozy indoor and outdoor seating too, perfect for a chill afternoon. Follow @hangrytrails.us on Instagram for moew SoCal foods
Emma H 24 Oct 2025
Ordered the roast beef and it was really good, came with a small salad too. The Hojicha latte w/ strawberry here was quite nice. They also have a pastry counter with some unique items, e.g., Hojicha cookie The atmosphere is great, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoors has umbrellas and canopies, my favorite kind where you get sunlight without being directly under it. Came on a Sunday morning around 9am and didn’t need to wait for a table. The place was about 80% full the whole time, which felt just right. If you like Japanese sandos, ASA in San Diego has great ones, too.
Adam Coston 11 Oct 2025
This is a cute cafe with Japanese sandos similar to the ones you find in Tokyo. The matcha espresso latte was rich and flavorful. Interior is petit with seating along the window. There is a side and front patio with additional seating. The drinks take some time to prepare. Food was served beautifully
B 27 Sep 2025
It was my first time trying this Japanese Bakery & Café and I loved it very much!! We got a Vanilla Bean Custard, a Strawberry Matcha Latte and a Latte. The Vanilla Bean Custard was suuuper delicious and so were the drinks! They also had a big selection of sandwiches and salads. The interior was super cute, there is an indoor and outdoor space to dine in. I would definitely recommend trying this bakery.