Any great coffee shop has a wide variety of coffees, teas, pastries, and savory bites to choose from. Espresso, lattes, croissants, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches are common staples.
While any combination of these items is delicious, pairing certain coffee shop drinks with particular pastries can maximize flavor and elevate your experience.
If you’re looking for a local coffee shop in Grosse Pointe, MI, visit LeRouge Boulangerie. Our menu includes fresh, authentic French croissants, baguettes, and more, as well as coffees and teas. We also serve heartier plates for breakfast and lunch.
Contact us today to learn more about our neighborhood café near you or place your order online.
What Coffee Shop Drinks Go Best with Pastries and Light Bites?
In any coffee shop, the aroma of fresh coffee and warm, buttery pastries is a match made in heaven. A great coffee house creates harmony between its drinks and food, so no matter what you order, you get an indulgent experience.
However, mastering the art of pairing can elevate your experience even further. If you’re overwhelmed by a coffee shop’s menu, you can never go wrong with these pairings:
Classic & Simple
First, consider pairing a croissant with a drip coffee or americano. This pairing works best with a plain or almond croissant and a medium roast coffee. These coffee pairings cut through the rich, buttery flavor of the croissant, creating a contrast without overpowering the pastry’s flavor.
This simple pairing is best if you want to really focus on the flavor and quality of the coffee shop’s baking.
The second classic pairing is a muffin or scone, with a café au lait or latte. Muffins and scones are often thicker and denser than croissants. For this reason, the milk in these two coffees provides a creamy, slightly sweet contrast.
Rich & Decadent
Rich, sweet pastries are often a great choice for stronger espresso coffee shop drinks. For example, pairing a pain au chocolat or other chocolate pastry with an espresso shot or cortado.
The bitterness of the espresso balances the richness of the chocolate. The result actually elevates the chocolate and brings its flavor forward.
Similarly, a decadent pastry like a cinnamon roll goes well with a cappuccino or macchiato. The small amount of milk or foam in these drinks complements both the coffee’s flavor, as well as the sweetness of the pastry. This pairing also works well with any coffee shop pastry that has a rich glaze or filling.
Light & Refreshing
For pastries with brighter flavors, teas or iced drinks pair best. One example of this is fruit tarts or danishes. These pastries pair well with iced coffee or cold brew.
These coffees are low acidity, and provide a refreshing taste after the sweet, bright flavors of the tarts. Specifically, berry or lemon tarts are a great combination with iced coffees.
In addition, cookies or madeleines are a great match for teas, such as herbal tea or London fogs. Tea is lighter and aromatic, so it doesn’t overpower the subtle sweetness of the cookies. Most coffee shops will have a large selection of teas to choose from.
Savory & Hearty
For a full-service coffee shop like LeRouge Boulangerie, there may be breakfast sandwiches or plates for a heartier meal. A classic breakfast sandwich, quiche, or other egg-based savory dish pairs great with a latte or flat white.
Savory items have a strong blend of flavors from the egg, cheese, meat, and any sauces. For this reason, a milk-based drink can balance the saltiness well without overpowering the flavors.
For coffee shops with a lunch menu, such as LeRouge Boulangerie, consider sparkling water or iced tea. These refreshing drinks complement lunch classics like turkey and swiss or a BLT.
Try the Best Pastries and Coffee Near You in Grosse Pointe
Ready to try the best coffee shop in Grosse Pointe, MI? At LeRouge Boulangerie, our coffee shop brings a touch of Parisian charm to your local neighborhood.
Located on Kercheval Avenue, we’re known for our fresh-baked breads and pastries. We serve buttery croissants, delicate cookies, fresh salads, artisan sandwiches, and more. In addition, our coffee and teas are brewed to order.
Our bakery also offers loaves of bread baked fresh daily. From rustic french bread to sourdough, we have a variety of breads to choose from and enjoy at home. Want to try our coffee shop for yourself? Visit us today or place your order online for pickup.
