Popular Asian bakery café chain 85°C Bakery Cafe is bringing its signature sea salt coffee and gourmet pastries to Baton Rouge, with an opening slated for early October. The expansion follows the massive success of the brand’s first Louisiana location in Metairie, which opened last year. Owner Ah Ho Yeoh told What Now New Orleans that the reception of the Metairie location has paved the way for further growth in the state.
“It’s been great. We’ve been open almost one year… and the local community, they love it,” Yeoh said of the Metairie location.
Yeoh noted that the decision to move into Baton Rouge was largely fueled by a loyal customer base that has been traveling east to get their fix of the bakery’s famous Asian breads.
“Every weekend, a lot of people from Baton Rouge and Lafayette drive to Metairie just to buy a lot of baked goods for their friends and their family members,” Yeoh said.
Set to open at 7044 Siegen Ln. in Baton Rouge, the upcoming cafe will be a bit more intimate than the Metairie flagship. While the Metairie site spans approximately 4,800 square feet, the new location will cover about 3,300 square feet. Yeoh clarified that while the seating area will be smaller, the menu will remain identical to the original location.
Construction is currently underway, with Yeoh describing the project as a “ground-up” renovation to ensure the space meets the brand’s specific needs. Looking ahead, the expansion is unlikely to stop at the capital city. Yeoh hinted that he is already scouting future locations in Covington and Lafayette to better serve his customers across Southern Louisiana.
85°C Bakery Cafe currently has more than 1,000 locations worldwide. The Taiwanese café specializes in espresso drinks, fruit teas, and over 60 varieties of bread and cakes.
