Bakery and Cafe Paris Baguette Heads to Vietnamese Plaza on Washington Avenue

Korean-based cafe chain Paris Baguette is setting up at 600 Washington Avenue, in a corner spot in one of the two big Vietnamese restaurant and shopping plazas in the area. This will be the fourth Philly location for Paris Baguette, which already has a presence on Arch Street in Chinatown, on Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse, and in Elkins Park. It opens Friday, August 30.

The bakery-cafe, ubiquitous in South Korea, serves sweet and savory pastries, cakes, and breads, along with salads and sandwiches. It gets going early for breakfast, with items like egg and cheese croissants, and stays open through dinner.

It’s heading to the plaza that’s home to Ba Le Bakery, known for it’s exceptional banh mi, and Pho Ha, among other eateries. (The plaza with Nam Phoung, Pho 75, and Sky Cafe is a few blocks away at 11th and Washington; there’s also the smaller, older one at 16th and Washington that’s likely being replaced.)

Now an international chain, Paris Baguette first opened in 1988 as a spinoff of Paris Croissant — both are owned by food conglomerate SPC Group in South Korea. A decade after entering the U.S. market, Paris Baguette has several locations on both coasts, plus in Las Vegas and the Atlanta area.

In addition to the upcoming Washington Avenue spot, Paris Baguette is eyeing at least two other locations in Philadelphia, including one in University City slated to open in November.

Update Friday, August 23, 12:09 p.m.: This article was updated to include the restaurant’s opening date.

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