If you’ve driven past the office plazas on Sunset Park Drive in Herndon, you might not expect to find a cafe that feels like it belongs in a small French village. But that is exactly the appeal of Le Vingt Trois Cafe & Bakery. It’s warm, inviting, and quietly confident about what it does well: fresh baking, thoughtfully built coffee drinks, and baguette sandwiches that taste like someone actually cared about the bread.
This post is a local, practical guide to Le Vingt Trois, especially if you live near the Herndon and Reston border and want a go-to spot that works for a quick weekday coffee, a weekend pastry run, or a lunch that feels like a small upgrade to your day.
At a glance: what Le Vingt Trois is and why locals keep talking about it
Le Vingt Trois is a female-owned cafe and bakery on Sunset Park Drive in Herndon. The name translates to “the twenty-three” in French, and the number 23 has personal meaning for the owner, Mary. Local coverage around the opening has shared more of that story, including how the name ties back to family luck and timing, and how the concept grew into a real business here in Northern Virginia (see coverage from Northern Virginia Magazine and Reston Now).
Why it matters locally is simple: the cafe scene in this pocket of Herndon has grown a lot in the last few years, and Le Vingt Trois is one of the places that helped raise expectations. It’s not trying to be a giant, loud hangout. It’s more like a comfortable corner you’re happy to have nearby.
Where it is: Herndon, close to the Reston line
Le Vingt Trois is located at 311 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, VA 20170. The address matters because it puts the cafe in a very “practical” spot for a lot of people:
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Herndon locals who want something different than the typical chain coffee loop
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Reston residents, especially those closer to the southern edge of Reston, who want a quick cafe run that doesn’t require a whole production
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Anyone commuting through this corridor who wants a stop that feels worth it
If you want the official location and contact info in one place, the cafe’s Contact page is the cleanest source.
Hours and the single most useful tip
The cafe lists its hours on the Le Vingt Trois homepage as:
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Monday to Friday: 7:00am to 4:00pm
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Saturday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
If you remember only one tip from this entire post, make it this: go earlier than you think.
Le Vingt Trois openly notes that they often run out of signature items and recommend visiting early for the best selection. They also mention that you can contact them to reserve baked goods for pick-up, which is a great option if you are planning for guests, a meeting, or just want to avoid showing up after your favorite pastry is gone (see the note on their Contact page).
The vibe inside: cozy without trying too hard
People describe Le Vingt Trois as cozy for a reason. It has a cottage-like warmth to it, the kind that makes you want to slow down and actually sit for a few minutes. If you are used to coffee shops that feel like a rotating door, this is different. It reads more like a small cafe you’d find on a side street, where the decor is part of the experience but not the entire point.
Local reviews tend to highlight the atmosphere as well as the food. You can get a feel for what people notice by browsing reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor.
What they’re known for: pastries, croissants, and “real lunch” sandwiches
The menu is broad enough to keep regulars interested, but focused enough that it doesn’t feel scattered. You’ll see plenty of pastry staples, plus savory options that make it a legitimate lunch stop.
For the most accurate menu and pricing, start with the cafe’s own Menu page. If you are ordering ahead, their online ordering is typically easiest through their linked ordering options, including the Toast ordering page.
A few menu standouts to know before you go
If you like a classic French-style baguette sandwich, the Jambon Beurre is one of the most reliable picks. The cafe’s menu lists it with prosciutto, brie, special herb-butter, and arugula on a baguette (see the listing on their Menu page or the detailed breakdown on Toast).
If you want something savory and satisfying, the Escalope is worth understanding because it’s not a typical “coffee shop sandwich.” It’s essentially a chicken schnitzel sandwich with cabbage, pickles, mayo, and Dijon mustard. That combination sounds simple, but it hits that ideal balance of crunchy, tangy, and filling.
Other popular savory options that show up consistently across the menu and ordering platforms include:
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Croque Monsieur (French ham, gruyere, parmesan, béchamel, toasted)
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Chicken Avocado
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Smoked Salmon sandwich
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A falafel option for a non-meat choice
Again, the most accurate source is their own Menu page, and the most useful “ordering view” is often Toast, since it’s built for real-time ordering.
Pastries: the reason you should go early
Croissants are a big part of the draw. When we visited, it happened to be National Croissant Day, which turned into an easy excuse to sample more than we planned. Pain au chocolat and almond were the favorites on our table, and they are the kind of pastries that make you understand why locals build this place into their routine.
Le Vingt Trois also offers a mix of cookies, brownies, muffins, scones, and rotating pastry items, plus cakes and other desserts depending on the day. The exact selection can vary, which is another reason the “go early” tip matters.
Coffee and drinks: more than just a basic latte menu
You can absolutely grab a straightforward espresso drink here and be happy. But if you like trying something a little different, you’ll notice the menu includes specialty drinks beyond the basics.
On our visit, Jack went with matcha while I had a latte, and we capped it off with a specialty coffee topped with a cream foam and little biscuit cookies. It’s a small detail, but that kind of finishing touch is part of why people describe this place as “worth the stop.”
If you want to preview the drink lineup and see what sounds like your style, the beverage section on Toast is helpful because it tends to list the full set of options and add-ons.
Practical tips that make the experience better
This is the section that helps most people, especially if you’re deciding whether to make the drive or planning your first visit.
1) Go early if pastries are your priority
Le Vingt Trois is very direct about selling out of signature items and recommending early visits. If croissants are your goal, show up earlier in the day rather than treating it like an afternoon stop.
You can see that note on their Contact page.
2) Reserve baked goods when you need something specific
If you are picking up pastries for a birthday breakfast, hosting family, or bringing something to an office meeting, reserving is a smart move. The cafe notes that you can contact them to reserve baked goods for pick-up, and they will follow up with payment instructions for curbside pickup.
That process is described on the Contact page.
3) Use online ordering when you’re tight on time
This location is convenient for quick grab-and-go, especially on weekdays. If you’re juggling school drop-off, a morning meeting, or a workday that starts early, ordering ahead can save you.
Their site links to ordering options under Order Now, and the cafe’s Toast ordering page is typically the most detailed for items and pricing.
4) Keep Saturday hours in mind
Saturday hours are shorter than weekdays. That can be a plus if you like an earlier start to your weekend, but it also means you don’t want to leave it too late.
Hours are listed on the Le Vingt Trois homepage.
Who Le Vingt Trois is great for
This cafe works for more people than you’d expect, which is part of why it’s become a local favorite.
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People who love French-style pastries and want a reliable spot close to home
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Remote workers who want a change of scenery that still feels calm
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Parents who need a “treat stop” that doesn’t turn into a whole outing
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Anyone who wants a lunch that feels more thoughtful than typical fast-casual
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Local offices looking for catering trays or a simple way to elevate a meeting spread
If catering is part of your plan, their website points to catering options, including an ordering link to EZCater from their navigation, plus catering notes within the menu on their site.
A quick personal note from our visit
We went in expecting a good pastry run and ended up staying longer than we planned, mostly because the place feels genuinely comfortable. The Jambon Beurre was the standout for me: crunchy baguette, rich butter, and high-quality cured ham with just enough balance from the greens and brie.
Jack’s pick was the Escalope (their chicken schnitzel sandwich), and it’s the kind of thing you remember the next time you’re deciding where to grab lunch. It tastes like a proper meal, not a side character next to your coffee.
The best part, though, might be how the place makes an ordinary weekday feel slightly more enjoyable. That is a real value in a busy Northern Virginia routine.
Why spots like this matter for the Herndon and Reston area
Hyper-local places do something that is hard to replicate. They make an area feel more livable.
When people talk about why they like living near the Herndon and Reston border, it often comes down to daily convenience and small quality-of-life upgrades: your favorite trail, your dependable grocery run, the coffee shop where you know what you’re getting. Places like Le Vingt Trois become part of that personal map.
From a broader Northern Virginia perspective, it’s also a reminder that you don’t have to drive far to find something distinctive. This is one of those “right place, right scale” businesses that fits the neighborhood instead of trying to overwhelm it.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to explore locally, you can also find Le Vingt Trois listed on the county tourism side through FXVA, which is a nice signal that it has moved from “new spot” to “established local favorite.”
FAQ: Le Vingt Trois Cafe & Bakery in Herndon, VA
What is Le Vingt Trois?
It’s a French-inspired cafe and bakery in Herndon that serves coffee drinks, pastries, baguette sandwiches, and other cafe staples. The best starting point is their official Le Vingt Trois website.
Where is Le Vingt Trois located?
311 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, VA 20170. The official Contact page lists the address and phone number.
What are the hours?
Their site lists Monday to Friday 7:00am to 4:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am to 2:00pm on the homepage. If you are going around a holiday, it’s smart to double-check.
What should I order if it’s my first time?
If you want savory, start with the Jambon Beurre or the Escalope. If you want sweet, pick a croissant and a latte and you’ll understand the appeal. Menu details are on the cafe’s Menu page and on Toast.
Do they sell out of pastries?
Yes, and they actually warn about it. They recommend visiting early for the best selection. That note is on their Contact page.
Can I reserve pastries for pick-up?
They indicate you can contact them to reserve baked goods for pick-up and they’ll follow up with payment instructions for curbside pickup. See the details on the Contact page.
Is there online ordering?
Yes. Their website includes an Order Now page, and they also have a detailed ordering menu on Toast.
Is Le Vingt Trois good for lunch?
Absolutely. The baguette sandwiches and Croque Monsieur-style options make it a real lunch stop, not just a pastry counter. Start with the menu on Toast if you want to see the full lineup.
What’s the story behind the name?
“Le Vingt Trois” means “the twenty-three” in French, and local reporting has covered the personal significance of the number 23 for the owner and her family. See the background in Northern Virginia Magazine and Reston Now.
Closing thoughts
Le Vingt Trois is one of those places that quietly improves your day. It’s not flashy. It’s just well done. Fresh baking, a menu that gives you real lunch options, and a cozy atmosphere that makes you want to come back.
If you live in Herndon, Reston, or anywhere near this border area, it’s an easy spot to add to your regular rotation, especially when you want something that feels a little more personal than the standard coffee chain experience.
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