Le Pain Quotidien means the daily bread. And to us, that means everything. It’s much more than mere sustenance; it’s a way of life. As our loaves emerge from the ovens, warm and fragrant, friends gather around our communal tables to share in the time-honored tradition of breaking bread.
The hum of conversation fills the air, jam is passed around the table, and, ever so gracefully, time slows.
Flour, water, salt and time
In this ever-changing and hectic world, we invite you to escape to a place where traditional simplicity is cherished. Our bakers blend organic stone-ground flour, sea salt and water with a wild yeast levain starter to create a humble four-ingredient beginning. The dough is then kneaded patiently by hand, and baked in our stone-lined hearths. These are the artisanal loaves of our past, baked according to tradition.
One slice of bread… and countless variations
Our handmade bread serves as the canvas for a myriad of organic and seasonal ingredients. They come together to become our tartines, the Belgian take on the sandwich. At once simple and elegant, our tartines bring taste to the table and delight to the palate. And although our handmade, organic bread is how we got our start, we serve a variety of healthy options like organic coffee, pastries, eggs, tartines, soups, salads and desserts.
Belgian hand warmer
When our founder, Alain Coumont, was a young boy in Belgium, he went to his grandmère’s house every Wednesday afternoon where she greeted him with a small bowl of steaming hot chocolate. Alain cupped his hands around it, letting the warmth seep into his body and chase away winter’s frigid chill.
As a chef, he carried the memory of that warmth to the tables of Le Pain Quotidien. To this day, simple bowls still stir memories of a child’s delight, and still carry warmth to our friends. Whether it’s in the form of piping hot chocolate or a café au lait, you’ll receive this same welcome with our wide, round bowls. Hold it in your hands and feel at ease.
Join us at the table
At Le Pain Quotidien, we believe that community is what nurtures, inspires and feeds the soul. Our first communal table on Rue Dansaert in Brussels was built from wood salvaged from the floors of retired Belgian trains. Those simple planks became a tradition. Today, this same rough, reclaimed wood continues to bring a rustic comfort to our stores, and the communal tables have become our centrepiece.
Long enough for all to fit and narrow enough for all to talk, our tables are where friends reconnect and new friendships are forged over the shared appreciation of delicious food and good company. In a space where colour comes to life, music mingles with the melody of conversation and fresh-baked smells stoke the imagination, there will always be a place for you at our table. Learn more about the history of Le Pain Quotidien.
