March 2025 by Rizwan Lockhat
All of the bakery options looked amazing so we tried everything we could. Some of the options are no suitable for vegetarians / alcohol free and product we?re cross contamination as meat products were not separated. They have no seating area so you will have to find a nice spot to eat it or take it home.
Vegetarian options: They have vegetarian / alcohol free options but you will have to ask them as they are not clearly labelled or have been cross contaminated which was slightly disappointing
Dietary restrictions: They have vegetarian / alcohol free but they are not clearly labelled
Parking: You have a off street parking near by as there is no car parking by the bakery as it is located in a closed alleyway
Kid-friendliness: Yes they bake chocolate bread which all of us enjoyed
Wheelchair accessibility: The alleyway is a bit tight so might be slightly challenging to get in and out of the alleyway
January 2025 by Farrah K
I never write negative reviews but based on the circumstances of my interaction with the owner of Levain and Cherry, Pascal, I felt the need to do so.
Popped in on the morning of Christmas Eve. Wanted to get out of the house with my 2 babies, a 6 month old and a 21 month old and enjoy a luxury treat for the holiday. The queue was really long so decided to step away and came back an hour later when it wasn't that busy. Had my 21 month old in a pushchair and my 6 month old on my chest in a carrier. There was a gentleman in front of us that Pascal was serving and having a conversation with and a lady on the register. I asked the lady if there were any more mince pies left and she said just 1. I ordered the mince pie, a chocolate mini baguette, and 3 mini puff pastries. As I tapped my card to pay, Pascal came to the register, holding baguettes for the other customer, and said to me with what I perceived to be attitude, "we were serving this customer first." I replied that I thought since he was serving the gentleman, the lady was free to take my order. I then said I thought it was two of you serving to get to customers faster to which Pascal very exaggeratedly rolled his eyes at me.
I walked away feeling really awkward and embarrased about his response and returned to tell him that I thought he handled the situation quite rudely especially it being Christmas Eve. He very sternly and firmly said, "I'm sorry but you are the one that was rude." He then went on to tell me that I spoke over the other customer and shoved my way past him. I'm carrying a baby on my chest and a large pushchair in front of me with another baby seated in it. There's no way I would have pushed past another person with 2 babies like that and put my kids in danger. Rather both me and the other customer were hovered around the bakery display table. I told Pascal he was being rude to me as his customer and a simple recognition of the matter and an apology was all that was needed but he became extremely defensive and insisted I was the one being the problem. I began crying because of this confrontation as Pascal spoke over me insisting I was rude. Another male colleague came over and told Pascal to step away from me and the situation and told me it was ok as he saw how distressed I was. I told Pascal that he was being rude to me as a woman and a mother. He walked away from me saying, "Merci."
I really loved this bakery and I have been coming here to treat myself and make a whole day out of it around King's Heath with my babies for over a year, getting them treats too. But this experience has really changed that. I love to support small businesses and see them thrive in local communities. But I cannot in good conscience spend my money at a business whose owner so openly disrespects their customers and is unable to handle situations where appropriate customer service can impact and redirect from a negative to a positive. If Pascal had said, "I do apologize, there must have been a misunderstanding" or anything of the sort, I would have been ok.
Also need to note that it doesn't take much to show a bit of humanity and be kind to someone especially during the Christmas season. I had set out to have a memorable Christmas Eve morning with my kids and came home after a traumatic, humiliating experience at Levain and Cherry at the hands of Pascal.
I know a single customer lost and a negative review won't really impact the business here, but just based on principle I had to voice my experience and in case anyone else has went through or will go through a similar experience here in the future.
Much love, peace, blessings and Merry Christmas.
Re: response from Kate-
Dear Kate,
Thank you for your response that lacks compassion and empathy, especially coming from a woman. If you were there and saw firsthand the situation you would
December 2024 by Zahra Ansari
Very good traditional sourdough baguette. Preparing yourself has a higher price than in France. Price more or less double. But if you have a craving for good French bread without having to travel to France then this is the place for you. I also had a croissant or pain chocolat with pistachio. Very good but a little cold. I would have liked the products to stay warm because it was very cold and the pastries stayed outside the store. Which makes the taste aspect slightly less interesting.
October 2024 by Moonie
Delicious pastries. However, both times I have been, the pastries are constantly touched without gloves by more than one member of staff which puts my friends and I off a little. Using gloves or pastry holders to move them would be more hygienic.
August 2024 by Gillian Williams
Disappointed. Heard much about this bakery. To my mind over-priced. Bought two cakes at £5.00 each. Too big and a bit on the dry side. At least a squirrel enjoyed it.
July 2024 by Ali
So disappointed I bought the focaccia it was overly salty and burnt. And the pistachio pain au choclat had no fillings in it. I spent £15 on burnt and boring bakes
June 2024 by Gav Jones
Polite and friendly service, but was disappointed with the quality of the items I bought, which weren't cheap for a bakery. One chocolate croissant was so stale it was inedible as it was rock solid. Would also help if things were labelled as to what they are too, along with their prices. Perhaps it was because I went after lunch on a Saturday there wasn't much left
Vegetarian options: Need to ask as nothing was labelled
March 2024 by Mohammed Chouchane
Quality is 10/10 but its is very expensive.
March 2024 by kate
Best bakery in Birmingham, it?s really surprise me!!!!
March 2024 by AQkhurasani
Excellent bakery. Artisan bread loaf was perfect and the baguette.
Location is in the side street so no access by car . Parking on the high street or asda. this place is probably the best place for bread in Birmingham. But kings heath has become a disaster to get to by car. Majority of the roads have been blocked it's a living maze.. if it was done for the environment well you end up burning double the fuel finding your way around.. Clueless local council anyway back to the bread.. it's spectacular
June 2023 by Ads Hodgetts
travelled from Coventry after seeing this bakery on Secret Birmingham, the bread and cakes are amazing, gonna be a regular visitor here
June 2022 by Steven Phillips
I have joined the joyous queue on many occasions waiting for the tasty treats.
June 2022 by Clare Bispham
Wow, what a gem! the bread and pastries are to die for. Absolutely beautiful. My new favourite bakery.
March 2022 by Louise Patton
Really love this place. Used to go all of the time with my kids but became inaccessible for me because it got so popular. I could only come on the weekends and as I?m autistic and extremely anxious, I am unable to queue. Tried messaging the owner to see if I could reserve and pick up but he was really unhelpful. Haven?t been able to go back since.
March 2021 by ignacio aguilar
They are extremely slow at serving, pastries are good but not worth 45 min queueing
