Lee’s Bakery in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go for Bánh Mì, Pastries, and Sweet Treats

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and craving affordable, flavorful, and satisfying sweet treats, Lee’s Bakery on Buford Highway is a name that comes up again and again. While it’s best known for its Vietnamese sandwiches, it also fits squarely into the “Dessert and Sweet Treats” category thanks to its pastries, drinks, and light bites that work perfectly as a snack or post-meal treat.

This guide walks you through what Lee’s Bakery is, where it is, what to order, when to go, and how it fits into Atlanta’s dessert scene, so you can decide if it belongs on your own must-try list.

Where Lee’s Bakery Fits in Atlanta’s Food & Dessert Scene

Location:

• Lee’s Bakery
• 4005 Buford Highway NE, Suite C
• Atlanta, GA 30345

Buford Highway is known across metro Atlanta for its international restaurants and bakeries, with strong representation from Asian and Latin American cuisines. Lee’s Bakery is part of that fabric, offering:

• Vietnamese baked goods and sandwiches
• Light sweets and dessert-style items
• Iced coffee and tea drinks that pair well with treats

If you’re planning a day of eating on Buford Highway, Lee’s works well as:

• A midday snack stop for something sweet and quick
• A late-afternoon coffee and pastry break
• A take-home dessert pickup after eating at another nearby restaurant

What Kind of Place Is Lee’s Bakery?

Lee’s Bakery is a casual, counter-service spot. You order at the register, pick up your food, and either dine in or take it to go.

Expect:

• No-frills interior focused on efficiency and quick service
• A menu board above the counter, usually divided into bánh mì, soups, drinks, and baked goods
• A mix of people grabbing quick lunches, coffee, and light desserts

You don’t need a reservation, and dress is casual. It’s a practical, everyday kind of place, not a sit-down, linger-for-hours dessert café, though you can definitely relax over a drink and pastry if a table is available.

Dessert and Sweet Treat Options at Lee’s Bakery

While Lee’s Bakery is often talked about for savory items, there are several sweet treats and dessert-adjacent options that appeal to Atlanta locals and visitors looking for something different from the usual cupcake or ice cream shop.

1. Baked Goods and Pastries

Availability can vary day to day, but you may find:

• Light, slightly sweet breads and rolls
• Pastry-style buns that can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert
• Occasionally cookies or cake-style items, depending on the season and bakery output

These items tend to be:

• Less sugary than many American-style desserts
• Often good for those who prefer a mildly sweet, bakery-style treat rather than something heavily frosted or rich

2. Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Tea (Great as a Sweet Treat)

One of the most popular “dessert-like” orders at Lee’s Bakery is a sweet iced drink, which many Atlantans treat as an afternoon indulgence.

Common choices include:

• Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá)
  • Strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk
  • Served over ice, rich and dessert-like
• Thai Tea or Milk Tea (if available)
  • Sweet, creamy teas that feel like a treat on their own

These drinks can be quite sweet and rich, so they often satisfy the same craving as a dessert, especially on hot Atlanta afternoons.

3. Sweet Elements in Savory Items

Some menu items have subtle sweetness that dessert-lovers might enjoy:

• Bánh mì bread – lightly crisp on the outside, soft and slightly sweet inside
• Pickled vegetables and sauces – a balance of sweet and tangy that can appeal to those who like layered flavors

While not desserts in the traditional sense, these flavors can be appealing if you’re open to lightly sweet, complex profiles instead of classic cakes or ice cream.

Quick Reference: Sweet Treats at Lee’s Bakery

When to Visit Lee’s Bakery for Dessert or Sweets

Lee’s Bakery tends to be busiest during lunch hours, especially on weekends. If you’re mainly focused on dessert or drinks:

• ⏱️ Mid-afternoon (2–4 PM) is often a more relaxed time
• You’ll likely have shorter lines and an easier time finding a table
• It’s a convenient time to pair coffee or tea with something from the pastry case, if available

If you’re planning to pick up sweet treats on your way somewhere else in Atlanta, keep in mind:

• Traffic on Buford Highway can be heavy during rush hour
• Parking is typically in a shared shopping center lot, so build in a little extra time if it’s a busy weekend day

Because bakery items can sell through, going earlier in the day may give you more pastry choices, while later afternoon is better for a calmer atmosphere.

How Lee’s Bakery Compares to Other Dessert Options in Atlanta

In the context of Atlanta’s dessert scene, Lee’s Bakery often appeals to people who want:

• Lower-key, budget-friendly sweets
• Asian-style desserts and drinks rather than rich, Western-style cakes
• A spot where you can pair something savory with something sweet in one stop

If you’re doing a dessert-focused exploration of Atlanta:

• Lee’s makes sense as a Buford Highway stop for iced coffee, milk tea, and light pastries
• It can be combined with other nearby bakeries, bubble tea shops, or dessert cafés on the same stretch of road

For locals, Lee’s can become a go-to place to grab a sweet drink and a snack on the way home, especially if you already frequent Buford Highway for groceries or dinner.

Tips for First-Time Visitors from Atlanta or Out of Town

If you’re headed to Lee’s Bakery mainly for dessert and sweet treats, these tips can make the visit smoother:

1. Check your timing

• Aim for non-peak hours if you’re just grabbing coffee and pastries.
• Lunchtime can be crowded with sandwich orders.

2. Be open to trying something new

• Vietnamese iced coffee is stronger and sweeter than many standard coffee drinks in Atlanta.
• If you prefer something less intense, you can sip slowly or share.

3. Look at the display case

• Many of the sweet options are visible at the counter.
• If you’re unsure, you can politely ask staff which items are sweet versus savory.

4. Plan for takeout if it’s busy

• Seating can fill up quickly, especially midday.
• Many Atlantans grab coffee and pastries to go and enjoy them at home, in the office, or at a nearby park.

5. Combine it with other Atlanta activities

• If you’re visiting from out of town, Lee’s Bakery is an easy stop on the way to or from:
  • Downtown Atlanta
  • Brookhaven
  • Chamblee
• It’s conveniently located along a corridor that many locals already use for errands and restaurant hopping.

Is Lee’s Bakery Right for Your Sweet Tooth?

Lee’s Bakery is a good fit in Atlanta if you:

• Enjoy Asian-style sweets and drinks
• Prefer light pastries and sweet iced coffee over heavy, rich desserts
• Want an affordable, casual stop for a quick treat on Buford Highway

It may not feel like a traditional dessert parlor, but for many Atlanta residents and visitors, it’s a reliable place to satisfy a sweet craving, especially if you appreciate Vietnamese flavors and want to experience a well-known Buford Highway staple.