If you’re hunting for a cozy coffee shop in Ellicott City with a killer croffle, Cafe June’s the hidden gem you want. It’s exactly the kind of place you post up with your laptop or catch up with a friend. The croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid) was sooooo good, easily big enough to share, and my mom and I got ours with a scoop of matcha ice cream. At around $8, it’s a sweet-tooth win, Nomsters.
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What Cafe June Is Known For
Cafe June’s a full-on cafe with a deep menu: espresso drinks and specialty lattes (their pistachio latte gets a lot of love), matcha frappes, cold brew, smoothies, acai bowls, breakfast sandwiches, big waffles, and lunch sandwiches, wraps, and soups. It leans healthy-ish in spots too, with quinoa options and a silken tofu smoothie on the board. Basically, whether you want a treat or an actual meal, they’ve got you.
If you love a good croissant, the croffle gives you that same buttery, layered fix (it’s the same reason I lose it over Annie’s pastries at Toi Moi Bakery). Different format, same sweet payoff.
What Is a Croffle?
A croffle’s croissant dough pressed in a hot waffle iron until it’s golden and crisp on the outside and still tender in the middle. The name smushes together “croissant” and “waffle,” and it blew up in Seoul’s cafe scene around 2018 before spreading to the US and everywhere else (you can read more on its origins here). At Cafe June, the croffle comes out big enough to split, and you can top it with a scoop of ice cream. My mom and I went with matcha, but there were other flavors available too, so you can build it however your sweet tooth wants.
What Should You Order at Cafe June?
The croffle’s the obvious must-order, especially topped with ice cream. Beyond that, the specialty lattes are a great call (the pistachio latte and the espresso cream latte both come recommended by regulars), and on a hot day the matcha frappe or a fruit smoothie hits. If you’re coming hungry, the breakfast sandwiches, dessert waffles, and lunch wraps round things out. Prices are pretty reasonable for the portions, with the croffle sitting around $8 to $9 and most drinks in the $4 to $8 range.
And if you’re an Old Ellicott City matcha fan like me, pair your visit with a stop at Matcha Time Gift Shop down on Main Street for Japanese snacks and matcha goodies. It makes for a fun little Ellicott City afternoon.
The Vibe at Cafe June
The whole space is built around cozy: warm lighting, lots of plants, and rows of vinyl records. It feels calm and a little nostalgic, the kind of place that’s just as good for a solo coffee as it is for catching up with a friend. I especially love their little touches, like the staff writing thoughtful notes on your cup.
Good to Know
- Free parking and a wheelchair-accessible space, with wifi for customers.
- Gluten-free waffles and some dairy-free smoothie options are available if you’ve got dietary needs.
- There’s reportedly a 90-minute table limit on busy weekends.
- The croffle ran $7 to $8 on my visit and is a touch higher now, so budget around $8 to $9.
- The kitchen has sub-hours for different items, so if you’re going specifically for a croffle, it’s worth confirming they’re serving them at your time.
Between the croffle, the cozy vinyl vibe, and how easy it is to linger with a laptop or a friend, Cafe June’s a genuine Ellicott City gem. Go for the croffle, stay for the atmosphere, and grab a specialty latte while you’re at it. Have you guys been to Cafe June yet? Let me know your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters.
Visit Cafe June
📍 10039 Baltimore National Pike, Suite E, Ellicott City, MD 21042, (410) 461-5210
Hours: roughly Mon-Fri 7AM to 7:30PM, Sat-Sun 8AM to 7:30PM (hours can shift, so double-check before you go). Website: cafejune.com