Our story
About Lu's
A warm blend of culture, comfort, and community.
Our first home · 2 Lawrence St · 2020
Humble beginnings
It started in 2020.
We were supposed to have a grand opening. Then the world shut down, and our big day was cancelled before it ever happened. "Two weeks" turned into two years of running a cafe in a completely new way.
So we did what we had to do — curbside pick-up, contactless orders, masks, gloves, and a whole lot of cake deliveries (if you know, you know). And people showed up: meal delivery programs, MassDevelopment partners, local organizations, neighbors, friends, and family, one order and one tray at a time.
We built our following without anyone ever stepping foot inside. Even behind the mask, we greeted you with a smile, and you felt our vision in the note on your bag or the free cookie tucked inside — because everyone deserves a sweet day. The only thing missing was a place to sit down together.
New chapter
New location · 2025
That little corner shop outgrew itself, so we went looking for a home that matched the vision we had from the start: a cozy community cafe where people actually sit and stay. Ribbon cutting at 384 Essex Street, downtown Lawrence.
384 Essex St · Lawrence, MA · Grand opening 2025
Today, Lu's Café & Bakery is a family neighborhood cafe in the heart of downtown Lawrence, open seven days a week.
It all started in a blended family kitchen, where American comfort food, Vietnamese cooking, and Dominican flavor all sat at the same table. We're rooted in Vietnamese food — banh mi, vermicelli bowls, spring rolls, egg rolls, and of course Vietnamese iced coffee — but we grew up with muffins, pernil, and egg-and-cheese on a croissant too. So we cook it all, plus weekly specials, classic desserts, and custom cakes. The Lu's way.
We built the new Lu's for the community that carried us through — a place to gather, sit, connect, eat, and enjoy the little things, whether that's catching up with an old friend, a play date meet-up, or a work-from-home spot that finally gets you out of the house.
That's who the Lu family is at its core: together with everyone, all the food on the table, no rush and no expectations. Come hang out. Come hungry. There's something here for everyone.