416 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville | Open Daily 7:30am–9pm (but closed 12-4pm on Fridays)

We kept seeing The Crepe Lab pop up in our feeds for weeks with photos that looked almost too good to be real. We finally got to try it ourselves on a Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago and we were not disappointed. We were so not disappointed that when my parents were in town the following week, we took them back.

The Crepe Lab opened on Old Trolley Road about two months ago and it has already found its people. If you go on a Saturday, just know that going in: it's a small operation with limited seating, and it fills up fast. We played with the boys outside while we waited, which honestly wasn't a bad way to spend the time. When we went back on a Tuesday morning, it was a completely different experience and was quick, relaxed, and easy. Both visits were worth it, but good to know the difference when you're managing little ones.

The menu is the main event. Sweet and savory crepes, made to order, in combinations that go well beyond what you'd expect. We've gone back to a strawberry and Nutella variation both times and have zero regrets but watching savory crepes come out of that kitchen has us planning a return trip to try one. One standout detail is that all of their savory crepes are made with buckwheat flour, which is naturally gluten free. I've ordered mine gluten free each time, and they've been diligent about asking whether it's an allergy — which, if you or someone in your family has celiac, you know is exactly the question you want to hear. It tells you they understand the difference between preference and precaution. Beyond the crepes, they also serve bagels and omelets for breakfast, and the coffee program is genuinely solid. I got an iced honey oat milk latte both visits and was very happy. The menu is extensive and also includes matcha and other drinks, so there's something for everyone in the group.

Then there's the dessert bar. In-house cheesecakes in a rotating variety of flavors, baklava, and other things that are hard to walk past. Ice cream is also available on its own or as an add-on to a crepe, which is exactly the kind of decision that leads to you ordering one at 9 in the morning. The staff has been warm and welcoming every single time, and on our last visit they took our picture for their Polaroid wall, which is the most charming thing a restaurant can do. This one has already settled into the community like it's been here for years.