5 Cafes in Downtown, Lawrence KS for Great Desserts
Updated 11 October 2026 · 7 cafes in Downtown, Lawrence KS considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list features cafes and dessert spots in Downtown Lawrence, Kansas that Google lists with a great dessert attribute. Seven qualifying businesses were considered, and the five shown here are ordered by rating. Each entry includes hours, address, and features from the business profile, along with what reviewers mention about sweets, pastries, pie, and drinks. The list suits anyone looking for a sweet stop after a meal, a morning pastry, or a slice of pie. Because the picks reflect public listings and reviews, check current hours and menus before you visit.
#1
Ladybird Diner
★ 4.7 (1,870 Google reviews)Diner$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Ladybird Diner is a diner at 721 Massachusetts Street with a 4.7 rating from 1,870 reviews, the highest review count in this list. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, with later hours on Friday, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Google attributes include great dessert, great coffee, cocktails, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and outdoor seating. Reviewers mention a pie selection, a coconut cream pie after breakfast, unusual flavor pairings on the menu, and a whimsical, nostalgic setting. Some note a wait for a table on busy weekend mornings.
Best for: Pie and brunch with bold flavors
- Address
- 721 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8 am–8 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–3 pm; Sun 8 am–3 pm; Thu 8 am–3 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 8 am–3 pm
#2
Merchants Pub & Plate
★ 4.6 (1,438 Google reviews)Gastropub$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Merchants Pub & Plate is a gastropub at 746 Massachusetts Street with a 4.6 rating from 1,438 reviews. Hours vary by day, generally from late morning until 9 pm, with a shorter Monday schedule. Google attributes include great dessert, a great wine list, great cocktails, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and outdoor seating. Reviewers mention a broad selection of gluten-free and dairy-free dishes, fryers described as celiac-safe, burgers, brussels sprouts, and a rich lobster bisque. The listed price range is $20 to $30.
Best for: Dessert with gluten-free and dairy-free options
- Address
- 746 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9:30 pm; Mon 3–9 pm; Sat 10 am–9:30 pm; Sun 10 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#3
Barker - Café and Bakery
★ 4.6 (584 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Barker - Café and Bakery at 1900 Barker Avenue has a 4.6 rating from 584 reviews. It is open weekdays from 7 am to 4 pm and weekends from 8 am to 2 pm. Google attributes include great coffee, great dessert, breakfast, brunch, vegetarian options, organic dishes, and outdoor seating. Reviewers mention a morning bun, seasonal items, and a sourdough sandwich bread that works well with butter and jam. A few note the place gets busy, and one review describes a croissant that was cold in the middle.
Best for: Morning buns and weekend brunch
- Address
- 1900 Barker Ave, Lawrence, KS 66046, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–4 pm; Mon 7 am–4 pm; Sat 8 am–2 pm; Sun 8 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–4 pm; Tue 7 am–4 pm; Wed 7 am–4 pm
#4
Cellar Door
★ 4.6 (269 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Cellar Door is a restaurant at 7 West 11th Street with a 4.6 rating from 269 reviews. It is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Google attributes include great coffee, great dessert, great tea, outdoor seating, breakfast, brunch, and small plates. Reviewers mention a breakfast burrito with eggs and beans, an egg sandwich on a bagel, a sausage sandwich with jam, and a hot dip chicken sandwich. Vegan and vegetarian options draw praise for a small eatery with a creative menu. The listed price range is $10 to $20.
Best for: Breakfast sandwiches and small plates
- Address
- 7 W 11th St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- daily 8 am–4 pm
#5
Barker - Café and Bakery
★ 4.6 (148 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This Barker - Café and Bakery location at 816 Massachusetts Street has a 4.6 rating from 148 reviews. Weekday hours run from 7 am to 6 pm, and weekend hours from 8 am to 2 pm. Google attributes include great coffee, great dessert, fast service, happy-hour food and drinks, beer, and outdoor seating. Reviewers mention a chocolate croissant, a blackberry croissant, a mocha, and a breakfast burrito with verde salsa. One review describes a pastry that arrived misshapen after online ordering.
Best for: Chocolate croissants and happy-hour drinks
- Address
- 816 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–6 pm; Mon 7 am–6 pm; Sat 8 am–2 pm; Sun 8 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–6 pm; Tue 7 am–6 pm; Wed 7 am–6 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 7 cafes in Downtown, Lawrence KS with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Great dessert”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Merchants Pub & Plate takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Barker - Café and Bakery opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
Ladybird Diner ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 1,870 reviews. Merchants Pub & Plate is second at 4.6 from 1,438 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Lawrence KS are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Merchants Pub & Plate, at 9:30 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Ladybird Diner $10–20; Merchants Pub & Plate $20–30; Barker - Café and Bakery $10–20; Cellar Door $10–20; Barker - Café and Bakery $10–20.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Ladybird Diner, Merchants Pub & Plate, Barker - Café and Bakery, Cellar Door and Barker - Café and Bakery.
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