Historical building with lots of character in downtown Laurel. Variety menu with breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Menu is vegan friendly. Plenty of seating downstairs and upstairs with open seating and small books tucked away. There is a cabinet full of board games to meet up and play with friends. Art display with a mix of new art and historical photos of the town. Great mix with good vibes. Food is great, coffees, lattes and more. If you are visitor to the city, it's a great stop while visiting the Laurel area. If you are local, it's a neat place to meet with friends.
Vegan Restaurant
Lee’s Coffee & Tea
· $$$$ · laurel · Strict-vegan verified
Fully vegan
Editor synopsis · 0 reviews
Diners overwhelmingly call out the signature dish as the must-order. The vibe reads as vegan restaurant — service is consistently described as warm and unhurried. Common gotcha: queues form at peak times — go early or late.
Excerpts
Historical building with lots of character in downtown Laurel. Variety menu with breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Menu is vegan friendly. Plenty of seating downstairs and upstairs with open seating and small books tucked away. There is a cabinet full of board games to meet up and play with friends. Art display with a mix of new art and historical photos of the town. Great mix with good vibes. Food is great, coffees, lattes and more. If you are visitor to the city, it's a great stop while visiting the Laurel area. If you are local, it's a neat place to meet with friends.
Just went to Lee's and ordered my wife a London Fog. Simple drink, just steamed milk, foam, earl gray or some English breakfast tea. What we got was tea, with milk. I tried to let the person know it wasn't correct and they said it was. Not feeling like I wanted to argue I threw it in the trash and went elsewhere. I used to really like this place but lately it has gone downhill. Not sure what is happening there but there are other places I can spend my money. -Response to the owner: Yes the drink I received was hot tea with milk. The milk was not steamed there was no foam, it looked like normal tea with milk would look like. Not like the Earl Gray Latte, or London Fog. I have made these drinks before and know what they look like, this was not it. We have also had occasion to have a drink not come out right. But at those times, when I bring it to their attention they attempt to make it right. This time I was told it was right and no effort at all was made to make it better. So with that in mind I threw the drink out and we left. Elaborating on the 'going down hill' We have been coming here since 2023, since we moved to Laurel. I understand turn over, but during that time I have seen the baked goods change drastically. The last cinnamon roll I had from there did not taste good at all. It tasted like it was a frozen roll, that was heated up and baked. Not what I am used to at all. The last time I tried a muffin it was very similar. I understand a while back you had lost the baker and had to find another, but this is a part of the place which I refer to. Other things appear to have changed, like the crust less quiche, I used to get that almost every time I visited, but now the taste is different, not at all like it used to be. I know things change, I can understand that, but I think the main reason for this statement was the customer service. I am not unreasonable, I can understand people having a bad day or whatever, but when someone comes to you saying this doesn't look right you do not expect them to say it is and have done with it. Here is an update from February 2026, and it still looks like a London Fog or Earl Gray Latte is still a bit out of reach for these folks. And I ordered a Chocolate Cream and I almost got a chiller by mistake. I'm glad I asked before I took it from the counter. And my last entry for this establishment. Just went there today, asked if they knew how to make a latte, Jacob said he did. So then I asked if he knew how to make a London Fog. He said yes, and that the 'English way' of making a London Fog is not a latte. I guess I don't know what my wife has been drinking for the last 10 years, or at least what it is supposed to be. Strange thing is Manuscript coffee across the street knows exactly how to make a London Fog the way she likes it. I guess that is where we are going from now on.
Just went to Lee's and ordered my wife a London Fog. Simple drink, just steamed milk, foam, earl gray or some English breakfast tea. What we got was tea, with milk. I tried to let the person know it wasn't correct and they said it was. Not feeling like I wanted to argue I threw it in the trash and went elsewhere. I used to really like this place but lately it has gone downhill. Not sure what is happening there but there are other places I can spend my money. -Response to the owner: Yes the drink I received was hot tea with milk. The milk was not steamed there was no foam, it looked like normal tea with milk would look like. Not like the Earl Gray Latte, or London Fog. I have made these drinks before and know what they look like, this was not it. We have also had occasion to have a drink not come out right. But at those times, when I bring it to their attention they attempt to make it right. This time I was told it was right and no effort at all was made to make it better. So with that in mind I threw the drink out and we left. Elaborating on the 'going down hill' We have been coming here since 2023, since we moved to Laurel. I understand turn over, but during that time I have seen the baked goods change drastically. The last cinnamon roll I had from there did not taste good at all. It tasted like it was a frozen roll, that was heated up and baked. Not what I am used to at all. The last time I tried a muffin it was very similar. I understand a while back you had lost the baker and had to find another, but this is a part of the place which I refer to. Other things appear to have changed, like the crust less quiche, I used to get that almost every time I visited, but now the taste is different, not at all like it used to be. I know things change, I can understand that, but I think the main reason for this statement was the customer service. I am not unreasonable, I can understand people having a bad day or whatever, but when someone comes to you saying this doesn't look right you do not expect them to say it is and have done with it. Here is an update from February 2026, and it still looks like a London Fog or Earl Gray Latte is still a bit out of reach for these folks. And I ordered a Chocolate Cream and I almost got a chiller by mistake. I'm glad I asked before I took it from the counter. And my last entry for this establishment. Just went there today, asked if they knew how to make a latte, Jacob said he did. So then I asked if he knew how to make a London Fog. He said yes, and that the 'English way' of making a London Fog is not a latte. I guess I don't know what my wife has been drinking for the last 10 years, or at least what it is supposed to be. Strange thing is Manuscript coffee across the street knows exactly how to make a London Fog the way she likes it. I guess that is where we are going from now on.
Lees is located within the historical Sears Building with bits of elements remaining. Food, service and hospitality wonderful.