FAMILY-OWNED EST. 2009

Sweet Leaf: More Than Just a Cafe, It’s Your Neighborhood Gem
Sweet Leaf isn’t just an upscale café and smoothie shop—it’s a locally owned, digitally-savvy gathering spot where everyone feels welcome. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, Sweet Leaf is designed for versatility. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or spending the day working, socializing, or relaxing, we’ve got the perfect space for you.

At Sweet Leaf, every visit is infused with thoughtfulness and creativity, making it feel like your second home. From breakfast to dinner, you can expect fresh, honest food that’s crafted with care and full of flavor. Here’s what you can look forward to throughout the day:

Breakfast kicks off with a variety of hearty options, including fan favorites like our avocado toast, made with local, organic multigrain bread, or indulgent sandwiches and burritos that fuel your morning.

Lunchtime brings a wide selection of sandwiches and bowls that are both delicious and nutritious. Popular picks include the Spicy Avocado Bowl, topped with our signature cilantro-lime vinaigrette, and the So Cali Club, loaded with thick-cut bacon, turkey breast, and creamy avocado.

As the day winds down, settle in for dinner with dishes like tender steak drizzled with Mom’s chimichurri or our roasted Norwegian salmon served with a wild farro bowl. Each meal is prepared fresh in our kitchen—never pre-made or stored. Just vibrant, wholesome food made to order.

Whether you’re in a rush or have time to linger, Sweet Leaf is your go-to spot for every meal of the day. Come in and see why we’re more than just a café—we’re a neighborhood treasure.

The Sweet Leaf Journey: From Humble Beginnings to a Community Favorite

In 2009, Arita and Andre Matini opened the first Sweet Leaf just a few miles from their high school. They made a deal with the owner of a local ice cream shop to take over the space, continuing to offer the ice cream while introducing their own healthy, locally sourced meals. Armed with an oven, a few fridges, some blenders, and patio tables, they launched Sweet Leaf in just a few months.

From day one, the Matinis focused on promoting healthy eating and supporting local farmers. Their passion resonated with the community, and soon word spread about this unique spot. As more people lined up to try Sweet Leaf’s fresh, creative menu, the small venture grew into a neighborhood favorite, known for its commitment to quality and local connections.

Impacting a Community

What started as a simple idea back then turned into so much more. That one concept gave us the opportunity to work alongside our family, collaborate with talented chefs, partner with local farms and businesses, and support thousands of team members in providing for their families. Along the way, we’ve served millions of lunches—all while working toward our greater mission of building a healthier, happier community.

Our Mission

Grow Sweet Leaf based on our family values — integrity, honesty and dependability.

To provide our community with honest food made with real ingredients and a lot of love.

Core Principles 

We’re an All-Day café that blends simple, wholesome preparations with bold, global flavors. At Sweet Leaf, our passion for freshness guides everything we do. We take sourcing seriously, maintaining a strong commitment to quality at every step. That’s why we prioritize working with local growers, farmers, ranchers, and producers whenever possible, ensuring every bite reflects our dedication to both taste and community.

Every day, we challenge ourselves to find innovative ways to better serve our community, support our partners, and protect our planet. It’s a commitment that drives us to constantly improve and make a positive impact at every level.

We aim to create a welcoming space where friends, families, and coworkers can come together to enjoy a healthy, hearty meal. At Sweet Leaf, it’s more than just dining—it’s about fostering connection and community over food that nourishes both body and spirit.

We never use artificial flavors or bioengineered ingredients—because nothing beats the real thing. At Sweet Leaf, we serve food sourced from farms, not factories, ensuring every dish is as wholesome and natural as it gets.

Family-Owned Est. 2009

As a family-owned business, we have the freedom to prioritize what matters most: being employee-friendly and socially responsible. This means sourcing locally, partnering with local charities, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality. Sweet Leaf is more than just a brand—it’s a reflection of our family’s values, and we’re dedicated to upholding that trust. We know we’re part of your community, and we won’t let you down.. 

Let’s Work Together 

At Sweet Leaf, we believe that nourishing a healthy lifestyle goes far beyond what’s on the plate. We’re dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience that encompasses every aspect of your visit. From our chef-crafted, scratch-made menu to our high standards of service, authenticity, and commitment to the community, we strive to exceed expectations. Our dedication to people extends to our team as well—boasting one of the highest employee retention rates in the area, with an average team member tenure of over three years. We’re proud to build a place where both our guests and employees feel valued.

careers

Values

We’re dedicated to staying true to our roots and upholding the family values that define Sweet Leaf. As we grow, we focus on doing so in a sustainable way that benefits our staff and community. Our commitment to quality, exceptional service, respect for our employees, and giving back remains at the heart of everything we do. We believe that nurturing these values is key to building a business that serves everyone around us.

Our Partners

We’ve always cared about where our ingredients come from. Growing up working at our mom’s farmers market, we learned firsthand what “farm-fresh” truly means. That experience shaped our deep understanding of the importance of supporting local, sustainably run farms. By making thoughtful choices, we not only safeguard your health but also strengthen our local economy. We’re proud to partner with farmers who share our commitment to ethical practices, ensuring that every decision benefits our community, the animals, and the land. See how we’re making a difference—one ingredient at a time.

Richardson Farm

Richardson is a fifth-generation family farm located in White Marsh, Maryland. They are committed to providing you with the best tasting and freshest locally grown produce available.

Jayleaf

The next generation of organic farmers, wholly committed to their products and our planet. Their calling is the cultivation of delicious, premium super greens available as individual varieties and premium lettuce mixes, custom-tailored to our customers.

Bear Mountain 

A family owned & operated partner who provides local apples and pears for our seasonal salads and sandwiches. They keep our produce fresh, local & safe, as a Primus GFS Certified farm.

We Love Hearing From You

Send us your questions, comments or suggestions.

EMAIL US