The LEGO Icons Gardens of the World Series includes two beautiful and well-received sets so far; the #10315 LEGO Tranquil Garden was initially released in 2023 with a lovely Japanese garden (1,363 pieces, price: $109.99), and the #10359 LEGO Fountain Garden was released this year with a picturesque Italian setting (1,302 pieces, price: $99.99). Both of these sets are dense and parts-heavy with interesting and unique elements. Although they are expensive, these sets offer an engaging building experience for adult builders, and they look wonderful – even sophisticated – on display. They are sort of like more colorful versions of LEGO Architecture sets.
This year, LEGO started a second similar series called LEGO Icons Restaurants of the World with only one set so far; Café Fleur, also known as the #10362 LEGO French Café. This set is also parts-heavy with 1,101 pieces but the price is a bit better at $79.99 (LEGO is probably still testing what is the best size and price range for these types of sets).
The footprint of the French Café is wide but shallow; 38 studs wide (so a bit wider than a standard LEGO Modular Building), but only 8 studs deep. It is extremely cramped with parts and advanced building techniques. The building is full of unusual angles and parts-usage, and even the cobblestone base is brick-built.
Although I normally like working with such sets because I find them educational and engaging, surprisingly, I didn’t enjoy this one. I thought the cobblestone base was too complicated, took too long to build, and ultimately didn’t look realistic. And the Café itself is full of techniques I don’t really care for nor do I fully comprehend. The whole set is too clever for its own good is how I would summarize the experience.
The finished model has its plusses and minuses as well. The stonework about the entrance is interesting, although just like the cobblestone, I don’t think it’s that realistic. I do like the columns next to the entrance though. The interior is pretty much non-existent, but I like the color combinations. Outside, the planters look nice, and the chairs and tables are cute, but they will fall apart at the slightest touch. The lamp is a nice build.
Even though I’m not a big fan of the building experience or the finished model, the parts selection is outstanding! The set is full of beautiful and unique colors, and includes tons of exclusive printed elements. The Café Fleur sign above the door and the street sign are printed (the street sign is actually printed on both sides), and the door and window panels, as well as the little clear awning pieces, are all printed. This set is an amazing parts-pack, and I wouldn’t hesitate to get a second or even more copies just for the parts.
I don’t plan to display this set as is, but I do like sections of it enough to include in my customized version of the #10297 LEGO Modular Boutique Hotel. The two sets have a matching style and color-scheme, and interestingly, they are both sets I have a love/hate relationship with. My plan is to keep and combine the features I like and eliminate the ones I don’t. The beauty of LEGO is that we can do that!
Out of curiosity, I did look up what others are doing with this set and I found some really encouraging examples. My favorite is by BrickStudioArchitect at Rebrickable.com. He basically turned two copies of the #10362 LEGO French Café (plus extra parts) into a corner LEGO Modular Building. If you like this model, you can download the parts-list and instructions at this Rebrickable.com page.
Two other nice interpretations of the set are by Brick Artisan also at Rebrickable.com. These models use one copy of the #10362 LEGO French Café plus some extra parts. You can download the parts-lists and instructions for the first model here and the second model here.
To give you more details on the set, I’m also including JANGBRiCKS review below.
You might like the #10362 LEGO French Café as is, and that’s great! And if not, it’s still a worthy candidate for parts, building techniques (especially working with angles), and design options. If you would like to check it out, you can find the set at the LEGO Icons section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? Have you had a chance to build any of the sets from the LEGO Gardens of the World and LEGO Restaurants of the World series? How do you like them? And what do you think of the French Café? Feel free to share your thoughts and own reviews in the comment section below!
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Wow. That first modular looks fantastic! Perfect use for this set! And yes, it’s a great parts pack.
I’m curious how you’re going to combine the boutique hotel and the French cafe. Please share when you’re done!
I’m still working on it, but will take some pictures when I’m done. I can tell you that working with those weird angles in both sets is a headache!
Wow.Wow.Wow. I really like the first modular version too! It’s perfect! I wasn’t considering this set, but now I’m very tempted to build this.
Those are really good modulars. Especially the first one. It looks like a set Lego would have made! I would consider building that, but I don’t have room for any more corner modulars.