Once upon a time, Los Angeles was better known for green juice than bread—but over the last few years, the city’s burgeoning bakery scene has put the “low carb” narrative to rest. In nearly any neighborhood you can follow your nose to find the sweet smell of fresh pastries wafting from shops with lines that wrap around the block.
The cultural diversity that makes Los Angeles an exciting place to eat just about anything extends to the city’s baked goods, too. Whether you’re in the mood for Chinese winter melon pies, flakey French croissants, or classic Georgia peach cobbler, there’s sure to be a spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll also find bakers perfecting Old World techniques with heirloom grains and pastry chefs dreaming up original flavors. Keep in mind, this list is only a starting point—the quest to find the best bakeries in Los Angeles could be a lifelong pursuit.
Chaumont Bakery & Café
Location: Beverly Hills
Known for: Traditional French pastries that look almost too perfect to eat
Must try: Any of the ever-changing croissant options
Pop into one of the top French bakeries in Los Angeles to sample some the city’s premier croissants. Crafted with imported butter, these laminated wonders are packed with countless layers of crisp and chewy dough. The classic almond and chocolate varieties are always on the menu, accompanied by rotating choices like guava and lavender. Come on a Sunday to treat yourself to a decadent special: a buttery croissant topped with lobster meat, lemon mayo, and a fresh squeeze of lime. Plant-based diners will appreciate Chaumont Vegan, located next door.
Friends & Family
Location: East Hollywood
Known for: Heirloom grain baked goods and produce-forward fare
Must try: Fried-chicken sandwich and the rye chocolate-chip cookie
With impressive résumés dotted with numerous local hot spots, the superstar duo of chef Daniel Mattern and baker Roxana Jullapat combined forces to found Friends and Family in 2016. The focus here is on heirloom grains (think Sonora wheat croissants) and locally sourced produce (the Hippie Sandwich marries local avocado with green pea mash, sprouts, and herb dressing). Pair your meal with a cup of homemade juice or a glass or two of natural wine.
Gjusta
Location: Venice
Known for: Brunch for well-heeled locals served from an open-plan bakery
Must try: Baklava croissant; olive sourdough loaf
Step inside this nondescript warehouse in Venice to discover a wonderland of beautiful breads, pastries, fresh flowers delicately arranged, an expansive deli section, and carefully curated grocery shelves. Choose your gluten-full poison from the sprawling glass bakery cases, grab a few jars of curious spreads, treat yourself to a bouquet, and retreat to the patio to feast under the shade of a massive olive tree. Trust us: The lines are long, but the goodies are worth it.
La Mascota Bakery
Location: Boyle Heights
Known for: Mexican-style tamales and sweets in a no-frills storefront
Must try: The colorful conchas
A Boyle Heights institution, this panadería has remained family-owned for more than 70 years. Sample a wide variety of pan dulce and tamales stuffed with red pork, beef, vegetables, green chile and cheese, or pineapple. Prices are reasonable—a dozen tamales will set you back less than $30—and the pastries are delicious, so stock up. Don’t leave without some colorful shell-shaped conchas or the marranitos (piggy cookies) made with raisins and candied strawberry bits.
Lodge Bread Company
Locations: Culver City, Pico, and Woodland Hills
Known for: Classic lunch and breakfast fare elevated by exceptional bread
Must try: Sprouted rye with cured fish; cinnamon roll
Founded in 2015, this owner-operated bakery has since more than doubled in size—much like its cult-followed dough. Grab breakfast, lunch, or a loaf to go at any of Lodge’s three locations. At a place known for its hearty sandwiches and cinnamon rolls the size of your head, it’s a good idea to come ready for a multi-course meal. The bread here is powered by a slowly fermenting sourdough starter. Learn how to make your own through their 1.5-hour bread classes.
Lou, the French on the Block
Location: Burbank
Known for: Quiches, croissants, and friendly owners
Must try: Chocolate-almond croissant
Lou boasts a backstory as sweet as its treats. The bakery was founded when a French professional basketball player fell in love with a Paris-born flight attendant. The husband-and-wife team of Laurent (Lou) and Karima Correa emigrated to the United States to share their passion for pastries with Los Angeles. The result? A warm and welcoming spot where regulars enjoy a variety of quiche, tarts, financiers, and croissants—baked fresh every morning by Lou himself.
Laroolou
Location: Chinatown
Known for: Sticky sweet, creative desserts in a tiny storefront
Must try: Salted Earl Grey honey pie
Head to Laroolou to try award-winning, Filipino-inspired pies and “thiccies” from English teacher turned pastry chef Edlyne Nicolas. Creative flavor profiles put Nicolas’ desserts on the map when her salted Earl Grey honey pie called the “Sir Salted Earl” scored top honors at KCRW’s Good Food Pie Contest in 2019. This chess-style pie remains the bestseller, but don’t sleep on the mochi brownies or the super-thick cookies (aka thiccies) stuffed with chocolate, candy, and spices.
Phoenix Bakery
Location: Chinatown
Known for: Special-occasion cakes and traditional Chinese pastries
Must try: Fresh strawberry whipped cream cake
Founded in 1938, this small-but-mighty Chinatown bakery has been churning out some of the best cakes in Los Angeles for decades. Founded and still owned and operated by the Chan family, diners can find European-style cakes and pastries alongside classic Chinese sweets like winter melon pies, sugar butterflies, and mooncakes (available during the Mid-Autumn Festival). Cakes are available by the slice, whole from the bakery case, or as custom designs for weddings and birthdays.
République
Location: Mid-City
Known for: A sweeping variety of breads and sweets served in a stunning location
Must try: Mango and passionfruit cream pie
Walk through the wooden doors at République and you’ll be transported to a chic medieval village in Northern France. Pastry chef and co-owner Margarita Manzke makes 50-plus varieties of some of the best pastries in Los Angeles. Overwhelmed by choice? Don’t be. Everything is good. When in doubt go with the classic demi baguette, served with unctuous butter and flakey sea salt. If you’re hungry or thirsty for more, the space also houses a cafe, cocktail bar, and one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the entire county.
Southern Girl Desserts
Location: Watts and Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw
Known for: Down home flavors and classic comfort food
Must try: Chicken-and-waffle cupcake
Big-name celebrities like Denzel Washington, Samuel Jackson, and Mariah Carey flock to this Southern-style bakery founded by Florida-born friends Catarah Coleman and Shoneji Robison. Visit either of the two Southern Girl Desserts locations to taste why the pair brought home the gold on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. The menu relies on both time-tested and original flavors—think classic peach cobbler and Hennessy-and-Coke cupcakes. Vegan options are available too.
If you’ve still got extra room in your belly (or your carry-on), there are dozens more dough shops to consider as well. The Montreal-style bagels from Courage Bagels in Virgil Village, the fried-egg sandwich from Huckleberry Café in Santa Monica, and the braided cinnamon lines from Copenhagen Pastry in Culver City all have cult followings for a reason—and it’s a good idea to see why for yourself. Make good use of the sugar rush by checking out more family-friendly activities in Los Angeles.
