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The Best Bakeries in Los Angeles
If you share a love of everything dough, then this list is for you. Here are our favorite purveyors of proofed goodness around the city. Leave your own favorites inthe comments
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Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist
Sycamore Kitchen
Karen Hatfield really is a master when it comes to pastries. Each morning, she stocks her cases with delightful treats like cookies, croissants, and our personal faves, babka rolls and sticky date cakes. They also serve the rocket fuel that is Stumptown cold brew, which works wonders for preventing a sugar coma.
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Sycamore Kitchenis located at 143 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, (323) 939-0151
Huckleberry
It's safe to say that we have a baker crush on Zoe Nathan Loeb. Just this past weekend, we had the most outrageous warm, fresh strawberry jam filled beignets to end a private dinner at her Santa Monica Bakery. Seriously, the sounds coming from our table were pretty inappropriate. Though those were a special item for the event, she makes fantastic sugar-dusted doughnuts, croissants, cakes, scones, and breads on a daily basis. If you're a visually-inclined, you should follow her on Instagram, but beware you'll end up with uncontrollable cravings, and quite possibly a crush like us.
Huckleberry is located at 1014 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica; (310) 451-2311
Proof
Na Young Ma's Atwater Village bakery might be small, but its wares are mighty tasty. Grab one of their perfectly-flakey classic croissants—or a ham and cheese one if you're in the mood—and a cup of Cognoscenti coffee. And don't forget one of their epic sea salt chocolate chip cookies for the road.
Proofis located at 3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, (323) 664-8633
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Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist
Bread Lounge
For a while there, we whined about how L.A. didn't have any bakeries that made really great baguettes. Well, Bread Lounge fixed all of that. The artisanal bakery and café in the Downtown Art's District bakes their loaves with love fresh daily. And they do it well. Ran Zimon, a lifelong baker who previously worked with Suzanne Goin at A.O.C. and Lucques, opened the space after supplying baguettes to some of the city's best restaurants. Now he's bringing the bread to the masses, making traditional loves as well as pastries like borek and traditional Danishes. They also do sandwiches, soups, salads, and paninis if you're looking for lunch.
The Bread Lounge is located at 700 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, (213) 327-0782
Bouchon Bakery
Bouchon Bakery is proof (natch) that Thomas Keller can do no wrong. They sell some of the wares that you'll find upstairs at the Bistro, like salmon terrines and their Parisian epi baguettes, but what you really want to try is their kougin amann. Pronounced "queen amman", these moan-inducing laminated pastries are done to perfection—each layer of the croissant dough interspersed with smattering of butter and sugar. The real deal-breaker that makes this the absolute best version in the city is the crackling layer of caramelized sugar that coats the pastry's bottom. Other desserts not to be missed are the caneles, chocolate bouchons, and the bacon cheddar scones.
Bouchon Bakery is located at 235 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 271-9910
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Photo via Susina on Facebook
Semi Sweet Bakery
Sure, New Yorkers may have Dominique Ansel Bakery for their cronuts, but we have Semi Sweet Bakery for our crullants. Their croissant-donut mash-up is one of the best in town, perfectly glazed and flaky, and in a variety of flavors from vanilla to pumpkin cheesecake. On top of that, this Downtown spot nestled near Cole's and Las Perlas, has an adorable Parisian feel when you step through its doors. Pro-tip: try the proscuitto goat cheese danish as well as their recreations of the pop-tart and Hostess cupcakes.—Jean Trinh
Semi Sweet Bakery is located at 105 E 6th St. in Downtown, (213) 228-9975
fōnuts
How I love thee, let me count the ways... If you want to try donuts in a new light, you might want to check out fōnuts. The bakery's goodies are never deep-fried, but steamed or baked—and they're ridiculously tasty. The light and cake-like textures of their fōnuts come in a long list of delicious flavors from earl grey and blueberry to strawberry buttermilk. They even have vegan and gluten-free options available, but that doesn't stop them from making their signature maple-bacon variety. The cute 1950s-style joint also has Lamille coffee on hand in case you need a cup of joe to go with your sweets. —Jean Trinh
fōnuts is located at 8104 W 3rd St. in Beverly Grove, (323) 592-3075
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Figaro
Figaro might catch your eye when you're strolling down Vermont Ave. on Los Feliz; the tables and chairs are lined outside on the sidewalk like a busy Parisian street. It's half-restaurant and half-bakery, and the baked goods are not to be missed. They of course have croissants (and their ham-and-cheese one is killer) like any French bakery should, but also make sure to try their goat-cheese and pear tarts for a life-changing experience. —Jean Trinh
Figaro is located at 1802 N Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz, (323) 662-1587
Susina Bakery & Cafe
It's hard not to get one of everything at Susina. When you walk into its warm and comforting shop, there's a huge glass display case with a variety of cakes, tarts, and even sandwiches.The best part is that this place is open until 11 p.m. in case you have some late-night cravings. Definitely try their berry blossom cake and banana cream pies, and pair it with a cup of tea or coffee from their large selection. —Jean Trinh
Susina Bakery & Cafe is located at 7122 Beverly Blvd in the Fairfax District, (323) 934-7900
Euro Pane Bakery & Cafe
Euro Pane is a Pasadena institution. There's a sleeker, newer location near the Paseo, but I'm a fan of the original location near Lake Avenue. There you might run into a notable local writer doing the New York Times crossword, the kind of low-key actors who make their home in the Northeast suburbs or a Nobel Winner from Caltech. They have wonderful french brownies (they're a little less sweet and they look like muffins), chocolate croissants or quiches for breakfast. Their sandwiches and the herbed or sweet breads they come on are delicious, and they're best known for their open-faced egg salad sandwich. If you've still got a hankering for something sweet, they sell macarons and Pasadena's famous Little Flower caramels. —Emma Gallegos
Euro Pane Bakery & Cafe is located at 950 E Colorado Blvd #107, (626) 577-1828 and 345 E Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, (626) 844-8804
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