Los Angeles Top Bakeries: Where to Find the Best Bread and Sweets
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cdteliot
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Los Angeles boasts a diverse array of exceptional bakeries, from traditional French patisseries to long-standing local institutions. From flaky croissants and artisanal sourdough to decadent cakes and colorful macarons, the city's bakery scene offers a delightful range of options for carb enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike.
1. République Café & Bakery: Mid-City LA’s Top Spot for Pastries and Breads
opentable.com
République Café & Bakery, located in the historic Mid-city neighborhood of Los Angeles, is renowned for its exceptional pastries and breads. Housed in a stunning 1928 building originally erected by Charlie Chaplin, this French-inspired establishment offers a unique blend of history and culinary excellence.
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The bakery is helmed by Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke, with Chef Margarita winning a James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker in 2023 for her work at République.1
Visitors can indulge in a wide array of delectable treats, with their croissants and pain au chocolat being particularly highly recommended. The café's casual front area, featuring a bakery and bar, provides a perfect setting for enjoying these freshly baked delights, while the more formal dining room in the rear offers a French-inspired menu that changes daily.1
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2. Porto's Bakery & Cafe: LA's Beloved Destination for Cuban-Inspired Pastries Since 1976
presstelegram.com
Porto's Bakery & Cafe, a beloved Los Angeles institution, has been serving Cuban-inspired pastries and savory treats since 1976. Founded by Rosa Porto, who began by selling cakes from her home after emigrating from Cuba, Porto's has grown into a Southern California icon with six locations across the region
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. The bakery is renowned for its signature items, including the famous Potato Balls™, Cheese Rolls™, and Refugiados™ (Guava and Cheese Strudels)2
. Porto's consistently draws long lines of loyal customers, attracted by the quality and affordability of its extensive menu, which features everything from cakes and pastries to sandwiches and hot dishes3
. The bakery's popularity extends beyond local patrons, with many visitors to Los Angeles considering Porto's treats as must-have souvenirs, often seen being carried through airport terminals3
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3. Proof Bakery: Atwater Village’s Neighborhood Gem Since 2010
sunset.com
Proof Bakery, a worker-owned cooperative in Atwater Village, has become a beloved neighborhood institution since its opening in 2010. Founded by Na Young Ma, who honed her skills at Amy's Bread in New York City, Proof offers an array of artisanal baked goods and sandwiches that draw crowds daily
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. The bakery is particularly renowned for its buttery croissants, expertly crafted sandwiches on freshly baked mini baguettes, and high-quality coffee2
. Standout items include their chocolate espresso cake, almond croissants, and seasonal tartlets featuring local ingredients3
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. Proof's commitment to quality and community has made it a cornerstone of Atwater Village's culinary scene, with locals and visitors alike lining up for their famous lunchtime sandwiches and one of the best chocolate chip cookies in Los Angeles2
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4. Gjusta: Venice's Culinary Hotspot for Deli, Bakery, Café, and Market Delights
gjusta.com
Gjusta, a California deli, bakery, café, and market in Venice, has become a culinary hotspot since its opening in 2014. Originally established as a commissary kitchen for sister restaurants Gjelina and GTA, Gjusta quickly evolved into a destination in its own right. The bakery offers an impressive array of fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced products, including artisanal breads, pastries, smoked fish, cured meats, and sandwiches. Gjusta's tuna conserva sandwich and roast chicken are particularly praised, while their pastry cases showcase an ever-changing selection of baked goods
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. Despite its popularity leading to long lines and a sometimes chaotic ordering system, Gjusta's high-quality offerings and vibrant atmosphere make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike, perfect for people-watching on its expanded patio2
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5. Artelice Patisserie: LA and Burbank's Modern French Pastry Haven
myburbank.com
Artelice Patisserie, a modern French pastry shop with locations in Los Angeles and Burbank, has gained a reputation for its exquisite pastries and commitment to quality. The patisserie specializes in a wide array of French delicacies, including macarons, croissants, eclairs, and tiramisu, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail
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. What sets Artelice apart is its use of premium ingredients imported from Europe, ensuring an authentic French pastry experience2
. Customers rave about their unique creations, such as the "Persian Princess" croissant with pistachio mascarpone filling and orange blossom-infused dough, and the chocolate-shelled "roche" that expertly combines cake, cream, and hazelnut ganache3
. Artelice's dedication to quality and artistry has earned it a loyal following, with patrons often describing their pastries as "almost too pretty to eat"1
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6. Cake Monkey Bakery: Mini Layer Cakes and Reimagined Childhood Favorites
realmomofsfv.com
Cake Monkey Bakery specializes in nostalgic treats with a modern twist, offering mini layer cakes and reimagined versions of childhood favorites. Founded by Lisa Olin and pastry chef Elizabeth Belkind, the bakery has gained popularity for its unique creations like "cakewiches" (cake sandwiches), "pop pies" (gourmet pop tarts), and "El Rollos" (upscale Ho Hos).
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Their signature mini layer cakes, available in flavors like Triple Berry and Chocolate Malt, are perfectly sized individual servings ideal for gifting or personal indulgence.2
Cake Monkey has been featured on various food shows and publications, including The Cooking Channel's "Unique Sweets" and "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," garnering praise for their innovative approach to classic treats.4
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7. La Monarca Bakery: Authentic Mexican Pan Dulce Across Los Angeles
lamonarcabakery.com
La Monarca Bakery, founded by Ricardo Cervantes and Alfredo Livas, has become a beloved institution in Los Angeles, offering authentic Mexican-inspired pan dulce and pastries across multiple locations. Inspired by the sweet flavors of their hometown in Mexico, the co-founders created La Monarca to bring high-quality, preservative-free Mexican baked goods to the city.
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With seven locations, including one in Highland Park, La Monarca continues to innovate and expand its offerings of traditional pan dulce, cookies, and specialty items like café de olla and Mexican hot chocolate.2
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The bakery's commitment to quality and authenticity, combined with its mission to create opportunities in local communities and support environmental conservation, has made it a standout in L.A.'s diverse bakery scene.3
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8. Tartine in Los Angeles: Renowned Bakery’s New Locations in Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Silver Lake
timeout.com
Tartine, the renowned San Francisco-based bakery, has expanded its artisanal offerings to Los Angeles with multiple locations, including outposts in Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Silver Lake. Famous for their exceptional sourdough bread and pastries, Tartine has quickly become a favorite among LA's discerning bread enthusiasts. Their signature country loaf, praised for its complex flavor and perfect crust, is a standout item that draws customers from across the city.
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Tartine's commitment to quality extends beyond bread, with a wide array of pastries and baked goods that showcase the bakery's dedication to traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients. The Santa Monica location, situated at 1925 Arizona Ave, offers both takeout and outdoor dining options, allowing patrons to enjoy Tartine's creations in a pleasant California setting.5
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9. Bub and Grandma's: From Wholesale Bakery to Beloved LA Restaurant
latimes.com
Bub and Grandma's, originally founded as a wholesale bakery in 2015, has evolved into a beloved Los Angeles institution with the opening of their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in September 2022. Located at 3507 Eagle Rock Boulevard in Glassell Park, the restaurant serves their famous breads alongside breakfast and lunch offerings. Despite facing significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, founder Andrew Kadin and his team persevered, expanding their menu to include beer, wine, and in-house roasted coffee. The restaurant's success is attributed to the passionate team, including head pastry chef Christopher Lier and head chef Zach Jarrett, who focus on creating simple yet meticulously crafted dishes. Bub and Grandma's has garnered a strong following both online and in the local community, offering a 5% discount to Eagle Rock residents and donating unused bread daily
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10. Konbi: LA's Acclaimed Spot for Japanese-Inspired Sandwiches and Pastries
grilledcheesesocial....
Konbi, a Los Angeles-based restaurant, gained widespread acclaim for its Japanese-inspired sandwiches and pastries, particularly its iconic egg salad sandwich. The restaurant's egg salad sandwich became an Instagram sensation, featuring a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg nestled within a creamy egg salad, all encased in pillowy Japanese milk bread
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. Konbi's version elevated the humble egg sandwich with high-quality ingredients and meticulous preparation, including a special "potato salad dressing" that added depth to the flavor profile3
. Despite its popularity, Konbi faced financial challenges, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ultimately closed its doors1
. However, its influence persists, inspiring home cooks and other establishments to recreate their famous sandwiches, with recipes often calling for kewpie mayonnaise, rice wine vinegar, and precise egg-cooking techniques to achieve the signature "jammy" yolk consistency2
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LA’s Top Bakeries: Signature Pastries and Innovative Creations
wanderlogue.co
Los Angeles' top bakeries offer a diverse range of specialties, from traditional pastries to innovative creations. Here's a concise overview of the signature items from ten renowned bakeries in the city:
Many of these bakeries also offer specialties like carrot cakes, red velvet cake, almond cakes, birthday cakes, cream cakes, cheesecakes, and brick-size French toast. Some feature classic sugar cookies with cookie crusts and various frostings, including cream frosting
| Bakery | Specialties |
|---|---|
| République Café & Bakery | Flaky croissants, pain au chocolat, brioche toast, and delicious cakes with cream-cheese frosting 1 4 |
| Konbi | Japanese-inspired sandwiches, particularly their famous egg salad sandwich |
| Bub and Grandma's | Artisanal sourdough loaves and rustic loaves, perfect for avocado toast |
| Tartine | Signature country loaf, laminated pastries, and chewy cookies |
| La Monarca Bakery | Authentic Mexican pastries, including pan dulce and almond cookies |
| Cake Monkey Bakery | Mini layer cakes, "cakewiches," and reimagined American-style pastries |
| Artelice Patisserie | French-style pastries, macarons, and chocolate croissants 5 |
| Gjusta | Artisanal breads, pastries, and their popular tuna conserva sandwich 4 |
| Porto's Bakery & Cafe | Cuban pastries, Potato Balls™, Cheese Rolls™, and Refugiados™ 2 |
| Proof Bakery | Buttery croissants, almond croissants, and one of the best chocolate chip cookies in Los Angeles 3 |
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Closing Thoughts on Los Angeles Top Bakeries
Los Angeles offers a wide variety of baking styles and flavors, from traditional French patisseries to Cuban-inspired treats and Japanese-influenced creations. The city's diverse bakery scene caters to all tastes, with neighborhood favorites like Proof Bakery and Gjusta serving up everything from artisanal sourdough loaves to indulgent sweet treats. Bread enthusiasts can find exceptional bread loaves at establishments like Tartine and Bub and Grandma's, perfect for making avocado toast or brioche toast at home. Many bakeries, such as République and Porto's, double as cafes, offering the perfect spot to enjoy baked treats with your morning coffee. Whether you're craving a flaky croissant, a hearty sandwich, or a slice of cake, Los Angeles' top bakeries provide an impressive array of options to satisfy any palate.
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Related
Which bakery offers the best variety of sweet treats
Where can I find the best sourdough loaves in Los Angeles
What are the must-try baked goods at République
Which bakery is famous for its avocado toast
What makes Proof Bakery stand out among other bakeries
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