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Vegan chocolate chip cookies made by Bakers Bench chef Jennifer Yee.
Vegan chocolate chip cookies from Bakers Bench in Chinatown.
Wonho Frank Lee

22 Essential Cookie Destinations in Los Angeles

Classic chocolate chip, French macarons, and Chinese almond

by Cathy Chaplin and Eater Staff Updated
5 comments / new
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Vegan chocolate chip cookies from Bakers Bench in Chinatown.
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Cathy Chaplin and Eater Staff Updated
5 comments / new

Cookies can seem like simple creations at first, but scratch beneath the surface to find some serious complexity. While everyone has strong opinions on what constitutes the ‘perfect’ specimen, nailing the ideal texture, size, and composition is definitely harder than it looks. From an iconic bakery in Chinatown to an eye-popping patisserie in Downtown, here now are the 22 best places to score a killer cookie in Los Angeles.

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Cookie Good

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This Santa Monica shop bakes up a slew of fun cookies, including the best-selling caramel-pretzel-chocolate chunk and the intriguing Cheetos cookie that’s cheesy, salty, and sweet.

2448 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(424) 280-4100
(424) 280-4100

Paderia Bakehouse

Copy Link

This OC import from Nathan Vuong and Davion Tran is making quite the splash in Santa Monica with its globally-inspired offerings. In addition to malasadas and Portuguese egg tarts, find an array of standout cookies reminiscent of the ones served at Levain in New York. The classic chocolate walnut is crisp on the outside, gooey within, and made with Belgian chocolate, while the peanut butter chocolate includes peanut butter morsels and dark cocoa powder.

3032 Wilshire Blvd Suite E, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(424) 416-7785
(424) 416-7785

ChocoVivo

Copy Link

Head to this Culver City chocolate specialist for a chocolate chip cookie tasting. The three different recipes include one made with 85 percent cacao, another with coffee and vanilla, and a traditional Mayan blend. Don’t forget to order a tall glass of milk to dunk and sip accordingly.

12469 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 845-6259
(310) 845-6259

Also featured in:

Lodge Bread Company

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Lodge Bread is better known for its crusty loaves and pizzas, but don’t sleep on the outstanding cookies that include oat poppy ginger, miso chocolate, double chocolate, and coconut. Get the “Everything” cookie, which is made with wheat flour and oats, sweetened with molasses, and brimming with cranberries, coconut, cashews, dates, and dark chocolate.

11918 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
(424) 384-5097
(424) 384-5097
A selection of cookies from Lodge Bread Company in Culver City.
A selection of cookies from Lodge Bread Company in Culver City.
Lodge Bread Company

Also featured in:

Zooies

Copy Link

It might seem unlikely to find quality cookies at a gas station, but this unassuming location in West LA makes some very creative treats. Zooies’ cookies have a hefty, chewy bite with a slightly crisp edge, and the walnut ‘gooie’ is the one to get. And just in time for the holidays, find Zooies at Citizen Public Market in Culver City starting December 1; the cart will be located on the sidewalk patio.

9815 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 820-8282
(310) 820-8282

Cake Monkey Bakery

Copy Link

Come into chef Elizabeth Belkind and business partner Lisa Olin’s Cake Monkey for souped-up takes on retro desserts. The Nuff Said cookie brings together dark chocolate, sea salt, marshmallow, and crushed pecans in a delicious homage to rocky road.

7807 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 932-1142
(323) 932-1142

Also featured in:

Milk Jar Cookies

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Milk Jar bakes its wares throughout the day, so getting a warm cookie is likely on every visit. The birthday cake, mint chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, and banana split are the best of the bunch.

5466 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 634-9800
(323) 634-9800

The Sycamore Kitchen

Copy Link

The pastry case at Sycamore Kitchen is lined with incredible baked goods from chef Karen Hatfield and her team. The daily cookie lineup usually includes rice crispy, peanut butterscotch, rye chocolate chip, chocolate fudge, and best of all, oatmeal toffee.

143 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-0151
(323) 939-0151

Also featured in:

Republique

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It’s impossible to resist Margarita Manzke’s delightful array of pastries at Republique which always includes croissants, cakes, doughnuts, and of course, cookies. Though the cookie selection varies from day to day, grab the utterly fantastic chocolate chip or the peanut butter sesame if available.

624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 362-6115
(310) 362-6115

Also featured in:

Deluscious Cookies & Milk

Copy Link

Deluscious’s vegan and gluten-free cookies subvert any tired notions of the textural heights vegan/gluten-free baked goods can reach. Each cookie is thick and chewy but with just enough exterior crisp to make every bite feel layered. Its chocolate chip flavor always hits, as do kicked-up renditions like cinnamon brulee and chocolate decadence, the latter so rich and densely packed with cocoa that a blind tester could almost mistake it for a brownie. Aside from its Highland Avenue shop, you can also find Deluscious cookies in Erewhon stores.

829 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 460-2370
(323) 460-2370

Also featured in:

Ggiata Delicatessen

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Sure the Italian sandwiches are great at Ggiata but don’t forget about the rainbow cookies. These delicate little sweets look like the Italian flag, with three layers of short almond cakes and fruit jam in between each layer; it’s topped with dark chocolate.

5009 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 798-5713
(323) 798-5713
Rainbow cookies at Ggiata Delicatessen.
Rainbow cookies at Ggiata Delicatessen.
Ggiata Delicatessen

Also featured in:

Friends & Family

Copy Link

It’s little surprise that some of LA’s best cookies are found at pastry chef Roxana Jullapat’s Thai Town bakery Friends & Family. The rye chocolate chip impresses with its complex and buttery profile, while the pig-shaped graham cracker is always a hit with little ones.

5150 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 668-2000
(323) 668-2000

Also featured in:

All Day Baby

Copy Link

Chef Thessa Diadem’s sandwich cookies ooze with decadence and nostalgia. While the Fluffer Nutter-inspired one comes stuffed with strawberry jam, the German chocolate tastes like a coconut-kissed Moon Pie. For those who lean toward the classics, the brown butter chocolate chip fits the bill.

3200 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 741-0082
(323) 741-0082

Also featured in:

Proof Bakery

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With its slightly crisp edges and tender interior chock-full of dark chocolate discs, Proof’s chocolate chip cookie is arguably Los Angeles’s best. A sprinkling of sea salt adds the perfect balance to reel in the chocolate’s sweetness.

3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-8633
(323) 664-8633

Also featured in:

Bottega Louie

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Bottega Louie’s signature macarons come in a dozen different flavors and colors including a spot-on birthday cake with rainbow nonpareils and rich espresso that’s sure to perk anyone up. Macarons are available at both the original Downtown location and the newer outlet in West Hollywood.

700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 802-1470
(213) 802-1470

Also featured in:

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Petite Peso

Copy Link

Petite Peso’s polvorones — delicately crumbly shortbread cookies made from firmly pressed flour, sugar, and milk powder — come in flavors like pistachio, creme brulee, white chocolate macadamia, and peanut butter. All are fantastically balanced and dissolve on one’s tongue in the most pleasant of fashions, so grab a box of five or 25 and dig in.

419 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
(209) 438-7376
(209) 438-7376

Also featured in:

Valerie Echo Park

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Valerie Gordon has a way with desserts, especially when it comes to cookies. The sweet and savory Durango cookie combines a classic chocolate chip with roasted almonds, cocoa nibs, and a flurry of hickory-smoked salt.

1665 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 250-9365
(213) 250-9365
A collection of cookies from Valerie Confections.
A collection of cookies from Valerie Confections.
Valerie Confections

Also featured in:

Fat & Flour

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While Fat & Flour is best known for its pies, chef Nicole Rucker also bakes up fantastic cookies from her stand inside Grand Central Market. The flavors vary from day to day, but can include chocolate chip oatmeal, vanilla sprinkle, espresso white chocolate, and lemon lavender. And yes, throw in an extra brownie or two for good measure.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(323) 380-8583
(323) 380-8583

Also featured in:

Baker's Bench

Copy Link

Find some of the finest, plant-based cookies in town in the breezeway of Far East Plaza. Chef Jen Yee bakes up a classic chocolate chip made with a hint of molasses, an espresso-laced double chocolate chip, and more from a modest kiosk.

727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Chef Jennifer Yee standing inside her bakery kiosk in Chinatown Los Angeles.
Find Baker’s Bench at Far East Plaza in Chinatown.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Phoenix Bakery, Inc.

Copy Link

Phoenix Bakery has been serving the Chinatown community and beyond since opening its doors in 1938. In addition to crowd-pleasing strawberry and whipped cream cakes, the bakery makes wonderfully delicate almond cookies. Buy a dozen or two for a party and soak up the compliments.

969 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-4642
(213) 628-4642

La Mascota Bakery

Copy Link

This Boyle Heights institution has been going strong for 65 years. Peruse the pan dulce for an impressive collection of cookies including polvorones de azucar (Mexican wedding), cinnamon polvorones, classic sprinkle, chocolate chip, and raspberry and cream.

2715 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 263-5513
(323) 263-5513

Also featured in:

Little Flower

Copy Link

Here at this cozy cafe on the edge of Pasadena, pastry chef Christine Moore’s team makes plush marshmallows, silky caramels, and superb cookies that come in classic flavors like ginger molasses and chocolate chip.

1424 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 304-4800
(626) 304-4800

Also featured in:

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Cookie Good

2448 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

This Santa Monica shop bakes up a slew of fun cookies, including the best-selling caramel-pretzel-chocolate chunk and the intriguing Cheetos cookie that’s cheesy, salty, and sweet.

2448 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(424) 280-4100
(424) 280-4100

Paderia Bakehouse

3032 Wilshire Blvd Suite E, Santa Monica, CA 90403

This OC import from Nathan Vuong and Davion Tran is making quite the splash in Santa Monica with its globally-inspired offerings. In addition to malasadas and Portuguese egg tarts, find an array of standout cookies reminiscent of the ones served at Levain in New York. The classic chocolate walnut is crisp on the outside, gooey within, and made with Belgian chocolate, while the peanut butter chocolate includes peanut butter morsels and dark cocoa powder.

3032 Wilshire Blvd Suite E, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(424) 416-7785
(424) 416-7785

ChocoVivo

12469 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Head to this Culver City chocolate specialist for a chocolate chip cookie tasting. The three different recipes include one made with 85 percent cacao, another with coffee and vanilla, and a traditional Mayan blend. Don’t forget to order a tall glass of milk to dunk and sip accordingly.

12469 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 845-6259
(310) 845-6259

Lodge Bread Company

11918 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Lodge Bread is better known for its crusty loaves and pizzas, but don’t sleep on the outstanding cookies that include oat poppy ginger, miso chocolate, double chocolate, and coconut. Get the “Everything” cookie, which is made with wheat flour and oats, sweetened with molasses, and brimming with cranberries, coconut, cashews, dates, and dark chocolate.

11918 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
(424) 384-5097
(424) 384-5097
A selection of cookies from Lodge Bread Company in Culver City.
A selection of cookies from Lodge Bread Company in Culver City.
Lodge Bread Company

Zooies

9815 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

It might seem unlikely to find quality cookies at a gas station, but this unassuming location in West LA makes some very creative treats. Zooies’ cookies have a hefty, chewy bite with a slightly crisp edge, and the walnut ‘gooie’ is the one to get. And just in time for the holidays, find Zooies at Citizen Public Market in Culver City starting December 1; the cart will be located on the sidewalk patio.

9815 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 820-8282
(310) 820-8282

Cake Monkey Bakery

7807 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Come into chef Elizabeth Belkind and business partner Lisa Olin’s Cake Monkey for souped-up takes on retro desserts. The Nuff Said cookie brings together dark chocolate, sea salt, marshmallow, and crushed pecans in a delicious homage to rocky road.

7807 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 932-1142
(323) 932-1142

Milk Jar Cookies

5466 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Milk Jar bakes its wares throughout the day, so getting a warm cookie is likely on every visit. The birthday cake, mint chocolate, white chocolate raspberry, and banana split are the best of the bunch.

5466 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 634-9800
(323) 634-9800

The Sycamore Kitchen

143 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The pastry case at Sycamore Kitchen is lined with incredible baked goods from chef Karen Hatfield and her team. The daily cookie lineup usually includes rice crispy, peanut butterscotch, rye chocolate chip, chocolate fudge, and best of all, oatmeal toffee.

143 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-0151
(323) 939-0151

Republique

624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

It’s impossible to resist Margarita Manzke’s delightful array of pastries at Republique which always includes croissants, cakes, doughnuts, and of course, cookies. Though the cookie selection varies from day to day, grab the utterly fantastic chocolate chip or the peanut butter sesame if available.

624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 362-6115
(310) 362-6115

Deluscious Cookies & Milk

829 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Deluscious’s vegan and gluten-free cookies subvert any tired notions of the textural heights vegan/gluten-free baked goods can reach. Each cookie is thick and chewy but with just enough exterior crisp to make every bite feel layered. Its chocolate chip flavor always hits, as do kicked-up renditions like cinnamon brulee and chocolate decadence, the latter so rich and densely packed with cocoa that a blind tester could almost mistake it for a brownie. Aside from its Highland Avenue shop, you can also find Deluscious cookies in Erewhon stores.

829 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 460-2370
(323) 460-2370

Ggiata Delicatessen

5009 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Sure the Italian sandwiches are great at Ggiata but don’t forget about the rainbow cookies. These delicate little sweets look like the Italian flag, with three layers of short almond cakes and fruit jam in between each layer; it’s topped with dark chocolate.

5009 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 798-5713
(323) 798-5713
Rainbow cookies at Ggiata Delicatessen.
Rainbow cookies at Ggiata Delicatessen.
Ggiata Delicatessen

Friends & Family

5150 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

It’s little surprise that some of LA’s best cookies are found at pastry chef Roxana Jullapat’s Thai Town bakery Friends & Family. The rye chocolate chip impresses with its complex and buttery profile, while the pig-shaped graham cracker is always a hit with little ones.

5150 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 668-2000
(323) 668-2000

All Day Baby

3200 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Chef Thessa Diadem’s sandwich cookies ooze with decadence and nostalgia. While the Fluffer Nutter-inspired one comes stuffed with strawberry jam, the German chocolate tastes like a coconut-kissed Moon Pie. For those who lean toward the classics, the brown butter chocolate chip fits the bill.

3200 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 741-0082
(323) 741-0082

Proof Bakery

3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

With its slightly crisp edges and tender interior chock-full of dark chocolate discs, Proof’s chocolate chip cookie is arguably Los Angeles’s best. A sprinkling of sea salt adds the perfect balance to reel in the chocolate’s sweetness.

3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-8633
(323) 664-8633

Bottega Louie

700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Bottega Louie’s signature macarons come in a dozen different flavors and colors including a spot-on birthday cake with rainbow nonpareils and rich espresso that’s sure to perk anyone up. Macarons are available at both the original Downtown location and the newer outlet in West Hollywood.

700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 802-1470
(213) 802-1470

Related Maps

Petite Peso

419 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Petite Peso’s polvorones — delicately crumbly shortbread cookies made from firmly pressed flour, sugar, and milk powder — come in flavors like pistachio, creme brulee, white chocolate macadamia, and peanut butter. All are fantastically balanced and dissolve on one’s tongue in the most pleasant of fashions, so grab a box of five or 25 and dig in.

419 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
(209) 438-7376
(209) 438-7376

Valerie Echo Park

1665 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Valerie Gordon has a way with desserts, especially when it comes to cookies. The sweet and savory Durango cookie combines a classic chocolate chip with roasted almonds, cocoa nibs, and a flurry of hickory-smoked salt.

1665 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 250-9365
(213) 250-9365
A collection of cookies from Valerie Confections.
A collection of cookies from Valerie Confections.
Valerie Confections

Fat & Flour

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

While Fat & Flour is best known for its pies, chef Nicole Rucker also bakes up fantastic cookies from her stand inside Grand Central Market. The flavors vary from day to day, but can include chocolate chip oatmeal, vanilla sprinkle, espresso white chocolate, and lemon lavender. And yes, throw in an extra brownie or two for good measure.

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(323) 380-8583
(323) 380-8583

Baker's Bench

727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Find some of the finest, plant-based cookies in town in the breezeway of Far East Plaza. Chef Jen Yee bakes up a classic chocolate chip made with a hint of molasses, an espresso-laced double chocolate chip, and more from a modest kiosk.

727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Chef Jennifer Yee standing inside her bakery kiosk in Chinatown Los Angeles.
Find Baker’s Bench at Far East Plaza in Chinatown.
Wonho Frank Lee

Phoenix Bakery, Inc.

969 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phoenix Bakery has been serving the Chinatown community and beyond since opening its doors in 1938. In addition to crowd-pleasing strawberry and whipped cream cakes, the bakery makes wonderfully delicate almond cookies. Buy a dozen or two for a party and soak up the compliments.

969 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-4642
(213) 628-4642

La Mascota Bakery

2715 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023

This Boyle Heights institution has been going strong for 65 years. Peruse the pan dulce for an impressive collection of cookies including polvorones de azucar (Mexican wedding), cinnamon polvorones, classic sprinkle, chocolate chip, and raspberry and cream.

2715 Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 263-5513
(323) 263-5513

Little Flower

1424 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105

Here at this cozy cafe on the edge of Pasadena, pastry chef Christine Moore’s team makes plush marshmallows, silky caramels, and superb cookies that come in classic flavors like ginger molasses and chocolate chip.

1424 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 304-4800
(626) 304-4800

Related Maps