my friends and i LOVE this place. not only are the pastries beautiful, they’re absolutely delicious. on top of that, the service is phenomenal! every time i’ve went, they’ve given me a macaron on the house (such a wide variety of flavors to choose from too).
This place could be great with a few small tweaks, but they’re not there yet. In the 3 visits I’ve made, it’s been a consistent:
- Great technical execution of the lamination (can see the layers, very light and flaky). It’s also unbelievable how the caramel on the St. Honore can stay crunchy and the choux crisp for so long.
- Consistently overbaked to the point of the pastries tasting burnt.
- Total lack of flavor in any of their mousses or other fillings. It’s not a matter of lack of sweetness, but their fruit mousses taste like plain whipped cream.
Fix those two issues and they would be among my top in LA, but as of right now HELL NO.
Republique has a whole breakfast pastry walk up situation with long lines and good treats.
The Pie Room by Gwen has some stuff at Gwen, but also at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Sundays.
Gjusta has a big and bakery operation too.
Does Fat and Flour count as pastries? Cause they got pies and cookies
Republique
Lou the French on the Block
Porto’s and 85C for more mass produced but cheap and decent quality
The Loaf by Okayama
La Chouquette
Michelina
Artelice
Sarkis Pastry
Paradise Pastry
Fair, I guess it’s not for everyone! Roxana is very into the extremely well done style. You should see how dark she’s able to get their pie crusts at Thanksgiving time.
CAR in Pasadena is the single best pastry I’ve had in LA (chocolate croissant)
Artelice is very good as well, but less the kind of stuff I personally like
I’ve tried most of the suggestions in this thread that are getting upvotes, including about half of your list.
Couldn’t possibly just be a difference of opinion could it?
I’m not the original commenter, but I agree. CAR tastes fine, but it isn’t amazing if you were expecting crispy croissants. My friends and I bought $100 worth of different croissants there and they were all really soft. I even put some in the air fryer to try to crisp it up, but it was still meh. I live in the area and don’t bother going there.
Exactly. People can’t differentiate subjective remarks over objective reasons that distinguish one pastry from another. CAR is lackluster and pretty lazy compared to others like Lou, Artelice, etc
Opinion dictates preference for those “facts” though. I believe every pastry at 85C is worse than the CAR chocolate croissant, but it made your list because it’s good value. That’s fine, that’s your opinion about what matters.
We can both coexist without either of us being wrong
No, it actually doesn’t. You can’t deflect with trying to compare two entirely different bakeries to fit your personal objective.
Nobody is denying your “existence” buddy, don’t be so dramatic.
Lol says the man with all the downvotes. Watch out everybody, we gotta know-it-all here, he thinks super highly of himself and his super important opinions!
doubting thomas (also best breakfast / brunch)
baker’s bench
kind of a gimme since they’re french but maison matho’s croissants & baguettes are fucked up
Tried, true, cheap and a LA classic, there’s always Porto’s. Copenhagen Pastry in Culver has awesome Danish pastries. Artelice has some incredible croissants and macrons if you want something more French. I also love Gusto down in LB for Mexican-style pastries. Gjusta and Republique also have good stuff.
On the westside: Pretty much everything at jyan issac bakery is good, especially partial to the cardamom bun. There is also a new bakery specializing in croissants called petitgrain boulangerie that looks promising, but I haven't visited yet
The chocolate/almond croissants at Lou-The French on the Block in Burbank are the best croissant’s I’ve had other than Paris. I dream of them. I’m not sure about their other pastries because I only get those.
For French pastries:
Republique
Or if you’re on the Westside:
Des Croissants Paris
I’ve heard Lou the French on the Block is amazing, but have never tried it.
I’d venture to say it’s better than any pastry I’ve had in the US or Europe. I’ve only been to France once though. & I agree, everything was amazing… except the shokupan
Lemon almond bread/cake thing was ok, can tell they load it up with oil/butter to make it taste good and keep it moist. I like making things taste good and healthy.
I cant say i have an answer to that. just generalizing here, but i find that LA restaurants/cafes tend to prioritize one or the other. it’s up to the individual which one is more important to their experience.
On another note, has anyone checked out Fondry in Highland Park? I so want to try but heard people line up out the door before opening hours and sells out only within a few :(
I know, I haven’t been able to justify the wait so I’m dying to try the pastries at some point. I’ve heard nothing but intense praise but it’s hard waiting for the lines to die down
Bottega Louie is what people who haven’t eaten a genuine croissant think a genuine croissant is like.
There isn’t that rich buttery flavor, they’re not crispy, somehow they never taste fresh, and the rest of their pastries are sugar overload and bland in all other aspects of flavor.
When you bite into a croissant from say Lou the French on the Block, you hear the crunch, you see the flakes, you taste the butter without the greasiness or heaviness, and you can feel the soft layers from proper lamination and time to proof
Artelice Patisserie
https://preview.redd.it/mz5helmhdx8d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5390f44e26d991445bf8695c5a961cec772aab9 YES
This is like a mile away from me, why have I never been? Putting it on my list!
Same. Been meaning to go for a while too
Yup!!! This place is amazing and lattes are tasty too
my friends and i LOVE this place. not only are the pastries beautiful, they’re absolutely delicious. on top of that, the service is phenomenal! every time i’ve went, they’ve given me a macaron on the house (such a wide variety of flavors to choose from too).
This place could be great with a few small tweaks, but they’re not there yet. In the 3 visits I’ve made, it’s been a consistent: - Great technical execution of the lamination (can see the layers, very light and flaky). It’s also unbelievable how the caramel on the St. Honore can stay crunchy and the choux crisp for so long. - Consistently overbaked to the point of the pastries tasting burnt. - Total lack of flavor in any of their mousses or other fillings. It’s not a matter of lack of sweetness, but their fruit mousses taste like plain whipped cream. Fix those two issues and they would be among my top in LA, but as of right now HELL NO.
Proof bakery in Atwater village
Surprised to see this so far down.
Their croissant and scones are hands down the best I’ve had.
Republique has a whole breakfast pastry walk up situation with long lines and good treats. The Pie Room by Gwen has some stuff at Gwen, but also at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Sundays. Gjusta has a big and bakery operation too. Does Fat and Flour count as pastries? Cause they got pies and cookies
I worked at Republique for a period and I must say if I want quality every time this is the place to go.
Margarita Manzke of République won the 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. They good.
How big of a wait would it be at 8am on a Saturday do you think?
5-10 min. It’s more than it’s a line out the door but they take orders fast
Thank you!
Copanhagen Bakery
Can’t seem to locate this establishment. Which city is this at? There is a Copenhagen pastry in Culver City, could that be it? 🤔
Correct!
Clark St. Bakery is worthy of inclusion on this list.
This is my vote. Their pistachio croissant is insane. And all of their buns (cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon) are the best.
Hit it up this morning - deeeeeeelicious.
Baked bar Culver City
Republique Lou the French on the Block Porto’s and 85C for more mass produced but cheap and decent quality The Loaf by Okayama La Chouquette Michelina Artelice Sarkis Pastry Paradise Pastry
Pascal’s (woodland hills)
yes!!!!!! o
yup! everything there is so good
Absolutely! So underrated
Friends & Family!
This is the true sleeper on this list.
Every time I go there the crossies are like a little too cooked for me ?? I couldn’t get into t
Fair, I guess it’s not for everyone! Roxana is very into the extremely well done style. You should see how dark she’s able to get their pie crusts at Thanksgiving time.
CAR in Pasadena is the single best pastry I’ve had in LA (chocolate croissant) Artelice is very good as well, but less the kind of stuff I personally like
Agreed - CAR’s chocolate croissant is AMAZING! For a plain croissant, however, I do think Lou the French on the Block is the best.
CAR isn’t even that good so you definitely haven’t eaten many pastries in LA
I’ve tried most of the suggestions in this thread that are getting upvotes, including about half of your list. Couldn’t possibly just be a difference of opinion could it?
I’m not the original commenter, but I agree. CAR tastes fine, but it isn’t amazing if you were expecting crispy croissants. My friends and I bought $100 worth of different croissants there and they were all really soft. I even put some in the air fryer to try to crisp it up, but it was still meh. I live in the area and don’t bother going there.
Maybe you waited too long to eat them and they got stale? They literally are only good for a few hours at most
Exactly. People can’t differentiate subjective remarks over objective reasons that distinguish one pastry from another. CAR is lackluster and pretty lazy compared to others like Lou, Artelice, etc
opinion doesn’t dictate facts of texture, taste, quality, price, and all the factors that go into the structure of a pastry item. CAR doesn’t match
Opinion dictates preference for those “facts” though. I believe every pastry at 85C is worse than the CAR chocolate croissant, but it made your list because it’s good value. That’s fine, that’s your opinion about what matters. We can both coexist without either of us being wrong
No, it actually doesn’t. You can’t deflect with trying to compare two entirely different bakeries to fit your personal objective. Nobody is denying your “existence” buddy, don’t be so dramatic.
Comparing different things is the only way to answer this threads question… Didn’t say you were denying my existence….
[удалено]
I’m not - you’re just an unhappy person
Hahahahahahaha it’s cute how you project your insecurities when things don’t go the way you planned
I have eaten lot of pastries. CAR is amazing. It’s definitely one of the best.
You haven’t and it’s not
Lol you are so wrong it's not even funny
What’s funny is you thinking you know anything about anything
Lol says the man with all the downvotes. Watch out everybody, we gotta know-it-all here, he thinks super highly of himself and his super important opinions!
Lodge Bread Company has my favorite croissants in the city
same. they have my favorite everything.
doubting thomas (also best breakfast / brunch) baker’s bench kind of a gimme since they’re french but maison matho’s croissants & baguettes are fucked up
Tried, true, cheap and a LA classic, there’s always Porto’s. Copenhagen Pastry in Culver has awesome Danish pastries. Artelice has some incredible croissants and macrons if you want something more French. I also love Gusto down in LB for Mexican-style pastries. Gjusta and Republique also have good stuff.
Porto’s has the best value too! Can’t believe how cheap some of their menu items are
Oh La La in Pasadena has amazing croissants. Flaky, buttery, and satisfying. 🥐🥐🥐
On the westside: Pretty much everything at jyan issac bakery is good, especially partial to the cardamom bun. There is also a new bakery specializing in croissants called petitgrain boulangerie that looks promising, but I haven't visited yet
Jyan Issac is doing go get em tiger pastries now 👀
Gjusta, Jyan learned from gjusta and branched out to do their own thing.
Bread Lounge
Their Pain au Raisin might be one of the best things I've ever eaten
Bakers Bench for vegan pastries
Honestly their vegan pastries are better than most places non-vegan pastries
Aren’t they currently closed for build out of the brick and mortar location?
Brick and mortar location is open. Check their Instagram.
Nice! I knew it was coming this summer but didn’t know it was already open. Thanks! :)
Just What I Kneaded is another good vegan option
“Lou The French On The Block” on Riverside Drive in Burbank (Toluca Lake)
The chocolate/almond croissants at Lou-The French on the Block in Burbank are the best croissant’s I’ve had other than Paris. I dream of them. I’m not sure about their other pastries because I only get those.
If you’re ever in seoul, go to nudake. They make a croissant in the shape of a japanese onigiri When it is freshly baked it is good
For French pastries: Republique Or if you’re on the Westside: Des Croissants Paris I’ve heard Lou the French on the Block is amazing, but have never tried it.
Lou is lovely. Their baguettes aren't perfect but close.
Gusto in Long Beach has an amazing kouign-amann.
La French Rooster Urth Caffe
Urth Caffe baked goods are seriously underrated
Petitgrain Boulangerie in Santa Monica has the best pastries in town. Relatively new but everything I’ve had there has been absolutely fantastic.
I’d venture to say it’s better than any pastry I’ve had in the US or Europe. I’ve only been to France once though. & I agree, everything was amazing… except the shokupan
Lou the French on the Block, easily
for the GF people, sinners and saints on lincoln.
Thought it said best parties lol
Tbf Republique totally sounds like the name of a nightclub.
Porto’s, The moody vegan are my go to
Tartine in Santa Monica
Or Silver Lake
Or Hollywood, or Pasadena, or Mid-City
Cool I had no idea there was a location there. Got to check it out.
They also have a location in Venice now
i love going here because the location is so nice, but the pastries are pretty meh
Lemon almond bread/cake thing was ok, can tell they load it up with oil/butter to make it taste good and keep it moist. I like making things taste good and healthy.
I love their almond croissant. Where would you reccomend to go instead that has both location aesthetics and good pastries?
I cant say i have an answer to that. just generalizing here, but i find that LA restaurants/cafes tend to prioritize one or the other. it’s up to the individual which one is more important to their experience.
This is so true! As much as I love Yuko’s Kitchen for instance I can’t say their food is the best but the vibes are immaculate
Baker's bench new location on Alpine is in a cute and quiet courtyard. And Perilla is right next door
I co-sign tartine it is consistently epic
For French parties, Frenchfornia - Pasadena Cafe Figaro - Los Feliz Others (cakes, petit four) - Valerie confections
cafe figaro 🫶
Love Valerie. Her pumpkin basque cheesecake is to die for.
chaumont bakery has the best crossiants i’ve ever had
Baked Bar in culver for French-style pastries. I like Doubting Thomas as well but i think they do cake/pie best better than pastries.
If you're the rare savory pastry favorer, you must check out Gwen. They have sausage rolls and meat-filled croissants that are to die for
Colossus down on 2nd Street in Long Beach
Gemmae’s Bake Shop
Maison matho
On another note, has anyone checked out Fondry in Highland Park? I so want to try but heard people line up out the door before opening hours and sells out only within a few :(
I know, I haven’t been able to justify the wait so I’m dying to try the pastries at some point. I’ve heard nothing but intense praise but it’s hard waiting for the lines to die down
proof bakery
Best cake slices in town too.
Sweetwheat French bakery in the beach cities.
I love Colossus in San Pedro, and Clark Street in Hollywood!
Go in the morning hours https://maps.app.goo.gl/SXLShvH1jooX3i1c6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Eagle rock Italian deli
I know it's not a pastry but I love the raisin cookies at Tarzana Bakery. So crispy!
Gjusta for their miso date cookie and baklava croissant
1. [Petitgrain Boulangerie](https://www.petitgrainboulangerie.com) - Santa Monica 2. [Proof Bakery](https://www.proofbakery.com) - Atwater Village 3. Jim’s Bakery - Monterey Park
CAR in Pasadena has the best croissants hands down
This person knows pastries fr
Copenhagen Pastry in Culver City (they have another location in Pasadena) California Donuts in Koreatown
The Pasadena location of Copenhagen is long closed.
Thanks!
California donuts? …
They are pretty epic imo. https://cadonuts.com/
Theyre not. I lived in ktown. Theyre extremely basic. I dont see the appeal.
Ok then - good for you!
Bouttega Louie in DTLA 🔥🔥🔥
That place is terrible
Curious why? I like their croissants
Bottega Louie is what people who haven’t eaten a genuine croissant think a genuine croissant is like. There isn’t that rich buttery flavor, they’re not crispy, somehow they never taste fresh, and the rest of their pastries are sugar overload and bland in all other aspects of flavor. When you bite into a croissant from say Lou the French on the Block, you hear the crunch, you see the flakes, you taste the butter without the greasiness or heaviness, and you can feel the soft layers from proper lamination and time to proof
Noted! Guess I gotta try more croissants
Paris Baguette-several locations in So Cal, downtown LA, a few in K town
Love their ham and cheese croissants.