My Top 10 Favorite Bakeries in Los Angeles

What to Order at Each One!

Los Angeles has no shortage of incredible bakeries, but these are the ones I keep going back to, whether it’s for a weekend treat, a dinner party dessert, or a birthday celebration.

Here are my top 10 favorite spots and what I personally recommend trying at each:

• Artelice Pâtisserie

French pastry perfection with three locations: Studio City, Burbank, and West LA. Created by two brothers, Artelice has become a go-to for upscale restaurants and events across LA.

Their pastries are like edible art with gorgeous colors, intricate details, and flawless flavor.

Must-tries: Cheesecake Fraise, Chocolate Éclair, Napoleon, the Roche, and Pain au Chocolat.

Perfect for a stunning dessert spread or a gift that’ll impress anyone.

• Petit Grain Boulangerie

Located on Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, Petit Grain Boulangerie uses local California ingredients and a 3-day process to craft insanely delicious croissants.

You can actually watch them roll and laminate the dough behind the counter while placing your order.

Must-tries: Croissants (of course), cinnamon roll, oatmeal raisin cookie, and sourdough.

Go early as they sell out fast! Ideal for a weekend brunch addition.

• Clarke Street Bakery

With locations in Echo Park, Larchmont, Beverly Hills, and Brentwood, Clarke Street brings quality bakes and hearty sandwiches all over the city.

Must-tries: Country sourdough, Swedish cardamom bun, almond croissant, monkey bread.

I love grabbing a turkey pesto sandwich, matcha latte, and a chocolate chip cookie for a beach picnic—or stocking up on their bread for charcuterie boards at home.

• Sweet Lady Jane Bakery

With 9 locations across LA, this is a reliable favorite for last-minute cakes and holiday pies. Their famous triple berry cake is iconic: tender yellow cake, whipped cream, and fresh berries that melt in your mouth.

Must-tries: Triple berry cake, sea salt brownies, raspberry oat bar, snickerdoodle cookie, and New York cheesecake.

Always a go-to for Thanksgiving and stress-free celebration desserts.

• Sidecar Doughnuts

Okay, confession: I don’t usually like doughnuts… but Sidecar changed that. They make small batches every hour, so you’re always getting fresh, warm, and flavorful doughnuts.

Must-tries: Huckleberry (my favorite!), Butter & Salt, Old Fashioned, Celebration Cake.

Perfect for brunches or birthdays where you want something other than cake. Bonus: they’re beautiful and made with high quality ingredients.

• Helms Bakery

A historic LA bakery reborn! The new Helms blends classic charm with modern bakes and a beautiful retail space.

Must-tries: Brown butter vanilla cake, blueberry cassis doughnut, lemon morning bun, toma cheese bread, croissant bread pudding, and cream puffs.

Great for an afternoon outing and a pastry-fueled stroll.

• Proof bakery

Tucked away in Glendale, this cozy spot is part bakery, part worker cooperative, which makes the whole experience even more special. Friendly staff, delicious pastries, and a great vibe.

Must-tries: Croissant variations, lemon poppyseed yogurt loaf, and my absolute favorite: the gluten-free buckwheat chocolate chip cookie.

A great place to grab coffee and a treat before wandering the neighborhood.

• Hansen’s Cakes

This legendary bakery has been in the family for seven generations and is known for its intricate custom cakes, seen everywhere from celeb events to weddings.

Must-tries: Custom cake creations, everything from edible photos to fondant sculptures.

You’ll work with a cake specialist to get exactly what you want. Efficient, friendly, and always fabulous. This is the place to wow your guests for any party occasion.

• Gjusta

Located in Venice, Gjusta is more than a bakery, it’s also a café, deli, and market all rolled into one. Rustic and bustling, it’s always worth the wait.

Must-tries: Olive loaf, raspberry scone, bread pudding with vanilla anglaise, and orange pistachio cookie.

Great for meeting friends or stocking up on delicious baked goods for the week.

• Porto’s Bakery

An LA classic since 1976, Porto’s always has a line, but for good reason. This Cuban bakery is famous for their Cheese Rolls and Refugiados. Order ahead online if you can!

Must-tries: Cheese rolls, milk & berries cake, refugiado guava & cheese strudel, fresh fruit tartlet, guava rose, mango mousse bomb, napoleon slice, and raspberry lemon macaron.

They ship nationwide too, perfect if you’re craving a little piece of LA at home.

Let me know if you check any of these out or if you have your own LA bakery favorites to add to the list!