BEST cookie in T.O - Le Gourmand

I have to say the best cookie in Toronto can be found at Le Gourmand -
Spadina btw/n Queen and Richmond. They are about 3 cm in diameter, thick, crunchy on the outside with a not-cooked (soft) consistency on the inside. Sooo good. Choco chip, oatmeal. They're all good. And the organic coffee is awesome too. Enjoy!

[bbbradk]

have to agree, those cookies are insane

[mmmarmoset]

Le Gourmand cookies are great when you want a cookie that's big enough to be a meal. My other favourite are from the Harbord Bakery - the ones with pistachios and big shards of chocolate and white chocolate are to die for. They're a little pricey - about $1.50-$2.00 depending on the weight of the cookie - but absolutely worth it.

[spades]

I love Le gourmand's cookies too... though I'm not sure if it technically passes for a "cookie". It's more of a "super-cookie". In any case, they're one of a kind and I hope they never change! Haha. Oatmeal raisin is my fave followed closely by the chocolate chip walnut.

[JonasBrand]

Another big thumbs up for the chocolate & walnut from Le Gourmand. One of the best I have had period.

[phoenikia]

Went out of my way to try the chocolate chip cookie at Le Gourmand today. Gotta say I was pretty disappointed. I guess it's ok if you like extra-thick cakey chocolate chip cookies (I'm in the thin, crispy chewy chocolate chip cookie camp) and you're looking for a quarter pounder cookie. But then why call it a cookie? It's more like a chocolate chip paperweight.

[Pastryrocks]

Cakey is not something I would call the chocolate chip cookie, I believe it is more like cookie dough than cakey. I wish they where baked a little more but the owner likes them that way.

The reason why they are so large is that most others are doing a thin round cookie. The only way to distinguish one cookie from the next is to use good ingredients. Which is something that many people don’t know what is good from crap, look at Tim Horton’s! Heck you would need 2 or 3 cookies from Tim’s to hold down paper. The other way is to make a different size cookie. Hence the large cookie that is scoped, not rolled and then cut (which lowers the labour cost). There use to be smaller chocolate chip cookies, did they not have any?

Crisp is also nice, but most cookies that sit out for a day or so become even crisper. With the high sugar content the crisp cookies have a very good shelf life. That scoped cookie is meant to be eaten that day, they become stale very quick. Also, it is easier to use margarine or other fake fat with the crisp cookie. You’ll notice that the “1/4-pound” cookie did not leave a ‘pasty’ feel in your mouth. That is what happens when butter melts; it does not leave a ‘pasty’ feel in the mouth. Margarine on the other hand leaves a ‘pasty’ feel in the mouth; it does not melt from the body heat like butter.

[phoenikia]

I thought Le Gourmand's texture was way too soft, and the dough was much too sweet. The cookie was fresh, but that's the nicest thing I can say about it.

Le Gourmand didn't have any smaller cookies for sale today.

What I miss are the chocolate chip cookies from Lox, Stock and Bagel in Hazelton Lanes in the 90s. I think it was the one thing they did well.

One of the few cookies I've found that isn't too sweet is the cinnamon chocolate chip biscotti at Chapman's at Bayview and York Mills. Not a traditional chocolate chip cookie, but nice flavour and not too sweet.

[Pastryrocks]

Chocolate chip cookies are sweet and are meant for children, they are a North American cookie. Biscotti are meant to be dip or eaten with coffee and are not necessarily sweet, unless they are made for the North American taste, but they are more for adults not children. Furthermore, more often than not, chocolate cookies/biscotti are made with cocoa powder, which is not sweet. I believe you are comparing apples with oranges, which is really not a fair comparison.

No ideal what Lox, Stock and Bagel cookie is or was like.

It’s ok not to like the massive chocolate chip cookies at Le Gourmand; you can’t please all the people all the time. Nor do you have to say anything nice. They are too soft, too big, too sweet, not baked enough, not crisp or chewy enough, etc, etc… But to say “it’s more like a chocolate chip paperweight” is really unfair. With all the butter in the cookie, a much smaller size would stick to paper with no problem at all. I forget the percentage of butter, but it is quite high. Butter rocks!

The chocolate chip cookie has two textures, yes they are soft, but the outside is crunchy, and the inside is doughy. They are sweet, but again they are meant for children in N.A., not necessarily adults. They are buttery; they have quite a bit of chocolate chips and walnuts in them, again with the texture and also flavour. I think for chocolate chip cookies, being what they are, cookies for kids, they are a good cookie.

Now you could try the nookie cookie, which is not big nor is it so sweet. The nookie cookie consists of a few ingredients, ground almonds, chocolate, and two other ingredients. They are not “1/4-pound” size, so you may need two. I prefer the nookie cookie over the chocolate chip cookies, but that is just me.

[Ediblethoughts]

I must be a complete kid at heart then--because I tend to prefer chocolate chip/chunk cookies over most "fancy" desserts. I tried out the LG cookie some weeks back and while I usually don't like that undercooked cookie taste, LG's cookie was just cooked enough to make me happy. And I also usually have no use for a chocolate chip/chunk cookie the day after it's baked but I found LG's very good the day after, likely because of that softer inside due to butter and cooking time (which is good given I bought 4 of them and trying to eat more than two in one day is... not the smartest plan for me). I also found the over-large size very pleasing.

Overall, I tend to prefer a chocolate chunk cookie (the little ones with just dark chocolate made by Flaky Tart are quite good!) with no nuts added but I'd definitely go back to LG for these (big) babies.

[torontofoodiegirl]

I'm with you Ediblethoughts -- despite my status as an adult, I also tend to prefer a good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie (or brownie, or fudge cake, etc.) to "fancy" desserts. That being said, when I was recently at LG, SO and I opted for the flourless chocolate dome and the lemon-custard pastry over the cookies. Though I am now very regretful about not having tried the cookies (having read all of these posts) I can say that the lemon-custard pastry was divine. The chocolate dome was very good, but not as amazing as I'd hoped/expected.

[phoenikia]

I was wondering how that chocolate dome was- thanks for mentioning what it was like. I had wondered if I should have ordered that instead of the chocolate chip cookie!

[Pastryrocks]

Well it appears I have insulted some folks, which was not my intent. Just because one likes chocolate chip cookies does not mean you are a child or child like. Heck, my wife would be the first to say that I’m like a child, and I’m not keen on cookies.

I did not say that if you like chocolate chip cookies you are a child. I said that type of cookie that is meant for children. Meant does imply that you are a child nor does it mean you act like a child.

[Ediblethoughts]

Just noticed this post; don't worry, Pastryrocks, I didn't think you were insulting me. I actually think my dessert taste is more "child-like" (shall we say) in many ways because I tend to not like the fancy-shmancy creations at Rahier or other "high end" bakeries. They always look better than they taste. Just give me a really chocolaty chocolate cake and a gooey/crispy chocolate chunk cookie and I'm a happy duck!

[torontofoodiegirl]

Ditto (I couldn't have said it better myself).

[phoenikia]

Update. Chapman's has closed.

[jennefer]

Oh, yeah. I completely agree. The walnut chocolate chip cookie from Le Gourmand (any location) is the best. I get my caffeine from there every morning on the way to work and have to stop myself from getting a cookie every morning as well. They are so good. As are virtually all of their sinful treats, like pain au chocolat, those custardy pastry things, and their butery croissants.

[sugarcube]

At what time do you all make your purchases?
By the time i get there (mid afternoon, say 4-5pm) all the good eats have been sold :(
I don't live in the downtown core either

[tp24]

Ooooh, best to get there in the morning (the banana bread pudding is the freshest then) or to grab the cookies or dark chocolate bombs you have to get there before 3pm. Although I was there yesterday after 4pm and they still had plenty of cookies and fresh choco-bombs too. This is at the Spad/Queen location.

[Wahooty]

I think when I've been there, it's usually around 10 am - after the morning coffee rush and before the lunch rush. Good time to get warm cookies. :)

[Janine]

I will try it next time I am in the area. Someone mentioned they liked chocolate & walnut. My favourite is at the Harbord Bakery. Their walnut chocolate cookies are the best. I've been eating them for a long, long time and they're still really good.

[Ediblethoughts]

Are any of the chocolate chip made with dark chocolate (or semi-sweet) chips? I got the sense from one of the posts below that the choc chip with walnuts are milk chocolate chips? I actively dislike milk chocolate chips in cookies....

[tp24]

It's probably semi-sweet....but good question!

[Wahooty]

It's been a while since I've had one, but I'm almost positive they're semi-sweet, just because I don't think I would have loved the cookie if they were milk chocolate. I don't care for milk chocolate in cookies either - it's just not...right.

[tp24]

Okay, I asked, and they said it's SEMI-SWEET choco chips.

[Ediblethoughts]

Thanks you guys---I'm now inspired to go to Y & B...

[tp24]

Or you can go to the Spadina and Richmond location :)

[Ediblethoughts]

There are 3 locations? Or did I mess up on it being Queen and Spadina?

Spadina south of College is an area I never seem to get to but I try to keep these cookie places at the back of my mind for just in case...

[tp24]

Well it's Spadina, south of Queen, north of Richmond :)
http://www.legourmand.com/

[tp24]

Le Gourmand definitely carries the best walnut cookie! But their banana bread pudding is even more delicious (if you get it fresh in the morning). Their nocci cookie and chocolate bombs are also excellent. For more, read my review:
http://foodhogger.wordpress.com/2007/...

[Full tummy]

Excellent chewy, rich, dark chocolatey cookies can be found at It's the Icing on the Cake, on Queen East. Really.

[deelicious]

Fresh on Queen West has great cashew butter cookies!!!

[blee]

I completely agree. The choco chip and walnut is amazing. almost crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. perfect!

[sochow]

Does anyone know if the flourless chocolate cookie at Le Gourmand is actually gluten free?

[jjmuggs]

I was disappointed by Le Gourmand cookies. They are overpriced and a little too oily! Not sure what the hype is about.

[City_West]

They are not "oily", there is no oil in them, it's just the grease from using butter in cookies. There is a ridiculous amount of butter in those cookies, I'm guessing at least 25-35 grams of fat in each.

[merlot143]

I think they're made with ground almonds.
Another vote here for Le Gourmand cookies -- particularly the chocolate ones.

[abigllama]

I'm addicted to the chocolate chip with walnuts there. The problem is I pass this place after I go to the gym upstairs and it totally cancells the cardio out that I just did. But it's also become a reward after a long run.

I think they're a good value. Those cookies are about 2 inches thick, super rich and heavy. It's around $2.25 after tax which isn't bad at all considering the quality.

[merlot143]

I'm no longer a member of that particular gym. It makes things easier :)
I love the chocolate cookies covered in icing sugar (don't know the name). They are melt on your mouth, chocolate perfection. And the chocolate-domed ones are great too.

[deelicious]

Try the alfajores just down the street at Fresh n Wild (King and Spadina)!!!!

small for 1.25 but unbelievable.

[Recyclor]

I have been to the Spadina & Queen loc many times, they do have good and bad days staff/service and coffee, last week I had a bad tasting coffee & I discovered about half an inch of grounds in the bottonm of the cup!...but the quiche is my fav in TO, and they do good coissants (IMO...!) actually pretty much all the food there has been great...skip paying their prices for groceries they have...ridiculous!

[millygirl]

Okay I tried Le Gourmand cookies yesterday and they are very good but I would much prefer if the inside was cooked a little more. The taste is good but the texture inside is raw cookie dough. Maybe it would be hard to get the inside cooked without burning the bottom, given that they are so huge.

[Tara9000]

Just curious - how much is a Le Gourmand cookie?

[sumashi]

It comes up to $2.39 for a cookie...

I just tried their cookie today and got the walnut chocolate chip cookie.
They had that one plus a regular chocolate chip cookie and a peanut butter cookie.
They are HUUGE... and yes, too sweet for my liking. I couldn't finish a whole cookie myself, but it would be fine to share with a friend or two. Maybe if they used dark chocolate chips, I would like it better.... but i found there was way too much chocolate chips for my liking and not enough walnut. I did like texture of the outside cookie though... nice and crispy.

[Recyclor]

I don't eat alot of sweet stuff, but I love the outer crisp but soft edge of the cookies, I too find the middle a bit much...like teeth shatteringly sweet!

[chocohead]

it's too bad about the atmosphere at le gourmand. the employees dont look so happy. makes me wonder about the owners. then again, i might be down if i had to serve all the princesses that go in there.
nice food though

[tartiflette]

Which location is this? The employees at the Yonge & Bloor location have always been quite friendly and perky when I've been (which is probably once or twice a week, as I'm addicted to their quiche)... which is impressive, given how busy they get during the lunch rush.

[merlot143]

I agree -- they have fabulous cookies. My favorite is the dome-shaped flourless chocolate cookie. Mini heaven. Their croissants are also really good, in particular the chocolate croissant. It was a godsend when they opened up in the food court at Yonge and Bloor.

[pgfuzz]

Where exactly at Yonge & Bloor? I didn't know they opened up a place there.

[fickle]

At the east end near Park Road underneath the Bay. They're right in front of the escalators that take up you to the men's section.

[pgfuzz]

Thanks! I'll make sure to drop by next time I am around that area.

[pgfuzz]

I have to agree. Le Gourmand has the best cookies in Toronto. Favorite is the walnut chocolate chip cookie. Perfect on a cold winter day (or anytime for that matter), with a hot cup of Fair Trade Organic French Roast coffee.

Sounds amazing, I'll have to try it. Wish I knew someone in the neighbourhood to bring me one right now...

Hehehe... I'll get right on that Kasey...

I am going to weigh in and say I love the Dessert Lady cookies. Not chewy but slightly soft and just a little crisp. tasty.

[ekim256]

I think that the Dessert Lady cookies are just okay - but that's just my personal opinion. Everyone has different cookie needs :3

My vote is for the Neiman Marcus cookie, from Altitude bakery on Quuen E, west of Greenwood.
Chocolate chips, nuts and coconot. Soft and chewy, big, but not gargantuan. Can't go wrong.

Mmm... I'll have to try that :)

I'll second the Dessert Lady.