Where are some of the best bakeries in LA?

[Tari]

Where are your favorite bakeries in LA? I live on the westside but I am willing to drive a bit if it is worth it.

[broncosaurus]

Did House of Pan get a mention in this thread? Love their chocolate mousse (which they rarely seem to have)

[saucequeen]

Cakehouse in the Galleria supermarket on corner of Western & Olympic. They have SO many different types of individually packed breads that are filled with anything from cream, butter, peanut butter, and sweet beans. They also have fresh croquettes which are to die for!! My favorites are the tuna and curry croquette. The breads are delicious and they even carry finger sandwiches which are hard to turn down. They also have a pastry counter with beautiful cakes, whole or sliced, which look amazing but I'll admit to not having tried yet. There's always a TON of people so you can be sure everything's fresh It's a Korean bakery but trust, you won't be disappointed!!

[liltamby5]

Hands down...Porto's!

[Comedyman21]

There is this bakery on sunset and serano. sooo good!

[Foodieaholic]

Try Euro Pane if your around Pasadena. The owner is a Paris-trained pastry chef.
950 E. Colorado Bl

[burbankfoodie]

Hi.. suggestions for good bakeries at which to order a birthday cake (that is still good not just pretty) in the SFV (East) or SGV (West)? Leda's is all booked up - they suggested Big Sugar but they got a bad review in this thread. Anything in Burbank (besides Porto's), Glendale, Studio City or Pasadena? Anyone try Martino's (I haven't but it was a place that came up on on Yahoo when looking for Burbank bakeries)? Thanks.

[katkoupai]

www.paradisepastry.com

I have purchased and enjoyed bday cakes at Paradise Pastry in Glendale.

Paradise Pastry
1825 W Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA 91201
[phone]
Open Daily 6am-10pm

[Das Ubergeek]

Ugh, don't go to Martino's. Everything tastes like sugar and nothing else. It's bad. It's not the same owners either (though you can get the tea cakes from the original Martino's people at United Bakery, in the 700 block of South Flower Street in a truly God-awful part of Burbank).

Agree with katkoupai -- Paradise Pastry is really good. Or if you want a tres leches cake, go to Vallarta, specifically the one at Victory and Ethel in Valley Glen.

[hpcat]

I'll third the Paradise rec. And the prices are great, too.

[stsuchih]

Amandine on Wilshire and Bundy has awesome pastries and cakes. The only cake I don't recommend is the rectangle shaped cheesecake.

[manny123]

I agree...haven't had that cheesecake, but everything i've tried there is exceptional--

[smcat]

In L.A., Hansen's makes the best cake hands down.

[sbritchky]

That place, which apparently specializes in wedding cakes, has a lot of bad reviews at losangeles.citysearch.com. Can you provide a few specifics on your experiences?

[e_ting]

do cupcakes count as a bakery item?
lark in silverlake (very long drive, i know, but it's worth it) is amazing. i love their chocolate cupcake and would fly across the continent to get my hands on them.

not a fan of jin's - their cakes are stored in an overly cold glass cabinet and seeing the condensation does not exactly make my mouth water.

[dropafry]

Been going to Emil's for many years now. I especially like the horseshoes (thursdays) and the raspberry napoleons which show up only occasionally. You can order a dozen anytime though.

[kanosis]

I like Diamond Bakery on Garvey and Atlantic. I think the city is Alhambra or Monterey Park. I love the Mango Cakes. It is an Asian bakery with the best Sesame Balls made with rice flour stuffed with sweetened red bean paste or taro root.

I also like El Gallo Mexican Bakery located in ELA. You can get a Champurrado with your "pan dulce". I think they carry the Tres Leches Cake there. Pick up a taco at King Taco before stopping at the bakery.

[Currlyfries]

I found a great custom cake website in Westlake Village, www.PastriesByVreeke.com Has anyone heard of it?

[aliris]

No one's mentioned -- oof, the Persian bakery on Westwood, named....Iris cafe perhaps? It's on the west side of the street north of Pico.

And then there's another Persian place, Star Bakery I think it's called on Santa Monica Blvd in the mall with Western Bagel, south side of the street.

And then there's another terrific Persian bakery on Sawtelle, west side *just* south of Santa Monica. Mmmmm their little cookies are delicious. And the mocha cakes. Yumee!

I wish I had four stomachs like cows....

[Servorg]

Another Persian bakery that seems popular and the few things I have bought from them have been quite good:

Orchid Bakery
1927 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
[phone]

[gasagasagirl]

It's not fancy or delicate, but it hits the spot--King's Hawaiian (there's two branches in the South Bay in Torrance). The Paradise cake is awesome and very inexpensive.

[jillso]

Why leave the Westside when you've got Buttercake, Emil's and, especially, A M A N D I N E !!!!

[redrover]

Folks, how many of these bakeries can one sit and eat in, as opposed to just taking out goodies? I know that one can eat at Europane, Amandine, Jin, Pain Quotidien (at least in Santa Monica). How about all the others?

[Das Ubergeek]

Porto's you can. There's a cafe section at each branch.

[onebite]

Europane in Pasadena
Wildflour Bakery in Sierra Madre (good croissants)

[fdb]

Amandine is my favorite for croissants and cakes.

I go to Emil's for fresh fruit tarts.

Grateful Bread makes good breads, especially the whole grain with sesame.

Caprice French Pastries on Pico Blvd (across from Trader Joe's) does most business wholesale to restaurants, but walk-in customs get to taste free samples. Go and see if you like what they are baking.

http://capricefrenchpastries.com/

[fdb]

Add links:

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Amandine Patissiere
12225 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Emil's Swiss Pastry
11551 Santa Monica Blvd 90025, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Grateful Bread (Bakery)
1518 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA

Caprice Fine French Pastries
3213 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

[mlgb]

Paris Pastry, Westwood. Caveat: Haven't been there for about 30 years!~ they used to have great brioche.

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Paris Pastry
1448 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[ElissaInPlaya]

I like Angel Maid's cakes a lot, and have bought very good fruit tarts at Delice. Bread is tougher, but the Santa Monica Saturday's farmer's market on Pico/Cloverfield has some good bakery vendors.

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Delice Bakery
8583 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Angel Maid Bakery
4538 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA

[bite bite]

Pain Quotidian -- okay it's a chain but it's still a great french-organic bakery/restaurant. Breads are fantastic with good variety and their belgian chocolate brownie is evilly delicious. Also great tarts and pies. Another plus, they will also let you buy a half-loaf of bread (at least they did at the one on Melrose last time I went). Am also a big fan to their egg-salad sandwich. Yummy! Have locations in Brentwood, West Hollywood and Sherman Oaks that I know of.

[la tache burger]

Second that on every count. I've also been getting half, or even quarter loaves (if they're really the big round loaf, they'll quarter them, like the whole wheat sourdough, which is really good).

[roasted138]

I agree about the Pain Quotidian. I really love how they let you half the loafs too. I also have to second Porto's, my girlfriend loves that place.

BTW, has anyone been to Big Sugar Bakery on Ventura in Studio City. I think that's the name, I've heard good things but haven't been.

[Diana]

I went.. not impressed. Too many cutesy tchochkes competing with the baked goods. This tells me two things:1 they are cutesy. I hate cutesy bakeries. 2. They don;t trust their baked goods to ring in enough $$$ to cover overhead. That's not a good thing when a baker doesn't believe in the product!

I tasted a few non-nut baked goods. meh.

I'll go to Leda's over Big Sugar ANY DAY.

[roasted138]

I agree with the cutesy theory, let the food speak for itself! Thank you for the info. :)

[la tache burger]

Buttercake on Pico is soooo good. My bro just got married last week, 4 people for dinner, cake at last minute, called Buttercake that morning, AMAZING chocolate cake by evening. Like one of the best cakes I've ever had.

[goodhealthgourmet]

it's not a dedicated bakery, but people rave about the pies at babalu in SM.

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Babalu
1002 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

[messermm]

Help! Tell me the best bakery to deliver a birthday cake to my freshman daughter at USC. I want the "wow", but not outrageous $$$$.
Thanks, Mom in Mass

[Das Ubergeek]

Porto's, but I don't know if they deliver. Their prices are bargain-basement compared to places like Susiecakes or Sour Shrew Jane, and their carrot cake and mango cheesecake are just...YUM.

[Emme]

Cakewalk Bakery might be a good option down there.

Also, have you seen this by USC?
How can I order a birthday cake for my student?
Parents have been very satisfied with http://www.delightfuldeliveries.com/. Please try to order in advance because delivery charges are higher for 1 or 2 day service.
Another option is Cakes to Go at 1-888-422-5324.
If your student lives on campus, you can order a cake through USC Dining Services at 213-740-0259.

[smfoodie]

Emils Swiss Pastry is amazing and the prices are great. Don't be fooled by their poor location in a rundown strip mall (they are moving to a better location in the next few months).

[fdb]

Are they moving to another location in the same mall? They make some good tarts, and yes, great prices.

[smfoodie]

I believe they are moving to Santa Monica Blvd in that same vicinity. The whole bad Vons complex is scheduled to be demolished.

[mollyomormon]

I think they've already moved across Santa Monica Blvd. into the new complex there.

[a_and_w]

I really enjoyed the fruit and cheese danishes I tried at Emil's recently. Reminded me of Neldam's, my favorite old-school bakery in the SF Bay Area. My only regret was that I couldn't try the bear claws, which were sold out.

[EastBayShortcake]

One more vote for Emil's - they make the most devine, decadent chocolate fudge cake.. I ordered one four years ago for my fiancee's birthday, and he raves about it to this day.

[broncosaurus]

Always liked the fudge cake at Junior's on Westwood/Pico myself...

[Dommy]

My favorites are:

* Maison du Pain on Pico near Hauser in Mid City (Love all of it!! My all time fave for sure!)
* Boule in BH and La Cienega (I love their macarons and other pastry)
* Chantilly Pastiserie in Lomita (Their Black Sesame Cream Puff is heaven!)
* Pheonix Bakery on Valley in San Gabriel (Their creamy puddings and jellos make me swoon!)

For bread only:
* Normandie Bakery on Jefferson and Cochran in Jefferson Park (I especially love their little bollio dinner rolls! )
* Bread Bar in Century City or 3rd street in BH (Love their Cheese Bread and all other loaves)

--Dommy!

[katkoupai]

My favorite is Paradise Pastry in Glendale.

www.paradisepastry.com

[phone]
1815 W Glenoaks Blvd
Glendale, CA

[fdb]

What is good at Paradise?

[katkoupai]

They have great cream puffs. They have a variety of Middle Eastern pastries, such as baklava, almond cookies, and buttery cookies with apricot jam on top. Turnover rate is very high, pastries are fresh, and cost is cheap. I love that place. I love the fresh fruit tarts and chocolate covered strawberries as well.

[RaeRenee]

Seconded!

[roxhills]

Buttercake on Pico.
Not a huge selection but we have enjoyed everything we have tried, especially cupcakes and birthday cakes.

[Diana]

Leda's

Nata's

Baklava Factory

Edie's

Belwood Bakery

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Baklava Factory
1415 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205

Baklava Factory
12909 Sherman Way, Los Angeles, CA 91605

Belwood Bakery
12634 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA

Leda's Bake Shop - duplicate
13722 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA

Natas Pastries
13317 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA

Baklava Factory
17540 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Baklava Factory
12868 Foothill Blvd, Sylmar, CA

Belwood Bakery & Cafe Beverly
246 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA

[Emme]

Nata's is great.

For a good old fashioned bakery, I love Beverlywood (partly nostalgic since Gram used to buy cinnamon danishes there every time I visited her).

Viktor Benes' for Chocolate Parisian cake and cannolis.

Europane

Auntie Em's for red velvet

Jamaica's Cakes

I'm blanking on the name of the place on Montana just west of 17th St. on the north side of the street that sells great bakery products and coffee...

[fdb]

It's called Via Dolce. What do you like from there?

[Emme]

thank you! i literally run by it every day! i end up here or caffe luxxe regularly to meet up for coffee w/ friends and such, so i've sampled quite a bit.

the ciabatta, challah, whole grain cereale bread and baguettes, the cookies (chocolate chip, biscotti, italian wedding), a whole grain scone i had once, bran muffin, peach muffin, all the muffins... tart (fruit, white chocolate), and the cakes as well... all stuff i've had was pretty good, even the croissants.

[fdb]

Since you are in the area, have you tried Grateful Bread? It's on the south side of Montana between 15th & 16th.

[Emme]

i have... not bad either, but entirely different atmosphere for me... not a place i'd meet a date or anything, but maybe sit at the front window bar w/ a friend to people watch. the cinnamon croissants and cookies are pretty good. the bf likes the sandwiches (maybe chicken rosemary?). also have sampled good brioche, chocolate challah and panini breads.

edit: and i almost forgot the apple tart and pain au chocolat were pretty tasty as well. you can also get good breakfasts... steel cut oats.

[Food Good]

Susina on Beverly near La Brea.
http://www.susinabakery.com/index.shtml

And Portos.

Hmm how do you add a place on the side bar? Sorry if this post is a repeat.

[Das Ubergeek]

In your reply, underneath the text box is "Link to a place BETA". Click that link.

[Food Good]

Susina on Beverly near LaBrea.
7122 Beverly Blvd
http://www.susinabakery.com/index.shtml

And Porto's.

[mollyomormon]

Also Amandine on the westside.

[SIMIHOUND]

For Jewish style bakeries try Bea's Bakery in Tarzana. In the fairfax area try the bakery at Canters Deli. Both are wonderful.

[friedegg67]

You are joking about Canters right?

[brandygirl]

What's wrong with Canter's? I've never been disappointed with anything I've gotten at its bakery.

[greengelato]

bakeries in the westside (in random order)

1) clementine
2) urth cafe
3) jin patisserie
4) susiecakes
5) vanilla bakeshop

[ipsedixit]

On the westside, try Jin Patisserie.

http://jinpatisserie.com/

[Bon Vivant]

Paris Baguette. The stores are mostly located in different areas of Koreatown but they are spreading to other areas.

http://myculinaryadventures.blogspot.com

[helluva meal]

This bakery is one of the best cuban bakeries in town. The cakes to sandwiches are to die for! I recommend not to eat there very loud. If you want to order a cake just go and pick up. Must go!~

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Porto's Bakery
3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

[Das Ubergeek]

Here's the other (the original) branch.

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Porto's Bakery
315 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203

[chemchef]

Since you just gave me such great info about where to 'eat' in Long Beach, can you tell me where the greatest bakeries are in or near Long Beach?

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/496076

[Das Ubergeek]

I have a confession to make. None of those places I gave you are in Long Beach. I have never eaten in Long Beach, except one absolutely hellacious banquet dinner aboard the Queen Mary. I couldn't tell you about great bakeries in Long Beach.

That said, if you get down here to OC, we have Van's Bakery, which is a Vietnamese bakery and a vision all unto itself -- picture French pastries and Vietnamese charcuterie all in one place.