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Pitchoun Bakery
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Pitchoun Bakery
7.8
A family-run French bakery and café near Pershing Square that anchors downtown mornings with serious bread and pastry craft. Croissants, baguettes, and tarts are the headliners, but the savory side—tartines, soups, salads—makes it an easy lunch stop too. Reliable, unfussy, and built for daily repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, Jambon-beurre baguette, Savory tartine
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Classic French boulangerie execution in a downtown grab-and-go format.
Who should go: Pastry lovers and coffee-break locals.
When to visit: Morning for the freshest bake.
What to order: Almond croissant, baguette sandwich, seasonal tart.
Insider tip: Arrive early—top pastries sell out fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited during weekday business hours; nearby paid garages around Pershing Square are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual and come-as-you-are; office attire blends right in.
Noise level: Moderate in the morning rush, easing to low-medium during late mornings and afternoons.
Weekend wait: Not applicable; the café closes before dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during peak noon rush, often no wait before 11:45am or after 1:15pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pastries, salads, and tartines fit easily.
Vegan options: Limited — a few breads and select salads may work, but pastry options are sparse.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — some salads and soups are naturally gluten-free, but pastries and breads dominate the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great for a low-pressure morning coffee or pastry date — casual seating and high foot traffic make it relaxed but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating; securing a spot may take a few minutes during peak morning traffic.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick visits — pastries and simple seating work for most ages, though the tight space and weekday rush may be challenging for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Consistent French pastries and breads at accessible prices, ideal for grab-and-go breakfast or a quick lunch bite.
Skip if: You want a long sit-down brunch, extensive savory menu, or a quiet, lingering café experience.
Pitchoun Bakery
8.8
A family-run French boulangerie across from Pershing Square, Pitchoun turns out croissants, kouign amann, and seasonal cakes alongside salads and tartines in a polished café space. It’s the most complete bakery experience in 90013, balancing serious pastry craft with all-day utility for downtown workers and brunch regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, Kouign amann, Tropical entremets cake
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Full-scale French bakery-café with from-scratch breads, pastries, and tartines.
Who should go: Downtown workers, pastry obsessives, and brunch-focused visitors.
When to visit: Weekday mid-mornings or early lunch to avoid long lines.
What to order: Almond croissant, kouign amann, seasonal entremets slice.
Insider tip: Line up early for morning viennoiserie; popular items sell out first.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Hill, Olive, and 6th is limited during office hours; nearby public garages at Pershing Square offer the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual and café-friendly; office attire is common but not required.
Noise level: Moderate during peak mornings, quieter after 11am; easy to hold a conversation once the initial rush passes.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — bakery closes before dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes depending on line; seating turnover is steady.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — tartines, salads, breads, pastries, and breakfast items work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads and select breads qualify; pastries are mostly dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Some options — certain salads and proteins are GF-friendly, but pastries/breads are not; no dedicated GF bakery program.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual daytime dates — it’s bright, lively, and offers easy conversation energy. Not ideal if you want a more intimate, slow-paced setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s entirely walk-in. Tables turn quickly, though securing one during peak breakfast may require sharing or waiting briefly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — pastries, sandwiches, and spacious seating make it easy for families. Best for ages 4+ given the busy morning crowd and limited stroller space.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier French viennoiserie, polished café ambiance, and the most versatile all-day bakery-café experience in the neighborhood.
Skip if: You need full gluten-free pastry options, late-night hours, or a quieter, sit-down brunch environment.
Pitchoun Bakery
8.3
Pitchoun is a family-run French bakery across from Pershing Square where viennoiserie and pastries share space with coffee and light meals. While not a classic donut shop, its French approach to laminated doughs and rich fillings makes it a downtown move when you want elevated, pastry-adjacent donut indulgence in a café setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Raspberry croissant, Kouign-amann, Tarte tropézienne
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Downtown’s French boulangerie where rich, butter-forward pastries scratch a donut-level sweet craving.
Who should go: Downtown regulars wanting refined pastries with café seating.
When to visit: Early morning or late brunch to avoid peak office rush.
What to order: Raspberry croissant, kouign-amann, slice of tarte tropézienne.
Insider tip: Grab a pastry and coffee to enjoy on the patio facing Pershing Square when the weather cooperates.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be limited during office hours; nearby paid garages on Olive and Hill offer reliable access.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; office workers often drop in, but café-chic attire fits the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate; indoor seating has steady café chatter while the patio is quieter.
Weekend wait: Not applicable; bakery-café hours mean no dinner rush.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during peak office lunch; usually no wait outside the rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes; many pastries and salads are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited; most pastries contain butter, though a few café items may accommodate vegan diners.
Gluten-free options: Minimal; occasional gluten-free pastries but options vary and sell out quickly.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual morning or midafternoon dates; the French café vibe feels relaxed and charming without being too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes; seating is first-come, first-served, and turnover is steady, especially on weekdays.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes; outdoor seating and pastry options work well for families, though space inside can be tight during busy hours.
Best For
Better for: Elevated French pastries, café ambiance, and a more refined pastry experience than typical donut shops.
Skip if: You want classic American donuts or need robust vegan or gluten-free pastry options.
Pitchoun Bakery
8.2
Pitchoun! is a family-owned French bakery and café near Pershing Square where vegetarians build meals from tartines, salads, quiche, and pastry instead of just side salads. Open since the mid-2010s, it doubles as a quick breakfast stop and a relaxed sidewalk lunch spot for downtown office crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quiche Du Jour Vegetarian, Vegetarian brioche sandwich, Avocado Toast
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Downtown French bakery where vegetarian quiche, sandwiches, and salads shine.
Who should go: Vegetarians needing breakfast or lunch near downtown offices.
When to visit: Weekday mornings and early lunch before the heaviest rush.
What to order: Quiche Du Jour Vegetarian, vegetarian sandwich, Avocado Toast.
Insider tip: Order inside, then grab a patio table facing the park when free.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on adjacent blocks is competitive during office hours; nearby paid garages around Pershing Square offer the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual daytime attire; office-casual fits in naturally with downtown crowds.
Noise level: Moderate indoors during peak breakfast and lunch; quieter on the patio where conversation is easier.
Weekend wait: Not applicable; the café closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak office lunch rush; mornings are typically walk-up with no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options across quiche, tartines, salads, sandwiches, and pastries.
Vegan options: Limited but present — a few salads, select tartines with modifications, and some breads.
Gluten-free options: Several GF-friendly items, including macarons and select salads; avoid most pastries and quiches.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual morning or lunch dates — the patio offers relaxed seating, but it’s not suited for an intimate evening setting since it closes early.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s counter-service with open seating; arrive slightly before peak lunch if you want a patio table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. The café draws families on weekends, offers approachable pastries and sandwiches, and has outdoor seating that works well for children.
Best For
Better for: High-quality French pastries, vegetarian-friendly quiche, and a breezy patio lunch near downtown offices.
Skip if: You want a full dinner service or a quiet, lingering sit-down meal — the café follows daytime hours and gets busy during office lunch peaks.
Pitchoun Bakery
8.2
Pitchoun! is a family-owned French bakery and café near Pershing Square where kids can point at pastries while parents build salads, tartines, and quiche plates. Open since the mid-2010s, it doubles as a quick breakfast counter and a sit-down brunch spot with enough menu variety to keep everyone at the table happy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quiche Du Jour, Parisian & Brie Sandwich, Almond Croissant
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A downtown French bakery-café where pastries, quiche, and salads all work for families.
Who should go: Families needing breakfast or brunch near Pershing Square offices.
When to visit: Late morning or early lunch before peak downtown office rush.
What to order: Quiche Du Jour, Parisian & Brie Sandwich, Almond Croissant.
Insider tip: Grab a sidewalk table so strollers and pastry boxes have extra room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Olive/6th is the most common option; Pershing Square Garage (underground) offers reliable paid parking and is a 3–4 minute walk.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; office-casual is common on weekdays, but weekend brunch is relaxed.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch hours but generally easy for conversation, especially at sidewalk tables.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the café closes before dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes depending on office crowd volume; grab-and-go pastry/coffee orders move faster.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection with quiche, salads, sandwiches, tartines, and pastries.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads, breads, and seasonal items may qualify; pastries are mostly non-vegan.
Gluten-free options: A handful of gluten-free items including certain salads and macarons, but most pastries contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual daytime dates — the café has a bright, European feel perfect for low-pressure meetups, but it’s not ideal for a formal or evening date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s all walk-in. Arriving slightly early for brunch improves your chances of getting a sidewalk table.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — great for toddlers through early teens. Kids can choose pastries from the counter, and outdoor seating makes stroller navigation easy.
Best For
Better for: A more polished, truly French bakery-café experience than typical grab-and-go spots downtown, especially for families needing real seating plus pastry options.
Skip if: You want a full-service brunch with long menus, bottomless drinks, or a quieter, lingering dining experience — Pitchoun! is fast-paced and counter-service.