30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Bakery in Downtown LA
Master Critic Review
Queen's Bakery
8.0
A 1961-vintage Chinatown bakery that splits its case between Chinese pastry staples—almond cookies, curry beef pies, rice puffs—and Western-style custom cakes for celebrations. The draw is predictability at bakery-counter prices: you walk in knowing exactly what you'll get, and the recipes haven't drifted in six decades. Best used as a grab-and-go stop while working through Chinatown, not a sit-down destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Cookies, Chinese Rice Puffs, Mango Cake
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Family-owned Chinatown bakery operating since 1961, known for Chinese pastries alongside Western-style custom cakes
Who should go: Chinatown visitors seeking affordable pastries and custom celebration cakes
When to visit: Mornings for freshest pastry selection; open daily 8:30–6:30
What to order: Grab almond cookies and rice puffs to snack on, then pick up a fruit-topped custom cake for any celebration
Insider tip: Their custom birthday cakes are a neighborhood go-to — order a day ahead for decorations and specific flavors
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking only—Chinatown is tough, feed the meter or risk a ticket. No dedicated lot. Arrive early on weekends when the neighborhood is busiest.
Weekday lunch: No formal line—walk up to the counter. Can get chaotic at peak hours with people cutting ahead. Orders come out fast once placed.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Plenty of options—egg custard tarts, almond cookies, coconut bread, red bean pastries, taro bread, cakes, and brownies are all vegetarian.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not as a date destination — this is a counter-service bakery with minimal seating, not a sit-down restaurant. That said, it makes a charming low-key stop during a Chinatown walking date. Grab almond cookies or a mango cake slice and stroll Broadway together. The nostalgic, old-school charm (open since 1961) adds character, but don't expect mood lighting or lingering over a table.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — no reservations needed or accepted. This is a walk-in, counter-service bakery. You order at the counter and take your pastries to go or grab one of the limited seats. No wait times to worry about; service is quick. Open daily 8:30am–6:30pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the casual, no-pressure format is great for kids. Everything is grab-and-go at the counter, so there's no need to keep children seated through a long meal. Affordable sweet pastries, rice puffs, and cream buns are easy crowd-pleasers for younger ones. The bakery is wheelchair accessible and the quick in-and-out format works well for families with short attention spans.
Is it good for groups? Not for a group dining experience — seating is very limited inside this small bakery. However, it works well as a group snack stop while exploring Chinatown. For birthday celebrations, they do custom cakes (order in advance, $45–$120+) which makes it useful for picking up a cake for a party elsewhere. Don't plan to seat a group of 6+ here.
Is there outdoor seating? Limited — a few outdoor seats are available near the storefront, suitable for a quick rest while enjoying your pastries. Not a full patio setup with tables and chairs for dining. No cover or heating. Fine for a brief stop on a nice day, but not a place to linger outdoors. Street parking only and meter enforcement is strict in the area.
Best For
Better for: Quick grab-and-go pastries while exploring Chinatown, picking up custom birthday cakes, or a budget-friendly snack run under $10. A 1961 neighborhood institution—charming time-capsule energy.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal (one tiny two-top table, no real seating), a dinner spot (closes 6:30pm), or good coffee (stick to the pastries).
Hours
Monday8:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday8:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday8:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday8:30am - 6:30pm
Friday8:30am - 6:30pm
Saturday8:30am - 6:30pm
Sunday8:30am - 6:30pm