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Bakery LA
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Bakery LA
8.0
Bakery LA is a family-owned French bakery delivering authentic breads, pastries, and sandwiches in a cozy atmosphere. Guests praise the warmth of the owners and the hand-crafted wall art, making it a welcoming neighborhood spot for fresh baked goods, coffee, and casual meals. Their sandwiches and pastries consistently impress locals seeking a genuine French café experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ham & Cheese Baguette Sandwich, Butter Croissant, Wall-Art Cookies
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Family-run French bakery with rotating local art.
Who should go: Locals, bakery lovers, casual family brunchers.
When to visit: Morning to noon for freshest pastries, weekends best.
What to order: Croissant, baguette sandwich, artisan cookies.
Insider tip: Ask about the artist behind their wall mural cookies.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on Pico and nearby residential streets; usually easy on weekdays before 9am and after 2pm but can be tighter during school drop-off and weekend brunch rush.
Dress code: Very casual and neighborhood-y; jeans, tees, and athleisure are all fine, no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate; you can comfortably chat over coffee, with a bit more bustle during late-morning and weekend brunch hours.
Weekend wait: They close mid-afternoon, so there is no dinner service; you won’t be going here at night.
Weekday lunch: Usually a short counter line of 5–10 minutes around 11:30am–1pm, but you can almost always find a table without much wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several pastry choices plus meatless sandwiches, quiches, and salads, though it’s not a dedicated vegetarian spot.
Vegan options: Limited – you may find 1–2 naturally vegan items or coffee drinks with plant milks, but most classic French pastries use butter and eggs.
Gluten-free options: Very limited – this is a traditional French bakery focused on wheat-based breads and pastries, so gluten-free guests will have few or no baked options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, for a low-key daytime first date over coffee and pastries, the cozy, family-run vibe and local art make it feel warm without being too formal; it’s less ideal if you want a long, lingering dinner with wine.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, it’s a casual counter-service bakery with no reservations; at peak brunch hours you might wait a few minutes to snag a table, but turnover is quick and many guests grab items to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, it’s very kid-friendly for families, with a relaxed atmosphere, easy-order pastries and sandwiches, and a casual setup where strollers and small children feel at home, though there’s no dedicated play area.
Best For
Better for: Outstanding value for authentic French breads and pastries, warm personal service from the owners, and a true neighborhood-café feel where locals stop in regularly for coffee, quick sandwiches, and take-home baguettes.
Skip if: Skip it if you need a full-service dinner, cocktails, extensive vegan or gluten-free options, or if you’re looking for a sceney, design-forward café to linger with laptops all afternoon.
Bakery LA
8.2
Bakery LA brings Parisian technique to West LA with authentic French baguettes, mille feuille, and a modern ordering system. Locals return for approachable service and indulgent classics in a casual setting. The bakery is known for its fresh morning pastry batch and clean, welcoming environment.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Baguette, Mille Feuille, Croissant Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Parisian-style classics made fresh daily in a friendly, streamlined space.
Who should go: Croissant devotees and brunch fans.
When to visit: Early mornings for warm pastries and minimal wait.
What to order: Baguette, Mille Feuille, Croissant Sandwich
Insider tip: Order ahead online to avoid kiosk wait fees.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is available but limited during peak brunch hours—metered spots fill quickly before 10am, and residential parking has restrictions after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual is typical—athleisure, jeans, or brunch attire are perfectly acceptable.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy for conversation, though it gets livelier during weekend rush.
Weekend wait: Bakery LA closes before traditional dinner service; expect a 20-30 minute line at late afternoon peak.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, especially before noon—walk-ins move quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—many pastries, sandwiches, and quiches are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Limited—1-2 options (such as fruit tart or adjusted salads), but most classics use butter and eggs.
Gluten-free options: Few options—rotating flourless chocolate cake and packaged macarons, but bread-heavy menu is not gluten-free focused.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—relaxed atmosphere, high-quality pastries, and approachable staff make it easy to connect and impress without fuss.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Bakery LA operates counter-service; seating is first-come, first-serve and usually available, especially weekdays.
Is it kid-friendly? Definitely—casual setting welcomes families, with booster seats and plenty of pastry choices for kids over 3, but no dedicated play area.
Best For
Better for: Freshly baked baguettes and classic French pastries rival top LA bakeries—Bakery LA excels in quick service and morning pastry batches.
Skip if: For dedicated gluten-free or extensive vegan options, consider alternatives; Bakery LA is not best for large dinner groups or late-night eats.
Bakery LA
8.3
Bakery LA brings Parisian brunch to Pico with dreamy mille feuille, authentic French baguettes, and a standout croissant sandwich. Order at the kiosk for quick service—locals flock for the best French pastries and friendly vibes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mille Feuille, Parisian Croissant Sandwich, French Baguette
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Handcrafted French pastries and quick brunch classics.
Who should go: Pastry lovers and weekday brunch fans.
When to visit: Early mornings for fresh bakes.
What to order: Mille Feuille, croissant sandwich, baguette.
Insider tip: Try the croissant sandwich for a French spin on breakfast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is available on Pico, but it fills quickly; metered spots are best before 10am and residential side streets can require a bit of a walk.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed, but stylish brunch attire fits the local crowd.
Noise level: Peaceful in the mornings, gets lively by late brunch hours—still easy for conversation.
Weekend wait: Closed for dinner; brunch rush on weekends means a 15-25 min wait at peak times.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal to no wait, especially before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple pastries and a few brunch plates are vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—may offer a vegan pastry or salad, but options are sparse.
Gluten-free options: Very limited, as most items center on traditional wheat pastries.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—welcoming staff, a sunlit space, and shareable pastries make it an ideal, low-pressure spot to connect.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first come, first served and turnover is quick thanks to the order-at-the-counter setup.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely—high chairs available, small tables suit families, and baked treats are a crowd-pleaser for kids 3 and up.
Best For
Better for: Authentic French pastries and speed—Bakery LA excels at delivering top-tier baked goods with minimal wait, perfect for locals wanting a quick yet memorable brunch.
Skip if: Looking for gluten-free, vegan, or full-service sit-down brunch—opt for other spots if dietary needs are central or a traditional plated brunch is the goal.