Cookies can seem like simple creations at first, but scratch beneath the surface to find some serious complexity. While everyone has strong opinions on what constitutes the ‘perfect’ specimen, nailing the ideal texture, size, and composition is definitely harder than it looks. From an iconic bakery in Chinatown to an eye-popping patisserie in Downtown, here now are the 21 best places to score a killer cookie in Los Angeles.
Cake Monkey Bakery
Come into chef Elizabeth Belkind and business partner Lisa Olin’s Cake Monkey for souped-up takes on retro desserts. The Nuff Said cookie brings together dark chocolate, sea salt, marshmallow, and crushed pecans in a delicious homage to rocky road.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Cookie Good
This Santa Monica shop bakes up a slew of fun cookies, including the best-selling caramel-pretzel-chocolate chunk and the intriguing Cheetos cookie that’s cheesy, salty, and sweet.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Republique
It’s impossible to resist Margarita Manzke’s delightful array of pastries at Republique that always includes croissants, cakes, doughnuts, and of course, cookies. Though the cookie selection varies from day to day, grab the utterly fantastic chocolate chip or the peanut butter sesame if it’s available.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
ChocoVivo
Head to this Culver City chocolate specialist for a chocolate chip cookie tasting. The three different recipes include one made with 85 percent cacao, another with coffee and vanilla, and a traditional Mayan blend. Don’t forget to order tall glass of milk to dunk and sip accordingly.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
The Sycamore Kitchen
The pastry case at Sycamore Kitchen is lined with incredible baked goods from pastry pro Karen Hatfield and her team. The daily cookie lineup usually includes rice crispy, peanut butterscotch, rye chocolate chip, chocolate fudge, and best of all, oatmeal toffee.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
All Day Baby
Chef Thessa Diadem’s sandwich cookies ooze with decadence and nostalgia. While the Fluffer Nutter-inspired one comes stuffed with strawberry jam, the German chocolate tastes like a coconut-kissed Moon Pie. For those who lean toward the classics, the brown butter chocolate chip fits the bill.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Deluscious Cookies & Milk
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Friends & Family
It’s little surprise that some of LA’s best cookies are found at pastry chef Roxana Jullapat’s Thai Town bakery Friends & Family. The rye chocolate chip impresses with its complex and buttery profile, while the pig-shaped graham cracker is always a hit with little ones.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Fat & Flour
While Fat & Flour is best known for its pies, chef Nicole Rucker also bakes up fantastic cookies from her stand inside Grand Central Market. The flavors vary from day to day, but can include chocolate chip oatmeal, vanilla sprinkle, espresso white chocolate, and lemon lavender. And yes, throw in an extra brownie or two for good measure.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
