We started the new year off with a guide to our favorite French bakeries in NYC. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks in LA. Surprise your loved one with pastries and coffee, or a fresh baguette served alongside a charcuterie board.
We’ve categorized each as a boulangerie, pâtisserie, or both. As any French person will tell you, there’s a big difference between a boulangerie and a pâtisserie. One sells bread, while the other sells baked treats. That’s why bakeries in France often have “boulangerie-pâtisserie” printed on their signs.
By Alaina Schwartz
1. ARTELICE (PÂTISSERIE)
Must try: the MACARONS
Specializing in pastries, Artelice is a modern French bakery with ultra-high standards. They literally bring the taste of France to LA by importing all of their ingredients from Europe. Their meticulously decorated macarons come in an assortment of vivid colors and flavors from classics like chocolate, vanilla and raspberry, to more adventurous ones like yuzu and earl grey. The bakery was founded by two brothers in 2017 who, as the name Artelice suggests, set out to turn pastry into an art form.
11301 W Olympic Blvd UNIT 123, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (West LA)
HTTPS://ARTELICELA.COM/
2. LUDIVINE (BOulangerie-Pâtisserie)
Must try: The canelés
After a career in law, Ludivine Bellahsen began to pursue her true passion: pastry. After establishing herself as a home chef, she went on to receive a top-tier education at some of the best pastry schools in France, and finally opened her namesake bakery in LA in 2016. From Ludivine, we recommend the canelés, one of the French classics that’s a bit harder to find in the US. They come in a variety of fun flavors, but we love the original the most!
10509 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (Rancho Park)
HTTPS://WWW.LUDIVINEPARIS.COM/
3. SWEET LILY (BOULANGERIE-PÂTISSERIE)
Must try: the BAGUETTE
Marine and Thibaut opened Sweet Lily in August of 2020. With over four decades of experience between them, the duo powered through one of the most challenging times for the food industry, finding success through their offerings of fresh breads prepared daily. Since bread is their specialty, you can’t go wrong with a baguette with a side of French butter and jam!
11301 W Olympic Blvd UNIT 123, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (Culver City)
HTTPS://WWW.SWEETLILYLA.COM/
4. DES CROISSANTS PARIS (BOULANGERIE)
Must try: The kouign-amann
Founded by Parisian-born baker Samuel Manard, Des Croissants Paris has been a mainstay on the LA farmers market circuit for years, and finally opened a brick-and-mortar location in Culver City in 2023. The bakery sources many of their ingredients from France, but most importantly, the butter! This makes it the place to try the king of butter, the kouign-amann. If you’ve never tried one before, say it with us: queen-ya-mahn. After one taste, you won’t soon forget it!
8539 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
https://DESCROISSANTSPARIS.COM/
5. PITCHOUN! (BOULANGERIE-PÂTISSERIE)
Must try: The almond croissant
Pitchoun! Is a family-owned bakery and restaurant founded by Fabienne and Frédéric Soulies. Frédéric comes from a long line of French bakers and farmers, so both baking and his respect for high quality, homegrown produce inspire the lineup of baked treats, sandwiches and salads at Pitchoun!. From Pitchoun!, we recommend their sweet, perfectly flaky almond croissant.
545 S Olive St., Los Angeles CA 90013 (Downtown LA)
HTTPS://PITCHOUNBAKERY.COM/
6. MAISON MATHO (BOULANGERIE-PÂTISSERIE)
Must try:The pink praline brioche (and latte!)
Maison Matho, founded by Chef Daniel Matho, is a perfect blend of French classics and regional favorites. As a “neighborhood French takeout bar,” this bakery stands out with its very simple setup: a vibrant red storefront with a vivid, painted mural and a window for placing orders. Step right up to the counter to order a pink praline brioche, and why not a pink praline latte to go with it?
4770 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 (Melrose Hill)
HTTPS://MAISONMATHO.COM/
7. LOU THE FRENCH ON THE BLOCK (PÂTISSERIE)
Must try: The sandwiches
Chef Laurent “Lou” arrived in Los Angeles 2012 with the hopes of bringing French pastry to LA, and finally opened a bakery of his own in Burbank in 2016. Lou is the go-to for all of your French cravings, and serves a beautiful array of pastry, quiche, and sandwiches. We especially recommend the sandwiches, which are served on a traditional French baguette–just like the bakeries in France!
4007 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
HTTPS://WWW.LOUTHEFRENCHONTHEBLOCK.COM
8. PROOF BAKERY (PÂTISSERIE)
Must try: the CROISSANT
When you go to Proof Bakery you know you’re supporting an amazing initiative. Proof was originally opened in 2010 by chef/owner Na Young Ma. In 2021, after years of collaboration with her employees, transformed the restaurant into a worker cooperative. As much as Proof values their employees, they also value using top-quality ingredients in their handmade baked goods. Their croissant is a local favorite, but you’ll have to show up early to get your hands on one!
3156 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 (Atwater Village)
HTTPS://WWW.PROOFBAKERY.COM/
9. Honorable mentions
Figaro Bistrot (Los Feliz) – Pâtisserie
Tartine (Multiple locations) – Boulangerie-Pâtisserie
