TLDR
Massive, iconic cookies with a signature crisp-outside, gooey-inside texture. A polarizing but essential NYC dessert pilgrimage.
Instagram Posts References
A cookie from Levain Bakery is included in the 'Midtown-Upper West Side' budget plan with an estimated cost of $6.
Levain Bakery is recognized for offering some of the best cookies in NYC. The post emphasizes that the bakery is easily accessible, making it a convenient choice for visitors and locals alike.
This post highlights Levain Bakery's innovative 'Cookie Milk Latte'. The author tried the latte and found it to be a delightful summer treat, noting that it was not overly sweet and perfectly balanced. The latte is made with cookie-infused milk and topped with whipped cream and cookie crumbles, resembling their famous chunky cookies.
This post features a close-up of a chocolate chip walnut cookie from Levain Bakery, highlighting its texture and ingredients. The cookie is being held by a person, breaking it open to reveal the rich chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts within. The packaging also clearly displays the Levain Bakery logo, indicating a positive association with the brand.
Levain Bakery is described as the definition of indulgence. Their signature cookie is praised for its crisp exterior and warm, gooey center loaded with milk and dark chocolate chips. The reviewer highly enjoyed it but noted it might be too rich for one person to finish alone. It's compared favorably to Crème cookies in London.
The user had a highly positive experience at Levain Bakery, specifically focusing on their cookies. They found the signature Walnut Chocolate Chip cookie to be excellent and lived up to its reputation. The Oatmeal Raisin and seasonal Carrot Cake cookies were also impressive. The texture of the cookies was described as crispy on the outside and chunky, gooey, or soft on the inside, indicating a well-executed bake. The overall sentiment is that the cookies are delicious and worth the experience.
Showcases a stack of decadent cookies from Levain, highlighting a chocolate chip walnut cookie and a dark chocolate peanut butter cookie. The image emphasizes the thick, gooey texture and generous inclusion of chocolate chips and peanut butter.
Described as serving 'NYC's most iconic cookies,' which are deemed 'worth every calorie!' The post specifically highlights their large Oatmeal Raisin and Dark Chocolate Peanut Chip cookies.
Levain Bakery is lauded for its delicious cookies, which the reviewer loves for being underbaked. The oatmeal raisin scone is singled out as the best item on the menu, praised for being perfectly tender and not overly sweet.
This establishment is recommended as part of the GoCity New York Mini Guide for its famous cookies and baked goods.
Details
Famous for their massive, thick, and gooey cookies, this bakery has become an iconic fixture in the New York City dessert scene [1], [2]. While the signature style—featuring a crisp exterior and a doughy, cake-like interior—has garnered a massive following and inspired countless imitations, it remains a polarizing treat for some visitors [1], [3]. Beyond their famous cookies, the bakery also offers other baked goods like baguettes and muffins, which some regulars consider underrated [4], [5].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on American-style bakery items, most notably their substantial cookies, which are frequently described as scone-like or brownie-like in texture [1], [9]. Recommended items include the chocolate chip walnut cookie and oatmeal raisin cookie [10], [11], though some users advise avoiding the double chocolate version if you are sensitive to intense sweetness [12].
Highlights / Recommended
Mentioned Dishes:
- •cookies(8)
- •chocolate chip cookie(7)
- •oatmeal raisin cookie(6)
- •chocolate chip walnut cookie(5)
- •cookie(5)
- •peanut butter & chocolate cookie(4)
- •chocolate peanut butter cookie(3)
- •dark chocolate peanut butter cookie(2)
- •lemon cookie(2)
- •walnut chocolate chip cookie(2)
- •carrot cake cookie(2)
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About LEVAIN BAKERY
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: 96th And Broadway To Columbus Circle A Walk With
"Mentioned as the original location."
PositiveFrom post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow
"Decided to drop Levain from the itinerary as they have locations in LA."
NeutralFrom post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow
"Considers the cookies to be 'mid'."
NegativeFrom post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow
"Describes the cookies as only 'okay' and suggests comparing with Culture Espresso."
NeutralFrom post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow
"Suggests dropping it to get cookies at Culture Espresso instead."
NegativeFrom post: What Trendypopular Coffee Shopdessert Spot Did
"Loves the chocolate chip walnut cookie."
PositiveFrom post: What Trendypopular Coffee Shopdessert Spot Did
"Some good menu items, but dislikes the cookies."
NeutralFrom post: In Honor Of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 84
"The commenter notes that while not necessarily the best, they have a unique chunky, blocky texture that is satisfying."
PositiveFrom post: In Honor Of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 84
"The author notes these aren't their favorite, but they still enjoy them."
PositiveFrom post: Bangbang Recommendations For Parents Night Out
"Suggested as a dessert follow-up."
NeutralFrom post: Bangbang Recommendations For Parents Night Out
"Suggested as a dessert stop on the UES and UWS."
NeutralFrom post: Where Can I Get Some Sort Of Good Chocolate Bread
"The user is clarifying that Levain's chocolate bread is a brioche and has a cake-like texture, not a traditional bread."
NeutralFrom post: Where Can I Get Some Sort Of Good Chocolate Bread
"The user is asking for clarification on the comment suggesting Levain's chocolate bread is a ripoff and is looking for other similar options, as they have enjoyed it for over 13 years."
NeutralFrom post: Where Can I Find A Coffee Shop Or Bakery With A
"In a reply, the author confirmed that Levain Bakery's muffins are excellent, comparing them favorably to the rest of their baked goods."
PositiveFrom post: Where Can I Find A Coffee Shop Or Bakery With A
"The author mentioned Levain Bakery as a place that has muffins and expressed curiosity about trying them, though they had not done so personally."
NeutralFrom post: 7 Day Nyc Need Food Recommendations Updated With
"Levain Bakery's cookies are considered good, though not definitively the absolute best. The commenter notes that taste is subjective and Levain is a strong contender."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Cookies Ranking 12 Spots From Lower Manhattan
"The user believes Levain Bakery offers one of the best cookies and approves of the ranking."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Cookies Ranking 12 Spots From Lower Manhattan
"The user notes that Levain Bakery's cookies used to be twice their current size and were once their favorite when fresh, but they now appear small."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Cookies Ranking 12 Spots From Lower Manhattan
"This user does not understand the hype around Levain cookies, finding their texture unpleasant and overly sweet, like eating raw dough."
NegativeFrom post: Visiting From Seattle With A Group Critique My
"This user recommended dropping Levain Bakery from the itinerary."
Negative