Great French Bakeries in Los Angeles

Filed under: Best Of, Downtown, Eat, Midtown, Westside — StyleGuide @ 7:15 pm

If I had to guess, I’d venture that my love of bakeries came from my mother.  Her idea of lunch out was splitting a sandwich five ways so we could main-line Napoleons, cream puffs, pain au chocolate and cinnamon rolls.

I’ve spent a good part of my life ever since searching for great pastries.  For rich, inexpensive breakfasts, afternoon treats, or part of a healthy lunch (according to my mother), here are some of my favorite local French bakeries:

1.  Hotcakes Bakes: When I visited the Mar Vista shop, there were actual French people running the shop.  Seems authentic to me.  Try the delightful canele.

2.  Frances Bakery: Head downtown for artful French baked goods, Little Tokyo style.  The sweet almond croissant will make your eyes glaze over — they’re that good.

3.  Delice Fine French Kosher Pastry & Bread:  On Pico west of La Cienega, a Kosher bakery with light buttery flaky croissants.  Mmmmm….

4.  La Maison Du Pain:  Two sisters living the dream — dumping corporate jobs to open a French bakery on Pico in Mid-Wilshire.  Croissants, tarts, bread – this is the kind of place where you’ll want to eat your way through the line-up.

Where else can I find great French baked goods?  Share, share, share!

Related links  |  More sweets:

Great donuts in L.A.

Cinnamon French Toast

Diddy Riese

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