TLDR
Iconic, massive NYC cookies known for their signature thick, gooey, and indulgent texture. A polarizing, must-try treat for visitors and locals alike.
Instagram Posts References
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 mentioned in the post, but no specific details or opinions are provided.
The author found the gigantic cookies with gooey centers to be excessively sweet, unable to eat more than a couple of bites.
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 cookies that feature a uniquely crisp exterior and a soft, gooey interior, this bakery is an NYC institution [1], [7]. While many customers consider them the best in the city [9], [12], others find the intense richness and scone-like density polarizing [13], [14], [15]. The menu has expanded to include other treats like seasonal cookies, muffins, and even chocolate bread [29], [39], [44].
Food Overview
The signature chocolate chip walnut cookie is the bakery's most famous item, defined by its large, underbaked, cake-like center [19], [39], [40]. Other highly-rated items include the oatmeal raisin cookie and the dark chocolate peanut butter cookie [9], [10], [26], [42]. Some visitors find the richness excessive and prefer alternative bakery items like muffins or the chocolate bread, which long-time fans consider 'absolute heaven' [14], [26], [29], [44].
Highlights / Recommended
"The chocolate chip walnut cookie is the essential order for first-timers [12], [40]. Other highly recommended options include the dark chocolate peanut butter cookie and the bakery's muffins [26], [42]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •cookies(8)
- •oatmeal raisin cookie(6)
- •chocolate chip cookie(5)
- •chocolate chip walnut cookie(4)
- •cookie(4)
- •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)
Caveats
The cookies are extremely rich and dense; some diners find they cannot finish even half of one [15], [25], [41]. Consistency can be a point of debate, with some users noting they are best eaten warm rather than at room temperature [23], [31].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About LEVAIN BAKERY
Recent Reddit Mentions
From 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."
NegativeFrom post: Visiting From Seattle With A Group Critique My
"Regarding Levain Bakery, this commenter suggested not ordering the cookie as it's not 'life changing' but might consider their baguettes. They also recommended other bakeries for great cookies."
NeutralFrom post: Visiting From Seattle With A Group Critique My
"The user is planning a trip to NYC and included Levain Bakery on their list of potential restaurants to visit."
NeutralFrom post: Visiting From Seattle With A Group Critique My
"This user mentioned Levain Bakery as a place that is not bad for chocolate chip cookies."
NeutralFrom post: Late Night Chocolate Chip Cookie
"Some locations of Levain are open until 11 PM, making it a potential late-night option."
PositiveFrom post: Best Nyc Treatschocolates To Bring To A West
"Levain cookies were suggested as traveling well."
NeutralFrom post: Best Nyc Treatschocolates To Bring To A West
"Levain cookies were recommended."
NeutralFrom post: Best Nyc Treatschocolates To Bring To A West
"Jacques Torres cookie kits were recommended, with a note that Levain cookies are also good but heavy."
NeutralFrom post: Best Nyc Treatschocolates To Bring To A West
"Levain cookies or breads and babka were suggested as potential gifts, though the user later acknowledged the week-long shelf life might be an issue for non-chocolate items."
NeutralFrom post: Visited For My Sisters Wedding Had 25 Days To
"Considered nothing special, the cookies were found to be just big. The lemon white chip cookie was liked, but the carrot cake cookie was dry and underwhelming, resulting in a low rating of 6.3."
NegativeFrom post: Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Without Salt The Best
"Levain is suggested as a place to get chocolate chip cookies."
PositiveFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"Further elaborating on their dislike, this user states Levain cookies are not good, being stodgy, overly sweet, and made with cheap-tasting chocolate."
Negative