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LEVAIN BAKERY

Updated

Phone: (908) 963-1485

Address: 2 WEST 18 STREET 10011

TLDR

Thick, gooey cookies & other baked delights. A true NYC sweet treat staple.

Reddit Sentiment for LEVAIN BAKERY(based on 134 Reddit opinions)

47% Positive34% Neutral19% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 99bakery 48dessert 5cookies 120bakery 51dessert 18View All

Neighborhoods

Chelsea

Instagram Posts References

Summary
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Details

Levain Bakery is a legendary New York establishment, renowned for its incredibly thick and gooey cookies that are a must-try for any visitor. While cookies are the star, they also offer delicious pastries and bread, making it a versatile spot for a sweet treat or a quality carb fix. The bakery has gained a cult following for its generous portions and consistent quality, solidifying its place in NYC's culinary landscape.

Food Overview

The primary draw is the exceptionally thick, gooey, and substantial cookies, with flavors like chocolate chip walnut and double chocolate chip receiving high marks. While some find them to be the best cookies they've ever had, a few reviewers find them too dense, sweet, or even underbaked, with one person describing them as a 'gross scone-cookie hybrid.' Beyond cookies, they also offer baguettes and cakes which have received positive mentions.

Highlights / Recommended

"Levain Bakery is most famous for its thick, gooey cookies, particularly the chocolate chip walnut and double chocolate chip varieties. The oatmeal raisin cookie is also highlighted as a standout by some customers."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • chocolate chip cookie(12)
  • cookies(6)
  • cookie(6)
  • oatmeal raisin cookie(4)

Customer Sentiment

Customers overwhelmingly praise the cookies, calling them amazing, incredible, and a must-try NYC experience. While some find them to be the best, a minority consider them overrated or too dense.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About LEVAIN BAKERY

This thread discusses and ranks various chocolate chip cookies in NYC, with Levain Bakery frequently mentioned as a top contender, often appearing in multiple users' top lists and praised for its distinct texture.
This post details a trip to NYC, and a commenter shares their strong opinions on Levain's cookies, finding the chocolate chip cookie underwhelming but the chocolate peanut butter chip cookie much better, while another commenter calls Levain overrated.
This discussion revolves around the travel-friendliness of Levain cookies. Many users confirm they travel well, can be stored for days, and even suggest reheating methods to maintain their quality.
A user asks for dessert recommendations, and Levain Bakery's cookies are immediately suggested as 'amazing stuff!'
In a 'this or that' style question for NYC visitors, Levain Bakery is frequently recommended for its cookies, often compared to or contrasted with other popular dessert spots like Magnolia Bakery.
This thread discusses Levain Bakery's 'black and white' or 'inside-out' chocolate chip cookie, with users debating its quality and whether it lives up to the bakery's reputation.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Nyc Food Report

"The user enjoys getting 'a few' Levain cookies when visiting, acknowledging that one is never enough but it leads to carrying a heavy bag."

Positive
Apr 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Nyc Food Report

"This commenter considers the Levain cookie the real winner of the post, viewing all other items as mere appetizers in comparison."

Positive
Apr 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Six Days In Nyc Wa Schmo And A Vegetarian A Food

"The user found the cookie from Levain Bakery to be nice, but ultimately unremarkable, stating 'meh'."

Neutral
Apr 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Need To Buy Good Bread Cheese Near West 86th St

"The user mentioned Levain Bakery, which is more known for cookies, also has a good baguette."

Positive
Apr 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: What I Ate Visiting Nyc For A Week

"The author gave Levain Bakery a positive rating with a thumbs up emoji."

Positive
Apr 10, 2026View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The commenter, a native New Yorker, enjoys Levain Bakery cookies, preferring them soft and gooey."

Positive
Dec 27, 2025View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The commenter recommends The Pastry Box in Alphabet City for excellent baked goods."

Positive
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The commenter suggests cutting Levain Bakery cookies into smaller portions and freezing them for later enjoyment."

Neutral
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The commenter finds Levain Bakery cookies to be too much, even a single cookie being excessive due to their size and sweetness."

Negative
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The commenter asks for alternative cookie recommendations in NYC."

Neutral
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The commenter states that most New Yorkers do not enjoy Levain Bakery cookies, finding them too dense, thick, and sweet."

Negative
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Everything I Ate In Nyc In 5 Days From Canada

"The author did not enjoy the cookies from Levain bakery, finding them too big, hard, and sweet. They felt that the ice cream from Caffe Panna saved the experience."

Negative
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Roast My Nyc Food Itinerary

"This user found Levain's cookies to be disappointingly underbaked, suggesting they were taken out of the oven too early. They preferred cookies from Janine's and Counter Service."

Negative
Dec 18, 2025View Comment →

From post: 100 Food Related Gift

"Levain Bakery offers gift boxes on their website, which can contain cookies, tea, coffee, blankets, or candles."

Neutral
Dec 17, 2025View Comment →

From post: Roast My Nyc Food Itinerary

"The commenter is not a big fan of Levain cookies, especially when compared to other top chocolate chip cookie options like The Pastry Box, La Mercerie, and Culture Espresso."

Negative
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Roast My Nyc Food Itinerary

"Similar to Katz Deli advice, this opinion suggests that cookies from Levain Bakery are great for taking home, rather than eating on the spot. They can be stored and enjoyed later, possibly frozen."

Neutral
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Roast My Nyc Food Itinerary

"Recommends picking up Levain cookies to take home on the last day, noting they reheat well. This is suggested as a good option for travel compared to other desserts."

Positive
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Roast My Nyc Food Itinerary

"Levain Bakery is considered overrated and not unique to New York by this commenter."

Negative
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Roast My Nyc Food Itinerary

"The user is considering Levain Bakery for cookies and asks for a comparison with Funny Face. This comment suggests Levain's cookies are good, but perhaps better saved for later due to the size of other planned meals."

Neutral
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Heading To Nyc Next Weekend Is There A Food Item

"Lists Levain cookies as a potential item to buy and freeze."

Positive
Dec 11, 2025View Comment →