Levain Bakery

“Cookies that taste as good as they look.”

Cookies that taste as good as they look. A staff that goes above and beyond to treat their customers like family. I tried the Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip and the Two Chip Chocolate Chip cookies. Both had a slightly crispy shell and soft back dough inside. Perfect with a glass of milk. As a visitor to the city, I can say the staff welcomed me, appreciated me as a customer and I was encouraged to come back before I leave town. Who thought you could make a friend while picking out a cookie. I'll see y'all soon. Thanks for the kindness :)

Johnnie Hoskins

Feb 2026

“We have been regulars for a while and couldn’t be happier with Levain’s quality, friendliness and atmosphere.”

We have been regulars for a while and couldn’t be happier with Levain’s quality, friendliness and atmosphere. Yes, it’s pricey, but you really get your money’s worth here. While the cookies are the signature item and crowd pleaser for a reason, their breads and rolls shouldn’t be overlooked. We are very picky when it comes to bread (we usually bake ourselves) but Levain’s products are really top notch. Some personal recommendations: the ciabatta, the whole grain loaf, the country boule and the whole wheat walnut raisin loaf. And well, the cookies - to be honest, we didn’t know how good a cookie could taste before we had our first from Levain. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but please give the dark chocolate chocolate chip a try if you can. We also love their team - they manage to be quick and super friendly at the same time. I’d say that the warm atmosphere of the store’s interior is perfectly mirrored in the welcoming attitude of Levain’s staff. Well-deserved five stars and a clear recommendation! (Just know that once you’ve tried their cookies, no other cookie will ever come close…)

Tim

Jan 2026

“I have always loved their coconut caramel cookie.”

I have always loved their coconut caramel cookie! My husband tried their oatmeal raisin cookie for the first time, and he said it's okay, there's more room for improvement.

Kharla Marie

Jan 2026

“Original chocolate walnut was fantastic.”

Original chocolate walnut was fantastic. They said next popular was the double chocolate chip one but that one honestly was too much chocolate even for me and I love chocolate haha.

Anup Reddy

Dec 2025

“The dark peppermint cookie for the holidays is so good.”

The dark peppermint cookie for the holidays is so good! Would def come back to try the other options. Clean store and the staff were friendly. Savory options and drinks also available. Limited seating.

Lorraine Megan Montinola

Dec 2025

“Best cookie I’ve ever had.”

Best cookie I’ve ever had! Got the classic chocolate chip on it and it was absolutely delightful, I would run a marathon just to eat this. Crunchy fudgy chocolaty gooey crispy warming

Hayley So

Nov 2025

“Wow incredible customer service from Jenna..”

Wow incredible customer service from Jenna... 🥹🫶🏼 After dinner last night, we wandered into Levain Bakery for dessert, and the display case immediately pulled us in. Giant, rustic cookies stacked high, golden breads dusted with flour, sticky buns glistening with caramelized sugar — it all looked irresistible. We went for the Rocky Road cookie a la mode, and it was unreal: warm, gooey, chocolatey, packed with marshmallow and nuts, and taken to the next level with a scoop of ice cream. But what really made the experience special was the service. Jenna, one of the cashiers, noticed I had just taken a bad fall outside. She didn’t just ring us up... she stopped, offered help and first aid, asked about what happened, and genuinely cared. That kind of attentiveness is rare and meant a lot. She even went above and beyond and toasted the cookie in the oven before serving it, so it came out extra warm and melty. Between the decadent cookies and Jenna’s kindness, this wasn’t just dessert... it turned into one of those memorable moments you don’t forget.

Jakub Mysliwiec

Aug 2025

“This has and always will be one of my favorite bakeries, but Kaylee took the service to the next level.”

This has and always will be one of my favorite bakeries, but Kaylee took the service to the next level. She was not only warm and welcoming, but knowledgeable about the new products. She made suggestions and made this a better experience than expected.

Jessica Street-Najarro

Jul 2025

“I love a good cookie.”

I love a good cookie. These do not disappoint. Large enough to share or keep for a multi day treat. Perfect combination of soft, gooey, and crispy. It is sweet but it's a cookie! Did not remind of any of those "new" delivery ginormous horrible sweet kinds!

Vikki O'Bryan

May 2025

“One of the best cookies I've ever had!”

One of the best cookies I've ever had!! So good. Perfectly crispy on the outside, chewy and soft in the inside, filled with so much ooey gooey chocolate chips!

Seema

May 2025

“We stopped by Levain Bakery in the West Loop and tried their famous cookies.”

We stopped by Levain Bakery in the West Loop and tried their famous cookies. They were super thick, very sweet, and definitely rich — almost like a cookie-cake! While a bit too sweet for our usual taste, the texture was excellent: crispy on the outside and gooey in the center. Worth trying if you’re a dessert lover or just curious about one of New York’s most iconic cookies now in Chicago.

Joyce Fu

May 2025

“Walking into Levain Bakery feels like entering a warm, sugary dream.”

Walking into Levain Bakery feels like entering a warm, sugary dream. The moment the door opens, you're hit with the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked pastries, butter, sugar, toasted nuts, and melting chocolate mingling in the air like a sweet spell. It’s cozy and inviting, with just the right amount of bustling charm that makes you feel like something good is about to happen. And for us, it absolutely did. We started our morning with a Walnut Sticky Bun but only available on weekends and a cup of hot chocolate. It was a perfect combination, and honestly, one of those breakfasts that lingers in your memory long after the last bite. The sticky bun was a masterpiece. Golden and glossy with a caramelized swirl, it had that irresistible pull-apart softness on the inside, while the outside offered a slight crunch from the perfectly baked edges. The sticky glaze was rich and buttery, with just the right amount of gooey sweetness, not too sugary, but enough to satisfy every sweet tooth craving. What really took it to the next level were the walnuts. Toasted, slightly earthy, and wonderfully crunchy, they added depth and balance to the soft, sweet bun. The contrast in textures was divine, every bite a symphony of chew, crunch, and melt. The hot chocolate was no afterthought, either. Deep and dark, with a strong cocoa richness, it had a luxurious, velvety body that hugged your hands through the cup and warmed you from the inside out. Not overly sweet, but bold and flavorful, it was the ideal companion to the decadence of the sticky bun. Together, the two made for an unforgettable morning ritual, simple, comforting, and elevated. Levain Bakery didn’t just give us breakfast; it gave us a moment. One of those small, perfect starts to the day that sets the tone for everything that follows.

Moises Treviño Garcia

Apr 2025