West Los Angeles boasts a thriving culinary scene, and its bakeries are no exception. Whether you are in the mood for a delectable sandwich or need to pick up a birthday cake, these bakeries are perfect. From hole-in-the-wall boulangeries to iconic chains, here’s our pick of the six very best bakeries in West Los Angeles. 

République Café Bakery, Miracle Mile

Owned by Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke, République is a wildly popular French-inspired bakery. Located in the heart of West Los Angeles, the bakery is situated inside a historic building, which was built in 1929 by Charlie Chaplin and designed by architect Roy Sheldon Price. Presently, the space boasts an inviting ambiance with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Its offerings, showcased in polished glass cabinets, resemble intricate works of art. République’s pastries, artisanal bread, and French-inspired dishes are crafted using the freshest locally sourced ingredients. This bakery’s signature offerings include Almond Brown Butter Cake, Bread Pudding, Ham and Cheese Croissant, Kimchi Brioche, and Today’s Quiche.

Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee, Fairfax and Santa Monica 

Sidecar has a cult following, and for good reason. The bakery’s decadent, cake-style doughnuts are made daily using good-quality ingredients. Sidecar’s Lemon Pound Cake, Apple Fritter, Huckleberry, Maple Bacon, Strawberry Buttermilk, Old Fashion, Celebration Cake, Vanilla Bean Glazed, and Choc-A-Lot doughnuts are crowd favorites. I tried the Maple Bacon ($5.75) and loved that it wasn’t overly sweet. It had a tender, airy interior, a crisp exterior, and a well-balanced sweet glaze. I paired the doughnut with the Caramel Latte ($5.75), a delicious blend of espresso, steamed milk, and sweet caramel.

Tartine Bakery, Santa Monica and Venice 

Originally from San Francisco, Tartine is a critically acclaimed bakery offering a quintessential California-meets-French dining experience. At this bakery, Chad Robertson bakes exceptional bread using a wood-fired brick oven, and Elisabeth Prueitt crafts rustic, elegant pastries using European techniques and Californian ingredients. Tartine is frequented by locals and tourists for its lip-smacking sourdough bread, flaky pastries, and expertly brewed coffee. At Tartine’s Santa Monica location, I ordered the Egg Sandwich ($14.95). The sandwich was probably the best egg sandwich I’ve ever had. The perfectly cooked eggs were nestled in a toasted, buttery bun, complemented by white cheddar, arugula, and a touch of herb aioli.

Des Croissants Paris, Culver City 

Since 2017, Parisian-born chef Samuel Manar has been retailing his breads and pastries from farmers markets in Los Angeles. ​​A few years ago, Manar opened a brick-and-mortar store in Culver City. This bakery’s offerings are made using traditional French recipes and high-quality ingredients, some of which are sourced from France. Its sourdough bread, baguettes, eclairs, paniers, olive loaves, pain au chocolat, chausson aux pommes, and cinnamon rolls come highly recommended. At Des Croissants Paris, I ordered the Plain Croissant ($5) and the Ham and Cheese Croissant ($7). I particularly enjoyed the Plain Croissant. The ends were crisp, while the rest of the substantial croissant was soft and fluffy. 

House Of Bread, Westwood

This neighborhood bakery is my go-to for artisanal bread crafted with sourdough starters and free from added oils or sugars. House of Bread’s sourdough loaf, ​​baguettes, and croissants are spot-on. Their croissants are less fluffy and layered as compared to most; nevertheless, they are delicious and deliver. 

Layla Bagels, Santa Monica 

​​Layla Bagels is a Santa Monica staple retailing a range of hand-rolled sourdough bagels with fresh schmears and fillings. This bakery’s bagels stand out for their chewy texture and authentic New York-style flavor. Layla Bagels’ Plain Bagel, Everything Bagel, Poppy Bagel, Jalapeno Cheddar, and Cinnamon Raisin Bagel are well-loved. I tried the Cinnamon Raisin Bagel ($4), which featured a chewy, dense exterior, and a moist interior bursting with raisins, offering a satisfying contrast of textures and flavors.

Photo Courtesy of Republique.