Levain Bakery
Bakery · River North ·

Levain Bakery

Bakery · River North ·

Giant, decadent cookies baked fresh daily; try chocolate chip walnut

cookies
chocolate chip cookie
warm cookie
gooey cookie
big cookie
two chip chocolate chip cookie
dark chocolate chocolate chip cookie
lemon cookie
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null
Levain Bakery by null

Information

408 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA Get directions

$1–10

Order delivery
See Menu
Credit card accepted
Paid street parking
LGBTQ friendly
Coffee

Information

Static Map

408 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA Get directions

+1 872 395 5573
levainbakery.com
@levainbakery
𝕏
@levainbakery

$1–10 · Menu

Features

•Credit card accepted
•Paid street parking
•LGBTQ friendly
•Coffee

Last updated

Jan 3, 2026

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@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Where to Find Sweet Pies in Chicago

"Angel Chavez, the pastry chef at Bistro Campagne in Lincoln Square, uses his employer’s kitchen to bake pastries and pies for his own biweekly pop-up. Key lime, banana cream, and chocolate cream with an Oreo crust, all topped with glorious freshly made whipped cream, are the stalwarts, but check the weekly menu for seasonal specials. Look out: Chavez is close to opening his own bakery." - Naomi Waxman, Ashok Selvam

https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-pie-chicago
Levain Bakery – River North
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Levain Bakery is Opening a new location in River North | Eater Chicago

"Opening next week at 408 N. Clark Street, I'm looking forward to the River North Levain Bakery, a nearly 1,400-square-foot spot scheduled to open Friday, September 15. Known for its hefty 6-ounce cookies—best served warm so the chocolate melts—the bakery will also offer pastries, sticky buns, loaf cakes, loaves of bread, and coffee from Chicago roastery Backlot. The cookies, popular as a reward for marathon runners, come in six flavors: chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, two chip chocolate chip, and the newest caramel coconut chocolate chip; delivery is also a popular option. The River North opening will bring Levain’s total to 13 stores, and after intentional, slow growth since the company began in 1995 under founders Weekes and McDonald, fans may be especially eager now that the brand has stopped producing frozen cookies due to cost pressures in an “inflationary environment.”" - Naomi Waxman

https://chicago.eater.com/2023/9/8/23852642/levain-bakery-cookies-chicago-river-north-cookies-opening-date
Levain Bakery – River North
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

The Best Upcoming Chicago Bars and Restaurants to Know | Eater Chicago

"I’m aware that Levain Bakery, the New York City cookie cult favorite known for enormous cookies and obsessive fans, will open its second Chicago location this fall at 408 N. Clark Street after launching its first Windy City outpost in November 2022 to massive early-morning lines." - Naomi Waxman

https://chicago.eater.com/2023/3/28/23659964/new-chicago-restaurants-bars-spring-2023-coming-attractions
Levain Bakery – River North
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Chicago’s best virtual restaurants and ghost kitchens - Eater Chicago

"Angel Chavez, the pastry chef at Bistro Campagne, has borrowed his employer’s kitchen for his new side project: every week, he bakes up a selection of pies, pastry, bread, and cookies that are available for pickup on Wednesdays and Sundays. Leftovers are also available for walk-in customers on Sundays, but for the best selection, Chavez recommends ordering in advance. Oreo-creme pies are among the stars here." - Naomi Waxman, aimee.levitt, Ashok Selvam

https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-virtual-instagram-restaurants-in-chicago
Levain Bakery – River North

Suman H.

Google
I have always wanted to try them ever since I saw the hype around them, but at that time they were only in New York and I somehow missed it every time I went to New York. I was so happy when I spotted them in Chicago and I wanted to try them right away. Although they are mainly known for their cookies, they have other baked good as well, like bread. I got the chocolate cookie and the chocolate chip cookie. They are a bit expensive and are about six dollars each. This particular location has a couple of seats outside, which is very helpful because I could not wait to try my cookie. My recommendation would be to actually take it to your home and microwave it for 30 secs before eating because that made a world of a difference. But even without that, this was probably the best cookie. I have ever eaten. I was in cookie heaven. The cookie is enormous and filled with gooey chocolate. The outside is crisp and the inside is soft and mushy. I literally had to stop eating to admire it. I wish I could have it every day, but I am probably not going to have it again in a very long time, just because each of these cookies will set you back by thousand calories!!

Bruna Mormilo B.

Google
The Two Chip Chocolate Chip Cookie at Levain Bakery is unreal — easily one of the best cookies I’ve ever had! It’s huge, crispy on the outside, gooey and rich on the inside, with just the right balance of semi-sweet and dark chocolate. Every bite feels indulgent and perfectly baked. Totally worth the hype and the wait in line — I’d come back just for this cookie!

Ying C.

Google
It was very clean inside and decorated nicely, the display was simple and straight forward, easy to navigate! However our cookies was kind of very very mushy and leaky? after they heated it up (without asking) which was kind of unexpected. Attached is a photo. Flavor wise it was very yummy. I prefer untoasted but it’s just a personal preference. Otherwise I recommend this place.

Sarah S.

Google
You HAVE to eat this warm and fresh!! The chocolate peanut butter cookie was amazing, melts in your mouth. Definitely more cakey texture. Also, whoa, these cookies carry some serious weight to them! Enjoyed every bite of this and decided to bring home more.

Cindy S

Google
Finally had a chance to try this! Choco brioche just came out from oven, nice soft warm! Bought 3 cookies and cortado as well. Employees are polite and helpful. 👍

Can G.

Google
Absolutely the best cookies ever in the world! Since they introduced the Macadamia Nut cookies I’m even more hooked. Staff is friendly, helpful. Cookies are delightful. Only wish store had a little more seating available so people wouldn’t have to huddle over each other by the window side.

Eric L.

Google
We stopped by Levain Bakery, a 30-year-old institution, and it definitely lives up to the hype. The cookies are perfectly baked—crispy on the outside yet warm and soft on the inside, with an amazing texture that makes each bite memorable. Their coffee is also worth mentioning—smooth, balanced, and pairs perfectly with the baked goods. My wife absolutely loved it as well. A must-visit if you’re in the area!

Jorge G.

Google
Tasty cookies. Crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They have a cookie-cake consistency. For me they were too indulgent, but that might be my taste.
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Xav Q.

Yelp
I've heard so much about these cookies, so when visiting of course I stopped by. This bakery is adorable and tiny. There was no line and I was confused about what to get the gentleman at the register suggested the chocolate chip walnut, so I took him up on it. This was a large decadent cookie. Absolutely perfect. It wasn't to sweet. It was moist and gooey. I would certainly visit another location if the opportunity presented itself.
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Carolina B.

Yelp
Honestly not my favorite, but not horrible. The line was incredibly long and the workers weren't the kindest but I also understand that they were super busy. The cookie was -ok. In my opinion a little over priced and felt a little grainy.
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Tanya B.

Yelp
Cute Bakery that offers delicious sweet treats. I've tried their dark chocolate chip and lemon cookie that were divine. They also sell coffee and variety of drinks. My one cookie lasted me 3 days! Pretty hefty portion :) A must visit if you're looking for something delicious and sweet.
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Mia K.

Yelp
Before this trip to Chicago I was excited for Garrett Popcorn. I looked up directions to my intended location, but once I realized Levain was TWO blocks away from my hotel, I only needed to indulge here! Can't believe their hours, too, 7am - 10pm! Thank you! Levain cookies are as good as it gets. Perfectly sweet, crispy on the outside and soft inside. These oversized cookies resemble a muffin top. My favorite is their signature Chocolate Chip Walnut. Great ratio of chips to dough, although here there seemed to be fewer nuts than the ones I've tried in New York and Los Angeles. Are the walnuts roasted cuz they taste elevated, baker's kiss! Also always get the delicious Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip and Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip. I tried the seasonal Lemon. The flavor was minimal but I'm glad I tried it. Other baked goods- muffins, scones, bread, and coffee and souvenir items also available. Service was friendly and the interior is charming. There's also a beautiful mural of River North on the outsideside of the bakery. Yes, the cookies will run you over $5 each, but they're totally worth the taste and quality!
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Colette S.

Yelp
All I can say is OMG. These cookies are so yummy and gooey and warm and just darn delicious. Just warmed a small piece from yesterday that I couldn't finish and it was still just as good. I will be dreaming of these back home !!!! The double chocolate chip was my favorite but the family said they loved their dark chocolate chip peanut butter. Either way - come get some .
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Arshad H.

Yelp
Levain Bakery, established in New York City in 1995, has garnered national acclaim for its signature oversized cookies, particularly the decadent walnut chocolate chip variety. Their recently opened downtown Chicago location caters primarily to the take-out crowd, offering a communal bench for a quick rest, but no tables for lingering. Intrigued by the seasonal offerings, I opted for the lemon cookie ($5.75). While on the pricier side, this treat delivered a delightful textural contrast: a crisp outer shell yielded to a satisfyingly chewy interior. The generous inclusion of white chocolate chips offered a welcome touch of sweetness, perfectly balanced by the vibrant lemon flavor. This cookie struck a masterful accord, avoiding excessive saccharine overload while remaining undeniably delicious. In conclusion, Levain Bakery offers some of the finest cookies I've encountered, guaranteed to sate even the most discerning sweet tooth. Be prepared for a slight premium on pricing, but the exceptional quality justifies the indulgence.
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Sydney S.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try a Levain cookie since it went viral online a few years ago, and when I saw they were in Chicago I had to try on my visit! The bakery is small, truly just a counter to order and a snake for the line. We came mid-afternoon on a Saturday and it wasn't busy at all. There were tons of yummy options for cookies and other baked goods, plus coffee. We opted for the classic Chocolate Chip Walnut. The place runs a little pricey with the cookie being about $5-$6, but I really wanted to give it a try. It was deliciously gooey, rich and warm. I'm glad I shared it with someone because I couldn't have finished it - and it definitely needed to be eaten warm. However, I do feel like this flavor really just tastes like a Double Tree cookie. I'd like to try some others. Only other downside was there's no seating anywhere near this location other than one bench that was taken. We ended up trying to walk and eat our cookie which was a bit messy.
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Nina H.

Yelp
I went for the cookies and I have to say, Levain is on my top 3 for store bought cookies. As of March 2024 the cost for most cookies are $5.25 excluding tax but for the taste and size it's definitely worth it. The cookies are big and I made 2 servings out of one. Due to the lack of parking, my husband dropped me off so he never went in. When we got home and unboxed our haul, he had one look at the goods and he was like, "Holy Hell! WTF is this? These aren't cookies babe. These are cookies on roids and they look more like scones!" Because of their hefty size expect calorie shock as I'm sure the calorie count is near 1000 per cookie. They also sell additional items like bread, pastries and coffee. That being said their other tempting items may require a second trip. They keep popular signature staples on their menu like their Chocolate chip walnut. If Chocolate chip walnut is your jam, I highly recommend it. Aside from that, they rotate their menu and offer a seasonal item. When we went their featured cookie for Spring 2024 was their Lemon white chocolate chip. They don't have a parking lot and if you're lucky to find a metered space nearby, I would snag it. The day we went, we could not find a space so my husband dropped me off while he waited in the car. I had six people ahead of me but the line moves swift. The whole ordeal got me out the door in under 10 minutes. If you can't drive out they have an online shop where they can ship cookies across the US for an additional fee.
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Mason R.

Yelp
Levain is just what I want from a bakery. Hearty, authentic, and delectable. The chocolate chip walnut cookie is extremely tasty. Perfect ratio of batter to chocolate chips and walnuts. Big enough to share! The team is super relaxed and helpful. The shop itself is clean, classy, and has lots of selections.
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Nhung D.

Yelp
Love the fact that there's a Levain Bakery in close proximity to me! It's located in the heart of River North so you know the vibes are popping there. I have a sweet tooth so every so often, I'll have a craving for a GOOD cookie and Levain always satisfies that craving. My husband and I will take walks towards this bakery when we know I have a sweet tooth craving so that we can each buy a cookie and have a great late night snack. Their hours are decent so if you want a cookie/bakery item at 8-9pm, they'll be open! Every time we've gone to this location, the service is great and there's not really a line so I'm in and out of the shop in less than 5-10 mins! We recently ordered the two chip chocolate chip cookie and the caramel coconut chocolate chip cookie - both were great and delicious! I'm not a huge coconut fan so I was pleased to find out that the coconut in the latter cookie was not too overwhelming and still devoured it! Wish I took photos of the cookies but they were obvi eaten in seconds! We've never been disappointed with our visits and will continue to frequent this bakery whenever we have a sweet tooth craving! Highly recommend :)
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Cam S.

Yelp
The best cookie that ive ever had. I had the walnut and chocolate chip cookie. I dont think you should dream about a cookie after trying it one time. Staff was friendly and service was fast. The bakery is small store front that is cute and clean.
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Shay B.

Yelp
Big. Fat. Ginormous cookies. I've been missing out and wanted to try Levain for a while now. The service team was helpful and the store is beautifully decorated. I purchased a few different flavor combinations, while my daughter tried the lemon loaf. I was disappointed by nothing! And they were warm! A warm cookie! I was appalled I didn't have a cold glass of milk. The prices are expensive, $5.25 per cookie to be exact; but it's not something I would eat often. But I do plan to return next time I'm 'round the way.
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Malisa R.

Yelp
Warm, gooey giant cookies in the heart of Chi town. Who doesn't love a giant cookie?! Super friendly individuals that greet you when you enter. My friends tried the original chocolate walnut and I got the double dark chocolate. Their cookies looked amazing! My cookie didn't have the same warm, gooey center like my friends. I would come back and try the original just for that warm chocolate chip center. This cookie was giant!! You could share, but I didn't! So goood!
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Serina L.

Yelp
I thought it was going to be overhyped, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this cookie was!! It was still warm too. Slightly crunchy on the outside, soft and chocolatey on the inside. The line moved quickly too which was a bonus! The inside was small and cute, and of course, smelled like freshly baked cookies!
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Leigh M.

Yelp
Stopped in for a morning treat at levain. The person working the counter didn't seem very happy. I got the cinnamon brioche and my friend got the chocolate chip brioche. They have good flavor but we both agree they would be better if they offered to warm it up. Although it wasn't a very exciting experience I do plan to go back and try some cookies. Maybe the next review will be a more positive experience.
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Hamid A.

Yelp
A great option for a quick breakfast, lunch, or even just a treat. The bakery items were so many and they were so tempting. Will stop by again to try different options. The dessert options like the cookies looked so good. The place smelled so nice. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
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Eddie U.

Yelp
I love your cookies. They are delicious and enormous. I love your lemon cookie as your newest addition as my favorite now.
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Heena C.

Yelp
At Levain, simplicity reigns with a menu that delights, service that's swift, and cookies that are simply divine, infusing every bite with pure joy. What began as a quest for one cookie led to a delightful exploration of five distinct flavors. Among them, the dark chocolate chocolate chip emerged as a personal favorite, blurring the lines between cookie and brownie with its lusciously gooey texture, comforting warmth, and decadent melted chips. Nestled within walking distance, the ambiance exudes warmth, promising a serene escape. My next visit will surely include a sampling of their artisanal breads and aromatic coffee, elevating the experience even further.
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Melissa Z.

Yelp
Came here twice on my 3 day stay because I love Levain! Cookies are the best. I also grabbed a coffee and chocolate chip brioche. The brioche was heaven and enjoying by the riverwalk was an amazing morning!
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Fancypants X.

Yelp
Levain, we meet again, but this time in Chi-Town! Always a treat to see a familiar face on my travels! Levain is doing its best to summon sunny Spring weather with its yellow & white window display & limited edition flavor -- Lemon Cookie ($5.75)! The white chocolate chips offset the fragrant & barely-tart flavoring nicely. A departure from most of their other cookies which contain semi-sweet and/or dark chocolate chips. After lunch I had a Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie ($5.25.) I loved the half I ate right away, warm & gooey straight out of the oven, as much as I loved the other half that got crunchy as it had a couple of hours to cool & set. I took an assorted box of six home to share the joy; Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip ($5.25) has become a household favorite. The best edible souvenir!
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Remi W.

Yelp
An absolute must!!! All levain locations are delicious. I've tried a couple of their items but the two chocolate chip cookie is definitely the best item on the menu. Their loafs of bread are good as well and I recommend the ciabatta. The cookies are definitely big enough to share between two people and definitely more than enough to suffice two people.
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Jennifer M.

Yelp
I'd say these cookies are probably the best cookies you can get next to homemade. We tried four different cookies because we couldn't decide. Chocolate chip, double chocolate, coconut caramel, and the fall cookie. 10/10 The coconut caramel was probably my favorite. Not overly Sweet with just the right amount of coconut. 9/10 double chocolate - yummm! If you're a chocolate lover this cookie is for you!! I found it to be the softest one also. 8/10 chocolate chip- this one had too many chocolate chips in it IMO. Think of Gideons cookies. (Ifykyk) 8/10 fall cookie - perfect if you love pumpkin/ fall flavors ! Not overpowering with pumpkin. This one has the perfect amount of chocolate chips and sweetness! I love that these cookies aren't overly rich or greasy. They are almost like a hearty cookie that leaves you feeling satisfied after eating only half!
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Jessica S.

Yelp
I tried the lemon bread and banana chocolate chip bread. Lemon was ok. The banana was very bland. Chocolate chip cookie was good. The oatmeal raisin cookie was very bland. I prefer L.A. Burdick.
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Paul H.

Yelp
Had seen this bakery in the West Loop area and ran across the River North location and popped in. Incredible selection of yummy looking baked goods are available. It was my first time here so I selected the Banana Chocolate Chip cake and the Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip cookie. Both choices were excellent - cake was so moist and not too sweet and the cookie melts in your mouth. So I've been to Chicago a few times now but just ran across this business. Will need to see if they ship so I can get another fix !
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Daniel L.

Yelp
Like a normal person, I first learned of Levain Bakery through the relatable eyes of Arthur James Seuss in Becky Albertalli's What If It's Us, since Arthur was so lovingly drawn as a three dimensional character. I have to assume as well as she did portraying the magick of Levain in the book (as well as at least mentioning, if not reviving, the old classics of Waffle House, ferris wheels, and Elliott Smith from the Simon-verse), she gets something like a dollar off of every sale of "the double" at Levain locations since she has sent so many new fans into one of the stores in NYC and other real cities that host a spot since 2018, including now two in Chicago, with this as the new one and the older one on the West Loop. Levain ostensibly fits into the picture as being luxury without being snooty. It is a $5 cookie with a cult following in several major cosmopolitan cities. But you also have the haters who think the cookie is too large (what backwards planet are you people from?) or a myriad of other absurd complaints like this cookie didn't beatbox on your soundcloud album or do your taxes correctly. On the Upper West Side regular people can wait 20+ minutes in a line for "the double" without thinking twice about it. That is basically the kind of customer base that lu-lemon (I have summarily revoked the second lu for them making me order size XS and the shorter length pants so they get to dunk on me twice but not thrice, I will not be taking questions at this time), Aesop, and peloton pine for in the marketplace these days. Since my 5am flight was actually on time (I had not expected it since I am averaging ten flights per month on bidness this year and averaging less than one of them per month actually landing on schedule) I was able to visit this location while it was still early in the morning since they open at 7am. There was only one couple in front of me who walked into a bakery and seemed to have no idea what Levain sells or what they wanted, which was just weird. If you are here early in the morning on a whim, positively having no idea what this place sells or what you want, maybe just hang back a second and let a real thug pull up and order his cookies. Or maybe these are the famous cryptids you hear about that wander in to the city from elsewhere and try to blend in like real humans, but have difficulties in doing so since bakeries are naturally confusing to cryptids. This store has a small footprint with the actual bakery taking up most of it. No tables and chairs, but a windowsill near the napkins you can make short work of if you must eat your cookie before leaving the premises for one of two reasons: (1) the wife can't smell cookies on your breath again or this marriage is splitsville so you need to eat the cookie here, then down a tin of Altoids on the walk home so nobody is the wiser or (2) you are concerned, not without some reason, that the cookie will sprout eyes and legs and demand to be called Susan if you get too far down the road with it still intact. "The double" is the cool nickname for their most legendary offering, but the trade name is the two chip chocolate chip cookie if you must be formal about it. I took glamour shots of the cookie before devouring it so you get an idea of size (I was travelling sans-banana because of what happened in Budapest so no banana for scale) but she is a full figured lady, she takes up space. The chocolate is gooey and it goes everywhere, so be ready with napkins no matter how fastidious you are, or are not. The middle is so squishy and delightful, it is absolutely the best part so break through the edges to get to where you need to be. On a sweetness scale of 1-10 this is a 5. But taste, flavour, the salty, the sweet, it all comes together like magick. The double was my breakfast as I walked around River North and back into the central loop. This has an ideal location to be a block away from both a Starbies and one of the only recreational dispensaries in the area. It is less than a 10 minute walk to the river from the front door, and then another less-than-10 minutes further to the bean in Millennium Park (which is currently in jail behind a construction fence - some kind of Sumerian harvest god summoning spell gone wrong?) so you can get to a lot of the cool stuff in town on foot with cookie tucked tenderly into the crook of your elbow. The caramel coconut was saved for later for dinner on the way to the UNited Center for the Blackhawks game. I was hoping this baddie was going to be more caramel than coconut, but it was mostly coconut. While "the double" was a 5 on the sweetness scale, this one was more like a 10 or 11. It was fun to try since this was originally a limited time offering but due to popularity got promoted into the full time menu. So if you are new to Levain and not looking for the sweetest thing you have probably ever had, you will want to look more towards "the double" than this one.
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Jenna C.

Yelp
I was excited to try this newest Chicago location of Levain in River North, and was not disappointed. I went mid-afternoon and was delighted to find how many baked goods options they had - we're talking whole loaves of bread, we're talking scones, muffins, brioche, and we're talking their pièce de résistance - the cookies! This visit, I was feeling the caramel coconut chocolate chip cookie ($5) and a slice of the pumpkin ginger spice cake ($4.75). I'm a big fan of coconut, so I liked this cookie flavor better than their chocolate chip walnut, however the inside was not just gooey, it was straight up underbaked. The cake slice was tender and flavorful and perfect for fall. Similar to other locations, the bakery is clean and cute. The interior is small, without seating, so you must take your goodies to go. No designated parking lot, just street parking, but service was friendly and efficient so I was in and out in no time :)
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Cindy M.

Yelp
Came here after dinner because of the hype! I only ordered the double chocolate chip cookie. It came out still slightly warmed. Service was friendly. I had the cookie a little later. I enjoyed that the cookie was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The name holds up pretty well since there are so many chocolate chips! It was quite sweet for me, but I can see why it's so hyped. The cookie is definitely shareable and would be best eaten warm, with a glass of milk (or alternative dairy of your choice)!
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Jenny C.

Yelp
I was so excited to try this place! Their cookies are as good as people say, and the line wasn't long when I came! The ambiance is very cute with a small line indoors with no seating. It's a perfect spot to pickup a box of cookies and enjoy your dessert outside. The chocolate chip cookie was one of my favorites!
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Suzanne D.

Yelp
Upon entering Levain's Bakery, the aroma is nothing short of intoxicating, setting the stage for a delightful culinary experience. The array of tempting baked goods in their display case is a feast for the eyes, presenting a challenge when it comes to decision-making with so many exceptional choices. Opting for a slice of the chocolate chip banana loaf and a baguette with butter and jam proved to be excellent choices. The chocolate chip banana loaf stood out with its moist and flavorful profile, while the baguette, adorned with rich and salty butter, created a delicious interplay with the generous amount of jam. To accompany the delightful pastries, I indulged in a drip coffee and an iced vanilla latte. While the coffee proved to be solid and satisfying, the latte erred on the side of excessive sweetness. The charming and pristine space, exclusively offering carry-out options, added to the overall positive experience. The friendly and efficient staff further enhanced the visit, making it a quick and enjoyable stop at Levain's Bakery.
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Christina D.

Yelp
The smell when you walk in to this store is amazing! Tried the coconut caramel choc chip cookie & it did not disappoint. Ate it for dessert across three nights since it is so sweet and good size
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Jessica S.

Yelp
I stopped by for an early morning cookie after noticing Levain opened up a location in River North. This was my first time trying them and the cookie was super warm, with tons of melted chocolate chips. The staff was really friendly and I got my cookie fresh out of the oven!
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Cheryl W.

Yelp
I really don't know what the hype is about with these cookies. They are giant cookies which means they have to baked longer and in turn are dry and over baked. I had the double chocolate chip and the coconut chocolate chip cookies. I highly recommend having a glass of milk when eating these cookies. The staff was fast and efficient. No problems there. The line moves fast. Maybe I'll come back and try some of their other items.
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Carmen R.

Yelp
Stopped here after Mother's Day brunch to take some cookies back home. The cookies were a bit pricy, but did not disappoint. I will go back next time we are in the "Windy City" Sorry, no photos because they were eaten quickly
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Alla K.

Yelp
I think I'm ruined for sweets for life now... These cookies and treats are SO. TASTY. My husband and his sweet tooth decided to order a whole bunch of goodies, including the PB/chocolate, chocolate chip, and chocolate chip/coconut cookies and banana bread. All were fantastic - the chocolate chip/coconut cookies were some of the best I've tasted in a hot minute. Caramelized on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The peanut butter one was delicious as well. I'm not a huge banana bread person but can still acknowledge that this was very well-made and tasty. Will be coming back when the sweet tooth hits next!
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Ashley H.

Yelp
You know it's a great day when you're strolling along and suddenly stumble across a brand new outpost of the famous Levain bakery! In addition to a drool-worthy array of signature cookies, the display case boasted a host of other pastries including pound cakes, bomboloni, and scones. I opted for the seasonal fall spice cookie this time around, which contained large chunks of chocolate in a gingerbread base. It was fresh and absolutely delicious, with a gooey inside encased in a crispy exterior. At the original location in NYC, the cookies are served warm with extremely satisfying melted chocolate chips, so I was a bit disappointed that the cookies are served cold here. Notwithstanding, this is a very welcome (if not dangerously delicious) addition to River North, and I look forward to the next visit!
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Lisa L.

Yelp
The staff were really nice! We tried several items such as the chocolate chip cookie, oatmeal cookie, banana chocolate chip bread and the chocolate chip brioche. The size of the slice of banana bread was huge. Everything was delicious. The cookies were still warm. Will return!
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Jose G.

Yelp
I'm only reviewing the cookies, which is very decadent. Each cookie is so plump and have very fresh ingredients, which is probably why it's pricey. Well, also since it's in downtown Chicago. Anyway the service was pretty quick and the staff was very welcoming.
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Jessica M.

Yelp
These were good but not what I was expecting. I was expecting a huge, gooey cookie. Instead, they have a crunchy outside with a warm center that is not really "gooey" like you'd normally see in a cookie, but rather big and fluffy like the center of a muffin. It's good and I see why people like it, but I think I prefer something a bit softer. Still worth trying at least once though!
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Sheyenne H.

Yelp
Then I saw people pickup a packet. They were giveaways! I also took one not knowing what's inside. It was still warm and in it was the largest and thickest chocolate chip cookie I'd ever held upon. I took a bite and it was sublime! Not too sweet even the chocolate chip. Because of this I'm going to come back to get that again.
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Leslie S.

Yelp
Levain Bakery never disappoints! Every time I'm near a Levain Bakery there's no question if I will be getting cookies from them. We are long time fans of Levain. This location was not busy so we ordered immediately. We ordered the two chip chocolate chip, caramel coconut chocolate, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, and lemon. The lemon cookie is seasonal and this was our first time having it. It was so good! It was lemony, zesty, and had sweet lemon chips in it. I enjoyed this flavor more than I expected since I am a chocolate lover. The other flavors that we had are our favorites so they were absolutely delicious, as always! I love that when you get the cookies they are slightly warm so the chocolate chips are a little bit melted. The cookies are big and dense so we usually have a few bites and are able to savor them over a few days. Levain has some of the best cookies and these cookies are unlike any others you can find.
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Dakota T.

Yelp
I tried Levain for the first time in NYC last year and unfortunately I was not impressed at all... Though given the hype I did feel like I needed to give it another shot and their dark chocolate chocolate chip cookie redeemed them! It was full of flavor, decadent and not too sweet at all. I love how there's a substantial crust on the top while having it be soft on the inside. Yum!
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Koury K.

Yelp
Tried the cookies; very good, but do not live up to all that hype! Bloggers are depicting them like the ultimate cookies! It is not true. They are just good cookie, nothing more.
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Vincent L.

Yelp
This is a nice little bakery spot. Everyone there was nice and helped us through our decisions in what to get. The double chocolate chip cookie is good but the stars of this place are the lemon cookie and the lemon cake. I might be biased because I am a fan of lemon, but those two items are top tier amazing. I will give the cookie a slight edge over the cake but you cannot go wrong with either one. Check this place out if you haven't already.
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Katie G.

Yelp
Quick service! Great cookies with chocolate chips that are melty as you rip them apart. Love the coffee cake as well! Clean place very organized
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Mira D.

Yelp
finally got to try the hyped up levain bakery cookie at the river north location in chicago! usually prefer thinner/crispy cookies but have been eyeing levain for awhile and i'm glad i tried it. location is new, pretty small interior for takeout. they sell some merchandise, cookies (ofc), and other pastries. service was friendly. // double chip chocolate chip cookie ($5.00) // cookie came out slightly warm (not warm to the touch, but inside chocolate chips were gooey). dark and milk chocolate chips. levain cookies are super thick and cakey. inside was a little undercooked (which personally isn't my thing) but there is an abundance of chocolate chips inside. definitely a decadent cookie, very sweet, but it still tastes good. one cookie is indulgent enough that i shared the cookie with another person and it was more than enough for me.
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Lawrence C.

Yelp
When I was in Chicago, I saw that this was pretty near one of the places I was eating at so I decided to check it out after. The store itself is pretty small and doesn't really have much seating, so the majority of people definitely get it to go. The line wasn't too long when I went, so I only waited a minute or so before I was able to order and get the cookie. I decided to try out their Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter cookie, and I have to say that this is probably one of the largest and most decadent cookies I've had. While it is pricy for a cookie, it also essentially is larger/thicker than a brownie and has a ton of flavor to it. The chocolate chips in it are thick, and this is definitely a very filling snack. Recommend checking out if you are a big fan of cookies!
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Doug W.

Yelp
Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to make that giant cookie instead of all the smaller ones and you found out that it just doesn't work because it doesn't bake properly? They don't remember or they remember but don't know that raw cookies aren't cookies, they're cookie dough. It's not like ordering your steak rare or ordering sashimi. Raw cookies are just not good food. Did you ever feel sick after eating too much raw cookie or cookies just out of the oven? There's a reason. I tried the double chip. These have no spread. Not enough vanilla or salt. Way too many chocolate chips. I want a cookie, more isn't better. It's not. While that may be a matter of debate, raw is not. The chocolate is average quality and these cookies weigh a ton. I got 1/2 way through and pitched it in the trash where it belongs. Smash them down a little before you bake them and let the flour cook through. I ordered a decaf americano. On the board it just shows one size. The server asked me small or large and said same price. Same price? She said they just add more water! OMG. Really? Seriously? So, they don't know how to bake and don't know anything about coffee. There's nothing left there to rate them upon. I said small. It's the same amount of espresso beans so why would I want it watered down. Have you ever had a watery americano? Awful. I'm sure there are enough cookie newbies or stoned River North residents that will keep them afloat. It won't be me.
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Azeem Q.

Yelp
The Dark Chocolate was our favorite. After all the hype we drove over from our hotel while in town to give both the Chocolate Chip and Dark Chocolate a try and will say the Dark Chocolate was the best I ever had. The chocolate chip was good but not the best. The price was over $5 a cookie which is the most I've ever paid for a cookie lol.
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Vitalya R.

Yelp
Probably the best cookies I have had in a very long time! I have been craving them. It's small space so you can't eat them inside. But the cookies are worth it for me
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Taylor P.

Yelp
These cookies are amazing, however must be consumed within the hour or so to get the freshness of the cookie. I get the hype of this cookie store, however it's hella expensive! The ambiance was nice, pretty slow and I think the employees were surprised to see us come in as it was an hour prior before closing.