Levain Bakery

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.

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!

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.

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.

There's nothing wrong with cookies. I think it's just ordinary. I don't get the hype of this kind. Overpriced for cookies and I don't feel special about it. No name bakery will probably have the same thing with less price. One more thing, you spend a lot of money for these cookies without seating for customers. I just don't get it.💁💁💁💁

I absolutely loved the store’s design and ambience—it was such a cozy and inviting spot. The cookies were huge, perfectly chewy with a crisp edge, and the chocolate inside was wonderfully gooey. We tried the Two Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Caramel Coconut, and the Banana Chocolate Chip Bread. Each flavor was delicious, but my personal favorite was the Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip cookie. If you’re ever in Chicago, this spot is a must-visit!!!

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!

Had to try what I heard was "the best cookie ever". A lot of the recent cookie places that I've tried leaned more into chewy soft cookies but I believe Levain has beautifully nailed the combination of crispy and chewy. I got chocolate coconut, chocolate walnut, fall chocolate chunk and oatmeal raisin. The chocolate coconut is delicious and tastes like an Almond Joy and a Cookie made sweet love. The chocolate walnut was deliciousy nutty, chocolately, and when I say nutty I mean like I bit into it and there was a whole walnut in there. Perfection. The oatmeal raising cookie had some big raisins in there- possibly the best oatmeal raisin cookie I have ever had in my mouth. There was no description for the fall chocolate chunk but it had a kind of orange hue to it so I figured it was a pumpkin type vibe. I was wrong-- to me it tasted more like apple and nutmeg but it tasted like eating the month of October. The cookies are HUGE-- like the size of my whole palm. I couldn't eat them all in one sitting-- they are so rich and filling. Definitely having milk/oat milk is a MUST. I am very impressed with these cookies and it's definitely a must try!

These cookies are simply too good! I'm feeling like maybe they should be outlawed. I'm just thankful. I only passed by once in a long while. These cookies are soft, cake like and delicious and you would never know that it is gluten-free. To my knowledge, the chocolate chip walnut cookie is the only one that is gluten-free. I have not tried the others, but they look equally delicious. They are a little pricey, but in my opinion worth every penny.

The West Loop location is located in a popular neighborhood and when we visited it was an hour before closing and there was a constant stream of people coming in. Ended up getting my favorite Two Chip Chocolate Cookie and a latte. I've been to several Levain through the country and gotta say, their consistency from store to store has always surprised me and no different here! Cookie was warm and the latte was good. Obviously can't compare to specialty coffee shops but it's solid. Friendly staff here as well.

Decadent warm cookies.... The cookies are huge they could be shared, but who would do that ? Good selection of cookies besides the chocolate chip with walnut, they also have chocolate chip without nuts depending on your preference. My Cousin got a really nice gooey chocolate cookie. what else could you ask for besides a nice glass of milk? The line goes fast. The shop is clean and perky .

Yes yes yes yes yes!!! Best cookies that I have had in such a long time that are not from your grandma's kitchen! Just thinking about them now makes me drool. I heard about the hype so I had to find out for myself to see if that hype was real. Yep! It's real! My fave cookie bakery at the moment. My fave is hands down the chocolate chip walnut cookie. The first time I sunk my teeth into that warm, slightly crunchy on the edges but oh so gooey and chewy in the middle cookie - I was in heaven. These aren't small cookies either! They are worth every ounce of that $5 that you pay for the one cookie. I had to try the chocolate peanut butter, the oatmeal raisin, and the coconut caramel. All so very good! The ambiance was very welcoming and everything was very bright. The service was great. It was my first time there and I had questions and the man attending to me was very patient and informative. I want to come here again and buy more! You should too if you haven't tried them yet!

I have been waiting to try these for years and living vicariously through copy cat recipes. I was so excited to be in Chicago for the day and to take home a full box of cookies to share!!! They are known for their chocolate chip walnut and their thick scone like style. There is a rotating flavor and they offer a Vegan/GF option. My favorite was the caramel coconut and the chocolate chocolate but all of them were phenomenal. Make sure you grab a napkin because you will have chocolate EVERYWHERE in the best way. Absolutely worth the hype. I'll be back on my next Chicago trip!

A few weeks ago, my husband and I happened to walk by Levain Bakery with some friends and decided to share a chocolate chip cookie. Wow, we were blown away! It was warm and gooey, with melted chocolate oozing everywhere--absolute heaven! Fast forward a couple of weeks, and we were having a date night at Sushi Dokku right across the street. We couldn't stop thinking about that cookie, so of course, we had to pop in again after dinner. This time, we got two chocolate chip cookies. The service was super fast, and as soon as we walked in, the smell of freshly baked cookies hit us--seriously, it was amazing! Now, here's the honest scoop on the cookies: I'm not a huge sweets person, but I was ready to tackle a whole cookie myself this time. It was delicious, but honestly, it was a bit too sweet for me. I think since I had a full cookie instead of half like last time, it felt overwhelming and left me really thirsty. I'd definitely get it again, but maybe split it or have it with some tea to balance out the sweetness. My husband saved his cookie for a late-night snack with milk, and while he loved it, he ended up with a tummy ache that night. Could've been the milk, who knows? Overall, Levain Bakery knows how to make an incredible cookie! Just keep in mind the sweetness if you're not big on desserts.

Levain cookies are always top notch. This was my first time in this particular location. It's super cute and the employee who helped me was really kind and sweet. I had to wait about 10 minutes for the cookies I wanted but that was okay - it meant I got a fresh one! I also picked up a super cute tote bag that the employee said was being discontinued (it was a location specific one). I will say though that while we were waiting two young children came in selling some candy. One of the employees (not the one who assisted me) was incredibly rude to these children. She acted like they were scum on her shoe. It was really sad to see. I bought a pack of gum from one of the kids, but was really disheartened to see how the employee treated them, making faces at them and refusing to speak to them and shooing them away with her hand. Above all things in this world, be kind. Levain cookies will always be 5 stars for the cookie, but that experience was a 0.

I have seen this spot on Instagram for awhile now, so when I saw they had a store in the west loop I wanted to go check it out. I do consider myself a sweets person, but I wanted to like this more than I did. Its a small store front with minimal seating out front. They are most famous for their thick cookies but also sell other things. I wanted to try both! I got the classic chocolate chip cookies, sour cream coffee cake, and cinnamon brioche. The cookies were good, but I guess I just don't personally prefer a huge thick cookie. The sour cream coffee cake was my favorite thing- this had a lot of flavor. The cinnamon brioche was my least- it was more bread than anything else and lacked flavor. Yes- I would try something else, but wouldn't rush to come back. Overall experience 3/5

This is a treat when I am in the West Loop and worth every penny! I can't help myself when I am here. I need to try all the new flavors. This week, they had the lemon cookie and lemon cake. I grabbed the hubby one of each as he loves lemon. Me, on the other hand, love's chocolate. They accept cash and credit card. You can purchase drinks which they have milk and I believe non-diary options. This best hands down one of my favorite bakeries, especially for late night treats.

Stopped by on a Saturday night around 9:30 and got the chocolate chip walnut (was also very tempted by the dark chocolate peanut butter but had some self restraint). There were a few people in line but it moved fairly fast. The cookie, while a bit pricey, was pretty big and I nibbled on it throughout the next few days (and it still tasted great after being stored in the fridge). I loved the soft yet dense texture, and there was a good mix of chocolate chips and walnuts. However, I will say it was a bit sweet for me. Definitely going to try other flavours next time I'm back in the states though! All the workers were very kind and I also loved the merch they had available for sale.

After all of the hype on social media, felt appropriate to give Levain a try! Got the sour cream bread, chocolate peanut butter cookie, chocolate chip walnut cookie, and the vegan chocolate chip. All were good, nothing was out did this world. Sour cream bread was the star of the show. Service was incredible, all staff very friendly and helpful. Bakery was clean, bathrooms were nice, would recommend, probably won't be back myself but that's always because I'm wanting to try new things!

Pricey but so good! Very doughy, ooey gooey cookies. Super sweet if you have a sweet tooth! Location is super cute with the friendliest staff always. They have no seating inside but some outside now! Allows dogs inside and will offer biscuits. Chocolate 2 chip is my favorite!

I don't typically crave desserts at any time of the day, but I decided to give Levain a try since my girlfriends were eager to go. I'm so glad I joined them! We tried the dark chocolate chip cookie and the lemon cookie, and both were decadent. The dark chocolate chip cookie was my favourite, it had small chocolate chips that melted in your mouth with each bite. The bakery itself is small, with minimal seating, so most people place take-out orders. Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend giving this place a try, you won't be disappointed!

I was in town for Cubs and White Sox games, which really means I was in town for the campfire milkshake on the south side. Despite the River North location being my favourite Levain location around the country, I am still working on visiting all of the Levain locations I have not yet been in at least once, so westward hoeing I went out to the West Loop. I am only ever this far west in the city for Blackhawks games at the UC, so this was an interesting expedition to a part of the city I had otherwise neglected and usually just uber in/out of to experience the majestic #98 (heart eyes emoji) in home games. Usually, I spend the vast majority of my time in Chicago in River North and further north when I am not living my best summer life with that insane $16 campfire milkshake at Guaranteed Rate Field whilst watching the White Sox play historically pathetic baseball. My first reaction to the street Levain is on here is that there is so much more car traffic and heavy foot traffic in this area than River North. It was impossible to discern if these were locals mobbing the area, or if this was tourists, until the selfys started and it was obviously tourists documenting their trip to the national chain salad/sandwich places a few doors down. Was a movie or teevee show filmed here on the street? I saw the plaque at the observation deck where they filmed Ferris Bueller, maybe I missed a scene on this street and/or the accompanying plaque to explain the sitch. But this was the Chicago that is as busy as NYC streets and sidewalks, which is a big difference from the Levain River North location. When I moseyed on in there was no line, certainly distinguishing that I was a man about town with a mighty fine hat knowing where to go to not stand in line since the salad/sandwich places had lunch lines out the door. This was my first visit to any of their locations around the country that there was not at least a bit of a line. I count on at least a person or two in front of me as I settle on what the unique "second item" I want to try to distinguish this location from all others in memory will be, in addition to my standard order of the double. "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. The young lady behind the counter gave me a second to inspect the case and settle on the cinnamon butter brioche. I tucked these into the tender crook of my elbow for what was effectively lunch on the go between Nicole Eisenman's incredible exhibition (cats and Marvel, I signed up for that!) at the MCA and the game up at Wrigley. The double was deliriously warm, gooey, and moist as it should be. The Levain playbook was followed to the letter to make this an incredible cookie experience. I was less exuberant about the brioche. It was dry, sad, and dull. Chocolate is a thing that has power in the Harry Potter books, and it may have similar power in the muggle world. I had chocolate on the brain at the time and this brioche was not chocolate, so I bear some responsibility for what I ordered that day. However, Levain is an incredible bakery and absent one small blip at the original location, had never put out an inferior or substandard product to my mouth. But this was, dare I say, supermarché quality, not the level of fabulosity I would have expected out of Levain. Was the double amazing? Yes. Is that what I order at every location to assess consistency? Yes. Should you order the double, or any of their cookies? Yes. Should you judge Levain solely on their brioche? No. Like a normal person, I first learned of Levain through the incredibly-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, which was so nice to have a loveable character enter the zeitgeist rather than the weltschmerz. 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), since 2018 she gets some impressive kind of royalty from my (and others') cookie purchases at five bucks a throw each visit. Since I added the "second item" (which is usually not a cookie!) to each visit that is my own twist on visits to Levain, and helps keep the memory of each visit distinct since my bloodstream is partially cookie at any given time so I make a lot of visits to Levain locations when I am on the road for bidness and/or pleasure in world class cities like Chicago, and (gasp) other cookie joints in cities that Levain is not yet posted up in. To whom it may concern: Khajiit has coin, open up a shop in Houston for your wares.

These cookies are decadent and DENSE! Just picking up one, you can tell how much each cookie weighs. My favorite is the classic Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie. The coconut equivalent was a bit too rich for me. Each cookie runs for about $6 after tax, so quite a big price tag. HOWEVER - I would recommend anyone tries Levain at least once if you have it in your city!

WOW- these cookies have single handedly made me ponder the meaning of life, want to be become a better person, and potentially quit my job to work full time under the aromas of toasted cookies and melted chocolate for the rest of my life...... But I digress, you should come check this out for yourself. If you're a dessert fiend like me, you won't be sorry you stopped in. Open late which is super convenient when you're looking for a sweet treat after a couple drinks hopping around the West Loop. There was still a decent sized line on a late Wednesday night when we came in, but the line moved quickly. I ordered two cookies, one Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip and the Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip. It was SO hard deciding which I liked better... both so unique in their own elements. But the caramel coconut was so different and addicting.. I'm still dreaming about it now. They are massive cookies, but stuffed full of all the good stuff. Crispy on the outside but melty and rich on the inside- it's my idea of the perfect cookie. There's also a bench outside this West Loop location, which was great to take a seat and sample these gorgeous monstrosities. Really glad to see they opened a Levain in River North too. I think this means Chicago is officially on the cookie map.

Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 I've had these Levain cookies ~20 times by now. I blame the fact that it's open until 11pm... Food: Thick, chunky, decadent, sweet cookies. Usually gooey center. They're hot 25% of the time I've gotten them. Chocolate walnut is their signature flavor, but the rocky road is so damn good. Their seasonal flavors are interesting--the fall cookie tasted like potpourri became a cookie. These cookies are quite sweet, but they're meant to be. The jam sandwich is underrated but so good. The loaf of nut cranberry bread I got once was a bit dry but good. Service: Friendly waitstaff. They'll refill ice in your drink on a hot day. Ambiance: A grab-and-go spot with a bench by the window.

Wanted to try this place because of the cute ambiance and the cookie aroma, but walked right out. The two employees were mute - my husband walked in and asked how they were doing but they just stared at him. No, "hello", "good, how are you." - literally mute.

Levain Bakery in West Loop Chicago undeniably serves the best cookies in town! Located in the heart of West Loop, this bakery has become my go-to-spot whenever I'm in the city. Having tried Levain Bakery's iconic cookies in NYC, I can confidently say that the cookies here are the same if not better. The cookies at Levain Bakery are generously sized, perfectly crispy on the side and warm/gooey on the inside. They're pretty sweet so pairing them with an iced Americano or Cold Brew from their drinks selection is the perfect balance. My personal favorite is the classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie, but they have a huge range of choices. They just released a Limited Edition Lemon Cookie, so I can't wait to try that next time I'm back. Despite the bakery's popularity, the line always moves swiftly and service is top notch. If you're ever in West Loop, Levain Bakery is an absolute must visit!

Levain was okay, and worth a stop since I had an appointment across the street. Cookies seem to be their big thing here, and the cookies are indeed quite good. They're pretty large, which they absolutely should be for $5 per cookie. I got a coconut caramel chocolate chip (I think it was called) and if I didn't know it was a cookie I'd have thought it was a savory biscuit! It was really good. I also picked up a baguette because when I'm at a place with baguette, I like to pick one up to freeze if I'm not having it that day so I can pull some out for when it's time for pasta. I thought it was going to take me forever to get through here but it only took a few minutes. This would be a special occasion bakery and not a destination one, as there wasn't anything too out of the ordinary and I don't go to a bakery just for cookies, but I'd stop here again if in the neighborhood.

Super clean and bright store front. The staff was very friendly and helpful during my first visit. I ordered a chocolate chip Brioche and a walnut chocolate chip cookie. Both are very large. The cookie looks like a scone. The outside of my cookie was rather "hard /crunchy" and the inside was very soft. Almost not fully baked. I gave 4 stars as the ingredients taste of great quality and the portion sizes are huge. But not 5 stars because I don't see myself purposely stopping often. Def tasty if you're in the area or craving something sweet.

This's our favorite cookie place in town, we usually stop by to get one whenever we go to west loop. Our favorite is the chocolate chip walnut, tastes even better when you get them while they're just fresh out of the oven, warm and gooey. This time around we decided to try the rocky road one, it's not bad, but not the best! The dark chocolate peanut butter is also good if you are a big peanut butter fan!! They also have small selection of bread, and other sweet treats.

Amazing sweets. Huge cookies from chocolate chip and walnut to coconut & chocolate chips, scones, sour cream coffee cake slices and so much more. Delicious!

The first few levain cookies I swore were some of the best I ever had! I still think levain does texture excellently. Most of the cookies I have had have been amazing - specifically the chocolate peanut butter one! A food blogger I love recently said her hot take is that levain cookies have no flavor other than the chocolate chips and I never understood it until my most recent experience. I ordered the walnut chocolate chip, which is apparently the classic, and found the cookie to be pretty underwhelming. Yes, there were a lot of chocolate chips and the texture of the cookie with the crunchy outside and soft inside was perfect, but the cookie seriously needed some salt! It was pretty bland other than the chocolate. 4 stars because I've enjoyed the other levain cookies I have had, but I don't think levain is the "best ever".

BEST COOKIES EVER. I am so happy that they have a spot here in chicago that I can go get the most amazing cookies that exist on this planet. Every single flavor makes my mouth melt.

Of course this place comes to Chicago right after I move out of the city. I've loved these cookies ever since I first tried them in New York many many years ago. They taste just as good. Maybe not as special and coveted anymore since it's much more accessible. The chocolate chip walnut is a damn good cookie and it's hard to beat. Make sure it's warm for the best gooey experience!

I skipped dessert across the street to come here. I'd never had a Levain cookie before this visit but of course had heard of them and their magic. The space stands out in Fulton Market because it's brightly lit, definitely different than most of the bars and restaurants around here. I ordered an original chocolate chip with walnuts and a dark chocolate with peanut butter chips. I took both home to share. I don't know if it was specifically the batch we had, but the original was a bit underbaked, which isn't my preference. It was a delicious cookie otherwise with plenty of chocolate chips and walnuts. The dark chocolate with peanut butter was baked more to my liking and less sweet than I expected, which was a nice surprise. I guess I'll just have to keep coming back to investigate the doneness of the cookies in a variety of flavors. What a difficult challenge ahead!

Just as good as the Levain Bakeries in NY. I am so glad that Levain has been expanding outside of NYC and sharing their delicious cookies! The cookies are huge and always perfectly crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside. They are quite sweet so they pair perfectly with some tea/coffee/milk. I love the classic chocolate chip walnut, but choose the type of flavor you are in the mood for!

This place seems to be busy no matter what time of day you go, but the staff is always great and quick! The dark chocolate chip is my favorite and tastes even better right out of the oven with small chocolate chips that melt with each bite. They also have a variety of other baked goods - cakes, breads, and scones, to name a few. Definitely worth a visit, even if you don't have a sweet tooth!

Love this place! Their cookies are amazing. $5 a cookie and they huge. Filled with all the wonder ingredients nothing is skimped here. I got the original and the same version in GF and vegan version to compare. The original was so the best. For the gf vegan version- the flour used was okay but I still enjoyed it.

My daughter's favorite NY cookie bakery! Quality/Quantity - We went out of our way to come here. I'm surprised my daughter did not buy more??? Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie - My favorite of the two, but then I am biased as I am not a very big chocolate fan. Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie - My daughter's first time trying and she says it might be her new favorite one. Other baked goods: Pound cake, scones, sticky buns, brioche, etc. Atmosphere - Small shop. Take-out only. Open bakery. They give out free postcards, as they do in their NY locations. All the merchandise is tailored to the specific location the Levain Bakery is in, so we saw a lot of West Loop, Chicago specific items. Service - Good. Price - $5 a cookie + tax; expensive, but I guess you have to pay for quality. Or pay to keep my daughter happy, LOL. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1995 with your 14 lo

I love this place! I've tried almost all of their cookie flavors and the chocolate chip walnut is my favorite! The cookies are definitely big and chunky but they're delicious! They had a seasonal lemon one in the spring that was also amazing I wish they had it year round

I was intrigued by this much-hyped bakery originating from NYC, and finally decided to check it out one evening. Located on Randolph Row, parking is pretty limited but this is a take-to-go kind of place anyway. The bakery is all open - you can see the bakers working away while waiting in line, and the inside decor has a warm feeling. I would consider the cookie selection to be pretty classic/traditional - during my visit, they had chocolate chip walnut (+ gf version), dark chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, 2 chip chocolate chip, dark chocolate pb, and caramel coconut chocolate chip. I went with the chocolate chip walnut for $5 and it was a hefty cookie - they load those babies up with goodness - crispy on the outside and half baked/gooey on the inside. The surprising delight though was their other baked goods - the cinnamon butter brioche caught my eye and I decided to grab one to go with my morning coffee the next day. Shaped like a long john donut, this sweet bread had an inside pocket full of cinnamon butter and was dusted with sugar on top. Yum! I will definitely be back to try more of their baked goods, especially since I see they'll be opening another location closer to my neighborhood.

It's insanely good. Obviously overpriced but I think it's worth a try at least once. The chocolate walnut is my favorite and I don't even like walnuts!

What's better than warm cookies and cold milk? Levain is what dreams are made of, and it's the perfect dessert. Or snack. Or meal. Or breakfast. I don't judge. Service was friendly and quick. Inside is small. but there's seating and I am happy and content with my milk and cookie. I shared a cookie, as they are on the large side...

Levain cookies are a little too rich for me but the texture is perfect! The chocolate chips are gooey and the cookie is chewy. Just wish there was a little less sugar!

chocolate chip cookie: 7/10 super cute! i would go back to try other flavors and just bc it's fun okay. honestly did not like the cookie that much but it was delicious, just not my preferred texture. it was very cakey which i just don't like but the quality of the cookie was good and i recognize that's it's a good cookie that i did not like i would maybe get another flavor or another treat but also there are so many cookies around here so if you also don't like cake texture then i don't recommend i really wanted to try here bc i see so many copy cat recipes so i thought it was america's #1 cookie. it is good but i'm still giving 4 stars, i'm so sorry levain bathroom etc.: no bathroom! you just walk in and order and leave, a few tables outside though. i ubered here so i am not sure about parking

Levain Bakery's West Loop location is a cookie lover's dream come true. The cookies here are not just big; they're massive, with a doughy texture that's absolutely divine. Walking into the bakery, you're greeted by the irresistible scent of freshly baked cookies. The display is a tantalizing array of giant cookies, each one a work of art. I opted for the classic chocolate chip, and it did not disappoint. The cookie was huge, with a crispy edge and a soft, doughy center that was pure indulgence. What sets Levain Bakery apart is the quality of their ingredients. The chocolate chunks were rich and melted in my mouth, and the cookie itself was perfectly baked, with just the right amount of sweetness. The service at the West Loop location was also excellent. The staff was friendly and attentive, adding to the overall pleasant experience. If you're in the mood for a truly decadent treat, look no further than Levain Bakery's West Loop location. Their cookies are a true delight that's worth every calorie.

9:30am on Sunday during a long weekend. There were plenty of staffs at the store, probably the store gets busier later in the day. There are only two seatings available outside the store so better not plan to sit down and enjoy the cookies unless the tables become available. It was not busy as it was early in the morning. Quick service. No issues at all. Can't go wrong with Levain Bakery cookies. They had a limited time only cookie, Rocky Road, so we had to get it. It was still warm as always and so good! Glad it's not close from where we live because that would be a problem!

Worth the hypeee! My only regret is that I didn't get more to bring one home. We stopped on the whim to try a cookie. Like wasn't too bad so we walked in. The smell was heavenly. I ordered the OG chocolate chip cookie. This cookie was as huge!! Fluffy and full of chocolate chips. They are very rich cookies so I only ate a few bites and saved some for the next day. Next time I come back to Chicago I'm getting me a whole box to take home! Lol

If you're wondering "is this as good as the real stuff in NYC?" yes, yes it is! Was so so happy to find a bite of Levain's chocolatey heaven here in the Midwest. We ordered a dark chocolate peanut butter cookie + a chocolate chip walnut cookie and neither disappointed. We also stepped out of our usual habits and ordered a loaf of bread to try and home which was also thoroughly enjoyed. We came on a Sunday evening a few hours before close but were happy to find all items in stock (there were dozens of trays of fresh baked cookies ready to be served). The line moved quick and we were in and out under 5 minutes. Seating is limited, no tables but a few window sills to sit on. There's also coffee other beverages for sale. A perfect cap to a birthday weekend celebration!

Levain makes large, wonderful, hearty, delicious cookies! They also make beautiful breads! This is a great place to stop in for a treat if you are in Chicago's West Loop!

After reading and watching videos about these cookies it was on our list to try when we go to New York. Surprise, surprise ..we are in Chicago and was looking for a dessert place and this came up on Yelp! Wow, we don't have to go to New York to taste these cookies in person. The smell of the cookies hit us right when we walked into the store and we were all drooling even after a heavy meal. We couldn't decide so we ending up paying over $60 for a dozen cookies and it was worth every penny. We tried many gourmet- Frankenstein cookies but this makes the best traditional OG flavour cookies we have ever tried.

It's a little too dry for me. The flavor is good for me and something about the overall cookie doesn't do it for me.

Located in the West Loop, I was impressed by the chocolate chip cookies. My friend didn't like it because it didn't have enough nuts but I like them. They offer breads with chocolate on them, but it didn't sound too appealing. I tried their banana bread, and it's not my cup of tea. I would definitely recommend them for their addictive cookies and friendly staff. The staff were not wearing masks.

The service and ambience is amazing. They were donating to my nonprofit organization that I work at that helps homeless youth, and would provide us with cookies for our youth drop in center on Chicago's Westside and Humboldt Park thank you. !!!!!

The chocolate chip cookies are terrible! Way too much baking soda and not enough salt. Not worth the hype

These cookies are so good! They are super rich and so thick and very gooey when served warm. Grab a cup of coffee, milk or hot tea to pair these cookies with. I have always wanted to stop here and so happy I finally got the chance while visiting Chicago. I purchased a bag coffee beans to go as well. The line moved fast. We were able to park on street.

I cannot believe there's a Levain in the midwest!! After a lovely dinner at Cabra, we walked over here. It's been a minute since I've been to an NYC bakery - I usually just order online. I was pleasantly surprised to find the increase in assortment - from breads to loaf cakes to pastries! I tried the limited edition Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie (gooey caramel chips, fresh shredded coconut and melty dark chocolate in a rich, buttery crispy-yet-chewy cookie that'll make you wish spring could last forever). I also ordered Lemon loaf cake because I had spring on my mind - it was so good. Really lemon-y, just tart enough with perfect texture and THICC cut! I enjoyed it so much that I stopped by on my way out of Chicago (DoorDash pick up - woot!)