My eat healthy all day mindset cracked at about 7pm when I was hankering for something sweet. I pulled up Yelp and found this sweet little gem just a few blocks from my hotel- too convenient, I clearly caved. I stopped by to grab a still warm chocolate chip walnut cookie and it did not disappoint. It was very dense and large so, I stretched it over two days... it was lovely. You can smell their cookies down the street and the staff were friendly during my visit. I believe they have multiple locations throughout the city. Enjoy! read more

Levain Bakery is a worthy stop to make while in Chicago. Some of the tasty cookie flavors include Two Chip Cocolate Chip, and chocolate chip walnut. These cookies are the real deal - great taste and when fresh, they melt in your mouth. Cookies that have been taken home can also be reheated and still taste great. To heat up a cookie, put a damp paper towel over the cookie and heat up the cookie for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. read more

Wow! We tried the muffins, cookies and sour cream bread. Every crumb was unforgettable. I stopped in right when they opened and the place filled up fast. The small shop was bustling and organized. The guy that took care of me was low key but nice. I added to my order and he rolled with it. The price point is a bit high but worth it. read more

Smelled delish. Cookies so good and thick with such great ingredients. Def ask for warm the peanut butter one was hard. The others amazing. We ate from them for a day or 2. Lived the carrot cake one. So good !!! read more

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Levain bakery is the BEST when it comes to their cookies! They're super thick and chewy while also crispy on the outside. They have a bunch of seasonal flavors and each cookie is always a hits read more

Levain Bakery - Cookies - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

These are damn good cookies period. Quick and friendly service and delicious display case, worth the $6 per price tag! Get one (or 6). read more

Levain Bakery - Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped by Levain Bakery and tried the Oatmeal Raisin cookie and the Vegan and Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Walnut cookie. Both were delicious and had that perfect soft center that Levain is known for. The flavors were rich without being too sweet, and the texture on each was spot on. Service was friendly and the space looked clean and organized. A great stop if you want something fresh and satisfying. I would happily come back for more. read more

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Recently stopped by Levain on a late weekend evening to finally see what the hype was about, and it did not disappoint! We went with the Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookie. It may not be the prettiest cookie in the display case, but don't let that fool you. One bite in and it was gooey, warm, and perfectly moist. The best part? It wasn't overwhelmingly sweet, which made it dangerously easy to keep eating. The portions are massive, making it ideal to split (or not). I'll definitely be back to try their famous chocolate chip walnut cookie next time. read more

Levain Bakery - Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sincerely the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had. Warm, thick, chewy center, rich. Just so so good. I've been wanting to visit forever and finally made the time to go. I wish we had these in our area. It's worth the price tag, you've gotta try it. This location is a small shop in River North. Open til 11, so a great night cap after dinner or in between grabbing drinks. Very glad it lived up to the hype. read more

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Tried the Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip cookie and it did not disappoint. Super yummy. I love when a cookie has a lot going on and somehow all the flavors still work together. You get sweet, gooey, a little crunch, and that hint of saltiness from the caramel. Only thing is I wish it had been warm. It would've hit even harder straight out of the oven. I ended up eating half there and took the rest home to warm up. Highly recommend doing that if you're a warm cookie person. The space itself is really cute and clean and the staff was really friendly too. They helped me choose a flavor and were patient even though the line was getting long. Perfect little grab and go spot. Definitely coming back to try more flavors. read more

Levain Bakery - Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

While in Chicago we had to try Levain and let me tell you this cookies are so good! Such a cute and cozy storefront tucked away in the River North. The staff was very helpful when it came to pick a cookie since they had many options, I chose the chocolate chip walnut an my husband chose the caramel coconut chocolate chip. Ended up coming back a few days later and picked up a few for the trip home. Wish we had one in our city. read more

Levain Bakery - Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie & Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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super delicious. some salt would have been nice, but we got the chocolate walnut which was very good. Will definitely be back. read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recently I was on my way to an event and stumbled across Levain on Clark. I was more than excited as I usually have to go out my way to visit the Fulton Market Location. After the event, myself and I few friends dropped in and picked up a few cookies. (I got s'mores, double chocolate chip and chocolate peanut butter for the record.). We then went over to the river walk to sit down and enjoy them. I saved a few for my kids and hubby to devour at home. All were delicious and honestly can't choose a fav at the moment. I can't wait to come back! Levain is now my favorite vs the other wannabe cookie bakeries in the city! read more

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The two chip chocolate chip cookie was AMAZING. I was hesitant by the looks of it but looks are most certainly deceiving! read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sweets are my weakness and I am glad I found this spot! Walking from the Riverwalk, looking for a late night snack and yelp directed me here. The cookies are 10/10. Super doughy cookies but still light. I don't know how to explain it besides the cookies being sent from heaven! I ordered the walnut chocolate chip cookie and within every bite it was a perfect mix of walnuts and chocolate. While the cookies were heavy, each bite was light and full of flavor. The cinnamon butter brioche bun was just okay. Maybe it would have been better heated up but I still enjoyed it! read more

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My first bite of the world-famous Levain cookie was in NYC years ago. I was surprised to see that Levain had a few locations in Chicago. I was in the area for a work event, and was happy that I could walk to this location downtown. I ordered for pickup, the double chocolate and the regular chocolate chip. Wish there was an option to have them warmed up a bit so those who want to enjoy them right away can bask in the warm gooeyness. Both were huge and exactly as I remembered. Thicc and flavorful. They were a little too sweet, I guess my tastebuds have changed since I was in my early 20's. The shop itself is cozy and small, not much room for anything. Most people purchase and walk out. Both workers were working hard, efficient and welcoming. Love the cute blue and white cookie sticker. read more

Levain Bakery - Double chocolate - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We gave up on breakfast at the hotel and came around the corner for a fresh blueberry muffin. Service was friendly, the bakery was immaculate and our muffin was warm and delicious. This was a great way start the day. read more

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My ultimate, favorite cookie in the entire universe!!! Nothing beats a Levain chocolate chip walnut cookie, even if it's $5.25 a pop. Worth. Every. Penny. The sweetness of the chocolate chips pairs well with the crunch of the walnut, and the outside is crisp, while the inside is chewy and gooey. Make sure you ask them to warm it up in the oven for you if you're consuming it right away! We also tried the caramel coconut chocolate chip cookie. It was delicious, but gotta always get the OG. There's really nowhere to sit and eat here, just a window ledge which can fit the bottoms of 3-4 adults. River North location opened up in fall 2023 and is the second Chicago location of Levain (the other in Fulton Market). In addition to the cookies available, there's a few baked items like bread and scones. Extensive coffee bar menu too. I'm drooling as I write this review. GO NOW! read more

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So happy to have a Levain Bakery in River North! After dinner, we treated ourselves to three cookies: Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Chip, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip. Even at 8pm they were still baking cookies, and selling them hot and fresh. I am still dreaming about the Caramel Coconut Chocolate chip. It was a perfect balance of flavors, and not too rich like the Dark Chocolate could be. So happy to see a vegan option as well! read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by during our Chicago vacation and enjoyed our experience! The cookies were delicious! We had to stop by again before our flight home, but needless to say, they screwed us on our order of the chocolate chip banana bread we found a screw after our first bite. So, beware of loose screws in their food! read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We like this place a lot. My wife loves the giant cookies with doughy centers, but I like the bread or pain au chocolat the best. Quick service even when there's a line read more

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I passed by Levain the other day and I knew I had to stop by for a cookie before leaving Chicago. Their cookies are thick, crispy on the outside while gooey and almost cake-like on the inside. The price may be steep for a cookie but they're pretty filling and can pass as a dessert. I got the oatmeal raisin cookie and I loved the subtle hints of cinnamon. I enjoyed every bite and was fighting with my husband for the last bite. read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After a mediocre, partly frozen dinner at Pasta Veneta, we fled in search of dessert. The walnut chocolate chip cookie, warm and gooey, was the perfect antidote! The line was long, but moved quickly. I would definitely stop by again. These also beat insomnia and cumbl. read more

These cookies are the best cookies in the world. Full stop, no modifiers needed. When i lived in NYC i loved when these cookies made an appearance in my office holiday gifts. Are they cheap? No. What they are though is delicious, perfect, thicc, satisfying, not too sweet, and addicting. I think of them often and im so happy i got to go to the bakery when visiting Chicago. In addition to four gigantic cookies, we got two HUGE slices of chocolate chip banana bread which makes every other banana bread ive ever had seem bad and pointless. Youre going to spend a fortune on baked goods and you will be grateful. read more

I was so excited to see Levain Bakery and give it a try as I've made the copycat version at home many times! I really enjoyed the cookies. They are unique, soft, thick and full of flavor. We actually returned a 2nd time during our visit to re-up. I also tried the banana chocolate chip loaf bread but did not enjoy that as much. Employees were friendly and willing to answer questions and make recommendations. read more

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Came in on a hot day for some refreshment. I had already had lunch. So a cookie and milk it was. Got the first cookie listed and some whole milk they poured into coffee cup. The cookie is delicious. It's soft while maintaining a good crunch. Chocolate has the right amount of melt. Store is small on the inside but there's an outside patio with seats. I prefer this cookie to the rival cookie chains taking the country by storm. read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved they have vegan options! This cookie was so good! It almost taste like a cake! The thickness and chocolate melting was worth it. I got 2! read more

My daughter and I stopped in tonight for the first time! I can't wait to go back already. We ordered a few yummy cookies, some chocolate milk and a gift for a friend. It was a Monday night.. we done street parking very easily and there was no line. The staff was helpful and very nice. It's a small space but was clean and tidy inside. read more

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Very small bakery, no inside seating. Cookies are good but at $5.25 per cookie, they are pretty pricey in my opinion. However, they definitely don't lack on the fillings and every bite you take is full of chocolate chips, nuts, caramel, or whatever kind of cookie ingredient. Cookies were very soft and chunky. Service was decent. The cookies weren't bad, but overall I think there are better mom & pop cookie shops in the city and can't say I'd come back here. read more

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Worth every penny. These cookies are so good. Had the original chocolate chip walnut and the double dark chocolate. Super good read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Finally got the chance to stop by Levain Bakery, and it was worth the wait! I visited during a quiet time, so there was no line, and I was able to order right away. I grabbed an Americano with milk for just $3--a great deal--and treated myself to their seasonal dark chocolate peppermint cookie. While I'm more of a savory person than a sweets fan, I wanted to try at least one food item. Keep in mind that their menu leans heavily toward sweet options, with limited savory choices. Also, there's no seating, so it's more of a grab-and-go spot than a sit-down coffee shop. That wasn't a problem for me, though, as I had planned to take everything to go. The coffee was fantastic--smooth and served at the perfect drinkable temperature. As for the cookie? Absolutely phenomenal! Even as someone who doesn't usually go for sweets, I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you're into sweets, good coffee, and quick, friendly service, Levain Bakery is a must-visit. I'm glad I finally stopped by and will definitely return! read more

Levain Bakery - Americano - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Chicago is on a roll 2nite! 1st a great dinner. Then I do a LONG walk to Levain's on a yelp suggestion. I had 1 Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie for $5.25 & 1 Lemon Cookie $5.75. The ket & no sugar diet took a beating! No regrets. I fast for a few days now. This is as good as a bakery cookie can be. Moist but with good chew & texture. Real chocolatey. Real lemony. I travel a lot. My city of San Francisco claims many great bakeries. Levain EASILY is top tier. Good service too. This is an easy 5. read more

Stumbled upon this place and there were so many options! I've tried the cookies here before and they're delicious so I wanted to try something different. The service was a bit lacking as the workers weren't very attentive to me but that's to be expected in a place like this. I got the banana chocolate chip slice and it was tasty! The slice was pretty thick and had the perfect ratio of banana to chocolate. It was also pretty affordable at $5 a slice. I would get this again if I'm in the area! read more

Levain Bakery - Banana Chocolate Chip Slice - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is one of my favorite cookie spots. I love all the flavors and also get it warmed up to eat on the walk home. I did recently try the gluten and vegan cookie and I wasn't impressed. It had a strong flour taste and very flaky cookie. Everyone here is friendly and helpful and fast service. It's a small place but clean and open. read more

Service was impeccable, the melanated gentleman was so helpful. The cookies were 7/10 muffin was 9/10 and the lemon cake was about 6/10. The vibe was so welcoming and warm. read more

I spied that Chicago had a Levain and knew I had to make a stop by for their crave-able cookies. We bought one of each that they had on display (minus the double chocolate as I found this to be a little too decadent for my taste). We tried the Oatmeal Raisin, OG Chocolate Chip Walnut, (new) Lemon and a Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip. Everything was divine! I can't say enough about how much I love these cookies. They've got a perfect edge crust and are like little mountains of cookie gold. Could I say, they're almost fluffy on the inside? I've no idea how they do what they do, I've tried cookies wherever I go and nothing beats Levain. Service was quick, and it's good to note that there's no seating inside, it's a grab and go type of place. read more

I have now gone to both locations of Levain in Chicago. Both locations have basically the exact same things although I think this location stays open a little longer since it's in a more touristy area. For Mother's Day/30th anniversary of the bakery chain, they had these super cute tin boxes you could buy. They also have a seasonal lemon cookie rn. It's pretty yummy but the oatmeal raisin is just too superior here My favourite here is still the oatmeal raisin cookie. The fresh Levain cookies have a texture no other place can compare with a crispy outside but buttery soft inside. The oatmeal raisin is the perfect amount of sweet (i think their 2 chip choco chip cookie is too sweet). I also finally got to try a banana bread. I went in the afternoon here and they were already almost out. (In NY I've never been able to get my hands on them). It was super moist and soft with tons of flavour. It also had choco chips in it which is a little different than the one I make at home with raisins and it was yummy! read more

Levain Bakery - Lemon cookie - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love the sweet sweet of the bakery when you first walk in. We went midday so it wasn't busy at all and everything was quick. The cookies were so warm. We tried the caramel coconut one for the first time. It was oozing with caramel and you def can taste the coconut, not actual coconut pieces though (but that would be a nice touch) we tried the lemon one again, it's okay. Our favorite is still the choco chip walnut one. We actually ordered one of their walnut sticky bun. It's so good! I love this place. So glad they came to Chicago T-T read more

Levain Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We come here on the reg, mostly for their coffee when we run out of grounds for our machine at home. My girls favorite is their lemon cookie which is a seasonal item from what we understand which is a bummer the amores and chocolate chip cookies are good too, but it's the lemon one that hits the spot. The place is typically packed, but the service is great. The place is small, but always clean and they are quick to take care of you. read more

Hiii new fan here! I didn't want to cave to the hype but I must say, the oatmeal raisin cookies and two time chocolate chip cookies are the bomb diggity! Yes they are almost $6 each but I'm here to tell you it's a sweet little treat you won't regret getting into your belly. There's a reason why there's almost always a line. Don't catch FOMO, you need to check it out if you're in the neighborhood. While you may not be able to walk in and be capable of resisting the heavenly scent of their cookies and muffins, I can honestly say Levain's freshly made country baguettes are the best in the city. Crispy but not hard and just perfect to make a deli sandwich or toast up for a snack sized bruschetta plate at home with your favorite fixings. It's almost dangerous Levain is so nearby and stays open til 10pm which is quite late for a bakery. Going to call out this is pretty much a grab n go spot which totally works for me. Also the gals behind the counter are so cheerful. Love it. read more

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