Sweets & Treats in Los Feliz

All the Sweetest Spots in LA’s Los Feliz

This is the first of my hyper local guides. I live in Los Feliz, and it is a great neighborhood. Not often visited by tourists who come to Los Angeles, it has a very locals-friendly vibe to it. It’s not uncommon for me to run into friends while on my way to get coffee or go to the movies, and it’s the kind of place where locals chat and build connections at a coffee shop or bar. Even if you don’t want to make a day of it, and just want to stop for a treat after visiting Griffith Park or on your way to the Greek, this guide is for you.

One of the things Los Feliz has in abundance is great ice cream and baked goods, and I want to encourage you to come to my neighborhood for a cone or a cookie.

Jeni’s

This ice cream shop on Hillhurst was the beginning of the new wave of Los Feliz ice cream when it opened in 2015. A transplant from Ohio, this spot marks Jeni’s first foray into Los Angeles. Their flavors are imaginative and delicious. You can’t go wrong with their Brown Butter Almond Brittle, but they have a constant rotation of seasonal and special flavors too.

Alcove

One of my favorite spots for a whole host of things - brunch, cocktails, and desserts - they have a prodigious bakery display case filled with cake, cheesecake, chocolate chip brioche bread pudding (can you tell it’s a favorite?), cookies, and more. Their slices are generous, and can easily be shared if you’re feeling generous yourself. If not, there’s nothing like leftover cake for breakfast, amirite?

Ample Hills

The first West Coast location of the Brooklyn-based ice cream maker, it’s located in a repurposed Craftsman house. There are frequently rotating special flavors, and Marvel-themed pints in their freezer. The seats and games outside make it a great spot to go with a group or a family.

Stamp

It’s a café, but the dessert case makes it a great place to grab something sweet. They have good gluten-free and vegan options, for those whose sweet tooth come with restrictions. It’s hard to pick just one dessert, at least for me, and I’m glad it’s a place I can return to for desserts and full vegetarian meals too.

Little Dom’s Deli

Tucked into the North side of Little Dom’s is their Italian deli. They have the savory dishes one might expect - sandwiches, meats, olives, oh my! - but it’s their olive oil cake that brings me in on my morning neighborhood strolls. The deli keeps shorter hours than the restaurant, so get your cake or cookies before 6.

Tuesday’s Sweet Shoppe

This candy shop is beautiful and stocked with treats both expected and not. I didn’t know I needed chocolate covered caramel popcorn until I found it in one of the many drawers of candy lining the space. It’s a little more upscale than the candy bin at the grocery store (do those still exist?), and their curation guarantees delicious choices.

Figaro Bistrot 

Another spot that’s primarily a café, but their pastry case can’t be ignored. As the stalwart French bistro in Los Feliz, they’ve made a selection of French treats a staple of their restaurant. I have been known to slip in on my way home to pick up a macaron or napoleon from their case. Don’t be intimidated by the host stand - people grabbing a pastry to take away is de rigueur.

Café Los Feliz

Recently expanded, Café Los Feliz was a bakery with a bustling breakfast trade, and now it’s a breakfast spot with a great bakery case. They have a wide variety of filled croissants, and I love their mini pies. In the Autumn I take advantage of their pecan pie to enjoy my favorite Thanksgiving dessert all Fall long.

Butter Cake Shoppe

This cake shop is mostly devoted to special order treats from birthday cakes to hand pies for a party, but they offer a selection of goods to walk in customers. Their cakes in a jar, macarons, and cookies are excellent. They may be moving down the street to Virgil Village, but they’ll still be in the area for your special order or quick sweet pick-me-up.

There are places I loved that have closed in recent years, or stopped selling desserts, and I miss them all. Write and let me know if I missed your favorite, or tell me what you think if you try one of my recommendations.