pitchounbakery Archives

Circa’s Insider List of the Best French Bistros, Bakeries & Bars

Bastille Day is right around the corner, celebrating the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the birth of the French Republic. But the French connection goes deeper as the City of Light meets the City of Angels. Did you know that during the late 19th century, the French community in downtown Los Angeles was one of the most robust in Southern California, and French was the second most-spoken language in LA? Today, the French population in Los Angeles is represented by a fresh new wave of artisans, entrepreneurs, and restauranteurs who are making their mark on our culture and dining habits. From Parisian-style bistros and wine bars to delectable pastry shops – many close to Circa – get ready to find your joie de vivre in DTLA.

Le Petit Paris French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Le Petit Paris 418 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Celebrate Bastille Day with a special Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show and live DJ at Le Petit Paris. Housed inside the historic El Dorado Building, Le Petit Paris is the vision of Cannes-based restauranteurs David and Fanny Rolland. The 300-seat restaurant brings a quintessential brasserie dining experience to Downtown LA’s Historic Core. The restaurant is an architectural marvel, designed by the Rollands, featuring multiple skylights, two bars, a mezzanine level, and a large outdoor patio. During the daytime, Le Petit Paris provides a tranquil, bright venue, and at night it transforms into an upscale fine dining restaurant.

Kendall's Brasserie French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Kendall’s Brasserie 135 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Soak in the conviviality and energy of a lively French oasis. Located at The Music Center on Grand Avenue below the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Kendall’s Brasserie offers French cuisine with a California-flare, balancing beloved classic French styles of cooking with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal dishes. The recently reimagined space was inspired by mid-century French art and the cut paper of Henri Matisse, along with hidden nods to honor Kendall’s history and location, such as chandeliers from Stern Grand Hall in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and drawn curtains from the Ahmanson Theatre.

Mignon Wine Bar French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Mignon Wine Bar 128 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Mignon is a cozy wine bar in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ Historic Core. True to its name (mignon roughly translates to “small and cute” in French), this elegant little spot aims to be an oasis for anyone who is weary of the ubiquitous bar experience. Mignon specializes in small production, offering natural wines from all over the globe with an emphasis on the Old World, along with seasonal, rustic French cuisine, including small plates, and fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.

Air Food L’Appart French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Air Food L’Appart 130 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Air Food L’Appart will make you feel that you flew straight to Paris with the Air Food company, and landed in an intimate Parisian apartment, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive French culinary experience. Created by two passionate visionaries, Marc and Thierry, Air Food takes your tastebuds through a miraculous journey from traditional French cuisine to French and World Fusion from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.

Bottega Louie French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bottega Louie 700 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Bottega Louie is a family-owned restaurant, gourmet market, patisserie and café, offering an extensive selection of sweet and savory products for your enjoyment both in-house, and to go. They also offer a full service bar with open seating. For a real taste of France, savor their patisserie menu, featuring a tempting selection of macarons, eclairs, tarts, Napoleons, and more. Large format special occasion pastries can be ordered in advance for pick-up.

Perch French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Perch 448 S Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Perch Los Angeles is a French inspired rooftop bistro that offers unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles that will make you feel as if you’re floating over the skyline. The elevated spaces offer outdoor fireplaces, fir pits, lounge, and table seating. Enjoy classic French dishes with a twist from the menu for dinner, or sip beer, wine or Parisian-inspired cocktails at any one of the bars. Perch also offers a unique and elegant list of rare Cognacs, Armagnacs, Calvados and French Cordials.

Oriel Chinatown French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Oriel Chinatown 1135 N Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

For lovers of authentic French food and wine, Oriel is a chic, comfortable wine bar styled to please even the most homesick Parisians. Located just far enough away from Chinatown’s main drag, Oriel might be a little hard to spot hidden beneath the Chinatown Gold Line Metro stop. But once inside, you’ll be charmed by the sleek black and rose interior, lush hanging plants, and soft pink neon lighting. Oriel offers a curated selection of French bottles and wines by the glass, as well as beer, ciders, and aperitifs. The classic bistro menu features French onion soup, escargots, Moules Marinières, Saucisses aux Lentilles, and more.

Pitchoun Bakery & Café French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Pitchoun Bakery & Café 545 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pitchoun is a family owned fine French bakery, pastry store and restaurant, offering fresh artisan breads and home-made pastries and cakes, along with an array of healthy salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, soups, and more. Using traditional French family recipes, everything is home-made daily from scratch, using house-made starter levain and organic or local ingredients. The flavors are crisp, authentic, and clean, and all products aim for pure simplicity and high quality.

Zinqué DTLA French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Zinqué DTLA 939 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Inspired by the zinc-topped bars found all over France, Zinqué is a high design, low-key all-day neighborhood restaurant serving French-inspired dishes and small plates, along with a craft cocktail menu and uniquely curated wine and beer selection. Soak up the atmosphere at a wooden table on their sidewalk patio or sidle up to the beautiful bar. To get you in the spirit for Bastille Day, Zinqué is offering a special cocktail – La Guillotine!

Café Basque French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Café Basque The Hoxton 1060 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Café Basque celebrates the rich heritage of classic French tradition intertwined with the vibrant flavors of the southwest coast of France. The culinary creativity stems from the region’s renowned use of sweet and mildly hot peppers. Drawing inspiration from their Californian surroundings, the team brings a local touch to each dish, highlighting the bounty of high-quality ingredients sourced from land and sea.

Garçons de Café French restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Garçons de Café 541 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Garçons de Café is a wine bar to go shopping, and a retail store to have a drink. A piece of France in downtown LA, Garçons de Café is the beautiful aftermath of what happened when three French traveling friends were united by their big dreams, expensive tastes, and love of California. Their passions joined to set up shop in Downtown Los Angeles, and to bring to the United States the most exquisite products from what France is known to do best.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Le Petit Paris

Photo #2: Le Petit Paris

Photo #3: Kendall’s Brasserie

Photo #4: Mignon Wine Bar

Photo #5: Air Food L’Appart

Photo #6: Bottega Louie

Photo #7: Perch

Photo #8: Oriel Chinatown

Photo #9: Pitchoun Bakery & Café

Photo #10: Zinqué DTLA

Photo #11: Café Basque

Photo #12: Garçons de Café

Savoir Faire: Discover DTLA’s Fabulous French Food Scene

Bastille Day is right around the corner. The French National Holiday, celebrated every year on July 14, marks the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the birth of the French Republic. But the French connection takes on a whole new meaning as the City of Light meets the City of Angels. Did you know that during the second half of the 19th century, the French community in downtown Los Angeles was one of the most robust in Southern California. In fact, by 1860 French was the second most-spoken language in LA. Today, the French population in Los Angeles is represented by a fresh new wave of artisans, entrepreneurs, and restauranteurs who are making an impact on our culture and dining habits. From Parisian-style bistros and wine bars to delectable pastry shops – many close to Circa – get ready to discover French savoir faire in DTLA.

Le Petit Paris French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Le Petit Paris 418 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Housed inside the historic El Dorado Building, Le Petit Paris is the vision of Cannes-based restauranteurs David and Fanny Rolland. The 300-seat restaurant brings a quintessential brasserie dining experience to Downtown LA’s Historic Core. The restaurant is an architectural marvel, designed by the Rollands, featuring multiple skylights, two bars, a mezzanine level, and a large outdoor patio. During the daytime, Le Petit Paris provides a tranquil, bright venue, and at night it transforms into an upscale fine dining restaurant with a lounge.

Garçons de Café French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Garçons de Café 541 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Garçons de Café is a wine bar to go shopping, and is a retail store to have a drink. A piece of France in downtown LA, Garçons de Café is the beautiful aftermath of what happened when three French traveling friends were united by their big dreams, expensive tastes and love of California. Their passions joined to set up shop in Downtown Los Angeles, and to bring the United States the most exquisite products of what France is known to do best.

Mignon French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mignon 128 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

True to its name (mignon roughly translates to “small and cute” in French), this elegant little food and wine bar in DTLA’s Historic Core aims to be an oasis for anyone who is weary of the ubiquitous bar experience. Mignon specializes in small production, offering natural wines from all over the globe with an emphasis on the Old World. Mignon serves seasonal, rustic French cuisine, including a three-course pre-fixe option, small plates, and fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. The space is also a retail shop, so make sure you grab some bottles to go.

Air Food L’Appart French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Air Food L’Appart 130 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Air Food L’Appart will make you feel that you flew straight to Paris and landed in an intimate Parisian apartment, where you’ll enjoy an exclusive French culinary experience. Created by two passionate visionaries, Marc and Thierry, Air Food takes your tastebuds through a miraculous journey from traditional French cuisine to French & World Fusion from Europe, Middle East, Africa, and North Americas.

Oriel Chinatown French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Oriel Chinatown 1135 N Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

For lovers of authentic French wine and food, Oriel is a chic, comfortable wine bar styled to please even the most homesick Parisians. Located just far enough away from Chinatown’s main drag, Oriel might be a little hard to spot hidden beneath the Chinatown Gold Line Metro stop. But once inside, you’ll be charmed by the sleek black and rose interior, lush hanging plants, and soft pink neon lighting. Oriel offers a curated selection of French bottles and some 20 wines by the glass, along with a classic bistro menu featuring French onion soup, steak tartare, chicken liver mousse, steak frites. escargots, and gnocchi à la Parisienne.

Zinqué French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Zinqué 939 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015

Inspired by the zinc-topped bars found all over France, Zinqué is a high design, low-key all-day neighborhood restaurant serving French-inspired dishes and small plates, along with a craft cocktail menu and uniquely curated wine & beer selection. Soak up the atmosphere at a wooden table on their sidewalk patio or sidle up to the beautiful bar.

Pitchoun Bakery & Café French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Pitchoun Bakery & Café 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pitchoun is a family owned French bakery, pastry store and restaurant, offering fresh artisan breads and home-made pastries and cakes, along with an array of healthy salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, soups, and more. Using traditional French family recipes, everything is home-made daily from scratch, using house-made starter levain and organic or local ingredients. The flavors are crisp, authentic, and clean, and all products aim for pure simplicity and high quality.

Madame Monsieur French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Madame Monsieur 512 W 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Madame Monsieur is a gourmet sandwich shop run by a Parisian family. The menu is influenced by their culinary heritage, with a focus on quality, from artisanal bread to specialty coffee, fresh pastries, and locally-sourced ingredients. Located in The Heron Building, the inviting space has been created by friends from Lot-H and was inspired by the features of a Parisian apartment. Take your order to-go or enjoy your meal in the pretty outdoor garden.

Perch French food near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Perch 448 S Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Perch is a French inspired rooftop bistro that offers unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles that will make you feel as if you’re floating over the skyline. The elevated spaces offer outdoor fireplaces, various fir pits, and lounge and table seating. Enjoy classic French dishes with a twist from the menu for dinner, or sip beer, wine or Parisian-inspired cocktails at any one of the bars. Perch also offers a unique and an elegant list of rare Cognacs, Armagnacs, Calvados and French Cordials to pique your palate.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Le Petit Paris

Photo #2:Le Petit Paris

Photo #3: Garçons de Café

Photo #4: Mignon

Photo #5: Air Food L’Appart

Photo #6: Oriel Chinatown

Photo #7: Zinqué

Photo #8: Pitchoun Bakery & Café

Photo #9: Madame Monsieur

Photo #10: Perch

Discover DTLA’s Artisanal Bakeries & Bread Bars

Did you know that Los Angeles is in the midst of a baking renaissance? In the last decade or so, the LA region has seen a wealth of independent bread bars and bakeries spring up, spearheaded by talented local entrepreneurs with a passion for bringing the freshest, handmade artisanal offerings to the community, many just a short distance from Circa. From traditional breads and baked goods, to elegant European pastries and historic shops serving unique confections, you’ll discover there’s plenty of loaves to love when you shop DTLA’s artisanal bakeries and bread bars. Check websites for opening hours, pickup and delivery.

Bread Lounge Bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Bread Lounge Bakery 700 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Since 2010, Bread Lounge has brought the art of baking to the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles. Handcrafted and baked fresh daily, they pride themselves in using only all natural ingredients: water, flour, natural yeast and salt. This European-stye bakery & cafe serves traditional European baked goods along with the flavors of Mediterranean food. You can order online for pick up and delivery from their website HERE

Clark Street Bread bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Clark Street Bread Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway A-1 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Clark Street Bread is an organic bakery specializing in naturally leavened, traditional European hearth breads. In addition to their handcrafted loaves, baguettes and croissants, they also offer a bread-centric breakfast and lunch menu. Clark Street was founded in 2014 by Zack Hall out of his apartment in West Hollywood. After spending the summer at his wife’s family’s town working in a wood-fired bakery in the Swedish countryside and falling in love with the craft, Hall returned home to become a full-time bread baker. In 2015 Hall set up shop in Grand Central Market and today has four locations in Los Angeles.

Fat & Flour bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Fat & Flour Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway A-1 Los Angeles, CA 90013

While you’re at Grand Central Market, make sure you visit Fat & Flour, a pie and cookie shop from Los Angeles chef and author Nicole Rucker. Rucker is known internationally for her rustic desserts and has won several awards for her homespun pies, including the 2012 National Pie Championship, KCRW Good Food Pie contest, and a Star Chef award for baking. Her first cookbook, Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers, was recently nominated for a James Beard Award for baking.

Pitchoun Bakery & Café near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Pitchoun Bakery & Café 545 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pitchoun is a family owned French bakery, pastry store and bistro, offering fresh artisan breads and home-made pastries and cakes, along with an array of healthy salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, soups, and more. Using traditional French family recipes, everything is home-made daily from scratch, using house-made starter levain and organic or local ingredients. The flavors are crisp, authentic, and clean, and all products aim for pure simplicity and high quality.

Hygge Bakery & Cafe near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Hygge Bakery & Cafe 1106 S Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Hygge Bakery & Cafe opened their doors to give the bustling city of Los Angeles something it was missing – hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”). Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for an attitude of coziness, wellness and contentment. Hygge Bakery & Cafe takes a nod to this mood with fresh pastries, cakes, coffee, and comfort. Available for takeout and delivery.

Cafe Dulce bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Cafe Dulce ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda Street Unit 150 Los Angeles, CA 90021

Cafe Dulce has expanded to ROW, serving fresh baked goods delivered daily from their original kitchen in Little Tokyo. This local favorite is widely known for its signature hand-crafted beverages including the Vietnamese iced coffee, single origin pourovers, blueberry matcha lattes, and green tea donuts. Stop by to enjoy a little break in your morning or afternoon.

Paris Baguette bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Paris Baguette 404 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Paris Baguette is an international, premium bakery-café specializing in yummy assortments of breads, pastries and cakes baked daily. Their mission is to bring happiness to everyone by adapting to people’s ever-expanding palates with decadent, unique and sophisticated baked goods. They serve a variety of treats ranging from coffee, tea, smoothies, and frappes, to appetizing snacks, delicious cakes for all occasions, and chef-inspired sandwiches and salads.

La Tropézienne Bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

La Tropézienne Bakery 757 S Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Born and classically trained in France, La Tropézienne Bakery’s founders bring French savoir-faire to DTLA with the traditional taste of classic viennoiseries and pastries. Named after the famous dessert, La Tropézienne, their traditional baked goods are available all day long, including croissants, brioche, pain au chocolat, and original creations such as tasty macarons and a delicious almond and pistachio croissant.

Fugetsu-Do bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Fugetsu-Do 315 E 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fugetsu-Do is a family-owned mochi and manju sweet shop in Little Tokyo since 1903. Fugetsu-do creates the finest Japanese mochi and manju in Los Angeles by expert artisans. Mochi is a Japanese confection, usually found in the shape of a small round rice cake, which can be eaten with condiments such as kinako (roasted soy bean flour), manju (sweet red bean paste), soy sauce dip, and seaweed. Traditionally, mochi is made by pounding steamed glutinous rice in a large wooden mortar, called the usu, with a wooden mallet called the kine. The store is open for in-person shopping or you can order your mochi online from Japansuper.com and have it delivered fresh to your door.

Phoenix Bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Phoenix Bakery 969 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012

A real Chinatown icon, Phoenix Bakery has been creating delectable cakes and pastries since 1938. Founded by, and still operated by the Chan Family, the bakery serves families and celebrities alike for all occasions. Famous for their fresh strawberry whipped cream cake, Phoenix Bakery cakes have become a tradition across generations as families and friends celebrate special occasions from kids birthday parties to quincineras, retirement parties and more. If you’re just stopping by, try their yummy sugar butterflies and almond cookies – the perfect bite to sweeten your day.

Amandine Patisserie Cafe near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Amandine Patisserie Cafe 650 S Hill St k10, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Located in historic Saint Vincent Court, Amandine Patisserie Cafe’s delicious French Japanese style breads, cakes and pastries are all made in-house from scratch and baked fresh daily. Since 2002, Amandine Patisserie Cafe has been combining the finest baking traditions from France and Japan to create unforgettable gourmet experiences. Every day they source local fresh ingredients from the finest suppliers to create mouthwateringly fresh dishes made to order.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Paris Baguette

Photo #2: Bread Lounge Bakery

Photo #3: Clark Street Bread

Photo #4: Fat & Flour

Photo #5: Pitchoun Bakery & Café

Photo #6: Hygge Bakery & Cafe

Photo #7: Cafe Dulce

Photo #8: Paris Baguette

Photo #9: La Tropézienne Bakery

Photo #10: Fugetsu-Do

Photo #11: Phoenix Bakery

Photo #12: Amandine Patisserie Cafe

Find Your Sweet Spot: DTLA Bakeries & Dessert Shops

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start stocking up on sweet treats. Some of your fave downtown LA bakeries and dessert shops near Circa are already rolling out their festive fare, and taking orders for their most coveted items like pumpkin pies, apple crumble, fruit tarts, and specialty cookies. Whether you’re planning an elegant dessert menu or just want a comfortable cafe to savor a pastry and coffee, we’ve got you covered. From European-inspired patisseries to classic American donut shops – you’ll find your sweet spot in DTLA. Check websites for hours, online ordering, takeout and delivery details.

La Tropézienne Bakery 757 S Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Sprinkles Downtown Los Angeles bakery near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Sprinkles Downtown Los Angeles 735 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Amidst skyscrapers in Los Angeles’ historic South Park neighborhood, Sprinkles bakes cupcakes for tourists, residents and office workers alike in this downtown dining destination. Sprinkles offers a variety of sweets perfect for any occasion, including cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and ice cream. Handcrafted from artisan ingredients, Sprinkles bakes fresh daily and throughout the day. Sprinkles Downtown Los Angeles also offers pickup and delivery.

The Donut Man Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway A-1 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Jim and Miyoko Nakano opened The Donut Man in 1972 on Historic Route 66 in Glendora, California. Now after 48 years of serving the best donuts around, the couple recently opened their newest location at Grand Central Market. Known for its iconic fresh fruit donuts, especially the Fresh Strawberry Donut, The Donut Man has been featured on national media including the Today show and Food Network’s The Best thing I Ever Ate. The same process, ingredients, and standards that made this small town donut shop so popular continues to this day – every donut is cut, shaped, fried, and frosted in front of the customer.

Fat & Flour Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway A-1 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Fat & Flour is a new pie and cookie shop from Los Angeles chef and author Nicole Rucker. Rucker is known internationally for her rustic desserts and has won several awards for her homespun pies, including the 2012 National Pie Championship, KCRW Good Food Pie contest, and a Star Chef award for baking. Her first cookbook, Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers, wss recently nominated for a James Beard Award for baking. Choose from scrumptious delights such as Almond Frangipane, Caramel Pumpkin Slice, Apple Crumble and Chocolate Chess Pie. Order online for same day pick up Wednesday thru Saturday 11am – 5 pm. Pick up location is on Hill St.

Big Sugar Bakeshop near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Big Sugar Bake Shop 612 South Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Big Sugar Bakeshop was founded in 2006 with the desire to be a friendly neighborhood bakery specializing in American-style baked goods and custom cakes. They continue that tradition today, baking everything from scratch using the finest ingredients, such as cage-free eggs, humanely-produced dairy from a local provider, and imported chocolate from Belgium and France. They offer vegan and gluten-free options as well. Looking for a treat with a personal touch? Big Sugar Bakeshop can print and place an edible image on cakes, cookies, and cake pops. You supply a hi res JPEG photo and they do their magic.

Pitchoun Bakery & Café 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Cafe Dulce ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda Street Unit 150 Los Angeles, CA 90021

Cafe Dulce has expanded to ROW, serving the finest specialty coffees & teas, along with fresh baked goods delivered daily from their original kitchen in Little Tokyo. This local favorite is widely known for its signature hand-crafted beverages including the Vietnamese iced coffee, single origin pourovers, blueberry matcha lattes, and green tea donuts. Stop by to enjoy a little break in your morning or afternoon.

Paris Baguette 902 S Los Angeles St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Paris Baguette is an international, premium bakery-café specializing in a yummy assortment of breads, pastries and cakes baked daily. Their mission is to bring happiness to everyone by adapting to people’s ever-expanding palates with decadent, unique and sophisticated baked goods. They serve a variety of treats ranging from coffee, tea, smoothies, and frappes, to appetizing snacks, delicious cakes for all occasions, and chef-inspired sandwiches and salads.

Hygge Bakery & Cafe 1106 S Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Bread Lounge Bakery 700 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Since 2010, Bread Lounge has brought the art of baking to the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles. Handcrafted and baked fresh daily, they pride themselves on using only all natural ingredients: water, flour, natural yeast and salt. This European-stye bakery & cafe serves traditional European baked goods along with the flavors of Mediterranean food. Order online for pick up and delivery from their website HERE

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Cafe Dulce

Photo #2: La Tropézienne Bakery

Photo #3: Sprinkles Downtown Los Angeles

Photo #4: The Donut Man

Photo #5: Fat & Flour

Photo #6: Big Sugar Bake Shop

Photo #7: Pitchoun Bakery & Café

Photo #8: Cafe Dulce

Photo #9: Paris Baguette

Photo #10: Hygge Bakery & Cafe

Photo #11: Bread Lounge Bakery

Joie de Vivre! French Bistros, Bakeries & Bars in DTLA

Joie de vivre, French for joy of living, takes on a whole new meaning as the City of Light meets the City of Angels! For a bit of historical context, before Chinatown was Chinatown, it was Frenchtown. During the second half of the 19th century and into the 20th, the French community in Los Angeles was one of the most influential and robust in Southern California. By 1860, French was the second most-spoken language in Los Angeles.

Today, the French population in Los Angeles is represented by a fresh new wave of entrepreneurs, artisans, and restauranteurs who are making an impact on our culture and dining habits. From classic dishes like bouillabaisse, steak frites, tartare de boeuf, croque monsieur, and escargots, to new eateries with a French twist, you’ll find your joie de vivre at DTLA’s French bistros, bakeries and bars.

Church & State LA 1850 Industrial St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

After reoopening earlier this year, Chef David Féau’s reinvigorated menu at Church & State proves that classics never go out of style. His interpretation of bistronomie is built on the foundation of the giants of the French culinary pantheon – Bocuse, Blanc, Vergé, Ducasse, along with his personal mentor, Guy Savoy – but is heightened with a lighter, California-driven sensibility. The new Church & State is a place to dine, for sure, but more than anything it is a place for people to come together, enjoy the company of friends, and to live well.

Le Petit Paris 418 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Mignon 128 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

True to its name (mignon roughly translates to “small and cute” in French), this elegant little food and wine bar in DTLA’s Historic Core aims to be an oasis for anyone who is weary of the ubiquitous bar experience. Seating about 20 around a U-shaped central bar, Mignon’s inviting interior is rich with midnight blue walls, a pressed tin ceiling, homey book shelves, and framed portraits. Mignon specializes in small production, offering natural wines from all over the globe with an emphasis on the Old World. They also serve seasonal, rustic French cuisine, including a three-course pre-fixe option, small plates, and fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. The space is also a retail shop, so make sure you grab some bottles to go.

Oriel Chinatown 1135 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

For lovers of authentic French wine and food, Oriel is a chic, comfortable wine bar styled to please even the most homesick Parisian. Located just far enough away from Chinatown’s main drag, Oriel might be a little hard to spot hidden beneath the Chinatown Gold LIne Metro stop. But once inside, you’ll be charmed by the sleek black and rose interior, lush hanging plants, and soft pink neon lighting. Oriel offers a curated selection of French bottles and some 20 wines by the glass, along with a classic bistro menu featuring French onion soup, steak tartare, chicken liver mousse, steak frites. escargots, and gnocchi.

Pitchoun Bakery & Café 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pitchoun! is a family owned French bakery, pastry store and restaurant, offering fresh artisan breads and home-made pastries and cakes, along with an array of healthy salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, soups, and more. Using traditional French family recipes, everything is home-made daily from scratch, using house-made starter levain and organic or local ingredients. The flavors are crisp, authentic, and clean, and all products aim for pure simplicity and high quality.

Bon Temps 712 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

An all-day restaurant in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, Bon Temps from Chef Lincoln Carson reimagines a modern French brasserie with industrial roots. From morning until late-night, the menu is refined with an attention to detail that nods to Chef Lincoln Carson’s lineage working in internationally-acclaimed restaurants. Bon Temps is a place for the downtown community to break bread in a space that pays homage to the old and new. Since opening in June, Bon Temps has been recognized as one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants 2019.

Paris Baguette 902 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

La Boucherie 900 Wilshire Blvd Fl 71 Los Angeles, CA 90017

Located on the 71st floor of InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, La Boucherie boasts a top-tier, American steakhouse with a French twist. Feast on reimagined dishes and premium steaks, in addition to first-rate seafood sourced from around the globe. The restaurant also features a cheese cave and charcuterie atelier complemented by offerings from their extensive, Wine Spectator award-winning wine list of 1,200 different types, all of which can be enjoyed from the comfort of private dining rooms or discrete Starlight Booths.

Bottega Louie Restaurant and Gourmet Market 700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017

What could be more French than a macaron – a sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond meal, and food coloring. Since the 19th century, a typical Parisian-style macaron is presented with a ganache, buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two meringue “cookies.” But you don’t have to travel to Paris to get your macaron fix – Bottega Louis offers literally mountains of these tempting treats for every occasion. Eat yours on the spot, or choose an elegant gift box from their extensive catalog.