Levain Bakery - Bethesda Row, Maryland

We’d previously been to the original store in NYC. Walking in smelled like entering heaven / if they sold coffee and had indoor seating it would be perfect. As it is, the cookies are fabulous and the staff was friendly and helpful. We ordered the chocolate peanut butter (rich chocolate taste reminiscent of the perfect brownie), a delightful coconut caramel chocolate chip (my favorite), and a traditional chocolate chip walnut ( husband’s fav). All were a little crisp on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. The chic pb was our least favorite but that’s personal preference. Highly recommend to anyone in the area. Hope to go back. Cookies were $5 each.

Absolutely fantastic French bakery in the heart of Bethesda. The chocolate chip brioche are absolutely to die for and super fresh! It is very evident that this bakery uses only the best ingredients and real butter. That comes out in the taste and flavour of their fantastic baked items. We love the sour cream coffee cake. All of their homemade cookies are fantastic!

Whoa!! I walked in for my first time and I had no idea what to expect. Low and behold, they had a vegan and gluten free Chocolate Chip Walnut cookie. It was the biggest cookie I have ever had! It had to weight at least a pound. It wasn’t wide so much, but it was tall like a muffins and super dense. It had just came out of the oven, a little crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside. So rich! They have many other choices that are not gluten free and vegan. A must go to place.

The disrespectful behavior of the West African woman staff at Levain Bakery marred what could have been a delightful visit. It's crucial for establishments to uphold a standard of courteous service, enhancing the overall customer experience. I trust that the bakery addresses these concerns promptly, creating a more enjoyable atmosphere for all patrons.

May 2023 I've ordered cookies from them a few times, and I have to say that they are pretty good cookies! Note these are big, lumpy cookies that weigh about 5.8oz each (yes, I weighed them with a kitchen scale). These cookies are expensive ($5 each), but honestly, the price makes sense when going by weight. They are also generous with the toppings. The outside of the cookies are a little crisp (dry) and the insides are thick, chewy, and doughy. I recommend eating them by pieces (as opposed to chomping on them) and having some kind of liquid nearby to help wash them down. They also taste good warm, though they fall apart easily that way. I personally love the chocolate walnut cookies, but that's mainly because I like having a little crunch in my cookies 😁. The store itself is small, clean, and brightly lit. There's a counter in the back with the standard cafe items as well as free water (and cups). There's some tables outside, but none inside. The staff were quick to greet me and were friendly.

Patience and kind customer service to my family, with neurodiverse children. One child ordered, the other refused to select one. The server picked a cookie for my child with an eatting disorder. She ended up enjoying half a cookie, which contain essential nutrients for her growth. We are so grateful for how his kindness made a huge difference to a struggling family.

I have been wanting to try a fresh Levain cookie for so long, so happy they opened up in the area! The cookies here are huge, buttery, fresh and delicious. My favorite is the classic two chip chocolate chip cookie. I always ask for it fresh off the rack and it's AMAZING. No homemade cookie beats them! They are definitely huge and extra buttery. I always have a terrible stomach ache after but it's so worth it! They are a bit on the pricier side, but they are so big. It's worth it.