The Best Vegan Bakeries in Los Angeles

It’s an embarrassment of richness here in Los Angeles, with vegan sweets in every neighborhood. Whether you’re dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free or nut-free, LA’s specialty bakeries have plant-based desserts suitable for every taste.

Located inside the historic St. Louis Drug Pharmacy, Cake Girl (2100 E. 1st St, Los Angeles 90033) is an allergy-friendly little Boyle Heights bakery that serves up cupcakes, donuts and cake on the old soda fountain counter. Try their signature cold brew with horchata or call ahead to find out the muffin of the day. Owners Amy and Andres are happy to help you make the difficult decision between a double chocolate brownie or strawberry churro cupcake.

Luckily for LA, the Berkeley-based franchise has expanded their gourmet cinnamon bun business to Echo Park (2134 Sunset Blvd Suite E, Los Angeles 90026). Choose a frosting flavor and a topping or let them do it for you with one of their best-selling combos. The mini Baby Buns and pro-wrapped four-pack of cinnamon rolls are perfect for parties (guaranteed no one will know they’re vegan)!

Doomies (1253 Vine St #9, Los Angeles 90038) offers decadent goodies created by Das Baker - aka Franck Huyghe, the classically-trained pastry chef who got his start in France. He is the mastermind behind their flakey “hot ham-n-cheese” croissants, rich German chocolate cake, giant fork-hashed peanut butter cookies and more. They do wedding and birthday cakes, too!

Donut Friend is a must-stop for every vegan visitor to LA. Where else can you get 100% vegan donuts named after rock bands? Try the popular Hüsker Blü, Jimmy Eat Swirl or Yo La Mango - or DIY it by choosing your own toppings and fillings. They also have cool gift certificates, designed to look like little records.

Seen on Martha Stewart, started in New York and loved by discriminating palates everywhere, Erin McKenna’s Bakery (236 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles 90004) is the gold standard for vegan and gluten-free desserts done right. Don’t miss their giant version of the classic “thin mint” cookie or the award-winning agave-sweetened brownie. And watch out—now they ship certain items nationally!

Hit up this Frogtown full-service bakery when riding the LA River Bike Path or make it a weekend brunch destination spot. Stuffed homemade bagel sandwiches, buttery croissants (YES-vegan!), savory galletes, crispy quiche, cookies as big as your head - Just What I Kneaded (2029 Blake Ave., Los Angeles 90039) does it all and does it well.