Newport Beach, California — One of New York City’s most recognizable bakeries is getting ready to bring its famously thick, gooey cookies to Orange County. Levain Bakery has announced plans to open its first Orange County location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach this September, giving Southern California fans another place to grab the bakery’s signature treats.
The new shop will bring more than just cookies, with a menu designed to offer the bakery’s broader selection of pastries, breads and coffee drinks.
Levain Bakery Coming to Fashion Island
The new Newport Beach location will be located at Fashion Island, 315 Newport Center Drive, near Macy’s and Sushi Roku. For longtime Levain fans, the opening represents another major step in the bakery’s Southern California expansion.
The bakery already operates locations in Beverly Hills, Venice and Larchmont Village, making the Newport Beach shop its fourth California location.
The company has not announced an exact opening date in September, but fans can expect the doors to open sometime during the month.
Famous 6-Ounce Cookies Coming to Orange County
Levain is best known for its oversized 6-ounce cookies, which have developed a cult following since the bakery introduced them in New York.
The cookies are famous for their distinctive texture — crispy around the edges while remaining thick, soft and gooey inside.
Customers at the Newport Beach location will be able to enjoy Levain’s signature cookies alongside a wider selection of bakery favorites.
The menu will include breads, pastries, sandwiches, muffins and other baked goods, giving shoppers plenty of options beyond the bakery’s most recognizable item.
New Location Will Include Full Coffee Service
The Orange County location will also offer something that makes it convenient for customers looking for a full café experience.
Levain says the Newport Beach bakery will feature full barista service, with drinks including cappuccinos, lattes, matcha and cold-foam beverages.
That means customers will be able to pair the bakery’s famous cookies and pastries with freshly prepared coffee and specialty drinks.
The combination could make the Fashion Island location a popular stop for shoppers, visitors and local residents.
From Small NYC Bakery to National Icon
Levain Bakery’s story began in 1995, when best friends Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald opened their first shop in New York City’s West Village.
The original business began as a relatively humble pastry and bread shop. Everything changed when the founders added their now-famous cookies to the menu.
According to the company, the cookies sold out immediately, helping launch what would eventually become one of New York’s best-known bakery brands.
Shake Shack Customer Says Prices Went Up by 50 Cents Each After He Refused to Tip at Airport Kiosk
Over the next three decades, Levain expanded far beyond its original New York neighborhood.
Today, the bakery has grown to 20 locations across eight states, attracting customers who travel specifically to try its oversized cookies and other baked goods.
Founders Say Newport Beach Is a Natural Next Step
Weekes and McDonald said their Southern California locations have shown them that the region has embraced the Levain brand.
They described Newport Beach as the next natural step for the bakery and said they were excited to open at Fashion Island.
For Orange County residents who have previously traveled to other Levain locations, the new bakery will make the brand’s signature cookies and pastries much easier to access.
With its September opening approaching, Newport Beach is preparing to welcome another nationally recognized food brand — and plenty of cookie fans are likely already planning their first visit.
Are you excited to see Levain Bakery finally open in Orange County? Which of its famous cookies or bakery items would you try first? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
