Levain Bakery – Upper West Side, NYC

"Levain Bakery, known for its hefty six-ounce cookies, is expanding to a new location in Larchmont Village. The bakery chain, which started in 1995 on New York City’s Upper West Side, is famous for its soft, gooey cookies with a slightly crisp outer edge, and has grown to 12 locations across New York, the D.C. area, and Boston. Their signature flavor is the original chocolate chip walnut cookie, among other varieties and baked goods. The bakery also offers beverages like coffee and tea." - Matthew Kang

"We can largely thank Levain for ushering in the trend of humongous, warm cookies that are chewy on the inside, but crispy on the out. The popular bakery on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has inspired numerous other bakeries and copycats, but have now made it so that you can get your hands on an original Levain cookie, no matter where you are in the country." - Jaya Saxena

"The poster child for fist-sized cookies is open. Founded over 20 years ago by friends and triathletes Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald as a side hustle, Levain has become a New York staple and leader in creating a balanced cookie that’s firm and crispy on the outside, but still gooey on the inside. All cookie flavors, along with various sweet and savory breads, are available for local Manhattan delivery on Caviar. Cookie gift boxes are available from Levain’s online store." - Leah Rosenzweig, Eater Staff

Yes, they are as good as everyone tells you, the original and the best. You want to get the walnut chocolate chip, I promise. Nothing like grabbing one to split and taking it for a walk through the park.