13 California Vegan Bakeries Known For Innovative Pastries
California has become a true paradise for plant-based pastry lovers, where indulgence meets innovation in every flaky, golden bite. Across the Golden State, vegan bakeries are reimagining classic favorites—think buttery croissants, gooey cinnamon rolls, and delicate fruit tarts—without a single egg or drop of dairy.
The results are nothing short of magical, proving that plant-based baking can rival, and sometimes surpass, its traditional counterparts.
Over the past few months, I’ve happily taken on the “difficult” task of sampling these creations, uncovering bakeries whose skill and creativity set a new standard for pastry perfection. Here are the standouts every dessert lover should know.
1. Chaumont Vegan – Los Angeles & Santa Monica
My first bite of Chaumont’s vegan croissant left me speechless – could something this flaky and buttery really be plant-based? As LA’s first vegan French bakery, they’ve mastered the impossible: creating authentic French pastries without dairy.
Their pistachio-crème croissants have become my Sunday morning ritual, worth every minute in line. The seasonal “Proud Vegan” butter flavors showcase their constant innovation.
What truly sets Chaumont apart is their commitment to traditional techniques. Each pastry undergoes the same meticulous lamination process as conventional French bakeries, resulting in those perfect, shattering layers that haunt my dreams.
2. Cinnaholic – Berkeley (Franchise across CA)
Remember when cinnamon rolls were just cinnamon and sugar? Cinnaholic flipped that script completely. Born in Berkeley but now spreading joy across California, this bakery transformed my understanding of what a vegan cinnamon roll could be.
Their build-your-own concept lets you play pastry designer. I’ve created combinations I’m almost embarrassed to admit – like my “Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup” monstrosity with cookie dough chunks that I now order weekly.
The rolls arrive warm, gooey in the center with perfectly caramelized edges. Even my dairy-devoted friends request Cinnaholic for birthdays, completely forgetting these indulgent spirals are entirely plant-based.
3. Bakers Bench – Los Angeles
The New York Times doesn’t hand out bakery accolades lightly. When they named Bakers Bench one of America’s best in 2024, I had to investigate their plant-based magic myself.
Their sesame-studded milk bread – impossibly soft without actual milk – converted me instantly. The secret? Traditional Asian baking techniques reimagined with plant ingredients that maintain that cloud-like texture.
On weekends, their line stretches down the block for seasonal fruit tarts that showcase California’s bounty. The pastry chef once told me they spend months perfecting each recipe, refusing to release anything until it delights both vegans and omnivores equally.
4. Maison Macha – Culver City (pop-up)
Stumbling upon Maison Macha’s farmers market pop-up changed my pastry life forever. Their vegan croissants – bronzed, shatteringly crisp, yet impossibly tender inside – made me question everything I thought I knew about plant-based baking.
The French-trained pastry chef combines classical techniques with California’s seasonal bounty. Last month’s lavender-infused almond cream filling paired with local stone fruit left me speechless.
What makes their creations truly special is their sustainability focus. They source ingredients within a 50-mile radius whenever possible, transforming humble local produce into sophisticated French-inspired delicacies that would make even the most traditional Parisian pâtissier reconsider plant-based possibilities.
5. Erin McKenna’s Bakery – Los Angeles
Before vegan baking was trendy, Erin McKenna was perfecting it. Her pioneering bakery feels like stepping into a retro pink dream – one where everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, can experience pastry bliss.
The vanilla cupcake with its cloud-like frosting was my gateway drug. Now I’m hooked on their carrot cake that somehow captures that perfect spice balance without eggs or butter.
What truly warms my heart is watching children with allergies experience their first-ever birthday cake here. Erin created this space when few options existed for those with dietary restrictions, and that compassionate mission continues to shine through in every perfectly moist, gluten-free, vegan treat they serve.
6. Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen / Cake Girl – Pasadena
Walking into Yvonne’s Pasadena shop feels like being welcomed into a friend’s kitchen – if that friend happened to be a vegan pastry genius. Her journey from farmers market stand to beloved brick-and-mortar inspires me daily.
The donuts here defy physics – springy, light, and perfectly glazed without any conventional ingredients. My Saturday morning ritual involves their chocolate-dipped variety paired with oat milk coffee.
Yvonne’s specialty is creating nostalgic treats that transport you to childhood while accommodating modern dietary needs. The gluten-free chocolate chip cookies taste exactly like my grandmother’s recipe, prompting me to check multiple times that they’re really vegan. This bakery proves restriction doesn’t mean sacrifice.
7. Just What I Kneaded – Los Angeles
Hidden in Frogtown, this quirky bakery captured my heart with its punny name and kept it with pastries that make me question reality. Their cinnamon rolls – massive, gooey, perfectly spiced – have ruined me for all others.
The owner started as a pandemic home baker, and that homemade love permeates everything. Seasonal pop tarts bursting with farmers market fruit feel both nostalgic and revolutionary, reimagining childhood classics with grown-up execution.
My favorite discovery? Their twisty donuts with creative glazes that change weekly. Last month’s lavender lemon version had me contemplating a second breakfast daily. The small batch approach means everything’s fresh, and the constantly rotating menu ensures no visit is ever the same.
8. Karma Baker – Los Angeles
Karma Baker’s online presence doesn’t prepare you for the flavor explosion their pastries deliver. When my Strawberry Éclair Crunch Cake arrived perfectly packaged, I skeptically took a bite – and promptly ordered three more for future celebrations.
Their Oatmeal Chai Sandwich Cookies have become my afternoon ritual. Spicy, complex, with the perfect chewy-to-creamy ratio, they pair beautifully with afternoon tea and existential crises alike.
During holidays, their creativity truly shines. Last Halloween, their intricate gingerbread houses – completely vegan and gluten-free – became centerpieces at my party. Guests couldn’t believe such architectural and flavor feats were possible without conventional ingredients. Karma Baker proves that dietary restrictions can inspire rather than limit culinary imagination.
9. Plantiful Kitchen – Carlsbad
Nestled in sunny Carlsbad, Plantiful Kitchen approaches vegan baking with a wellness mindset that somehow doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of indulgence. Their raw cheesecakes – impossibly creamy without dairy – revolutionized my understanding of plant-based desserts.
The first time I tried their cheesecake pops, I nearly cried. How could something free from refined sugar taste this satisfying? Their secret lies in masterful flavor combinations and quality ingredients.
Owner Sarah started the bakery after healing her own health issues through plant-based eating. That personal connection infuses everything they create. Their doughnuts – gluten-free yet somehow perfectly textured – prove that treating yourself can align with nourishing yourself, a philosophy that keeps me coming back whenever I’m near San Diego.
10. Timeless Coffee – Oakland
Oakland’s Timeless Coffee doesn’t advertise itself as vegan – they simply let their extraordinary pastries speak for themselves. I discovered them accidentally while coffee hunting and found myself returning daily for their croissants.
These aren’t just good “for vegan croissants” – they’re exceptional pastries, period. The flaky layers, buttery flavor, and perfect chew would impress the most discerning French baker, plant-based or not.
Beyond croissants, their rotating pastry case features locally-inspired creations that showcase Oakland’s diverse culinary influences. The friendly baristas remember regulars’ orders and create a community feeling that’s increasingly rare. This unpretentious café proves that vegan baking can be both accessible and exceptional.
11. Sugar Sweet Oak – Oakland
Hidden on a tree-lined Oakland street, Sugar Sweet Oak became my weekly pilgrimage spot after one bite of their chocolate chip cookies. Unlike many vegan versions that miss the mark, these achieve that perfect crisp edge with a chewy center that haunts my dreams.
Their cupcakes transcend the typical too-sweet vegan versions. The vanilla bean – flecked with real beans and topped with silky buttercream – tastes like childhood birthday parties but better.
What makes this bakery special is their consistency. While other vegan bakeries experiment wildly, Sugar Sweet Oak perfects the classics. The owner once told me they test each recipe fifty times before offering it to customers. This dedication to reliability makes them beloved among locals who need dependable treats for life’s celebrations.
12. L’Artisane Creative Bakery – (Online/CA)
L’Artisane’s pastries arrive like edible art pieces, each box opening to reveal French classics reimagined through plant-based innovation. Their croissants – shipped carefully across California – maintain that perfect balance of shatter and chew that seems impossible without butter.
The vegan macarons broke my brain. How could almond meringue cookies – traditionally dependent on egg whites – achieve that delicate shell and chewy interior? The pistachio version has me ordering monthly shipments.
Founded by a classically-trained French pastry chef who embraced plant-based baking, L’Artisane refuses to compromise on technique or tradition. Each pastry requires days of preparation, with lamination and fermentation processes identical to conventional French methods. The result? Pastries that honor tradition while pioneering the future.
13. Forma Bakery – Oakland
I first discovered Forma through Food & Wine’s Bay Area report and immediately drove to Oakland to try their legendary vegan conchas. These aren’t ordinary Mexican sweet breads – they’re revelations in plant-based baking.
Oversized and dramatically decorated, each concha features a crisp, colorful topping that contrasts beautifully with the pillowy bread beneath. The baker’s secret? Plant-based butter and extended fermentation that creates depth of flavor conventional versions often lack.
While not exclusively vegan, Forma’s commitment to reimagining traditional recipes with plant-based techniques has created a following among both vegans and omnivores. Their conchas sell out within hours, creating lines that wrap around the block. The nostalgic yet innovative approach makes these treats worth every minute of the wait.