Milk Bar — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I’ve been a fan of Milk Bar for years, but I had to finally sit down and write a review after one of the most memorable experiences I've had there! It all started last month when I was feeling down—just one of those weeks where everything seemed to go wrong. After a long workday, I decided to treat myself to something sweet, and Milk Bar has always been my go-to when I need comfort food in dessert form.

I walked in, greeted by the familiar hum of the store and the intoxicating smell of baked goods wafting through the air. It’s funny, but there’s something about the vibe at Milk Bar that instantly feels like home, even though it’s always buzzing with energy. The staff is always so friendly, and I noticed right away that they were extra warm and welcoming, which felt great, especially after the day I’d had.

I decided to go for the classic "Cereal Milk® Soft Serve" because it’s just that good. But, on a whim, I also grabbed a slice of the famous Confetti Cake. The soft serve is truly a nostalgic experience—it tastes just like the milk leftover from a bowl of sugary cereal, but somehow richer and creamier. The sprinkle of crunchy cornflakes on top adds the perfect texture contrast. It's like a hug in a cup.

But it wasn’t just about the food. The Confetti Cake was beyond delightful. It’s vibrant, moist, and absolutely packed with flavor—light and fluffy with the perfect amount of frosting that isn’t too sweet but just indulgent enough to make your taste buds sing. Every bite took me back to childhood birthdays, but with an adult-level refinement.

As I sat there enjoying my treats, I couldn’t help but overhear a staff member explaining to a group of customers the inspiration behind the Crack Pie (now called Milk Bar Pie), and how each recipe has a story that connects with the owner, Christina Tosi’s journey. I love hearing the passion behind the brand, and it made me appreciate everything even more. Milk Bar has this incredible ability to make you feel like you’re part of something bigger than just a dessert stop—it feels like a community.

A little while later, I decided to go back up to the counter and grab a few of their Compost Cookies for later. I’ve always loved the balance between salty and sweet, and these cookies are the perfect example of that. Packed with pretzels, potato chips, oats, and butterscotch chips, every bite is a flavor explosion. It’s no wonder these are a fan favorite.

But what really made this experience stand out was the small interaction I had with one of the staff members as I was paying. I mentioned that I had been having a rough time lately, and she told me that Milk Bar’s mission is to always bring joy to people—no matter what’s going on in their lives. That simple, kind gesture meant more to me than I could have ever expected, and it reminded me that Milk Bar isn’t just about delicious desserts; it’s about spreading positivity and comfort.

I left Milk Bar feeling lighter, happier, and so much better than when I walked in. And that’s what I love about this place: it's not just a dessert shop, it’s a little slice of joy. You can feel the care in every bite, and the staff is always there to brighten your day, even in the smallest of ways.

If you haven’t been to Milk Bar yet, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re in the mood for a sweet treat or just want to experience a place that genuinely cares about its customers, this is the spot to be. Their creativity and innovation in the kitchen is unmatched, and the way they make each customer feel special is something rare to find in today’s world.

Milk Bar has truly earned a loyal customer in me, and I can’t wait for my next visit to indulge in my favorite treats...

I came to Milk Bar LA expecting fun flavors and innovate sweet treats; I left tasting sour ones. I should preface that I am a Christina Tosi fan. I have her cookbook and watch her programs; I like her. Unfortunately, my predisposition to equally appreciate her baked goods made my visit to this newly opened Milk Bar all the more unfortunate.

Like most socially-minded bakeries in Los Angeles (of which there are countless), Milk Bar attracts a certain crowd. That being said, the best bakeries attract trendsetters because their products are good, not because they have a giant “Instagram This” sign out front. In this way, the whole aesthetic of Milk Bar LA comes off as a bit desperate. I’m all for playful decoration, but does everything have to be pink? Are the piñatas essential?

Visuals aside, the store has a strange layout. There’s a long corridor in which people queue, but it’s buttressed by the one and only lavatory. Who wants to stand by a restroom while they think about dairy? The too-short passageway ends at the ordering counter, which bizarrely is also where patrons pick up their items. This would be fine if the wait times were minimal; ordering and picking up could all happen in one motion. As you might expect, though, wait times are staggeringly long, which leads to an awkward shuffling while people wait for their items, finally reaching over other customers when they pick up their food. The setup is disjointed in a way that would be acceptable if this was a small nameless ice-cream parlor, but completely baffling from a multi-million dollar hospitality group.

Similarly, the food quality is unpredictable. The Fruity Cereal Milk soft serve ($5.50 plus $1.00 per topping) was a highlight, but mostly for the generous serving of Fruity Pebbles. From the baked goods, the Compost Cookie ($2.75) was passable, though mostly tasteless, and while I appreciated staff asking if I would like it “warmed up,” I’d prefer it didn’t get cold in the first place. Lastly, the signature, trademarked Cereal Milk soft serve not only took forever, but tasted unmistakably like sour milk. Hardly any ice-cream was being ordered during my visit, so perhaps the batch I received a serving from hadn’t been checked in awhile, but how the staff at an establishment called Milk Bar failed to notice that their milk was past expiration is beyond me.

Going into my visit at Milk Bar, I expected a certain level of polish. Christina Tosi has clout in the food world, and given so many years of success in New York, you would think she would be able to achieve similar heights in Los Angeles. That being said, perhaps she’s done exactly what she intended to here. Flashy, photogenic interiors backed up by mediocre fare is a fitting formula for Los Angeles. The food may not be very good, but I doubt anyone...

After seeing how the celebrity pastry chef Christina Tosi started her Bakery shop in NY with Momofuku on Ugly Delicious Netflix show, I was ready to fly to New York to visit Milk Bar. When they opened their shop in Hollywood, I was excited and can't wait to taste the famous cereal milk soft serve. But after I saw on TV that this popular bakery has lines wrapping around the block pretty much all day, I just put off going there.

Yesterday, I was watching the Chef Show on Netflix and saw Milk Bar on one of the episodes, being FOMO, I decided that I have to go this Sunday to get some goodies from this bakery.

Luckily, the line was only 10 minutes long. But the shop is open for take out order only due to the pandemic. We didn't get to see the inside and there was no baking classes.

We went crazy on ordering their bake goods. My son got a few boxes of cookies including the sampler for his friends and co-workers in San Diego. My wife and I ended up having their famous cereal soft serve. The taste of the cereal soft serve reminded me of my childhood days. When I was a kid, I love drinking the milk left in the bowl after I ate all the cereals. The soft serve tasted just like the left over cereal milk, smooth and sweet.

Although I didn't eat their cookies, but looking at my son's satisfying face, I knew the cookies must be real good. I will come back to get some cakes and...