Levain Bakery

The dish: Chocolate chip cookies
When it comes to local chatter about a dope chocolate chip cookie, it’s going to be the Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie from Levain Bakery. Founded in 1995 in the Upper West Side, the treat was originally created by the owners as an energy booster for their triathlon training. But after selling them at the shop, they took off and soon became a signature item that helped launch an empire. With locations across the city, this hefty 6 oz treat with a perfect ratio of chocolate chips flecked throughout the dough makes for a hearty indulgence that isn’t too overly sweet. If you were to ever have a cookie for a meal, this would be the one. And for any late-night cravings, they’re now available in 2 oz versions at the frozen food section of grocery outlets.