Proof Bakery

On weekend mornings, this worker-owned bakery in Atwater Village seems to be the hottest place to be in Northeast L.A. Locals drop in for morning coffee and baked goods like buttery croissants and brioche toast slathered with local jam. The caffeine is tops here, don’t get us wrong, but lines out the door mostly appear around noon, when the bakery brings out its famous sandwiches and tartines. Options include the likes of marinated beets, herb pesto and goat cheese; or salami, manchego and chive butter (plus some vegetarian options) on lightly salted, still-warm-from-the-oven mini baguettes. Grab one—they go fast!—and snag one of the few seats on the sidewalk patio, where you’ll get a vista of pretty much the entire Village while you sip your coffee. Plus, Proof makes one of our favorite chocolate chip cookies in the city.