Levain Bakery

Levain's cookies weigh six ounces. They are the size of a small hockey puck. They cost $5. They are worth every calorie and every cent. The chocolate chip walnut is the signature — crispy outside, molten gooey inside, big enough to share (though you won't). The dark chocolate chocolate chip is an underrated runner-up. The oatmeal raisin converts raisin-haters.

The original West 74th Street location is a tiny basement shop — blink and you'll miss it. There's a line outside basically whenever they're open. It moves fast (3-5 minutes most days). They bake all day so cookies are always warm.

**Local tip:** Eat the cookie at the bench in Central Park across the street — it's part of the ritual. They ship nationally if you get hooked. There are now four NYC locations (UWS, Harlem, UES, Noho) plus one in the Hamptons. The original on 74th is the smallest and most atmospheric.

**Best for:** Afternoon pick-me-up, sharing with a friend in the park, justifying a long walk. An absolute rite of passage.