Elysee Bakery & Cafe

los angeles has more coffee options than any reasonable person can track, which means the places that actually hold a neighborhood's attention are worth paying attention to. elysee bakery & cafe on gayley avenue in westwood is one of those places. the street sits at the edge of ucla's campus, which means foot traffic is constant and competition for loyalty is real. pastries are a serious part of what's on offer here, not an afterthought propped up beside the espresso bar. you could come for coffee and leave having made a different decision entirely once you see what's behind the glass. locally, the place has built a reputation that doesn't seem to depend on novelty or rotating concepts. the pastries are the reason to show up early.