Carlo's Bakery is a better choice for those seeking custom cakes and a wide variety of Italian pastries, while Levain Bakery is ideal for cookie lovers who appreciate large, gourmet cookies with unique textures and flavors. Levain also offers vegan and gluten-free options, but those with severe allergies should be cautious. Carlo's Bakery has more mixed reviews regarding consistency, so manage expectations accordingly.
| Attribute | Carlo's Bakery | Levain Bakery |
|---|---|---|
| Variety of Baked Goods | Wide selection including cakes, slices, pastries, cookies, pizza, bundles, seasonal items, merchandise, and coffee. | Cookies, breads, rolls, loaf cakes, sticky buns, muffins, tarts, scones, ciabatta, and baguettes. |
| Signature Items and Quality | Cannoli (crispy shell, creamy ricotta filling), sfogliatelle (flaky pastry, rich ricotta), custom cakes. | Six-ounce cookie, particularly the Chocolate Chip Walnut cookie. Large, thick, gooey with a slightly crisp exterior. Quality is maintained across locations. |
| Custom Cake Design Options | Specializes in custom designs for events, consultations, intricate designs, edible decorations, personalized figurines. | Does not offer traditional layered cakes or cupcakes. Can supply cookies for customers to create their own cookie towers. |
| Ingredient Quality and Freshness | High-quality ingredients, cakes baked fresh. | High-quality ingredients without preservatives. Baked fresh on-site daily, and unsold items are donated. |
| Price Range and Value | Higher than average, custom cakes range from hundreds to thousands, cupcakes $2.95-$3.50, cookies $3.25-$3.50, cake slices around $7.95, premade cakes start at $26.95. 'Buddy Bundles' offer good value. | Cookies are priced around $4 to $6 each. Considered worth the price due to their size, quality, and taste by many. |
| Store Ambiance and Cleanliness | Warm and charming atmosphere. | Cozy and bustling. |
| Customer Service and Staff Friendliness | Generally friendly and helpful staff. | Details on staff friendliness can vary. |
| Location and Accessibility | Original location in Hoboken, NJ. Other locations include New York City, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Hoboken accessible from NYC via PATH. | Started in New York City and has expanded to other locations across the US, including Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. |
| Online Ordering and Delivery | Nationwide shipping available. Order online through website, Goldbelly, Grubhub, and DoorDash. | Nationwide shipping for cookie gift boxes. Local delivery and pickup are also available through their website and third-party services like DoorDash, Caviar, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Seamless. |
| Specialty Offerings | Not a wheat, dairy, egg, soy, or nut-free environment; cannot guarantee no cross-contamination. | Vegan & GF Chocolate Chip Walnut cookie (made on shared equipment and may contain traces of allergens). |
| Overall Taste and Flavor Profiles | Known for authentic Italian pastries and desserts. | Rich flavors, with a balance of sweetness and high-quality chocolate. The signature Chocolate Chip Walnut offers a mix of sweet and nutty flavors. |
| Consistency in Product Quality | Some reviews mention inconsistent quality, particularly with cakes purchased at Walmart. | Focuses on maintaining consistency in the way their cookies are made across all locations. |