Who wouldn’t love to take a stroll down the Champs-Elysee and grab a fresh gourmet macaron? You don’t have to travel to Paris to indulge in perfectly crafted macarons. Some of the best macaron boutiques are right in your own backyard. Check out our list of the most creative macarons shops in America.
1. Ladurée
Laudrée is a well-known pâtisserie, pastry shop in French, in Paris and has been around for over 150 years. You don’t have to book a flight to Paris to experience this iconic macaron shop, there are many locations here in the United States. Some of their locations include New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington D.C. Each shop captures the essence and ambiance of their flagship shop on the Champs-Elysées. From the decor to menu of French treats, you’ll swear that you’re in France.
Enjoy their selection of macarons with flavors including coffee, pistachio, rose petal, orange blossom, salted caramel, lemon, vanilla, and chocolate. Pair your decadent macarons with a cup of gourmet tea. Their signature teas range from a delicate blend of black tea, cocoa, caramel and vanilla to a Chinese green tea blended with rose, orange blossom, and pepper. Luxuriate and spend an afternoon at one of Laudrée’s macaron shops.
2. Chantal Guillon Macarons
In 2008, Chantal Guillon brought European style macarons and tea to the United States. Chantal Guillon Macarons is located in San Francisco and Palo Alto and serves the must-have French macaron on the West Coast. Much care and detail are gone into crafting Chantal’s macarons.
First, each macaron is made by hand at their SoMA location in San Francisco. The shells are made with the finest almond flour using the Italian meringue method, which is done by cooking a sugar syrup and adding it to egg whites and whipping it continuously. Then, a ganache filling is pouched between the soft shells. The quality of the macarons are approved by Gullion herself and sent to the displays of each location. Some of their flavors include Salted Caramel, that is brushed with 18k gold, Coffee, creme brulee, dark chocolate, lemon, and red velvet. Yum! If you don’t plan on visiting California anytime soon but want to get your hands on an assortment of Chantal Guillon macarons, place on order on their e-shop.
3. Bunjour Bakery
Bunjour Bakery takes macarons to the next level. Located in Laguna Hills, CA, Bunjour Bakery is known for their unique and adorable macaron designs. This macaron shop is run by husband and wife team who use their creativity to turn macarons into Kawaii characters, like the ones pictured above, Disney characters, Pokemon characters, and many more. They are inspired by their two sons who suggest characters for their weekly lineup. How cute!
If you feel guilty about sinking your teeth into a cute little character’s face, there are plain ones available in an assortment of flavors including salted caramel, chocolate, vanilla bean, passion fruit, and cookies and creme. They also have some rotating flavors like cookie dough, green tea, almond, butterbeer (for the Harry Potter fans), and birthday cake. Unfortunately, they are unable to ship their macarons, however, if you are in Laguna Hills stop by their flagship shop or visit mini-shop inside Pengo Drink Station.
4. Honey & Butter
Another bakery that combines art and macarons is Honey & Butter. Located in Irvine, California Honey & Butter is home to some of the most creative macaron designs. They’ve even collaborated with brands like Tokidoki and Disney. Their macarons baked in-house daily and are meticulously crafted by hand. The level of detail that goes into each macaron is truly remarkable. Just check out some of their designs:
Honey & Butter’s macarons have a rich buttercream filling and come in an array of flavors including Nutella, French Toast Crunch, cookie butter, Churro, dark chocolate and sea salt, and vanilla bean.
5. Maca
Maca’s macarons are almost too beautiful to eat! They release 12 mouthwatering different macaron flavors along with adorable character designs. Another amazing thing about Maca is that all the macarons are hand piped and baked by owner Tamy Chung. Her delicate macarons are made with the highest quality ingredients, meaning there are no GMO products or artificial flavorings. Speaking of, some of the daily flavors include vanilla, cocoa, lavender and honey, rose petal, orange blossom, and red velvet. Along with macarons Maca also serves lemonade, tea, and Kombucha. If you want to experience Tamy’s delicious macarons but aren’t in the Boston area, you can place an order online and have them sent to your home.
6. Sucré
Get a taste of France in New Orleans’ French Quarter at Sucré. Sucré Macarons is one of New Orleans most stylish and posh bakeries. They have some of the most beautifully made confections ranging from gelato to chocolates however, their macarons are the star of the show.
Their delicate cookies are filled with luscious mousseline with their signature flavors including vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, almond, pistachio, bananas foster, and lavender honey. If you don’t plan on making a trip down to The Big Easy anytime soon, can order a batch of Sucre’s famous macarons here on their online shop.
7. Alliance Patisserie
Alliance Patisserie offers French-inspired pastries with a modern twist. Classically trained Chef Peter Rios brings the traditional European bakery experience to downtown Chicago. Their macarons are little bites of airy perfection, the delicate shells are filled with a creamy and decadent ganache. Some of their daily flavors include coffee, vanilla, pistachio, rose, blueberry, raspberry, and guanaja. In addition to macarons, Alliance Patisserie makes some of the most creative cakes, pastries, desserts. Some of their 2D and 3D cakes could even put the notorious Cake Boss to shame.
8. Macaron Parlour
Located in New York, Macaron Parlour has some of the country’s best pastries and baked goods. Their selection of macarons goes beyond the typical flavors. Some of their unique flavors include rosemary and olive oil, apple cider and caramel, s’mores, carrot cake, tiramisu, and Cheetos dust–yes, your favorite cheesy snack is crafted into the form of a macaron. Also, some of their macaron designs are just as unconventional as their flavors. Just look at these adorable macaron corgis!
Despite their name, Macaron Parlour doesn’t just make the best macarons but they also bake some of the most scrumptious goodies and pastries. If you’re able to spot by one of their shops in New York, grab a buttery and flaky croissant or lavender and honey scone–they even have sweet treats for your dog.
9. Olivia Macaron
In 2013, Ana Claudia Lopez followed her passion and opened up Olivia Macaron in named honor of her newborn daughter. Ever since, Olivia Macaron has expanded with locations in Washington, D.C, McLean, VA, and Bethesda, MD. Olivia Macaron is known for their fun flavors like Fruity Pebbles, Chocolate Pretzel, S’mores, and Churro. Sounds delish, right? If you’re in the DMV, you have to stop by one of the three locations and immerse yourself in sweet treats and an even sweeter ambiance. If you are not able to get to the Olivia Macaron storefront or kiosk, you can order a box of macarons online.
10. Macaron by Patisse
Our list of macaron shops would not be complete without mentioning Macaron by Patisse. Named Houston’s premier French macaron boutique, Macaron by Patisse crafts over 20 flavors of delicate and beautiful macarons. Some of their flavors include birthday cake, mint chocolate, rose, cookies & cream, and blueberry vanilla bean. All of their macarons are made in-house with fresh ingredients and no artificial flavors. Not only do they put care into baking them but designing them as well. Take a look at these gorgeous floral print macarons.
Macaron by Patisse also serves delectable treats like gelato pops, which are layers of macarons sandwiched between creamy gelato. Mmm! If that wasn’t mouthwatering enough, they even offer a macaron ice cream sandwich where you can have it dipped in chocolate and covered with toppings of your choice. Macaron by Patisse is the ultimate sweet shop.
Honorable Mention: Pierre Hermé counter at JFK
Pierre Hermé is a legendary name in the French pastry world. Hermé has opened stores in Morocco, Thailand, Tokyo, and South Korea. Unfortunately, Hermé has yet to open a permanent boutique in the United States, but you can get your hands on a famous Pierre Hermé macaron at Delta Sky Club in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Their assortment of macarons are shipped from Paris and their varieties include Infiniment Chocolat (made from pure origin Brazilian dark chocolate), Infiniment Caramel, Infiniment Praliné Noisette (made with hazel praline and crunchy praline), the Mogador (made with chocolate and passion fruit) and Isaphan (made with rose, litchi, and raspberry). Customers can pay for these gourmet macarons with travel mile rewards or with a credit card. If you’re ever at the JFK International Airport, be sure to grab a couple of iconic macarons from the Pierre Hermé counter.
