Viktor Benes Bakery

Introduction / Overview: A Taste of Old-World European Baking in the Heart of the South Bay

For decades, Viktor Benes Bakery has been a cherished name in the Southern California culinary landscape, representing a legacy of fine European pastries and exquisite cakes. Originating from the vision of Viktor Benes, a baker who immigrated from Czechoslovakia in the 1920s, the bakery’s enduring recipe for success is based on quality with natural and fresh ingredients, a commitment that continues today under the direction of entrepreneurial Italian bakers. Today, this tradition thrives, offering locals in the Manhattan Beach area and the wider South Bay a reliable source for gourmet, artisanal baked goods.

Viktor Benes is synonymous with the finest delicacies, combining a distinctive European influence with Southern California style. It's a full-service bakery where every product, from a simple shortbread cookie to an elaborate wedding cake, is prepared using sweet creamy butter and fresh whole eggs, and notably, no hydrogenated fats or margarine, a modern commitment to health-conscious quality. This dedication to superior ingredients has cemented its reputation, ensuring that every bite, whether of a flaky Napoleon Slice or a rich Chocolate Parisian Cake, delivers a truly premium experience.

While the bakery offers an expansive menu, it is perhaps most famous for its signature delight, the infamous Alligator. This delicious coffee cake, a mix of pecans, butter, and egg, is a regional favorite and a must-try for any local looking for an exceptional treat appropriate for any occasion. By operating within the upscale environment of Gelson's Markets, Viktor Benes Bakery aligns its high-quality baked goods with the supermarket's philosophy of selling and stocking only the best. Though some reviews mention inconsistent freshness or minor service issues at various locations, the bakery is overwhelmingly appreciated by loyal customers for its consistent quality over the years and its stunning visual creations.

Location and Accessibility

The convenience of Viktor Benes Bakery for California users is rooted in its unique positioning within Gelson's Markets, an upscale grocery chain favored by many Southern California residents. The bakery counter or department is located within the Gelson's Market in Manhattan Beach, making it a highly accessible stop for both daily grocery runs and dedicated dessert pickups.

The core location for this service is found in:

Address: Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USA (Located within Gelson's Market)

This placement allows Manhattan Beach and South Bay locals to easily grab a pastry, slice of cake, or specialty bread while conducting their regular shopping. The Gelson's Manhattan Beach location is often noted for also being home to Mamolo's Fine Pastries (referencing one of the current owners) and provides a pleasant shopping environment, sometimes even featuring amenities like an amazing outdoor dining area, further enhancing the customer experience. While specific bakery hours may align with the host supermarket’s schedule, Gelson's locations generally offer wide operating hours, typically catering to both early morning pastry seekers and those needing a late-evening dessert.

Services Offered

Viktor Benes Bakery is a comprehensive, full-service establishment offering an extensive range of baked goods for all occasions, ensuring locals can find both simple daily delights and elaborate special-event desserts.

• Custom Celebration Cakes: Providing wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and holiday cakes in any shape, size, and flavor, with a dedicated process to work directly with clients to create the perfect custom design.
• Signature Coffee Cakes: Featuring the famous Alligator coffee cake (a pecan-filled, buttery delight), available in large, medium, or bite-size options, as well as cinnamon loaves, almond rings, and Kahlua cakes.
• European Pastries and Slices: A stunning selection of fancy pastries and miniature products, including the highly recommended Napoleon Slice, mini fruit tarts, mini éclairs, brownies, and cream puffs.
• Showcase and Specialty Cakes: Offerings like the classic, rich Chocolate Parisian Cake (chocolate cake with chocolate mousse), Princess Cake (light cake with jam and marzipan/fondant), Red Velvet, German Chocolate Cake, and seasonal fruit tortes.
• Artisan Breads: Freshly baked loaves including challah bread, rye, wheat, pumpernickel, and six-grain bread, alongside morning favorites like brioche and coffee cakes for everyday needs.
• Cookies and Sweet Treats: More than 20 cookie varieties, including shortbread cookies (with festive shapes like happy faces and seasonal designs), chocolate chip rugelach (noted for being flaky and buttery), macaroons, florentines, and sprinkle cookies.
• Seasonal and Holiday Pies: Offering traditional pies like pumpkin and apple during the holidays, along with summer choices such as lemon meringue and cherry pie.
• Morning Pastries and Muffins: A selection of fresh-baked muffins (including lemon poppy seed, pumpkin, and blueberry), danishes, scones, and croissants for the perfect breakfast or coffee pairing.

Features / Highlights

Viktor Benes Bakery has several distinguishing features that have made it a favorite across the South Bay and beyond:

• The Alligator Coffee Cake: This is the bakery's most famous and signature item. It is a delicious, pecan and butter-rich coffee cake known regionally as a must-try traditional favorite that sets the bakery apart.
• European Heritage and Quality: The bakery maintains its founding European standards by using only real butter, fresh whole eggs, and no preservatives or hydrogenated fats, appealing to California users who prioritize natural, high-quality ingredients.
• Showcase and Princess Cakes: Their Princess Cake is a highly praised birthday choice, noted for its light, airy cake and unique marzipan/fondant finish, while the Chocolate Parisian Cake is a classic, rich, and decadent favorite available by the slice or as a whole cake.
• Custom Cake Expertise: With over 75 years of experience in baking and cake design, they are a trusted source for customized wedding and celebration cakes, capable of delivering beautiful and professional results.
• Convenient Gelson's Locations: Its placement within Gelson's Markets across Southern California (including Manhattan Beach) offers unmatched convenience for local shopping and pick-up, integrating luxury baked goods into a gourmet grocery experience.
• Wide Variety of Cookies: The extensive cookie collection, including the nostalgic happy face shortbread cookies and the delicious chocolate chip rugelach, provides perfect options for both everyday snacking and large party platters.

Contact Information

Since Viktor Benes Bakery is located inside Gelson's Markets in Manhattan Beach, the most reliable local contact information for the bakery is often tied to the market itself. While a direct bakery line for this specific counter may not be public, all inquiries can be directed to the market's location:

Address: Located within Gelson's Markets, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USA

Phone: Please contact the Manhattan Beach Gelson's Market for direct bakery access. The number for the Valley Village location, which handles custom orders, is (818) 841-9347, but local users should call the Manhattan Beach store directly for local counter inquiries and hours.

What is Worth Choosing

For any California resident near the Manhattan Beach area seeking a treat that merges European finesse with reliable quality, Viktor Benes Bakery offers exceptional value. What makes this bakery truly worth choosing is the consistency of their most celebrated, time-tested recipes and their commitment to using real, high-quality ingredients.

New visitors should make it a priority to try the infamous Alligator coffee cake; it is the bakery's historical centerpiece and a truly unique Southern California delight that is a perfect choice for morning coffee or a casual family gathering. For those planning a celebration, the Chocolate Parisian Cake or a slice of the Princess Cake offers a rich, yet refined, dessert experience that is superior to many mass-produced alternatives. These cakes, alongside the flaky and buttery Napoleon Slice, exemplify the fine European delicacies the bakery is known for.

Furthermore, Viktor Benes Bakery is worth choosing for its full range of services. The ability to consult with a team with over 75 years of experience for a flawless custom wedding or birthday cake offers peace of mind for any special occasion. Whether you are looking for a dozen holiday shortbread cookies, a loaf of challah bread, or a decadent slice of cake, Viktor Benes provides a premium, quality-focused option that has proudly served the Los Angeles community for generations. By choosing Viktor Benes, customers are choosing a legacy of baking that puts quality first.

Viktor Benes Bakery

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USA