Get Ready to Carbo-Load—These Are the Best Bakeries in NYC
Carb cravings are all too real—especially in a city like New York, which offers the best in all things bread, from French croissants to doughnuts, bagels, and even cronuts. Just like the French, New Yorkers have an uncanny ability to burn off the city's most delicious pastries with an intensive walking regimen—which happens naturally when a trip requires more than two subway transfers. But don't get fooled by tourist traps—to get the best bread and pastries in New York, you need to know where to look: in Brooklyn warehouse kitchens, nonprofits in Harlem, even office buildings in TriBeCa. Ready to carb-load? Here are the best bakeries in NYC.
Created as an experiment for the Williamsburg Hotel, Brooklyn Bread Lab is a new dynamic warehouse kitchen in Bushwick dedicated to providing unique bread and pastries for the Williamsburg Hotel and its restaurant, Harvey. The neighborhood newcomer offers bread- and pastry-making classes and chef tasting events.
The Neighborhood: Bushwick
The Specialty: Artisanal bread loaves
James Beard 2017 finalist Zachary Golper opened Boerum Hill's Bien Cuit bakery in 2011 with his wife, Kate Wheatcroft. Bien Cuit, which literally means "well-baked" in French, has been hailed as one of the city's best bakeries for its burnished whole-grain loaves, baguettes, and pastries.
The Neighborhood: Boerum Hill
The Specialty: Sour cherry ricotta tart
You'd probably never expect to find a top-rated bakery in an unassuming TriBeCa office building, but that's exactly what makes Arcade Bakery so special. Expertly designed by Brooklyn studio Workstead, this bakery and café is a literal hole-in-the-wall that showcases as much expert craft in its classic French bread and pastries by Roger Gural as it does in its meticulously designed interior.
The Neighborhood: TriBeCa
The Specialty: Caramel-apple Danishes and hazelnut brioche buns
Hot Bread Kitchen is unique. Jessamyn Rodriguez's nonprofit is as much a social justice enterprise as it is an international wholesale bakery—baking international sweets from Moroccan m'sen, naan, tortillas, challah, and more. The goal: to create economic opportunity through careers in food with training and incubator programs.
The Neighborhood: Harlem
The Specialty: Parker House rolls
One could not discuss NYC bakeries without mentioning bagels, which brings us to Sadelle's. More than a traditional bagel shop, Sadelle's is a restaurant and bakery by Major Food Group in the heart of SoHo. The bakery offers a selection of bagels, challah bread, and pastries, while the restaurant specializes in fish preparations and also offers a traditional Russian caviar and vodka service.
The Neighborhood: SoHo
The Specialty: Bagels, of course, and more specifically, its house salmon tower
West Villagers are in love with the new High Street on Hudson, the popular brunch spot and bakery. The pastries and artisanal bread by head baker Alex Bois sell out early (and so do its brunch seats), so get there early to score your window spot and a coveted croissant.
The Neighborhood: West Village
The Specialty: Cannoli Danish studded with Luxardo cherries
Maman has locations all over the city, from TriBeCa to NoMad, Meatpacking, and Greenpoint, but its flagship bakery, café, and shop is in SoHo. More than a traditional bakery, Maman brings South of France favorites to NYC: croissants, quiches, and even Oprah's favorite chocolate chip cookies.
The Neighborhood: SoHo
The Specialty: Nutty chocolate chip cookies
Tucked away on 19th Street just above Union Square, Danny Meyer's newly opened Daily Provisions is a godsend for office workers in the area (NYC-based MyDomaine editors can attest). The small café and bakery offers anything from delicious coffee to artisanal bread and light lunch options.
The Neighborhood: Union Square
The Specialty: Maple-glazed crullers or the rotisserie chicken sandwich, if you're in the mood for something substantial
Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud never ceases to expand his empire, one that includes three locations of Épicerie Boulud, an eat-in/take-out traditional French market and bakery. The original location is in the Lincoln Center, and outposts are also located in World Trade Center and Plaza Food Hall.
The Neighborhood: Upper West Side
The Specialty: Feathery, buttery croissants and the lemon meringue tart
With locations in East Village, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint, mini chain Bakeri offers baguettes, focaccia, sweet apple cakes, cinnamon buns, and more—all served by a cheerful bunch of bakers outfitted in baby-blue overalls and matching caps. Pop in for a coffee and a pastry, or stay for lunch.
The Neighborhood: East Village
The Specialty: Brown sugar upside-down cake
Fancy a glass of wine with your brioche? Look no further than Flatiron's Pâtisserie Chanson. Opened by Rory Macdonald, this European bakery celebrates specialties from all over Europe: hazelnut kouign-amann, tall croissants, éclairs, and British-style scones. By night, the bakery transforms into a dessert bar with an inventive tasting menu.
The Neighborhood: Flatiron
The Specialty: The afternoon tea, which features éclairs, macarons, caramels, chocolate, and coffee from Stumptown