20 Best Bakeries in New York City for Fresh Bread and Pastries

20 Best Bakeries in New York City 2025: for Fresh Bread & Pastries

New York City doesn’t play around when it comes to baked goods. From old-school Italian institutions to modern pastry labs redefining the croissant, NYC is home to some of the best bakeries in the world. Whether you’re a local looking for the perfect morning loaf or a tourist chasing viral treats, this list covers the very best bakeries in NYC in 2025 — each known for fresh bread, flaky pastries, and cult-favorite creations. Here are 20must-visit bakeries in NYC that will leave you dreaming about carbs.

1. Levain Bakery – Manhattan’s Iconic Cookie & More

Levain Bakery – Manhattan’s Iconic Cookie & More

There’s a reason Levain Bakery has a permanent line out the door: their cookies are legendary. But beyond their gooey, oversized chocolate chip walnut cookies, Levain also offers a solid lineup of rustic breads and classic pastries.

Their sourdough boule is crusty on the outside, soft and airy inside — perfect for breakfast toast or a hearty sandwich. Pair it with a butter croissant or blueberry muffin, and you’re set for the day.

  • Famous for cookies, but bread and pastries are underrated

  • Freshly baked daily, with no preservatives

  • Now expanding across the city with consistent quality

  • Neighborhood: Multiple locations (Upper West Side, NoHo, Williamsburg, etc.)
  • Visit Levain Bakery

2. L’Appartement 4F – French Charm in Brooklyn Heights

L’Appartement 4F – French Charm in Brooklyn Heights

What started as a pandemic-born bakery in a couple’s Brooklyn apartment has turned into one of NYC’s most beloved patisseries. L’Appartement 4F bakes French pastries with unmatched care — think sourdough croissants with delicate layers, pain au chocolat with Valrhona chocolate, and baguettes that rival those in Paris.

If you love laminated dough, this place will blow you away. Their pistachio-chocolate escargot and almond croissants often sell out by 10 AM.

  • Micro-batch, artisan French baking

  • Handmade croissants with incredible lamination

  • Cozy European-style interior and friendly vibe

  • Neighborhood: Brooklyn Heights
  • Explore L’Appartement 4F

3. Sullivan Street Bakery – Rustic Italian Breads, NYC-Style

Sullivan Street Bakery – Rustic Italian Breads, NYC Style

Jim Lahey’s Sullivan Street Bakery is a pioneer in no-knead baking and continues to be a cornerstone of NYC’s artisan bread scene. Known for their filone, ciabatta, and pizza bianca, this bakery focuses on long fermentation and bold flavors.

It’s not flashy, but every item here is done with precision and heart. The olive bread is salty, chewy, and deeply satisfying — ideal for sandwich lovers.

  • Founded by bread pioneer Jim Lahey

  • No-knead technique = deeply flavorful, airy bread

  • Amazing focaccia and Roman-style pizza

  • Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen & Chelsea
  • Visit Sullivan Street Bakery

4. Breads Bakery – Israeli-Inspired Classics & NYC Favorites

Breads Bakery – Israeli Inspired Classics & NYC Favorites

Breads Bakery is synonymous with NYC’s best babka, but their offerings go way beyond that. Their Jerusalem bagels, cheese burekas, and fresh sourdoughs have a loyal following. The chocolate babka, braided and rich, is almost always still warm when served — and it freezes well, in case you want to take a loaf home.

They also have an incredible almond croissant and seasonal galettes that feel homemade yet elevated.

  • Famous chocolate babka (and it lives up to the hype)

  • Wide range of Middle Eastern-European bakes

  • Always fresh, with options for savory pastry lovers too

  • Neighborhood: Union Square, Upper West Side, Lincoln Center, Bryant Park
  • See What’s Baking at Breads

5. Daily Provisions – Elevated Everyday Pastries & Bread

Daily Provisions – Elevated Everyday Pastries & Bread

This cozy offshoot of Danny Meyer’s restaurant group combines the neighborhood café vibe with exceptional baking. Their crullers (especially maple and cinnamon) are hands-down some of the best doughnuts in NYC, and their everything croissant hits all the savory notes just right.

Their country loaf, milk buns, and parker house rolls are perfect take-home additions. Daily Provisions is ideal for a relaxed breakfast or quick pick-up if you want quality without the crowds.

  • Famous crullers that go viral on Instagram

  • Great balance of sweet and savory baked goods

  • Offers breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and sit-down options

  • Neighborhood: Union Square, West Village, UWS, Manhattan West
  • Order from Daily Provisions

6. Dominique Ansel Bakery – Home of the Cronut®

Dominique Ansel Bakery – Home of the Cronut®

Dominique Ansel Bakery is one of NYC’s most internationally recognized pastry spots, thanks to the invention of the Cronut® — a croissant-doughnut hybrid that made headlines worldwide. But this bakery is more than a one-hit wonder.

Each season, the menu rotates with inventive creations like frozen s’mores on a stick, DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann), and savory items like flaky croissant sandwiches. The craftsmanship and creativity here are truly unmatched.

7. Bien Cuit – Dark, Bold, Beautiful Bread

Bien Cuit – Dark, Bold, Beautiful Bread

Bien Cuit (which means “well done” in French) focuses on deep, dark crusts and long fermentation techniques. Their pain au levain and rye miche are intense in flavor, chewy, and loaded with character.

Their croissants and kouign amanns are a little less buttery and more caramelized than the French norm — which many New Yorkers love for the extra depth of flavor. The bakery also offers savory quiches, tarts, and rotating seasonal pastries.

  • Bakes using a long-fermentation technique

  • Bold, rich flavors and deeply caramelized crusts

  • A must-visit for sourdough enthusiasts

  • Neighborhood: Boerum Hill (Brooklyn) + Grand Central Market
  • Order from Bien Cuit

8. Patisserie Tomoko – French Meets Japanese Perfection

Patisserie Tomoko – French Meets Japanese Perfection

Patisserie Tomoko is a hidden gem offering elegant pastries that marry French techniques with Japanese sensibility. Expect delicate textures, balanced flavors, and less sugar than traditional American or French patisseries.

Their matcha cream puffs, yuzu éclairs, and roll cakes are masterfully executed, and their dessert-tasting menu (yes, a dessert omakase!) is one of the most unique culinary experiences in NYC.

  • Fuses French pastry with Japanese flavors and textures

  • Offers a rare dessert omakase in NYC

  • Sophisticated presentation and nuanced taste

  • Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
  • Visit Patisserie Tomoko

9. Fabrique Bakery – Swedish Sourdough & Cardamom Buns

Fabrique Bakery – Swedish Sourdough & Cardamom Buns

Imported straight from Stockholm, Fabrique brings authentic Nordic baking to NYC. Their cardamom buns are the star — soft, chewy, and bursting with spice. But their sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls, and rugbröd (dense rye) are just as worthy.

The atmosphere is serene and minimalist, with a Scandinavian touch, making it a perfect morning stop if you’re strolling through the West Village or Chelsea.

  • True Scandinavian flavors, made fresh daily

  • Cardamom buns and cinnamon rolls are best-in-class

  • Unique flavor profiles not found elsewhere in NYC

  • Neighborhood: Meatpacking District

10. Orwasher’s Bakery – A Century of NYC Baking Tradition

Orwasher’s Bakery – A Century of NYC Baking Tradition

Founded in 1916, Orwasher’s is one of the oldest operating bakeries in New York City — and still one of the best. It blends Old World traditions with modern twists, producing hand-crafted breads that are deeply rooted in Eastern European baking.

Try their Hungarian rye, levain breads, or sourdough baguettes, but don’t skip their jelly-filled doughnuts (they use real seasonal fruit preserves). The bakery has maintained its reputation by focusing on consistency, tradition, and real ingredients.

  • Over 100 years of bread baking in NYC

  • Traditional recipes done exceptionally well

  • Great spot for bagels, rye bread, and jam-filled pastries

  • Neighborhood: Upper East Side
  • Visit Orwasher’s Bakery

11. Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery – Refined, Rich, and Unforgettable

Mah Ze Dahr Bakery – Refined, Rich, and Unforgettable

Named after the Urdu word for “essence,” Mah-Ze-Dahr offers baked goods that are indulgent yet refined. Founded by Umber Ahmad, a former investment banker turned pastry chef, this bakery blends classic American treats with a global twist.

Their brioche doughnuts, dark chocolate brownies, and scones are melt-in-your-mouth good, while their pullman loaves and challah make fantastic take-home breads. It’s the kind of place where you want to try everything.

  • James Beard-nominated founder

  • High-end ingredients with intense flavor

  • Sophisticated packaging and experience

  • Visit Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery

12. Librae Bakery – NYC’s First Bahraini-Inspired Sourdough Spot

Librae Bakery – NYC’s First Bahraini Inspired Sourdough Spot

Librae Bakery is one of the most unique additions to NYC’s bread scene. This female-founded bakery brings Bahraini flavors — like rose, cardamom, black lime, and tahini — into naturally leavened sourdough and laminated pastries.

From za’atar croissants to labneh and apricot Danishes, everything at Librae is deeply flavorful, modern, and globally inspired. Their sourdough loaves often incorporate Middle Eastern spices, which make them perfect for pairing with dips, cheeses, or olive oil.

  • Middle Eastern-inspired sourdough bakery

  • Unique flavor pairings with exceptional technique

  • Women-led, community-focused, and super photogenic

  • Neighborhood: NoHo
  • Explore Librae Bakery

13. La Bicyclette Bakery – Hidden Gem with Parisian Soul

La Bicyclette Bakery – Hidden Gem with Parisian Soul

La Bicyclette is a small, quietly brilliant French bakery in the heart of Bushwick. It’s not flashy or trendy — it just makes ridiculously good pastries and bread. You’ll find perfectly golden croissants, fruit tarts, eclairs, and baguettes that crunch like they should.

Locals swear by their almond croissant and ham & cheese baguette sandwich, and the bakery’s cozy corner-shop vibe makes it a neighborhood favorite.

  • Authentic French-style baking

  • Modest in appearance, big on quality

  • Excellent balance of savory and sweet

  • Neighborhood: Bushwick, Brooklyn

14. She Wolf Bakery – Farmers Market Favorite

She Wolf Bakery – Farmers Market Favorite

She Wolf is NYC’s most sought-after artisan bread bakery—but you won’t find a typical café or storefront. Instead, their bread is sold at NYC Greenmarkets (like Union Square), specialty grocers, and some of the city’s top restaurants.

They focus on naturally leavened sourdough, freshly milled grains, and ancient techniques. Their miche, polenta sourdough, and sesame semolina are standouts — all rustic, hearty, and made with extraordinary care.

  • Sells only through markets & select retail shops

  • Sourdough made from freshly milled local grains

  • Wild fermentation and no shortcuts

  • Neighborhood: Greenpoint (no storefront, but sold citywide)
  • Find She Wolf at Greenmarkets

15. Burrow – Hidden Pastry Haven in FiDi

Burrow – Hidden Pastry Haven in FiDi

Burrow is a true hidden gem. Tucked inside a nondescript building in FiDi, it’s run by a Japanese pastry chef who crafts elegant French pastries with minimalist, artistic flair.

This place is for those who appreciate precision. The matcha opera cake, Mont Blanc tart, and fruit-forward choux puffs are absolutely beautiful and balanced. The vibe is quiet, calming, and feels more like a Tokyo dessert bar than a downtown NYC bakery.

  • Hidden, peaceful, and high-quality

  • Pastries look like art but taste even better

  • Ideal for dessert lovers seeking a refined experience

  • Neighborhood: Financial District (inside a design studio building!)

16. Supermoon Bakehouse – Futuristic Pastries That Go Viral

Supermoon Bakehouse – Futuristic Pastries That Go Viral

If you’ve ever seen glittering croissants or cube-shaped cruffins on your Instagram feed, chances are they came from Supermoon Bakehouse. This place is bold, experimental, and unapologetically extra — but don’t let the flash fool you. Their laminated pastries are technically flawless.

Every week, they change their menu with wildly imaginative combinations like ube mochi croissants, tiramisu twice-baked, or pistachio cream puffs topped with edible gold dust.

  • Creative, ever-changing menu

  • Beautifully crafted pastries that taste as good as they look

  • Great for foodies and social media lovers alike

  • Neighborhood: Lower East Side
  • See What’s New at Supermoon

17. Arcade Bakery – NYC’s Secret Bread Sanctuary

Arcade Bakery – NYC’s Secret Bread Sanctuary

Arcade Bakery isn’t easy to find, but it’s totally worth the search. Located inside the lobby of a landmark office building, this hidden gem serves phenomenal baguettes, focaccia, pain aux raisins, and seasonal fruit galettes.

Open only on weekdays and early hours, it feels almost like a locals-only speakeasy for serious bread lovers. The bakery’s space is architecturally stunning, tucked between arched brick walls, with communal seating and a minimalist vibe.

  • Architecturally unique location inside a hidden arcade

  • Ridiculously good focaccia and French-style pastries

  • Weekday-only hours make it an exclusive find

  • Neighborhood: Tribeca (inside a nondescript office building)
  • Visit Arcade Bakery on Instagram

18. Love, Nelly – Colombian-American Comfort Bakes

Love, Nelly – Colombian American Comfort Bakes

Love, Nelly brings a much-needed South American flavor to NYC’s bakery scene. This bright, fun bakery is inspired by the owner’s Colombian roots and serves up arequipe-filled cookies, tres leches cake, pandebonos, and other comfort treats made from scratch.

There’s always something unexpected here — from cereal milk flan to cheesy guava buns. It’s colorful, nostalgic, and full of heart.

  • Colombian flavors meet American classics

  • LGBTQ+ and women-owned business

  • Joyful design and very community-oriented

  • Neighborhood: Bushwick, Brooklyn
  • Check Out Love, Nelly

19. Patisserie Chanson – Sophisticated Pastries & Dessert Bar

Patisserie Chanson – Sophisticated Pastries & Dessert Bar

This upscale bakery-meets-dessert-bar offers some of the most elegant pastry work in Manhattan. By day, Patisserie Chanson serves viennoiseries, fruit tarts, Paris-Brest, and artisan breads. By night, it transforms into a dessert tasting experience with plated courses and wine pairings.

Their milk bread, croissants, and kouign amann are standouts, but don’t miss their signature bonbons and mini entremets, which look like jewelry boxes.

  • High-end pastry work with a French backbone

  • One of the few dessert tasting bars in the city

  • Ideal for celebrations, dates, and indulgent afternoons

  • Neighborhood: Flatiron

20. Pain d’Avignon – NYC Outpost of a Hamptons Favorite

Pain d’Avignon – NYC Outpost of a Hamptons Favorite

Originally known for supplying top restaurants and hotels across NYC and the Hamptons, Pain d’Avignon now has a small retail shop in Essex Market where you can enjoy their legendary country sourdough, croissants, and baguettes straight from the source.

They bring a French-style bakery experience to a very down-to-earth NYC setting. The olive bread, cranberry pecan rolls, and mini tarts are staples here.

  • Artisan breads trusted by top NYC chefs

  • Now available directly to the public

  • French roots with New York character

  • Neighborhood: Essex Market (Lower East Side)

Final Recap: 20 Best Bakeries in NYC (2025 Edition)

Here’s the updated master list your readers will love:

  1. Levain Bakery

  2. L’Appartement 4F

  3. Sullivan Street Bakery

  4. Breads Bakery

  5. Daily Provisions

  6. Dominique Ansel Bakery

  7. Bien Cuit

  8. Patisserie Tomoko

  9. Fabrique Bakery

  10. Orwasher’s Bakery

  11. Mah-Ze-Dahr

  12. Librae Bakery

  13. La Bicyclette

  14. She Wolf

  15. Burrow

  16. Supermoon Bakehouse

  17. Arcade Bakery

  18. Love, Nelly

  19. Patisserie Chanson

  20. Pain d’Avignon

FAQs: Best Bakeries in NYC 2025

Q: What bakery in NYC has the best croissants?
A: L’Appartement 4F is widely considered to have the best croissants in NYC, thanks to its authentic French techniques and buttery layers.

 

Q: Where can I find the best bread in New York City?
A: Sullivan Street Bakery offers some of the best rustic loaves in the city, including their iconic filone and pizza bianca.

 

Q: Which NYC bakery is most famous for cookies?
A: Levain Bakery is world-famous for its thick, gooey cookies — especially the chocolate chip walnut.

 

Q: Are any of these bakeries good for breakfast?
A: Yes! Daily Provisions and Breads Bakery both serve top-tier breakfast pastries and coffee.

 

Q: Do these bakeries offer delivery or nationwide shipping?
A: Some do. Levain Bakery and Breads Bakery both ship select items across the U.S. through their websites.

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