A few years ago, the revenue of retail bakeries in 2024 in NYC was projected to be $595 million - this merely shows just how much the people of New York love their pastries! And if you're traveling to the city, chances are you will too.
If your travel itinerary includes "eat pastries like a local," then New York City will absolutely deliver. This is a town where bakeries have queues down the block before 8 a.m., and pastry chefs are treated like rockstars. From flaky, buttery classics to wild mashups that broke the internet, here are five pastry experiences worth crossing the Atlantic for.
1. The Cronut at Dominique Ansel Bakery (SoHo)
Let's start with the legend. The Cronut is the pastry that launched a thousand headlines - part croissant, part doughnut, and 100% New York in attitude. It was invented by chef Dominique Ansel in 2013, and yes, people still line up every morning for a chance to grab one. Interestingly, each batch of cronuts takes around 3 days to make. It's no wonder people are willing to wait in queues for it - spans of time, attention, and care goes into every delicious batch!
Each month brings a new limited-edition flavor (think yuzu elderflower or raspberry Earl Grey), and no, you can't just wander in at noon and expect them to be in stock. Plan ahead, go early, and savor every flaky, custard-filled bite.
Location: 189 Spring St, SoHo
Best time to go: Weekday mornings around 7:30 a.m.
2. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie at Levain Bakery (Upper West Side)
Levain doesn't make cookies. They make small, warm boulders of joy. At roughly the size of a tennis ball and weighing in like a slice of cake, their chocolate chip walnut cookie is famous for good reason: crisp on the outside, molten on the inside, with generous hunks of chocolate and just enough salt to keep things grown-up.
The original location on West 74th Street is iconic, but you'll find new outposts across the city now - which means fewer lines and more cookies. Win-win.
Location: 167 W 74th St, Upper West Side (Original location)
Best time to go: Mid-afternoon lull (2-4 p.m.) for shorter lines
Pro tip: One cookie easily feeds two people. But also, don't feel bad if you don't want to share.
3. Everything Croissant at Supermoon Bakehouse (Lower East Side)
You've had everything bagels. You've had croissants. But have you had an everything croissant? Supermoon Bakehouse took this brunch staple and turned it into something brilliant - a buttery croissant topped with everything seasoning and piped full of whipped cream cheese.
The bakery itself feels more like a design studio than a pastry shop. Pastries here are plated like artwork, and the ever-rotating menu includes things like lychee and rose doughnuts or cube-shaped crème brûlée croissants. It's less a bakery and more a destination.
Location: 120 Rivington St, Lower East Side
Best time to go: Early on weekends - they sell out fast
Note: Their boxes and packaging are extremely Instagrammable
4. Almond Croissant at Balthazar Bakery (SoHo)
Classic. Elegant. French. The almond croissant at Balthazar Bakery is pure buttery perfection, just sweet enough with a soft almond center and crisp outer edges that practically shatter when you bite in.
Tucked beside the equally iconic Balthazar restaurant, the bakery hums with energy from early morning through lunch. Grab a croissant and a coffee and take it for a stroll through SoHo's cobblestone streets. There are fancier pastries in New York, sure - but few are this satisfying.
Location: 80 Spring St, SoHo
Best time to go: Morning before 10 a.m.
While you're there: Pick up a loaf of sourdough or a seasonal tart - their take-home goods are just as brilliant.
5. Matcha Pandan Mille Crêpes Cake at Lady Wong (East Village)
This pastry is the definition of "hidden gem." Lady Wong is a Southeast Asian patisserie creating desserts you won't find anywhere else in the city. Their Matcha Pandan Mille Crêpes Cake is delicate, beautifully layered, and lightly earthy from the matcha and pandan combination - a nod to the flavors of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Every forkful gives you soft texture and balanced sweetness, and the presentation is quietly stunning. If you like trying something a little off the beaten pastry path, this one's a must.
Location: 332 E 9th St, East Village
Best time to go: Late morning or just before the evening rush
Other standouts: Try their kuih (colorful rice flour cakes) or passionfruit calamansi tart
Staying Connected
Pastry missions like these are best shared - whether you're sending snaps to friends back home or posting that perfect Supermoon croissant on Instagram. If you're travelling from the outside of the US, consider setting up an eSIM United States plan before you arrive. It's quick, easy, and means you won't have to hunt for Wi-Fi just to check directions or upload foodie pics on the go.
Final Thoughts
NYC is a pastry lover's playground. You can start the morning with a warm Levain cookie, swing through SoHo for an almond croissant, then end your day with pandan crêpes and still feel like you've only scratched the surface. So pack your appetite (and your comfiest shoes), and get ready to taste your way through the city - one flaky, sweet, or savory bite at a time.
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