Best bakeries on the Upper West Side, 2026.

Breads Bakery has grown like wildfire since opening in 2013, mostly thanks to their award-winning chocolate babka. If you’re not familiar with babka (I wasn’t before moving to NYC) it’s a traditional Jewish bread/pastry made from yeast dough folded with cinnamon or chocolate.

This incredible Jewish treat could launch a thousand ships, it’s so delicious. But the chocolate babka isn’t the only thing this Upper West Side bakery has mastered, quite the contrary. Anything you order at Breads is. I visit every chance I get and recommend it to all my out-of-town guest.

Délice Macarons is a tiny French bakery churning out fresh croissants and unforgettable desserts (the macaroons and cakes are divine) on a daily basis. I happily line up to get my grubby little hands on those fresh croissants every weekend.

Specializing in traditional French pastries, this easily one of the best bakeries on the Upper West Side for baked goods. The head baker, Pierre Chahine, has more than 20 years of experience working at bakeries in Paris, which shines through in his immaculate work.

A hundred years ago I took a French class and convinced myself I should have been born French. In my mind the French can do no wrong. Case in point. The country’s irresistible baked goods.

This French Upper West Side bakery couldn’t be cozier. It’s not very large, but it has all the basics covered. Excelling at macaroons and croissants, this a natural stop for a midday pick-me-up while exploring the neighborhood.

The best bakeries in New York City don’t need fancy marketing, the aroma does the work.

Arguably the most famous bakery one the Upper West Side, The Hungarian Pastry Shop is an institution that dates back to 1961. It’s a great place to read a book or people-watch while enjoying traditional Hungarian pastries. I was eager to share this place with my Hungarian sister-in-law and she loved it as much as I did! She said everything tasted authentic and who am I to disagree?

You’ve probably heard about the most famous cookies in NYC, but did you know that Levain’s original location is on the Upper West Side? The softball-sized chocolate chip walnut cookies have amassed a cult-like following that only sounds surprising until you try it for yourself.

While the cookies are the draw, the bakery does serve a handful of other baked goods as well, like the delicious sour cream coffee cake and cinnamon brioche. There’s two Levain bakeries on the Upper West Side. The original location 74th Street and the larger store on Amsterdam between 76th and 77th streets.

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Unpopular opinion. Hot take. You don’t need to go to Paris for world-class pastries, just visit these NYC bakeries.

Dating back to 1916, Orwashers recently branched out with a second bakery in the Upper West Side. Serving New Yorkers for nearly 110 years, the bakery prides itself on using traditional baking methods that have been meticulously perfected over decades.

I suggest showing up early for the best selection because the most popular items sell out quickly. The croissants are delicious and the. Try to visit before noon for the freshest selection (just keeping it real, I’ve been burned a few times with stale pastries).

My adviceIf it’s your first time visiting, don’t sleep on the sticky-bun babka, jelly donuts and black-and-white cookies.

Daily Provisions was opened by Danny Meyer, the mastermind behind Shake Shack and Gramercy Tavern. Most folks trek to this cute Upper West Side bakery for the famous crullers and find themselves returning for everything else on the menu.

Ordering the crullers is non-negotiable, no doubt, but my favorite things on the menu are the great breakfast sandwiches. The BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) is on constant rotation in my weekend plans, although my husband swears by the smoked salmon croissant.

Opened in 2021 (the midst of the pandemic) the baked goods at Epices tided the restaurant over during a tumultuous time, a testament to the quality of head baker’s skill. The croissants deserve a special mention, buttery and flaky, with a satisfying exterior and soft center, these bad boys are nothing short of perfection.

Epices is a neighborhood haunt few tourists know about, making it a great stop when you’re in a rush (amazing how much time you save when you’re not waiting in line).

Silver Moon Bakery is one of the most beloved bakeries on the Upper West Side. Locals flock in at opening time to get prime picks of fresh baked breads, flaky croissants and some of the best cakes in the city. I especially enjoy their chocolate chip cookies, which feel like an underrated secret of sorts, highly recommend!

I stumbled upon Modern Bakery completely by accident, what a happy coincidence that turned out to be. I was feeling peckish and popped in for a bagel without realizing it was a gluten-free bakery.

I enjoyed the bagel so much that I returned the following weekend for more. And it wasn’t until my second visit that realized all the gluten-free signs, did I accidentally eat a gluten-free bagel last weekend? Turns out I did, and loved it.

That’s precisely why I consider this one of the best gluten free bakeries on the Upper West Side. You’ll find everything from challah to bagels and muffins. Pick something up and head a few blocks east to Central Park for a proper picnic.

By The Way Bakery is yet another great option for those in search of the best gluten free bakeries on the Upper West Side. The entire selection of toothsome baked goods is gluten-free, dairy free, certified kosher and so dang delicious.

Started by a lawyer-turned-baker, By The Way Bakery bills itself as an old-fashioned bakery where everything is homemade from scratch in small batches. The passion and effort shine through. My friend is gluten-free and I make it a point to pick up a treat from this beloved gluten-free UWS bakery whenever she’s in town.