Best bakeries on the Upper East Side, 2026.

Breads Bakery is easily one of the best bakeries in Upper East Side (also one of the best bakeries in New York City).

With 6+ locations, the bakery has grown like wildfire mostly thanks to their award-winning chocolate babka (a traditional Jewish pastry made from yeast dough and garnished with cinnamon or chocolate). It’s delicious, you can’t regret ordering an entire loaf to go.

But the chocolate babka isn’t the only thing this Upper East Side bakery has mastered, quite the contrary. Anything you order at Breads is bound to impress, especially the croissants and seasonal delights.

When the Upper East Side (UES) location opened, the owner of the bakery decided to create a special treat exclusive to the UES bakery. The winner? The most unique black-and-white cookie in NYC! Half-croissant, half-traditional cookie, I happily trek a mile for it most Sundays.

Originally founded in 1916, Orwashers is one of the oldest bakeries on the Upper East Side. Serving New Yorkers for more than 105 years, their success can be attributed to traditional baking methods perfected over time.

I suggest showing up early for the best selection because the most popular items sell out quickly. It’s not uncommon to see lines stretching outside, especially during weekends. The croissants are delicious and the black and white cookies are some of the best in NYC.

My favorite items on the menu at this Upper East Side bakery are the following, sticky-bun babka, bagels, turnovers, jelly donuts and the black-and-white cookies. Try to visit before noon for the freshest selection.

Some cities have bakeries. New York has temples of flour and butter.

The decor at Ladurée is perfectly Parisian, which makes it a great pit stop for any Francophile. This famous international bakery specializes in delicious sweet treats, namely the macaroons.

I have a friend who loves macaroons (who doesn’t) and so I try pick up a box from here to share each time we get together to catch up.

There’s a handful of tables indoor and out, but snatching one might be a challenge because this Upper East Side bakery is quite popular. Oh, but those those macaroons are worth the wait!

They serve coffee as well making it a great spot to relax on an easy Saturday morning.

Serving New Yorkers since 1946, William Greenberg Desserts is one of the best bakeries on the Upper East Side. Their iconic black-and-white cookies consistently grace the top of award lists every year, so ordering one is non-negotiable.

What sets this Upper East Side bakery apart is their commitment to traditional baking techniques and high-quality ingredients, resulting in delicious and nostalgic treats. Their assortment of cookies, cakes, pastries, and holiday-specific treats keep locals coming back for more.

Padoca translates to “neighborhood bakery” in Portuguese. Aptly named, this small Brazilian bakery on the Upper East Side makes everything to order, a nice touch!

The star of the show is the famous Brazilian cheese bread (little doughy cheese bites, so good!). It’s not uncommon for baked goods to be sold out by noon, so get there early if you can!

For me, the pasteis de nata are my go-to. Each bite of this delicious Portuguese treat reminds me of past (and future!) trips to Portugal. So nice to have access to this bakery in the UES!

Chances are good that you’ve heard of Levain’s massive cookies, some of the most famous and best cookies in New York City, if not the world. Their gooey chocolate chip walnut cookies have amassed a cult-like following that only sounds surprising until you try them for yourself.

How lucky are Upper East Siders to have access to this renowned bakery right in the hood! Very.

The line typically stretches well out the door most hours of the day and can be up to an hour long during the weekend. Have I waited in line for 1+ hours for a cookie? Yes. Did I regret it? Absolutely not.

By The Way Bakery is a great option for those in search of the best gluten free bakeries in the Upper East 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 made from scratch in small batches. Their passion and effort shines through!

My friend is gluten-free and I make it a point to pick her up a treat from this beloved gluten-free UES bakery whenever she’s in town.

Noglu is a gluten-free bakery in the Upper East Side that opened in 2015 by French pastry chef, Frédérique Jules. This the perfect spot to get a mid-day pick me up. This Upper East Side bakery focuses on local and organic ingredients and let me tell you, you can taste the difference.

Long gone are the days when gluten free treats felt more like a punishment. This gluten-free bakery in the UES. The tarts and muffins are especially good but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.