New York Dearest
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A place · Bakery · SoHo · on 5 of my lists

Mah-Ze-Dahr.

Worth it, says Antonina. The chocolate cake, aptly called The Devil in Ganache, is known to induce dreams for months after.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · from my Best chocolate cake in New York
Where Mah-Ze-Dahr appears on New York Dearest

It's on 5 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.

Worth it

Mah-Ze-Dahr in the West Village is a small bakery on Greenwich Ave that punches way above its weight. Their chocolate cake is dense and fudgy with layers that practically melt the second they hit your tongue. Everything here is made with an almost obsessive attention to quality that you can taste in every bite.

Since opening in 2014, Mah-Ze-Dahr has risen to the top of most “best bakeries in NYC lists” within a few years. No easy feat in a city chock-full of bakeries and steep competition. The owner, Umber Ahmad, is a James Beard Award semi-finalist (a. Huge deal in the food world) who left the lofty confines of the financial world to pursue her dream of baking.

She’s lovingly called a banker-turned-baker, and let me tell you, we are all the better for it; she’s incredibly talented. The bakery lives up to the name by offering years of world-travel experience that shines through in the various assortments of baked foods, and nowhere is this more evident than in the incredible assortment of cakes.

The chocolate cake, aptly called The Devil in Ganache, is known to induce dreams for months after. It’s rich, dense, and oh, so satisfying! There’s no denying that Mah-Ze-Dahr is one of the best bakeries for chocolate cake in New York City. But don’t just take my word for it; order a slice next time you’re in the West Village!

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.

Best cheesecake in New York

No. 6 on that list
Worth it

Since opening in 2014, Mah-Ze-Dahr has risen to the top of most “best bakeries in NYC” lists within a mere seven years. No easy feat in a city chock-full of bakeries and steep competition. They make some of the best cheesecake in NYC, which is reason alone to visit.

The owner, Umber Ahmad is a James Beard Award semi-finalist (a huge deal in the food world) who left the lofty confines of the financial world to pursue her dream of baking. She’s lovingly called a banker-turned-baker, and let me tell you, we are all better for it, she’s incredibly talented.

The cheesecake is incredibly light (which has fooled me into eating more than I should have) and has a tasty, lemon zest with every bite. It’s refreshing, which can’t be said of most rich cheesecakes in NYC.

Unpopular opinion. Unpopular opinion. The best food in NYC is found at the places with zero Instagram presence.

Best doughnuts in New York

No. 4 on that list
Worth it

The owner of Mah-Ze-Dahr, Umber Ahmad is a James Beard Award semi-finalist (a huge deal in the food world) who left the lofty confines of the financial world to purse her dream of baking. She’s lovingly called a banker-turned-baker, and let me tell you, we are all better for it, she’s incredibly talented.

The West Village bakery lives up to the name by offering years of world-travel experience that shines through in the various assortments of baked foods. And nowhere is this more evident than in the incredible brioche donut. The treat is large, fluffy and fried to perfection. You’ll find folks (at least the smart ones) ordering two or more donuts at a time since they know they’re some of the best in NYC.

Worth it

Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, if I could marry you, I would. Opening in 2014, Mah-Ze-Dahr is like the new kid on the block. But within a mere seven years, they became known as one of the best bakeries in New York City. No easy feat in a city chock-full of bakeries.

The owner, Umber Ahmad is a James Beard Award semi-finalist (a huge deal in the food world) who left the lofty confines of the financial world to purse her dream of baking. She’s lovingly called a banker-turned-baker, and we’re all better for it, she’s incredibly talented.

Best bakeries in New York

No. 7 on that list
Worth it

Mah-Ze-Dahr was opened in 2014 by Umber Ahmad, a banker-turned-baker who left the lofty confines of the financial world to purse her dream of baking. Turns out it was the right move, because she went on to open one of the best bakeries in NYC. And became a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Award (a huge deal in the food world).

Inspired by her world travels, the bakery’s name comes from the Urdu word that describes the “taste and essence of food, the flavor and magic that make it delicious.”

Mah-Ze-Dahr
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Mah-Ze-Dahr

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