The Best of New York · Eat · Desserts
The best birthday cakes in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 11 places.
Every year around my birthday I face the same delicious dilemma. Which cake? In a city with this many bakeries, picking one feels like choosing a favorite child. I’ve been through the chocolate phase, the funfetti phase, and the “maybe I should just get two” phase. After years of very dedicated research (someone had to do it), these are the best birthday cakes in New York City.
Best birthday cakes in New York, 2026
- Magnolia BakeryBakery · West VillageMagnolia Bakery is one of the most popular bakeries in New York City, largely thanks to Sex and the City.
- Martha’s Country BakeryBakery · WilliamsburgThey’re consistently good and always get complimented to the extreme.
- Amy’s BreadBakery · ChelseaIt’s rich, moist and perfectly airy, topped with a “chocolate silk.
- Billy’s BakeryBakery · TribecaBilly’s Bakery holds a special place in my heart because it’s my neighborhood bakery.
- Erin McKenna’s BakeryBakery · Lower East SideAfter many slices, I can confidently say that nothing tops Erin McKenna’s Bakery.
- Lady MBakery · Upper East Side
- Ladybird BakeryBakery · BrooklynThese beautifully decorated cakes check all the boxes. moist, flavorful, airy and memorable.
- Mah-Ze-Dahr BakeryBakeryThe chocolate cake, aptly called The Devil in Ganache, is one of my favorites in the city (I requested for my last two birthdays).
- Milk BarBakery · Multiple LocationsIt’s impossible to name a more popular place to get birthday cakes in New York City than Milk Bar.
- OvenlyBakery · Brooklyn
- Two Little Red HensBakery · Upper East SideIn fact, I’d go so far as to say that Two Little Red Hens makes the best red velvet cake in New York City.
Magnolia Bakery
Bakery · West Village
Magnolia Bakery is one of the most popular bakeries in New York City, largely thanks to Sex and the City.
Martha’s Country Bakery
Bakery · Williamsburg
They’re consistently good and always get complimented to the extreme.
Amy’s Bread
Bakery · Chelsea
It’s rich, moist and perfectly airy, topped with a “chocolate silk.
Billy’s Bakery
Bakery · Tribeca
Billy’s Bakery holds a special place in my heart because it’s my neighborhood bakery.
Erin McKenna’s Bakery
Bakery · Lower East Side · 248 Broome St, New York, NY
After many slices, I can confidently say that nothing tops Erin McKenna’s Bakery.
Ladybird Bakery
Bakery · Brooklyn · 1112 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY
These beautifully decorated cakes check all the boxes. moist, flavorful, airy and memorable.
Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery
Bakery
The chocolate cake, aptly called The Devil in Ganache, is one of my favorites in the city (I requested for my last two birthdays).
Milk Bar
Bakery · Multiple Locations
It’s impossible to name a more popular place to get birthday cakes in New York City than Milk Bar.
Two Little Red Hens
Bakery · Upper East Side · 1641 Second Avenue
In fact, I’d go so far as to say that Two Little Red Hens makes the best red velvet cake in New York City.
Best birthday cakes in New York, 2026
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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 13 Best Birthday Cakes in New York City (Locals Discuss).