With a reputation for late nights, sultry cocktails bars (some of the best in NYC) and scores of dive bars, it’s easy to overlook the great bakeries in the East Village catering to early risers.Admittedly, the neighborhood’s night owls outnumber the early birds, but if you’re up before noon and the hankering for baked goods strikes, here’s some local bakeries you should know about.
Quick Summary. Looking for east village bakeries in East Village? Here are my top picks. La Cabra, Librae Bakery, Smør Bakery, and more.
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best East Village Bakeries
Table of Contents. Best East Village Bakeries
Table of Contents. Best Bakeries in the East Village
La Cabra
Website. La Cabra
Address. 152 2nd Ave, New York, NY
La Cabra makes the best cardamom buns in New York City. These airy, delicate spiced knots have earned a reputation an international stage (La Cabra hails from Denmark). Between the quality baked goods and top-notch coffee, the bakery swells with locals and tourists every day of the week. Excellence is the name of the game, and La Cabra delivers.
Good to know — La Cabra graces our list of the best bakeries in New York City.
Librae Bakery
Website.Librae Bakery
Address. 35 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003
Opened in 2022, Librae Bakery is the first Bahrain-owned bakery in New York City. Billed as a bakery with Middle Eastern roots using Danish techniques, this has quickly become one of the most popular bakeries in the East Village because of their instagram-famous pistachio rose croissant.
The Middle Eastern inspiration is infused into most of the baked goods, many of which are made with ingredients not commonly found in American bakeries (like the Za’atar Labneh Morning Bun and Loomi Babka Bun made with black lime).
The pistachio rose croissant is definitely worth a try, but my favorite treat ended up being the espresso pain au chocolate, I can’t recommend it enough.
Smør Bakery
Website. Smør Bakery
Address. 437 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009
There’s some local places I’d prefer to keep a secret because I enjoy them so much, but alas. you gotta give credit where credit is due, and Smør Bakery deserves a mention our list of the best bakeries in the East Village for the cardamon bun alone.
This Nordic bakery offers a gorgeous assortment of baked goods along with a handful of brunch items that shouldn’t be skipped. The cardamon buns and cinnamon rolls are some of the best in New York.
But don’t expect your typical cinnamon rolls at this bakery, these doughy creations aren’t smothered in icing. chewy and balanced, it’s one of my favorite mid-day treats. Smør Bakery is definitely worth a detour.
Local tip. Pro tip that most travel blogs won’t tell you. visit on a weekday afternoon for the most authentic experience.
Lady Wong Pastry & Cake
Website. Lady Wong Pastry & Cake
Address. 332 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
Lady Wong Pastry & Cake is one of the most popular bakeries in the East Village, surprising considering it didn’t exist before the pandemic. The passion project of a husband wife (both veterans of Michelin-starred restaurants), this little pastry shop dishes out incredible Southeast Asian-inspired desserts.
Combining food skills mastered over the years, the couple decided to take a leap of faith by opening a bakery. You’ll find unique flavors like pandan, ube, and calamari on offer. I still dream about the black. Lines are not uncommon, but the treats are worth the wait.
From Lucie
Website. From Lucie
Address. 263 E 10th St, New York, NY 10009
Lucie Franc de Ferriere was raised in the French countryside baking cakes with her mother for their family-run bed and breakfast in the Bordeaux countryside. Interestingly enough, baking wasn’t the path Lucie ventured down until the world went into lockdown in 2020.
With more time on her hands, Lucie began baking small cakes and decorating them with flowers from the local farmers market. Her cakes went viral during the pandemic and allowed Lucie to open a brick-and-mortar bakery in the East Village.
Relying on seasonal ingredients exclusively, Lucie refers to her cakes as an “ever-changing bouquet.” No two cakes are ever the same, so if something catches your eye, make sure to give it a try!
Unpopular opinion. Hot take. you don’t need to go to Paris for world-class pastries. just visit these NYC bakeries.
Petit Chou
Website. Petit Chou
Address. 229 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
It’s easy to be a frequent flier at Petit Chou because the bakery is constantly churning out exciting treats. Specializing in choux (delicate hand-made pasteries filled with cream or custard), this East Village bakery excels at many things.
Relying on time-tested French baking techniques, the bakery uses organic products exclusively and allow artificial flavors or colors in their baked goods. As you’d expect, the choux pasteries are non-negotiable, thankfully there’s several flavors to choose from.
From the crunchiness of the thin outer layer to the softness of the inner pastry and cream, enjoying this treat is an experience! Don’t overlook the bakery’s other delights. From laminated BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) breakfast sandwiches to tantalizing cookies, the variety on offer makes Petit Chou one of the best bakeries in the East Village.
Veniero Pasticceria & Caffe
Website. Veniero Pasticceria & Caffe
Address. 342 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
Serving the neighborhood for 130 years, Veniero Pasticceria has been around since 1894. This family-owned Italian bakery originally opened as a pool emporium (oddly enough) and caffe, serving baked goods to customers.
Over time, the demand for baked goods outnumbered the interest in billiards, so the business shifted into what would become the most famous Italian bakery in the East Village. You’ll find an impressive display of traditional Italian treats, which can be ordered to-go or enjoyed in the small dining room.
If you’d like to eat in, make that clear when you walk into the bakery and you’ll be seated (rather than having to wait in line to order at the counter). This one of those East Village bakeries that gives you the full New York experience from the second you step through the door.
The hardest part is knowing what to choose, the options are overwhelming! So let me help you out, Veniero’s is known for the baked ricotta cheesecake but the cannolis where it’s at. I’d go out of my way for those bad boys.
Confectionary!
Website.Confectionary!
Address. 440 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Confectionary serves all sorts of goodies from artisanal chocolates to baked goods. The best part? I didn’t even realize it was a vegan bakery until my third visit! Founded in 2016 as a merger between two upstate vegan businesses (a bakery and chocolate shop) everything is made with good ingredients that won’t leave you feeling sluggish.
But what really makes this place special is the Mitzvah Wall (more of a bulletin board), where folks treat strangers to treats from the bakery. For example, I can purchase a cookie and leave a note on the Mitzvah Wall that reads “one free cookie for anyone having a bad day.”
If you happen to be having a bad day, grab the note and cash in. It’s a sweet way to build. The notes on the wall span the gamut, from clever jokes to sentimental advice.
Elisa’s Love Bites
Website.Elisa’s Love Bites
Address. 441 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Like Confectionary, Elisa’s Love Bites is an entirely gluten-free bakery in the East Village. Offering excellent sweet treats for those with food sensitivities, everything on the menu is baked to perfection. The banana bread deserves a shout-out, as does the chocolate cake.
The vibe here is warm and unpretentious. the kind of place where you can settle in and lose track of time. Don’t overlook the house special here. I’ve brought friends from out of town here and the reaction is always the same. they can’t believe they hadn’t heard of it.
Spot Dessert Bar
Website.Spot Dessert Bar
Address. 13 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
Spot Dessert Bar is one of the most innovative East Village bakeries I’ve come across. Opened in 2009, this East Village dessert bar adds an step up twist to classic confectioneries.
Creative treats like the “Harvest” are served in a mini terracotta planting pot akin to a freshly planted flower. It isn’t until you dig into the pot that you find layers of fresh fruit, cake, whipped cream, and Oreo crumbs.
It’ll be tough picking just one treat to try at this popular East Village bakery, so come with friends and be prepared to share!
Bakeries East Village (Post Summary)
In sum, these are the best East Village bakeries.
- Spot Dessert Bar
- Confectionary!
- Elisa’s Love Bites
- From Lucie
- Petit Chou
- La Cabra
- Lady Wong
- Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe
- Smør
- Librae
Map of the Best East Village Bakeries
Based on our experience as NYC locals, Table of Contents. Best Bakeries in the East Village tops our list. See our full ranked list above for all 10 recommendations.
Every spot on this list was personally visited and reviewed by our team of NYC locals. We evaluate based on quality, atmosphere, and value.
And there it is, the best East Village bakeries you can’t miss out on.
Loved this guide? You might also want to check out my 13 Charming Coffee Shops in The East Village (Local’s List). it’s one of my most popular guides for a reason.
I want to hear from you. Which bakery did I miss that absolutely deserves a spot on this list?
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Final Thoughts
I could talk about east village bakeries in East Village all day, but La Cabra and Librae Bakery deserve special mention. They’re the kind of places that remind me why I love this city. Bookmark this page. I update. And if you have a recommendation, leave it below!
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