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1 Ludlow Street, Chinatown, New York, NY
This is a bakery that knows its history: It’s from the brains of pastry wizard Zoë Kanan and the team behind two other beloved New York spots, S&P Lunch and Court Street Grocers. Kanan is bringing a new school slant to classic Ashkenazi Jewish baked goods that were, not too long ago, more widely available on the Lower East Side. She’s known for her iconic sweet-potato soft pretzel, but don’t overlook the rest of the pastry case. Her bread skills shine best when she’s making glossy challah (available every Friday). Pullman loaves (sandwich bread) and other varieties are made daily, and be sure to try a bialy, the rugelach, and the seasonal kolach, a sweet bread that has become ubiquitous throughout Kanan’s native Texas after being imported from the Czech Republic. There are many savory options and sandwiches, too, for those who are in more of a lunch state of mind—plus the benches out front are some of the best places to perch and people watch the Dimes Square scene.
135 India Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY; 186 Underhill Avenue, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NY
Perennially popular since opening their original Greenpoint location in 2023, they have since gone on to open a second in Prospect Heights—and there are at least two more in the works in Manhattan. Expect lines to last for over an hour on weekends, and they often sell out of their popular items—so get there early. The menu might look like your run-of-the-mill pastry shop, but Radio’s versions of croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and focaccia are anything but, with flavors like mango lassi, key lime pie, and pandan cheesecake that satisfies both the indulgent breakfast and dessert categories. They are also known for their sandwiches, drawing fans from other boroughs to get their hands on a cult-favorite roast turkey on pesto-topped focaccia, or spicy tofu with chili crisp.
263 East 10th Street, East Village, New York, NY
If you’re looking for a bespoke cake, From Lucie is one of the best options in the city, coming from French baker Lucie Franc de Ferriere, who burst onto the scene in 2020 with her layer cakes topped with fresh flowers. She’s baked many a famous cake, counting the likes of Lorde, Harry Styles, and AnnaSophia Robb as customers. She’s always experimenting, but on a recent visit, there were flavors like lemon, olive oil, and lavender, as well as chocolate with salted dark chocolate Espresso buttercream. Let it be known you can get three to four by-the-slice cake options on any given day, and there are always additional non-cake offerings—one of the city’s best chocolate chip cookies, for example, and a rich hot chocolate.
