10 Top-Notch East Village Bakeries (For the Insatiable Sweet Tooth) (2024)

With a reputation for late nights, sultry co*cktails 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.

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Best East Village Bakeries

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 on 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 on 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.

Lady WongPastry & Cake

Website: Lady WongPastry & Cake
Address:332 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

Lady WongPastry & 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 and wife (both veterans of Michelin-starred restaurants), this little pastry shop dishes out delectable Southeast Asian-inspired desserts.

Combining culinary 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 sesame tart with passionfruit filling. 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!

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 is 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 is 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 community and make someone else’s day. 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.

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 elevated 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.

1. Spot Dessert Bar
2. Confectionary!
3. Elisa’s Love Bites
4. From Lucie
5. Petit Chou
6. La Cabra
7. Lady Wong
8. Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe
9. Smør
10. Librae

Map of the Best East Village Bakeries

And there it is, the best East Village bakeries you can’t miss out on. Let us know if you think we missed a spot.

Cheers!