Delicious iced tea and cookie, but the entire experience was made ever more enjoyable due to the smile and kind service behind the counter. The young man working today was solicitous and friendly--unfortunately a rarity in this neck of the woods. Also, a good place to escape the stroller crowd, and free Wifi to get some work done. I sat near the window for several blissful hours. Can't wait to return! read more

Fine. Nothing special. Questionable prices. Excellent service. Would probably return if I were in the neighborhood.

Hands down, my favorite patisserie in NYC. Delicious and creative pastries in a charming location with a cute little backyard.

This place is really cute with awesomely yummy coffee and pastries. Last time I went I got an iced Americano and the quiche of the day and was quite satisfied on both fronts. They've also got a really cool iPad register (which seems to be trendy in the Smith Street area right now). And the light in the afternoon is absolutely delightful in the seating area. I don't give this place 5 starts for 2 reasons: It's a little pricey (which is expected when pastries are quality) and the staff is hit or miss. Some of the staff members are really friendly, helpful and will joke around a bit. Some other staff members scowl at you for having the gaul to ask them to make you some coffee (um, sorry, I thought that was their job?) read more

I love the Miche sourdough loaf here. Too bad they're always out of it! Message to boneheaded baker: if your customers are seeking a product, and you are always out of it: bake more, hellloooo read more

It's no Almondine...croissants were good and buttery. But Pain au chocolate was dry as dirt. The baguette was hard and dry. Disappointed.

The baked goods are excellent but whether at the farmers market or the store on Smith Street the employees-- well, not the most welcoming collection of souls I've ever met. But, if you grab something up front and take it to the garden out back you will be fully carb loaded for the day to come. read more

I think plenty has been written about the superb pastries. But I agree with many that the coffee is terrible! I had it a few times to make sure. Twice I spilled it out, I couldn't finish it. I am not sure why they don't listen to the complaints on here. I am not sure if it's the "french press" machines, their water, or what. But It's just plain bad. Coffee is an important part of the pastry experience for me and many others. They are a perfect pairing! Oh folks at Bien Cuit ...we want to love you...just fix the coffee. Merci. read more

I had the chocolate croissant and it was ok only. I don't understand the hype. It just tasted like a normal croissant to me.

Bien Cuit reminds me of Choice in Clinton Hill--quaint, on the smaller side, always bustling, and full of yummy smells and great food. I usually order to go since I come on Saturdays after yoga. I've had the hot chocolate which is thick and rich and is not for lovers of Swiss Miss--this is the real deal. The latte is pretty decent as well. I've yet to come in time for the elusive almond croissant, but the plain croissant was buttery and flaky (for once, a good thing!) and the breakfast sicilian really hit the spot. I should make more of an effort to stop by for their breads and other treats. read more

Bien Cuit has a lovely atmosphere, however the drink and cookie I tried were not quite up to expectations. On a sweltering day, I stopped in for a cold drink. I ordered the mango fruit drink with black pepper. Interesting combo, but the mango was overwhelmingly sweet- straight up puree. I ended up adding some water from the free pitcher, which helped. But the black pepper was also too piquant. I love me some black pepper on food, but it hurt my throat drinking it! The shortbread cookie was a bit burned on the bottom. Otherwise a good attempt. read more

$8.95 for a 1.5 inch wide slice of delicious banana walnut cake? It was the most perfect banana walnut cake I've ever had - half banana walnut bread (but less dense) underneath a banana mousse cake that held it's shape perfectly. I might buy it again, although the price was shockingly steep. Notwithstanding, Bien Cuit is a 4 star establishment. I've never had a pastry I didn't enjoy and it's actually a lovely, quiet space to read and enjoy that very expensive and delicious aforementioned banana walnut cake. read more

Totally agree with another customer's view on their bread and pastries - borderline burned. Cannot look their croissants ---- feeling they just ruin it with that overkilled baked brown color........................... other breads look do dry and over baked, too. read more

Good coffee and a selection of pastries and little sandwiches. There's a nice little outdoor seating area thats nice to sit at, drink your coffee, and read or chat with friends. read more

This place is so good!!!! They have really great baked goods and unique treats like a poppy seed croissant. Definitely worth a visit!

As croissants go, Bien Cuit is as good as it gets. They make croissants that are very much like the croissants you get in France and they've been a staple part of my diet on rushed mornings for a while. I just don't like Croissants from other places as much now - they seem too cakey or greasy and don't have the same flakiness. They can be a bit understaffed at peak times like Saturdays and it's a little pricey too but that's NY, I guess. I recommend the almond, chocolate, chocolate almond, and regular croissants. read more

Not usually a big baguette person but the demi baguette here was delicious! As good as the ones I had in Paris. Will definitely be back to try their famous croissants! read more

Loved the deserts & the coffee was so fresh & different (felt like I'm in Paris). Kate behind the cashier was so friendly & sweet. Will definitely come back again! read more

Great & very fresh pastries. Interesting breads. Nice place to sit. Sure, it's not cheap, but it's in a great location with high rent & serves high quality. They make a memorable hot chocolate. I'm a fan of Joe's coffee (it's my favorite in the city) so am glad they are serving that. But what prompted me to write this review was that they have a (relatively) new person working there who is also so nice & friendly, smiling, and brightens up the morning - very tall guy with a beard, can't possibly be from NYC or the east coast is my guess. So this review is particular kudos to him! read more

They make the only chocolate croissant I've had in the entire city of New York that's anywhere near as good as a European one: flaky, not too sweet, rich. Way, way better than Balthazar. Categorically better than anywhere else in the city. I don't know how they do it during those oppressive humid summer months when anything would turn to mush. Everything I've had here has been fantastic, though things aren't as good very late in the day as they are earlier. The prices are high, but the quality is really superior. read more

Pain de mie is buttery excellence, which also helps it keep a long time. Coffee is a bit bitter and weak, but espresso is top-notch. I'm taking them down 1-star from my prior review because they've recently taken to overcooking all of their breads. Not only does that diminish the flavor, but it makes the crust a bit hard. Still quite strong, but I'd like to see them fix it. read more

Bien Cuit has absolutely amazing pastries. Even though I live in Upper Manhattan, it is well worth the trip!

Amazing almond chocolate croissant! So flaky on the outside and soft in the middle. Would love to try their almond croissant sometime. Though it usually run out around 10 am read more

Not sure how my wife found this place but we decided to have breakfast there this morning. All I can say is, I wished we had a gem that Bien Cuit in LA. Amazing baguettes and breads and delicious coffee. I was impressed by their selection of iced teas too. We will definitely be back again. read more

Pricey, but tasty and beautiful pasteries. Coffee is well-done too. Nice place to treat you and yours if you don't mind giving up a few extra dollars. read more

We got croissants to go to bring to the airport with us as we were headed back to Texas. Flaky, crispy and chewy... yum! Why only 4 stars? because I had my heart set on having breakfast there on our last morning in Brooklyn but being new years day they didn't open til 3. Oh well, hopefully they will be around when we make it back there. read more

Nice little shop. Good coffee great pastries. Friendly staff. Not sure about the reviewer who said there was a rude lady behind the counter, I don't think the rude lady actually exists but, this is NY lady! There are 8 million a-holes in this city, you're going to run into a few. read more

Great produce but bad service and no restroom! Is that even legal? The croissant was amazing, the pain au chocolat great and the lemonade they have is pretty damn good. I just don't get why they are rude...is not that they have to interact that much! read more

Their almond croissant is amazing. It's so flaky and crispy. I don't live here and came for a croissant a year ago, and it's still the best I've ever had outside of Europe (and can compete with those in Europe as well!) and I still think about it. I stopped by today to get another taste of this deliciousness, but apparently you have to come in before 10 if you want an almond croissant. The pain au chocolat is not bad, but not quite the stuff dreams are made of. Friendly baristas, nice environment, free wifi. Not a bad place to get some work done, but power outlets are scarce. read more

Best bread in the tri state area. Possibly anywhere. The croissants are a religious experience.

Maybe the best croissant in the City. The plains are always fresh out of the oven - perfectly light and crispy while not being overly buttery. I've also had the almond croissant which is one of life's great sinful pleasures - the thing weighs at least a pound but it's worth every amazing bite. They also have a variety of fresh loaves of whole grain bread to take home. Nice staff and good counterculture coffee. This place gives Balthazar a run for its money and is by far the best bakery in the downtown Brooklyn area if not the entire city. read more

Best chai latte in the neighborhood ! Must try their croissants!

My experience French baguette 2 of 5. Extremely hard. It was not late afternoon so it was not and old bread. Wwlas around lunch time. Almost impossible to grab a piece by hand Service 0 or 1 0f 5 Hot chocolate 0 or 1 of 5 Croissant chocolate. 5 of 5 Selection or variety. 3 of 5. The place small like they know very well what they are doing. But it was my worst experience of restaurant/food/hospitality service during my 7 days in NYC. We decided to visit this place based only on online reviews. I let them know it was my first visit, expecting an explanation of their concept and main or signature products. But nothing. So, you see a lot of bread but nobody explain me the difference or characteristic of each. I am fan of bread, dough and all the process. I was expecting details . But I did not even receive a "yes, today we have the following. Xyz breads". It's smell great, we decided to give it a try. I am used to French baguette, including the different version or derivatives . I know it is crispy texture and that after some hours(depending on weather or temperature during preparation, how is the fermentation process, the water used for reverie, and many other factors) it turns extremely hard. But in your display you should always have the real fresh ones. All are fresh, but I means those that are crispy in the outside, light in the inside and that you can tear or cut a piece with your hand. . Getting into service and variety. I approach the counter, ask for sandwich available in baguettes. The said none. The options where only like 4 type of sandwiches pre done and in about 2 type of bread and croissant. And they never explained me the charactertistic of the bread selected for sandwich. I want to confirm; i asked. You have baguettes? Answer. Yes. You have different ingredients for sandwich.? Answer. Yes. You can combine both and make a sandwich in a baguettes. Answer. No we can't They are many options to handle this, the ingredients are in front of us. Expectation - sir, we can only sell whole baguettes. We can sale the entire baguettes, how many sandwich you want? . And the remaining will be a great option for your afternoon snacks. This option the commerce will sell an entire baguette + 1, 2, 3 sandwiches - sir; we can do this. Sell a baguettes and sale the equivalent of the ingredients for sandwich. We cut the baguettes in the best way for you and you can "do your own in the table" But sadly no option was offer. So I still give it a chance. I had decided to take the train skip several breakfast place and make my own dream of a French bread market. I finally ask for a baguette, a chocolate croissant and hot chocolate. I am not a coffee person, but their coffee machines, beans etc... look like big quality. The chocolate was a joke it taste like a cup of milk with just a dash of cheap cocoa powder. If you decide to serve cocoa powder at least serve it "strong " or ask the customer how they like it. I still was expecting a great baguette. At the counter I told them I am planning to eat it here. Is possible to get it cut. Yes sir, but it never happens. So i was there with a hot none tasty chocolate and a baguette that was almost impossible to grab a piece by hand. We sat for 20+ minutes. The places was not crowed they saw us. Never can back and offer to get it cut. Or explain this our characteristic it will be great to combine it with butter. Of course I know that operational cost are expensive so I was willing go pay for the butter. Guys. Not sure if this is your main location, your first business or if this is an international business. But being in different industries for many years one thing is for sure. Your margin and sell are not in the bread buns, your business is in the side or additional products. Let's sells sandwich, let's sell the ingredients. Or think outside the box. This customer is giving us an idea why we have 10 breads but only offer sandwiches on 2. Last note. Baguettes or similar bread are the main bread for sandwich and bread in Spain, Caribbean, south American and central America. read more

There is no better bread in the city. You can buy a plain croissant and sit on your stoop savoring it flake piece by flaky piece. Also, the baguette, I have been told, is of Parisian quality. And I don't say that lightly. read more

Good but not amazing and at double the price of other bakeries. 7+ bucks for a loaf? That's ridiculous. Their pan au chocolate was again good but more expensive than other bakeries. So above average bread at the most expensive prices I've seen. read more

Had an amazing croissant filled with goat cheese and artichoke. Very good espresso as well

I am not from the area but had to stop by fedex nearby. This ham and Brie croissant is so good I had to yelp it even before I finished it. Cappuccino is really good too, wish I didn't spill half of it on my table lol. read more

Delicious quiche and chocolate croissant in an authentic bakery. I think it was a little overdone but we accidentally went on Bastille Day so it was understandably crazy for them. Iced coffee had good flavor and was really strong read more

Amazing almond croissant and coffee. A fantastic addition to Brooklyn. Down side is customer service...the workers are more interested in chatting with people, then moving the line along. Have some patience...it is worth it. read more

One of my go to places in the neighborhood to kill time over a coffee. They serve joe coffee and the shortbread and almond cookies are amazing. They also have sandwiches which I haven't tried but look great read more