I finally ventured to a Levain Bakery to make my own personal assessment to determine and formulate…read moremy own opinion. Yes, the reviews are verifiably accurate and true. This location 167 West 74th Street is the original brick and mortar storefront. Levain Bakery does validate for all the hype, sweetness indulgence and fresh-baked artesian cookies and baked goodies. I am Cookie Monster from "Sesame Street" whose eyes are bigger than his stomach who becomes highly excited to engulf all cookies characteristic aesthetic thrashing, splattering every where when consuming within mere minutes. There was a short line waiting to enter for orders to be placed. Upon entering the air conditioning is at full artic chill blast and the air has a sweet aromatic odor emanating throughout. I inquired with the sales associate if the classic chocolate chip cookie contained any nuts who responded "no." I do not have any food allergies. I absolutely do not like nuts in any form. I am not allergic to nuts either. It is not my cup of tea. I am very grateful the classic chocolate chip cookie does not contain any nuts. Customer service is very attentive and exhibited who assisted me with respect, patience and perspective to explain and listen to my requests and needs as I matter. This female server was not curt and I was not rushed. I was acknowledged. I was seen. I was heard. I was not dismissed. I was respected without the standard producing a disgruntled face of reluctance to service me. I am one life in the smallest measurement. The female associate permitted me to take photos of the cookies in the display case without question which is posted with this review. Merchandise of T-shirts, tote bags, mugs, gift tin boxes are available for sale as well. This location is small as it is take-out and go. There are several steps going downward at the entrance which is not ADA accessible. There are some outdoor benches for seating, but no table. I suggest to order and consume in the comfort of your own home for full immerse enjoyment with a table. Yes, cash is accepted as that works greatly for me. Levain Bakery complies with "Prohibition of Cashless Establishments" as of March 21, 2026 where all retail and food establishments in New York State, including New York City, must accept in-person cash payments. Thank you, Levain Bakery for not giving me a red card! I was not blatantly ejected. I would surely return for another visit. Chocolate chip cookie $5.75 each One word: WOW! The interior was oozing with semi-sweetness. The cookie is gargantuan and very thick somewhat bulky. It is massive size well known weighing exactly 6 ounces (170 g) each and measure about 8-10 cm. in diameter and 3-4 cm thick. It is not a traditional flat cookie as I hoped. It is massive chewy interiors. It is soft. It is not crispy. Levain takes the classic chocolate chip cookie and make it their version. It did break apart and dropped onto my plate upon the third bite. It is amazing! I suggest warm-up the cookie in the microwave for approximately 1 minute. I purchased two (2) quantity of these delightful chocolate chip cookies. Delicious. I enjoyed mine with one glass of red wine which I did achieved equanimity state of mind. The red wine was a birthday 2023 gift from a work colleague which I finally opened with good reason. I was floating! Nota Bene: Store policy: "There are no returns on food or beverage. Merchandise (T-shirts, bags, etc.) may be exchanged within 7 days with a receipt. Items must be unworn/unused and all original tags/packaging must be included."

Be careful as you enter this place if you're tall. The ceiling is pretty low. However, as you walk…read morein, you will see an assortment of original cookies that will blow your mind. I tried a few various flavors including chocolate chip, macadamia nut and oatmeal raisin period. I think they are about two inches in thickness and it's more like a cake than it is a cookie. Service is beyond friendly and you can see a lot of hard-working people making the delicacies in the kitchen behind the counter. Unfortunately, the cookies are nothing to write home about. A little dry and lack sweetness, I suppose it depends on what you like. For me, it was good try, but it's not a "I must come back here" kind of place.

Love this bakery!! Great coffee, nice selection of teas, scrumptious pastries and delicious…read moresandwiches. The people behind the counter are friendly and helpful. The shop is bright and welcoming. Such a nice way to start the day!!

Pastries were excellent, services was great only downside is that cakes must be ordered 24 hrs in…read moreadvance. They should keep at least 1 of each variety.

We stopped by Barachou to satisfy our sweet tooth, and it definitely lived up to the hype…read more We ordered a choux set with the lemon meringue, caramel, and crème brûlée flavors. Every one of them was delicious, with an incredibly light texture and perfectly crisp pastry. Our favorites were the caramel and the lemon meringue--the caramel was rich without being overly sweet, while the lemon had just the right balance of sweetness and tanginess. We also tried the almond pear tart, which was excellent. The crust was buttery and crisp, and the frangipane had a wonderful almond flavor that paired beautifully with the pears. It was a perfectly balanced dessert. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully made. We'll definitely be back to try more of the pastries!

5/5 ... pleasantly surprised!…read more We visited Barachou's booth at the Bastille Day celebration in New York on Sunday, July 11, and it ended up being one of our favorite food stops of the day. We ordered the pear almond tart along with the set of three cream puff choux. Both were excellent, but the cream puffs were definitely the highlight. The choux shells were light and delicate, while the fillings were rich without being overly sweet. The salted caramel was my favorite--beautifully balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and a subtle hint of salt. My partner especially loved the lemon meringue, which was bright, refreshing, and full of citrus flavor. The pear almond tart was equally memorable. The almond filling immediately reminded us of a galette des rois frangipane, making it comforting, buttery, and incredibly satisfying. Combined with the pears, it struck a wonderful balance of richness and fruitiness. Everything tasted thoughtfully made with high-quality ingredients, and it's easy to see why Barachou has developed such a loyal following. We'll absolutely be back for another pear almond tart and the trio of cream puffs the next time we have the chance. Highly recommended!

The flakiest pastries I've ever had. The spicy cheese bread was so flaky it was very impressive and…read morethe flavor was so yummy. The pistachio cherry croissant was amazing. I didn't even miss the chocolate which was impressive. To avoid going through jcc where there is security and a line. You can go to the ordering window which is convenient.

Michaeli Bakery has been on my to-go list for a while and I decided to pop on over when I saw that…read morethey had an UWS location! I got a cherry pistachio croissant to go. Cherry pistachio croissant: 10/10 (a really solid croissant-- not too sweet, but still has the sweetness from the cherry. Can't say this is my fav croissant place though, because I do prefer the croissants in L'Appartment a tad more.) Location is kinda weird-- it's located in the first floor of a community center so it was a hassle to get into the bakery... you have to check your id/bags etc. and the staff wasn't the friendliest. Service was fast but eh. Maybe I'll check out the other location next time.

Service was wonderful - pie crust cookie was amazing!!! Strawberry lemon is a must try!read more

yummy, and new location! I've loved these baked goods for years, and I'm glad the bakery ids…read moresuccessful enough to move out of its tine basement shop to this great corner.

Yummy gluten free and dairy free sweets. Wish they had savory items, but the baked goods are still…read morevery much worth the visit. No seating, just a storefront so plan on accordingly. Staff were efficient.

Cake was fine - a bit too sweet (yes, I know, it's cake) but I requested a different cake than what…read moreI was given. I would have taken it back but really. There were two cake options, I did not ask about the second cake. Very annoying. Kind of an expensive mistake. Next time I will go someplace else.

This is such a cute spot to grab a fresh bite to eat! The side salad is so affordable, less than $8…read moreand I added tuna for my protein. The tuna was SO fresh! I kept making little "mmm" sounds with every bite. They also have a free water station, which I love. The staff member who took my order was super nice and welcoming. I'll definitely be back here for lunch whenever I forget to bring my own. There are several locations throughout Manhattan, so definitely check them out!

The Ultimate NYC Breakfast Sandwich…read more My husband rarely eats sandwiches, but he noted that the breakfast sandwich here was easily one of the best things he had during our entire trip to New York. There are several locations across the city, but a local friend recommended this for their food and proximity to the American Museum of History. Because it is incredibly popular, the cafe was very crowded, and the counter-service line stretched straight down the middle of the shop. It was quite difficult to find an indoor table that could accommodate our party of four, so we grabbed some of the outdoor seating instead. While the venue was bustling and the service was understandably a little on the slower side due to the heavy crowd, we still had a wonderful experience and highly recommend stopping by.

O. M. G. I was looking for a good black and white cookie for my son as his thing in NYC. This was…read moreit!!! The cookie was large, perfectly iced, and very cakey. We also got a chocolate chip cookie and it might have been the best of my life. The bag claims since 1916 and I can see why it would be around for over 100 years! We ordered it to our hotel on Uber Eats, but now I must go actually visit. This was magical.

Orwasher's on the Upper West Side is a true bakery standout -- especially if you're a bagel lover…read more Their gluten-free bagels are a revelation: noticeably higher in quality than most gluten-free options out there. They've got that perfect chew and depth of flavor you usually only find in traditional bagels, making them worth seeking out even if gluten-free isn't a must for you. The atmosphere is charming and classic, and the staff are friendly and helpful, adding to the overall feel of a neighborhood favorite. The wait after ordering was quite long - approximately 15-20 minutes. That said, if you're stopping in for lunch sandwiches, just a heads-up -- the serving sizes are on the smaller side. They're beautifully crafted and delicious, but if you're especially hungry or looking for a hearty midday meal, you might find yourself wanting just a bit more. Overall, Orwasher's delivers exceptional quality -- especially with their gluten-free bagels -- and the cozy, welcoming vibe keeps you coming back.

Nice spot for a sweet treat and cup of coffee near the Museum of Natural History. Cupcakes are…read morefairly small and cost more than $4 each. There was one vegan/GF option - chocolate flavored - which was surprisingly good. The banana Nutella cupcake was also good though the Nutella frosting didn't have much of a flavor. Coffees are made with Partners beans and can be made with oatmilk for an extra 50 cents.

Billy's!! Have been wanting to try this local cupcake/cake shop in the uws ever since i've moved to…read morethe area and today was the day! I was super excited to especially since I noticed that so many ppl had orders today and were walking around the city with the Billy Bakery's logo! Upon entering I noticed that had a variety of different cupcakes and was welcomed by their staff. I asked for her favorite and she recommended the lily buttercream cupcake! It traveled well in their signature cupcake box and i tried it out at home. Unfortunately I was left a bit disappointed and felt like the cupcake was way too oily/dense and not airy/fluffy like I love. Love the store, but their recipe is not hitting the mark when it comes to that specific cupcake. I can't speak for the rest!

I'll start with the good. The biscoff cookie and ice box cake are phenomenal and worth the…read morecalories/any wait in line you have to do to get them. They have unique flavor and really satisfy your sweet tooth. The banana pudding is good but honestly it's pretty basic. (Unless you scoop some and put it on a cookie) Lastly the workers were very monotone and seemed annoyed to be there. They dropped my cookie (it was already in the bag) and didn't even offer another one just said "oh it's fine" I wouldn't come here again in New York because they're are so many options but I wasn't upset with the selections.

their desserts are often way too sweet for me but always consistent in flavour and quality!…read more i like the key lime cheesecake the most out of all 3 items as the bitterness and acidity of the lime flavour and the whipped cream balances out the sweetness of the cheesecake!