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."

I have only ever ordered online from Levain Bakery and not visited the store. The cookies are…read moresimply delicious and you can taste it whether it's the first bite or the last bite. We were introduced Levain Bakery cookies when I had my little guy over two years ago. One of my friends came to visit, gave us a box and told us to try it because the cookies are delicious. I remembered how big and filling the cookies were, you'd sit in comfort knowing how the flavors pop in your mouth. Now cut to this past year, we found out after exploring the website, there are gifts sets. Our current go to is the new parent gifts. We see it as whether a bew parent or one who is going through the next chapter with more children to raise- it's thoughtful of how a package can bring a smile to some sleep deprived parents who want to eat and relax. This was a cute idea, wish someone would gift to us after our twins were born. One day we want to check out Levain Bakery. For now, happiness is explored through the website and delivered to our famiy and friends. Thank yoi for the sweetness. Picture credit: taken by my best friend who received our new parent gifts set.

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!!

This place is extremely tasty. Quite expensive. $16 for two pastries. Wish I lived in France. It…read morewould cost six dollars. Oh well. The toasted ham and cheese croissant was my favorite for sure. Extremely buttery. Warm. Great ingredients The pistachio almond I kept waiting for the paste inside. Extremely sweet and it was so tasty. It was OK.

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.

This place this make you dream about cookies until you go back OMFG…read moreThe service was quick and very friendly. The vibes were cute and lovely. This is a MUST STOP when in NYC.

The pie cookie is such a unique experience! I love pie crust, and I can get down for a cookie, so I…read morewas happy to pop inside to try one. You think you know what it's going to be like, and then it still manages to surprise you. Only a smidge too sweet, and that's pretty much the only negative to those pie cookies

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.

Unfortunately not that great of a bakery. The Bundt cake was ok and not worth the price. However…read moreit's not bad for a gluten free bakery.

We had a BLT and tuna sandwich. Yummy. Kiara was helpful and…read morelovely. We tried the maple crueller. OMG. Insanely delicious. I'LL BE BACK!!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

If you enjoy baked goods that taste like they were made from a box in a random home kitchen, AND…read moreyou want to spend a lot of money on them, then Billy's Bakery is the perfect place for you. I found both the cookie sandwich and the cupcake to be very bland and generic. There was nothing special or that tasty about either item, especially considering the price. The interior is almost cute with its homey decor, but the space is very dimly lit, which looking back, felt like a preview of what the desserts were going to taste like. The buttercream on the cupcake was nice, but the cake itself, along with the cookie, tasted artificial and very similar to boxed mix. I truly do not recommend this bakery and cannot understand how it stays in business.

Famous for their Banana Pudding! I've always loved their banana pudding. Came to this location to…read moregrab their standard pudding and also the pistachio banana pudding, which was a great change in taste and texture. Tried their mini cupcakes, which were decent. Did not have a good experience with the lady at the banana pudding bar, as she was a bit rude. Otherwise, no issues. A bit of a line, but expected. Price is a little bit high but reasonable for the brand.

Okay I was cracking up about my experience here because I literally asked the dumbest question to…read morethe guy working but he was so nice and explained the answer to me until I understood! So fun fact they are now advertising Banana Pudding Hot Chocolate and it is NOT actual hot chocolate but banana pudding made to taste like hot chocolate. Why I got so confused? I don't know! Maybe I have been watching too many videos about Tyra Banks Hot Ice Cream. Either way I appreciate the guys patience and kindness when explaining it to me twice especially because I did not end up ordering that at all (though it sounds interesting) but I did get the regular actual hot chocolate and it was amazing! It tasted like melted marshmallows were in it! Perfect for a cold winter day. In addition we got to the humming bird cake, a cupcake, and the regular banana pudding. My husband had never been here before so you know we had to get the banana pudding, it's their claim to fame. And it is decent. Growing up in North Carolina banana pudding is taken very seriously and is literally at every gathering. Would this be a contender for the cookout? Sure! I have no complaints about. The other baked items were delicious as well. The store is cute unfortunately this location has no indoor seating but plenty of outdoor. It was like negative degrees when we went so we definitely did not sit outside. All and all it's a cute bakery/ sweets shop. There are many locations through out the city. I've been to others and it is consistent. It's definitely not a bad dessert spot to try.