I was so excited this place opened up nearby my sister's place - especially tonight. I had a very disappointing dinner and had a hankering for cake. I wanted something good since dinner had been so bad. I read the reviews from other locations and thought I'd be in for a delicious slice of cake. The space is cute and colorful. It feels fun to walk in as you look at a bright and bold wallpapered wall. I looked over my options with eager hope. I settled on a slice of the yellow daisy cake, which is their take on a plain vanilla cake. I didn't even consider their cupcakes as I really prefer a slice of cake over a cupcake, but if their cupcakes are anything like their whole cakes, I'll pass forever. What a let down! The cake had too loose of a crumb for my liking -- I prefer a much denser cake. Additionally, it tasted very dry. I don't know if it was because I was there at the end of the day, but even if so, what kind of cake gets dry that fast? If the frosting had been exceptional, it may have made up for the terrible cake, but no. It was overly sweet with no redeeming qualities. I didn't even finish the slice before throwing it out. I love a good, simple, but flavorful vanilla cake. Unfortunately, this was NOT that. It was boring and over reliant on the sugar alone. I am not very motivated to return and try other flavors, but if my desire for cake gets the better of me again, I may end up giving them one last chance to wow me with a different flavor. Meanwhile, if I can keep my head on straight, I'll just save the money and calories and stay away from Billy's. read more

Great selection of cupcake, cake and cookie flavors. Favorites: the carrot bar (seasonal), black and white cupcake, red velvet cupcake, chocolate chip cookie sandwich without chocolate frosting. It's a cute location near the AMNH and Central Park. Hope you all are taking care during the pandemic! read more

Every year for my fiance's birthday, i get her a red velvet cake (her favorite) so i googled "best red velvet in NYC" and of the bakeries open in covid, this one came out on top and was closest to where i recently moved to on the UES. We tried it and...meh. I read some of the reviews below and one literally captured my exact experience so I clearly am not the only one. The cake was dry, not moist and to quote that other review, perhaps here is why: "Also, as a heads-up, if you order pick-up at this location off the website, they may be shipping your cake from somewhere else (which actually explains the dryness) and running later than your selected time, which really defeats the purpose of being able to select a time in the first place. You could try calling ahead but just know that the listed number is to their headquarters downtown and you have to ask them to transfer you to the UWS location, which may or may not pick up depending if the one person working behind the counter is helping out someone in the store. All that's to say - the actual process of getting a not-so-great cake is not easy as well." I had the same experience-i was notified 5 min before when i was already practically at the store that the cake was going to be late. I had ordered the cake over a week before, selected a specific time when I had a free moment in the workday and confirmed an additional time by email since I could not get through by calling...and yet it was still late. They offered to deliver it, but their delivery fee is $20 (half the cost of the cake!). So i ended up with a dry overpriced cake that I had to go twice to pick up. If you're going to be late, maybe notify more than 10 min before when someone is already on their way over and maybe have a policy that if the cake is more than a certain amount of time late, you agree to cover the cost of delivery rather than charge half the cost of the cake to deliver it. Last year i lived in Brooklyn Heights and ordered a red velvet cake from a highly regarded local yokel bakery. It was half the price and much better. Lesson learned. read more

Billy's Bakery - Upper West Side is so good. This place is fabulous. Everything was incredibly flavorful and tasty. Workers made sure everything was alright. Billy's Bakery - Upper West Side - Hope they succeed. read more

This is the go-to bakery for my family milestones. Just recently ordered a cake and it came out exactly how I asked for it! And was absolutely delicious! Thank you for making my family's milestones more memorable with the beautiful and delicious cakes!! On an aside, the customer service is outstanding. I just needed to say one sentence and the design was perfectly executed!!! Oh yeah. And it was done perfectly the week of the event!!! Outstanding. Thank you!!! read more

I've had Billy's cupcakes before and thought they were lackluster. However, this is just bad on a whole other level. I ordered a slice of chocolate and vanilla cake. It was dry and hard. Also had a brewed coffee. It was so watered down it tasted like drinking dirty water with a slight coffee aftertaste. There were coffee grains in the cup as well. Definitely not worth it. read more

My sister brought my graduation cake from here, and must I say... Delicate.. Delicious.. & Well Decor.. Overall Good Job!!! I was sooo happy with the taste and the look.. You guys did an excellent job... Thank You Soo Much.. read more

Billy’s Bakery - Upper West Side - My Cake: Chocolate Cake w/ Chocolate Moose and Buttercream Vanilla Frosting.. Yum-O! - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

Stale. The first time I got cupcakes from them, the cake was extremely dry. Assuming it was a fluke, I ordered a birthday cake from them. It was consumed about 2-3 hours after pickup and again, very dry. I've always enjoyed their cake at other locations so I'm not sure if it's just the UWS location but the cake is suddenly either stale or made with a new recipe that doesn't work. This was regular chocolate cake fwiw. I'm giving three stars because the frosting is great and because I have nostalgia for the Chelsea location. I really hope they read this and consider changing the recipe or cook time or something, or just not frosting a days-old cake. read more

This Billy's just opened up so I quickly stopped in. The two girls working were super friendly and helpful. They had a pretty good variety of cupcakes, cakes by the slice, mini cupcakes, and cookies. It wasn't the best cupcake I've ever had but it was certainly good enough to go back again. I got the confetti cupcake and the "king cake" which was vanilla and cinnamon - neither were dry and both had good icing to cake ratios! read more

Billy’s Bakery - Upper West Side - Confetti Cupcake - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

The selection is YUM!!! There is one GF and vegan cupcake, 2-3 flavors, so I got one for my fiancé and one for me.... they look amazing, but they're hiding in our fridge so a rainy day treat! read more

I usually go to the Chelsea location and absolutely love the cupcakes so do my children. I decided to surprise my daughter for her birthday with her favorites. I selected banana, carrot and lemon flavors which she loves! I then asked the employees to add sprinkles to them to make them feel birthday and festive for extra. She is 7 years old. They refused to do it and behaved as if I was asking them something completely bizarre. They told me they cannot customize. They said I had to place the order for pick-up another time. It was six cupcakes! How is tossing some sprinkles on cupcakes at the request of the customer who plans to pay extra, with no one else in line, such a difficult request. I walked on foot for almost 30 minutes and passed a ton of bakeries just to come here. After, the snotty employees declined while standing in front of a massive jar of sprinkles, I had to go to a supermarket to buy sprinkles and return all the way home to put some on myself to then travel all the way back to where I planned to surprise my daughter. What an inconvenience. I will never go to this location again. read more

These are by far some of the best cupcakes we've ever had. The cupcakes are moist and delicious and the staff is friendly. The crowd pleaser is a delicious marble cupcake and the red velvet is a nice light cupcake that isn't too sweet! The others are all delicious too! read more

banana cake good carrot cupcake good cookies with cream cheese frosting in between, ok. read more

Good grab and go goodies. Banana pudding cups and cookies were on point as a snack before touring the neighboring museum. Would definitely return. read more

Billy’s Bakery - Upper West Side - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

I got a slice of Ice Box cake, which was stale. Ordered also the banana pudding, which was too sweet. Back to Magnolia!

I found Billy's Bakery by way of InstaGram. Decided one Summer Evening to embark on a trip with my 10 Yr Old. I was in search of a great piece of Carrot Cake and Billy's did not disappoint. I urge you to stop in to any of their locations and pic up a piece of Carrot Cake and a few assorted cookies. read more

YOU WILL TAKE THIS 1 STAR AND BE HAPPY ABOUT IT. So I'm out on a nice April day. I just saw a great movie, my sweet tooth is itching. I fell in love with Billy's Bakery Chelsea location ( which is undoubtedly the freshest and best location of the 3) just a side note. I call this place, as I'm by 72nd street , to ask if they particularly have the banana cupcakes, of which they did. I ask if they are fresh and am told yes. I walk from 72nd all dandy and excited and I finally reach. Only to find out when I got home that I bought $20 worth of STALE CUPCAKES. They do not bake these cupcakes on property , so their inventory is so what's brought over from the other property. Lesson Learned. Chelsea property cupcake are soo doughy you may need a glass of their heavenly lemonade , Upper west side. Trash. Ill never order from the again. I gave 2 cupcakes to my dog. read more

i got the snickerdoodle, chocolate with white chips, and chocolate chip. all very good! soft inside and crunchy outside but not too crunchy. the only thing i didn't like was the sugar on top of the chocolate and chocolate chip. i don't like sugar on top. the snickerdoodle is supposed to have a little on it so that didn't bother me. read more

Delicious baked goods and coffee at Billy's Bakery. I got the peanut butter and chocolate sandwich cookie, and it was so good. They have a wide variety of baked goods and the bakery inside is so cute. read more

Billy’s Bakery - Upper West Side - Peanut butter and chocolate sandwich cookie - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

What a cute, little find! Close to my daughter's and near my two fav baby stores! Can't wait until my grands are old enough to have their first visit read more

The cappuccino was great, but the blueberry muffin isn't worth half of what they charge for it. The service and location make up for the muffin. It is a great spot, and the employees are wonderful. read more

Some of the cupcake were whereas some were stale - is it due to less business from COVID? All the ones that had anything chocolate had a weird taste and had to throw them out. Some had frosting that was hardened so I can tell they were old cupcakes. I was there around 3pm so I'm surprised how that happened. The carrot cake cupcake was delicious as was the banana one. Not sure if I'd give it another shot as I bought 3 dozen mini cupcakes for clients and will never know if there were stale ones or weird tasting ones like what I had read more

My cupcake quest continues, and alas, I am reluctant to try more cupcakes here. The only reason why I would come is for their icebox cake (not to be confused with their day old containers that look like icebox, which may actually be smushed cupcakes). I enjoy their icebox cake, and their chipwiches are decent. The icebox cake is satisfying to cut your fork through all the light layers, and the layered construction is perfect for days you need a pick-me-up or just plain guilty pleasure. However, their cupcakes have a funny Tastykake cake texture and the icing tastes a bit flat. The icing exterior also has this barely slimy feel as though it were out in the sun just a smidge. The display and array of cupcakes are enticing, but I haven't liked any of them so far. Whether they are marked a day old or not, the cupcakes just seem on the dry side. Lastly, the environment feels really strange like an overly sweet grandma's kitchen lit by a dim bulb. Maybe it's just the pasty yellow and green logo colors everywhere and the lack of lighting...the staff are overall friendly enough for New Yorkers though. Overall, I was hoping for more. read more

My family and I are visiting New York from Las Vegas. I love to bake- mostly cupcakes and cookies. So this may be a biased review because I bake at home and I'm good at it. Anyways I wanted to try some cupcakes while in NY city. I wasn't too impressed with the vanilla buttercream. It was my least favorite when compared to Magnolia and Buttercup Bake Shop. Seems like there is more shortening in it? The vanilla cake itself seemed dry and crumbly. What I did enjoy was the banana cupcake with cream cheese frosting. I got my husband a lemon cupcake with cream cheese frosting- I had a bite of that and it was good too. I also tried the chocolate cupcake with Peanut butter buttercream. It was good but I don't think I'd buy that again if given the chance. Now that I'm back home- I'm a little bummed that I chose to come here instead of going to Levain which wasn't much further. read more

Wow. We were looking for a good place to get King Cake for Mardi Gras and their King Cake cupcake is incredible. I can only assume everything else is delicious. Great staff too! read more

Very cute space. Excited to try out but paid $6.95 for a piece of dry cake with gritty frosting. Good news, the lemon cupcake had a good flavor but also very dry. read more

Always loved Billy's when i visited their Chelsea location years ago. So it was disappointing that on my 1st visit to the UWS location, to find THEY DON'T ACCEPT CASH?!? What's the story with that? Not everyone likes putting a 6.95 purchase on a credit card. I mean, their inferior competitor (Magnolia Bakery) happily takes cash. Needless to say, i left. read more

I love the original Billy's Bakery in Chelsea due to its high quality and freshness. The banana cake and the carrot cake may be the best in the City. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Columbus Avenue location where no items are baked on premises. I was told that all items are delivered the night before ... which suggests they were baked the day before. At least Magnolia Bakery a few blocks away bakes everything onsite! read more

Today I got cupcakes for my husbands bday and they were absolutely delicious, chocolate and carrot was my favorite, will be calling tomorrow to order two cakes for the party on Saturday :) read more

We paid $60 for a totally plain yellow cake, and it was dry. I'd buy again for half the price, but a $60 yellow cake needs to be pretty extraordinary to justify the price. I LOVE their cookie sandwiches though (5 stars), and cupcakes are pretty good, too (4 stars). read more

Their cakes and cupcakes are delicious. Brownies, too. Not a big cookie person, so I have not tried them.

Billy's Bakery reminds me of Magnolia Bakery -- homemade treats like cupcakes, cookies, cakes, puddings, pies and more in a cute setting. And I think most of what they offer is every bit as good. Really love their Hello Dolly Bars: a moist chocolate chip cookie-like bar with a condensed milk and coconut topping and graham cracker crust. The cookie sandwiches are wonderful too, as well as their pies and banana pudding (though I wish they offered more than one size). And the mini cheesecakes! There are a lot of great desserts and bakeries on the Upper West Side, but few on Columbus Avenue in the high 70s and 80s, so Billy's is a welcome spot when you have a craving for some sweets. read more

I bought a cake from this bakery and it was AMAZING. So incredibly good, primarily because they know how to make it taste great and not too sweet at the same time. In short, just a high-quality product. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other offerings. Highly recommended. read more

OUTSTANDING CARROT CAKE!!!!! I have extensive carrot cake experience and Billy's Bakery is second only to my mother's. If it weren't for some concern with my body composition, I'd start and end each day with it read more

Stale. Stale. Stale. Three different cupcakes, and two cookies/icing sandwiches. Tasted like they were 2+ days old. Not worth the price. Yuck. Save your money and the calories. read more

I actually liked Billy's so much It was the first thing I ever reviewed on yelp. Tried this place on a whim and I was pleasantly surprised. I got a carrot cake cupcake. Good moisture, nice crumb to the cake, and appropriate ratio of cream cheese frosting to cake. One of the better ones I've had. Magnolia bakery certainly does a great business but I will say I found Billy's cupcakes to be better. I also got their version of a chocolate chip black and white cookie: 2 chocolate chip cookies with black and white buttercream in between. Frankly - it was delicious. Good cookies with the right balance of crunch and chew. Buttercream wasn't too sweet. All in all, I think the place is really worth a try. read more

How do you have a coffee shop with NO BATHROOM for customers. Very bad idea especially after sitting and having coffee and needing a bathroom. How's what - they have one but not for customers. NOT A GOOD IDEA. read more

Love this place! Very cute and small. Lots of baked goods to choose from. I ordered a large cake for my husband's birthday (and got 10% off my online order since it was my first one). I also got an inscription in the color of my choosing. We got a vanilla buttercream cake. The cake itself was moist with brightly colored sprinkles. The frosting was soooo good and had very cute circle sprinkles bordering the edges. Pickup was easy. They also offer deliver I believe. The two staff members working that day were super nice and polite and helpful. I also picked up some cinnamon swirl bread that was delicious! Highly recommend for breakfast with coffee. Overall, just loved this place! Highly reco read more

Five Stars for the follow up customer service by Julie. I posted a negative experience back in November. I received an excellent response back so will be back to the bakery soon. The disappointment may have just been an isolated experience, there was also a change in management. Please do visit the bakery if you are on the UWS! read more

Got some coffee, cheesecake, a muffin and an oatmeal cookie here. The coffee was a bit watery but everything else was decent for a neighborhood bakery. Worth a visit if you're in the vicinity and want something sweet. read more