The City Bakery
(Now Closed)Bakery and Café$$$$
Union Square, New York
The folks at Time Out New York and Serious Eats like this place. Would you agree?
644 Tips and reviews
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DebSeptember 21, 2016Hands down the best hot chocolate in NYC. Very rich. Expect the same thing from their mocha and iced mochas. Really good
AdnaMarch 25, 2015Had the hot chocolate with the handmade marshmallow and the pretzel croissant. The hot chocolate was extremely rich and very sweet. The croissant was a must have. Flaky exterior and soft interior.
Rubén GarcíaNovember 25, 2017Cute from the outside, but inside it looks like it should be on Restaurant Impossible. Pastries are good but stay away from the lunch buffet, I paid $20 for dry chicken and a small selection of sides
Avneesh KohliAugust 15, 2018Hidden gem in the city. Great baked goods and a decent sized space with lots of tables to meet or get some work done
Ashley ChanJune 12, 2017LOVE their peanut butter cookie. It's crumbly, rich and so satisfying. Their chocolate chip cookie is too crunchy for my taste. If you're a croissant fan, the pretzel croissant is a must-try.
City Bakery's hot chocolate is a classic for a reason. It's thick and rich, almost like pudding and incredibly chocolate-y. Add a homemade marshmallow and you got dessert for 2 people.
Florence HFebruary 6, 2015Get a chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven; and drink decadent hot chocolates with giant square marshmallows, so rich, it's like drinking melted chocolate. Finding seats can be a challenge.
Kimmie OhhOctober 12, 2019They’re well-known for their hot chocolate with their signature marshmallow. You have to wait until around the end of October for their marshmallows. They’re also known for their pretzel croissant.
Brittney PotterNovember 26, 2018Worth the wait. Their double chocolate melt cookie literally melts in your mouth. Very rich like their hot chocolate! For an extra $2 get their homemade jumbo marshmallow to add to the cocoa,so good.
Sarah KeatorSeptember 20, 2018Popular spot! There’s extra space on the 2nd floor if you feel like working OOO. The baked treats are divine like the bakers muffin. They also do scrambled eggs in the morning and buffet for lunch!- Daniel KarranFebruary 2, 2015Home of the Pretzel Croissant! This place offers some delicious food items made from locally-grown, organic and raw materials from the Union Square Farmer's Market. A delectable hot chocolate is here
KEOctober 21, 2016chocolate chip cookies & double chocolate cookies are insanely good (like biting into a flourless chocolate cake or fudge! so rich!) but prices are steep: $5/cookie! the hot chocolate is super thick.
Elif K.January 19, 2015The hot chocolate tastes like liquid chocolate - if that's your thing, go for it. Personally, I go for the chocolate chip cookies, which are everything you'd want in one.
You have to try their different hot chocolates during the month of February. Amazing flavors like cinnamon rum, lemon, banana peel, and espresso...just to name a few. The cookies are excellent also.- Kimmie OhhOctober 12, 2019There are seats throughout the huge café. Plenty of small tables on the lower level & plenty of seats & tables upstairs to view the whole store.
Time Out New YorkFebruary 25, 2016Go back to childhood with mugs of hot chocolate courtesy of this downtown canteen. The Hot Chocolate Festival is happening all week so stop by and enjoy some truffles to go along with your hot cocoa. Read more
Jaimee EstrellerDecember 16, 2015This rich AF hot chocolate will leave ya a bit poorer (7.50 per cup + giant marshmallow) but man the #foodstagram pic is worth it. Oh and it tastes very good, I just couldn't finish it all :/
CompassApril 25, 2014Though it's known for its unique hot chocolates, City Bakery is a divine spot for lunch, where a hot bar and made-to-order sandwiches, juices, and salads, makes it a favorite among neighbors.
Excellent variety of vegetarian choices. They have a good juice bar. It gets crowded during lunch. they have seating area both on the main floor and mezzanine. Don't forget to try the hot chocolate!
Michelle WilesJuly 22, 2013Sit upstairs to people watch with City Bakery's famous hot chocolate and one of the best chocolate chip cookies in the city. Or, if you're feeling healthy, the wasabi crusted tofu is great too
David ZhangJanuary 2, 2017Chocolate crossaints are incredibly soft. The hot chocolate is the definition of luxurious - worth trying but find someone to share it with
The pretzel croissants are absolutely amazing (think pretzel bread and multiply by 10). The hot chocolate is worthy of it's fame as well: thick and very rich (like European sipping chocolate)- Thomas MoAugust 13, 2014Don't miss the hot chocolate festival here every February! A unique flavor every day, but still thick and amazing. Comes in normal or shot sized cup.
Their buffet bar in the back is the best in the city. I had their white bean and roasted tomato soup, and loved every bit of it. So many delicious and healthy options!
Daniel BarnettOctober 21, 2014Unique baking style. Fresh baked goods come out very crispy at the surface but full of flavor, tons of texture. You wouldn't think you'd like the heaviness but then you find yourself without cookies.
Nicolette RomeroDecember 30, 2014Wanted to see what all the fuss was about with their hot chocolate. It's rich...like drinking chocolate soup. I recommend sharing one. It was a bit much. The chocolate chip cookies are delish though!
You must try the pretzel croissant. Sounds dubious, tastes amazing. Also, the hot chocolate is to die for...
Lori LuoOctober 17, 2014The hot chocolate is unbelievably rich and dense, and the pretzel croissant is worth the calories. What else do you want from a bakery?
The pretzel croissant is a must-try! When it comes to hot chocolate, the shot size is the way to go since it's so rich (and $$). Good luck finding a seat!
AshleyFebruary 4, 2013Best hot chocolate in NYC. Order it to go because that cup is bigger & def spend the extra for the homemade marshmallow, it's life changing. And try the pretzel croissant! It's crazy good!
Amy CoatesJuly 3, 2016Everything in the salad bar is good. Fresh chocolate chunk cookie is like toffee on the bottom cause the mounds of butter and sugar congeal into a fine tasty base.
Ria BJanuary 31, 2015if you only drink one hot chocolate in your lifetime, make sure its the one from city bakery (WITH THE HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW WHICH IS WHAT I IMAGINE CLOUDS TASTE LIKE IN CANDYLAND)
John ANovember 3, 2016Terrific bakery and food for breakfast or lunch. Old high ceiling interior has a classic NYC feel, and creates plenty of seating space on two levels. Coffee is decent, but come for the food.
Avin NarasimhanJanuary 22, 2015Hot chocolate is a must have. Probably the best tasted in my life. Don't sleep on the mac and cheese station in the back of the place-- free samples!
Ms HeleneMarch 5, 2013Not just a dessert spot. Lunch includes a gourmet cold salad bar incl delicious pea-crusted tofu with cilantro sauce and other such offerings, cost by weight. Soups and hot food available too.
Ryan BrightOctober 14, 2016Crazy packed in the mornings, but it's usually possible to grab a seat upstairs. The pastries are incredible. Try a chocolate croissant and espresso!
Melanie BouleyFebruary 7, 2015Unreal hot chocolate! And a great chocolate chip cookie too! I have heard good things about the kale salad as well.
Wladimir Coutinho MesquitaNovember 1, 2018You MUST try the best Muffin ever! Bakers Muffin - 4,50 Looooovet it!
What's good? Hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, maple biscuit, mixed berry scone, grilled cheese, pizzettes, chicken with cilantro sandwich, caramelized french toast, I could go on and on and on..- Kimmie OhhOctober 12, 2019They have free water available on a counter on the lower level. They also have free WiFi!
Nikki Taylor NicolasAugust 8, 2012Vegan chocolate chip cookies are a close second to Ovenly's! Must try, and for non-vegan treats the traditional chocolate chip cookie and the Mac n' Cheese are to die for! Happy eating!
Graphic AgencyDecember 14, 2013Their cup of pure delicious chocolate is so thick and creamy, you’d think that they just melted down bars of dark chocolate, and topped it off with a homemade marshmallow.
The macaroni and cheese may be the biggest rip off in the city since prohibition. Tiny bolton cost you $7. Fight the urge, get good food elsewhere, and use these guys for excellent hot chocolate.
DruSeptember 19, 2013Pretzel croissant is incredible. Perfect combination of crunchy and soft, salty and sweet. Get one of their famous hot chocolates to go with it and die happy.
Holy moly, the chocolate chip cookies and pretzel croissants are absolutely divine. And I'm not typically a pastry & sweets person. But these absolutely blew me away.
Sherry JuMay 20, 2016The hot choco is just overly sweet and thick since it's literally melted chocolate in a cup.... Neither me nor my friend could finish it... 😒 Plus its very crowded!
No idea that they had such a great lunch situation from looking in off the street - tons of options and all self serve. Check it out - pay by weight.
Hillary NFebruary 16, 2016Hot chocolate is amazing, check it out in Feb during the hot chocolate festival. Also, surprisingly good veggies and healthy food options.
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City Bakery serves world class breakfast pastry, a salad bar buffet like no other for lunch, soups, sandwiches and specialty pizzas. City Bakery is home of New York's favorite hot chocolate as well as the one and only "Pretzel Croissant".
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 7:30 AM–6:00 PM
- Sat
- 8:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Sun
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
(212) 366-1414
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
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PureWow - 9.3
"Just had a sample of their chocolate babka loaf & it's to die for! Nutella, hazelnuts & swiss chocolate! They have delish fresh-baked breads, soups & healthy salads... the bulgar/apple/kale was good."
Nancy Kang - 8.8
"The best pastel de nata i have ever tried!"
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- 9.4
"I love the produce here. It's a menagerie of color. The New York bee guy offers a taste of New York honey."
Justin Ordoveza - 7.5
"Cool stuff and a Super clean bathroom to boot! Don't forget to turn off the light to save energy!"
David Kim - 9.0
"A New York staple filled with all different types of New Yorkers! Stop here to enjoy items from the farmer's market. Always busy but always fun! A good place to people watch or enjoy a cup of coffee"
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