New York is home to a diverse array of bakeries and pastry shops – from Polish to Italian to Dominican. The Bronx is no exception to this sweet New York phenomenon. Even though it is the biggest borough in New York City, many of these bakeries remain unknown by the general public. As supermarkets continue to be the principal place to purchase pastries for many New Yorkers, more of these sweet spots have become hidden gems.
When you crave something sweet, nothing compares to a hand-made pastry from a local bakery. The frosting is fluffier, the fillings are finer and the chocolate is simply divine. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic pastry, an enticing chocolate chip cookie, or a trendy cupcake, this list of the top bakeries in the Bronx will put you on the fast track to sweet tooth satisfaction.
Where can you get the best bread? Madonia Brothers Bakery
If you are seeking the freshest most delicious bread in the Bronx, Madonia is the place to go. Their olive bread is a little slice of heaven. Once they slice it for you, immediately go for the middle slice. It is warm, soft and chewy, and the crust is thin, crunchy, and flavored by savory olives. Also delicious is their fennel and raisin bread. Cannolis, cookies and biscotti are also sold at Madonia, but they are most well known for their breads, which are pricey. A loaf of prosciutto bread is $5. However, it will have your guests talking (with their mouths full) at your next dinner party. Madonia’s is certainly a hidden treasure in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx. (Madonia Brothers Bakery. 2348 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458. (718) 295-5573)
Where can you can get the best carrot cake? Lloyd’s Carrot Cake
Lloyd’s is a cute little gem across the street from Van Cortlandt Park. It is a very small establishment with a counter and display case. So, expect to take your delectable delight to go. Since, it is small inside, you can see the bakers making the cakes from the front counter. Besides their heavily frosted delicious carrot cakes, they have a good variety of cakes and cupcakes. Their cakes are quite affordable. A slice of carrot cake with nuts and raisins is $2.75. Since many people have been going to Lloyd’s for years, you can always find a group of friendly cyclists standing in front of the bakery enjoying a piece of carrot-y heaven. (Lloyd’s Carrot Cake. 6087 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10471. (718) 548-9020. www.lloydscarrotcake.com/about.html)
Where can you get the best cheese cake? S&S; Cheesecake
You can get a slice of New York’s best cheese cake in S&S; Cheesecake, a bakery bordering Kingsbridge and Riverdale. Their cheesecakes have an unbelievable texture, aroma and flavor. It’s certainly comparable and cheaper than Junior’s Cheese Cake in Brooklyn. $23 gets you a large cheese cake, a definite New York City bargain. They are dense, smooth and creamy in the middle. However, when purchasing the sweet treat, you can’t help but feel you’re conducting an illicit transaction. The front door is boarded up and you have to buzz to get in. Once you’re in, there is no small talk. Simply say what size cake you want, sliced or unsliced, and hand over your cash (credit cards are not accepted) and do the exchange. They close at 3 pm, so get there early and you won’t get stuck with a sad supermarket imitation. (S&S; Cheesecake. 222 W 238th St, Bronx, NY 10463. (718) 549-3888. www.sscheesecake.com)
Where can you get the best Eastern European pastries? Dukagjini Burektorja
In diverse New York City, the burek remains unknown. It is a savory Albanian pie with a crispy, golden, butter-laced crust. The bakery Dukagjina Burektorja is best known for this delicious pie. They are larger than a dinner plate, and they arrive from the oven surrounded by a rising cloud of fragrant steam. Sliced into wedges, they reveal one of four fillings: spiced meat, sweet feta-ricotta, chopped spinach, or pumpkin. Bureks resemble the dough-wrapped dish found in many countries: burritos, crêpes, egg rolls, etc. Prices are comparable to a slice of pizza. The highly recommended cheese burek slice is $3.50 and a whole pie is $14. The Albanian model is meant for eating in, with knife, fork, and a generous dollop of lush, tangy yogurt. However, seating is limited with five small tables. Bronx Zoo visitors looking for more than generic snack-bar fare, the detour is well worth the five-minute walk. (Dukagjini Burektorja. 758 Lydig Ave., Bronx, NY 10462. 718-822-8955)
Where can you get the best Italian pastries? Gino’s Pastry Shop
Gino’s is a critic’s pick on New York magazine. Once you try their cannolis, you will quickly find out why. On the main street of Bronx’s Little Italy, Gino’s Pastry Shop has been an Arthur Avenue establishing since 1960. The small storefront is charming in its old-time simplicity. It is wallpapered with photos and signatures of famous regulars, such as Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Ray Romano. Their signature birthday cakes are filled with smooth, authentically flavored cannoli cream. They also offer an array of cookies, pastries, and cakes. Among the wide array of options are powdered amaretto cookies that have a satisfying soft almond taste and rustic small biscotti fingers ideal for dunking into a cup of cappuccino. Cannolis are $2, and the amaretto cookies are $10 per pound. This is a second-generation family business, and you can often find the owner Jerome Gino chatting with customers. If you snag the single small table, prepare to be regaled with neighborhood stories. (Gino’s Pastry Shop. 580 E.187th St., Bronx, NY 10458. (718) 584-3558)
Where can you get the best Dominican pastries? Valencia Bakery
The best Dominican pastries can be found in Mott Haven’s Valencia Bakery. Their moist cakes and delicate frosting are sugary-sweet like a typical Dominican delight. The icing and sugar flowers are a favorite among the locals. They offer traditional American cakes with a Caribbean twist, such as the vanilla cake with pineapple filling. The most popular pastry is the yellow cake with pineapple filling and white icing. The yellow cake is deliciously soft that it seems to melt in your mouth. The sweet pineaple filling is a taste of the tropics. The white sugar icing adds the final touch to this delicious combination of flavors. You can feel a massive sugar high with a few bites. So those with diabetes or lacking a sweet tooth, you’ve been warned. Other fillings include guava, apricot, chocolate, strawberry, and more. It is authentic as you can get to Dominican sweets without flying to Santiago. (Valencia Bakery. 499 E 138th St, Bronx, NY 10454. (718) 585-7062)
Sources Bronx Bakeries.Yelp.
NYC Stores – Bakeries. New York magazine.
