Looking for the best croissants NYC has to offer? From sweet to savory, Instagrammable to authentic. Whether you're looking for classic almond, plain, chocolate, or something more unique...I'll take you through the 5 best croissants in NYC.
After completing my post on the top bakeries in NYC, I just had to follow up with a post dedicated to the glorious, and oh so hard to perfect, croissant.
I will travel far and wide to find that expertly crafted croissant with just the right amount of butter.
Savory or sweet, I've got a spot in my heart for all things croissants...ham and cheese, almond, chocolate...it really is a shame I don't live in Manhattan so I can enjoy the BEST croissants NYC has to offer more often...my waistline might disagree though.
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Photos: Supermoon Bakehouse
1. Supermoon Bakehouse
Some of the most unique and Instagrammable croissants in NYC
Supermoon Bakehouse has been a favorite of mine for years. I can't visit NYC and not go to Supermoon Bakehouse. Their flavors continue to impress in both quality and originality.
Here you'll find unique treats in a trippy atmosphere. Club music echoes off the concrete floors, light reflects off the psychedelic packaging lining the walls, and you get a full view of what’s baking behind the glass wall separating the shop from the kitchen.
Supermoon Bakehouse is known for their cruffin (a croissant-muffin hybrid) with fillings like vanilla cream paired with rhubarb, strawberry, and basil. Their menu changes weekly and includes a mix of flavors.
Their croissant offerings range from traditional to wildly unique.
A mainstay is the croque monsieur; a ham and cheese croissant made with thick slices of ham and the perfect blend of gouda, cheddar and béchamel. Probably my favorite ham and cheese croissant on the planet.
Pair that with one of Supermoon's more unique flavor combinations like the rosemary blueberry croissant, s'mores croissant, or banana split croissant.
Supermoon Bakehouse easily makes the list of best croissants in NYC with their traditional and unique offerings. If I haven't convinced you yet, just visit their Instagram and your mouth will be watering in seconds.
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2. LA CABRA
THE BEST CROISSANT IN NYC PAIRED WITH INCREDIBLE COFFEE...ALSO THE BEST PLAIN CROISSANT
La Cabra was originally on my list of coffee shops to check out. My first visit I arrived later in the afternoon, every seat was taken, and the pastries were practically sold out. What was left looked incredible. I knew I had to return and try a few.
I arrived early the next morning and found the place packed again with a consistent line out the door.
La Cabra makes all their pastries in house (you can see the magic happening behind the glass wall at the back of the coffee shop). Originating from Aarhus, Denmark, La Cabra knows what they’re doing when it comes to pastries and croissants.
My goodness, the plain croissant is probably the best plain croissant I have ever had. The texture was perfect, not too crispy or flakey, not too doughy. Just the right hint of butter flavor coming through. If I lived in NYC I would order these by the dozen.
Everything about this place hit a home run for me. Incredible coffee, the flat white was one of the best during my last trip, and the pour overs are top quality. The simple yet homey décor, rustic serve ware, and friendly service warrant their 4.9 star reviews on Google.
The ham and cheese croissant is also delicious as is the pain au chocolate. If you want to veer away from croissants, the Cardamom bun (a Swedish treat) is a must. A yeasty, knot bun made with butter and cardamom and sprinkled with sugar. Be sure to ask if a fresh batch is coming out of the oven…it’s worth waiting for.
3. Petit Chou
The best non-traditional almond croissant in NYC
If you know your baked goods or watch the Great British Baking Show like me, you’ll be wondering why I’m including a bakery with “chou” in the name.
Chou is a hallmark pastry and nothing close to a croissant. While the chou I tried was fantastic, Petit Chou also makes some of the best croissants in NYC.
I especially liked the almond croissant. The filling was not dry like a traditional almond paste but had a creamy consistency to it with a bit more sweetness than the average almond croissant. It was perfect and did not taste artificial at all.
The plain croissant and strawberry and cream croissant roll are also delicious.
4. Dominique Ansel Bakery
The best hybrid croissant in NYC (the cronut and DKA)
Chef Dominique Ansel has quite the reputation in the pastry world. He was named the "World’s Best Pastry Chef" by the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards in 2017 and listed as one of Business Insider’s “Most Innovative People Under 40”.
His signature creation is the cronut (a croissant-donut hybrid) which Time Magazine named one of the 25 best inventions in 2013.
Though his other signature pastry, the DKA, outsells the cronut 2 to 1. It's a caramelized croissant type treat with a gooey center and the perfect combination of sweet and buttery.
These two unique croissant hybrids earn Dominique Ansel on the list of best croissants in NYC alone.
You have two options for experiencing Dominique Ansel’s creations, though I only recommend one.
Dominique Ansel Bakery is the original shop located in SoHo. Here you'll find all the usual croissants including chocolate, plain, ham and cheese, and almond. There are also rotating and seasonal flavors.
Last time I visited there was a Nutella croissant and a toasted coconut chocolate croissant. This is the only location you can buy the cronut and they usually sell out.
The SoHo location is extremely popular and you will find it busy all hours of the day. This is also where you'll find a selection of artistic pastries almost too beautiful to eat…almost.
The other location, Dominique Ansel Workshop was sadly disappointing in both flavor and texture. I recommend sticking to the original Dominique Ansel Bakery.
5. Ceci Cela Patisserie
One of the most authentic almond croissants NYC has to offer
If you’re searching for the best traditional French croissants, and more specifically a traditional almond croissant, head on over to Ceci Cela.
This lower east side bakery makes an almond croissant that is very different from the typical almond croissant you'll find in the states. You can actually see the crushed almonds in the almond paste. Almost more like an almond butter than the pastry almond creme you typically see.
This is one of the only almond croissants I have had that didn’t taste very sweet and left you feeling substantially less guilty than when eating the typical almond croissant. The fresh almond paste gave a very subtle sweetness and made for a perfect pairing with a strong americano.
If you don’t want to visit their shop on the lower east side, don't fret. A handful of coffee shops sell Ceci Cela pastries. Culture Espresso and Remi Coffee are two to note.
I grabbed my croissants from Bell’s Coffee & Design (now closed). The barista, who just happened to be from France, confirmed my research and taste buds. He noted that not only does Ceci Cela make the best croissant in NYC, but they’re exactly what you would find in France and made “the correct way”.
Honorable mention for the best croissant in NYC - Patisserie Claude
Patisserie Claude deserves an honorable mention, and some might disagree. These croissants, most notably the almond croissant, are far from traditional. The almond croissant actually reminded me of the pastries I’ve had in Italy.
Instead of the dough being flakey with big pocket holes (the hallmark of a traditional French croissant), this croissant has more of a “pillowy” texture and is very soft. Instead of almond paste, it’s more an almond pastry cream. While this is by no means a traditional croissant, it was delicious!
Be sure to ask if a fresh batch is coming out of the oven.
In Summary
I hope this post listing the best croissants NYC has to offer helped narrow down your options. Visit Supermoon Bakehouse for wildly unique flavors. La Cabra is perfect for when you also want a quality coffee and Petit Chou has beautiful pastries alongside perfectly sweet almond croissants. Ceci Cela is perfect for those looking for a traditional French almond croissant and Patisserie Claude will remind you of the pastries/croissants you tried in Italy.
Need an activity after sampling the best croissants in NYC? Check out the tours below!
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