Breads Bakery is an essential New York City bakery, renowned for its slow-fermented sourdough and world-famous Chocolate Babka. It operates multiple locations across NYC, including Union Square, Lincoln Square, Upper East Side, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park, offering a wide array of artisan breads, pastries, and cakes.
Customers consistently praise Breads Bakery, especially highlighting the Chocolate Babka for its rich, chocolatey, gooey, and flaky texture. The bakery is also recognized for its award-winning baguettes and croissants. Reviewers appreciate other pastries like almond croissants, rugelach, and various cakes (lemon, carrot). The atmosphere is described as warm and cozy, with friendly and professional staff.
Additional Details
Breads Bakery is a beloved institution in New York City, known for its commitment to quality baking. Beyond its famous babka, it offers a diverse selection of artisan breads, pastries, and coffee, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
Randomly walked past after visiting the Nespresso Boutique..... absolute perfect surprise pairing. The cheese danish is beyond, especially with the zest onto. I've never had a croissant dough based black and white cookie, so when I bit in and found the "cookie" was also filled, my eyes went wide open and couldn't get enough.
Soany great options
Had a lovely experience here. Tried their coffee and banana chocolate chip pound cake—both were absolutely delicious. The pound cake was super moist, rich, and perfectly balanced in sweetness, with just the right hint of banana and chocolate in every bite. The coffee paired really well and made it even better. Simple items, but done exceptionally well. Definitely a place I’d come back to!
Im always a fan of a Breads bakery but especially like this location for the long display and searing. I got the chocolate babka, egg salad, and strawberry cheesecake bun. The babka is one of my favorites. The strawberry cheesecake bun was nice and not too sweet.
I’ve officially accepted my fate—I will be stopping here every single time I pass by. This bakery has me in a full sugar-induced loyalty contract.
The chocolate babka is hands down the best I’ve had. No debate. I even had a full discussion with my boss (a true babka aficionado), and we both agreed this is the spot. Rich, perfectly layered, with that deep chocolate swirl that feels borderline illegal.
This time I also picked up banana chocolate chip bread, a baguette, chocolate rugelach, and matchalach—and wow. The rugelach deserves its own spotlight. My boyfriend took one bite, froze like he’d seen a vision, then silently got up, left his phone behind, and came back with an entire bag to take home. That alone should tell you everything.
Everything here tastes fresh, indulgent, and made with care. Honestly, the only downside is that it’s not closer to my apartment… but maybe that’s for the best, because my fitness routine would not survive this level of temptation.
If you love baked goods, this place is non-negotiable.
Babka only comes in whole pre-packaged loaves, so take it home and warm it up! So rich and chocolatey and gooey. It keeps well and stays moist. I didn't find the rugelegh that unique tasting, just a chocolatey croissant. It's still tasty, but the babka was definitely the highlight for me!
