A french croissant is buttery, it is crusty on the outside, and fluffy inside. It should melt in your mouth. It should look the part too, with visible neatly layered dough. A french croissant with coffee is like peanut butter and jelly. Only better? For you to decide. After testing many croissants in NYC throughout the years, the best french croissants can be found in these bakeries across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Disclaimer, I have NOT tested every bakeries in the 5 boroughs of NYC yet! But if you have tips, I’d gladly try a new croissant.
And the winners are:
Patisserie des Ambassades (Harlem)
Our ★Hidden Gem★ mention!
Classic, really good.
2200 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York Bakery (and restaurant) hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 12am, Weekends 8am to 12am.
Marvelous by Fred (Midtown and Greenwich Village).
Our ★Always Warm★ mention!
Several batches throughout the day, so chances are you can score a warm one!
1001 6th Ave, New York Bakery hours are Mondays to Fridays 8am to 7pm, Weekends 9am to 6pm.
Nick and Sons (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Our ★Did you say B-U-T-T-E-R? ★ mention!
Beautiful and oh so buttery croissants. Respect! They run out real early though so set that alarm clock and go get one.
205 Leonard St, Brooklyn Bakery hours are Thursday to Sunday from 8am to 1pm. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays…
Bicyclette (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Our ★Traditional French Croissant ★ mention!
Likewise, they run out of croissants (and bread!) really early. Special mention for the Pavé bread, which is the highlight of this bakery. Along with the Pain de Campagne, the baguette and yes, the croissants are good too.
667 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn Bakery hours are Tuesdays to Sundays 8am to 1pm. Closed on Mondays
Lidl (Harlem, Manhattan)
Our ★Budget Croissant ★ mention!
Croissants in France are typically 1€, now maybe 1.5€ with rising inflation. But where in NYC can you find a good croissant for less than a dollar? Head out to Lidl uptown! And pack up the goodies. Of course we are talking industrial croissants here. But all grocery store brands (Whole Foods, Trader Joes etc…) make industrial croissants, that aren’t necessarily good, nor cheap. Lidl’s croissants are buttery, flakey and really for 69 cents each, they are great. Baked several times a day, chances are you will score a fresh baked one, the bakery scent will guide your nose right to it. Pains au chocolat are 99 cents, and as delicious. Enjoy!
2187 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York Lidl opens daily from 7am to 11pm.
Dominque Ansel (Soho, Manhattan)
Our ★Not technically a Croissant but so good you’ve got to try this★ mention!
On the opposite side of the spectrum, meet the $6 DKA Croissant (yes you’ve read that right…) but what a treat! The “Dominique’s Kouign Amann” invention is a flaky croissant-like dough that is tender inside with a caramelized crunchy crust on the outside. Well worth a stop if you are in the neighborhood. In fact, you won’t be alone to do so, the Dominique Anselm Bakery tend to be packed at all hours. However there is nice seating on their covered outdoor patio, with self serve water and so for $6, you can at least enjoy a well deserved break from your frantic shopping or whatever else you are up to around Soho.
189 Spring St, New York Bakery hours are Mondays to Saturdays 8am to 7pm. Sundays 9am to 7pm.
Orwashers Bakery (UWS, Manhattan)
Our ★Best croissant display★ mention!
We have to give it to Orwashers Bakery for the good laugh, thank you!
Good sandwiches, almond croissants and nice place to have a quick bite outside on the patio.
440 Amsterdam Ave, New York Bakery hours are daily 7am to 6pm.
