Some of the best pastries in New York come from bakeries that never stopped making things the old way. Think cherry strudel in Morningside Heights, poppy seed rolls on a Greenpoint corner, and German butter cake out on Long Island.
These shops carry recipes from Poland, Germany and Hungary, and a few have been on the same block for close to a century. In a city that changes fast, it is good to know where the old country still shows up in a pastry case.
Here are ten bakeries across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island that keep those traditions going, along with what to order and when to go.
1. The Hungarian Pastry Shop, New York, NY
Strudel is the headliner at this Amsterdam Avenue cafe, and the cherry version is the one people come back for. The shop specializes in Hungarian desserts, so the case leans toward the old country rather than trendy bakes.
Look for apricot hazelnut cake, lemon cake and other Eastern European treats alongside croissants. The Hungarian coffee is a menu highlight worth pairing with any slice.
The room is small, dim and a little cramped, with a studious crowd that fits its Upper West Side neighborhood. It opens at 7:30 AM on weekdays and 8:30 AM on weekends, staying open until 8:30 PM every day.
Most visits run about $10 to $20 per person. Dogs are allowed inside, which is a nice bonus for neighborhood walkers.
2. Andre’s Hungarian Bakery, Forest Hills, NY
Dobos torte, the layered Hungarian cake with its caramel top, is a good test of any Hungarian bakery. Andre’s in Forest Hills passes it, and the shop is known for making its specialties the way they are made back in Hungary.
This established, family-run bakery on Queens Boulevard is famous for old-fashioned strudel. The beigli, a rolled walnut or poppy seed pastry, gets serious praise too.
Other picks include honey slice, chocolate apricot torte, rugelach, and the square Hungarian cherry pie. Warm cheese danishes and savory cheese bites round things out.
Sunday and Friday mornings get busy, so weekday afternoons are calmer. Hours run 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and until 5 PM on Sunday, and delivery is available.
3. Rudy’s Pastry Shop, Ridgewood, NY
Ridgewood was once one of the most German neighborhoods in Queens, and Rudy’s is reportedly a living piece of that history. The shop has been around since about 1934 and started out as a German bakery.
Today the case is wider, but the old-school feel remains. Linzer tarts are a standout, along with cinnamon rolls, cheesecake, carrot cake and mini apple turnovers.
Breakfast is a real draw too, with egg and cheese sandwiches on croissants. There is a small seating area, an espresso bar, free Wi-Fi, and vegan and gluten-free options.
Doors open at 6 AM on weekdays. Weekend mornings fill up, while Thursday evening tends to be quiet.
4. Syrena Bakery, Brooklyn, NY
Early birds get the best of Syrena, which opens at 5 AM on weekdays. That is a baker’s schedule, and it shows in the bread.
The rye bread is the signature, with olive rolls and bagels close behind. Polish pastries, cookies and cakes fill out the counter at friendly prices.
This Norman Avenue shop is a longtime Greenpoint fixture with a clear Polish influence. It is takeout only, with no seating or restroom, so plan on a quick stop.
Saturday hours end at 4 PM and Sundays are closed. Friday and Saturday mornings are the busiest stretch.
5. Old Poland Bakery, Brooklyn, NY
A pastry and coffee here often costs under ten dollars, which is part of the charm. Old Poland Bakery is classic Greenpoint, with authentic old school baked goods at fair prices.
Poppy seed rolls and strudel are the traditional picks. The Polish cheesecake has a big following, and the bread is a reason to stop on its own.
It stays open until 8 PM Monday through Saturday, handy for an after-work loaf. Sunday hours run 9 AM to 6 PM.
Expect it to be busy on Saturdays and Thursday mornings. Street parking on Manhattan Avenue is paid.
6. Northside Bakery, Brooklyn, NY
Come for paczki, leave with dinner. Northside is a compact Williamsburg bakery that doubles as a Polish food counter.
The paczki, including a Nutella version, are a highlight next to daily bread and fresh pastries. There is also a lunch buffet and traditional Polish dinners like stuffed cabbage, cutlets, chicken and fish.
Shelves of Polish snacks make it easy to walk out with more bags than planned. Free samples sometimes help with decisions.
Weekday hours run 7 AM to 8 PM, with a shorter Saturday and no Sunday hours. Delivery is offered.
7. Cafe Riviera, Brooklyn, NY
Polish heart, French accent. Cafe Riviera mixes Polish, French and Italian pastries, and the staff and spirit are very Greenpoint Polish.
Polish poppy cake is the one to grab. Apple cake, walnut cookies, black forest cake, strawberry cheesecake and cheese and blueberry danishes are also strong picks.
Unlike several bakeries nearby, there is seating, a restroom and espresso drinks. Dogs are welcome inside too.
Prices stay friendly, and hours run until 8 PM every day. That makes it a solid evening dessert stop.
8. Fritzsche’s Bakery, Sayville, NY
German butter cake is the reason to head to Sayville. This old-fashioned family bakery on North Main Street treats it as an Old World specialty, and it is the item people mention first.
Black and white pastries are another favorite. The rye bread is a strong pick for anyone who takes their sandwiches seriously.
Rolls, cookies, cakes and breads fill the rest of the case at low prices, mostly under ten dollars per person. It is takeout only.
Note the schedule. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 7 AM to 4 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and until 3 PM on Sunday.
9. Krieg’s Bakery, Hampton Bays, NY
In the Hamptons, a fairly priced pastry feels like a small victory. Krieg’s in Hampton Bays offers just that, with an old-school, family-owned setup.
Everything is made from scratch on site. German pastries share space with donuts, eclairs, cookies and bread with a homemade, grandma-style quality.
It is a grab-and-go shop on Montauk Highway, with no seating or restroom. Coffee is available for the road.
Plan around the hours. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 8 AM to 5 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and 8 AM to 3 PM Sunday.
10. Riesterer’s Bakery, West Hempstead, NY
Since 1931, Riesterer’s has been baking in a family-run tradition on Long Island. That makes it one of the oldest names on this list.
The shop is kosher and offers a huge assortment of German and Italian American baked goods. Cakes, danish, cookies, rolls, breads, petit fours and pies are all in the mix, plus a pareve section.
Budget shoppers should check the day-old section. Newer additions include cake pops and ice cream sundaes, and custom cakes are a specialty.
It opens at 6 AM daily and has a free parking lot. Friday is the busiest day, so arrive early before weekend gatherings.
Shops like this are why New York has not lost its taste for tradition. From Morningside Heights to West Hempstead, the old recipes are still in the case.
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