Living in New York City as a celiac with a sweet tooth is honestly dangerous. There is no shortage of incredible gluten-free desserts here! From classic flavors to more unique and creative ones, the city offers a wide range of options that are baked in a dedicated gluten-free environment. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite bakeries and favorite desserts here in NYC. Let me know if I missed any of your favorites in the comments!
The Best Gluten-Free Bakeries in Manhattan:
1. Posh Pop Bakeshop
West Village and Times Square
Posh Pop easily gets the #1 spot on the list. Gluten-free heaven is not enough to describe how absolutely magical this place is. They have so many incredible, delicious options. With both monthly specials and weekend specials, there is always something new to try. They have cookies, cake, brownies, donuts, pies, cheesecake, oh, did I mention funnel cake and fried oreos? Any dessert your heart could possibly desire can be found at Posh Pop, and they now have a second location in Times Square. (They also offer shipping nationwide.)
2. Postcard
West Village
Postcard is a new dedicated gluten-free Japanese Bakery & Bubble Tea spot in the West Village. And while they have a smaller menu than Posh Pop, everything here is a 10/10. The flavors, freshness, and quality of the items have been perfect every time. The fruit sandos have become the dessert I didn’t know I needed in my life. They are also nut free, and offer a few sandwich options if you need a quick lunch as well. Postcard is owned by the same team as Nami Nori.
3. Modern Bread and Bagel
UWS, UES, Chelsea
While most people head to Modern for their bagels, they also have the best gluten-free cinnamon rolls I have ever had. The flavors, texture, and cream cheese frosting are just perfect. Honestly, the worst part is how quickly they sell out of these babies. Their babka is also great, and they have rotating monthly specials.
4. Senza Gluten by Jemiko Cafe & Bakery
West Village
Not only is this such a cute and cozy spot, but they have my absolute favorite gluten-free red velvet cake. I also love their shortbread cookies, tiramisu, and bomboloni alla nutella. Chef Jemiko and his staff are always incredibly kind and welcoming too. You can also grab some of these desserts from their Hell’s Kitchen restaurant location.
5. By the Way Bakery
UWS & UES
Dedicated gluten-free and dairy-free, By the Way Bakery is a great spot for classic desserts, as well as for custom cakes and brunch catering. My favorite menu items here are the Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Muffin and the Raspberry bars.
My “Best Of” NYC Dessert List:
- Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie: Posh Pop Bakeshop (I liked the salted caramel chocolate chip!)
- Best Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake: Senza Gluten Cafe & Bakery
- Best Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll: Modern Bread & Bagel
- Best Gluten-Free Cheesecake: Posh Pop Bakeshop
Suffice to say, if you’ve been missing your favorite dessert since going gluten-free there’s a good chance you can find an excellent celiac-safe option here in NYC. I for one, can’t wait to keep trying what these great places come up with.