French Bakeries and Cafés in New York City Worth Visiting This Bastille Day
Bastille Day in New York City isn’t just about parades and pétanque—it’s also a good excuse to indulge in French pastries and coffee. Whether you’re hunting down pain au chocolat or simply want a proper espresso in a quiet setting, the city is packed with French bakeries and cafés that go beyond the basics. Here’s a guide to spots that hold their own with skill and taste.
French Bakeries and Cafés in NYC for Bastille day
Maison Kayser (Upper East Side & Midtown)
Known for its crusty baguettes and buttery viennoiseries, Maison Kayser balances French tradition with NYC speed. The seating areas offer a quiet break from the city while still feeling connected to the street. Bastille Day or not, their almond croissants stay in demand.
Dominique Ansel Bakery (SoHo)
Famous for creating the cronut, this spot blends French technique with a creative twist. While the inventions draw headlines, the cannelés, madeleines, and tarts are solidly rooted in French baking. You’ll usually find a line, especially around July 14.
Maman (Multiple Locations)
This café brings southern French influences to the fore, from lavender lattes to nutty financiers. Its rustic interiors make it a quiet place to stop, and their chocolate chip cookie often makes “best in the city” lists. They also do limited-run Bastille Day specials.
Breads Bakery (Union Square & Upper West Side)
While it’s known more broadly as a bakery, Breads excels in French standards like tarte tatin and éclairs. Their buttery laminated doughs make for reliable croissants every time. It’s a good choice if you’re mixing your French fix with broader pastry options.
L’appartement 4F (Brooklyn Heights)
This micro-bakery began as a pandemic project and now turns out small-batch croissants that have developed a cult following. They use imported French butter and often sell out before noon. If you’re looking to support something indie and local, this fits.
Ceci-Cela (Nolita)
A no-frills bakery that has been around for decades, Ceci-Cela focuses on old-school pastries done properly. The tarts, flans, and quiches are made fresh daily and priced reasonably. It feels more like a Parisian neighborhood spot than a trendy destination.
Ladurée (SoHo & Upper East Side)
With its pastel palette and classic branding, Ladurée leans heavily into the Paris experience. It’s the place to go if macarons are on your mind, but the brioche and seasonal tarts are also solid. It’s a higher-end option, but one that delivers consistency.
Le Fournil (Greenpoint)
This French-run café is tucked into Brooklyn and keeps things straightforward with flaky croissants, baguette sandwiches, and dark coffee. The owners trained in France, and it shows in the technique. It’s less crowded than downtown spots and worth the trip.
Mille-Feuille Bakery (Upper West Side)
Founded by a Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef, Mille-Feuille is a quiet contender in the city’s French pastry scene. Their mille-feuille, of course, is a standout—but the éclairs and tarts don’t lag far behind. It also offers pastry classes if you’re looking for something hands-on.
Charlotte Patisserie (Greenpoint & Williamsburg)
Though Polish-owned, this patisserie sticks closely to French methods and ingredients. Their mousse cakes and fruit tarts look like they belong behind a Parisian glass counter. The space is relaxed, and the pricing is fair for the quality.
Whether you’re after a classic croissant or want to sip espresso in a Paris-style café, New York offers no shortage of French flavor. These bakeries and cafés give Bastille Day 2025 a local twist without losing the original charm. Just show up early—most spots sell out fast.
More…
- https://www.timeout.com/newyork/bastille-day
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=best+french+patisserie&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY
- https://coucoufrenchclasses.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-nycs-french-bakeries/?srsltid=AfmBOoo0Wr7W4bO3V0-aheKMeIedCwWPi3oLY2ZE0Z0ZIP5afw8sJoqV
- https://www.overherenewyork.com/where-to-celebrate-bastille-day-in-new-york-city/