New York City is famous for its pizza, bagels, deli sandwiches, and its COOKIES! The NYC cookie renaissance has been a joy to watch and a bigger joy to eat.

If you happen to be visiting NYC for the first time, you may want to find the best cookie and get that one, or if you are like me, you may want to eat all of New York’s yummy desserts. Whichever camp you fall into, you are sure to get your sugar craving under control with one of these spectacular cookies.

 

The Best Cookie Spots in NYC

These cookie spots are the ones you will find in your guidebook, and friendly New Yorkers will tell you these are the best in the city. There is a reason they have such a devoted fan base…they are GOOD!

Levain Bakery

Levain Bakery is a famous cookie spot in NYC that has been around since 1994.  These are my personal favorite by miles!!

They are known for their large, gooey, and decadent cookies made with high-quality ingredients. The bakery offers four classic flavors: chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and my personal favorite, dark chocolate peanut butter chip. All of their cookies are hand-formed and baked to perfection. Levain Bakery has multiple locations throughout the city, including one on the Upper West Side and another in Harlem.

They also have locations in Washington D.C.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies is a popular cookie chain that was founded in 2003. They specialize in delivering warm, fresh-baked cookies straight to your door until 3 AM. Their menu features a variety of flavors, including chocolate chunks, snickerdoodles, and peanut butter chips. In addition to cookies, they also offer ice cream, brownies, and cookie cakes. Insomnia Cookies has several locations throughout NYC, including Greenwich Village and the Financial District.

These cookies have a large reach, you can find these in larger cities including New Haven, Orlando, Chicago and pretty much anywhere college campuses are.

 

Schmackary’s

Schmackary’s is another great spot for classic cookies in NYC. They offer a wide range of flavors, from the classic chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin to more unique options like maple bacon and birthday cake. Their cookies are soft and chewy with a slightly crispy edge, and they’re made with high-quality ingredients like real butter and pure vanilla extract. Schmackary’s also offers vegan and gluten-free options so that everyone can enjoy their delicious cookies.

Milk Bar

Milk Bar is a bakery that was founded by Christina Tosi in 2008. They are known for their innovative and creative desserts, including their famous compost cookies. These cookies are made with pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch, and chocolate chips. Milk Bar offers other unique cookie flavors, such as cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow, blueberry, and cream. They have multiple locations throughout the city, including one in Williamsburg and another in the East Village.

Overall, these three cookie spots are some of the best in NYC, and you won’t be disappointed if you only hit these three spots. When I am in New York, I go to Levain Cookie every single time.

Hidden Gems

For those who want to try something new, there are plenty of hidden gems in NYC to satisfy any cookie craving. Here are a few of the best:

Dominique Ansel Bakery

Although Dominique Ansel Bakery is famous for its cronuts, the bakery also offers some of the best cookies in the city. The chocolate chip cookie is a standout, with a crispy exterior and a soft, gooey center. The bakery also offers a unique cookie shot, a shot glass made entirely out of cookie dough and filled with milk.

If you visit Dominique Ansel, you will want to get more than just a cookie. Their cronuts and other pastries are worth a taste too.

Breads Bakery

Breads Bakery is a hidden gem in Union Square that offers a variety of delicious baked goods, including some of the best cookies in the city. The bakery’s chocolate babka cookie is a must-try, with a rich chocolate flavor and a soft, chewy texture. The bakery also offers a unique tahini cookie made with sesame paste and has a nutty, slightly savory flavor.

Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery

Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery is a small, unassuming bakery in the West Village that offers some of the best cookies in the city. The bakery’s chocolate chunk cookie stands out, with a crisp exterior and soft, chewy center. The bakery also offers a unique double chocolate cookie made with cocoa powder and melted chocolate for an extra chocolatey flavor.

They even have a cookie of the month subscription so you can get a taste of New York when you go home.

Overall, these hidden gem bakeries offer some of the best cookies in NYC, with unique flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Options

For those with dietary restrictions, finding delicious cookies can be a challenge. Fortunately, New York City has a variety of options for vegan and gluten-free cookies.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

Erin McKenna’s Bakery, located in the Lower East Side, specializes in vegan and gluten-free baked goods. Their cookies are made with high-quality ingredients and come in a variety of flavors, including chocolate chip, oatmeal and gingersnap. The bakery also offers cookie sandwiches filled with frosting for an extra indulgent treat.

The Thin Mint Cookies are the best of the best here.

 

Little Choc Apothecary

Little Choc Apothecary, located in Brooklyn, is a vegan and gluten-free cafe that offers a variety of sweet treats, including cookies. Their chocolate chip cookie is a standout but has seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and peppermint bark. The cafe also offers a selection of milk alternatives, making it the perfect spot for those with dairy allergies.

This is much more of a cafe and creperies but the cookies are fan faves.

Up and Coming Cookies Spots

When it comes to classic cookies in NYC these guys have been doing the basics really well for a long time. Here are some of the best places to get your fix of delicious, traditional cookies in the city.

City Cakes

City Cakes is a popular spot for unusual cookies that are full of flavor and mix ins. Their cookies are big, thick, and packed with flavor. They offer rotation of classic flavors, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and some more unique options like s’mores, nutella, lemon drop and confetti. One of the best things about City Cakes is that they bake their cookies fresh every day, so you can always count on getting a warm, gooey cookie straight from the oven.

Rubyzaar Baked

Rubyzaar Baked is a hidden gem when it comes to classic cookies in NYC. This small bakery offers a variety of homemade baked goods, including some of the best cookies in the city. Their classic chocolate chip cookie is a must-try, but they also offer some unusal cookies like: an oatmeal burnt oragen flavor, fresh mint with dark chocoalte, peach peacn maple and some other stuners.

Rubyzaar Baked uses only the finest ingredients in their cookies, and they’re made in small batches to ensure the best possible quality.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, New York City has a plethora of delicious cookie spots that will make you gain 10 pounds in an afternoon. But those will be the most delicious 10 pounds you have ever gained!

Levain Bakery stands out for its iconic and mouth-watering cookies that are crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Insomnia Cookies is a great option for those who are looking for late-night delivery and a wide variety of flavors. Milk Bar is a popular destination for its unique and creative cookie flavors, such as Compost and Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow.

Other notable cookie spots in NYC include Maman, Ovenly, and Schmackary’s. Maman offers a cozy atmosphere and delectable French-inspired cookies, while Ovenly is known for its vegan and gluten-free options. Schmackary’s has a wide variety of flavors that change seasonally, making it a great spot to visit throughout the year.

Overall, whether you are a local or a tourist, exploring the best cookie spots in NYC is a must-do activity. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find a cookie that will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more.