Bien Cuit

- 120 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

For those of us in New York who appreciate true craftsmanship and the deep, complex flavors that only come from time-honored baking methods, there is no place quite like Bien Cuit. Nestled on Smith Street in the heart of Brooklyn, this bakery, café, and coffee shop has elevated the simple act of baking to an art form. The name itself, "Bien Cuit," translates from French to "well done," which perfectly describes the philosophy of master baker and co-owner, Zachary Golper. His dedication is to a dark bake and a long, cool fermentation process—sometimes lasting up to 68 hours—that results in breads and pastries with an incredible depth of flavor and signature darker, well-developed crusts.

Since opening its doors, Bien Cuit has quickly become a cornerstone of the New York culinary scene, recognized nationally for its excellence. It’s more than just a quick stop for a morning treat; it’s a destination for the very best in traditional, small-batch, hand-shaped baked goods. The overwhelming, delicious aroma wafting out onto Smith Street is your first clue that you are about to experience something special. From the first bite of a flaky croissant to the satisfying chew of a perfectly baked country loaf, Bien Cuit consistently lives up to its name.

This commitment to quality is evident in the prestigious recognition the bakery has received over the years. Chef Zachary Golper has been a multiple-time James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Baker, a testament to his mastery of fermentation and dough. National publications like The New York Times and Bon Appétit have highlighted Bien Cuit, with the latter naming their baguette one of the best in America. For New Yorkers seeking a piece of bread that truly transcends the ordinary, Bien Cuit offers a daily taste of a world-class baking tradition right here in Brooklyn.

The bakery’s approach is rooted in tradition but infused with a radical spirit, using old-world techniques to create modern classics. Every loaf and pastry is made fresh daily on-site, a process that ensures the highest quality and freshness. It is this unwavering focus on artisanal methods, from the use of natural leavening to the careful hand-shaping of each product, that sets Bien Cuit apart as a beacon of the new bread revolution.

Location and Accessibility

The main, acclaimed Bien Cuit location—and the primary production site where all the bread is made—is conveniently located at:

120 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

Situated in the charming and historic Boerum Hill neighborhood of Northwest Brooklyn, the Smith Street shop is easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. It's a key part of the vibrant neighborhood, where the daily bustle is accented by the incredible scent of toasted grains and yeast emanating from the bakery.

For public transit users in the NYC area, the location is well-served by several major subway lines, making a quick visit or a leisurely trip possible:

Subway Transit Access:

• Bergen St station (F and G lines)
• Hoyt St station (2 and 3 lines)
• Hoyt-Schermerhorn station (A, C, and G lines)

The bakery is designed for a quick and satisfying visit, whether you are picking up a loaf for dinner or grabbing a breakfast pastry and coffee on your way to work. Please note that, due to the dedication of space to the extensive baking operations, the Smith Street location is primarily a storefront for takeout, with limited or no customer seating and typically no public restroom, reinforcing its focus on fresh, high-quality, on-the-go products.

Services Offered

Bien Cuit provides a range of services designed for the convenience of the busy New Yorker and the dedicated bread enthusiast:

• In-store shopping and browsing of a full array of breads, pastries, and treats.
• Takeout and to-go services for quick purchases.
• In-store pick-up, perfect for reserving your favorite, in-demand loaves.
• Delivery options for those within their service area.
• Coffee and other beverage offerings.
• Credit card, debit card, and NFC mobile payments accepted for a quick checkout.
• Offers a specialized all-day menu including breakfast items, sandwiches, quiches, desserts, and cookies.
• The premises features a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
• Wi-Fi is available.

Features / Highlights

Bien Cuit is celebrated for many unique aspects, many of which stem from its commitment to traditional French and European techniques:

• Master Baker Zachary Golper: A James Beard Award multiple nominee for Outstanding Baker, known for his artisan approach and dedication to long, cool fermentation.
• Signature Well-Done Bake: The term "Bien Cuit" means "well done," and the bakery is famous for its darker, more deeply caramelized crusts which lock in moisture and produce a more complex, nutty, and savory flavor profile in their breads.
• Exceptional Breads: The menu features a variety of highly acclaimed, slow-fermented breads, including the enormous, crusty Miche, the traditional Campagne, and the award-winning Baguette. Many breads undergo a fermentation process of up to 68 hours.
• World-Class Pastries: Beyond bread, the bakery is famous for its French-inspired pastries, particularly the Almond Croissant, which is twice-baked and filled with rich almond cream, and the distinctive Cinnamon Sugar Roule.
• Small-Batch Production: All dough is mixed in small batches and shaped by hand daily on-site at the Smith Street location, ensuring superior quality control and an artisanal touch in every product.
• Unique Menu Items: The bakery offers a variety of creative and delightful options, such as the Turmeric Pain Aux Raisins, Blackberry Makrut Lime Danish, and the Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookie.
• Market Provisions: The shop often stocks a small, curated selection of high-quality market items that complement their baked goods, adding a nice touch to the storefront experience.

Contact Information

To plan your visit or inquire about the current menu and availability, you can use the following information for the Smith Street location:

Address: 120 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

Phone: (718) 852-0200

What is Worth Choosing

When visiting Bien Cuit, the hardest part is choosing what to try first, as their selection of both sweet and savory items is truly extensive. However, certain items have earned a legendary status among New York's culinary critics and local regulars and are highly recommended for a first-time visitor.

For bread lovers, the Baguette is a must-try, having been named one of the best in America. Its chewy crust, airy crumb, and distinct nutty aroma showcase the bakery’s mastery of the long fermentation process. The Miche is another crown jewel; this French-style country loaf is an enormous, crusty creation with a deep, complex, and savory flavor resulting from the darker bake. For a table bread, the Campagne is an excellent choice, offering a balanced acidity and thick crust that makes a perfect companion to any meal.

On the pastry side, the Almond Croissant is a crowd favorite, famous for its buttery, flaky exterior and decadent almond cream filling. For a unique flavor, the Cinnamon Sugar Roule or the Chocolate Croissant are unbeatable classics. If you’re looking for a savory breakfast, you can't go wrong with the Ham Sandwich on one of their fresh baguettes, a simple yet perfect combination of high-quality ingredients. For a treat that’s easy to take home, consider the Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Cookie, which offers a delightful texture and complex flavor profile. Finally, for a taste of the bakery’s sweet ingenuity, sampling one of the pound cakes, like the Lemon Earl Grey Pound Cake Slice, is highly recommended for its delicate flavor and moist crumb.

Bien Cuit is, in short, the perfect place for any New Yorker who values authenticity and quality in their food. It is a humble storefront with a world-class reputation, offering an unparalleled selection of artisanal breads and French pastries, all baked daily with a simple philosophy: well done is best done.

Bien Cuit

120 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA