Radio Bakery

- 186 Underhill Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Introduction / Overview

In a city overflowing with bakeries, Radio Bakery in Brooklyn has managed to not only stand out but to create a full-blown culinary phenomenon. Located in the heart of Prospect Heights, this establishment is a must-visit destination for New Yorkers who appreciate the high art of baking. It is a true "New York style bakery," drawing influence from Italian breads, French viennoiserie, and classic American sandwiches, all executed with technical mastery by chef-owner Kelly Mencin and her team. The result is a menu that is both familiar and revelatory, featuring everything from light, buttery croissants to thick, chewy focaccia slices used as the base for staggeringly delicious gourmet sandwiches.

Radio Bakery has earned its reputation not through simple hype, but through an unwavering commitment to quality and process. Since its opening, New Yorkers have frequently waited in line—sometimes for an hour or more—to score the daily batches of pastries, a testament to the bakery’s exceptional products and immense popularity. Customers consistently praise the high quality of the ingredients and the sophisticated, yet simple, flavors. This is not just a place to grab a quick item; it is an experience focused on savoring the moment, where every bite, from a classic chocolate croissant to a seasonal savory focaccia, is a moment of decadence. Operating daily from 7:30 AM until they sell out, Radio Bakery is an essential spot for an exceptional Breakfast or an unforgettable midday treat.

The bakery’s unique appeal lies in its dynamic menu that balances core favorites—like their perfect classic croissant and country batard—with innovative, rotating seasonal specialties. Whether you're a long-time resident of Prospect Heights or a visitor making a dedicated trip, Radio Bakery delivers world-class baked goods and coffee in a vibrant, neighborhood setting. The warm, inviting vibe and welcoming staff, as noted by local patrons, ensure that even the wait feels like part of a delightful experience.

Location and Accessibility

Radio Bakery is conveniently situated in the heart of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, at 186 Underhill Ave, NY 11238, USA. This location places it near several local attractions and makes it easily reachable for residents across the borough, though its fame often draws visitors from all corners of the city. For those in Prospect Heights, the bakery is perfectly positioned for grabbing a gourmet treat before work or a superior sandwich for a park lunch.

Accessibility for all members of the community is prioritized, as the location includes a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring a smoother visit for all patrons. Given its immense popularity, especially on weekends, New Yorkers should be prepared for a line, which is a common occurrence for a spot of this caliber. However, customer feedback repeatedly assures that the line moves "pretty fast," and the quality of the food makes the time spent well worth it. Since the primary service options are Takeout and In-store shopping, the setup is optimized for a Quick visit, although many choose to take their purchases to one of Brooklyn’s beautiful local parks to enjoy. For payment, the bakery accepts both Credit cards and Debit cards, facilitating speedy and modern transactions.

Services Offered

Radio Bakery provides a focused yet comprehensive set of services centered around high-quality baked goods and beverages:

• Specialized Baking: Focuses intensely on masterfully crafted French viennoiserie (croissants and related pastries), Italian-style breads (especially focaccia), and sourdough loaves.
• All-Day Offerings: Serves customers from 7:30 AM through the early afternoon (or until sold out), providing dedicated options for Breakfast, including various croissants, breakfast focaccias, and coffee.
• Gourmet Sandwiches: Offers an acclaimed selection of lunch sandwiches starting at 11:00 AM, built upon their extraordinary focaccia and house-made breads, featuring options like the Burrata and Prosciutto on focaccia, and the Ham with rosemary butter on sesame stirato.
• Full Coffee Program: Provides a variety of coffee drinks, including popular options like iced lattes, with the flexibility for customers to sweeten and flavor their drinks to personal preference.
• In-Store and Takeout Service: Primarily operates as a storefront for In-store shopping and Takeout, catering to New Yorkers looking for a Quick visit.
• Menu Rotations: Regularly features seasonal and special croissants and focaccias, ensuring a fresh and exciting menu for repeat visitors.

Features / Highlights

Radio Bakery’s status as a Brooklyn favorite is built upon several distinctive features:

• Master-Level Pastry Craft: Chef-owner Kelly Mencin is widely recognized for her expertise, ensuring every pastry is "executed to its fullest potential, from the proof to the bake," resulting in croissants that are often called "the best in Brooklyn."
• World-Class Focaccia: The focaccia is a standout, described as "otherworldly," being simultaneously "crunchy, soft and somehow chewy." It serves as the foundation for their highly-rated sandwiches and is equally delicious on its own with toppings like tomato & garlic.
• The Savory Staples: Radio excels equally in savory items, with staples like the Cheesy Pretzel Bearclaw and the Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Focaccia slice achieving local cult status.
• Innovative Seasonal Menu: The bakery keeps things fresh with constantly rotating seasonal specialties, like the Pistachio Croissant, Apple Brown Butter Croissant, and the unique Corn Croissant, which are often the focus of social media hype.
• Gourmet Sandwich Program: Lunch is a major draw, with grab-and-go sandwiches appearing at 11:00 AM, offering sophisticated options like the Roasted Cauliflower with muhammara and the classic Ham and Rosemary Butter sandwich, praised for its simple quality.
• High-Quality, Simple Ingredients: Customers consistently note that even seemingly "simple" items, such as the Ham and Butter sandwich, are elevated by the exceptional quality of the ingredients, making them anything but plain.
• Community-Friendly Vibe: Despite the crowds, the bakery maintains a warm, inviting atmosphere with kind and welcoming staff, encouraging visitors to "slow down, enjoy good food, and take in the atmosphere."

Contact Information

To plan a visit or learn more about one of Brooklyn's most popular bakeries:

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What is worth choosing

For any New Yorker seeking an elevated breakfast or an unparalleled midday treat, Radio Bakery is unequivocally worth the visit. While the occasional wait is part of the experience, the high quality of the food justifies the persistent crowds and the hype it has generated since opening. The core reason to choose Radio Bakery is the masterful execution of its pastries and the sheer excellence of its bread program, specifically the focaccia.

If you are visiting for the first time, you must focus on the items that have cemented Radio’s reputation. Start with the Croissants: the classic, Triple Chocolate, or the seasonal Pistachio Croissant are phenomenal choices that showcase the buttery, honeycombed interior and crisp, flaky exterior the bakery is famous for. For a unique and slightly unexpected experience, the seasonal offerings, such as the unique Corn Croissant, offer inventive flavors that truly impress.

Beyond the pastries, the Focaccia-based Sandwiches are a required tasting. Items like the Burrata with Prosciutto or the simple yet perfect Ham with Rosemary Butter illustrate how high-quality ingredients can elevate even the most straightforward concepts. These sandwiches—which start appearing at 11:00 AM—are widely regarded as some of the best in the city. Finally, don't forget to pair your selection with a beverage; the coffee is praised by locals, and an Iced Latte is highly recommended for washing down the rich flavors of the food. Tucked away on a pleasant block in Prospect Heights, Radio Bakery transforms a simple errand into a delightful, rewarding experience that reminds you why Brooklyn’s food scene is world-class.

Radio Bakery

186 Underhill Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA