William Greenberg Desserts Introduce
Welcome to William Greenberg Desserts, a New York City institution that has been delighting generations with its classic baked goods and old-world charm. Nestled on Madison Avenue, this bakery is more than just a place to satisfy your sweet tooth; it's a piece of living history, a place where tradition and flavor come together. From the moment you see its retro red and white exterior, you get the sense you are stepping back in time to a classic New York bakery. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, evoking a sense of nostalgia for those who grew up with its treats and a sense of discovery for newcomers. It’s a place that has been the backdrop for countless family stories, from Bar Mitzvah cakes to special treats shared across generations. This deep connection to the city's history and culture is what makes William Greenberg Desserts a truly special and beloved spot.
This bakery specializes in traditional American and Jewish baked goods, offering an extensive menu that caters to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs. While the name highlights desserts, the establishment is a full-service bakery and cookie shop. They are particularly famous for their legendary black and white cookies, which have been voted among the best in New York City. The menu is a delightful mix of cakes, cookies, pastries, and even breakfast items, ensuring there's something for every part of your day. They also offer gluten-free options, ensuring that those with dietary restrictions can still enjoy their delicious treats. The commitment to time-tested recipes and high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite, from their flaky rugelach to their light and buttery black and white cookies. It's this dedication to craftsmanship and tradition that has made William Greenberg Desserts a timeless favorite for both everyday cravings and special occasions.
William Greenberg Desserts is located at 1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028, placing it squarely in the prestigious and beautiful Upper East Side. The location is easily accessible by public transportation, with various subway and bus routes nearby, making it a convenient stop for locals and tourists alike. For those driving, paid street parking is available, though it is a busy area so planning is advised. The bakery also features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that all customers can comfortably visit and enjoy their delicious treats. The neighborhood itself is a destination, known for its high-end shops, art galleries, and proximity to Central Park. This makes a visit to William Greenberg Desserts an easy and enjoyable addition to a day spent exploring one of New York City’s most iconic districts. Its prime location and thoughtful accessibility make it a hassle-free choice for anyone looking for a sweet treat.
William Greenberg Desserts offers a variety of services to make it easy for customers to get their favorite baked goods, whether they are planned purchases or spontaneous cravings. Their service options are designed for modern convenience while maintaining their classic charm.
In-Store Services: Customers can come in and browse the delightful display cases filled with a wide assortment of cakes, cookies, and pastries. The bakery offers a small outdoor seating area for those who wish to enjoy their treats right away.
Delivery and In-Store Pickup: For special occasions or simply to save time, William Greenberg Desserts provides delivery and in-store pickup services, allowing you to get your order quickly and efficiently.
Takeout: Perfect for a quick visit, the takeout option ensures that you can grab your favorite baked goods and be on your way.
Custom Cakes: The bakery is well-known for creating custom cakes for various celebrations, from birthdays and Bar Mitzvahs to weddings. This service makes them a go-to for memorable, personalized desserts.
Beverages: In addition to their baked goods, they offer a selection of beverages including coffee, tea, and iced drinks, making it a complete stop for a sweet break.
Several features and highlights set William Greenberg Desserts apart from other bakeries in the city, contributing to its iconic status and multi-generational appeal. These qualities are what make a visit to this establishment truly special.
Legendary Black and White Cookies: A standout feature is their black and white cookie, which a customer review enthusiastically declared as the "BEST BLACK AND WHITE COOKIES I’ve ever had." Their cookies are described as light, flaky, and perfectly balanced.
Generational and Nostalgic Appeal: The bakery holds a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers, with a rich history of providing treats for family occasions. One review notes how the bakery is a part of their family's lore, spanning generations.
Gluten-Free Options: They offer a selection of delicious gluten-free items, including cookies, ensuring that their classic taste is accessible to more customers.
Traditional and Authentic Offerings: Beyond the black and whites, they are known for traditional Jewish baked goods like babka, challah, and rugelach, all made with time-honored recipes.
Convenient Payment Methods: The bakery accepts debit cards and NFC mobile payments, making transactions quick and seamless for a busy city crowd.
A Full-Service Bakery: Their extensive menu goes beyond just cookies, offering everything from full-size cakes and pies to individual pastries and breakfast items.
For more information, to place an order, or to ask a question, you can contact William Greenberg Desserts using the following details.
Address: 1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 861-1340
What is worth choosing William Greenberg Desserts? The answer is a blend of history, quality, and an authentic New York experience. While one customer found the cookies "a bit too sweet," this is a matter of personal taste, and the overwhelming sentiment from others is that the quality and flavor are exceptional. The most compelling reason to choose this bakery is its status as a living legacy. One reviewer beautifully captures this sentiment, explaining how the bakery has been part of their family's story for generations. This sense of tradition is a rarity in a city that is always changing. The bakery's most famous item, the black and white cookie, has earned a reputation as one of the best in the city for good reason, praised for its perfect texture and balanced icing. Beyond the classics, the bakery's diverse menu, which includes everything from challah to custom-made celebration cakes, ensures that it can cater to any occasion. The availability of gluten-free options and the welcoming, nostalgic atmosphere make it a place where anyone can find a treat to love. In a city with countless bakeries, William Greenberg Desserts stands out not just for what it sells, but for the history and tradition baked into every single item, making it a truly special destination worth visiting for locals and tourists alike.
William Greenberg Desserts Menu
Cake-
- Plain Angel Food Cake $7.00
A light, fluffy bundt cake without icing
- Individual Bundt Cake $7.50
A delicious pound bundt cake for one person
- Rainbow Slice $7.50
- 6 Inch Cake $32.00
One of our many delicious 6 inch cakes.
- Cake Slice $6.50
Please pick flavor; Caramel Almond, Chocolate cake, Red velvet, Carrot, Coconut, Strawberry
- Cupcake With Buttercream $3.75
Please pick Chocolate or Vanilla
- Cupcake With Hard Icing $3.00
Please pick a flavor; Chocolate or Vanilla
- Whoopie Pie $5.00
Please pick a flavor; Chocolate, Red velvet, or Vanilla
- Pound Cake $18.50
- Iced Pound Cake $22.00
- Crumb Cake $4.50
Please pick cinnamon or blueberry
- Iced Angel Food Cake $7.50
A light and fluffy cake with a flavored icing.
Cookie-
- Gluten Free Sprinkle $5.50
- Gluten Free Black And White $7.00
- Chocolate Chip Cookie $4.00
- Chocolate Chip Dipped $4.50
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip $5.50
- Hammentaschen $4.75
Please pick; Prune, Cherry, Poppy, Apricot, Raspberry
- Large Black And White $4.50
- Large Linzer Tart $4.00
- Large Red Velvet Black And White $4.00
- Mini Black And White $2.25
- Mini Linzer Tart $2.00
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie $4.00
- Rainbow Cookies $18.00
Half pound package. Contains marzipan, an almond producy.
- Sprinkle Cookie $4.00
- Butter Cookies $9.00
An assortment of our fabulous butter cookies made with real butter! Some cookies contain tree nuts. Peanut free.
- Rugulach $9.00
Flaky sour cream dough filled with cinnamon, apple, raspberry, or chocolate
- Mini Red Velvet Black And White $2.00
- Large Black And White Cookie $4.50
- Mini Hamentaschen $2.00
Other-
- Brownie $3.75
Our famous brownies! Soft and chewy, they're available in plain and pecan!
- Individual Tart (4.5") $7.50
Our delicious tarts! Berry tarts have a pastry creme filling, Apple is apple all the way through, and lemon has a curd filling.
- Chocolate Popcorn 🍫🍿 $9.00
Chocolate drizzled popcorn
- Popcorn Pizza $22.00
Popcorn pizza on top of a milk chocolate crunch crust topped with pretzels and white chocolate drizzle
- Cinnamon Babka $19.00
An old German recipe with swirls of cinnamon and crumb stressed topping
- Chocolate Babka $19.50
An old German recipe with swirls of chocolate and crumb streusel topping
- Challah $8.50
Moist and delicious, almost like cake, Great for breakfast, parve
- Small Apple Strudel $15.00
Apples surrounded by a light Flaky pastry dough
- Large Apple Strudel $24.00
Apples surrounded by a light flaky pastry dough
- 8in Pie $30.00
Apple, cherry, blueberry
- 6in Pie $18.00
Apple, Blueberry, Cherry,
Breakfast-
- Mini Schnecken $2.00
- Large Schnecken $4.00
- Almond Croissant $4.00
- Apple Turnover $3.00
- Chocolate Croissant $4.00
- Croissant $3.00
- Danish $4.00
Please pick blueberry, cherry, apricot, prune, or cinnamon-raisin
- Muffin $3.50
Please pick; Blueberry, Corn, Cranberry, chocolate
Beverage-
- Americano $3.00
- Cappuccino $4.00
- Coffee $2.00
- Iced Coffee $4.00
- Iced Latte $5.00
- Latte $4.00
- Soda $2.50
- Tea $2.00
- Water $3.00
William Greenberg Desserts Details
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- Onsite services
- Takeout
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Coffee
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
William Greenberg Desserts Photos










William Greenberg Desserts Location
William Greenberg Desserts
1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
William Greenberg Desserts Reviews
black and white cookiespricesicingdeliverycallrugelachchocolate cakegiftingredientslinzer cookies
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1They have a small outdoor seating area that I really liked, but the cookies weren’t quite my style. They were just a bit too sweet for me, especially the white side.
August 02 · Ani AvetisyanI recently visited after my mom told me some family lore about William Greenberg’s. Apparently, in the 60s and 70s, my grandma used to fly with boxes of their treats to Puerto Rico upon request of a friend that used to live in New York. It seems like every New Yorker with generations of lore has something to say about William Greenberg’s. My neighbor says it’s where his mother bought his Bar Mitzvah cake and says that he sends their famous chocolate cake whenever the occasion arises. Going there feels like stepping back in time from the moment you see their retro red and white exterior. But most impressive to me were the BEST BLACK AND WHITE COOKIES I’ve ever had. And I’m not even usually a fan. But the cookie is light and flaky, and the icing has just the right amount of give before melting away in your mouth. And they come in super cute colors? I ate four immediately. They also have vegan options!
July 27 · Katherine SpindlerYum cookies and supporting a long time local business! This place is such a treat, service was really great and helpful and I tried a mini black and white cookie, linzer cookie and a mini pecan roll. Conveniently located near the park and museum too. I'll be back to try more! The black and white cookie was legit, need to try the red velvet one!
March 27 · Connie KwokGreat cookies and pastries, searched the place out for their black and white cookies are recommended as “One of the best”. It did not disappoint.
January 23 · mark oberhausenThe service has always been inconsistent at William Greenberg's, but the quality of baked goods usually has made up for the rudeness of many of the staff both on the phone and in person. Unfortunately, their baked goods have also become inconsistent. I purchased 2 cakes to bring as a guest. The chocolate sponge cake was embarrassingly stale.
April 15 · Marci Douglas
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