Searching For New York’s Best Gluten-Free Goodies

Caroline Anderson
May 2
6 min read

Individuals requiring gluten-free diets sometimes miss out on New York’s most iconic baked goods. While certain popular bakeries do offer gluten-free alternatives, these are often treated as add-ons. This can result in under-developed recipes that yield dense and dry desserts. Additionally, gluten-free offerings of well-known bakeries typically consist of only one or two items, leaving a lot to be desired for those seeking variety. To find out where gluten-free foodies can indulge without compromise, I’ve visited five dedicated gluten-free bakeries seeking tasty treats as well as wide selections.

Postcard

31 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014

Opened in February 2025, Postcard comes from the team behind Nami Nori, the temaki bar just next door. This shop is located on Carmine Street in West Village, a ten minute walk from NYU. Their specialties are bubble tea and fruit sandos, but they also sell a variety of other baked goods.

The interior looks like it came straight out of a Pinterest board. From the colorful wallpaper to the retro-style furnishings, nearly every corner of this store is aesthetically pleasing. When I asked for a recommendation, the staff suggested a few customer favorites and some of their personal picks, including the lemon bun, which I decided to try.

The bun itself was almost savory. There was a subtle sweetness, but not what you might expect from a dessert bun. I detected a bit of graininess in some bites and as I continued eating it, I noticed a faint bitter aftertaste. The texture was also quite dry and dense, but there was plenty of icing which moistened the bun and contributed a refreshing citrus note to the overall taste. Though I enjoyed the glaze, I don’t think it added enough to save the bun or make it worth $7.61.

I wasn’t particularly fond of this dessert, but I can see myself returning to Postcard. The kind staff and charming seating area make it difficult to dislike. Next time, I’d like to try one of their fruit sandos. All in all, though I wouldn’t recommend the lemon bun, if you're searching for an aesthetically-pleasing, cozy cafe, I’d recommend checking Postcard out.

Senza Gluten Café & Bakery

171 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

In 2014, Jemiko Solo opened Senza Gluten Restaurant, an entirely gluten-free restaurant, in Greenwich Village. Four years later, he opened a small café and bakery a block away, Senza Gluten Café and Bakery. This spot is about a six-minute walk from Washington Square Park. The café is small, yet cozy and there are only a few tables, but if the shop’s completely full, you can always head to the park.

There wasn’t much variety available here, but all of the options looked delicious. Following the staff’s recommendation, I purchased a slice of the almond ricotta orange loaf for $7.34, which seemed reasonable for its size.

The loaf bore a strong resemblance to pound cake. It was dense, but very moist and had a buttery, sweet taste. There were also notes of citrus, which elevated the flavor profile of the dessert. The garnish of almond slices similarly complemented it, adding a nutty flavor and crunch that paired well with the loaf’s velvety texture. I enjoyed every bite of this and after I finished it, I almost went back for another.

At many gluten-free bakeries, the baked goods tend to be on the dry side. Senza Gluten Café and Bakery was one of the only places I visited where this was not an issue. I also thoroughly enjoyed the subtle sweetness and unique flavor of this treat. This is one of the best gluten-free desserts I’ve tried in New York and I highly recommend stopping to purchase a slice.

By The Way Bakery

1236 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028

The first By The Way Bakery location opened in 2010 in the founders hometown of Hastings-on-Hudson. Three locations, two in New York and one in Connecticut, have been opened since. Their bakery has everything: pies, brownies, cakes, cookies, and more. The shop is quite small and lacks seating, but there are plenty of spots to sit in Central Park, which is only a ten-minute walk away.

I wasn’t sure what to purchase when I arrived, but I was told by the staff that the lemon poppyseed cake is a must-try. This is a mini bundt cake coated with a vanilla glaze. It cost $6.00, which I felt was fair for a gluten-free baked good, which is typically more expensive than its gluten-full counterpart.

This cake had a light, fluffy consistency and just the right amount of sweetness. The lemon flavor was strong, but not overwhelming. Rather than being sour or intensely citrusy, it was delightfully bright. The poppy seeds didn’t have much of an impact on the cake’s flavor, but they did give it a delicate crunch. I also enjoyed the glaze, which gave the cake a hint of additional sweetness and a light vanilla note. My only complaint is that I wish the glaze coated the entire cake instead of just the center.

Altogether, I thoroughly enjoyed By The Way Bakery. I found their baked goods tasty, liked the location and appreciated the friendliness of the staff. If you ever find yourself in the Upper East Side, I’d definitely recommend a visit.

Modern Bread and Bagel

139 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

The first Modern Bread and Bagel storefront was opened in 2019, and since then, locations have opened in Los Angeles, New York, and New Jersey. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, this is the ideal place to stop for lunch, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

The staff here were incredibly nice and gave me several recommendations. They sell plenty of delicious-looking baked goods and I was tempted to purchase multiple items. Ultimately, I decided on the cinnamon roll. This was nearly the size of a brick and, despite its size, it only cost $7.61!

This treat was reminiscent of a slice of babka, with a thin crust on the outside and a soft, bready inside. I enjoyed the crust and found that the contrasting textures set it apart from a typical cinnamon roll. It wasn’t too sweet nor was it over-spiced, but the inside was a bit dense. The delicious filling helped to moisten it though. While the cream cheese icing was good, I personally found it a bit too “cheesy”.

My one real complaint about this dessert is that I encountered a few chunks of sugar that hadn’t been completely incorporated into the filling. All in all, the baked goods sold at Modern Bread and Bagel are well-priced and the service is great. I hope to return soon for a bagel or a different baked good.

Noglu

1260 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128

Noglu opened its New York store front in 2015. This shop is another one of NYC’s most popular gluten-free bakeries and is only a ten-minute walk from the aforementioned By The Way Bakery. There is a dine-in area, but guests can also buy goods to-go. The shop is decently spacious and has plenty of seating. Even on a Saturday afternoon, there were still a few tables available.

I purchased a donut with vanilla icing for $8.00, which isn’t bad for a gluten-free bakery. However, some of their other items of similar sizes were priced at $11.00 or more, which feels excessive for something the size of your palm.

This item had a consistency closer to a cake than a donut. It was pretty dense and dry, making it difficult to chew. I’m fairly certain this had been sitting out for a while when I purchased it, so my experience might’ve been better if I’d come earlier in the day. This treat also didn’t taste all that exciting: the cake had a sweet flavor, though it was fairly one-dimensional, lacking any distinct notes beyond sugar. The best part was definitely the vanilla icing coating the top. It wasn’t particularly flavorful, but it did add some moisture, making the donut easier to chew.

I can’t say I see myself returning to Noglu anytime soon. Though the location is nice and there’s plenty of seating, the prices were exorbitant. Additionally, given the prices they’re charging, I’d expect something higher quality than what I was served. If you plan on visiting Noglu, maybe avoid the donut.

I really enjoyed visiting these five gluten-free bakeries and learning more about the gluten-free treats that NYC has to offer. A few of these locations serve some of the best desserts I’ve tried in the city, gluten-free or not. I’d certainly return to some of them and recommend them to others—even those who don’t follow a gluten-free diet. While popular bakeries may have limited gluten-free options, the city is home to a number of dedicated gluten-free bakeries that offer treats just as good, if not better, than what you’d find elsewhere. If you get the chance, definitely check them out!