Veniero’s: New York’s Sweetest Gem
- Kylie Lin
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
On 11th Street, sitting between 1st and 2nd Avenue, lies one of New York’s most famous bakeries. Immediately recognizable from the neon sign inviting you in, they have an assortment of desserts as soon as you walk through the door. With a case full of petite delights and a large case dedicated to cakes on the other side, Veniero’s has been satisfying its customers longer than current NYU students have been alive. It is so famous that when my mother, an NYU alum, heard that I got into this school, she immediately told me to find a day to go to Veniero’s. They are consistently known to have the best cheesecake in New York, and she’s not the only one who thinks so. You can find many people online and in YouTube videos who think the same. Luckily, I put my mother’s—along with others’—opinions to the test and visited Veniero’s to see if it lives up to the hype and legacy—and I wasn’t disappointed.
New York-style Cheesecake
Now, I can’t just casually mention that Veniero’s might have the best cheesecake in New York and not immediately tell you guys all about it. Veniero’s New York-style cheesecake is unique in one very obvious way—it has no crust.
When it came to my table, I immediately noticed how fluffy and tall it looked. It had a nice white appearance in the middle, which was alluring to me as someone who has made my own cheesecakes in the past. It was set properly, as there was no sinking towards the middle—a common pitfall when it comes to baking a cheesecake. The top was not overcooked and had a lovely, light-golden sheen towards the edge. Digging into the cheesecake itself, I was immediately hit with the smooth taste of cream cheese. However, the cheese flavor was not too overpowering and is quite subtle, making it palatable for people who don’t like cheesecake. After a few bites, a tangy flavor begins to linger in your mouth, reminiscent of a classic cheesecake.
What really makes this cheesecake stand out is its texture: it is so silky that it just melts in your mouth. This cheesecake lives up to its legacy, and its taste is impeccable. All three of my friends, who were not familiar with Veniero’s, agreed that it was the best cheesecake they had ever tasted. It is a perfect balance between sweet, cheesy, and tangy—a balance that is bound to please anyone who tries it. Paired with strawberries on top or not, it is a delight you cannot leave New York without tasting.
Baba Cannoli and Pear Frangipane
While its cheesecake is the most famous dessert from Veniero’s, that doesn’t mean that it is the only thing you should try. To start the review of Veniero’s selection, I would like to describe my personal favorite: the baba cannoli, which is a cream-filled take on the classic baba rum..a spongy cake soaked in rum to create this oozing, light, and sweet treat. The baba cannoli takes it to a new level with cannoli filling down the middle, creating a balance between creamy, juicy, tangy, and sweet. The ricotta taste truly comes through to give a new dimension to the dessert as the punch from the rum provides a bit of spice for the palette. The chocolate chips folded into the cannoli cream are not too overpowering. They actually melt within the cream to provide a bitter contrast, but are not too hard when you are biting into nibs. Like I said before, this is a personal favorite along with the cheesecake, so get yourself a few when you do visit!
The pear frangipane was something I was initially a bit skeptical about, but soon became something I highly recommended to others. Similar in concept to a peach cobbler, pears are backed in a smooth almond batter. The pears soften within the pastry, oozing its juices within the batter to create a distinct blend of flavors. The pastry itself is closer to a bread-like texture, almost like a sweet brioche. It was not too sweet, and had a natural essence to it with the almond and pear flavors, creating a flavorful symphony and a perfect treat for an early morning.
Blood Orange Delight
One of their fancier-sounding desserts, the blood orange delight, was something that was exciting to me. This cake with an orange flavor has a fresh, citrusy taste that is refreshing for the tongue. It is quickly counteracted with the thick chocolate glaze on top, giving depth with its bitterness that pays homage to the pairing. The custard in the middle is reminiscent of the tangy, cheesy fillings of the cheesecake. It is a great dessert to order on a day when you want to treat yourself.
Chocolate Banana Strawberry Shortcake
Over winter break, I spent a day in New York with my family and on the ride home, my dad begged my mom to stop by Veniero’s to get his favorite cake: the chocolate banana strawberry shortcake. A twist on the famous strawberry shortcake, this cake provides extra sweetness and texture with the banana while adding the beloved flavor of chocolate.
It is a cake that is meant to please everyone—not overly pretentious but polished in its presentation and taste. I personally love how the fruit is folded in the cream, giving a sharp sweetness with the strawberry and a comforting, soft banana tang. The extra cake crumbs on the back give a nice pop of texture with the whipped cream. It is a cake perfect for birthdays or when your father has a craving. If you aren't feeling too adventurous, they still have the strawberry shortcake that inspired this dessert and that is perfect on a nice summer day.
Veniero’s is famous for a reason: it is a cozy spot that never loses its charm. They don’t appeal to trends and what they do is the best around. The cheesecake lives up to the legacy that it has established for itself and the other desserts are just as exceptional. You can tell that each slice of cake, each tart, and each cookie is made with love in every bite. There is a reason it has been around this long and will continue to be around: it is New York’s sweetest gem.
Comments