BEST CAKE
LADY M CAKE BOUTIQUE
36 W 40th St (212) 452-2222
www.ladym.com
With six NYC locations and a strong
international presence, the Lady M Cake
Boutique creates a unique variety of creative
and delicious desserts using the freshest
ingredients. The boutique strives for simple
and elegant designs that are tasty but not-toosweet
confections for a global clientele. Some
interesting offerings include the Pink Checkers
cake, a culinary coupling of strawberry and
black cocoa with strawberry glaze that reveals
a checkerboard of pink and black sponge cake
alongside whipped strawberry cheese cream.
Or how about the Green Tea Mille Crepes cake
which features at least twenty handmade crêpes
layered with green tea pastry cream and finished
with Japanese powdered matcha. Fans call
Lady M cakes an “out-of-this-world culinary
experience.”
BEST CANDY STORE
ECONOMY CANDY
108 Rivington St (212) 254-1531
www.economycandy.com
The only thing better than the feeling of being
a kid in a candy store is actually being a kid (or
adult) in a candy store. Economy Candy has
been bringing sweetness into New Yorkers’
lives since 1937 and continues to be their top
destination for sugary treats. Gummy bears,
licorice, lollipops, PEZ and, of course, chocolate
— any type of candy you can think of, Economy
Candy has it. Economy Candy also brings
its shoppers back in time by offering a huge
selection of retro candy, from Airheads of the
90’s to the tootsie rolls and lemonheads of the
50’s. The shop even pays homage to the city that
made it with chocolate molds of the Statue of
Liberty and Empire State Building!
BEST COOKIES
LEVAIN BAKERY
167 W 74th St (917) 464-3769
www.levainbakery.com
These decadent cookies have been delighting
dessert lovers since 1995. When founders Pam
Weekes and Connie McDonald were competitive
swimmers they would often talk about their
shared passion for baking. The conversations
soon led to the pair leaving their respective
careers in fashion and finance and starting their
own baking company and so, Levain was born.
The West 74th Street bakery became known for
its giant six-ounce cookies, baked fresh every
day. Today, Levain delights new yorkers with
its sweet treats at five Manhattan locations.
For nearly 25 years, Levain has also donated its
leftover sweets to charity every night. Must-try
cookies include the famous chocolate chip
walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, dark
chocolate peanut butter chip and oatmeal raisin.
BEST CUPCAKES
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
200 Columbus Ave (212) 724-8101
Since 1996, Magnolia Bakery has been known
for some of the best, freshest cupcakes in NYC.
With locations across the city and beyond,
Magnolia’s bakery menu features a wide variety
of both classic and specialty cupcakes made
from scratch, on-premises and using the freshest
ingredients. Classic varieties include vanilla,
chocolate, and red velvet while specialties can be
had in devil’s food, German chocolate, lemon,
carrot, and peanut butter & jelly. Weekly special
cupcakes are also available. All of Magnolia’s
bakery items are available for local pickup and
delivery via Doordash and Grubhub as well as
nationwide shipping. The bakery also handles
cakes and cupcakes for special events and all
types of catering. The cupcake of your craving
awaits at Magnolia!
BEST DESSERT
BESFREN
315 5th Ave (646) 858-1339
www.besfrenbeauty.com
Got a sweet tooth? Besfren offers a delightful
menu of highly artistic desserts that are not
only Instagram-worthy, but will have you
coming back again and again. Each handcrafted
pastry is based from an authentic recipe
and given a unique twist. From rollcakes and
chiffon doughnuts to tarts and macaroons,
each dessert comes in a variety of flavors, so
there is something that will palate. Just a few
of its must-try creations are the triple chocolate
chip cookie, rainbow roll cake and the macho
taro soft serve ice cream. Not into sweets? No
problem. Besfren also has a few savory dessert
options to choose from as well. Whether you’re
looking forward to an after dinner treat or just
craving a midday dessert, take a ride over!
BEST DONUT
DOUGHNUT PLANT
379 Grand St (212) 505-3700 ext. 220
www.doughnutplant.com
There’s a reason why Queens residents are
enamored with the aroma and taste of a Dunkin
Donuts donut. Since 1950, Dunkin has been
satisfying its loyal customers with a wide variety
of donut flavors that are perfect for a quick
breakfast, classroom lecture, conference and an
after-dinner dessert. From the classic jelly donut
and donut with sprinkles to the more intricate
Boston creme and blueberry flavored donuts
to the cute and creative munchkins that pack a
punch, Dunkin’s donuts truly has something for
everyone. It’s no surprise that its the go-to donut
place in the Manhattan!
BEST DUMPLINGS
JOE’S SHANGHAI
136-21 37th Ave (718) 539-3838
www.joeshanghairestaurants.com
On a quest to find the best dumplings in the
city? Search no more! Joe’s Shanghai signature
soup dumplings have been the favorite of many
for over 20 plus years. Each dumpling is hand
made and its size is slightly bigger than a golf
ball, containing a meatball core surrounded
by a flavorful meaty broth behind its doughy
walls. Meatballs come in two options: pork or a
pork and crab mix. Joe’s Shanghai dumplings
are made to order, steamed and served directly
on a steam basket. The restaurant has served
over a million dumplings since its opening,
so there’s no doubt they’re a favorite among
Manhattanites. Come in to try them for yourself
and you’ll understand!
BEST EMPANADAS
KC GOURMET EMPANADAS
38 Avenue B (917) 675-7039
www.kcgourmetempanadas.com
Head over to KC Gourmet Empanadas to get
a taste of flaky, fried dough stuffed with an
endless array of delicious ingredients. The
menu options range from the more traditional
empanadas like ground beef, cheese and spicy
chorizo to innovative varieties like eggplant and
beef, spicy mushroom and macaroni and cheese
with bacon. KC even serves up a selection of
dessert empanadas including guava and cheese,
apple pie and strawberry shortcake. Not in the
mood for empanadas? Grab a slider made with
tostones “buns”, steamed tamales stuffed with a
choice of meat and wrapped in banana leaves or
a savory entree served with yucca or patacones.
The restaurant even has vegan options including
a mushroom and spicy mushroom empanada
and vegan rice pudding.
BEST FALAFEL
MAMOUN’S FALAFEL
119 Macdougal St
www.mamouns.com
Ground chickpeas or fava beans, herbs and
spices come together harmoniously in a tasty
dish known as falafel. Since 1971, Mamoun’s
Falafel has sold the deep-fried balls at its
East Village shop, which is the oldest falafel
restaurant in New York and one of the first
Middle Eastern establishments in the United
States. Mamoun’s built up a reputation for
serving up authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in
a traditional environment. Every dish is made
from scratch, using fresh, natural ingredients,
fine imported spices and Mamoun’s signature
recipes. The restaurant’s falafel sandwiches are
served inside pita bread with salad and tahini
(sesame) sauce. Patrons can order Middle
Eastern favorites like hummus, baba ganoush,
shawarma and various meat kebabs. Finish off
the meal with a sweet piece of baklava, knafeh or
mabrumeh.
BEST FOOD TRUCK
THE HALAL GUYS
W 53rd St & 6th Ave (347) 527-1505
www.thehalalguys.com
From humble beginnings as a NYC hotdog cart,
The Halal Guys have been serving up the best
Halal food there is—becoming a phenomenon
with club goers, tourists and locals gladly
waiting in line to enjoy a coveted platter of
spiced grilled chicken and lamb over yellow
jasmine rice (as well as a flavorful gyro or crispy
falafel) with its signature enigmatic white sauce.
Established in 1990 and opening its first location
on 53rd and 6th, Halal Guys has since expanded
country-wide and internationally, renowned for
its authentic American Halal food that is kind
to the stomach and easy on the wallet. Want
to serve Halal Guys at your next event? The
company is happy to cater corporate events,
holidays, weddings, private parties, and more
(don’t worry it’ll bring the white sauce, too!).
16 BETHPAGE BEST OF THE CITY 2021 WINNERS GUIDE BESTOFTHECITY.COM
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
BLUE RIBBON FRIED CHICKEN
28 E 1st St (212) 228-0404
www.blueribbonfriedchicken.com
What started as a dream between two brothers
from New Jersey in 1992 has since grown
into New York’s mecca for fried chicken: Blue
Ribbon Fried Chicken. Blue Ribbon’s menu,
as the name would suggest, exclusively offers
fried chicken in a number of vessels in addition
to your traditional bone-in selections: it serves
chicken as bites, tenders, sandwiches, and more!
Combine that with your favorite side and drink
and you’ve got yourself a top-notch fried chicken
meal to enjoy. Catering a party that calls for
fried chicken? Blue Ribbon’s party platters will
make your game day party or family picnic truly
memorable. Whether you eat in, take it to go or
have it delivered, you’ll surely be satisfied!
BEST GOURMET
FOOD STORE
CHELSEA MARKET
75 9th Ave (212) 652-2111
www.chelseamarket.com
You can spend hours perusing the varied
offerings of delicious foods at the Chelsea
Market, a world-renowned marketplace that
brings together a seemingly endless variety of
merchants peddling their gourmet goods. A
tourist destination and a home to locals alike,
the Chelsea Market contains a world class
fishmonger, offers prime select of meat, and is a
one stop source for artisanal cheeses and luxury
coffee and desserts. This is the mecca of food
stores and worth a trip to indulge in its bounty.
Stop for breakfast or lunch and bring home the
finest ingredients for a divine dinner that night.
Treat yourself to the wonders it offers from
cooking classes to art exhibits. There is always
something to see, do, smell and taste at Chelsea
Market.
BEST GYRO
UNCLE GUSSY’S
345 Park Ave (929) 600-1111
www.unclegussys.com
Uncle Gussey’s has been vending quality
authentic Greek food on the streets of NYC
since 1971, and its especially famous for its
scrumptious gyros. The gyros at this familyowned
food truck are filled with hand-picked
ingredients that combine through perfected
homemade recipes. Its flavorful cuts of chicken
and lamb are infused with authentic seasoning
made from the freshest lemon, Greek olive oil,
salt and oregano — all imported directly from
Greece. Compliment your gyro with fresh
romaine lettuce, juicy tomato and creamy
tzatziki sauce. If you can’t keep Uncle Gussy’s
wrapped goodness to yourself and want to
delight your coworkers, the eatery will help you
organize a top-level corporate dinner or lunch.
Who knows? Your catering rec might even get
you a promotion!
BEST HEALTH
FOOD STORE
WESTERLY NATURAL MARKET
911 8th Ave (212) 586-5262
www.westerlynatrualmarket.com
Every member of the Westerly Natural Market
staff can write volumes on the natural food
and products that it sells at the market. It is a
resource that the community depends on to
help its members lead their healthiest lives.
Want recipes? Need to know how a particular
fruit will help your digestive system? Just ask
any one of the helpful and friendly staffers.
This market is not a supermarket chain which
has exorbitantly expensive organic produce.
This is your neighborhood corner market, with
the exception that it does sell fresh, delicious
organic produce at affordable prices. The meat
here is also antibiotic and hormone-free. It sells
supplements and natural products that you can
trust. Don’t forget to try the soup!
/www.ladym.com
/www.economycandy.com
/www.levainbakery.com
/www.besfrenbeauty.com
/www.doughnutplant.com
/www.joeshanghairestaurants.com
/www.kcgourmetempanadas.com
/www.mamouns.com
/www.thehalalguys.com
/www.blueribbonfriedchicken.com
/www.chelseamarket.com
/www.unclegussys.com
/www.westerlynatrualmarket.com
/www.ladym.com
/www.economycandy.com
/www.levainbakery.com
/www.besfrenbeauty.com
/www.doughnutplant.com
/www.joeshanghairestaurants.com
/www.kcgourmetempanadas.com
/www.mamouns.com
/www.thehalalguys.com
/BESTOFTHECITY.COM
/www.blueribbonfriedchicken.com
/www.chelseamarket.com
/www.unclegussys.com
/www.westerlynatrualmarket.com
