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Home > Restaurants > The City Bakery

All Reader Reviews of...

The City Bakery

3 W. 18th St., New York, NY, 10011
between Fifth and Sixth Aves.
212-366-1414

6.9 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
62% Would you go back?
18% Would you take a date?
50% Would you take kids?
25% Would you go on business?
12% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 7.3
Service: 6.1
Décor: 6.6
Value: 4.8
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  • Showing reviews 1 through 10 of 16

City Bakery

1948 from 10065 | Posted on 11/20/09

Overall Rating: 6 (Mixed Reviews)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: (NA)
Service: (NA)
Décor: (NA)
Value: (NA)

I was super psyched about their legendary hot chocolate but ended up disappointed. It was far far too sweet - they need to lighten their hand on the sugar, especially in the marshmallow. If they could manage that - or have a lighter version as an option - I would give it another try.

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4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

pretzel croissant!!!

tessaizzy from 11218 | Posted on 8/29/09

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 9
Décor: 10
Value: (NA)

i have have had this croissant brought to me (never been to the cafe) and it was AMAZING and i mean amazing .. one of the best croissants i have ever had, just salty and savory instead of sweet. highly reccomended.

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3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Moaning Employees. Great Food.

lmonroe from 11377 | Posted on 3/15/09

Overall Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 7
Service: 3
Décor: 5
Value: 3

Heard about the hot chocolate and came to taste. Got myself into a line that didn't seem to be moving but I was able to hear a couple of employees moaning about their 'slave wages' which was not pleasant to hear as my very small meal cost over $20. I did not leave a tip because it is just bad manners to be talking of such things in front of customers. The mac and cheese was delicious and the hot chocolate divine but the owner needs to either pay more an hour for a place that charges such extravagent prices and to have such demotivated employees will always come back and bite you in the butt. Yes, I even heard how much the employees earn an hour but this is not the forum for such information; something the employees should have known. What a shame.

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8 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

Awful!

mkelly7728 from 07843 | Posted on 8/27/08

Overall Rating: (NA) (Not Rated)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 1
Service: 8
Décor: 8
Value: 1

I've worked on 23rd for five years. Once a week, I go out for lunch to try a different place. Felt a sweet tooth so punched "bakeries" into my address line. Came up with The City Bakery and decided to give it a try. I spent $21!!!!! on a container with string beans (OK), couscous (disgusting), vermicelli (more disgusting), and orzo (most disgusting). Also bought a raspberry muffin that was probably good for me but they forgot to add flavor. Lastly, there was the chocolate, chocolate chip cookie which was outstanding. So for $21.00 I ate a great cookie! Last trip to City Bakery, that's for sure!

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9 out of 23 people found this review helpful.

best salad

daryasaze from 10001 | Posted on 6/9/08

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 9
Service: 8
Décor: 5
Value: 7

best salad from non scary fresh salad bar, yummy chicken, and very appetizing desserts. only had tap water though, which is a shame...

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10 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

Outstanding!

cboehm from 19606 | Posted on 1/7/08

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 8
Service: 8
Décor: 8
Value: 8

Made a 'wimpy' hot chocolate for my four year-old. The carmelized french toast was amazing. Wife said the guacamole was great. Everyone was very nice. Great place to grab and sit. Great breakfast or brunch place for out-of-towner.

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97 out of 171 people found this review helpful.

Much of the same

tanekamartin from 10027 | Posted on 3/6/07

Overall Rating: 5 (Mixed Reviews)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 7
Service: 5
Décor: 5
Value: 3

Noting the most recent review was 2 years ago it is interesting to note not much has changed as City Bakery remains a very busy and crowded, overpriced semi-touristy place that serves notable hot chocolate. During two recent solo visits at two different times of day I was unsuccessful in finding a place to sit thus ending up eating my meal standing; OK for the time I only got hot chocolate and a pretzel croissant but not so great during the visit I had a soup and salad lunch. Not sure what drives the buisness for this place as though the food none of it is anywhere near phenomenal and due to prices being based on weight, not a good value for the $$$ at all. The hot chocolate will be either love/hate thing for folks. City Bakery is not a horrible place but there ARE better nearby options.

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324 out of 620 people found this review helpful.

Hyper Expensive and good, but not great, food

MrSweet | Posted on 4/16/05

Overall Rating: 6 (Mixed Reviews)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 6
Service: 5
Décor: 5
Value: 1

If you want to spend $19 for some eggs bacon and a piece of French toast, then this is the place for you. There are far superior brunch spots (Tartine in W. Village, eg). Also, their hot chocolate is more like cloying chocolate pudding.

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284 out of 646 people found this review helpful.

what's all the fuss about?

dinibell | Posted on 10/28/04

Overall Rating: 5 (Mixed Reviews)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 5
Service: 2
Décor: 6
Value: 2

I guess I'm the only one left in New York that likes to drink hot chocolate not eat it! It's so thick it's nauseating. The aftertaste is delicious. Does that make sense? Anyhow, lots ado about nothing much.

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287 out of 651 people found this review helpful.

A Foodie's Dream

Gioia | Posted on 10/11/04

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 10
Service: 7
Décor: 9
Value: 10

Come for the food- don't judge the service or the decor. This minamilist place has high quality great food. I like the self serve salad bar and the variety of foods available. GREAT PLACE!

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291 out of 659 people found this review helpful.

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