Café d’Avignon: Your Authentic French Bakery Experience in NYC

Café d’Avignon Introduce

Welcome to Café d’Avignon, an artisanal bakery café that brings the heart and soul of traditional French baking to the vibrant streets of New York City. For over 25 years, the team behind Café d’Avignon, through their esteemed wholesale bakery Pain d’Avignon, has been the secret behind the impeccable bread served in Michelin-starred restaurants and top hotels across the city. Now, New Yorkers can experience this award-winning quality firsthand in a relaxed and inviting café setting. Our philosophy is simple: bread is at the heart of everything we do, and we do it exceptionally well. This dedication extends to every pastry, sandwich, and coffee we serve, all crafted with meticulous care and the finest ingredients. Café d’Avignon is more than just a place to grab a bite; it's a culinary journey that blends the authenticity of French tradition with American culinary creativity, born from a desire to bring people together through the beauty of baking. Whether you’re starting your day with a perfectly brewed coffee and a flaky croissant, or enjoying a light lunch, you’ll find that every item reflects our commitment to excellence and a passion for pure, natural tastes.

Café d’Avignon is conveniently located at 88 Essex St, New York, NY 10002, USA, placing us directly within the dynamic Essex Market on the Lower East Side. This iconic public market is a culinary haven, making our bakery an easily accessible and exciting destination for locals and visitors alike. Our presence within Essex Market means you can seamlessly combine your visit to us with exploring other unique food vendors, artisan shops, and cultural experiences the market has to offer.

Accessibility to our Essex Market location is incredibly straightforward for New Yorkers across the boroughs. For subway riders, the F, M, J, and Z lines all serve the Delancey Street-Essex Street station, which is directly connected to Essex Market. This makes for a remarkably convenient journey, allowing you to step off the train and immediately immerse yourself in the market's vibrant atmosphere, with our bakery just steps away. Additionally, numerous MTA bus lines run along Delancey Street and nearby avenues, providing extensive coverage and easy access from various parts of Manhattan and beyond.

The Lower East Side itself is a wonderfully walkable neighborhood, known for its historic charm, street art, diverse culinary scene, and lively ambiance. This makes Café d’Avignon an ideal stop for those exploring the area on foot or by bicycle, perfect for a morning pastry run, a midday coffee break, or a leisurely lunch. The central location within Essex Market ensures that we are not just a destination, but a convenient and integral part of the local community's daily routine, offering a relaxed and friendly spot to enjoy authentic, high-quality baked goods.

At Café d’Avignon, our services are rooted in our passion for artisanal baking and providing a delightful café experience. We offer a comprehensive menu designed to cater to various tastes and times of day, from a quick morning bite to a satisfying lunch.

Artisan Breads: As the retail front for Pain d’Avignon, an award-winning wholesale bakery, we offer an impeccable selection of artisan breads. This includes traditional baguettes, Pane Francese, Ciabatta, and specialty loaves like Sourdough and Multi Grain, baked fresh daily.
Freshly Baked Pastries: Our extensive pastry selection is a highlight, featuring classic French favorites such as Classic Croissants, Pain au Chocolat, Almond Croissants, and Ham & Gruyère Croissants. Unique offerings like the Cinnamon Kouign Amann, Baklava Croissant, and Pistachio Chocolate Escargot are also available, ensuring a delightful variety.
Café Beverages: We pride ourselves on pairing extraordinary coffee with our baked goods. Our beverage menu features classic espresso-based drinks, including Lattes, Cappuccinos, Americanos, and Mochas, brewed with high-quality beans from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. We also offer various teas (Palais des Thés), homemade lemonade, fresh orange juice, and hot chocolate.
Breakfast Items: Start your day right with our breakfast offerings, available until 10 AM. These include items like the Organic Yogurt Parfait with homemade granola and fresh berries, and Country Bacon & Egg buns.
Sandwiches & Tartines: For lunch, we offer a range of delicious sandwiches and tartines made with our exceptional bread. Popular choices include the small ham and cheese sandwiches, Black Forest Ham & Sea Salt Butter on Baguette, Croque Monsieur, and Avocado Toast.
Salads & Quiches: Our menu extends to lighter fare such as fresh salads (e.g., CDA Cobb Salad, Curried Chicken Bibb Salad) and savory quiches, including Quiche Lorraine and Spinach & Feta Quiche, often served with fresh spring greens.
Sweet Treats and Desserts: Beyond pastries, enjoy our indulgent desserts like Banana Bread, Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Cookies, Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies, and unique olive oil cakes (Dark Chocolate and Honey Cornmeal).
In-Store Dining: Enjoy your selections in our relaxed and inviting café environment. Our space offers a comfortable spot for a quick breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or simply a coffee break.
Takeaway and Delivery: All our delicious items are available for takeaway. Additionally, our presence on delivery platforms allows New Yorkers to enjoy our fresh bakes and coffee from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Café d’Avignon stands out in the bustling New York City culinary scene due to a range of distinctive features and highlights that underscore its commitment to quality, tradition, and customer satisfaction.

Roots in Award-Winning Pain d’Avignon: Our most significant highlight is our connection to Pain d’Avignon, the renowned wholesale bread bakery that has supplied Michelin-starred restaurants and top hotels for over 25 years. This heritage ensures that "bread is at the heart of everything they do, and they do it exceptionally well. The bread is impeccable." This background guarantees an unparalleled quality of bread as the foundation for all our offerings.
Artisanal French Baking: We blend authentic French baking techniques with creative American culinary influences. Our dedication to ancestral techniques, long fermentations with natural leaven, and baking in stone hearth ovens results in breads and pastries that are rich in taste and nutrients, embodying "the pure and natural tastes of our childhood."
Exceptional Coffee Program: Our commitment to quality extends to our beverages. We partner with Stumptown Coffee Roasters to craft "excellent coffee—strong and well-balanced," along with a range of specialty lattes and teas, making us a destination for coffee aficionados.
Diverse and Innovative Menu: Beyond classic pastries, we offer unique items like the "small ham and cheese sandwiches they serve," which are particularly enjoyed, and inventive creations such as the Baklava Croissant, demonstrating a blend of tradition and new culinary terrains. The "yoghurt bowl" is also a recommended item, showcasing our varied offerings.
Seasonal and Quality Ingredients: We are committed to using "top of the line, carefully selected and sourced natural ingredients," prioritizing local and organic options whenever possible. This focus on fresh, quality components is evident in the vibrant flavors of our pastries and dishes.
Freshly Baked Daily: Everything we bake and serve is prepared fresh on the same day in each of our locations. This dedication to freshness ensures that customers always receive the highest quality and taste.
Friendly and Efficient Staff: Our team is consistently praised for being "friendly and efficient" and "lovely and super friendly." This warm hospitality contributes significantly to the relaxed and welcoming vibe of our café, making every visit a pleasant experience.
Relaxed and Inviting Atmosphere: Our café offers a "relaxed vibe" that makes it "an ideal spot for a quick breakfast or light lunch." The comfortable ambiance, especially within the bustling Essex Market, provides a pleasant escape for New Yorkers.
Multiple NYC Locations: While our Essex Market location is highlighted here, Café d’Avignon operates across multiple prominent NYC spots including Times Square, Chelsea, East Village, DeKalb Market Hall, and Rockefeller Center (with The Tipsy Baker offering evening service), making our artisanal creations widely accessible throughout the city.

For those looking to experience the delightful offerings of Café d’Avignon, here is our contact information:

Address: 88 Essex St, New York, NY 10002, USA

Phone: (917) 261-2092

Mobile Phone: +1 917-261-2092

Café d’Avignon is an undeniable fit for New York locals, offering a blend of unparalleled quality, European charm, and urban convenience that truly resonates with the city's discerning palate. For residents navigating the daily hustle, our Essex Market location provides an accessible and inviting escape. Imagine starting your day with an "impeccable" bread or a "strong and well-balanced" coffee, knowing it comes from the same hands that supply Michelin-starred restaurants – that's the level of quality you get every day. The variety of freshly baked goods, from flaky croissants to savory ham and cheese sandwiches and even hearty yogurt bowls, caters to diverse tastes and needs, whether you're grabbing a quick bite on your commute or settling in for a relaxed lunch. The friendly and efficient staff creates a welcoming atmosphere, transforming a simple meal into a pleasant experience, a detail highly valued by busy New Yorkers. Furthermore, our roots in Pain d’Avignon mean that locals are not just getting a pastry; they're getting a piece of artisanal heritage, baked fresh daily with carefully sourced ingredients. This commitment to traditional methods and superior ingredients, coupled with the relaxed vibe of the café, makes Café d’Avignon an ideal spot for any local seeking genuine quality and a moment of culinary pleasure amidst the city's pace. It’s a place where exceptional bread and pastries are not just a luxury, but an everyday possibility, making it a beloved and essential part of the New York food landscape.

Café d’Avignon Menu

Package Deals
Breakfast Box US$49.75
Two blueberry scone, two chocolate walnut scone (contain nuts), two ham and gruyère croissants, two plain croissants, 1lb stumptown coffee beans, hairbender blend.
4 Assorted Croissants US$15.00
One classic croissant, one almond croissant (contain nuts), two pain au chocolate.
Snack Pack US$19.75
Two dark chocolate chip cookie with sea salt, two cranberry pecan shortbread cookie (contain nuts), one piece honey cornmeal cake, one piece banana loaf cake.
Breakfast Box With Eggs US$53.00
Two blueberry scone, two chocolate walnut scone, two ham, and gruyère croissants, two plain croissants, 1lb stumptown coffee beans, hairbender blend, one dozen organic eggs.
6 Assorted Croissants US$23.25
Two classic croissant, two pain au chocolate, two ham, and gruyère croissant.

COOKIES
Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookie US$4.75
Buttery and soft shortbread cookie with cranberries rolled in chopped pecans *contains nuts
Chocolate Chip Cookie US$4.00
Dark chocolate pieces and slivers baked into a soft cookie topped with Maldon sea salt flakes

SANDWICHES & TARTINES
Croque Monsieur US$13.50
Black forrest ham, béchamel, and gruyere on toasted sourdough. Add more items at an upcharge.
Cranberry Pecan Roll US$5.10
Vermont Cheddar & Sea Slat Butter on a Cranberry pecan roll
Salami & Pickle Baguette US$10.50
Italian Salami, Dijon and Swiss on a PaD baguette
Curried Chicken Salad Tartine US$16.30
Grilled chicken breast mixed with curry mayo, sliced almonds, currants, celery and mixed herbs (tarragon, chives, parsley) served on a slice of our sourdough toast. Comes with a side of greens & sherry vinaigrette on the side.
Veggie Croissant US$8.10
Creamy goat cheese, roasted tomatoes and spinach on a classic croissant
Turkey Croque US$15.50
Turkey, sauerkraut, mustard and gruyere on toasted seed rye bread with side salad.
Avocado Toast US$14.50
A thick layer of chunky mashed avocado topped with soft boiled egg and dill on a slice of our sourdough toast. Comes with a side of greens & vinaigrette on the side. Add more items at at an upcharge.
Black Forest Ham Baguette US$10.50
Black Forest ham & sea salt butter on a PDA baguette

BEVERAGE
12oz Drip Coffee US$3.50
Vanilla Latte US$5.25
Hot or iced.
Natalies Orange Juice US$6.95
Stumptown Original Cold Brew US$4.75
The coffee is cold brewed without heat for 12 hours to create a complex, smooth and full-bodied brew with low-acid and a chocolate finish. Feelings of invincibility and euphoria are likely to follow. 12-oz cup, iced
Espresso US$3.75
Cup of espresso.
Cortado US$3.50
Tropical Iced Tea US$3.45
Made with Palais des Thés, a fine French tea company. This iced tea is decaffeinated, naturally sweet with flavors of mango, pineapple and peach. Served cold 12-oz cup (no ice)
Macchiato US$4.40
Two shots of espresso topped with a dollop of foamed milk 4-oz cup, hot
Natalies Grapefruit Juice US$6.95
Latte US$4.75
Hot or iced.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Hairbender Blend Beans US$22.00
The coffee that started it all for Stumptown. Hairbender is their most popular coffee with good reason --- it's sweet, complex and balanced. This blend will make your day no matter how you brew it. (14 oz bag of beans)
Still Water US$4.00
16oz Drip Coffee US$4.00
Natalies Lemonade US$5.95
Mocha US$5.00
Hot or iced.
Americano US$3.85
Hot or iced.
Cappuccino US$5.00
Two shots of espresso with steamed, slightly foamy, milk 8-oz cup, hot
Sparkling Water US$4.00

SALADS & QUICHE
Quiche Lorraine US$12.00
Swiss, Bacon, Shallots, with a seasonal salad.
Curried Chicken Bibb Salad US$16.30
Grilled chicken breast, celery, currants, toasted almonds, curry mayo, herbs and radish wedges served over a bed of bibb lettuce with sherry vinaigrette.
Spinach Feta Quiche US$12.00
Quiche baked with baby spinach, Greek feta, toasted almonds, currants and herbs. Comes with a side of greens & sherry vinaigrette (on the side).

BREADS
Anadama (2lb Boule) US$13.95
A traditional bread of New England, sourdough based, made with whole wheat flour and corn porridge (aka polenta) mixed into the dough, dark in color, strong sour flavor and very moist. This boule has a high water content giving in a 6-7 day shelf life home.
Multi-Grain (1lb Loaf) US$7.00
The ultimate health bread, packed with grains, a dense, regular crumb and a thick, durable crust. It’s the perfect mix between chewy and crunchy. - Ingredients: whole wheat flour, sourdough starter, baker’s yeast, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, oats, honey, water
Raisin-Pecan (1lb Loaf) US$9.50
A regular dense crumb full of plump raisins and crunchy pecans, and just enough sweetness, baked to a dark crusty brown. - Ingredients: bread flour, sourdough starter, pecans, raisins, sugar, baker’s yeast, sea salt, filtered water
White French (1lb Pullman) US$6.00
A light white loaf made for slicing. This bread has a denser, more regular crumb and a crust which crackles. - Ingredients: bread flour, sponge, baker’s yeast, sea salt, filtered water
Brioche (1lb Pullman) US$8.80
Soft and rich, regular delicate crumb and a thin crust baked to a deep golden brown, great for sandwiches, burgers and French toast - Ingredients: bread flour, milk, baker’s yeast, preferment, sea salt, eggs, sugar, butter
Ciabatta (1lb Loaf) US$6.30
Ciabatta means old slipper in Italian. This loaf has a very open, irregular crumb, with a slight saltiness and a crisp, durable crust, coated with flour, baked to a very light brown. - Ingredients: bread flour, sponge, baker’s yeast, salt, water
Multi-Grain (2lb Pullman) US$10.00
The ultimate health bread, packed with grains, a dense, regular crumb and a thick, durable crust -- it’s the perfect mix between chewy and crunchy. - Ingredients: whole wheat flour, sourdough starter, baker’s yeast, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, oats, honey, filtered water
Traditional Baguette US$4.75
Traditional French Baguette! *contains wheat
Kalamata Olive Sourdough (2lb Boule) US$6.30
Light, colorful crumb, speckled with Kalamata olives and a floured golden crust. This bread smells deeply of the olives, has a slight sour taste. - Ingredients: bread flour, baker’s yeast, preferment, kalamata olives, sourdough starter, sea salt, filtered water
Rye Caraway Seeded (1lb Loaf) US$7.00
Sourdough based loaf with caraway seeds dotted throughout. This bread is our own version on traditional New York deli Jewish rye. - Ingredients: whole wheat flour, filtered water, natural sourdough starter, dark rye flour, caraway seeds, sea salt, fresh yeast
Sourdough Seeded (2lb Loaf) US$8.75
The king of all breads! This bread has a moist and silky crumb, with a distinctive but mild sour flavor, and a rich and chewy caramelized crust. Occasional holes in the crumb are the sign of a long and successful fermentation. This load has seeds inside and out: poppy, flax, sunflower, sesame, caraway - Ingredients: bread flour, whole wheat flour, sourdough starter, sea salt, filtered water
Picholine Olive Baguette US$4.00
Soft, open, airy crumb, filled with picholine olives and a little bit of fresh rosemary, matched with a soft, bubbly crust with a bit of crunch. Ingredients: bread flour, baker’s yeast, preferment, green olives, fresh rosemary, sea salt, filtered water.
Sourdough (2lb Loaf) US$10.00
The king of all breads! This bread has a moist and silky crumb, with a distinctive but mild sour flavor, and a rich and chewy caramelized crust. Occasional holes in the crumb are the sign of a long and successful fermentation. - Ingredients: bread flour, whole wheat flour, sourdough starter, sea salt, filtered water
Country (1lb Loaf) US$6.30
This loaf is moist with a touch of rye for flavor. It has a thick textured crust. - Ingredients: bread flour, rye flour, sponge, sea salt, filtered water
Cranberry Pecan (1lb Loaf) US$9.50
A rich combination of cranberries and pecans which is both sweet and tangy. The crumb is dense and chewy, and the crust is sprinkled with flour and baked to a deep caramelized brown, punctuated by toasted pecans. - Ingredients: bread flour, sourdough starter, pecans, dried cranberries, sugar, baker’s yeast, sea salt, filtered water
Pane Francese (1lb Square) US$6.30
Similar to ciabatta, but made with sourdough starter, a very open, moist irregular crumb, very soft, and a slightly thicker crust, baked to a dark-golden brown. Slightly sour and salty taste. - Ingredients: bread flour, sourdough starter, sea salt, filtered water

SCONES
Dark Chocolate Walnut Scone US$6.00
Chunks of chocolate and walnuts baked into a supple scone
Blueberry Scone US$6.00
Fresh blueberries and lemon zest baked into a supple scone

PASTRIES
Savory Cheese Amann US$5.00
A buttery croissant filled with swiss cheese, lightly sprinkled with paprika, then rolled in a mix of seeds (poppy, flax, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin). This is the ultimate savory pastry.
French Apple Tart US$7.75
Pumpkin Pie US$40.00
Tangy Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie in Gingersnap Crumb Crust Dairy, Egg, Wheat
Classic Croissant US$4.50
Classic French croissant
Cinnamon Kouign Amann US$4.85
A buttery croissant rolled in cinnamon sugar to form a caramelized crust creating pockets of sweetness, a soft, moist center, and a crispy caramel-like coating on the outside.
Pumpkin Pie US$32.00
Tangy cream cheese pumpkin pie in gingersnap crumb crust dairy, egg, wheat
Almond Croissant US$6.00
Almond-cream-filled croissant topped with toasted almond slices and powdered sugar *contains nuts
Ham & Gruyère Croissant US$6.35
Ham and gruyère cheese croissant topped with toasted sesame seeds
Pain Au Chocolat US$5.10
Dark chocolate sticks rolled up inside croissant pastry dough

CAKES
Banana Bread, Slice US$6.30
Moist and tasty banana bread, topped with powdered sugar
Honey Cornmeal Olive Oil Cake, Slice US$6.30
Olive oil-based cornmeal cake then topped with wildflower honey syrup, lemon zest and sea salt flakes
Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cake, Slice US$6.30
Chocolate cake topped with cocoa and sea salt flakes, not too sweet with nice hints of olive oil

Café d’Avignon Details

Service options
Delivery
In-store pick-up
In-store shopping
Takeaway
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible car park

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Café d’Avignon Photos

Café d’Avignon Location

Café d’Avignon

New York New York County New York Essex Street

88 Essex St, New York, NY 10002, USA

Café d’Avignon Reviews

An average rating of ★4.3 from 135 user reviews.

lattealmond croissantpricehamloafsandwicheschocolate chip cookiesolive oilbutterstale

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Café d’Avignon is an artisanal bakery café in NYC, founded by the same team behind Pain d’Avignon, the award-winning bread bakery that has been supplying Michelin-starred restaurants and top hotels for over 25 years. Bread is at the heart of everything they do, and they do it exceptionally well. The bread is impeccable. I particularly enjoy the small ham and cheese sandwiches they serve. The coffee is also excellent—strong and well-balanced. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the relaxed vibe of the café makes it an ideal spot for a quick breakfast or light lunch.
October 20 · carlos borges
Great service, pastry’s are great. I recommend the yoghurt bowl. Staff were lovely and super friendly
May 04 · Buster Hawksworth
Great selection of bake goods, breads, pastries and sandwiches. Great coffee, even have oat milk. Friendly staff. Nice way to start the day.
February 06 · mark red
We were in NY for a week and had a hotel around the corner, and went for breakfast somewhere else once, but then went back to Café d'Avignon every morning. Such nice people in the service and such good things, good coffee and such lovingly prepared tea! Quite expensive for us (Germans), but it was worth every penny.Thanks again!
September 29 · Co He
I went here today for breakfast and it was wonderful. I purchased a ham and gruyere croissant and an iced oat milk latte that was just perfect. They have an amazing selection of breads and sweet and savory items. This location is immaculately clean, and the service is excellent. The people that work there are very kind and actually happy to be there.I will definitely be returning again very soon. I just love all the shops at the new Essex market.
September 12 · Carmen Kath