William Greenberg Desserts Introduce
For generations of New Yorkers, the name William Greenberg Desserts evokes a sense of sweet nostalgia and unparalleled quality. Established in 1946, this iconic bakery on Madison Avenue has firmly cemented its place as a cornerstone of the city's culinary landscape. It’s not just a place to buy a dessert; it’s a cherished local business that offers a delightful escape into a world of classic, handcrafted treats. While the city abounds with bakeries, William Greenberg Desserts stands out for its unwavering commitment to tradition and excellence, particularly renowned for its "legit" black and white cookies. Whether you're seeking a simple, perfect cookie, an elegant cake for a special occasion, or a taste of authentic New York baking history, this establishment delivers. This article will delve into what makes William Greenberg Desserts a must-visit for residents and visitors alike, highlighting its prime location, diverse offerings, and the consistent quality that has earned it a loyal following and a reputation as a true New York institution. Step inside, and you'll quickly understand why this place is "such a treat."
William Greenberg Desserts is located at 1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028, a prestigious address in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. This prime location contributes significantly to its status as a beloved destination for both locals and those visiting the city's cultural landmarks. Accessibility to the bakery is remarkably convenient, seamlessly integrating into the daily routines and tourist itineraries of New Yorkers. It's perfectly positioned near Central Park and some of the city's most renowned museums, making it an ideal stop after a leisurely stroll or a day of cultural immersion. For public transportation, the 4, 5, and 6 express and local subway lines stop at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue, a manageable walk from the bakery. Additionally, various bus routes, including the M1, M2, M3, and M4, run along Madison Avenue itself, with stops conveniently close to the establishment. This extensive network of public transit options ensures that patrons from across Manhattan and other boroughs can easily reach this iconic bakery. While street parking in the Upper East Side can be competitive, the excellent subway and bus connectivity makes visiting William Greenberg Desserts a hassle-free and enjoyable experience, allowing you to focus on the delicious treats awaiting you inside.
Services Offered:
- Signature Cookies: Famous for its black and white cookies (available in mini and regular sizes, including gluten-free and red velvet options), linzer cookies, butter cookies, and rainbow cookies.
- Traditional Pastries: Offers classic pastries such as mini pecan rolls, schnecken (sweet buns), brownies (plain and pecan), rugelach (assorted flavors), hamantaschen, and various muffins, danishes, and croissants.
- Custom Cakes: Creates elegant cakes for various celebrations, including birthdays (rainbow, checkerboard, coconut, chocolate fantasy cakes), wedding cakes, and custom-designed cakes with personalized decorations, flavors, and toppings.
- Pies and Tarts: Features seasonal fruit tarts with buttery crusts and rich pastry cream, as well as classic pies like apple, cherry, and blueberry. Individual tarts (berry, apple, lemon curd) are also available.
- Specialty Breads: Offers traditional items like challah and babka (cinnamon and chocolate).
- Holiday and Occasion Treats: Provides a wide selection of desserts for holidays and special events, including themed cookies and seasonal offerings.
- Takeout and Local Delivery: Primarily caters to takeout customers, with convenient local delivery available via platforms like Grubhub, including contact-free delivery options.
- Nationwide Shipping: A selection of their famous treats, including black and white cookies and other bestsellers, can be shipped nationwide via FedEx.
- Kosher Certified: The bakery is fully kosher-certified, providing high-quality baked goods that adhere to kosher dietary laws.
- Gift Options: Many items are available in gift boxes or tins, making them perfect for presents.
Features / Highlights:
- Iconic Black and White Cookies: Universally acclaimed as "legit" and "one of the best" in NYC, these signature cake-like cookies with half vanilla and half chocolate icing are a must-try. Reviewers confirm they "did not disappoint."
- Long-Standing Local Business: Operating since 1946, William Greenberg Desserts carries a rich heritage, making it a cherished institution and a true "taste of New York." This longevity speaks volumes about its consistent quality.
- Superior Quality and Freshness: Customers consistently praise the "fresh," "high-quality" ingredients and the delectable taste of their products, from cookies to pastries, ensuring every bite is a treat.
- Diverse Range of Classic Desserts: Beyond the black and white cookies, the bakery offers a comprehensive selection of traditional American and Jewish baked goods, including linzer cookies, mini pecan rolls, babka, and rugelach, all executed to a high standard.
- Friendly and Helpful Service: Reviewers highlight the "great service and helpful" staff, contributing to a welcoming and pleasant experience during visits.
- Convenient Location: Its proximity to Central Park and major museums (like the Met) makes it an ideal stop for a treat while exploring the Upper East Side.
- Kosher Certification: Provides a significant value proposition for a broad customer base, ensuring all products are prepared in accordance with kosher standards.
- Customization Options: The ability to order custom cakes and personalized items adds a bespoke element to their offerings, perfect for special celebrations.
- Consistent Excellence: The bakery has maintained its reputation for decades, with new and returning customers consistently satisfied, indicating an unwavering commitment to traditional recipes and quality.
Contact Information:
Address: 1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Phone: (212) 861-1340
For New Yorkers seeking a genuine taste of tradition and exceptional quality in their baked goods, William Greenberg Desserts on Madison Avenue is an indispensable destination. This long-standing local business offers more than just sweet treats; it provides a connection to the city's rich culinary heritage, a legacy that began in 1946 and continues to thrive. Its claim to "one of the best" black and white cookies in NYC is not just marketing; it's a truth confirmed by countless satisfied customers who describe them as "legit" and utterly delightful. Beyond this iconic cookie, the diverse array of fresh, high-quality pastries, including linzer cookies and mini pecan rolls, ensures there’s a perfect indulgence for every palate. The friendly and helpful service, combined with its incredibly convenient location near Central Park and major museums, makes every visit a truly pleasant experience. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on the go, ordering a custom cake for a celebration, or simply treating yourself to a taste of classic New York, William Greenberg Desserts offers a unique blend of heritage, quality, and community charm. It’s a perfect embodiment of a neighborhood bakery that has grown to become a citywide legend, making it an ideal choice for any local looking for that special something sweet.
William Greenberg Desserts Menu
Cake-
- Plain Angel Food Cake US$7.00
A light, fluffy bundt cake without icing
- Individual Bundt Cake US$7.50
A delicious pound bundt cake for one person
- Rainbow Slice US$7.50
- 6 Inch Cake US$32.00
One of our many delicious 6 inch cakes.
- Cake Pop US$5.00
Please pick a flavor; chocolate with chocolate curls, Vanilla with white chocolate curls, Red velvet, Chocolate with sprinkles, Vanilla with sprinkles
- Cake Slice US$6.50
Please pick flavor; Caramel Almond, Chocolate cake, Red velvet, Carrot, Coconut, Strawberry
- Cupcake With Buttercream US$3.75
Please pick Chocolate or Vanilla
- Cupcake With Hard Icing US$3.00
Please pick a flavor; Chocolate or Vanilla
- Push Pop US$5.00
Pick a flavor; Birthday cake, Cookies and cream, Cookie Dough, Red Velvet, Strawberry, Smores
- Whoopie Pie US$5.00
Please pick a flavor; Chocolate, Red velvet, or Vanilla
- Pound Cake US$18.50
- Iced Pound Cake US$22.00
- Crumb Cake US$4.50
Please pick cinnamon or blueberry
- Iced Angel Food Cake US$7.50
- Iced Angel Food Cake US$7.50
A light and fluffy cake with a flavored icing.
Cookie-
- Gluten Free Sprinkle US$5.50
- Gluten Free Black And White US$7.00
- Chocolate Chip Cookie US$4.00
- Chocolate Chip Dipped US$4.50
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip US$5.50
- Hammentaschen US$4.75
Please pick; Prune, Cherry, Poppy, Apricot, Raspberry
- Large Black And White US$4.50
- Large Linzer Tart US$4.00
- Large Red Velvet Black And White US$4.00
- Mini Black And White US$2.25
- Mini Linzer Tart US$2.00
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie US$4.00
- Rainbow Cookies US$18.00
Half pound package. Contains marzipan, an almond producy.
- Sprinkle Cookie US$4.00
- Butter Cookies US$9.00
An assortment of our fabulous butter cookies made with real butter! Some cookies contain tree nuts. Peanut free.
- Rugulach US$9.00
Flaky sour cream dough filled with cinnamon, apple, raspberry, or chocolate
- Mini Red Velvet Black And White US$2.00
- Large Black And White Cookie US$4.50
- Mini Hamentaschen US$2.00
Other-
- Brownie US$3.75
Our famous brownies! Soft and chewy, they're available in plain and pecan!
- Individual Tart (4.5") US$7.50
Our delicious tarts! Berry tarts have a pastry creme filling, Apple is apple all the way through, and lemon has a curd filling.
- Chocolate Popcorn 🍫🍿 US$9.00
Chocolate drizzled popcorn
- Popcorn Pizza US$22.00
Popcorn pizza on top of a milk chocolate crunch crust topped with pretzels and white chocolate drizzle
- Cinnamon Babka US$19.00
An old German recipe with swirls of cinnamon and crumb stressed topping
- Chocolate Babka US$19.50
An old German recipe with swirls of chocolate and crumb streusel topping
- Challah US$8.50
Moist and delicious, almost like cake, Great for breakfast, parve
- Small Apple Strudel US$15.00
Apples surrounded by a light Flaky pastry dough
- Large Apple Strudel US$24.00
Apples surrounded by a light flaky pastry dough
- 8in Pie US$30.00
Apple, cherry, blueberry
- 6in Pie US$18.00
Apple, Blueberry, Cherry,
Beverage-
- Americano US$3.00
- Cappuccino US$4.00
- Coffee US$2.00
- Iced Coffee US$4.00
- Iced Latte US$5.00
- Latte US$4.00
- Soda US$2.50
- Tea US$2.00
- Water US$3.00
William Greenberg Desserts Details
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pick-up
- On-site services
- Takeaway
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
- Coffee
Amenities
- Toilet
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
William Greenberg Desserts Photos










William Greenberg Desserts Location
William Greenberg Desserts
1100 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
William Greenberg Desserts Reviews
black and white cookiespricesicingdeliverycallrugelachchocolate cakegiftingredientslinzer cookies
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Yum cookies and supporting a long time local business! This place is such a treat, service was really great and helpful and I tried a mini black and white cookie, linzer cookie and a mini pecan roll. Conveniently located near the park and museum too. I'll be back to try more! The black and white cookie was legit, need to try the red velvet one!
March 27 · Connie KwokGreat cookies and pastries, searched the place out for their black and white cookies are recommended as “One of the best”. It did not disappoint.
January 23 · mark oberhausenNOT what it used to be. We all know many products went down in quality and up in price after covid. This is one of them. Walked into the Madison ave location and a special kid with glasses took my order. He did not know the product very well but someone next to him did and I ended up purchasing (1) lemon and (1) orange pound cake. I was happy until I saw that they are now wrapped in plastic and not very fresh. I tasted it. My wife tasted it. It was STALE. We both agreed that it is not the same as before. Stale and Very dry -hence the back of the cake depicted in the picture. Very weird tasting cake and even the icing did not taste fresh and stuck to the plastic wrapping. It feels like it was not fresh at all. Tasted old and chemically. All the finesse and moist fresh delicious products they used to have is gone. Never again. What a disappointment for the $14 that I paid.
August 17 · Eddie SuperI have been going to Greenberg’s since I was a child :) their location in GV was my favorite:)The pastries are as delicious now as they were back then :)Now that Glasers has closed, Greenbergs has the best black and whites :)
May 11 · VTGThere's a line, so you know it's got something! Hamentaschen were good. Didn't get some of their newer flavors although they sound interesting indeed but the standards (prune, poppyseed, apricot) were delicious.
March 14 · Adam Segal-Isaacson
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