Welcome to By the Way Bakery
By the Way Bakery, nestled on Lexington Avenue in New York, is a gluten-free haven that celebrates flavor and inclusivity. Founded with a commitment to quality, this kosher bakery offers an array of delectable treats, from moist cakes to delightful pastries, all made without gluten, ensuring that no one feels left out. Customers rave about the coconut and lemon cakes, highlighting their remarkable taste—so good that you’d never guess they were gluten-free. With impeccable service and a cozy atmosphere, By the Way Bakery is more than just a bakery; it’s an invitation to indulge, regardless of dietary restrictions.
- 1236 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028 Hotline: (212) 988-3300
Welcome to the delightful world of By the Way Bakery, nestled in the heart of the Upper East Side at 1236 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028. Known for its commitment to crafting gluten-free and kosher baked goods, this charming bakery takes pride in providing an array of treats that can cater to many dietary needs without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Upon entering, you are greeted by the inviting aroma of freshly baked goods, a testament to their focus on quality ingredients and craftsmanship. The menu is a treasure trove for anyone with gluten sensitivities or those simply seeking a scrumptious dessert experience. Notably, Stefanie Z. raved about the coconut cake, declaring it "to die for" and mentioning that even those without gluten restrictions would be hard-pressed to identify it as gluten-free. Hailey A. shared her experience ordering a Lemony Lemon cake for a birthday celebration, praising its moist texture and harmonious flavors. The cake was not only a hit among gluten-free folks but also served a crowd of 15, proving the generous portions typical of this bakery.
One of the highlights of By the Way Bakery is the excellent customer service. Many reviews mention the staff’s helpfulness and attentiveness, ensuring that every patron's experience is satisfying. A point noted by Kiley K. was the clarity with which they offer ingredient lists for their products, making it easier for customers to find allergen-free options.
While the bakery specializes in gluten-free treats, it is essential to note that By the Way Bakery is not vegan. Carolina I.'s discovery of this fact serves as a reminder to check ingredients carefully, particularly since gluten-free desserts often come with different textures. Still, many, including Sabrina V., found the flavors delightful, with recommendations for items like the vanilla cupcake and the almond spiral.
- Key Offerings:
- Coconut Cake - A creamy, dreamy dessert that delights both gluten-free and conventional eaters alike.
- Lemony Lemon Cake - Moist, bright, and perfect for celebrations.
- Chocolate Bundt Cake - A treat that even discerning palates will enjoy.
- Vanilla Cream Puff - The soft pastry filled with silky cream is an unforgettable experience.
- Atmosphere: Warm and quaint, perfect for picking up a treat, even if it lacks seating.
- Location: Convenient for Upper East Side residents and visitors alike.
In conclusion, By the Way Bakery stands out as a beacon of flavor and inclusivity in the world of baked goods. Whether you're seeking a gluten-free option or simply want to indulge in wonderfully crafted desserts, a visit here is sure to please. With moist cakes directly contradicting the often dry reputation of gluten-free baked goods and a staff that goes above and beyond to ensure a pleasant experience, this bakery deserves a spot on your list of must-visit places. Don’t just take my word for it; stop by, grab a treat, and discover your new favorite dessert destination!

The coconut cake is to die for...no one will know its GF, don't tell. Everything else also a winner here, the bread is a little dense but has a great flavor. Just get one of everything.

My partner is gluten free and we were searching for a cake for her birthday. I found By The Way and ordered a Lemony Lemon cake in the six-inch size two days before pickup. I ordered over the phone and the associate who took my order was so sweet and thorough. The customer service upon pickup was excellent. I had concerns about transporting the cake on the train and having to leave it out for a few hours, but it looked completely untouched when I got it home, and was structurally very sound. The cake itself was wonderful, very moist and the lemon curd was such an excellent pairing with the flavor of the lemon cake and frosting. There was no distinct taste or texture that indicated that the cake was gluten free and dairy free, which is unfortunately the case with many gluten free treats. Although the cake states to serve 6-10, we were able to serve about 15 people. I was so impressed by this cake and the overall customer experience element of ordering from By The Way. My partner was so excited to have a cake she could enjoy, and we will be back to try their other baked goods!

I tried a BTW chocolate cake from Whole Foods after seeing reviews of this as a vegan bakery. After mistakenly not checking if the cake was vegan after seeing these reviews alongside with a dairy-free label, I discovered that the cake has egg. For reviewers that do not know, By The Way Bakery is NOT vegan. This is from their website: "Are any of your products vegan? No, because we use eggs and conventional sugar. (Eggs may be sold next to the milk, but they're not considered dairy by the USDA.) After years of trying, we've yet to come up with a vegan option that meets our standards." I really appreciate their extensive FAQ covering this!! I did eat some of it before I looked at the ingredient list, so I guess I can review it lol. It is a gluten-free cake, so the texture is crumbly. It's not bad, just a little dry and falls apart. Other than that, the flavor was nice! I think the frosting makes up for the texture. I also thought it was reasonably priced per slice! Although I will not have another BTW product after finding out they're not vegan, I think it's a nice option for individuals that are gluten-free and dairy-free. I haven't been to the storefront, but it looks like there are extensive offerings.

I'm always sure to pick up some allergen-free treats for family from here every time I head home! This place has ingredient lists for everything on their website and a great selection of fresh baked goods - a rare find when limiting certain common baking ingredients. While the baked goods speak for themselves, I've found it's easiest to get any specific questions answered online, as the staff can sometimes seem a bit preoccupied.

I was looking for a gluten free cake and only had 48 hours. So lucky to have found By the Way Bakery which gets a handful of fully prepared cakes every morning. I placed a phone order right when they opened and secured a vanilla cake with sprinkles. When I took it home it completely fell on the floor and I was in SHAMBLES, but I called the bakery and they were sweet enough to comp another cake for me. Truly amazing customer service and I would 100000% buy from them again because of this. The cake itself is extremely moist and delicious. I actually don't prefer gluten free foods but this cake didn't even taste like it. Also being dairy free it's nice that they also don't use any nut milks (check ingredient list) because I also had a person at the party with a nut allergy. Amazing cakes 100/10 recommend. They saved the day!

A gluten free bakery that doesn't taste gluten free is a win!! We tried the vanilla cupcake, whoopie pie, and almond spiral thing. The almond was the big winner!! But everything was delicious!

For a gluten-free bakery, I actually enjoyed all the things I got ! VANILLA CREAM PUFF - really nice dusting of powdered sugar on top, soft pastry surrounding a nice silky cream inside. Really couldn't even tell that it was gluten free. This gets a 5/5 APPLE CRULLER - this felt a bit grainy/dry in texture as many gluten free desserts tend to be, but the apple flavor was fresh, fragrant, and the frosting was quite nice. You can tell this place focuses on quality ingredients and craftiness which helps a lot since a lot of gluten-free desserts in my experience just don't make the mark. I would definitely consider to this to my gluten-free friends and wouldn't mind going back to see what else I might find! The interior is also beautiful and quaint. No real place to sit. Service was kind.

I stopped by and picked up a mini chocolate bundt cake for my wife. She is very discerning, so I was ecstatic that she enjoyed it. Gluten-free products can be pricey, but this was reasonably priced considering the Upper East Side location