The 14 Best Pies In NYC
Dec. 19, 2016, 3:25 p.m.
Custard pies, fruit pies, cream pies, savory pies, pies with flaky crusts, pies with crumbly crusts, pies with crusty crusts...
Pie, glorious pie. An ancient food dating back to the Neolithic period, pies are a staple for many cultures all over the world. Custard pies, fruit pies, cream pies, savory pies, pies with flaky crusts, pies with crumbly crusts, pies with crusty crusts—here are our 14 favorite slices of heaven in NYC.
(Joshel Melgarejo/Gothamist)
The Salted Caramel Apple from Four and Twenty Blackbirds No pie is more iconic than the Apple Pie, and the signature Salted Caramel Apple at Four and Twenty Blackbirds in Gowanus is the epitome of apple pies. It has layers of thin apple slices strewn with a not too sweet caramel filling. Its crust is perfectly golden brown and flaky—topped with a touch of salt—and the pie can be accompanied with Four and Twenty Blackbird's fresh homemade whipped cream on the side. No other apple pie will ever compare from this point on, so eat at your own risk.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds is located at 439 3rd Avenue, (718) 499-2917
The Crack Pie from Momofuku Milk Bar Three words to describe this concoction: Butter, butter, and (you guessed it) butter. The trademarked Crack Pie at award winning bakery Momofuku Milk Bar is a devious concoction of gooey butter glazed with copious amounts of brown sugar in a nutty toasted oat crust. It is sweet, greasy, and not for the faint of heart (literally). The Crack Pie is definitely not for the health conscious, but most great pies aren't.
Momofuku Milk Bar has multiple locations in NYC.
The Banana Cream from Pies-N-Thighs My first time eating the Banana Cream Pie at Williamsburg mainstay Pies-N-Thighs remains vivid in my memory because I received this piece of heaven right before an obnoxiously drunk couple, seated at the table beside mine, knocked their glass of sangria into the lap and purse of my dining companion. Seeing my friend about to lose it, I immediately offered her some of the pie, comprised of cool creamy banana pudding, topped with heaps of fluffy whipped cream, all carried by the slightly salty Nilla wafer crust. The pie instantly soothed the tension, proving that pie can save lives.
Pies N Thighs is located at 166 South 4th Street, (347) 529-6090
The Key Lime from Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie's storefront can be found off the beaten path in the industrial waterfront of Red Hook. Its Key Lime Pie tastes light and tangy, with a distinct bite, but its balanced sweetness stops it from being a kick in the face. The classic graham cracker crust here is buttery and chewy. The shop also sell swingles, which are a miniature version of their key lime pies that have been coated in chocolate and frozen onto a stick, a recipe for a blissful toothache.
Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie is located at 185 Van Dyke Street, (888) 450-5463
The S'Mores Pie from Butter and Scotch Butter and Scotch in Crown Heights is a hybrid bakery and bar that serves up dessert cocktails and boozy treats. Their S'Mores Pie has a smooth milk chocolate custard center, crunchy house-made graham cracker crust, finished off with a caramelized layer of toasted marshmallow, akin to a creme brulee. It has a great balance of sweet, smoky, and chocolaty. If you want to consume copious amounts of this pie at once, but find that the solidness of this dessert constricts you from downing it fast enough, this pie can also be blended into a milkshake with your choice of ice cream.
Butter and Scotch is located at 818 Franklin Avenue, (347) 350-8899
(Joshel Melgarejo/Gothamist)
The Cherry Pie from Ladybird Bakery Ladybird Bakery has been providing Park Slope with tasty baked treats since 1992. Their Cherry Pie is your traditional all-American cherry pie, with a filling made up of juicy sour cherries and a lattice crust topping. Be forewarned that consumption of said pie may result in an indecorous licking of the plate. Tastes so good makes a grown man cry.
Ladybird Bakery is located at 1112 8th Avenue, (718)-499-8108
(Joshel Melgarejo/Gothamist)
The Peanut Butter Pie from Daly Pie The underrated Daly Pie in Prospect Heights, founded in 2011, serves up one of the most addicting slices I've ever had the pleasure to have stuffed down my piehole: the Peanut Butter Pie. The Peanut Butter Pie is comprised of peanut butter filling held together by a crispy ruffle potato chip crust—yeah that's right, a POTATO CHIP CRUST—and topped with a layer of chocolate and even more crushed potato chips. The salty-sweet combination is a sure means to stimulate (or overload) your palate.
Daly Pie is located at 665 Vanderbilt Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238; (347) 425-9251.
(Joshel Melgarejo/Gothamist)
The Sour Cream Apple from Martha's Country Bakery Even though the behemoth that is Four and Twenty's Apple Pie beats out any other apple pie, the Sour Cream Apple at the classic Queens bakery chain comes at a close second. The tartness of the green apple slices is balanced out by the sour cream that's baked into the pie, accented by cinnamon. The pie is topped with a crumbly brown sugar crust sprinkled with chopped walnuts and served warm.
Martha's Country Bakery has multiple locations.
The Salty Chocolate Chess from Petee's Pie Company The notable Petee's Pie Company in the LES whips up classic and modern handmade pies made with local ingredients. Their chess pie is comprised of butter, eggs, buttermilk, and sugar and is flavored with bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, and sea salt. The pie tastes like a brownie but with a silky consistency like that of mousse.
Petee's Pie Company is located at 61 Delancey Street, (212) 966-2526
The Strawberry Rhubarb from The Blue Stove The Blue Stove bakes old-fashioned pies in small batches from a low key location in Williamsburg. Sweet and tart, with a bit of citrus zest, their Strawberry Rhubarb Pie is definitely something to call home about. The crust is light, flaky, and a good supplement to the flavorful fruit filling. And since you'll probably be coming back to the Blue Stove weekly for this slice of Southern comfort, it's worth mentioning that you get a free cookie if you return the pie tin.
The Blue Stove is located at 415 Graham Avenue, (718) 766-7419
The Chocolate Pecan from Two Little Red Hens Two Little Red Hens is a renowned bakeshop on the Upper East Side that churns out cupcakes, cakes, and other sweets. Their popular Chocolate Pecan Pie is loaded with rich chunks of Callebaut 60/40 chocolate and balanced out by ample amounts of toasted pecans. This delight is incredibly decadent, so be prepared with a cup of coffee to wash it down.
Two Little Red Hens is located at 1652 Second Avenue (at 86th Street), New York, NY 10028; (212) 452-0476.
(Joshel Melgarejo/Gothamist)
The Wild Blueberry Crumb at Pie Corps Pie Corps is a quaint little bakeshop in Greenpoint across the street from McGorlick Park that looks like it's straight out of the 1940s. This homey spot serves up the best blueberry pie I have ever had the pleasure of eating. The berries give it a modest tartness balanced out by a bottom crust sprinkled with sugar crystals on the edges and a crumble top crust. Pie Corps also serves Pie Pops, which are miniature pies on a stick for efficient mobile consumption.
Pie Corps is located at 77 Driggs Avenue, (917) 721-3052
The Pork Pie with Port & Stilton from Myers of Keswick Myers of Keswick opened in 1985 as a sanctuary for British ex-pats living in NYC who longed for comfort food like meat pies and sausages. This Pork Pie from Myers is filled with tender porky goodness and the crust is topped with a Stilton blue cheese. Grab a freshly made cream and jam scone and an Irn Bru for later snacking.
Myers of Keswick is located at 634 Hudson Street, (212) 691-4194
The Guinness Steak and Mushroom from Tuck Shop Tuck Shop slings out Aussie quick bites in a laid-back little joint in the East Village. The Guinness Steak and Mushroom Pie has a hearty, stew-like filling of steak chunks and horseradish gravy, seasoned with green peppercorns and all enclosed by a thick crust. Get it with mash and gravy on the side and drink it down with one of Tuck Shop's sodas, such as the Thai Basil Lemongrass or the Elderberry, which are made in-house.
Tuck Shop is located at 68 East 1st Street in the East Village; (212) 979-5200.