This year has been a banner one for the gluten-free dining scene in New York City, with many new dedicated gluten-free establishments opening their doors in recent months. On a whim, and inspired by the rave reviews I’ve heard of late, I decided to plan a last-minute trip to the city over Memorial Day weekend to indulge in my two favorite things: gluten-free food and visiting museums! 


As soon as I had train tickets in hand, I began building my itinerary, and one sure stop was Posh Pop Bakeshop, which recently relocated to Greenwich Village from Haddonfield, New Jersey. 


Stepping foot in their cozy, pretty-in-pink bakery, you are instantly inundated with the sight and smell of a dizzying array of cakes, pastries, and other baked goods. Of course I wanted one of everything in stock, but knowing I was on my way to catching my train back to Washington, I carefully considered their dairy-free offerings to make sure I had a few prime samples for my first review.


While Posh Pop Bakeshop is a completely gluten-free bakery, other allergens are used in some of their products (including eggs, dairy, and nuts). Be sure to speak to a staff member  before ordering if you have other dietary restrictions, they can help you navigate the plethora of options on hand to point out baked goods that would fit your needs. If there’s something in particular you have in mind to order, definitely call ahead and see if its possible to have that item prepared sans a particular allergen or in accordance to your diet. The day I visited, there were a several dairy-free options, and even one vegan option (though I don’t think that was the only one).

When I arrived, I focused on scoping out items that would be travel-friendly, as I was on my way to Penn Station to catch a train home. I wasn’t planning to stick around the shop, but once I laid eyes on their rich chocolate cake, I knew I could afford to linger a little while longer to enjoy a slice. 


I’m a big fan of rich, indulgent chocolate creations, and this cake certainly more than passes muster. The cake itself is dense and richly chocolatey, with a lovely, fluffy chocolate mousse at the very top of the slice. Every forkful is a one-way ticket to bliss, and the decadence of the slice is hard to overestimate. Don’t let the smaller scale of the slice (compared to others in the shop) mislead you, this cake is perfectly portioned to impress and satisfy without feeling too rich, heavy, or sweet.  

One of the dairy-free creations I brought back with me was a chocolate chip cookie, which impressed me with its colossal size and generous abundance of chocolate chips. Flavor-wise it totally reminded me of the Toll House slice-and-bake cookies I made with my grandma as a kid (in the best possible way), and I loved the spot-on ratio of vanilla, brown sugar, and rich chocolate chips. The cookie was on the soft-baked side, and was a bit cumbly (carrying on the subway, Amtrak, and DC’s metro certainly didn’t help), but I will happily report I savored every last crumb. 

The third dairy-free item I selected was their personal-size apple pie. It’s hard for me to resist pie in any form, apple being among my favorites, so I was thrilled to bring back this creation for a breakfast treat the following morning. When I say “personal,” it’s a bit miselading, as the pie could easily be divvied up in two servings (one to enjoy now and one to freeze for later). 


The real standout with this pie is the crust, which is every bit as flaky, substantial, and flavorful as I expect pie crusts to be. I’m so tired of gluten-free pies with a paper-thin cardboard crust, and Posh Pop Bakeshop’s certainly seems to agree. I loved the thick layer of crumble on top of the pie, and the interior hit all the marks effortlessly with a lovely apple compote. It’s even more magical warmed up in the oven (or microwave) when you enjoy, and I plan on seeking out vanilla dairy-free ice cream to pair with the second half that I froze for later enjoyment. 

Posh Pop Bakeshop is certainly making a strong showing in their debut in the big apple. I was impressed by the three selections I sampled, with no major complaints about taste, texture, or level of sweetness (the three major pitfalls of gluten-free baked goods). If I had to choose, the chocolate cake would be my favorite of the trio, because the bold intensity of the flavor and sheer indulgence every forkful. It’s not often I encounter decadence on this level, and it turned an afternoon stop into a moment of true pleasure.


While I wish there were more dairy-free options on hand, the limited selection was varied in it’s flavor profiles and forms, which is nice that dairy-free folks are not limited to one flavor or style of baked good. Nevertheless, with a super friendly staff, downright adorable decor, and a dazzling assortment of picture-perfect sweets, Posh Pop Bakeshop should definitely be a priority stop for any gluten-free foodie in the city. 

The Basics

Address: 192 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

Website: poshpopbakeshop.com

Cuisine: Baked Goods

Ideal For: Breakfast, Dessert

Price: See menu prices on their website

Accessibility: Ramp to entrance of shop, one step to 

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the bakery directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.