The Best Sweets in the Hamptons
....have your cake and eat it too.....plus some croissants, cookies...
To follow up from my last newsletter about new openings in the Hamptons, this time I am going to tempt you with the best sweets you can find in the Hamptons this summer. I will list them village by village. Here you go!
(also, an UPDATE: Last week I told you about a new restaurant in the Hamptons called Maison Close. Very sadly, they experienced a devastating fire. Watch this space.)
Southampton:
Sant Ambroeus, 30 Main Street, 631-283-1233 santambroeus.com
Without a doubt, when I need an extra big dose of happiness, I drive over to Sant Ambroeus (one of my favorite restaurants) to their bakery and pick up a Principessa Cake. It’s a lemon layer cake with vanilla pastry cream, whipped cream and marzipan. Yes, please! In the mood for chocolate? Swoon over their rich chocolate mousse cake that has a fudge sauce on top. Their cookies are great, their little fancy pastries a delight….all fantastic.
Citarella: 20 Hampton Road, 631-283-6600 citarella.com
There is a bakery within the gourmet food store that has consistently delicious cakes and pastries, all made in-house daily. I also pick up a huge chunk of rustic farmhouse sourdough bread that makes giant thick slices to stack on a plate for dinner with some good sweet butter.
Tate’s Bakery: 43 North Sea Road, 1-888-257-5831 tatesbakeshop.com
As you all know by now, their Marie Antoinette Cake is my dream of a cake, the one I always buy for special occasions. It is a cloud of layers of cake, mousse, whipped cream, marzipan and jam. In the summer, I dive into the fridge in the shop for one of their huge ice cream sandwiches made with their famous cookies.
Water Mill:
The Milk Pail: 1346 Montauk Highway, 631-537-2565 milk-pail.com
The Milk Pail is known for their apples and they make apple cider doughnuts fresh every day inside their shop. Either plain or coated in crunchy cinnamon sugar, they are light and absolutely delicious. If you stop by in the morning they may still be warm.
Bridgehampton:
L&W Market: 2493 Montauk Highway, 631-537-1123 landwmarket.com
The same crew from Almond Restaurant, next door, cooks for the market every day. Besides amazing food you can take out, they have a ever-changing variety of sweets, from brownies, cookies, biscotti, slices of cake, muffins and croissants. A must try. As are their soups and sandwiches to go.
Pierre’s Market: 2468 Main Street, 631-537-5110
Pierre’s French restaurant, next door, is the same crew that create his really fabulous French pastries every day. On display in his market next door, are quintessential French pastries, croissants, napoleons, and cookies. This is where you get your Bouche de Noel at Christmas.
Armin & Judy: 1970 Montauk Highway, 631-8484 arminandjudy.com
My vote for the best croissants are found here. They are buttery and light and just right. The bakery is set up on the counter inside the restaurant and there you will find daily freshly baked baguettes, crusty country breads, pastries, croissants, cookies and more. Their motto is “baguette me”….ok!
Round Swamp Farm: 97 School Street, 631-296-8078 roundswampfarm.com
This gourmet treat of a farm stand offers scrumptious sweets. I can recommend going in the morning for the berry muffins that are still warm, and for their pies all using local fruit.
Sagaponack:
Loaves and Fishes: 50 Sagg Main Road, 631-537-0555 loavesandfishes.us
If you check their web site every week, they post what they are making that day so you can even order ahead and just drop by to pick up which is very convenient. This is a long-time, much-loved, gourmet food store offering delicious homey food that also makes seasonal sweet treats and baked goods. Think fruit tarts, fresh strawberry cake, giant cinnamon rolls, brownie pudding, rice pudding…..and sometimes, just sometimes, Parker House Rolls (my favorite).
Wainscott:
Levain Bakery: 354 Montauk Highway, 631-604-4123 levainbakery.com
Ahhhhh, those famous fat gooey cookies that you see kids lined up around the block in NYC are also being made here in Wainscott. And no lines. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, offering their highly-in-demand cookies as well as loaf cakes, pastries and breads. I haven’t tried the pastries or bread, but can swear by the cookies.
East Hampton:
Carissa’s The Bakery: 221 Pantigo Road, 631-604-5911 carissasthebakery.com
You all know by now my favorite bread that I talk about a great deal is their unusual and addictive Pickle Juice Rye Bread. It is dense, yet has a tender crumb, and it has a strong flavor. I slice it, toast, spread with butter, then top with a poached egg for breakfast. It’s great toasted and served with smoked salmon and cream cheese. If I have guests, I also offer their Honey Oat Bread for toast as well. Their croissants are epic.
The ambiance of the bakery is very chic, with tables for dining in on their sandwiches and soups. I would say this is a “destination” bakery, one you have to go see and experience.
Tutto Caffe: 55 Main Street, 631-771-9030 tuttoilgiornocaffe.com
One of the best spots for stopping and relaxing and having really well made organic coffee. Great casual food in a chic setting, indoors and out. And yes, they have a bakery section at the bar serving up traditional sweet Italian treats. This is my place to chill and smile and I’m there a lot. I love it. (If you fall in love with the colorful tableware you are served on, it’s for sale there and is made in Positano.)
Sag Harbor:
Grindstone Coffee: 7a Main Street, 631-808-3370 grindstonedonuts.com
Organic coffee. Freshly made, light as air, brioche donuts. Traditional donuts. Crazy good donuts you’ll want to buy a huge box of. All made with good butter and unbleached flour. Go get a coffee made with their homemade almond milk, and a donut or two, then walk down to the harbor and sit and enjoy the view.
Carissa’s: 3 Bay Street, 631-808-3633 carissasthebakery.com
In East Hampton and also in Sag Harbor, facing the harbor. Super chic inside. Great breads, epic cakes, etherial croissants.
Montauk:
Montauk Bake Shoppe: 29 the Plaza A, 631-668-2439 montaukbakeshoppe.com
Worth the drive for their fried jelly or pudding filled croissants. Seriously. They are that good. This is where you go for take-out breakfast from 6 am, including scones, muffins, egg sandwiches and croissants.
video credit: @itsaboymikeofficial on TikTok
Good News/Good Reads:
We Will Never Reach Peak Croissant
See you next week! I will be revealing a great food destination in NYC!!!!