Joey Bats Café at The Essex Market

Did an egg tart crawl with a friend, and this was hands down the best egg tart we had. The crust was light and flaky, the filling just the right sweetness, and the optional powdered sugar+cinnamon added a unique flavor. Cannot recommend enough.

Came 10 mins before the opening time. No one was even at the stall. Then came back when it finally opened, but the first batch of tarts took a while to come out. Employee was nice and told me about the wait but also underestimated the time it would take (20 mins, not 12 mins). But honestly shouldn’t all these prep work happen beforehand? Why would you open a bakery without any baked items ready? While waiting, I also noticed this banner they have, which is fairly innocent until you see that tacky mosaic. I bet the GUY behind the design thinks he’s genius and funny. If I hadn’t already paid, I would walk away given how improper this is. And speaking of the “nata” itself, it is also nothing like crème brûlée or croissant. The filling has some type of starch in it so the texture is gooey and sticky, almost like condensed milk. This seems to be the case with all the pasteis de nata I’ve had, and I don’t think it’s an issue per se, but if you are expecting crème brûlée, you’ll be disappointed because it’s not that eggy/creamy. The crust is pretty dense and smells like cheap vegetable oil, so also not the airy, buttery croissant you think you’re getting. For $4, this tiny tart is almost hilarious. And I’d rather go to Chinatown for a decent, unpretentious po tat with flakey crust and crème-brûlée-ish filling for half the price.

A fresh made Portuguese tart is interesting, new, unique and tasty. The first time I tried the tart it was fresh. Crispy edges and warm middle, with a hint of cinnamon sprinkled on top. New prices are $4/ tart (March 2023). I came back 3 days later to get 6 tarts for $20 and it was close to closing and wasn’t fresh anymore. That was no crunchiness, it was just soft. And the cinnamon and detailing of the powdered sugar was barely present.

Heard this was an authentic Portuguese spot so wanted to check it out. They don’t let you go in the store due to an ongoing lawsuit which is bizarre but all good. The empanada type pastry was nicely done. They also had another beef pie with a flaky crust which had a different name. I wasn’t too impressed with the place. The meat pastries were good but not spectacular. Maybe they have other stuff that is better. 3 stars.

So glad to find a pastry shop that opens late! There’s also an outdoor dining area to sit and chill a bit. I like traditional egg tart with cinnamon. Crispy crust, not too sweet custard, and hot - love it.

Amazing Portuguese egg tarts! You can also buy a pack of six frozen to take home and bake them at a later time. They increased the price to $4 per egg tart ($20 for a 6-pack) but it’s worth it! The dining area / location is not the best but the food served is top-notch!

2nd try a month later. If you're a fan of Portuguese egg tarts, I would recommend their traditional & suggest giving Joey Bats other flavors a try if you're in NYC.

All I can say is that although Portugal is considered the home of the Portuguese tart, I hope this is not the best representative of it in New York. It is an extremely mediocre tart, and somewhat small, while also charging $4 per piece. The traditional flavor does somewhat resume a creme brulee as it is advertised, but it is a stunningly mediocre one. Not to say that it is bad, but it is an insult to my wallet when there are better pastries all around the city. I would honestly consider getting a Portuguese Egg Tart in nearby Chinatown next time for 1/2 the price while it also delivers a similar product.

Food (5/5): Delicious Portuguese egg tarts that had a good ratio of right amount of sweetness filling and pastry. We ordered two and they were both great. Service (4/5): The egg tarts came fast and the the server had a great attitude. Ambiance (4/5): Nice storefront that's a part of Essex market. There are spots around the market for you to sit and eat.

ok I don't know who Joey is but he's totally Bats for making such delicious Portuguese egg tarts! I got mine fresh out of the oven and they were so flaky, gooey, and warm!! It was so good! Not the best I've ever had but a very close second and so far the best and only one I've tried in NYC! It had the slightest paprika undertone? But honestly gave it a little umph that I wasn't expecting! I also heard during open market days they hand out free egg tarts and their new chocolate flavored one! Will have to come back for that! $4 for one was kinda kinda pricy but my deep craving for it made it very worth it! Honestly I trust any egg tart place that has the raw dogged no lining look and the top that looks like it's been glazed, about to fall off and with the very noticeable flaky layers on the side! Those are the best!

Notable differences from your Chinese bakery Portuguese egg tart: - Smaller - Pricier - Sweeter - Dryer crust - Thicker custard consistency - Hint of cinnamon Not worth the hype. Skip this and head over to Lily Bloom/Xin Fa Bakery in Brooklyn for a truly delicious Portuguese egg tart!

Delicious had one Monday and one everyday since I absolutely am in love with these little tarts!!!!!

Bryant Park, Winter Village Service: Very accommodating, gave me free one to taste. Ambiance: since it's a stall, don't expect a big space but enough for a quick snack, mostly to go. Taste: Got them warm, crispy outside and creamy& gooey inside. Plus cinnamon and powdered sugar dusted. Its lava feels so be careful before tossing all to your mouth. Tasted perfect. Highly recommend! My new go to egg tart pastry.

Just say yes. Go to the Dining Level at Grand Central Station and do yourself a favor. Buy a Portuguese tart. No ambiance necessary. Handy travel package. Lovely sales clerk. Be sure to tip. Eat it on the train home. Five stars because it is a perfect moment. (My only negative? I was in GCS and not in Portugal. ‍)

The best place in NYC to find authentic Portuguese Pasteis de Natas, and they are YUMM. Try our favorite location at Grand Central Terminal for a speedy "fix" to get you on your train. You will love the staff, too!

Delicious little tarts. Very moist and I'm glad they are served warm. Sweet but small enough that it's not overbearing. If I were to compare it to anything, it would be a bit like a crème brûlée. I enjoyed it.

As good as it gets. This hole-in-the-wall with some outdoor seating has the best Portuguese pasteis de nata in the city. I tasted both the traditional and dark chocolate and they were both fantastic. Recommended!

Phenomenal pasteis de nata can be found here. The crispy and flakey shell houses gooey, silky custard. Then there's that final hit of cinnamon on the top that really rounds things out. Hit up this place for a good time.

I love a good egg tart and this spot is one of the best rated in the area. It's located inside Essex Market so I popped in to grab one as a snack when I needed a pick me up and it hit. I happened to snag one when they were still warm and the inside filling was delicious. Rich creamy and indulgent. They appeared small but one is plenty for a single person. I think the crust could have been better personally-- it was a bit thin and dry, perhaps a little too flaky. They go for $4 a pop as well which was a bit more than I expected.

Tried Joey Bats Cafe and gave their traditional egg tart a go. Honestly, it's on the sweeter side, at least in my opinion. Having had Portuguese egg tarts in Macau and Portugal, there's a subtle difference in the sweetness that might not align with the traditional taste. It's worth noting that this brand, even in Portugal, tends to veer towards the sweeter spectrum. While it's not quite the same as the authentic experience abroad, if you have a sweet tooth, it might still hit the spot. For those craving a sugar-packed twist on the classic, Joey Bats Cafe could be your go-to. Just be prepared for a bit more sweetness than the traditional Portuguese counterparts.

Custard tarts (pastel de nata) have become an edible legacy of the reach of the Portuguese empire's former span. I have loved the Macauan/Hong Kongnese interpretation since childhood - perhaps the single best one I've ever had was at a KFC in Taipei, where the dessert is also very popular. I also recently tasted a fairly solid version of the dish in Panjim (Goa). However, Joey Bats serves the original Portuguese variety, and I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed. I was hoping for a bit more creaminess, but instead found the texture of the pastry sturdier than expected. I did prefer the dark chocolate over the original plain.

They are at the San Gennarro Festival in Little Italy and have this amazing sandwich called Bifana which is sliced pork marinated in beer, wine and seasonings. It was really one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The lady who made them was very sweet and had to compliment her right after trying it. I think they might have them at the cafe some time in the future. I've had the tarts before too and they were fresh and delicious...

This rating is only apply to the Portuguese custard tart. If you think this is a Portuguese egg tart you are gravely mistaken. It looks like one but it's totally different. 1. It's way too sweet 2. It uses custard and not egg so it doesn't have the delicious egg taste nor the aroma. 3. The texture, because it's not egg tart, doesn't feel right neither. However, the one very good thing about it was the crust. The pastry crust is very flaky and butterly. Very good.

I used to crave these little tarts. I love they are served warm and this place is tiny, so if you're eating in, it can get a bit stuffy and hot in here during the summer months. Staff was nice.

I've always gone to their Chelsea location and this was the first time I tried them in the Essex market, they always sell out cause they are delicious, PASTEIS DE NATA or Portuguese custard tarts. There isn't a lot of Portuguese places in New York, and I found a little bit of home in New York.

Wow! These patas de nata from Portugal are truly the best. A crème brûlée wrapped in a croissant is what it tastes like and it's my favorite dessert ever! 5 stars

We got the egg tarts here at the recommendation of a friend, and it was very decent. The crust was flaky with a decent buttery flavor, and the custard filling was smooth and creamy with a hint of sweetness. What really set these egg tarts apart was the subtle cinnamon flavor, which added an unexpected and delightful twist to the traditional egg tart. For me, this detracted from the overall experience, but for others, I can see how it may complement the other flavors well. Overall, I would give the egg tarts a 4/5 stars. I've had the honor of having really good egg tarts in the past, and so most will pale in comparison but that's not a knock on Joey Bats. I think overall, they are good, and so If you're in the area, I'd definitely recommend giving them a try.

I grew up on egg tarts and Portuguese egg tarts, so I was really excited to try the tart here. It's a walk up window with outdoor seating. They have other items, but I just got one tart. That pastry is so flaky, and the egg is smooth. The tart came out warm. There are spices on it that you wouldn't have in the Chinese version of the Portuguese egg tart. It's a little bit sweeter than I would've liked. It's kind of expensive for the size ($4), but it's a good thing to try at least once.

This is my first time eating Portuguese tarts not from a Chinese bakery. They were small but very delicate. The custard and the crust melt in your mouth. Very delicious. I highly recommend this place.

Heard this was an authentic Portuguese spot so wanted to check it out. They don't let you go in the store due to an ongoing lawsuit which is bizarre but all good. The empanada type pastry was nicely done. They also had another beef pie with a flaky crust which had a different name. I wasn't too impressed with the place. The meat pastries were good but not spectacular. Maybe they have other stuff that is better. 3 stars.

CRACKED if you're nearby and want dessert, go if you're nearby and dont want dessert, go if you're not nearby and want dessert, go if you're not nearby and dont want dessert, go

Yooo the Portuguese egg tarts here are really good!! Crispy crust and delicious filling (albeit a tad gloopy and not as silky smooth as I'd like but not a deal-breaker). Not too sweet or greasy either (unlike some Portuguese egg tarts that I've had elsewhere). The added cinnamon dust on top gives them a nice tasty touch. I tried both the traditional and passion fruit ones. The traditional one is a fine safe choice, but the passion fruit one......man I could easily eat like 3 of them in one sitting lol the passion fruit flavor really comes through in it! I also got the egg cream croissant; it's alright as the croissant bread is more of the soft, dense milky type and the filling is pretty much a typical egg custard. Wouldn't say that it's a must-try but still not a bad choice if you want something extra on top of the egg tarts here. Overall this place has some of the better Portuguese egg tarts that I've tried. Definitely recommend stopping by for these little treats if you're in the area!

Side note: If you're not in the mood for said delicious tarts, I would say their other specialty would be their milk bread or pão de leite. This is essentially a very buttery soft croissant preferably filled with chocolate or egg cream or plain if you're just in the mood for a very very buttery bread. It's also quite good but not as good as the tarts. It's also a better deal to order 6 at a time. Anyway, this is a tiny Portuguese bakery specializing in pastel de nata or pastéis de nata (pleural) though they do have other snacks as well along with plenty of alcoholic choices and some drinks from Portugal. Portuguese egg tarts are different from the Macau or Hong Kong variant having a softer texture in the middle being almost crème brulée like and almost always are topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. I have had their egg tarts at the Queens Night Market, this location, and their ill-fated location in midtown east. Outside of the original, they also have other flavors such as passion fruit, chocolate, and vegan variety. This time, I decided to get with an original along with one of the passion fruit ones. The original one is still the best having a wonderful texture and flavor. The passion fruit added some nice sourness and if you're looking for a less rich tart, perhaps get one of those instead. Another person got their chocolate version and they said they liked it as the chocolate was bittersweet. Not much to say. There's a reason why most people who don't have access to a Portuguese neighborhood loves to pay a few bucks for one of these.

We went back a second time during our 4 day stay in NYC. These are delicious little treats!

After coming back from a Portugal trip (and having consumed many natas there) I was told that Joey Bats has natas arguably better than many in Portugal itself. Finally tried them and I feel like they are on par or potentially even better than those I had in several famous cafes in Lisbon. They gave me my 6-pack fresh out of the oven and wow... the flakiness was insane and the custard was so gooey. It is a little sweeter than I'd like but I think that goes for all the natas I've tried. FYI it's $3 per nata or $15 for a 6-pack. the store is order at the counter only but there are some tables and chairs outdoors first come first serve.

Joey Bats' pastel de nata is very different from the HK/Macau versions so don't go in thinking it's just another po-tat that you can pick up at a Chinese bakery. I don't think it's even fair to compare the two. The inside of this one is quite gooey and the cinnamon + powdered sugar definitely reminded me of a warm apple pie. The crust was flaky, a little crunchy, and the custard was pretty sweet. I think I would enjoy it better with less cinnamon because it overpowers the flavor of the custard. They are also smaller than expected. I ordered two and received a small box that you would think only holds 1, but nope there were actually two stacked in there! At $3 each, it is pricey but worth trying at least once.

I had not heard of this place before, but my friend who lived in the area told me this would be her go to place for Portuguese egg tarts. I grew up eating Chinese egg tarts (especially ones from dim sums), but had never tried Portuguese custard tart. And I'm so glad I tried it! My friend and I got the traditional and dark chocolate natas, and oh my goodness... they were so good. They were warm when we got them, and we bit into the natas, it the warm gooeyness of the egg tart just exploded and filled your mouth. The puff pastry was slightly crisply on the outer rim, but soft for the rest. The egg tart inside was so rich and creamy. I loved both the traditional and dark chocolate flavored natas. The workers behind the counters were very nice and served up the natas very quickly. If I visited NYC again, I would definitely come back to this place to eat more and try the other flavors. I would highly recommend!

We just happened to walk by and eye this pastry spot. The employee was very engaging and convinced us to stop and boy am I glad we did. The Pasteis De Nata is FABULOUS. If your into Tarts THIS IS IT, DO NOT PASS GO!!!! It was fresh and the custard was just so flavorful. We're back in Texas now searching for how we can get something to replicate this. Probably one of the best foodie highlights of our trip.

The most delicious egg tarts I have ever tried on this planet. What makes these egg tarts special is not only how toasty the top layer of the egg portion is but how jellowy the center of the custard gets on every bite. Also that's not the end of it. The anatomy of this egg tart that makes it triumph over any egg tarts you experience is the cup shaped skin, how incredibly flaky and toasty the taste was. And the finishing touches of cinnamon and powdered sugar to sprinkle that nice taste buds satiation to properly balance the taste. I've never thought I would look forward to eating every part of the egg tart. It's like eating a pizza but instead you go straight to finishing off all the parts: cheese, sauce and crust combined until there is no more. Thank you so much Joey Bats Cafe for introducing these egg tarts into my life.

Mmmm mmmm good! I haven't had these yummy treats since 2018. That was the last time I was in Lisbon... The very taste of these brought back a flood of memories:-)

FYI that their Allen St location is closed and they've moved to their Ave B location. I couldn't find that on the site and only found out when I got to the Allen st address. I grew up eating egg tarts from Chinese bakeries and always preferred their version of "Portuguese egg tarts". So I was more than excited to try these after hearing all the rave and praise for it. These were more expensive (at $5 a piece I think) than the ones from Chinatown. Also much much sweeter. Overall I really enjoyed them but I'll probably go back to the ones in Chinatown just for nostalgia's sake :)

Really delicious Portuguese custard tarts! I tried all three flavors-- passion fruit, original, and chocolate and my favorite was definitely the chocolate. The custard was slightly too sweet for my taste but the pastry was so flaky and buttery. Came out piping hot and fresh. Definitely worth a try!

I'm gonna let the picture do the talking for this review... like are you kidding me 6 pasteis de nata for $15... I don't wanna be THAT person but definitely run, dont walk (or else I will finish their entire supply)

FOOD: Pretty good Portuguese egg tarts. Was recommended by a friend who tried these before. Got two to in a cute tiny box. The egg tart is really soft when you bite into it and it balances very well with the flaky crust. A bit pricey, but worth trying if you've never had it. SERVICE: Walk up to a window facing the street to order. The lady employee was pretty stern thought-out the process and was caught up in convo with people inside. Pretty much a order and leave kind of ordeal.

These are portuguese tarts - not chinese. There is a huge difference between the two. Joey bats does it well - portuguese tarts are supposed to have a swirl at the bottom and the tarts are flaky. The tarts are so delicious and warm. Just a fyi that you will taste the cinnamon on top incase you aren't a cinnamon fan. Every time i pass by, i cant resist to not order one!

Flaky crust, creamy custard, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar. I feel like that's enough to explain how good the Pastéis de Nata was.

Went to JB's lower east location and ate these natas in their outdoor space immediately. The pateis de nateis were okay but fell a little short in my expectation for an eggier custard filling. I have had many natas from Portuguese bakeries in NY and NJ and Macau so my expectations were of the kind where the carmelization meets the crust in perfect harmony both in texture and taste. The passion fruit and chocolate ones that we had were very sweet (prediabetics beware) and more of a mochi rather than a creamy custard mouth feel. In fact, the grainy texture of the filling and lack of egg flavor and color just reinforced the over sweetness which was too much for me. The flaky pastry part was fine but that is to be expected. What should distinguish natas is the filling. The presentation in the sleeve box was cool but I would prefer a more traditional rendition both on the outside and inside. My conclusion is JB is trendy but not traditional.

Wow the Pasteis De Nata was INCREDIBLE. We bought the frozen pack and the woman behind the counter gave us a free one for the road. Theyre crispy, sweet, and creamy. Perfect dessert bite. Cant go inside but go and buy! Also great gift buying them frozen.

What drew us here was the pasteis, of course. We ran across their pop up tent a few months ago at Rock Center. Tried the pasteis and had been dying to get more since. Now we know it's in SOHO. Easy enough to get to. And not as crowded as some other Manhattan neighborhoods. There's even a comedy club in the same building, under the same name. Looking forward to having a good time there, and grabbing some drinks, food, and dessert all in one place. Should be a good time.

Undercooked though still fairly good I'd wanted Patel de Nata since our trip to London this past fall.

Ladies and gentlemen same or way way better natas,for 6.99. Place is a rip off. I wrote a review from the one from Chelsea market with the two nastiest women that had NO clue what so ever,remember ppl,pergunta sempre a quem sabe ou o outro metade do mundo rouba-te. Father's words. Everybody is always on the phone little googling won't hurt than listening to the yelps no everything without knowing nothing! Never go what these yelpers know,they would rate 5 stars to a dog doing his regular routine. 5 min defrost,10 min in the oven, delicious! 6.99 not 20,6.99!!!!

It's one of those unforgettable spots, where the neighborhood shop owner Joey and his mother has really bonded w the community thru the years. They make some amazingly flaky buttery empanadas (or croquettes I think they called it) and egg tarts which are like little creme brûlée bites in pastry form. They call them Pateis de Nata which originated from South America I think while in chjnese we call them egg tarts aka dan tat. These small bites are the perfect snack as you venture through that part of town for other hidden gems. You'll even catch Joey's mother cooking off menu comfort dishes for the locals on a regular. Hands down one of our most favorite spots in NYC and a must visit. The bond they have w the community is undeniable. It's been a while but if you're reading this Joey, tell mom Marvl's friend says hi. Thx for sharing your story and how the business all started with us last time I visited.

This review is for their regular pasteis de nata (to-go). The tarts ($3 each) were pretty good but I was a little underwhelmed by the texture of the crust - it had the flakey layers but was not very crispy. I did stop by in the evening so maybe they're better earlier in the day? These may have been sitting out for a bit. The custard itself had that nice eggy flavor and wasn't too rich or sweet. FYI they appear to sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon on top by default, so let them know ahead of time if you have any special requests. Service was fast and the gentleman who rung me up was pleasant. Worth stopping by if you're craving a pasteis de nata!

I really like pasteis de nata. This is the first place I've been whose pasteis de nata are so bad that I'd just rather not have any. The filling has the flavor completely wrong, too much like a boring old custard and absolutely none of the mysterious caramelization that makes natas so special. The pastry had no structural integrity, folding in on itself without any crispiness (possibly a side effect of being served hot?). If this is really the best nata NYC has to offer, just get on the PATH to Newark.

Had to stop by here when we were in New York. We only wanted 4 but it's a better deal to get 6 so we went for that instead. They had some seatings outside with heat lamps. We were able to enjoy the fresh pastéis de nata right there with some coffee. It was AMAZING right off of the oven. It was hot and flaky and the inside was sweet and delicious. Highly recommend people to come here to try!

Every time I come here, I'm always treated like one of the family. Whether it's Mama Bats, Joey or, like tonight, George who was manning the fort. I always feel welcome and taken care of. They're obviously known for their pasteis de nata and you won't be disappointed! The flaky crust and the creamy filling is so yummy! You can't just eat one. Today we stopped by to pick up some and were treated to a taste of their new chocolate pasteis de natas! I didn't think it could get better, but this was amazing! It's the same sumptuous dessert, but now with an ooey, gooey dose of chocolate. I'm so glad they're still thriving. Please go and support local small businesses like this. To the staff: thank you so much for your kindness and love

This place introduced me to Portuguese custard also known as Natas. One of my favorite bakery / coffee shop in lower manhattan. If you are In the area be sure to try their natas !