Lee Lee's Baked Goods

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lee Lee's Baked Goods in Harlem is an absolute gem! As a first-time visitor, I was thrilled to receive a complimentary Rugelach, and it was delicious—perfectly flaky and filled with rich flavors. The warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked treats fills the shop, making it hard to choose just one thing! I also tried their signature pastries, and each bite was pure bliss. The friendly staff made the experience even better with their helpful recommendations. If you're looking for a cozy spot to indulge your sweet tooth, this is the place to be. Highly recommend visiting!

Update: November 26 2024 I am happy to say that Lee Lee's Bakery REFUNDED my money for the purchase of the bakery pastries: Rugelach. I wish this had never happened because they make delicious product. But it shows that they care about customer satisfaction and how their is received. Thank you, very much. For this reason I am changing my review giving them 5 stars for service. / 5 stars for food. _____________________________________ Nov. 21, Very unfortunate that I have to give Lee Lee's 2 Stars. But here's what happened. I live in Florida, Harlem Transplant. I wanted to support the Bakery because I heard wonderful things about it. Like how great the Rugelach is. I ordered 1(12) pcs/ 1(26) pcs on Nov. 9th. The website said 3 days shipping. It actually took 12 days to be delivered, It arrived on Nov. 21st .that's utterly Ridiculous and unacceptable. Using USPS - Priority Mail is NOT the way you ship a food item. FedEx or UPS or DHL 2/3 days is acceptable and normal practice. If you don't have the ability or wherewithal to ship your product out of state then don't. Many of the Rugelach were in pieces, even the ones in the tin can. Very disappointed. If anyone reading this is not in NY STATE DON'T BOTHER ORDERING YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE SAME RESULTS AS I did. It's sad because the Rugelach are good ....but Not worth the wait or aggravation.

Lee Lee’s Baked Goods of Harlem has the best rugelach pastries I have ever eaten. They truly are the King of Excellent Rugelach pastries. Rugelach are often served on Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Shavuot, though of course they can be made anytime throughout the year. Jewish families typically serve them during Rosh Hashanah, when sweet foods are made to signify a sweet new year. The hospitality of at Lee Lee’s reminds me of Southern charm, you will feel at home. From the moment you enter the bakery. Apricot rugelach’s are my favorites here. Don’t take my word for it, give them a try. I placed my order ahead, had exact change, plus a tip and the staff was kind enough to have my order ready. They are really the best.

Owner is lovely and the apricot rugelach was delicious, definitely recommend. I also got a yummy peanut butter cookie.

The rugelach here is indeed legendary – it’s beyond the best in the boroughs, it almost deserves its own category. The carrot cake was something special too – unlike any I’ve ever had before. Come for the rugelach but take a slice of it home too, and thank me later. We made the trip in from Brooklyn to try it and would happily do it again. This spot is really something special – it’s clear that Mr. Lee has worked his magic on each recipe, perfecting them through a lifetime of baking experience and making them unique and unforgettably delicious. I will be thinking about this spot until the next time I return!

So happy I dropped by Lee Lee’s. Got an assortment of rugelach (3 kinds) as well as some cookies and other baked goods. Everything was delicious. And, the legendary owner/baker, himself, helped me - very nice gentleman. Looking forward to stopping by again soon.

Stopped by here after seeing a YouTube video the day before. We walked and were greeted by the owner. He told us about hid delicious rugelach and gave us sample. It is one of the best pastries I have ever tasted. Definitely a must if you're visiting New York City.

I came from Jamaica, Queens to Harlem’s legendary Lee Lee’s bakery. Worth the trip. Friendly service, warm fresh baked rugelach and conversation with the owner.

Since moving to this neighborhood, regularly walked by Lee Lee's Baked Goods, which his signage touts his Rugelach. After the passing of my Grandmom, who baked her own, had not really gone for rugelach. In fact, the only one I ventured to try over the years was Washington Heights' Carrot Top's Carrot variety, which was quite good but wasn't anything traditional. For dinner at a friend's, had to pick up our dessert and thought it would be a good opportunity to finally try them out. So glad I did! Lee Lee's case was filled with small pies and other baked goods, including Hamentaschen, their three Rugelach varieties (Raspberry, Apricot, Chocolate), and Rugelach Fudge Cookies - made from rugelach dough. The owner Mr. Lee (a.k.a. Lee-Lee) was out front, but came in when I was reviewing the selection and offered me a sample Rugelach. I chose the Chocolate, which was topped with chocolate as well. Yum! For my friends, I brought Lee Lee's Peach Pie, Raspberry and Apricot Rugelach, and those Rugelach Fudge Cookies. Everything was awesome, but especially enjoyed the cookie!!! Definitely plan on picking up something baked and sweet from Lee Lee's again and recommend you try it out too!

Lee Lee's Baked Goods of Harlem has the best rugelach pastries I have ever eaten. They truly are the King of Excellent Rugelach pastries. Rugelach are often served on Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Shavuot, though of course they can be made anytime throughout the year. Jewish families typically serve them during Rosh Hashanah, when sweet foods are made to signify a sweet new year. The hospitality of at Lee Lee's reminds me of Southern charm, you will feel at home. From the moment you enter the bakery. Apricot rugelach's are my favorites here. Don't take my word for it, give them a try. My initial visit, I double parked. On one of many visits. I placed my order ahead, had exact change, and the staff was kind enough to bring the order to my car. They are really the best.

Such a gem! Really delightful store owner Mr. lee! Upon walking in to the establishment we were greater with smiles and the air smelled of freshly baking goods! Such nostalgia! I wanted to try everything he had. I settled on apricot rugelach because I heard soo much about it and am grateful that I did. The first bite into it and it shows the ingredients he uses are top notch. It reminded of my old classmates grandmothers homemade rugelach. Soooo good! I definitely will be a repeat customer and will order for special occasions! A+++

Lee Lee's Baked Goods in Harlem is an absolute gem! As a first-time visitor, I was thrilled to receive a complimentary Rugelach, and it was delicious--perfectly flaky and filled with rich flavors. The warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked treats fills the shop, making it hard to choose just one thing! I also tried their signature pastries, and each bite was pure bliss. The friendly staff made the experience even better with their helpful recommendations. If you're looking for a cozy spot to indulge your sweet tooth, this is the place to be. Highly recommend visiting!

This bakery smells like home and is decorated very cute. Since the moment I got to Harlem I have been eyeing Lee Lee's Baked Goods and tonight, I finally got to try! I passed by on the way home and noticed their open sign so I ran in. I was greeted with warmth and smells of baked goods that brought happy memories back into my mind. The owner, Mr. Lee, came out to greet us and helped us with our transaction. Me. Lee is an extremely sweet man and he offered us samples of a warm apple cinnamon rugelach which was super delicious. (And when I say he was sweet I MEAN it! Now that I am writing this review, I am noticing that the bakery actually closed way before we got there. So not only did he bless me with great treats, he did not kick me out even though it was time for him to go home.) Overall, I enjoyed my conversation with Mr. Lee as much as I enjoyed the baked goods. I wanted to buy everything in the bakery! I ended up leaving with red velvet cake, chocolate almond rugelaches, walnut chocolate cookies, and a raspberry shortbread cookie. Since my sublet is only 1 minute away, the moment I got home I tried every single thing I bought. My verdict is that this bakery is a MUST GO TO! The baked goods quite literally have changed my life. I wish I could have Lee Lee's around the corner from me forever! I am hoping to make another trip before I head back to CA, but, good news is that they ship! If you are traveling to New York or are from New York or even just passing through, I would 1000000% plan a trip to Harlem to visit Lee Lee's! (P.S: Mr. Lee: I love your business card. The post card is a BRILLIANT concept.)

Cute little place. The service was definitely lacking. The outside of the pastries had a nice flake and bite but the inside were a little doughy

Lee lee's IS LEGENDARY. So first thing you should know is Lee Lee runs the register and is lovely. The second is that his rugelach is incredible. I got the chocolate rugelach which was a classic rugelach (with cinnamon, nuts etc) but with an even sweeter addition. I also picked up a black and white cookie which was one of the best I have had in the city.

After receiving my original order and having several rugelach broken into pieces, Lee sent me a new order completely intact without me requesting anything. I feel this is the way a business should be run. The rugelach were delicious.

Mr. Lee would win in a rugelach baking contests with any Jewish grandmother. His rugelach are THE REAL DEAL -- buttery, flavorful, but not heavy. They are the best. And Mr. Lee himself is such a gem - he and his rugelach are a true gift to Harlem! It feels great to support a small business that has thrived for so long. Long live Lee Lee (and his rugelach)!

Lee Lee's is one of those rare NYC mom and pop businesses which stays on your mind long after you leave the city. It's great to see it is still a thriving operation which has weathered storms of all kinds. I really miss being able to take a 10 minute or so walk and get apricot and raspberry rugelach. This is definitely the best rugelach I've ever tasted. Service is great, and the shop itself is memorable. This is not only a great Harlem landmark and business, but also one of the best small businesses in New York City.

I've been meaning to come here for a long time, but we were in the neighborhood today and finally made it. And damn, I am kicking myself for not getting here sooner. These were by far BY FAR the best rugelach I have ever had. I mean, not just a little bit better than the others but miles and miles head and shoulders above. We bought a couple apricot, a couple chocolate, a couple raspberry, and honestly I had a hard time not eating the lot before we walked back to the subway. Quaint little shop, with other baked goods too (cookies, cakes, bread pudding, cupcakes, pies). I will definitely be back.

Any food tour of Harlem must include this tiny bakery that's big on taste. They have incredible rugelach that is different from those I've ever tasted. Flakier crust, more buttery, and tastes very artisan instead of the cookie-cutter kind you find everywhere else. Lee Lee's charges a bit more for their rugelach but they are about 30% larger than your typical rugelach. Would you rather go to a large bakery with small rugelach?? I haven't tried anything else there yet but I shall. I had no idea there's a National Rugelach Day but I won't miss it next year!

Bought frozen pie which was ok. The person who rang me up could not tell me how long to put the pies in the oven to warm them up. I had to call three times to get an answer, and the woman who ultimately gave me an answer was very rude.

A Harlem Gem! I highly recommend this bakery. I think it's better than Levan Bakery on Fredrick Blvd. Prices are reasonable and pastries baked fresh daily. This bakery has been in the neighborhood before gentrification. Love it.

Got some pastries for a friend, they really enjoyed it. I can't speak on it since I am vegan and Uncle Lee Lee is an old school dude (he is in 80's) I think his bday was this past week. Friendly guy and an obvious neighborhood treasure.

I love Rugelach, have tried it in bakeries all over the city/country and baked it myself many times. This Rugelach is FLAWLESS in every way. Perfectly balanced flavors and fillings, just the right amount of flakiness, not greasy and highly addictive in the very best way. I love that the chocolate or fruit or cinnamon doesn't overwhelm, it enhances. These are not too full and not too dry, these are the Goldilocks of Rugelach and are JUST RIGHT. They don't flake apart when eating but are the perfect soft texture when eating. I don't know how long a bag (12 for $36) will last, since I eat them far too quickly. I don't know if they can be frozen so I could keep a stash in my freezer. They sell other giant cookies (which are superior to all the other places selling gourmet cookies). Somehow I've never had the cakes, sold by the slice but I am confident they are as perfect as everything else this tiny little gem of a bakery sells. If you love Rugelach this is THE ONLY place for you!

The best rugelach around. This was outstanding. They have great flavors to pick from. Could have eaten a dozen. Really great!!!

The Rugelach King Mr. Lee is well stocked for the new year! I stopped by today and was expecting the usuals but the incredible Kenya has added so many wonderful treats to the menu- don't sleep on the cookies! Pumpkin spice w toffee, oreo fudge w walnuts or rainbow sprinkles- or the classic chocolate chip- you really can't go wrong! They had plenty of cake slices today- we opted for chocolate and carrot cake but they also had pound cake (iced classic or w lemon), cobblers: Apple cobbler! Peach cobbler! Cherry cobbler made w rugelach dough! All w double crusts and Mr. Lee made breadpudding yesterday so those looked delightful as well Can't go wrong here!

Deliciousness and homemade! I walked here from the Harlem Metro North Station and it was more than with it. Especially that fabulous sweet potato pie! I am looking forward to returning soon but it will have to wait a while for me to work off what I put on from all this deliciousness!

Friendly service from behind the counter - I asked for recommendations and received a fairly lengthy answer (although she wasn't just listing off everything they had). I was told that this bakery was known for their rugelachs, so I ordered a raspberry rugelach and a russian coffee cake. Raspberry rugelach - fairly small, $2.50, and good for 2-3 bites. It's not as crispy as one from Breads Bakery, and the interior texture is a little crumbly. But the raspberry shines really well, and it feels like a relatively light dessert. Russian coffee cake - Good for sharing between two people! The bready foundation of this reminded me of a cinnamon roll, sans icing. Each bite was pleasant because you get the crunchy nuts on top, the soft bread, and also the pineapple that had a special taste to it, like it was soaked in booze. The store is fairly small but welcoming, and I really enjoyed the home-made taste and feel of the rugelach and coffee cake.

Mmmm. I likes rugelach very muchly, and this place delivers. The chocolate is a must, but the apricot isn't too shabby either.

Great hole in the wall pastry shop. Just walking near the entrance smells absolutely amazing . The chocolate rugelach was great. I plan on going back for the carrot slice. This place is a real hidden gem in Harlem.

Probably the best rugelach I've ever had! I think the raspberry is best. The service was friendly and patient. The store itself is homey and simple. They seem to have cookies and other baked goods, but not much else.

Saw this place on tik tok it's cute small location. I went around 5ish in afternoon yesterday there wasn't much left which I expected it being the end of the day. However the turn off for me was the cashier she was not friendly didn't greet me when I walked in, when asking her for certain pastries she was annoyed it was a turn off for me. The cheesecake I got was good but I won't be back. They need someone friendlier as a cashier horrible service

Best bakery ever! Mr Lee is the man! He goes above and beyond to ensure quality in every bite.

Holy *%#*. This is the real deal. Worth every mile to get here and every minute of exercise to work it off. Having had my fair share of regulech, I can honestly say these are the best I have ever had. They are moist and full of a great filling to dough ratio. Very sweat but in the right way, not overly sugary, don't know how to describe that, but very good. I got a bunch for the family but had two one day and two the next and I cannot allow my self to fall in the trap of having any more If you are anywhere near hear and like baked goods, this is a destination location!!! Cannot wait till my next visit, and now, probably most NYC visits will involve a stop here.

This place remains perplexing. Why are the best rugelach in a Jewish city in a goyish neighborhood? Who knows. But they really are flawless. Dense enough to melt in your mouth, firm enough to hold up, great flavor in both chocolate and non-chocolate versions.

Service was awful. The worker was so rude to me from the moment I walked in. However I can be impartial-- but the cookie is very hard to the point i can't really tell if its good or not.

Lee Lee's seems to be quite the establishment in the neighborhood. When you first pull up to the store, you see a huge board in the window that shares its beautiful story with passerby's. The story of its humble beginnings is the perfect precursor to the store itself. When you walk in, it almost feels as if you've walked into somebody's grandmother's home. It's cozy and super homey which and completely unexpected from the city streets outside. We tried three types rugelach (Apple, chocolate, and maple?) and the carrot cake. Each rugelach was $2. My favorite was probably the chocolate as it was the most distinct of the three. If I went back, I'd probably go for that one. In addition, I wouldn't go back for carrot cake. It was good, but not the best I've ever had. Overall, my experience was very pleasant. The woman who helped us was extremely kind and made us feel right at home. I recommend stopping in for a bite if you're around!

Excellent rugelach. We tried the chocolate and raspberry filled. It wasn't dry and crumbly like I've had before. It's not even close to what my husband ate as a child and it's a good thing. It was super dry and you needed to dunk it in liquid to get it swallowed down. These pieces are bigger also yet have good flavor. What a cool find and wish we had it at home.

Was looking for something extra after having brunch and was delighted to see a bakery that sold rugelach. Upon opening the door, you're met with the most heavenly smell rushing out. You just know from that moment it is going to be good. The people here were so friendly. The rugelach is perfection here, the right balance of everything. Definitely worth a visit, even if you're just picking up one!

Great sweets, down home atmosphere, effective decor. One correction: Either TRAIN the young lady at the front (she has an accent--identification purposes only) or get someone else. The neighborhood deserves better.

Tried all three flavors of rugelach and can confirm all three flavors are baked with love and soul. Warm them up for 10 seconds in the microwave. So heavenly.

If your looking for authentic quality pastries this is the place with the flavor from when you was a little youth. The Customer service is so rewarding. They always make their customers feel like your an old friend. Such a warm & pleasant environment. Here is the kicker, you gotta, and you must try the rugalech, This small bite size pastry will make you lose a friend if they happened to have eaten the last piece (thats how good they are). Please give Mr Lee Lee a try you wont regret it! Tell em Brother Jones sent ya !

Rugelach is $1.25 !!! LEE LEE, I have this love-hate relationship with you. I love you because your Rugelach is uncomparally good; I hate you because I cannot eat you during breakfast time. Location: Lee Lee is a unique shop in Harlem. It has its tradition and stands for how an African American man successful his business as well as maintaining the culture. Lee lee doesnt have much indoor seating, mostly it's a to-go place. Rugelack sells quick but you can still choose to have cake for pleasure. They now start to sell mike's like it ice cream!! DONT MISS IT!! WOW WILL COME BACK !!

Transcendent as reported. This rugelach is pure magic. Heart and soul. Worth walking many miles for.

Love this place. Local shop with such an interesting story. They're known for their Jewish Rugulach - apparently one of the most authentic ones left in the city as it's been carried on by the former staff that now owns the place. My favorite here though is completely different - it's their cheesecake. Underrated but so decadent. Even a friend who doesn't like cheesecake let it pass. They don't always have it though - even if it's on the menu, it seems like it's something they make only when they feel like it (made with love!) maybe that's their secret ingredient? Lol Support this local business, met the owners before when I was there and they truly are kind people and it shows because their staff can be as well. :)

Pretty darn tasty. It's different than what my grandma used to make, but I applaud his willingness to take on a staple like this, in a city like NY where he has some tough competition. It's about style. Are you a traditionalist? Are you curious enough to expand your idea of what rugelach can look and taste like to enjoy something wonderful? Do you like butter? Raspberry is my favorite. Adorable little shop and friendly staff. Five stars for marketing.

Lee Lees rugelach is delicious simply put. And the prices are gigantic! Typically rugelach is expensive and you get these teeny weeny pieces that are delicious but do nothing for you. Not at Lee Lees. He's giving you legit pieces right in the middle of Harlem all year round. It doesn't get better than that. He has a couple of desserts but I only get the rugelach and that's all I want! I stop in whenever I am close. It's getting a 4 star rating because it has a grade pending right now. Sooo yea... but I love the rugelach and I love that it's made by a black man and will keep going back

Several years ago, I saw a report on this bakery, and I decided to try out the product. I confess I have tried unsuccessfully other bakers of Rugelach and Mr. Lee's is the best. One place claimed to be " Rugelach Piece Traditional ", I knew better, but I went with the ya never know attitude. Again disappointed and a waste of money. I loved their chicken liver, but it was a waste of time and money waiting with anticipation and disappointed again. Mr. Lee Lee's won me over He's the most humane, compassionate baker I have ever met. I'm finicky about what I like and I don't think I am that knowledgeable but I know delicious carrot cake, okra, gnocchi, different types of Italian cheese cake, good vegan ice cream and I know delicious rugelach. I usually buy 3 dozen at a time and if I am lucky I get them hot from the oven. And yes I have waited for a hot batch before. Just knowing that I was in for a amazing treat Being a native New Yorker you know how to roll with the punches and I can't eat personality, or atmosphere. I can't stand unacceptable food ‼. I don't patronize businesses if the quality isn't up to standard, I am accustomed to. I have had the great fortune and opportunity to eat in one of the finest Indian restaurants in Monte Carlo, and I have dined in some amazing restaurants here in New York. But most important thing is how the food tastes. If you are interested in ambience, then this place on 118th St., off of Malcolm X Blvd. is the place. When I walk in the shop, I am greeted the same way I greet. I come in joyful because I know that I am getting the best in New York City. I had a look at the DeCora and I know where I am is a heathen for deliciousness that I will share in my home or as a offering to my host or hostess. I'll look at the wallpaper and think of a time when you could walk anywhere in New York City and be happy to order any baked quality desert or bread. There are places in New York, that you could go to find beautiful destinations shops and pleasantries, but that's not what I pay for.

Yum, yum, yum to the yum, yum! The cakes are my favorite! Please don't sleep on the bread pudding! I love this place and I have the weight to prove it!

My husband and I have purchased from here twice before, so I called today at 12 noon to place an order to ensure I would have the items we wanted. They said i could pay credit card over the phone so i said sure let's do it. There was immediately some confusion over whether or not there was carrot cake available, so my full name was taken and I was told I would get a call back to finish placing the order I had started which included multiple rugelach, coconut cake, potentially carrot cake and other items. At 3 pm I called back after never receiving a call. No answer, voicemail full. The voicemail message sounds like someone's personal cell. Call again, phone is answered but hear nothing on the end. I probably called 5 times. Then I had my husband call and they answered immediately. He mentioned we had been calling and been promised a call back, and the person working said she would put us on hold because there was a customer right in front of them. And he said well we have been waiting all day and we were told "it's a holiday". It's not a holiday, yet. Anyway - 3 More minutes on hold and we decided to hang up. We understand busy businesses around holiday time on a weekend, but this type of service is a big turn off so we will be going elsewhere. Don't offer phone ordering if you are unable to call customers back in a timely manner (even though we waited 3 hours to follow up without issue).

Awesome rugelach! You really can't go wrong with any of the flavors, but I do love the raspberry and chocolate. They also sell other baked goods (cookies, slices of cake). Very friendly service. Cash only.

I tried the rugelach, if that's how you spell it, and was underwhelmed by the hype. I got the original and chocolate. It's alright, maybe because I'm not a fan of dried brown fruit type things in pastries. Their other baked goods are probably better if youre like me. The decorations are super cute though, i love it.

I have lived in NYC for 15 years and consider myself well versed in baked goods, particularly rugelach. These are THE BEST I've ever had. We will be going back this weekend.

Best rugelach I've ever had and a ton of bonus treats that really hit the spot. Everything is super fresh and perfectly sweet. The absolute NICEST people you will ever meet work here - we were walked through the entire menu twice with patience and genuine hospitality. This small, incredibly homey spot has a couple seats outside which are perfect for a sunny day, and you can really feel the Harlem charm. 10/10

Lee Lee's baked goods are sooo good!! The apricot rugelach ($1.75) was my favorite. I ate them so fast that I didn't have a chance to take a picture (never happens). If you get the chocolate make sure to warm them up for 7 seconds before eating, makes a difference! One of the best bakeries in Harlem.

It's so rare to find such high-quality rugelach at such affordable price in the city! One of the best rugelachs I've ever had in the city! What's more touching is how the owner is all about baking for the people and the community!

These rugelach are heavenly! When I went to the bakery, they had three different types and all were amazing. One had cinnamon and walnuts, another was stuffed with raisins and the last had almonds and chocolate I believe. The pastries were soft yet just the right amount of crunchy. They are also not overly sweet, which I also liked - each pastry had the perfect flavor. You can tell that the pastries are made with a lot of care. I also tried one of the fruit Danish pastries which was also delicious. I definitely recommend this little bakery!