Ole & Steen

This corner Danish bakery, right next to Bryant Park, is impossible to miss with its big windows and tempting display of baked goods. While it has a sleek Nordic charm and an impressive variety of pastries, I don’t find myself coming here often. With heavy-hitting neighbors like Angelina Paris and Heritage Grand Bakery—the latter being a go-to favorite for my family—Ole & Steen struggles to attract. I tried the Gâteau Marcel (a French flourless chocolate cake topped with mousse), Tosca Cake (a chewy caramelized nut cake dipped in chocolate, named after the Italian opera by Puccini), and the Vanilla Cream Bun (a puff pastry filled with vanilla pastry cream and whipped cream). The portion sizes are generous, but the craftsmanship feels a bit slapdash compared to its upscale competitors. At a higher price point, the presentation didn’t justify the cost. The taste really depends on personal preference. In my opinion, the taste is above-average—you can tell they put thought into fine-tuning the flavors and textures, and there are occasional "wow" moments. Still, it falls short of being truly memorable or impressive like Heritage. Overall, Ole & Steen might appeal to fans of hearty, rustic Danish pastries, but if you’re looking for finesse or deep flavor, there are better options just steps away.

The chocolate social is amazing!!!! Different types of chocolate and high quality are in it. Thankfully they toast it up too it is soo good. I also had their cream puffs when they had over the summer which was amazing as well. The other baked good seem average but get the social!

Tasty blueberry muffin, but my vanilla cold brew wasn't as sweet as I prefer it (only 2 pumps of vanilla for $0.75) so I had to doctor it with a sweetener packet. The worker wasn't super friendly, but I think she was irritated that someone else hadn't shown up for their shift yet to help her or something. She had to take a few orders, then run over to make the drinks at the other counter. Luckily, it was still very early and not too busy yet.

Very nice place with welcoming staff, great value for money, the coffees are very good, and the pastries are excellent. For lunch, the sandwiches are excellent, especially the roast beef one. Highly recommended place.

Premade sandwiches are always a gamble but the turkey baguette was delicious! They toasted it, and that pesto and aioli are delicious. I also tried the strawberry tart, which I really loved, though it wasn’t cheap. The cinnamon bun wasn’t worth the calories. Dried out by the end of the day and the frosting was minimal and hardened. The iced tea and latte were good. The physical flow is a little off but it’s a good place to hang for a while. WiFi was a bit wonky. That tiny round pillow running across the back wall has got to go—impossible to use the wall as a chair back.

Right on the corner next to Bryant Park. Ole & Steen has a pastry for every taste. The pastries were amazing and the sandwiches were pretty big. The Hot Chokolade was amazing, just let that marshmallow sit for a few minutes to let it melt and caramelize a bit. There is plenty of seating that seems to turn over pretty quick. The ordering area is a bit of a mess with those not knowing what they want blocking a direct route to the multiple employees ready to take the order. Then the coffee pick up area is a bit narrow which does create a bit of a bottleneck during busy times. Overall, though the assortment of items and the excellent taste is what wins out. Plus, you can take your order to go and enjoy the park across the street.

Such a lively and friendly atmosphere! The staff is incredibly helpful and always greets you with a smile. The coffee here is truly unique and tastes much better than other places. I also love that they serve it in a mug when you ask at the counter. Definitely a must visit!

Great location right next to Bryant park. Cardamom bun was delicious; birds who scavenged crumbs seemed to agree.

I stumbled upon this cafe during a quick Yelp search, drawn in by its cozy vibe and intriguing menu of both sweet and savory pastries. I couldn't resist trying their spinach roll, and of course, their hot chocolate, both of which looked amazing. The only challenge? Finding a table in this ever-busy spot! First things first , the hot chocolate was incredible. Rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced without being overly sweet. The spinach roll was equally delightful , crispy on the outside with a unique, flavorful filling that wasn't overly eggy. Believe it or not, I went back for that hot chocolate four times. If you're in NYC, don't miss this gem!

Ole & Steen is a fantastic spot for coffee and pastries! Their coffee is rich and smooth, and the pastries are absolutely divine - flaky, fresh, and full of flavor. I always stop here when visiting Bryant park and they are always incredibly busy but the line is moving rather quickly. I never had a chance to sit down there due to how busy they are but will come back for sure!

Good selection of pastries. Got the s'mores hot chocolate which was pretty good. It was thick and creamy and the marshmallow really complemented the flavor. Also got apple cake, cinnamon swirl, and a chocolate croissant. Out of the three, the apple cake was definitely the best one- fluffy and not too sweet. Lots of seating area as well although people leave a lot of crumbs and trash on the table. Great spot for a coffee date!

You can't go wrong by coming here. The first time I went to an ole & Steen was in London and I'm so happy they have loaftions in the US! Great food here, great coffee, and loads of seating available. Check it out!

Originally came to this place because I had gone to an old and steen in London and I really like the one in London however, this one here wasjust alright. They misheard one of my orders and the latte that I got didn't hit the same as it did in London All of the pastries and sandwiches look good though.

Been here a few times and there's always something new to try. The place is always buzzing with tourists and locals alike. Love the variety of breads, pastries, and sweet treats to choose from. The breads are my favorites, it doesn't matter if it's covered in seeds, dry fruit, olives they're all delicious! The space is roomy with lots of seating at the rear of the bakery. Service is quick and can feel a bit rushed since it's always so busy.

Loved this German bakery!!! Went there every single day, their different hot chocolates were great! Their cinnamon and chocolate rolls were also amazing. Even got one of their sandwiches for lunch. The cool part about this place is that it is right across the street from Bryant Park Winter Village. Can't say enough positive things about this place. For sure will return when visiting Times Square.

I personally prefer French or Eastern European baked goods. That being said, Ole & Steen has a nice selection of pastries. They are much different than our palates are used to but fit the bill for a morning pastry or afternoon treat This location is very bare bones and unaestetically appealing. One side is for pastry ordering and the other side is for coffee ordering. It's good for grab and go. I sat in the park across the street.

I only came in to try try their pastries. Their coffee area seemed nice but pretty loud and busy so if you want to sit down you'll probably need a bit of patience or strategy. You can get coffee/drinks and pastries to go. Their famous "cinnamon social" is delicious: it's the kind of doughy pastries that is very soft (almost donut-like, not crunchy) and the inside is moist and sweet. Definitely tasted a lot better than run of the mill cinnamon buns that taste generic and just sweet.

Such a popular spot! My friend and I stopped in for a coffee and snack in the afternoon because of how yummy their pastries looked in the window and it was definitely a bustling place and might be hard to do work in. But the line moves quickly and the cashiers and baristas are also really quick! Our lattes were pretty good, the cinnamon social syrup was good. I wish there was a pastry menu to read about while I was in line since I couldn't really see the pastries until I got to the front but I did enjoy our pastries and they were unique but overall the taste was pretty standard. I wish they were able to be warmed up so I recommend taking them home if you do try them! Overall a decent coffee shop.

Stopped by to grab a load of bread. Tried the christianhaven bread they had as a special and it was pretty tasty. It was a nice blend of a sourdough and seed bread. I hit my limit of sweets for the day so I held off on the cinnamon swirl but it looked delicious.

I loved their Copenhagen, sesame seed all over the pastry: crispy outside and soft inside. Fresh and warm. Went back next day to get one for the flight home. Staffs are friendly and patient to wait for you make your selection even plenty are waiting in line on late afternoon and weekend. If you are lucky to find a seat, stay put and relax to have a break after the walk in the city. Lovely atmosphere!

It's a nice cafe with ample seating inside. My friends and I hung out here for a bit. The pastries looked appetizing and eye catching. I ended up buying the cinnamon roll and had it warmed up. It tasted just like the cinnamon bun; warm and gooey. The service was okay. I wish they had more sandwich options like sandwiches with chicken breast and not deli meat. The bathroom area was clean. I wouldn't mind coming her again and trying other pastries. They were reasonably priced for their size.

Food is amazing. Theirs sandwiches are very good fresh and always tasty. You have plenty of choices from vegan to vegetarian up to meat options! Service nice and fast! Am I me is okay as lots of ppl Come in and out.

I came here before work on a weekday. The top thing I want to say about this location is that there is so much seating, which is great! It's clean and spacious. There were people doing work and people have quiet conversations. There are all the basic coffee shop drink options, and there are a lot of food options, both sweet and savory. The service moves at a good pace.

Yummy cinnamon cardamon dessert breakfast thingy and didn't think earl grey tea could knock my socks off but - it did.

Loved their pastries and their breakfast sandwiches! We got the danish ham and cheese sandwich along with the cinnamon swirl and wow! Great day to start my morning! I didn't not expect the food to be so delicious bur it was! I love how the sandwich was light and not too heavy or oily. It had just the right amount of egg and not too salty either! And I must say that cinnamon swirl is probably what most people get because they literally have them in a designated section. It was a section full of them! Their coffee is just as good too whether you choose house coffee or a little more into it. Whether this is better or the heritage bakery down the block is up to you to decide. I think each have their own unique strengths and it just depends what you are in the mood for. Heritage is more known for their pastries like their pistachios muffin while this place is more known for their cinnamon swirls. To each their own!

If you're in the mood for a cinnamon swirl, you can't go wrong here. Just the perfect amount of cinnamon and sweet satisfying anyone's sweet tooth. There's plenty of room to sit down and enjoy what you've chosen, and there is an easily accessible restroom.

Great bread and sweets. Love the carrot bread and the roll covered in pumpkin seeds. The vegan blackberry cake was delicious.

We just came here for breakfast to go one morning, and it was great! The Apple and black currant scone was fabulous and my buddy loved his cinnamon social thing. My Americano was good and the girl at the counter hooked me up with an ice cube so I wouldn't burn myself.

Came to grab a coffee before heading to an event in the area. It was exactly what I've come to expect from other locations as well! There is a decent amount of seating, most of which was full on a Friday evening. Service was a little slow so I didn't have as much time to drink it before having to leave as I had hoped. But it was good regardless!

Picked up a little strawberry cake treat here and wow it was so good! The "cake" was more like a Madeline texture- super tasty, but definitely on the dense side. I ordered via their app and pick up was super easy and simple. I also sat inside for a bit and it was nice! It was a hot day out to I appreciated the AC lol. Everyone here was nice and helpful. Great place for a quick pickup or bite to eat!

Located by Bryant Park, this Danish establishment serves breakfast as well as light lunches and dinners, and of course all kinds of breads, pastries, and sweets. My partner and I made a return performance after several years yesterday to warm up with some hot chocolate. Ole & Steen continue to NOT accept cash. Unfortunately, the hot chocolate wasn't hot and didn't have any flavor. We had to add about 4 packs of sugar to make it better. The price was cheaper than those inside Bryant Park. This is a great addition to NYC's growing number of outposts of successful foreign chains. If you are in the area, give this place a try.

While in NYC, I wanted to grab a coffee before heading to Bryant Park, and Ole and Steen was conveniently located nearby. I was glad I stopped by. The staff was very nice and polite, helping me decide what to get. Our snacks tasted great. For coffee I had a mocha, which was nice and chocolaty, while my friend opted for a cappuccino, which unfortunately had a bit too much milk and tasted more like a latte. Despite that, it's a great place to visit. I noticed many people working there, making it a good spot for productivity. Ambiance is also very pretty and it is a big space. Overall, except for one drink, it was an amazing experience. I would definitely stop by again.

This is a Coffee spot that does it right. Not only do they have a good selection ranging from Americano to Cappuccinos to Flat whites, their key ingredient is the selection of pastries, breads and baked goods. Not only are they gorgeously presented, but they're also just as delicious. The process for ordering is similar to all the other coffee chains. Select what you want, pay for it, walk over and pick up your order. Nothing difficult. . In terms of the overall look of the place, it's modern with lots of tables and comfortable chairs, and you definitely get a feeling they're not looking to get rid of you in 5 minutes. Given the amount of sugar and carbs you'll eat you won't be able to leave quickly even if you wanted to. Stop in, have a seat and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Don't get their pure danish ham roll according to my friend's experience during our brunch outing today. Meh was his experience. I decided not to try anything.

Leaving the library / Bryant park & noticed this bakery- machiato on point, strong AF but not bitter. Staff were efficient & also valiantly cleaning up after people w Clorox wipes. Wasn't much seating as it was quite busy. They had a soft rye special - sliced it thinly & it's really very good. I also got a little lemon cake thing which was kinda average Kind of dense not a fluffy style of cake & too sweet for me.

We had two of the breakfast roll sandwiches. Pretty good, but pricey even by NYC standards for what you get. Atmosphere is chic, but loud when they are busy. If you're planning an intimate convo or breakfast meeting, this is not the place as every discussion can be heard in detail no matter where you sit.

I didn't realize that the city had an Ole & Steen until I saw it coming from Bryant Park. It was such a surprise coz I'd visit their Copenhagen branch often for a pastry and coffee. Upon entering the store, the scent of freshly baked bread, etc. hits you and makes you wanna just eat everything. The place was clean and had adequate seating. Since I couldn't possibly do that, we settled for the next best thing -- a few pastries and coffee. The staff members were friendly and quick to process your order despite the long queue. For this trip, Kløben and chocolate buns, along with coffee. Both were delicious, warm, and baked well. Overall, I think this place is solid. An excellent choice for breads, pastries, and the like for locals and tourists.

It looks so simple, but this cinnamon swirl from @oleandsteenus really surprised me! I love the cinnamon flavor of it, not too sweet but just right. The bread itself is so flaky too. No wonder they're so popular! I just wish the environment can be nicer. The tables are pretty messy and people were very loud, like a zoo.

We stopped at Ole & Steen for a snack around noon cause we had early dinner plans. I had a ham and cheese toastie and X had a cinnamon roll. Both were great, very enjoyable. Seating can be hard to find, since it's close to the park, but we were able to get a table. There's two bathroom stalls, which means the line can get a little long. Overall, it's a great spot for a break in the area.

Ole and Steen is a small breakfast / bread bakery across from Byrant Park. I was looking forward to a warm, high-quality sausage, egg, and cheese, but I was a little disappointed. The bread was super buttery, and I could barely taste the cheese. I got also go the cinnamon social, maple overnight oats, and 2 coffees for just under $30. The place was crowded, but I didn't think it stood out from any other typical breakfast shop.

This place is a danish bakery serving up a few classics and my Danish friend brought me here so that we could relive his childhood by getting the Flodeboller. Flodeboller - a fluffy cream lies at the center of this chocolate shell covered item with a danish marzipan cookie underneath. Very different flavors than what I'm used to, I must say, but I'm glad I tried it. More importantly the danish boy was in love with it and it got the stamp of approval from him. For me, the cream was a bit eggy tasting in its aftertaste that wasn't my favorite. The chocolate shell was done real well and held its integrity. the danish marzipan at the bottom tastes different from the marzipan you may have had in Spain or is typically sold elsewhere. It's sweet but is I would say floral-tasting in some ways and not as saccharine. One good thing about this item is that it's not too sweet despite you looking at this rather large chocolate covered thing. Black Currant Tart - creamy, black currant flavors (think blackberry and cherry going together) that isn't too sweet, def getting that base cream flavor, and the bottom chocolate crunchy layer thicker htan you might think (maybe almost 40% of the thickness) and reminds me of a crunch bar in a way with the way it has little crispies dispersed throughout. Raspberry "Pop" Tart - this was my favorite item - i commend them for elevating the pop tart; the frosting was not just sweet from the powdered sugar base but also bright (lemon juice?) and had depth to its flavor. there were layers to the raspberry jam and tart parts, giving you not just one but two layers of tart to enjoy which I thought was really cool. Rum Ball - not sure if there's actual rum in this but I def got rum flavor running in the background to a nice soft, dense chocolatey, black curranty center with sprinkles over it. Heftier than you think! Good idea to try out a few of their things and hit the park to chill on the grass while the weather is still nice enough!

this place has lots of seatings but when you come here on the weekends, it's over crowded; hard to get a table most of ppl're staying over an hr. but if you wait extra 5-10min, it'll open. Staff friendly although they're quite busy. 2 Bathrooms are available:there're no lines. warm and cozy inside. Just pretty loud so if you like to relax, this is not a place for you. in front of the 42nd Bryant park Street subway. pastries are so good!

I stopped by this morning after a soulcycle class nearby. I ordered the spinach pastry. The pastry was super buttery and I could see the ribbons of spinach throughout. Ole & Steene was really good and quick service which is nice for a breakfast spot. We sat in the booths and the restaurant was clean and beautiful with quick service.

I've been to a Yelp Event several years ago at their Union Square location when they first started out. Nice to see them expand out this much. I've walked by this location many times over the years, but was never really interested in stopping in until recently, to grab some pastries. I essentially just got what looked appealing to me. All of them which tasted great. My favorite of the pick was the Cinnamon Social ($5.50), which is a soft dough pastry filled with vanilla custard and cinnamon paste topped with icing. I also got their traditional Danish partries: a Raspberry Spandauer ($5) and a Vanilla Spandauer ($5). Worth trying to fulfill your curiosity. Apparently they offer a 3 pastry bundle for $13, which I wasn't aware of. Always a nice surprise to know you're saving some money.

You want to for sure come here for their pastries and then debate whether or not to get a slightly over-priced beverage. My friend and I had some time to kill when getting lunch near Bryant Park awhile ago. She had wanted to check out this spot for awhile. They specialize in Danish pastries which I haven't really explored enough in life. I think we both ended up getting something made of chocolate. Hers was a chocolate swirl and mine was a chocolate bun. I also ended up getting a cold brew which wasn't memorable. But the chocolate bun really reminded me of the texture of Santa Lucia buns minus the saffron and those give me life. They were also huge and I was able to save some for later. Definitely worth checking out. Maybe a little bit expensive but it's like you're treating yourself to a true Danish cafe experience.

Wow! After having visited Denmark a few months ago, visiting Ole & Steen was like going back. The pastries were phenomenal. The flavor, the texture and the options. Highly recommend.

Stopoednhere again for a morning pastry. I forgot what I got last time and somehow ended up ordering the same thing lol. The cinnamon social! It's so good especially in the microwave as mentioned. Tried to get a picture of it this time but it's so good I forgot and started eating caught one almost finished thought lol. This review however is to highlight the gentleman working there I unfortunately did not catch his name but he was a brownskin guy with dreads that was on the pastry register in the middle around 10am. He was super friendly and helpful. I also observed him helping his peers with a customer she was struggling with.

Line sometimes can get long with all the tourists but it moves fast. Good selection of pastries for a morning bite to eat. Coffee is subpar though, I'd say go elsewhere for your caffeine.

We ran into this cute bakery while walking around town. It lured us in with freshly baked breads and pastries in the window. There weren't man people inside. However, there was still confusion on who is going to order first. The goods lacked signage in general. i wanted a simple Tea Cardamom Bun and was asked which one. I said there is only one kind. She said no, but then looked down on the buns and said oh, I guess yes. The bun itself was dry. No cardamom taste at all. It was not sweet, I feel the only sweetness came from the raisins. I liked it as I don't lik things too sweet. On the other side of the store is where you order your drinks. I bet on a busy day, it must be excruciating to wait in line twice to get food and drinks. The coffee was great. Indoor dining was not possible. Overall, I am not overwhelmed by this place but do want to give it another try.

Visiting the city for the holiday weekend and stopped by this spot. Food was amazing but the experience lacked a bit. My only complaint is that I had no idea what I wanted and until I got through the line and to the counter I couldn't see what was even available. I saw some enticing treats for the storefront but where's the menu or something to look at before I get to the counter? Otherwise amazing. Thank you!

All I can really rate this on is the coffee. The food looked good, but I just had coffee today. Almost $4 for a small black coffee seems high even for NY. The coffee tasted burned and I would have been better off grabbing a cheap cup elsewhere. The servers were very friendly. I ended up having to sit at a dirty table because several hadn't been cleaned off.

I ordered a pastry through their app. Once going to pick it up i gave them my name and was told to wait. They had someone else come up and see if the order was ready but they had run out of the one i had ordered. They offered two options, to pick up the order the next day or pick from something that they had available. I decided to pick something that they had and they were super nice and offered a second free pastry as an apology. This place was very nice friendly and accommodating.

Chocolate chip rye cookie was not it. Go to Maman down the street. Staff also rude. Space was drafty.

Another Midtown quick bite if you want something a little bit different than a bagel, but still good. A little pricey, but I've found everything to be a little unique and a range of flavor profiles: savory/sweet. Skip the Starbys. Food: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Experience: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Good For: on the go. Studying/working. Recommends: the copenhagener Notes: if you get the copenhagener, make sure you check your teeth after. This is a poppy seed heavy pastry, so while it's good, you want to make sure to do a quick floss/teeth rinse.

Ole & Steen offers a delicious selection of pastries, ample seating, and rich coffee. What's not to love?!?! We very much enjoyed the lemon cardamom swirl!

The strawberry tart and lemon cardamom swirl were delicious! The fresh lemon in the swirl was savory and not too sweet, and the icing in the tart was delicious. Very nice vibe too.

Ole and steen is a reliable chain within the city and this is probably one of my favorite locations. It is conveniently located near Bryant park and they have ample seating space! The coffee is good and I love their baked goods! I'd recommend the savory spinach roll! They are pretty quick