New York has no shortage of cozy bakeries serving up innovative, freshly baked creations. But said bakeries ain’t cheap. $8 croissants, $14 sourdough loaves, $6 cookies…. but hey, most of us living in the Big Apple can’t afford to buy a home. So we might as get a fancy pastry to drown those rat race sorrows.
But there’s a tough question at hand. Which bakeries are actually worth it the stomach space and money?
We recently checked out Thea in Fort Green, Brooklyn. And I’m here to report that you must add it to your foodie list.
A bit about Thea…
Thea is run by the people behind Theodora and Miss Ada. Two highly successful and popular restaurants in the area. In fact, Theodora is one of those mega popular spots where the Resy’s are filled within 5 seconds of opening. (Check out a great Youtube video of what makes it so special HERE.)
Thea bills itself as a Mediterranean bakery, and they serve up pastries, sandwiches, and breads with flavors inspired by Israel, Greece, and Mexico City. We’re talking options like kataifi croissants, chocolate chili babka, and vanilla bean conchas.
Check out their bakery menu screenshotted from the website on August 21st below. And click HERE to see the full menu with sandwich options too!
The bakery opened it’s doors in August 2024, and it quickly became a neighborhood staple. However, it isn’t so popular that you’ll be greeted with a line down the block!
Everything looked amazing, so we snagged a few items that I, of course, will rank!
#4: Tahini Banana Bread, $3.75
The tahini banana bread had a fantastic balance of fluffiness to moistness. There was no shortage of chocolate chips, and the tahini added a subtle nuttiness. A tahini chocolate frosting tied it all together.
While I thought it was super tasty, I have a hot take: all top tier banana bread tastes more or less the same. When I reflect back on all the banana bread I’ve had in my life, they all blend together (apart from THIS one on the Road to Hana…). So while I enjoyed this lovely slice in moment, I fear it will join the masses in my memory. Which is why it’s #4 on my list.
#3: Jerusalem Bagel, $3.50
I’ve had New York Style bagels, Montreal style bagels, and Obwarzanek (a braided, baked ring Polish bread that looks quite like a bagel). But never a Jerusalem bagel.
This type of bagel has a distinct oval shape. And the texture is lighter and airier than that a classic New York bagel. This is because Jerusalem style bagels aren’t boiled— they go straight into an oven. They also have a distinctively sweeter taste. Some people on the internet say this is because honey is used to get the sesame seeds to stick. Others say it’s because of sugar in the dough.
The Jerusalem-style bagel from Thea is a total home run. The bread itself had a dreamy texture that is crunchy on the outside, but airy on the inside. A healthy coating of sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, and perhaps garlic(?) give each bite nuttiness and saltiness which meshes beautifully with underlying hints of sweet.
#2: Mango Labne Maritozzi, $5
Maritozzi are an iconic pastry in Rome that consist of a sweet brioche-like buns filled with whipped cream. Thea puts an Israeli spin on the dish by swapping out the whipped cream with labneh and dollop of mango puree in the middle.
The labneh has a divine creaminess and slight tanginess that pairs beautifully with the sweet bun. The mango puree in the center takes the flavor journey over the edge by adding a light, bright acidity and bold mango flavor. The creation is unique without feeling pretentious, and a treasure of a treat that you simply must try.
#1: Kataifi Croissant, $6.50
This isn’t just a croissant, it’s a work of art. Thea’s Kataifi croissant is a journey of flavors and textures that I gaurentee you’ve never had in croissant-form before.
It starts with their beautifully laminated croissant dough that, once baked, is buttery and flaky on the inside with the perfect soft runch on the outside. Then, the croissant is filled with their secret-recipe Greek pastry cream and topped with kataifi– a shredded phyllo dough– before being baked once more.
The combination of slightly sweet, softly tangy pastry cream with the sweet kataifi and buttery croissant is a true treat that shouldn’t be missed.
