If you haven’t tried a cardamom bun, your whole life is about to change. These Swedish pastries, traditionally called kardemummabullar, are something like a cross between a pull-apart bread and a cinnamon bun, though they are spiced with the southern Indian spice of cardamom. Cardamom, often called the ‘queen of spices,’ tastes piney, herbal, citrusy and smokey, providing the perfect balance to the butteriness of the pastry.
Cardamom buns are at their very best when sourced from a Nordic bakery, and New York is extremely lucky to be home to what we argue are the best cardamom buns in the United States. Best enjoyed with a cup of coffee or glass of milk, once you’ve had just one of these delightful buns, you’ll be hooked. Don’t take our word for it; go try one of the following eight bakeries and discover the very best cardamom buns that NYC has to offer.
See also: The 11 Best Croissants in NYC
View this post on Instagram
Multiple locations / Website
With multiple locations throughout the city, Irving Farm New York is a great place to grab a fabulous cinnamon cardamom bun. The spicy cinnamon balances perfectly with the aromatic cardamom and sugary pastry dough, making Iriving Farm’s buns a good option for those wanting a sweeter version of the classic pastry. We recommend a maple latte as the perfect pairing for your sweet treat.
View this post on Instagram
348 W. 14th St. / 917.261.2476 / Website
This Swedish cult favorite bakery absolutely took NYC by storm when it opened its Meatpacking District location back in 2019. Easily one of the best cardamom buns on this side of the Atlantic, these pastries are so good that they now ship nationally via Goldbelly. Perfectly sweet yet not overpowering, we could enjoy one of these buns every day. It doesn’t hurt that each bun is so beautiful that you’ll want to put it on your Instagram story. Be sure to try out Fabrique Bakery’s fabulous bread while you’re at it!
View this post on Instagram
437 E. 12th St. / 646.478.8441 / Website
This Nordic-inspired bakery in the East Village bakes up delicious braided cardamom buns that are well worth the journey. The braided design makes these buns unique, and in our humble opinion, enhances the flavor. With plenty of baked goods, espresso drinks and sandwiches on either brioche, focaccia or sourdough, Smør Bakery is sure to satisfy all of your cravings. Plus, at $4.50 per bun, Smør Bakery is one of the more affordable cardamom buns in the city. Craving a heavier meal? Head next door to the bakery’s restaurant space for a full Scandinavian spread.
View this post on Instagram
920a Fulton St., Brooklyn / 917.444.1393 / Website
Brooklynites, this one is for you. Located on Fulton Street, Otway is known for its delicious baked goods, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Not including specials, the bakery only makes five pastry varieties: a chocolate croissant, savory twist, croissant, morning bun and cardamom bun, ensuring that each item is baked to absolute perfection. Aside from the cardamom buns, we also love the happy hour, which includes classic cocktails such as margaritas and negronis for $10 until 6PM Wednesday to Sunday. Be sure to arrive early to secure a bun, as this Brooklyn favorite often attracts a line out the door.
View this post on Instagram
818 Woodward Ave., Queens / Website
Created by Josh and Jess Pickens, this family-owned bakery delivers insanely beautiful, drool-worthy cakes and pastries to Queens. Each pastry and cake is crafted from the finest ingredients, and the cardamom bun is a brioche dough with a delicious cardamom swirl. We also love the sweet potato cinnamon roll and the morning bun. And if you’re looking for a cake for a special occasion or wedding, look no further, as Millers & Makers seriously creates magic.
View this post on Instagram
152 2nd Ave. / Website
A relative newcomer amongst NYC’s Nordic coffee shops and bakeries, this Scandinavian hotspot keeps it simple and sweet. Minimalist design, bright coffee and a select few perfect pastries are all on offer at La Cabra. After their hugely successful opening in the East Village, La Cabra plans to open a second location in Soho. Be sure to try the coffee, and if you’re a fan, purchase a bag of beans to be able to enjoy at home, which La Cabra roasts themselves.
View this post on Instagram
43-18 25th Ave., Queens / Website
A seasonal menu and locally sourced ingredients from New York farmers are the names of the game at Bench Flour Bakers. Located in Astoria, Queens, this neighborhood favorite changes its menu often, meaning you simply must get your hands on the ultra-tempting orange cardamom pistachio morning bun when you can. The bakery is open from Thursday to Sunday, meaning your weekend plans have just been sorted!
View this post on Instagram
Multiple locations / Website
With three existing NYC locations and two more in the works, Ole & Steen bakes up perhaps one of the most easily accessible cardamom buns in the city. The Danish pastry reigns supreme at Ole & Steen, and their cardamom bun comes in three different forms: the Kløben bun, a soft bun with cardamom, raisins, almonds and sugar; the tea bun, a soft plain bun with cardamom; and the tea bun with raisins, a soft bun with cardamom and raisins. We think all three are worth a try, and while you’re at it, give the Cinnamon Social with soft pastry and rich vanilla custard a whirl.
So next time you’re craving a sweet treat, give a cardamom bun a try, we guarantee you won’t regret it. Or if you’re really feeling adventurous, try baking your own with this recipe. Let us know your favorite bun and bon appétit!
Photography by: Alexander Spatari / Getty Images
