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MAGNOLIA BAKERY

Last Updated: 20 days ago

Phone: (212) 767-1123

Address: 1240 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 10020

TLDR

Famous for its iconic banana pudding, this bakery offers classic American comfort desserts with mixed reviews on cupcakes.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 91 Reddit comments)

43% Positive34% Neutral23% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 52bakery 30dessert 50bakery 49pudding 36View All

Neighborhoods

Theater District

Instagram Posts References

Summary
Summary

Details

Magnolia Bakery is a beloved New York City institution, renowned for its classic American baked goods, with its banana pudding being the undisputed star. While many flock to experience this iconic dessert, reviews are mixed on other offerings like cupcakes, with some finding them overrated. Nonetheless, it remains a popular destination for those seeking a sweet taste of New York.

Food Overview

Magnolia Bakery is primarily celebrated for its legendary banana pudding, which receives widespread acclaim for its taste and texture. While many customers highly recommend it, some find it to be overhyped or prefer homemade versions. The cupcakes, on the other hand, have mixed reviews, with some enjoying them and others finding them to be overrated or mediocre compared to other baked goods.

Highlights / Recommended

"The banana pudding is the most highly recommended dish, consistently praised by many. The Key Lime Cheesecake and carrot cake have also received positive mentions."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • banana pudding(37)
  • cupcakes(9)
  • cupcake(2)
  • pudding(2)
  • carrot cake(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally have a positive sentiment towards Magnolia Bakery, with many specifically praising their iconic banana pudding. However, some find the cupcakes to be overrated or mediocre, and a few express that the banana pudding is not as good as homemade versions.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

One user unequivocally rates the classic banana pudding as perfect (10/10), calling it the best they've ever had. Other users chime in, with some agreeing it's incredibly tasty and worth trying, while one user found it disappointing and tasting only of cream.
Multiple commenters suggest skipping the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, recommending other spots like Molly's Cupcakes instead. They often contrast this by praising the banana pudding as the primary reason to visit.
There's a notable debate comparing Magnolia Bakery to Levain. Many recommend Magnolia specifically for its banana pudding, while others suggest it's skippable or that other bakeries offer superior treats.
One reviewer declared the Key Lime Cheesecake to be the best they'd ever eaten, a pleasant surprise from what they expected to be a touristy spot. They also found the vanilla cheesecake's texture amazing but preferred the Key Lime.
A strong sentiment emerges that Magnolia's banana pudding, while decent, is often overhyped and not as good as homemade Southern versions. Some even suggest it's made with boxed Jello mix, deeming it a tourist trap.
While some find the banana pudding good, others feel it's overrated and not as authentic as Southern versions. The hummingbird cake and carrot cake are mentioned as potentially better options.
An amusing anecdote details a traveler attempting to bring Magnolia's banana pudding through TSA, which was flagged due to its whipped cream content. They had to eat half to comply with liquid restrictions.

Recent Mentions

From post: Best Whole Chocolate Cake In Manhattan

"This commenter reports that a friend recently bought a whole chocolate cake from Magnolia and found it to be delicious."

Positive
Jul 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Red Velvet Cake

"Magnolia Bakery was mentioned, though the user's vote was negative."

Negative
Jul 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Cake Recommendations

"The author believes Magnolia's carrot cake and hummingbird cakes are better than their banana pudding, which they find overrated."

Positive
Jul 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Whats The Last Thing You Ate In The City That

"The user finds Magnolia's banana pudding to be good but not exceptionally noteworthy or deserving of its fame, suggesting other items are better."

Neutral
Jul 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Whats The Last Thing You Ate In The City That

"The user believes Magnolia's banana pudding is overrated compared to Southern versions, finding it average and a pale imitation of a Southern staple."

Negative
Jul 9, 2025View Comment →

From post: Whats The Last Thing You Ate In The City That

"The user enjoyed Magnolia's banana pudding, especially in the context of a pleasant day in Central Park."

Positive
Jul 9, 2025View Comment →

From post: Cakes For Delivery

"This user mentioned Magnolia Bakery in response to a request for cake delivery recommendations. The original post was looking for celebration cakes."

Neutral
Jun 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Dessert Place In Times Square

"Magnolia Bakery is mentioned as a potential recommendation for dessert."

Positive
Jun 29, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Trip Plan Lunch Help

"The commenter suggests Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding as a good dessert choice, despite it being a stereotypical option."

Positive
Jun 25, 2025View Comment →

From post: Are The Restaurants And Bars In Grand Central

"Magnolia Bakery sells its characteristic cupcakes."

Neutral
Jun 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Unique Or Specialty And Must Have Sweet Dishes

"The user expresses a personal love for Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding, acknowledging that it might be a controversial opinion."

Positive
Jun 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Your Favorite Dessert Spot In Manhattan

"The user lists the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery as a personal favorite, anticipating it might be an unpopular opinion."

Positive
Jun 4, 2025View Comment →

From post: 7 Day Food And Drink Itinerary

"A Magnolia Bakery location is noted to be available in the lower floor of the Grand Central mini food hall, making it convenient."

Neutral
Jun 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user informed others that there is a post-TSA Magnolia Bakery location at LGA Terminal B for those needing to transport pudding."

Neutral
Jun 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user humorously speculated that TSA agents might have eaten the original poster's banana pudding."

Neutral
Jun 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user agreed that Little Cupcake Bakeshop's banana pudding is better than Magnolia Bakery's."

Negative
Jun 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user humorously explained that they ate half of Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding outside of security, after a TSA agent advised it could pass if below the liquid limit, so their fiancé could try it at home."

Neutral
May 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user humorously asked if the original poster ate the banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery in front of TSA as a power move."

Neutral
May 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user advised taping the lid and placing Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding in a zip-lock bag for transport, noting that the lid can loosen and whipped cream doesn't stay solid."

Neutral
May 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Nyc Weekend Eats Part

"The user expressed gratitude for the timely heads-up regarding Magnolia Bakery's banana pudding and TSA rules, stating they now plan to check their pudding for an upcoming flight."

Neutral
May 31, 2025View Comment →