The best pies for the holidays in New York City

Get one of the best pies Gotham has to offer to complete your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year.

We tasted dozens of pies to whittle down a list of the very best. Whether you’re craving pecan, pumpkin or apple varieties—or something altogether different—we’ve got you covered for dessert on Thanksgiving. But order soon: these seasonal pastries from New York's top bakeries will be gone in no time.


RECOMMENDED: Thanksgiving in New York guide 2012


  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Apple cranberry spice pie at Ovenly

    Caramelized brown sugar cuts the tart bite of the cranberries and Winesap and Honeycrisp apples in this pie, which features an all-butter crust. Order by Nov 16 for pickup on Nov 20 and 21. 31 Greenpoint Ave at West St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (347-689-3608). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Pumpkin pie at One Girl Cookies

    A cornmeal crust lends a crunchy counterpoint to this pie’s creamy pumpkin filling, spiced with cinnamon, ginger and clove. Order by Nov 17 for pickup on Nov 22. 68 Dean St between Boerum Pl and Smith St, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (212-675-4996). Nine-inch pie $28.

  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Apple tarte Tatin at Dominique Ansel Bakery

    France native Dominique Ansel fans out caramelized Gala apple slices over a crumbly, butter-cookie crust to make this Gallic pastry classic. Order 24 hours ahead for pickup, now until Nov 21. 189 Spring St between Sullivan and Thompson Sts (212-219-2773). Eight-inch pie $40.

  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Pecan pie at Dominique Ansel Bakery

    This nutty pie achieves a deep, molasses-like sweetness thanks to a dose of bourbon and maple syrup, accented by a vanilla-flavored crust Order 24 hours ahead for pickup, now until Nov 21. 189 Spring St between Thompson and Sullivan Sts (212-219-2773). Eight-inch pie $36.

  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Apple butterscotch pecan streusel at Pie Corps

    A rich, pecan-speckled streusel decorates this pie, while the apple filling is brightened with lemon juice and sweetened with house-made butterscotch. Order by Nov 16 for pickup on Nov 19. 77 Driggs Ave between Kingsland Ave and Monitor St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (917-721-3052). Ten-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Caramel hazelnut pear tart at Bien Cuit

    Baker Zachary Golper slathers silky hazelnut cream and soft caramel on a tender pâté sucree crust and crowns the elegant tart with pear slivers roasted in vanilla sugar. Order by Nov 18 for pickup on Nov 22. 120 Smith St between Dean and Pacific Sts, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (718-852-0200). Six-inch tart $28.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Brown butter pumpkin pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds

    Butterscotch and nutty brown butter add depth to this lush pumpkin pie, which is brightened with lemon juice. Order for pickup on Nov 20, 21 and the morning of the 22nd. 439 Third Ave at 8th St, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-499-2917). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Pumpkin pie at Mitchel London

    This lighter-than-most pumpkin pie is made with evaporated milk and an earthy mix of autumnal spices. Order by Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21. 22A E 65th between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-737-2850). Ten-inch pie $20.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Pumpkin spice pie from First Prize Pies

    This creamy, spice-forward classic is made with roasted sugar pumpkins and molasses and loaded with allspice, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ground ginger. Order by Nov 12 for out-of-city delivery on Nov 21; order by Nov 15 for New York City delivery and pickup on Nov 21. Roni-Sue's Chocolates, Essex Street Market, 120 Essex St at Delancey St (646-338-6812). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Pumpkin butterscotch pie at Clinton St. Baking Company

    A heavy dosing of ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon lends a savory character to the creamy, custard filling of this pumpkin pie. Order by noon on Nov 20 for pickup by 10pm on Nov 21. 4 Clinton St between E Houston and Stanton Sts (646-602-6263). Nine-inch pie $25.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Pumpkin pie at Baked

    An oat-wheat crust cradles a velvety organic pumpkin filling at this beloved Red Hook bakeshop. Order by 7pm on Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21. 359 Van Brunt St between Dikeman and Wolcott Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-222-0345). Nine-inch pie $26.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Pumpkin pie at the City Bakery

    Pastry maestro Maury Rubin frames this hefty pumpkin pie with a thick, butter-drenched graham cracker crust. Order now for pickup by Nov 21. 3 W 18th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-366-1414). Nine-inch pie $40.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Apple pie at Pies 'n' Thighs

    A regal burnished butter crust covers a tall heap of local Granny Smith apples, folded with cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice. Request some aged Grafton cheddar, packaged separately, to shave atop your pie. Order by Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21. 166 South 4th St at Driggs Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347-529-6090). Nine-inch pie $30.

  • Photograph: Lizz Kuehl

    Salted Caramel Apple Pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds

    Sisters Emily and Melissa Elsen tweaked this traditional favorite with a hint of light caramel, herbaceous Angostura bitters and a Maldon-salt-speckled crust. Order for pickup on Nov 20, 21 and the morning of the 22nd.  439 Third Ave at 8th St, Gowanus, Brooklyn (birdsblack.com). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Apple pie at Bouchon Bakery

    A triple dose of apple---silky Fuji slices spread over a roasted compote of the fruit plus apple butter---is paired with almond cream on an almond streusel topping. Order by 5pm on Nov 20 for pickup on Nov 21 and the morning of the 22nd. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle at Broadway, third floor (212-823-9357). Eight-inch pie $28.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Apple-cranberry pie from First Prize Pies

    Super-thin slices of Granny Smith apples are mixed with seasonal varieties, plus a blend of fresh cranberries and dried ones plumped up with cognac and Cointreau. The filling is tossed with orange zest, ginger and cinnamon and encased in a flaky crust made with higher-fat European butter. Order by Nov 12 for out-of-city delivery on Nov 21; order by Nov 15 for New York City delivery and pickup on Nov 21. Roni-Sue's Chocolates, Essex Street Market, 120 Essex St at Delancey St (646-338-6812). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Apple pie at Baked

    Brown butter, bourbon, vanilla bean and cinnamon add flavor to soft hunks of Granny Smith apples, all encased in a flaky crust, in this fine version of the iconic American pastry. Order by 7pm on Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21. 359 Van Brunt St between Dikeman and Wolcott Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-222-0345). Nine-inch pie $26.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Rustic apple cranberry tart at Mitchel London

    Roasted apples and cranberries crown a croissantlike crust in this free-form beauty. Order by Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21. 22A E 65th between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-737-2850). Free-form tart $22.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Apple-cranberry pie at the Dutch

    Pastry chef Kierin Baldwin lightly seasons slices of Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and encloses them in a gorgeous sugar-flecked crust. Supplies are limited, so order now for pickup on Nov 20, 21 and 22. 131 Sullivan St at Prince St (212-677-6200). 8.5-inch pie $38.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Apple pie at Almondine

    French pastry chef Herv Poussot adds golden and dark raisins, plus a secret blend of spices, to a farmers' market mixture of at least four apple varieties. Order by Nov 22 for pickup between Nov 20 and 23. 442 9th St at Seventh Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-832-4607) * 85 Water St between Dock and Main Sts, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-797-5026). Nine-inch pie $25.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Bourbon ginger pecan pie from First Prize Pies

    This whiskey-spiked gem won Allison Kave the first annual Brooklyn Pie Bake-Off and launched her into the pie biz. Texas-grown organic pecans, three kinds of ginger (fresh, dried and candied) and maple syrup set it apart. Order by Nov 12 for out-of-city delivery on Nov 21; order by Nov 15 for New York City delivery and pickup on Nov 21.. Roni-Sue's Chocolates, Essex Street Market, 120 Essex St at Delancey St (646-338-6812). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Bourbon pecan pie at Blue Smoke

    Cream and bourbon keep this pecan pie's sweetness in check, and the crust gets a flaky boost from butter mixed with Pat LaFrieda lard. Serve it as the restaurant does with a dollop of tangy crème frache. Order by 6pm on Nov 22 for pickup on Nov 23. 116 E 27th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-447-7733)  255 Vesey St between North End Ave and West St (646-532-6007). Nine-inch pie $28.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Pecan pie at Bouchon Bakery

    Candied salted pecans, razor-thin chocolate curls and leaflets of brown-sugar-whipped cream decorate this elegant twist on the down-home classic. Order by 5pm on Nov 20 for pickup on Nov 21 and the morning of the 22nd. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle at Broadway, third floor (212-823-9357). Eight-inch pie $28.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    Chocolate pecan pie at Four & Twenty Blackbirds

    A layer of 72 percent dark chocolate and ginger spice up this superlative golden-brown pecan pie. Order now for pickup on Nov 20, 21 and the morning of the 22nd. 439 Third Ave at 8th St, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-499-2917). Nine-inch pie $38.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Pecan pie at Cannelle Patisserie

    This Queens patisserie dusts the edges of its glossy, nut-studded specimen with confectioners' sugar. Order by Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 22. 75-59 31st Ave between 76th and 77th Sts, Jackson Heights, Queens (718-565-6200). Six-inch pie $24.

  • Photograph: Tia Ryan

    Candy pie at Momofuku Milk Bar

    A riff on the Take 5 candy bar, this salty, gooey delight layers caramel, peanut butter nougat, minipretzels and milk chocolate on a chocolate cookie crust. Order online by Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21; order by noon Nov 20 for delivery on Nov 21. For locations, visit momofuku.com/milk-bar. Ten-inch pie $44.

  • Photograph: Lindsay M Taylor

    S'mores pie from First Prize Pies

    In this ode to the fireside snack, a beautifully brled layer of marshmallow and a homemade graham-cracker crust sandwich a velvety filling of Callebaut milk chocolate, cream and eggs. Order by Nov 12 for out-of-city delivery on Nov 21; order by Nov 15 for New York City delivery and pickup on Nov 21. Roni-Sue's Chocolates, Essex Street Market, 120 Essex St at Delancey St (646-338-6812). Nine-inch pie $35.

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Key lime pie at Blue Smoke

    Offer a citrusy counterpoint to the Thanksgiving triumvirate of apple, pecan and pumpkin pies with this Southern classic. Pastry chef Jenn Giblin snagged the recipe from her Floridian aunt: Key lime zest and juice add zip to a custardy base of heavy cream, eggs and sweetened condensed milk. Chill it down in the freezer before serving. Order by 6pm on Nov 20 for pickup by 10pm on Nov 21. 116 E 27th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-447-7733)  255 Vesey St between North End Ave and West St (646-532-6007). Nine-inch pie $28. 

  • Photograph: Marielle Solan

    Cinnamon bun pie at Momofuku Milk Bar

    Cinnamon oat streusel and liquid cheesecake top this puffy bun pie. Use it to round out your dessert offerings, or serve it as a low-maintenance breakfast before or after the big night. Order online by Nov 19 for pickup on Nov 21; order by noon Nov 20 for delivery on Nov 21. For locations, visit momofuku.com Ten-inch pie $44.

  • Photograph: Jessica Lin

    Maple walnut custard pie at the Blue Stove

    This fluffy custard pie balances maple-syrup sweetness with cinnamon and orange zest. Toasted walnuts lend the homey treat a smoky nuttiness. Order by Nov 15 for pickup through Nov 22. 415 Graham Ave at Withers St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-766-7419). Nine-inch pie $27.

Photograph: Jessica Lin

Apple cranberry spice pie at Ovenly

Caramelized brown sugar cuts the tart bite of the cranberries and Winesap and Honeycrisp apples in this pie, which features an all-butter crust. Order by Nov 16 for pickup on Nov 20 and 21. 31 Greenpoint Ave at West St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (347-689-3608). Nine-inch pie $35.


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