Asian Buffet & Mongolian Grill
175 Market St, Potsdam, NY, 13676
Asian Buffet & Mongolian Grill Menu
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Address :
175 Market St
Potsdam, NY, 13676 - Phone (315) 268-1688
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Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Amber R.
A word of advice, for whoever goes here: DO NOT. Go during Fashion's Night Out or any sort of event where they're serving free little sips of champagne. I'd give this reviews a 1-star (or a no-star, because this seriously wrecked my personal view towards MC). I had went this past FNO 2011, this store was open giving out free champagne and a free macaron for the event. I got there around 9 or so with a bunch of my friends, some having never been there and were from California, and the people working there were a MESS. An absolute MESS. The majority of the cats behind the counter were DRUNK. There was one guy who was like, I dunno, emotional for whatever reason, the chicks were talking amongst themselves and whatnot despite there being like 10 people right in front of them trying to get served. They were very disoriented, like they ended up drinking most of the champagne themselves and drunk themselves into a stupor... Finally one of the girls, she was white with I think long brownish wavy/curvy hair, and she was just. red in the face. It was ridiculous. I was like okay... she's a bit tipsy... though obviously you shouldn't even be drinking on the job. I was actually planning to buy more than one but she was just drunk enough to not even get that message through her head and I left it alone... I was trying to get my free macaron that she was holding with the tongs and she just. dropped it on the counter. "Oh I'm sorry... I thought you had it in your hand.." Luckily there was another girl who seemed attentive, who helped serve my other friends. But regardless, most of the staff looked pitiful. I meant to give a formal complaint to the head but I never got along to it. Oh well. Like I said, never again will I try to go there when they're doing things like that. Obviously majority of the staff was far from professional. Protip: wanna booze on the job? Wait till the store's actually closed. Other than that experience... I love the wide selection, the freshness of the macarons tend to be a hit or a miss. I have bought a bunch of them and ended up having them sit in my room or something for a pretty long time so they'd get soft and unfortunately maybe only half of them actually gets soft enough to eat and enjoy. I don't visit Macaron Cafe very often for this reason. I prefer to just go to the one shop in K-town that sells macarons for cheaper...
(2)Courtney M.
My coworker was sent an assortment box of these a short while back. They were AMAZING. They had the perfect consistency and each one was compeltely flavorful! Needless to say, we devoured them fairly quickly. After falling deeply in love, I simply couldn't get enough. After googling the company, it turns out that they have a branch just around the corner from my office! Though they are a bit pricey ($2.25 each), I stop by occassionally after lunch for a sweet treat. The workers here are all French and are happy to give out samples. They also offer coffees and lunch items such as sandiwches and salads, though I have yet to try them. It does get pretty packed here during lunchtime. My personal favorite is the raspberry macaron; between the two halves is a delectable and refreshing raspberry jelly! It just melts in your mouth.
(5)Laura Y.
Bastille Day led me to buy a bunch of French goodies even though I'm probably the only person in my family that actually ate them. Nevertheless, I bought of box of six that day and for 2 bucks per macaron, I thought it was a steal. None of their macarons tasted particularly bad (how can they? they're just pure sugar) but my favorites were the dark chocolate and the vanilla one that they made just for Bastille Day. I have a feeling that their selection that day probably wasn't their full selection so I will be making a trip there soon to try everything else!
(5)Jamie F.
Macaron Café on Madison is open on Sundays! The staff was friendly, but I think the male workers need to practice using the macaron tongs better. Either he was nervous or really strong because he kept cracking the outer shells when picking them up. No complaints though, he put those right back and gave me new ones for my gift boxes :) ...I wonder what they do with the broken macarons 'cause I wouldn't mind munching them at a discount - these babies are expensive at $2.25 each!! I personally prefer gifting these French delicacies in clear plastic boxes vs. luxury boxes - just ask for ribbon and you'll save a few bucks. This is not the primary bakery location, so go to the original on 36th Street for fresher batches.
(4)Tramale T.
Okay, here's the deal... Dude, chicks love macarons. Seriously. This is a true story. I bought some of these and walked up to the UES during a lunch break because I needed to stretch my legs. Women, girls, tweens, babies in pink booties ... all of them ... were breaking their necks to check out the box of macarons i was carrying. The Macaron Cafe is keenly aware of this as they give you your bounty in a clear plastic box and put them in a clear plastic bag. Confection? Certainly. Aphrodisiac? Probably! Want to get laid? Get a box of these and just sit down in any random location in SOHO or the Village. You'll need to bring a friend just so that he can pick up your scraps. (This review was written in guy code. It is not for the ladies.)
(4)Carol S.
Ohhh kay so first of all, make sure you know that the entrance is not ON Madison! (I know it says that in parenthesis but just in case you miss that.) There IS a 625 Madison but that's not it. I don't know why all the addresses on the internet don't specifically say that it's not on Madison! Anyways, after you find the sliver of an entrance on 59th street (between Madison and Park, closer to Madison on the south side) the rest is easy. Tons of macaroon flavors and they were ALL delicious. I feel slightly better at this new macaroon fad (over the cupcake fad) because it's not like I know how to make these fluffy pieces of heaven! They're actually quite big and I think it's well worth it to pay $2.25 for a macaroon than a cupcake. (Especially if you can make a box of cupcakes for $5 that'll taste exactly the same). I got the espresso, raspberry and white chocolate. I think the black & white is supposed to be the best but they're always out! The white chocolate was definitely the best one of the three, although the raspberry jam filling was out of this world! Something about their chocolate is special, I guess! The only bad thing was my latte. Ugh, the espresso is terrible! Bitter and disgusting to the max. Maybe next time I'll settle for a hot cocoa or nothing. I can't believe I spent $4 something on such a gross latte! I only wish they served great espresso drinks... then this place would be perfect! Oh and it couldn't hurt to be a little bit bigger too!
(4)nadia w.
Love that this place just opened a block away from work.... One of the few places to get a decent lunch! The sandwiches are amazing, my usual is the Norwegian, the salads are also delish. Now to the macarons, what a bite size piece of heaven, my favorite are passion fruit and pistachio.... yummy.
(5)Danny W.
I discovered this place during the Bastille Day festival last year where they had a stand. I bought 2 here that day and never regretted the decision since. I've been to the store countless times, each time to refill on a box of 6 or 12. They offer many flavors here, but make sure you drop by more than once because they frequently rotate the offerings...you may have to go a few times before you can try all their flavors. You can't go wrong with whatever you choose, they are all good! I personally like the buttercream fillings (e.g. pistachio, coconut, rose lychee) more than the fruit jams (raspberry, cassis, etc.). Next time, surprise your girl with a box of these instead of chocolates, she'll love them!
(5)Trent C.
2.5 stars The macaroon I had had a cold centre so I think they may keep them in a fridge which I'm not quite accustomed to. Will it satisfy a macaroon craving, probably but I personally think Bouchon bakery is a lot better.
(2)Grace B.
Came here for lunch. The line for this place during weekday lunchtime can seem a bit crazy with the line going out the door. However, service is pretty fast. Seating is pretty limited but there are tables in the back of the cafe as well as table service for those who are looking for that. I got the Spinach Chicken salad for $10.25 which includes 5 thin slices of chicken, avocado, goat cheese, toasted almonds and cranberries on top of spinach. The salad also comes with 4 slices of bread and the olive oil balsamic vinaigrette on the side which was a nice addition. While the salad was relatively good, the chicken was pretty dry and the avocado was not that fresh. I had to soak the chicken in olive oil for it to retain its moistness. Otherwise, decent salad but probably overpriced for the portion size. Of course their macarons are a different story as this chain is one of my favorite places to get a macaron in the city.
(4)Carina P.
MACARON CAFE IS MY HEART AND SOUL. I stumbled upon it by accident, but now I keep returning to its convenient midtown location. The macaroons are pricey, but cheaper than Lauderee. The interior is pink and picturesque. I recommend getting the box of six for $15. My favorite is the peanut butter and jelly macaroon. I also have tried and liked the passion fruit, white chocolate and Nutella in that order.
(5)Elton W.
Excellent macarons (some of the best in the city) and especially good French-style sandwiches and salads. My favorites are the pistachio macarons, the Paris ham sandwich, the Norwegian smoked salmon sandwich, the spinach & chicken salad and the French Cesar salad.
(4)Alyssa P.
Oh my word, this might just be the narrowest bakery shop everrrr. Certainly not ideal for the dozens of people outside waiting to get in for Macaron Day! Luckily the staff was prepared and stood at the door allowing in 3 or 4 visitors at a time. If you can get past the tight space then you'll be all set because the staff behind the counter was excellent and the macarons even better! As part of Mac Day the shop offered up any flavor in the case for free and then the option to purchase any additional macs. I picked up a orange cream, dark chocolate and a passion fruit. Least favorite in the line up was the Orange Blossom. Blah. Sure the cookie tasted like a creamsicle, but the cream filling was heavy and flavorless. The other two though... Dark Chocolate - so rich and delicious! And the Passion Fruit had amazing flavor - loved that both the cookie and filling were passion fruit! Macaron Cafe offers up a quality product a a good size (larger than most macarons around) and a good cost ($2.75 each). They're among my favorites in the city. -------------- Note - the address says Madison Ave, but we definitely entered on 59th St.
(4)Noushky F.
Purpose: "March 20, 2015 to discover macarons in New York, as bakeries across the city once again come together to promote macarons and to help raise awareness (and money) for City Harvest. Participating locations will provide one macaron per customer, with limited quantities by location, between 10am and 5pm, or until supplies last. To receive a free macaron tell the shop you are there for Macaron Day NYC." Environment: Small and cozy. It's like a long hallway. Cute heart painting on the wall. Taste: Creme Brûlée had so much potential, but no.The consistency disrespected my stomach. Yeah I said it. I felt like I was eating crackers.(French accent) Sweet cracka monsieur! They probably gave the customers for Macaron Day the free old macarons so it wouldn't affect their fresh batch of macarons. Would I come back?: Na, it disrespected my stomach and my teeth.
(2)Nicole G.
Came here for the first time and was delighted despite the subpar reviews. I ordered the Nutella and gingerbread for a friend and for myself got the seasonal Pomme Amour The Pomme Amour was wonderful. The cookie itself had a crunchy outer shell and chewy inside. The filling was different from usual- it was a caramel apple jellish/gooey type filling and was wonderful. They are pricey at $2.50 each, so I will be trying the other flavors sparingly but I am excited for my next return.
(4)Heather L.
Love their rose lychee, white chocolate, and wedding almond. 3 for $7.50. Their macaroons are good and bigger than most places.
(4)Leslie-Anne W.
While trying to escape the mad shopping crowds, my friend and I stopped into the Macaron Cafe, our appetites charged after reading about the daily special, a croque monsieur, on the sidewalk sign. I am passionate about macarons. We ordered three macarons and two sandwiches. The staff was beyond friendly and even went so far as to offer my friend a free refill of her expensive lemonade. The sandwich was delicious and the macarons were good, not the best I have had, but definitely worth a taste if you are in the neighbourhood. All in all, a good lunch and a great escape from the sea of shopping crazed tourists.
(3)Travis S.
We stopped here for a quick lunch after a morning walk in Central Park. It was quiet, friendly, and satisfying. The sandwiches were good, not great. And the waitresses were friendly, but a little slow (and they forgot to bring our waters and had to be reminded to bring our macarons). The saving grace here are the macarons. They are magically delicious. It's kind of overwhelming when you walk in and see them all displayed in a rainbow of colors, representing all kinds of different flavors. At $2.50 a pop, they're not cheap little mouthfuls, but they're worth every penny. My suggestion is, skip the sandwiches, go someplace else for lunch, and hit Macaron up for dessert. Order three or four different flavors (the pistachio was my fave), a cup of coffee, and then sit back and relax at one of the small tables in the back. And you might want to grab a couple to go, since you'll crave them every day for about a week or two after your first visit!
(3)Hannah C.
never really knew what a macaron should taste like until i tried a macaron from macaron. and let me tell you...it was such a delight eating my delicately colored vanilla, nutella and pistachio flavored macarons, one after the other. it's a bit pricey for one, and even the ones that come in packs aren't that much cheaper than buying them all separately. they would make excellent party favors because of the adorable packaging that it comes in.
(4)PT L.
The place was very cute and would definitely make a girl go "awww" when she first walks in... The colorful display of macarons will delight your eyes.. BUT.. they really didn't taste that good. The vanilla one was my favorite, but nothing special. Did not like the ones names after flowers (Rose, Lavender), it was like eating potpourri for me.
(2)Crystal R.
This place has the best tasting and looking macarons in the city hands down. They are pricey but worth it when you consider this a treat and not for everyday fare. The varieties of flavors and colors are amazing. I would definitely recommend to others! Have never had the sandwiches, and the staff is ok. The place is small but very neat and organized.
(5)David T.
Cute space with quick service and the location is great for a quick snack when shopping in midtown. They have various salads and sandwiches but you come here for the macarons. Flavours tried: Rose: Nice but very subtle rose flavour. The pink colour is so lush and tempting though. Could have been a bit stronger in taste. (B+) French Vanilla: Good but a tad boring. Strong vanilla flavour but again, it is only vanilla. (B) Pistachio: Realistic pistachio flavour; nutty and sweet. (A) Cassis: Best one of the 4 that I tried. Beautiful purple colour and bursts of blackcurrant flavour in each bite. (A+) $2.25 each is a fair price, especially for NYC...French macarons in Boston usually sell for at least that much and the selection of flavours here is much greater than most places...of course, it is their namesake item.
(4)Barb L.
This place is easy to miss if you are walking rather quickly. In any case, I used to live nearby, so I thought I would give it a shot, since I am always looking for macarons comparable to those that I treat myself to when in Paris. The staff is friendly, and the decor is quite quaint. But aside from that, that is all. The consistency of the macarons is not right at all; the middle is far too chewy. Decent macarons should be have a tenderness to their flavor, not needing your teeth to chow down on it. The biscuit component, though, is all right. It's the filling that isn't correctly done and spoils the treat.
(2)Natalie S.
I walked into Macaron Cafe and felt like I walked into a world in Candyland. Its sooooo cute in there. I ordered a box of 12 and decided to try a bunch of flavors. The pumpkin, coconut, dark chocolate, and rhubarb WERE AMAZING!!!!!!! I loved them and will surely be returning to have some more yummy goodness.
(5)Martha M.
The texture of the meringue is perfect, the filling sufficiently chewy and soft. The flavors are subtle, not fake or overpowering. The wedding almond is amazing. This is a bit pricey for eggs white and almond extract, but that hasn't stopped me. I wish there were more seating in front to encourage lingering, coffee sipping and snacking on macarons. Also, I'd love to see just rose and lavender flavors--currently, I think the rose and lavender are paired with honey.
(4)Anna Y.
I give 2 stars because "Meh. I've experienced better." is exactly how I would describe Macaron Cafe. My 2 biggest complaints = atmosphere and selection. With regard to atmosphere: any shop offering a superb collection of Mariage Frères teas alongside delicate French macarons on 59th and Madison should never resemble some obnoxious, pop-white, bubble tea/froyo stand. In other words, don't be deceived by the stately, ebony-wood exterior of this cafe. Secondly, I found the actual flavor selection majorly disappointing....no pistachio or caramel-sea salt??? Yes, I understand they probably rotate their flavors quite regularly, but these 2 (as well as rose) should be a standard feature. I see that several other reviewers have raved about what varieties they've tried at Macaron Cafe, but I've indulged in these cookies enough times to know which ones to consistently expect (especially in a place that boasts macarons as their main attraction). Simply put, if you happen to be passing by while in the mood for a decent macaron, then a quick drop-in will do. However, if you're looking for something infinitely more cultivated and satisfying, check out La Maison du Macaron on 23rd (Chelsea).
(2)Jodel M.
The service was standard but the product itself, the macaron, does not satisfy the macaron craving. The flavors were bland and could not be differentiated or easily identified. If you've had the macarons from Laduree in Paris or at the very least La Maison du Chocolat, then save yourself some time. Not worth the visit.
(2)Julie H.
I've never had macarons before and wanted to see what the big hoopla was about, so my friends and I decided to pick some up as we were passing by. After some contemplation, we finally decided on the rhubarb, green tea matcha, and nutella. All three were pretty good (light & chewy), but nutella was my favorite. They were decent (not sure what to compare them to since it was my first time), but worth $2.25 each? I think not...
(3)Luckie T.
personal favs: white chocolate; pumpkin cinnanmon & creme brule i have a friend who loves macarons as well & i bought her macaron shaped candles! so cute. i only wish they were scented as well :
(5)Muppet C.
I feel brokenhearted giving Macaron cafe 3 stars, but that's all it deserves in my book, if only because I spent a year living in Paris, where les macarons are not only delicious, but sinfully good. The ones at Macaron cafe are just... very good. Much better than almost any I've had in new york, but a far cry from the masters in Paris. Crust is too chewy and fillings are not quite as fine. That said, let me say that these are GOOD! A macaron in general is a delicious treat and they are certainly ambitious and well inspired on their flavor choices. Worth a stop if you've never had one, but if you're looking for Laduree or Pierre Herme, you will be disappointed. Cute aprons on the waitresses though!
(3)Emma C.
I'm all about value. These tiny macarons almost topping 3 buckaroos each do not impress me in the slightest. Yes, I will fall head over heels for their impeccable iced coffee with soy milk. And yes, I will fork over 3 beans so I can keep my eyes open for 9 hours in front mindless Excel sheets. But no, I will NOT pay 3 bones for a bite of sweetness that will get zapped to oblivion in less than 2 seconds. Head up to Financier instead on 59th and Lex - they have amazing macarons the size of a pizza pie (well, almost!) for only $2.75 and they taste better. :) Just a head's up.
(3)Tanja C.
The macaroons were good, I personally like them a little bit more on the soft and chewy side. Not sure if they are worth 2.50 each if you can get a crepes with nutella for 7$. But my big problem was the coffee -bitter and sour.
(3)Cinnabon C.
hit or miss. sometimes the macarons are fresh, but more often that not, you can tell they've been in the chilled fridge too long and are dried out with a tough chewiness. Its worth it to take the bus up madison 20 blocks or so and get the Laduree ones instead.
(2)Lara S.
The sandwiches here are excellent. Price is on par with any other sandwich lunch place in the area, but the quality is so much better. All the sandwiches are served on a french baguette, with fresh and abundant fillings. I tried the vegetarian one and even that was excellent- came with spicy mustard mayo. I'm abandoning pret a manger for sandwiches for so long as I am working close to the Macaron Cafe. Service here is just as excellent as the food too. I only wished I discovered this lunch spot sooner.
(5)Sno N.
Highly addictive Macaroons. My Favorite Macaroons are the Chocolate, Nutella & Pumpkin. I love this quaint little place. I bet you can't eat just one!
(4)Amela sandra D.
This cafe is long & narrow. It's more of a Macaroon Boutique than Cafe. The decor is so beautiful & sparkly. You almost feel like you're in a Breakfast @ Tiffany's exclusive never before seen scene. The macaroons are perfectly aligned & there are so many colorful flavors. Coming here is a must! I went here one rainy day & it was the best rainy day ever because I came here. Wonderful experience.
(5)Ellen O.
The macarons here are some of the worst I've ever tasted. They're gummy/chewy. They need to send their people to Laduree in Paris to learn how to make proper macarons. I've tried them twice (most recently yesterday). Almost so bad that I was tempted to spit it out. Shame on them!
(1)Pamela S.
I just don't know... maybe my vision of what a macaron should be is limited to the macarons that I make at home but even so... the shells all tasted the same - put some pistachios in the pistachio macaron for crying out loud! It tasted like the macaron was filled with pistachio marzipan, which of course I couldn't verify because there was so little filling between the two shells you couldn't tell what the filling was to begin with. At first I was going to give Macaron Cafe two stars, but now that I'm thinking about it if I'm having a macaron craving I'll walk by here instead of stopping to have a macaron. The apricot macaron tasted gross. The pineapple one, I love pineapple, tasted like they used that dried pineapple that's coated in sugar in the ganache. It was kinda gross too. This place is just not for me.
(1)Carol W.
Not the best macarons I've had in terms of texture, but very tasty. Particularly loved the rose lychee!!!
(4)Tanya M.
This place just doesn't do it for me. I love macarons and yes I may be very hard to please because well I've tried the best macarons from Paris. The macarons here are not the right texture and I actually find them to be stale most of the time. Yes they have many flavors but who cares about the flavors if the macaron itself just doesn't taste right.
(2)Dan Q.
yummy! [chicken sandwich special] What really makes this good is using nutty bread with grains and the kick from the mustard. [macarons] pretty good for 2.25. Hazelnut is better than pistachio though.
(5)Jeanne C.
Great service, good food, and delectable macarons.
(4)Ed L.
Sure people come to Macaron Cafe for the Macaron which I thoroughly enjoy, but I come to this Macaron Cafe on a daily basis for their delicious lunch sandwiches. My favorite is the Paris, which is ham and Gruyere with a light homemade mayonnaise and cornichons. The sandwiches on baguettes are popular and often they run out, so bet their early to be sure you get your favorite sandwich. If not, there are several other tasty menu options such as the French Ceasar salad and the Duck Confit. The shop itself is narrow with a tiny dining area that's a bit cramped and not ideal for long lunches. The service is quick and efficient, but there is no table service. I recommend grabbing your meal and heading to Central Park or the fountain by the Plaza to enjoy your lunch.
(4)Josephine L.
Let's get our macar-ON, yeah! Yeah? K, puns aren't really my thing, but with a name like MacarOn Cafe, you just have to make the joke. At least the store clearly illustrates how to pronounce the cookie. To this day, I will never understand why English-speakers use "macaron" and "macaroon" interchangeably--they're two completely different things, you rubes. Anyway, MacarOn Cafe isn't the best macaron place in the city, but it's pretty good for colorless Midtown. I tried the Jasmine, Nutella, Maple Rhubarb, Lychee Rose, Earl Grey and some kind of chocolate. The Nutella and Ear Grey were most flavorfully faithful to their namesakes. However, across the board, the filling was a tad too sticky and the biscuits were too hard, making the macaron seem stale. A fresh macaron should be split easily by your fingers or a knife, not crumble at the slightest bit of aggression. The cafe has some dining space and a rather lovely tea selection dominated by Mariage Freres. Table service is available for those staying in.
(3)Mimi T.
Very tiny shop and they don't seem to have an efficient way to order. Basically, if a group of people come in whoever pushes the most will get served first. Macarons: SO GOOD! Decently priced and so many flavors! If you don't see a flavor you want they will pull them from the back so make sure you look at the list and not just what is in the glass. The outside was perfect. They all had nice feet and had the slight crunch while chewy. The insides weren't overpowering and gave the cookie the perfect balance that all macarons should have. French press & espresso coffee: They were pre-made and sitting in a carafe. I would rather they make it from scratch so it would be fresher and hotter. My coffee was luke warm and wasn't really worth getting. Price: definitely more reasonable than Lauderee. I would come back for sure :)
(4)Brianna C.
Gorgeous display! Really liked the marshmallow/milk chocolate and pistachio macarons. Creme brûlée and rose lychee also good, but the jasmine was not our favorite. Will be back to try all the flavors!
(4)Amanda L.
Gotten a quick, delicious take-out breakfast here on a number of occasions. Cheap for high quality French food and a real treat for breakfast before work. Egg and cheese on a baguette is clutch with a freshly brewed iced black tea. Friendly service to boot. Yum!
(4)Joanna T.
We had visited Laduree UES earlier in the day but found ourselves walking past Macaron Café. It was my last chance to get good macarons in NY before heading home, so don't judge me! Macarons here are $2.50/each - so slightly cheaper than Laduree, and the cookies themselves are about 20% larger. Where Laduree seems to focus on a single flavor, Macaron Café has some very inventive combinations. We tried Crème Brulee (amazing - with little bits of carmelized sugar), Passionfruit (slightly tart), Lychee Rose (very good, Laduree's rose is a little better) and Honey Lavender (my favorite of all). Macaron Café's offerings have strong flavors - I mean that in a good way - and the texture of their macarons was very good. This location also sells sandwiches and coffees but there are only 1-2 seats so plan on taking your purchases to go. Overall - definitely above average macarons - but they aren't Laduree.
(4)Cassandra T.
Stopped in here to grab something small to ease my hunger. Glad I didn't come in with any real expectations because the macaron I had was truly a disappointment. The staff was nice. I asked the lady for some recommendations, and I went with the nutella macaron. My first bite immediately reminded me of the macarons I had in the French McDonalds: although it was chewy and tasted like it was very refrigerated, it was adequate enough to satiate a macaron craving. The difference between Macaron Cafe and McDonalds France is that at least at McDonalds, the mediocre macarons were affordable. The ones from Macaron Cafe, although they were a nice big size, came out to $2.50 a pop, more than I'd like to pay for a macaron that had me going "meh."
(2)Jessica K.
The best macarons in the city.Their cappuccino was perfect and the atmosphere is very nice.
(5)Kia R.
IF you look at my reviews, I love macarons. They are probably my favorite dessert. I especially love the chewy variety. I give this place 3 1/2. It was pretty tasty. I would definitely come back again in the future and try some of the other flavors.
(4)Sally B.
It's never the wrong time for a macaron. My friends and I stopped in here on a long walk around the city. They had been here the day before and absolutely insisted that we come back - and rightly so. In addition to being adorable, this place serves delicious macarons in great flavors. Everything from creme brulee to nutella to rose lychee. At $2.50 each, you might not be able to afford every mouth-watering flavor, but that just means you'll need to come back soon. Their coffee was delicious too - I had an iced cold brew which kept me going all afternoon. Their espresso is also top notch. Minus one star because it doesn't seem to be properly staffed - coffees were being made out of order and a huge line formed behind us, despite the fact that we ordered pretty simple things. The one person there was trying her best to handle the crowd on her own, but the experience would be more pleasant with an extra set of hands.
(4)Andre Philippe F.
Best breakfast deal in midtown. I go almost every day and have the Baguette with Egg, Cheese and Bacon. Eggs are a little runny... Sorta like hotel buffet kind, white cheddar is verry good and the bacon is fantastic. $5 bucks.. Sublime... The only thing they need to do it toast the baguette. Its a bit chewy = frozen probably... The staff is super nice, their coffee is good, strong but not cheap. Stop in if you didn't have breakfast for a quick bite. They also make it in croissant.
(4)A O.
The positive is that there is a wide assortment of macaron flavors here, which makes it fun to pick out flavors to try. The negative is that these macarons are really chewy. Most macarons at other places have a nice shell, so when you bite into it them you get the texture of shell-to-softness. Not here. It's all chewy. Some of the fillings are jelly-like with seeds, which also makes for a strange macaron experience.
(3)Rana R.
The space itself is small, not meant to be a hang out spot although there are a handful of tables & chairs in the back. Tried their breakfast sandwiches, nothing too special there. Except the dark hot chocolate I ordered. At first it was bland but the cashier said to add sugar & that I did. It turned out soooo yummy! A must try if you're in the café. The macarons were probably the best I've tasted, we don't have a lot of "authentic" macaron shops in SD.. They're definitely not too sweet and it stayed fresh even about 3 days after I bought them. The lady said they'd last for about a week if they were refrigerated but who would want to prolong eating these delicious treats?! The price for each macaron is $2.50.. ($14 for half a dozen, $27 for a dozen I believe) Steep, yes, but worth it. Grabbed 2 dozen trying almost every flavor. Everything was good, but my personal favorites are: Nutella, Pistachio, Crème Brulee & Mocha. A definite must try when in the city. The other places were way too expensive so I stuck to this cafe. May be hard to find as it is on the side of the building. They even let you choose your ribbon color.. Don't know why this place only has 3 1/2 stars, I thoroughly enjoyed their macarons.
(4)Ben V.
Great tea and a macaron while sitting on the large black leather couches in the back of this little hide out. Nice refuge for the fifth avenue hustle and bustle.
(4)Juliet F.
I am not a macaron connoisseur, but I know these weren't the best I ever had. I tried the Caramel Crunch, Wedding Almond and a third one I can't even remember and they were all just okay. The cookie part was a little chewy and they all tasted the same. I wouldn't go back.
(3)Barbara G.
Four stars for everything except the macarons (which I would rate a 2.5). Luckily for this little cafe, the staff (always friendly and courteous), coffee (nice and strong), and food (yummy breakfast and lunch options) are all wonderful. The macarons can be a bit inconsistent. Sometimes they are better than average, sometimes worse. The flavors are all nice (I like Rose the best for its subtlety), but the texture and consistency (maybe because of the refrigeration?) can sometimes be a little off.
(4)Alison C.
Not enough to say about this place. So good. Tried several macarons in the city by far the best. Small little place, but so worth it.
(5)Julie S.
Completely mediocre macarons and my mocha was unimpressive. The variety of flavors was ample but the product wasn't impressive.
(2)Wing C.
So many different exotic and classic flavors to choose from!! I can't help but take a bite of each whenever I get my dozen! My fiancé and I fell in love with macarons after our visit to Paris last summer. My fiancé enjoys the more traditional flavors like white chocolate, pistachio, coconut while I crave the flowery ones like rose and violetta. I prefer the ones without the fruity jam fillings. Although none of the flavors are as good as Jasmine i had in Paris, I'm still a huge fan of all the macarons here! Will continue to come by to pick up a box of 12 on the weekend to treat myself :)))!
(4)Lynn R.
Let me start off by saying I don't think I am refined enough for the macaron. I'm very content with a saran-wrapped cookie from a convenience store and for awhile my favorite sweet treat was the Hostess Cupcake. That being said...I guess I'm not surprised that I was just "whelmed" at the macaron. The presentation was lovely and I give major points for that. I ordered a strawberry rhubarb and nutella and both were delicate little pillows of confection perfection. Each one was dusted with a shimmery little powder that gave them a touch of elegance. The flavor of the strawberry rhubarb was a little too delicate for my liking - but perhaps that's what it's intended to be like? It was hard to get any taste at all out of it. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't...anything? I was wanting a little tart & sweet from it. I did like the nutella macaron much much better. The center was very creamy and delicious. At $2.50 a pop, I don't think I would rush out to try them again. I do think they're worth a whirl and if macarons are you thing, I'm sure that the Macaron Cafe is perfect for that. Just not my cup of tea...especially at that price point.
(3)Helen C.
Pistachio macaron: holy hell, why is it so friggin' chewy?! I had to literally bite down and pull it apart in order to eat it. I thought it was a prank macaron with its chewing gum consistency. I did not detect any pistachio flavor but there are bits of it around the rubbery discs. Lemon macaron: way better than the pistachio macaron, by a landslide. The discs were delicate and crumbled apart like a normal macaron and was not chewy at all. A hint of lemon at best but at least it's the better of the two. Welp, I won't be returning.
(2)Katherine S.
I had their Peanut Butter and Jelly macaron. This one was like biting into a legit PB&J sandwich. I almost felt like I was in kindergarden all over again...now I'm just looking for my mat for nap time and thinking about those weird little OJ cartons. Super delicious.
(5)Ashley M.
I got these macaroons sent to me as a present but when they arrived they were all melted and the freeze packs weren't even cold. Super upsetting because I've had many things shipped to me (cupcakes, cakes) etc and they all were cold when I got them and had dry ice but this one had three baby sized freezer bags in them. When j opened the box it was sticky and all the macaroon insides were completely liquified and the whole thing was a mess. And I was home when they were delivered so it's not like the package was sitting outside. I feel like if you know you're shipping during the summer months either tell the customer you can't ship it or put dry ice or other precautionary measures in there. There's no point in getting macaroons that have no filling. I called in to ask what I should do with them and was told to throw them away because they probably went bad "in the heat" if wherever they were shipped through was hot. So, essentially my mom wasted her money to send me these because they're not edible. Cool. Don't get any shipments from here obviously.
(1)Alex G.
A little pricey but delicious macarons none the less. Macaron cafe is a nice selection of interesting flavors that your typical Pasty shop would not carry.
(5)Jenny S.
Came for the glorious macaron day where certain NYC patisseries give out free macarons Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of Macaron Cafe AT ALL!! I choose pistachio (one of the top 6 sellers) & it was SO Hard to chewy as if it were STALE!!! These macarons are a bit larger than your the average but SIZE ISN'T EVERYTHING!
(2)Dominique F.
Finally got to try the creme brulee macaron amongst others and it's good, but not super fantastic. I also had the parfait which was actually pretty good. Overall, still not my favorite macarons in the city.
(3)Margaret L.
Beautiful cafe, with even more beautiful looking macarons.
(3)Shirley W.
It's a cute place in the middle of downtown. They have lots of Macaron selections. Their napkins are cute so are the catering boxes. They also serve sandwiches. Macarons are average I guess, but the packaging are very cute and classy.
(4)Cece Y.
Bustling place during lunchtime on National Macaron Day. There's a booth area in the back where you can enjoy their varied offerings: salads, sandwiches, juices, macarons ($2.50 each). The employee happily handed me their Pistachio macaron when I asked for their most popular flavor. It was so creamy that when I bit into it, the filling oozed out the sides. Wasn't sure if I'd like a pistachio dessert, but I was satisfied. It could've been a tad bit more flavorful and less viscous, however. 3.5 stars.
(3)Elaina R.
Having been both to this Cafe and Laudré I think that the Macaron Cafe is better. They have a wide selection of flavors and the prices are better. The lemon is by far the best! The staff is friendly and helpful, they love giving out suggestions. The only down side is the size of the place, I wish there was more seating.
(5)John W.
Horrible! That is my whole review. Old macaron and the coffee was horrible as well. I will give it a second shot and see.. Soon
(1)Alan R.
Gluten Free or not, have a sweet tooth.. FALL in LOVE here Gluten free delicacies, stop thinking just go there ASAP!
(5)Marla B.
I'm gonna say it: better than Laduree. Just as expensive, though. My favorite flavors are cassis, espresso, and cranberry. I really hope to try the apricot in the future, though. The staff could be a bit more friendly.
(4)Megan F.
Major disappointment. I've been crazy about macarons since long before they could even be found in the U.S. My favorites in NYC are Lauduré (of course), and Maison du Macaron in Chelsea. Well these macarons at Macaron Cafe are just embarrassing. Although they do have a lot of substance (they're big, chewy, and colorful), there is an utter lack of quality in flavor. I tried 6 flavors. Will not return. Don't eat these unless you are in the neighborhood and starving and wanting to fill up your tummy with whatever. If you are wanting to eat macarons for the first time, please do yourself a favor and don't eat the ones from here, they simply cannot be compared to Lauduré.
(2)Thalie L.
Sandwiches are pretty good I love the Normandy sandwich. i recommend it. French people go there. It's just in front of the French Institute where you can find french events or practice your french in classes. Macarons are pretty good too. Service is pretty good I love the french girl with a pink ribbon on her head
(3)Chloe Z.
Ugh if you like sticky SHELLS and skimpy fillings, macaroon cafe should be your go to spot Ad yes I've sampled better macaroons around town (Maison, Lauderee, Bouchon, fancy restaurant dessert menus).
(2)Rondell T.
Had the macaron as a gift. They are very delightful. With different colors and flavors. I recommend having the vanilla.
(4)Barak H.
To all the people that give positive reviews to this place: you never tried good (and real) macaroons!!!!! This place has the most disgusting macaroon i have ever tried. the lavender macaroon has a taste of public toilets. the raspberry macaroon has lots of jelly in it instead of creamy filling. Also the coffee.. Horrible !!! it's a wanna be chic place, they charge a lot for a super low quality "look alike" macaroon
(1)Ruka A.
Really cute place, nice staff, yummy food. Can't complain!!!
(4)Stella G.
Really cute shop! Spent $14 on a box of 6. Might seem overpriced, but all macarons are & it's a good deal when you consider how much you would have spent on a single one instead. The selection here is absolutely AMAZING too. Lots of variety in options, and its all soooo colorful. Total macaron lover/liker's dream come true. Will be back again
(4)Krista J.
This teeny tiny narrow storefront offers authentic and delicious macarons, but I recommend you take out rather than eat in. The few tables are very crowded. I loved the Gingerbread macaron....the perfect afternoon snack!
(4)Sam F.
Perfectly presented Taste is amazing! Loverly service. Can't wait to go back for more!
(5)Jennifer C.
Sweetly adorned macaron cafe offering over 15 flavors of this dainty, French confection, from popular flavors such as pistachio, espresso, raspberry, to more exotic options like the matcha green tea, wedding almond, nutella, rose, and cassis. Prices are reasonable for macaron standards at $2.50 per piece, or at three different price points, you can get gift boxes, that are wrapped in your choice of color ribbon (with a bountiful assortment of color options). The packaging is elegant, and makes for a great, little gift. Prices for boxes start at $14 for 6 pieces, $27 for 12 pieces, and $53 will get you 24 macarons, all of your choosing. I noticed in this quaint, little cafe, that there is a small section of seating at the back end, since they offer more than just macarons on the menu. Try their salads and sandwiches served on French baguettes for a more savory experience to pair along with their wispy macarons. Admittedly, I had never truly understood the sudden craze it seemed in recent memory, for macarons, but only now am I beginning to see the light. There's equal parts joy and satisfaction to derive from this deliriously addictive French treat. With delightful shops like Macaron Cafe, it is clear to see why the hype surrounding the celebrated macaron, prevails.
(4)Katherine C.
I'm soley basing this reivew on one macaron that I got yesterday during Macaron Day...but zzzzomg the passionfruit is delish! And that's the end of my story. (Btw, this place is literally a hole in the wall. A cute one, nonetheless.)
(4)Barb L.
I was dying to have an americano...well...ok, not as though I really needed the caffeine. It's just that I haven't had a coffee in NYC after we got there... This cafe was recommended to us by the nice lady at Camper across the street (that, is another story). We were a bit grumpy...the weather, the time difference...the works. Once we got in, the nice lady (drat, I forgot her name!!) patiently waited on our girlie who took FOREVER to pick out 2 flavours...I had my heart set on the cassis. She was super patient and had the most contagious sense of happiness... We warmed up in there, had the americano (ok, it does not compare to my favourite version at the Blue Bottle kiosk in SF) and the macarons. She even poured us 3 glasses of water for such a petty purchase! The macarons were nice...but really, it was the service that really made our day... Well, we ended up getting a box of macarons for our friends (who hosted us for dinner at their place) and we got ourselves a box of Mariage Freres teabags. Amazing thing is? We met this nice gentleman who bought his wife a 6 pack of chocolate macarons...had a nice chat...life sometimes is filled with sweet little surprises...just need to be present. We'd definitely go back if we are ever in NYC again.
(5)Nicole R.
The macarons here are awesome. They have a wide variety of flavors, including my favorites, matcha and lavender. The baguette sandwiches and salads are great too--I work nearby so I sometimes come over for lunch. It is a small, intimate space, so it's a perfect spot for a group of 3 or 4, or if you want to meet up with a friend over coffee. The service tends to be a little slow, though.
(4)Grace C.
I've been here too many times to count. This location is larger than their other one on 36th, which is a bit narrow for my taste. The store itself is adorable. Everything is in pastels, and there are macaron towers and creations on display. What Macaron Cafe truly excels in, though, is variety. They have a huge selection of ever-changing flavors, and they will usually place a plate of samples on the counter before you make your choices. (I will unabashedly admit to stealing several of these samples at once. No shame.) My mom requests these every time I'm in the city. If you're not a fan of macarons, stop by for one of their sandwiches. Every weekday, they have a "special" sandwich for about $9, and they're decently sized, too. I love Thursday's sandwich, the roast beef, with mustard sauce, cherry tomatoes, and Provencal herbs. Also stop by for breakfast. They have an amazing chocolate croissant, and their breakfast sandwich (bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant) is to die for.
(5)Chrystal C.
I have had better-tasting macarons that are also not as expensive. The textures between the flavors of the macarons was also not consistent; some were perfect with that slightly crunchy outer and soft inner, and some were so hard I thought they were stale. The macarons are a bit larger than the usual ones I see but the quality is not consistent enough between all of the flavors. I didn't try the sandwiches, but they do have a decent selection. There is not enough seating - and there are some people who park themselves there for hours to study. What they have going for them: decor; the green tea, rose lychee, and honey lavender macarons were the ones that were good.
(2)Amy S.
You know, macarons are always so good, but I hate that they're one of the pricier desserts. I wish they were cheaper. Sigh. My friend and I got a 12-piece box and we shared, 6 each! It was great times. Let's see, these were the good flavors: orange blossom, pistachio, earl grey, and espresso. Rose blossom and violette cassis tasted like what lotion and perfume would taste like, respectively. The wedding almond's almond flavor was reallyyy strong. The white chocolate, green tea, and passionfruit were okay. Didn't get to try the raspberry or vanilla cause I was too full, but they were probably like the other ones. They're kind of normal flavors haha. The iced cappucino and iced coffee wasn't bad either!
(4)Maryrose B.
Absolutely the best macarons I have ever had!! Fresh, fantastic flavors. Very helpful staff. Uniquely narrow cafe, yet offered cozy seating areas.
(5)Saumil M.
All the positive reviews boggle my mind. These are by far the worst macarons i've ever had. The cookie is too dense and hard. The filling is just disgusting instead of creamy decadence. These are not true macarons which should be light and delicate. In addition, I tried six flavors and the only one that was tolerable was the pistachio. Disgusting flavors! Go somewhere else.
(1)Yiwen S.
the place is adorable, but tiny. a handful of tables all squeezed together in the back. fortunately, we were able to snag a table by the front window, which has a lot more breathing room. staff is SUPER friendly. and patient as i carefully picked out 6 flavors to buy from their huge selection. i actually thought they were really cheap at first when i heard i could buy a box of 6 for $14. then i sat down and thought about it, and realized that came out to $2.33 per macaron. umm ok so maybe not that cheap. but right around average price (~$2-$2.50/macaron) and these ones are a bit larger than a typical macaron. macarons are absolutely my favorite dessert, so as long as the pastries are light and airy and the fillings are creamy and flavorful, i'm a happy gal and i don't complain. that being said, of the 6, i really liked: cassis, pistachio, and wedding almond. thought the other three (espresso, green tea, and pumpkin cinnamon) were just ok -- more because i'm not as big a fan of those flavors in general. it probably also didn't help that i had to refrigerate some, so the ones i ate later on in the week were naturally more hardened than the ones i had when they were more fresh. in general, you should always try to get your macarons fresh if possible. so why 4 stars instead of 3? because they had the most delicious coffee. SOLD.
(4)Xavier S.
Not particularly a huge fan of macarons, but I checked out the Macaron Cafe for National Macaron Day in NYC where certain shops were giving out free macarons for anyone that endured a minor wait. I tried the Honey Lavender and it was a larger one than I typically see. It tasted good, the cookie part was fresh and the filling was adequate though it tasted somewhat like Earl Grey. I can't complain as it was free. If there was an occassion for me to get it for a gift, I would consider this store. Otherwise, I personally prefer donuts and other desserts more substantial.
(3)Tricia S.
My previous review was for MacarOn cafe's website but this summer I went to the location in Manhattan, NY and they are delicious and fresh if youre lucky to purchase in-store. Considering my previous review was shipped in 1-day/overnight buying online were not fresh! Buying in person made me wish I purchased 50 to take back home to NJ because the flavors were so much more tasty/fresh and flavorful. For the location in NY each macaron was $2.50 each and although it seems expensive, when you walk in the store you realize if the cashier/server cracks any while picking your cookies he/she tosses it aside so you can only perfection and when you understand the process of how each cookie must be perfect and not cracked when made, you realize these are difficult to make and why they as so costly when purchased seperately!
(4)Rach W.
Delicious take out place with stellar salads and sandwiches and must-try daily specials. Long lines during lunch hours but moves pretty quickly. Had the duck confit with mashed potatoes and side salad and it was very good. Didn't bother having any of the macaroons as they didn't look as appetizing as the food. Friendly staff. Very small and tight space. Best for takeout.
(4)Florence K.
Round colorful pillows of sweetness... what's there for the little girl inside me not to be a fan of? I've had macarons from this place many times, but that's because I'm fortunate enough to have a sister who works nearby to bring them home to me. This time around I was even more fortunate to visit this little shop of cavity heaven. I was pleased with the service and attention staff gave us. They allowed us time to look over the rows and rows of vibrant flavors. So at nearly three dollars a piece, I made my decision carefully. I opted for Rose Lychee and Strawberry Rhubarb. Flavors my chocolate and nut lovin' sister wouldn't ever dare to bring home! I liked the Rose Lychee, very subtle lychee flavor but still distinctly lychee. The Strawberry Rhubarb was good, it had enough of that "tartness" to set it apart from regular ole' strawberry jam. With it, I also had a Caffe Latte, that was absolutely delicious! I'm guessing it's the type of espresso and milk they use, but being a bit of a Starbucks snob, I was shocked at how good this was. It was a nice compliment to my macarons.
(4)Lynn E.
After a walk in the Park I needed a sweet treat. No cupcake for this gal. I made a beeline to this cute, small, quaint shop for a just-right nibble. Now, you could stay stay for a meal, snack with champagne, or something more hearty....it's like stepping into a French bakery/mini-bistro. The help is dressed in light pink and white stripped tops and greet you with a smile. Take a nibble from the sample plate and select a little something from the counter for your sweet tooth. Or take some away as a lovely gift. My sweet treat was the Wedding Cookie. This little confection was perfect - just the right amount of creaminess in the center and cookie texture on the outside. And the flavor knocked my socks off .... Like a little amaretti cookie. Pure bliss. Kept this gal walking for another dozen blocks or so.
(4)Bernadette C.
This little cafe is cozy, the seating in the back can get tight but the Macarons are delightful! My favorite flavor is Wedding Almond that's if you like almond extract because there's a lot of it in this flavor. Everything is gorgeously displayed. Flavor and Taste is 5 stars. The place gets 4 stars because they messed up on my hot chocolate twice and I find it hard to ruin hot chocolate. Also at $2.50 each, this becomes an expensive sweet snack because you just can't eat one :) but worth the visit especially if your shopping on 5th ave.
(4)Kendra H.
This place just reassures me that New York City is the greatest city in the world. The fact that I can find any type of food continues to amaze and dazzle my inner cultural fanatic. After watching Gossip Girl, I was curious to try French Macarons. I found this place here on yelp and decided to give it a go. They are delicious! These little babies will cost you a pretty penny though. I bought only 3 of them and that came to $7.50, but it was well worth it. The cafe itself is very very tiny, barely enough space for standing room. It's definitely a grab and go kind of place so don't expect to sit down to enjoy your macarons. My favorite flavors are the lavender and vanilla.
(4)Jana S.
I've been here 5 times now in a period of under a month. Macaron Cafe seriously brightens my day and I wish that box of 6 macarons could come home with me ever single day. My friends and I have made this a regular Wednesday hot spot for their "crab sandwich," (yes, it not only is a great macaron spot, but they serve sandwiches and salads! its no wonder i have gained ten pounds) its absolute divine. Generous portions of crab, slices of mango, lettuce, cayenne pepper, french mayo on fresh bread - I want to be that fat girl and order two of these. Thursdays they do a vermecilli salad special, perhaps lunch tomorrow? I've tried just about every macaron flavor as well, except the perfume names - which I plan on taste testing this Friday. So far my favorites are: nutella - it's magically delicious. a mouthful of nutella pillow-crunchyness creme brulee - hi, new best friend wedding almond - very rich almond flavor, my bf didn't care for this one, score, more for me pistacio - bomb.com ! Caramel - juicy caramel comes flowing out of this bad boy The raspberry, strawberry, strawberry rubard, passion fruit and other fruits were okay, but i prefer the the creams and chocolate fillings vs. the jams. They also do half and half flavors, which really aren't my cup of tea. But really, i'd eat either happily. Staff is friendly, but massively SLOW and get confused with sandwich orders. That's okay, you give free samples of my little pretties, so i'll forgive you. Oh and the music is absolute HORRID, bring your headphones, unless you're into that sappy, sappy, ultra lovey-dovey type of music. (and yes, i know the words to just about every song!) See you FRIDAY, Macaron CAfe!
(5)Ashwin T.
im by no means a connoiseur, but a great place to satisfy a craving for some macarons. they have a wide selection, a helpful and friendly staff, and some (albeit limited and cramped) seating in the back. The macaron was tasty - crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I tried espresso and black sesame flavors, and enjoyed both. The iced latte that I ordered on the side originally showed up as a hot latte, but the error was promptly and politely corrected when point out. Good place to bring a date - its the kind of spot that a girl would describe as "cute".
(4)K.Y W.
I've been working on Madison and 60th for three years now and I always wonder why isnt there a Macaron store around here!? Turns out I pass this store on a daily basis.... Anyways, macaron is about $2.50 per pop and I got 6 for $14 along with a beautiful box, tied with which ever color ribbon you opt for. I am NOT a macaron fein and I've only tried Laduree, The spot and some other non popular cafes. Lemme tell you this, as of today, I am officially a Macaron fien! I can finally comprehend all the craziness and the hypes! So I ordered green tea, two pistachios, creme brulee, mocha and coconut chocolate. I've had green tea at the spot and the ones in Macaron Cafe taste more authentic. I definitely taste the matcha and some bitterness (thats what green tea is all about!). As for pistachios, most stores just used "pistachios" flavored fillings, Meanwhile at Macaron they used REAL chopped up pistachios! HAIL YES! i'll be back for more. Btw, they have an adorable sitting area in the back! As I mentioned, the carefully box it up at no charge! In Laduree, they charge you extra for a box... like forreals.... ? now only if they were cheaper...
(5)Michelle T.
Definitely not a fan. I only had the macarons so this review is just based off of that. Each macaron costs $2.50 - way overpriced for the quality. The cookie texture itself is not bad. It was actually pretty good. The flavor and filling, however, was awful. The flavors were ALL wrong. I had the Rose Lychee and the it had an overpowering taste of Lychee. It legit tasted like I put a canned lychee in my mouth. Where is the rose? The Matcha Green Tea was way too bitter. Matcha itself is a bit bitter but it tasted like they poured a whole bag of matcha powder into the cream and mixed it. Both flavors were way too heavy. Neither worked well with the light and airiness of a macaron. I wanted to love them but it just doesn't work for me. Still sticking to Laduree.
(1)Harry H.
Already turned off by the rude service at 3rd ave shop, I tried here anyway and scored a decent macaron. As I left, they had posted a massive sign in the window that they were out of Macarons, which must've confused people witnessing the still-massive line.
(3)Samantha C.
This location is by far way better than their other location on 7th avenue. This one is bright and clean and the staff is friendlier. I really liked their creme brulee and vanilla flavors. Its very rich and decadent. But because its so rich and decadent, its best to eat them in moderation, otherwise you'll probably get sick of it quite fast. Definitely a bit on the pricey side, I mean I got the box of six and it cost $14. I know, such an indulgence, but they make very cute gifts. I bought some for home and the airport security and flight attendant wouldn't stop talking about them!! Oh and don't get the lemonade!! Its like $4 and such a waste of money. They give it to you in this small little cup packed with ice. Definitely not worth it and my boyfriend thought Auntie Anne's lemonade was way better.
(3)Stephanie W.
I am completely obsessed with this place! If you aren't refined enough to appreciate a macaron then go away and stop complaining about this place. If you are open about trying some deliciousness in a box, then you must stop here! My favorite macarons are the wedding almond, pistachio, coconut and caramel crunch. Price is pretty average. Dare I say they are better than la duree? YEP! They are a little less classic but even more amazing.
(5)Emily Y.
I said it once, and I will say it again, by far, the best macarons in NYC. Crispy outside and moist on the inside with many intense flavors! My favorite being Cassis, Matcha, Hazelnut and Pistachio! I spent an afternoon here, ordered a nice cup of Mariage Tea (The Sur Le Nil) and a Capri sandwich while watching NYC come in and out of the cafe. No one bothered me, they would have let me sit there all day with my empty tea cup and plate in the true European fashion. Love this place, it's small and intimate!
(5)Jim P.
Someone gave me a box of 8, which was a nice surprise! I'm not a huge Macaron fan, but I agree with some of the other reviews. A couple of the flavors are outstanding, but most of the others just weren't enjoyable to me. One tasted like "perfume", ick. Overall, if you know someone who likes Macaron's I'm sure this would make a nice gift. Otherwise, just ok.
(3)Pablo N.
Worth a visit for a snack.
(4)Lily L.
The place is cute, with a great ambiance, and the macaroons are definitely delicious, but overpriced. I had the rose macaroon, but it had a litchi taste to it, which was what I was looking forward to. I also ordered the Casis which I can't remember what it's supposed to be but it tasted delicious as well. They are perfectly created and taste like heaven, but truthfully are way overpriced The iced tea had a unique little kick to it's taste, I'm not sure, but I think it was either vanilla or Hazelnut flavoring added to it.
(4)Victoria F.
Not the most amazing i've had, but their macarons are gluten free! Some are even dairy free. That automatically gives them 4 stars!
(4)JANE D.
The reason this atrocité stays is its proximity to francophile central, Alliance Française. If you must have a macaron try Payard a block west or Mad-Mac one half block east; if you happen to have an infinity to queue go to Ladurée. Macaron Café--ceci n'est pas un macaron--pas du tout.
(1)Reina B.
My friend used to work here and she's french so I came by and sampled and ended up buying a huge box as a gift for family. They are good but not as good as in France... ahahah. Sorry to say. They are not too sweet however, the shell isn't as eggshell as I like.
(3)Au G.
Trying out a new macaron is very similar to a first date: You think about it, you adore it, you dream about it, then you approach it and you finally get to taste it. And sadly as it is with a first date, it often does not lead to a second date. The first thing that usually catches your attention on a first date is, of course, the appearance: I am not saying a love-at-first-sight, but least, it cannot be a repulsion-at-first-sight, can it? The shells were smooth with the regularly jagged sides - so far so good, as a well-dressed macaron should be. However, the encounter began to go downhill by the second glance: The macarons were too big, americanized and larger than the ideal, based on Sadaharu Aoki, Pierre Hermé and Ladurée - The Big Three, by about one-fourth of an inch in diameter. I am not following the Big Three in blind faith; the reason that all of their macarons are similarly-sized is because it is the right size - enough to allow you to enjoy the texture and savor the filling without being overwhelming; and with the flavor lingering, you yearn for one more. Taking the third glance, the date had seriously turned sour due to, what else, the thin, too thin, layer of filling. Now you had a largely-proportioned date in your hands, and you gingerly came closer for greeting the macarons: "Oh, something smells bad." Surreptitiously checking the surroundings, you had realized it was actually a greasy smell, like stale fried food, and it happened to emanate from the very macarons. My mind was stuck dumb: "Why?" There is sbsolutely no reason tthat he macarons should have smelled greasy: While a macaron is not exactly a low-calorie confection, at least, it is fat-free for the shell part; the fillings can be completely full-fat, depending on whether it is ganache, jam or butter cream, but there is no oil involved anywhere. Even before testing out the taste, I already wanted to go home. Rose-Litchee Suspiciously, I took the first bite; due to the thickness of the shells, my teeth sank and sank and sank...cracking the crunchy outer layer then to the chewy, very chewy, interior. In terms of texture, this belongs to the Ladurée school - chewier and harder than the airy Pierre Hermé (I am surprised that while some are able to correctly cite to these two as the best macarons, all have failed to point out their differences). Had the size of this macarOn been smaller and thinner, the crunchy crust and the chewy interior could have almost resembled the denser Ladurée. However, size matters; not everything is bigger the better. Ladurée's shells are good because of its dynamite intensity: Crunch, an explosion of flavor, chew and chew and it is gone. On the other hand, you could be chewing for eternity, and this macarOn would still obstinately cling to your mouth. Over-eager to take the best of two worlds, without the necessary skills, the filling leaned toward the Pierre Hermé school's whipped creaminess. Pierre Hermé's rose macarons are sheer perfection: The crisp outer thin layer of the macaron crumbles at the first touch to reveal angelically airy interior; and at this point, the whole macaron is tumbling down to a sublime crescendo - the purity of the filling expands like the Big Ban in your mouth. Ahhh... Well, this macaron? It is a mere shadow of Pierre Hermé: perhaps more like a shadow of a shadow. Green Tea One sentence should suffice: Was this green tea or green food coloring? (Hint: The latter is the answer.) No, allow me to pronounce a very basic rule: Do not use an ingredient if you do not know how to use it; and least of all, if you do not know what it tastes like. Raspberry This was the only filling they got right; simply because it was raspberry jam. It was good jam, but, did they actually make the jam? Based on their track record, I would seek to give the credits elsewhere.
(2)Vanessa V.
I'm actually pretty impressed. The macarons come out cold so give them awhile to warm up to room temp before attempting to enjoy. The cake was slightly off (too chewy?) but the flavors were all good and the fillings weren't overwhelming. Each bite as a whole was a little too sweet but overall better than I was expecting. Still nowhere near Laduree but the best I've had in NY so far.
(4)Jenn K.
Hello, very tasty and addicting macarons! My husband and I are a little bit in love with this place and their tasty creations. Their passion fruit is to die for, and I really love their wedding almond. Husband loves vanilla, passion fruit and apricot. They are pricey, and not as good as macarons in Paris, but still, they are very good and quite a lovely spot in NYC. Can't wait to try lunch here!
(4)Sasha H.
Honestly, I loved this place when I first discovered it at its 34th street location. The coziness and genuine Frenchness of it all, and their French-speaking employees really charmed me. That, and some great macarons. Unfortunately, this review is for their customer service (and maybe also the macarons at this location). I came to the store looking for fleur de sel caramel macarons, since I had mentioned to my boss how much I enjoyed that flavor. I wanted to bring her some for her birthday, as part of a box. I came in after work, and they did not have it, so I asked if they would have it the next day. One girl said probably not, but another asked me how many I would need and if "four" would be OK. I said yes, and she asked me to call back in an hour, when she would know if they would have them. I called back, and she confirmed they would be there the next morning. The morning arrives, and I go there, there are no fleur de sel caramel macarons, and the employees act like they have absolutely no recollection of the previous day's occurrences and almost as if I am completely ridiculous for even expecting such a request to be fulfilled. This irked me, and left me in a strange position because I like gifts to have some kind of relevance. But given that I was already on my way to work, I had little choice but to purchase a box without the relevant flavor. I was disappointed that this occurred because I really do like this place and expected more. Also, I don't know if it is the cold or maybe being late in the day, but the cassis (my fav) macaron I had was very hard and brittle, not airy yet dense like the ones in the downtown location. Big sadface.
(1)P X.
My love affair with Macarons began after my aunt shipped me the delicacy from France about a decade ago...and I am been seeking them out since that day. So, I clearly had to stop by the Macaron Cafe during a recent stroll. I got a package to ship to my grandma-a few rhubarb, pistachio, and apricot. And, of course, I got a package for myself. They were delicious and the rhubarb was amazing. The treats were packaged perfectly and withstood the shipping process-and I must mention that they were also cute as can be as well!
(4)Mitchell L.
Everything
(4)Jyl L.
we were looking for a cafe to get a quit bite in the middle of shopping in nearby streets and Yelp helped us found this little gem. The store is tiny but cutesy, filled with macaroons that girls love. It also smells amazing, decent selection of teas. We got sandwiches and they were priced moderately and were pretty decent. The seating section is rather small and we find it difficult to eat sandwiches/drink coffees on the table, they were probably for macaroon tastings. *note, they also hire the best looking staff, pretty boys and girls
(4)David S.
Had the paris baguette for lunch. Pretty good, although the bread wasn't as fresh as I was hoping. The macarons are really phenomenal though. I got an assortment of six and shared with co-workers and friends, everyone seemed to like all the different flavors.
(4)sarah s.
Pretty good macarons, but not as good as Bouchon Bakery. Cute little place, had the pumpkin, white chocolate, raspberry, and peanut butter. The macarons are a bit dense and chewy, not really light and flaky. The white chocolate one was abysmal- I don't know if it was old or what, but it was like chewing an old piece of meat. The raspberry one was just fine, as was the peanut butter. But the pumpkin- oh, it was divine! I think there was real pumpkin in it- it was just autumn in your mouth, it was so good. I wouldn't make a special trip here (as I would for Bouchon), but if I was in the neighborhood, I would stop in.
(3)Kristin G.
I've been on the search for a great macaron in NYC for the last few years ever since I spent a week gorging on them in Paris. Hated Kees' (too crispy), disliked La Maison du Chocolate's (very meh) , and didn't care for Bouchon's. However, lo and behold, Macaron Cafe has really come through! Though I doubt any macarons in the city will really ever be *just* as good as the ones I had in Paris (sorry NYC), Macaron Cafe is 90% there. Some of the best flavors in my opinion: Coconut, Pistachio (AMAZING), Passion Fruit, Cassis, and the Matcha Green Tea/Chestnut. I didn't care much for the Grapefruit or Chocolate. So, really, check this place out.
(5)Anne-Paige D.
Delicious sandwiches, great service and superb macaroons.
(5)M H.
Really nice place. I have tried most of the macaroons here, but I really wanted to review the espresso. I got a single espresso here (for $2.50) and it was actually surprisingly tasty. A bit bitter on the first sip, but it really turned out great. Pretty sweet (and smooth), would recommend, and would definitely go back for a second espresso. Btw, i know they're expensive, but try the lemon macaroon...you will be in heaven. =) [other good ones are the dark chocolate, raspberry, mango, and rhubarb]
(3)Katherine N.
Fabulous macarons at Macaron Cafe! Cute place to sit and take a rest or pick up some delectable treats which are always uber-impressive. It is a bit on the pricey side ($2.25 per macaron), but perhaps that why I feel pampered any time I treat myself here. The Pistachio macaron is delicious.
(4)Lisa C.
Came here with some friends around 1pm on a weekday. The line may seem long, but it's actually a pretty short wait and the small seating area in the back is mostly empty (I think most people that come here work in the office buildings nearby so they take their food to go). Cute little place that's excellent for talking/catching up with buddies. They offer you a glass of ice cold (tap) water to go with your macarons, salad, or sandwich should you choose to stay and eat. I have tried the following macarons: raspberry (yum!!), lemon (VERY lemony but good if you like lemon tarts), and honey lavender (not a big fan of this one... too perfume-y for me - I feel like I just ate a flower petal!!). I bought a box of 6 for $13 ($2.25 per piece if purchased separately). Others in my box are mango, green tea, pistachio (mango & pistachio are both highly recommended by my friend). Will let you know how I feel about them after I devour them... I believe everything that's sold at this location is made from their other location on 36th street as this location is VERY small and I kept seeing the workers bringing up prepackaged salads/macarons from downstairs. P.S. DO NOT look for this place on Madison Avenue!!! Despite it's address - the entrance to the store is ON 59th street, on the block where the red awnings are (diagonally across from Crate & Barrel). ALSO - The macarons are GLUTEN-FREE for those of you who are looking for a dessert that's gluten-free =)
(4)Daniel C.
Great place to get macarons when the craving hits. My fave is the creme brulee. If you're a real macaron lover, you'll notice that the fillings here are a little thicker and denser than what you'll find in Paris at Laduree or wherever, but I'm fine with that. Would give it five stars, but the service here is a bit hit or miss. Everyone's really nice, but they just need to tweak things a bit to get me in and out of there a little faster. Regardless, I'm still a big fan!
(4)Kathy N.
I was in town in December to visit my boss (I work remotely from L.A.), so I stopped off to pick up lunch and a dozen macarons. Beautiful packaging and wonderful flavor choices. My turkey-avo sandwich was meh. Good bread though. The tattooed guy behind the counter was attentive. I picked up a couple of macarons for myself to enjoy later on in the afternoon on my train ride back to the Island. They were stale. I shudder to think that my boss, who was so gracious and said her macarons were all delicious, might have experienced the same thing. Good coffee. I might go back to try them again, just because my boss said they were good, so maybe I picked up a couple of bad ones. Plus, some actual French people stopped in to order while I was there. But, still... They were sealed in their cellophane bag, nestled carefully in my leather camera bag, which I guarded with my life all afternoon. Never had a problem with waiting a few hours to eat macarons from Europane (Pasadena).
(3)Troy S.
Love it. Went there for a sandwich (the Paris) which was great. It's not the least expensive sandwich, but it was certainly authentic and cute. There was a line out the door, which they handled really well by having someone taking orders from people in line. So when you got up to pay, your order was ready. Very well done.
(4)J D.
In my personal macaron rating system, Macaron Cafe falls out between Pierre Hermé and Ladurée. The pumpkin, rhubarb, passionfruit, and dark chocolate macarons were all quite good. Coconut was only so-so, but still enjoyable. The texture was just right, although the jam was a little slim in a few instances. The prices are a little high, but well worth it if you want a good box of macarons without flying to Paris!
(4)D C.
i bought 24 macaroons over the weekend. so good! i ate 5 of them in a row. got a bit of sugar high~ they are on the expensive side but well worth it
(4)L R.
It's funny hardly anyone mentions their breakfast sandwiches and they are a few cuts above anything else in the neighborhood- in fact the bacon egg and cheese sandwich is GREAT!
(4)Chris S.
The new Macaron Cafe is open! A bright and shiny new store with Macarons lovingly displayed at the counter. It was hard to choose from all the flavors. I had the special sandwich of the day which was fresh and amazing - they prepare the sandwiches at the other location so they are ready to go which minimized the wait. There are a few tables in the back but its close quarters in there. Aside from the price being a bit prohibitive I will definitely be back.
(4)sufia k.
The macrons were equally beautiful as they were delicious.My favorite flavor; Hazelnut by far,it had a subtle kick to it.I order a box of 25 and hesitantly shared with the family but,was happy they enjoyed just as much as i did, lavender rose,and pistachio round out my top 3 best flavors. Just remember to refrigerate the ones you haven't gobbled up soon,its best enjoyed melted in your mouth an not on your hands.
(4)Ronnie S.
I work across the street and I stopped in earlier in the week for a Latte. The coffee was great. I never had a Macaron before and one of the waitresses convinced me to try one. I was completely blown away. I read the review about them not being as good as ones made in Paris. Honestly, if they are any better than these I would rather not try them for fear of total addiction. After Macaron, I walked into Bond #9 to get a gift for my girlfriend. The cashier noticed the Macaron bag and asked where I purchased them. I told her I worked across the street on 59th. Turns out since I work in the neighborhood, I get a discount at Bond. Basically Macaron saved me about $40. I wonder what other tricks I could pull off walking around with these bad boys in hand. Thanks Macaron.
(5)alison s.
tasty macaron and hot chocolate in a charming spot. granted it's tiny but what i recoil at is in a place that serves food and drink but then sends me across the street for a bathroom. even if it's legal (which apparently it is in NYS for an establishment with fewer than 20 seats), it's still not cool.
(3)Amanda H.
Maybe we caught them on an off day, but I found the macarons to be a bit flavorless and underwhelming. The cookies were too chewy and had no crunch when you bit into them. I'll take Maison du Macaron over this place any day.
(2)JJ J.
I placed an order online for my sister's birthday. She is a busy professional who works in a corporate office. The delivery guy showed up and wanted my sister to come down to get the order herself. She was too busy to go downstairs to pick up the order. Instead of arranging to have it sent up an alternate way, the delivery guy just left with the box of macarons. When I called to reschedule the delivery, I got an earful, first from a Hispanic woman with a thick accent that I could barely understand. When I asked to speak with her supervisor, a man with a thick French accent got on the phone and went off on me. He wouldn't stop talking and wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise. I got so irritated at his rudeness that I made up my mind never to give them any more business. When I asked him for a refund, he went beserk, yelling unintelligibly in a heavy, French-laden accent and then hung up on me. The funny thing is, it was all one sided. Not once did I get upset or raise my voice. All I wanted was to have the order redelivered and what do I get? Two angry people on the phone with no concept of customer service yelling my ear off in barely intelligible English! My sister and I both love macarons but never will I do business with them again!! Now I have to contact my credit card company to try and get my money back.
(1)Shu O.
really cute lunch spot. during the summer/spring season they have this fresh crab with avocado sandwich that is delicious! macarons are good, not the best but they they really do excel at providing a lot of exotic ones
(4)Alisa K.
This place has reallyyreallyyy good macarons. They are fluffy, have just the right amount of sweetness, and tastes just what a macaron should taste like. They have raised the price from $2 to $2.25, but I feel like they got a tiny bit bigger too..but still taste great! I favorite flavors are Rose, pistachio, and vanilla. The cute black seating area in the back adds to the sweet ambiance of the cafe.
(5)Jenna H.
Ever since I've seen these little things I've been dying to try one. They are just so cute and colorful. (For those who are wondering what they taste like and what the texture is like...they have a sweet almondy taste (I think they are made with almond flour) and they have a little crisp shell on the outside, a chewy inside with a filling in the middle). They are VERY rich so I can't see eatting more than 1 or 2 at a time. We tried tons of flavors and my favorite was the raspberry, the lemon and the dark chocolate. The staff was friendly and helpful. The cafe itself is very small but has cute french decor. The only negative thing is that they little buggers can be pricey. It was like $25 for a little box of 12. But worth the price. I brought a box home with me and a lady in the airport asked me what they were and said they looked delicious. I think the Macaron craze will totally catch on.
(4)Andrew S.
2 out of 3 times I've gone here the product has been very stale. Very chewy, once even hard as a rock. Never again. I'll take my $2.50 per macaron to Payard or La Maison, thank you.
(1)Joanna S.
On a recent visit to NYC, my boyfriend walked past this place and brought macarons back for me. They are delicious. A bit pricey but worth the money since I'm too lazy to make them myself. Try the pistachio ones, they're my favorite.
(4)Magda K.
This place's cappuccino just made my day- heavy and smooth. Their almond croissants are also delicious.
(5)Grace B.
Came here for lunch. The line for this place during weekday lunchtime can seem a bit crazy with the line going out the door. However, service is pretty fast. Seating is pretty limited but there are tables in the back of the cafe as well as table service for those who are looking for that. I got the Spinach Chicken salad for $10.25 which includes 5 thin slices of chicken, avocado, goat cheese, toasted almonds and cranberries on top of spinach. The salad also comes with 4 slices of bread and the olive oil balsamic vinaigrette on the side which was a nice addition. While the salad was relatively good, the chicken was pretty dry and the avocado was not that fresh. I had to soak the chicken in olive oil for it to retain its moistness. Otherwise, decent salad but probably overpriced for the portion size. Of course their macarons are a different story as this chain is one of my favorite places to get a macaron in the city.
(4)Carina P.
MACARON CAFE IS MY HEART AND SOUL. I stumbled upon it by accident, but now I keep returning to its convenient midtown location. The macaroons are pricey, but cheaper than Lauderee. The interior is pink and picturesque. I recommend getting the box of six for $15. My favorite is the peanut butter and jelly macaroon. I also have tried and liked the passion fruit, white chocolate and Nutella in that order.
(5)Elton W.
Excellent macarons (some of the best in the city) and especially good French-style sandwiches and salads. My favorites are the pistachio macarons, the Paris ham sandwich, the Norwegian smoked salmon sandwich, the spinach & chicken salad and the French Cesar salad.
(4)Alyssa P.
Oh my word, this might just be the narrowest bakery shop everrrr. Certainly not ideal for the dozens of people outside waiting to get in for Macaron Day! Luckily the staff was prepared and stood at the door allowing in 3 or 4 visitors at a time. If you can get past the tight space then you'll be all set because the staff behind the counter was excellent and the macarons even better! As part of Mac Day the shop offered up any flavor in the case for free and then the option to purchase any additional macs. I picked up a orange cream, dark chocolate and a passion fruit. Least favorite in the line up was the Orange Blossom. Blah. Sure the cookie tasted like a creamsicle, but the cream filling was heavy and flavorless. The other two though... Dark Chocolate - so rich and delicious! And the Passion Fruit had amazing flavor - loved that both the cookie and filling were passion fruit! Macaron Cafe offers up a quality product a a good size (larger than most macarons around) and a good cost ($2.75 each). They're among my favorites in the city. -------------- Note - the address says Madison Ave, but we definitely entered on 59th St.
(4)Noushky F.
Purpose: "March 20, 2015 to discover macarons in New York, as bakeries across the city once again come together to promote macarons and to help raise awareness (and money) for City Harvest. Participating locations will provide one macaron per customer, with limited quantities by location, between 10am and 5pm, or until supplies last. To receive a free macaron tell the shop you are there for Macaron Day NYC." Environment: Small and cozy. It's like a long hallway. Cute heart painting on the wall. Taste: Creme Brûlée had so much potential, but no.The consistency disrespected my stomach. Yeah I said it. I felt like I was eating crackers.(French accent) Sweet cracka monsieur! They probably gave the customers for Macaron Day the free old macarons so it wouldn't affect their fresh batch of macarons. Would I come back?: Na, it disrespected my stomach and my teeth.
(2)Nicole G.
Came here for the first time and was delighted despite the subpar reviews. I ordered the Nutella and gingerbread for a friend and for myself got the seasonal Pomme Amour The Pomme Amour was wonderful. The cookie itself had a crunchy outer shell and chewy inside. The filling was different from usual- it was a caramel apple jellish/gooey type filling and was wonderful. They are pricey at $2.50 each, so I will be trying the other flavors sparingly but I am excited for my next return.
(4)Heather L.
Love their rose lychee, white chocolate, and wedding almond. 3 for $7.50. Their macaroons are good and bigger than most places.
(4)Ed L.
Sure people come to Macaron Cafe for the Macaron which I thoroughly enjoy, but I come to this Macaron Cafe on a daily basis for their delicious lunch sandwiches. My favorite is the Paris, which is ham and Gruyere with a light homemade mayonnaise and cornichons. The sandwiches on baguettes are popular and often they run out, so bet their early to be sure you get your favorite sandwich. If not, there are several other tasty menu options such as the French Ceasar salad and the Duck Confit. The shop itself is narrow with a tiny dining area that's a bit cramped and not ideal for long lunches. The service is quick and efficient, but there is no table service. I recommend grabbing your meal and heading to Central Park or the fountain by the Plaza to enjoy your lunch.
(4)Josephine L.
Let's get our macar-ON, yeah! Yeah? K, puns aren't really my thing, but with a name like MacarOn Cafe, you just have to make the joke. At least the store clearly illustrates how to pronounce the cookie. To this day, I will never understand why English-speakers use "macaron" and "macaroon" interchangeably--they're two completely different things, you rubes. Anyway, MacarOn Cafe isn't the best macaron place in the city, but it's pretty good for colorless Midtown. I tried the Jasmine, Nutella, Maple Rhubarb, Lychee Rose, Earl Grey and some kind of chocolate. The Nutella and Ear Grey were most flavorfully faithful to their namesakes. However, across the board, the filling was a tad too sticky and the biscuits were too hard, making the macaron seem stale. A fresh macaron should be split easily by your fingers or a knife, not crumble at the slightest bit of aggression. The cafe has some dining space and a rather lovely tea selection dominated by Mariage Freres. Table service is available for those staying in.
(3)Mimi T.
Very tiny shop and they don't seem to have an efficient way to order. Basically, if a group of people come in whoever pushes the most will get served first. Macarons: SO GOOD! Decently priced and so many flavors! If you don't see a flavor you want they will pull them from the back so make sure you look at the list and not just what is in the glass. The outside was perfect. They all had nice feet and had the slight crunch while chewy. The insides weren't overpowering and gave the cookie the perfect balance that all macarons should have. French press & espresso coffee: They were pre-made and sitting in a carafe. I would rather they make it from scratch so it would be fresher and hotter. My coffee was luke warm and wasn't really worth getting. Price: definitely more reasonable than Lauderee. I would come back for sure :)
(4)Brianna C.
Gorgeous display! Really liked the marshmallow/milk chocolate and pistachio macarons. Creme brûlée and rose lychee also good, but the jasmine was not our favorite. Will be back to try all the flavors!
(4)Samantha C.
This location is by far way better than their other location on 7th avenue. This one is bright and clean and the staff is friendlier. I really liked their creme brulee and vanilla flavors. Its very rich and decadent. But because its so rich and decadent, its best to eat them in moderation, otherwise you'll probably get sick of it quite fast. Definitely a bit on the pricey side, I mean I got the box of six and it cost $14. I know, such an indulgence, but they make very cute gifts. I bought some for home and the airport security and flight attendant wouldn't stop talking about them!! Oh and don't get the lemonade!! Its like $4 and such a waste of money. They give it to you in this small little cup packed with ice. Definitely not worth it and my boyfriend thought Auntie Anne's lemonade was way better.
(3)Maggie Z.
I love the macarons and a couple of the vegetarian sandwiches (Normandy, Capri). The coffee is decent too - good for midtown. But the service is awful. I've been coming here for a couple years and it has not improved. They are lucky that the nearby options are limited. The women wear pink uniforms over their clothes that are adorable but the material is thin and they wear them over regular clothes so you can see through it ruining the point. They are also always _very_ wrinkled. It sounds nitpicky but it is straight up distracting. I'm guessing they have to leave them at work at night and they get neglected. I'd rather see people in no uniform than watch as people in sloppy, possibly dirty, clothes serve up my food. The whole thing feels weird like a bad managerial decision. The off-the-mark uniforms are a symptom of a larger problem. Spending time and money getting together cute uniforms that end up looking ratty is akin to them having 6 people behind one counter but being unable to function when more than 6 people are in line. The management has everything they need for this place to work but execution on every level is terrible. The lunchtime rush is crazy and could run significantly more smoothly than it does. I know the drill by now but there's always confusion over where people should be to order macarons versus lunch and people end up in the coffee line on accident. You shouldn't have to be a regular to know where to go and what to do. It isn't the fault of the customers, it's just a tiny space that needs more direction when it is busy and the service level just isn't there from the people behind the counter. The staff are always doing something but it is not very efficient. Again - not their fault, the staff is nice and trying but it appears that no-one is in charge. Ever. The macarons are a nice (if overpriced) treat for yourself and a great deal for a package to bring to a friend as a gift. That they are gluten-free and still delicious is wonderful. On a whole though, you have to be ready for a bit of a drag and an all-around frustrating time in order to get them. It's just not always worth it.
(2)Samantha S.
My macaroons were mostly stale aka super chewy and bland. The white chocolate was the only one that had any freshness to it and was really good. Might as well just head to laduree as the pricing isn't much different but the quality is a perfection there.
(2)Jaclyn L.
After watching Gossip Girl this Monday and seeing Blair savor each bite of a green macaron, I realized she was eating them for the wrong reason - to avoid having sex, which miserably failed. I on the other hand, don't have this problem of trying to avoid sex; I actually welcome it at every possible opportunity. I'd probably do a little something something to get a pistachio macaron because I'm such a food whore. Don't judge me; everyone has their food fetishes..."what would you do for a klondike bar?" has had hidden meaning for all these years. You think about that one. My French maids worked quickly behind the counter for my super sized box for $25. They weren't ALL for me, but mostly. I ended up just picking randomly from the racks without realizing. My favorites were in this order: pistachio, nutella, and pumpkin thus far; I haven't engorged them all just yet. My sister really worded this amazing experience well: she bit into the Nutella...held it up to eye level and openly declared her love for it. Macarons + French maid outfit + high libido = beautiful relationship I didn't ask for the special of the day :( this saddened me, but I'll definitely be back! You know you love me - xoxo - Gossip Girl.
(4)Stephanie W.
I am completely obsessed with this place! If you aren't refined enough to appreciate a macaron then go away and stop complaining about this place. If you are open about trying some deliciousness in a box, then you must stop here! My favorite macarons are the wedding almond, pistachio, coconut and caramel crunch. Price is pretty average. Dare I say they are better than la duree? YEP! They are a little less classic but even more amazing.
(5)Emily Y.
I said it once, and I will say it again, by far, the best macarons in NYC. Crispy outside and moist on the inside with many intense flavors! My favorite being Cassis, Matcha, Hazelnut and Pistachio! I spent an afternoon here, ordered a nice cup of Mariage Tea (The Sur Le Nil) and a Capri sandwich while watching NYC come in and out of the cafe. No one bothered me, they would have let me sit there all day with my empty tea cup and plate in the true European fashion. Love this place, it's small and intimate!
(5)Jim P.
Someone gave me a box of 8, which was a nice surprise! I'm not a huge Macaron fan, but I agree with some of the other reviews. A couple of the flavors are outstanding, but most of the others just weren't enjoyable to me. One tasted like "perfume", ick. Overall, if you know someone who likes Macaron's I'm sure this would make a nice gift. Otherwise, just ok.
(3)Scott S.
Small shop with delicious Macarons and counter culture coffee. Rose lychee, honey lavender, white chocolate, mocha, lemon, and coconut all awesome. Lady behind counter was very nice and charming. I'll be back since they are so good and so addictive.
(4)Shab A.
Hands down the best macaroons in NYC!!! I have tried Laduree macaroons too, they come nowhere close to these. Soo good! My favorite is white chocolate one.
(5)Nina L.
Ah how truly disappointing! I was referred to this place by a friend because she loved their special crab sandwich. The sandwich is featured for Wednesday lunch and is reasonable for what you are receiving. It's shredded fresh crab, mango slices, avocado, a hint of cajun spices and mayo on whole grain bread. The sandwich was pretty tasty until I bit into the second half and got a mouthful of shell! If it was not shell, which I believe it was, it must have been some type of dirt/grain. If you've had similar experiences with food you know how this makes you stop eating! I sampled two macarons, chocolate and white chocolate. They were tasty, a bit chewy in consistency but very rich and worth a shot if you are into macarons and in the neighborhood. The atmosphere was cute but cramped and the service was lackluster. I am so sad I couldn't like this place more. I understand I ate crab at a macaron shop but they shouldn't feature items they are not capable of properly preparing!
(2)Matt E.
For this years Macaron Day (March 20th) I biked around the city and visited 14 different bakeries that pride themselves on their macarons. Macaron Cafe really stood out to me as having the most beautiful macarons ($2.50/ea) and the widest selection of flavors. The macarons here were really a work of art. I tried both the dark chocolate/cherry, and the salted caramel. I would say if you're buying someone macarons for a present, go with Macaron Cafe. Unfornuately I can't really break down the subtleties of their macarons verses other bakeries but just expect a fudgy center (a bit thicker than many other places). Because this is a cafe, they also sell sandwiches and drinks. I can't comment on either though. I can say that this location was small but well laid out and clean and that the service was pretty good.
(4)Pia M.
Not a lot of healthy options here as far as the sandwiches go (but you can always opt for one of their salads) but the macaron selection is impressive, service is good, and the actual cafe is charming, cozy, and features gorgeous artwork.
(4)Jade J.
Only bc they have so many flavors. But textures vary too much...too inconsistent. I was going to give them 3 stars until I just took a bite of the mango one. Just the right texture and great mango flavor!! Really refreshing and not artificial at all. At $2.50 a piece, it's about average price and quality. Ambience is nice (they played the Glee soundtrack!). coffee here is not bad. My fave is still Paulette's in LA and Madeleine's in NY. This may be a close third.
(4)Chisai S.
I'm not a fan of their macarons. Don't like them at all. What I am a fan of are some of their salads and their bacon and egg sandwich in a croissant, which, seriously, is the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. Everything perfectly cooked. Lots of butter. It is amazing. Their lasagna is also pretty great. Sadly, they take it off in the summer menu. Bastards. Their setup is pretty bad in terms of service, but it does eventually work. And I'll put up with an awful lot for some of their salads, and that awesome, awesome bacon and egg on a croissant sandwich.
(3)Jaimee A.
These macarons are okay (and I consider myself a macaron connoisseur) but not great - like say Laduree... They got the cookie consistency down. Perfect firmness, crumbles beautify nice flavor. The fillings are the downfall. They are way too buttery (yes BUTTER!). I felt the butter slick going down my throat when eating it. Some of the flavors tasted of only butter and not of the actual flavor. Below is the selection of Macarons that we got: White chocolate - tasted like butter Pistachio - ok with a decent pistachio flavor Dark Chocolate - way too rich Espresso - way too rich Lemon - no pungent lemon taste, more like lemon pudding as opposed to lemon curd Coconut - tasty Passion fruit - tasted like butter passion fruit Mango - tasted like butter mango (yuck) Green tea - GROSS! Buttery green tea - spit it out! Almond - buttery almond Vanilla - again way to buttery Call me a macaron snob but Laduree has nothing to worry about.
(3)Mich L.
Eating Macaron from here made me sad. Macaron Cafe has cute packaging and appeal but based on taste alone, there are much better places to get macaron in the city! The macaron from macaron cafe is $2.50 a piece versus the $2.70+ you can expect from the other macaron places nearby. However, the slightly cheaper price comes with a huge taste caveat. The macaron flavors just taste too artificial, sweet and strange. When it comes to the floral ones, it's like you're biting into perfume. I always love floral flavors but none of the floral flavors like rose or violette cassis tasted anything like the delicate floral flavors I'd expect. The macaron colors are obnoxiously fluorescent to give away their artificial base as well -- especially the green and purple ones. It's like they're trying to remind you that the ingredients are really synthetic. "Hey, don't forget we use a lot of Red #40 and Blue #2!" Texture of the macaron was also peculiar. The bite-to-airiness ratio was really off. Most of the macaron crumbled away but like someone else mentioned, the pistachio one was suddenly destructively bad for my teeth. I really wanted to like Macaron Cafe but there were no flavors that appealed to my tastes. The most acceptable one was the lychee rose but even that was far from what I'd enjoy normally. Macaron Cafe does offer many flavors however but based on what I tried from my six-piece set, I think I'll stick to Bisous Ciao or even Laduree.
(2)Harumi U.
Macaron stores are popping up like mushrooms and what sets this one aside from others? Non macaron food (like salads and sandwiches). There is a tiny eat in area at the back of this place. When you step in, it feels a bit like you walked into fancy land. And true, macarons are not the cheapest sweets, and their macarons are a bit larger than average size that you find elsewhere, but I think it is on the expensive end for what they offer. I tried 2 (best sellers are dark chocolate and pistachios and nutella up there as well) and one had a perfect "macaron consistency" but the other one, cream was way too soft and as soon as I bit into it, I kind of lost cream. Nothing is clearly wrong with their goods but I think you can find a number of better places in the city as well.
(3)Luarnie B.
This place was a great treat after spending the morning/afternoon at the Central Park Zoo. The little cafe is nestled in midtown east, so it's great as a after central park or after shopping treat. The cafe itself seats a maximum of about 12-15 people, so it can get quite tight for large parties...or just right for a party of 2. For 2.50 a macaron, the little suckers better be good...and they were. We each opted for the dark chocolate, pistachio, and coconut (gluten free and kosher certified)---all three tasted divine. I recommend having them with a side of espresso. We didn't try the savory menu, so can't really comment on that. I was pretty satisfied with the taste, and we decided to take some to go---this I really recommend, since they put them in the cutest containers.
(4)Amira A.
While ridiculously expensive I haven't found a macaron spot that isn't (hit me up if you have lol). The passion fruit macaron was the bomb! Oh yes!! The earl grey was good too but the passion fruit... "we want more, we want more like you really like it you want more" That commercial describes my life!
(5)David B.
I hope the owner is reading this review. I was early for a meeting and was looking for a higher end cafe. I though I found this in Macaron Cafe. I ordered a latte to stay with Tartine. I was asked to sit and my order would be brought to the table. When the young lady delivered my latte something was off. Very off!! I looked at the cream, froth, milk what ever this was supposed to be. I stirred this for a minute and realized I was served something that I cannot explain. The milk was bad or something. I was looking at an unsafe drink and was shocked that someone would bring out a spoiled product!!! Moving forward I brought back the latte and asked for another. Could this be two different planets, the second was the way way one should prepare drink. I cannot understand how this happened, please I hope the owner reads this review.
(1)Danielle M.
My brother had mentioned that Macaron Cafe has decent macarons... and so one day on my way home from work, I decided to stop by and get a few! I was overwhelmed by all the amazing flavors- it was really hard to just pick just 3. I went with the peanut butter and jelly (obvs), honey lavender, and chestnut. I have to say that the flavors were awesome. Sometimes mediocre macarons lack their distinct flavors and just taste like sugar... with one bite of the honey lavender, my senses brought me to a lovely pool of honey with lavender petals. Unfortunately, the texture of the macarons aren't great- they were almost kind of stale! What a shame.... I believe that the texture changes from flavor to flavor (according to my brother), so I would definitely try some more!
(4)Fransisca S.
Succumbed to a moment of weakness as I walked by. I told my coworker that I had to bring her back a treat for working so hard but I really just wanted an excuse to try a bunch of eye candy candy! I let the host pick a selection of top eight: pistachio, raspberry, vanilla, wedding almond, dark chocolate, lemon, crème brulee, plus the must have espresso. Both coworker and I agreed sharing 8 macarons just wasn't enough!! Will have to go back soon for a loot of other flavors.
(5)Han C.
Bluh. Ended up with an hour until my Apple appointment (don't drop your iPhone facedown on the sidewalk, y'hear?), so stopped in here for a light snack of delicate Parisian macarons and hot chocolate. Sounds delightful, yes? It's not. The macarons are fine, and I say that with arms crossed and rolled eyes. Passable at best, but not extraordinary with a thickness and chewiness that either speaks to its lack of freshness or flawed recipe. The chocolate ginger was okay - flavor lifted by a couple chunks of candied ginger inside the icing, but the jasmine tasted nothing like it. Bummer. Bummmmmmmmmmmer!!!! And then the hot chocolate. Double triple quadruple bluggghhhhhhhhhhhh. It was a strange cup of liquidy, powdery, unsweetened "chocolate" with an aftertaste of something indescribable but not delectable. Just skip it. Skip the whole joint altogether. Yuppp!
(2)Mike B.
This spot was easy to miss but with the help of Yelp and GPS, we found it. This was a cute little shop with a wide array of macaron options and flavours - including some I had never had before. I very much enjoyed these macarons although I can admit that they might not be for the true macaron expert due to their texture. These were all fresh but they were much more chewy than a macaron should be. That didn't disuade me from enjoying them, however, as I tend to prefer chewy ones. It gives them an added texture that newcomers to the world of macarons may prefer considering their tendency to be a bit pricy. Of the flavours I tried, I found the Matcha Green Tea flavour to be true to its name. Fans of green tea would love it. Non-fans: definitely not. I'm a huge peanut butter fan but the peanut butter macaron didn't win me over as I felt the peanut butter itself, which was used as the centre, was too overpowering for the rest of the treat. My favourite one was the vanilla. Plain and boring? Not at all! The White Chocolate was my fourth and final flavour and that was a winner as well. There are other flavours I wanted to try but alas, for this trip, 4 was the limit. Enough for me to be pleased.
(4)Mel WreKKah M.
Very charming, Euro-style bistro. There are daily specials. I had the vegetable lasagna, which was accompanied by a small salad. Very tasty. It was lunch hour in midtown so the joint was packed. The tables are super tiny, and the space is tighter than most ppl would prefer. There is no place to hang/place coats, personal belongings, purse, etc. Many patrons expressed their discomfort, however the food was good, the service was quick, attentive & with a smile. Our waitress was a bit scatter-brained but I think she was just overwhelmed. I didn't try the macaroons but they looked really good.
(3)Jeffrey G.
While the macarons look pretty in the case and the box, and the selection of flavors is extensive, these are far from the best macarons I have ever tasted. The flavors are strong and fake. The peppermint white chocolate tasted like a a bottle of peppermint extract. The lavender made us think we were eating potpourri. We were so excited to dive into our box of 18 macarons, which cost us $50, and were so disappointed with both texture and flavor. Some were stale, there was overkill on the fillings and we don't plan on returning. Although the skim latte I had was excellent.
(2)Michael Y.
I've been on something of a macaron kick lately, and for a while I wasn't sure where Macaron Cafe fit into my spectrum of macaron joints, which include FPB, Laudree, and La Maison du Macaron. I think I've figured it out, though. Macaron Cafe has the common flavors, but also some uncommon ones. My favorite flavors out of all the places I frequent are all from here: matcha, black sesame, rose lychee, and passion fruit. Depending on the flavor, the texture/softness can vary. Also, if you get some pieces which were just taken out of the fridge, they will be harder and less enjoyable. For a while I was dismayed by their apparent inconsistency in texture and chewyness/creaminess, but now I'm pretty sure it's only because they sometimes give you pieces that were just taken out of the fridge. Give them time to reach room temperature first. Oh, they also have really good sandwiches for lunch, but I'm not sure if they have them on weekends. I don't drink coffee, but there is usually a line in the mornings for coffee, so you might consider trying it.
(4)Karen N.
Cute. Don't eat these macaron's straight out the fridge...let it set to room temp! I relaly do love the cassis and the vanilla...mmm cassis
(4)Eunice T.
I used to think macarOns (mac-a-rhons; NOT roons!) were overrated & overpriced. That changed when I had them here. I still think they're overpriced, but it's actually a good thing. If these adorable little French cookies were cheap, I would just shove dozens of them in my mouth in one sitting. Macaron cafe serves coffee, tea, & macarons in a large variety of flavors. The cookie is perfectly moist & airy @ the same time, balanced by the right amount of cream. Of the many bakeries I've tried, including Laduree, I like Macaron Cafe best. They have the best assortment of flavors like litchi rose, cassis, passion fruit, salted caramel, and more. Litchi rose is definitely the best unique flavor. I just wish it wasn't so uptown so I could get a sweet snack more frequently!
(4)Jordan D.
I just got put onto macaron's not too long ago by my gf. Although not my favorite dessert of all time, I'm definitely a fan of them now. Macaron Cafe is definitely the place to check out for a pretty nice variety of macarons. We ended up getting 12 of them and mixing it up. I'm not a macaron pro, so they were pretty legit to me, although I'm not huge on the fruity flavors. The Creme Brulee macaron is to die for though; probably the best tasting macaron I ever had! Inside, they had a real basic cafe style setup up, with a few chairs and tables, along with a small booth in the back. Definitely seems like a nice date stop or maybe a place to get some reading in? Just know, the entrance is on E59th NOT Madison. We definitely spent about 15 minutes walking around the intersection before finding it! ha
(4)Angel H.
Went back and bought a "six pack". Wish said six pack wasn't being carried in a bag, but on my stomach, but what do you expect from a girl who eats like no tomorrow? 1. Rose Lychee: Absolutely amazing! Better than François Payard's! 2. Rose: Not as good as Ladurèe, but still very very satisfying. 3. Jasmin- This is the best of the best, the CREAM OF THE CROP. Tastes and smells just like the real thing. Erm... Well, I don't know what a jasmine flower actually tastes like, but it tastes AHMAZING in macaron form! 4. Orange Blossom- I didn't like it. Mainly because I couldn't taste or smell the floral explosion found in the Ladurèe one. 5. Cappuccino- Tasted very similar to the dark chocolate... But barely any coffee taste. 6. Dark Chocolate- I'm not a chocolate lover and I tend to order light things, but because I couldn't think of anything else to get, I just chose dark chocolate. It wasn't cloyingly sweet, and it wasn't too bitter. It was actually... perfect. Next time, I'll just buy a box of just Rose Lychee and Jasmin. Even my mom's a fan!
(4)Lia M.
I was not intending to go to Macaron Café, but was looking at nearby check-ins, saw it, and decided to take a walk over. So many pretty colors! I love pretty colors. I also love macarons. I finally chose two: violette and salted caramel. Salted caramel is amazing to me, and the salted caramel macaron was good. But I loved the violette. It was creamy, flowery, and sweet. Yum! I also had a piece of the honey lavender, which was fairly light and sweet. While the shop is tiny, and the seating area is difficult to maneuver in, it is cute. The two men working were super friendly and helpful, and though I did not ask, I guessed them to be owners, or somehow futher involved in the business besides staffing it. They were really appreciative of our purchases, which, in turn, makes me feel good about patronizing this shop.
(4)Rich J.
My new favorite sugar-laden item is the macaron. And this place has a whole bunch of them in different flavors. Most are good, some are great, a few are passable...I recommend skipping the peanut butter...and getting a few pistachio at least.
(4)Elizabeth J.
Awesome selection of Macaroons. They have a special crab sandwich that is delicious. Tastes very healthy, comes with Mango and Avacodo.
(4)A D.
Stopped here once on my way to a meeting this week and asked for a earl grey macaron. The cream inside was bluefish which was a big turn off for me, I don' t like blue food. The macaron was too cold, the cream inside was thick and blue and tasted vaguely tea. Was not impressed, and believe that they use too much coloring products in their macarons, they look like smarties on steroid. Will not return.
(1)Crystal Z.
My friend and I walk into the cute little storefront and as I walk in, I notice that there are barely any macarons left... it was only 5pm but I guess since 7pm is their closing time.. its kind of acceptable? I decided to order 6 macarons; lychee-rose, rose, earl grey, cassis-rose, matcha and grapefruit. I was kinda overwhelmed by the choices so I was being a bit slow (but there was no line... at all...). I was curious about what some of the flavors were since they were not clearly marked. The man was SO IMPATIENT. The service from this guy was about one eye roll away from that of a spoiled teenager. Terrible service, horrible attitudes and lack of variety (if you go a couple hours before closing I guess...) The macarons are also kinda iffy... the different flavors (that are supposedly available but only if you don't go 2 hours before closing) are really nice.... but 4/6 macarons I got were ridiculously stale.... so that's a 66.6667% that you'll get a bad macaron... Don't get me wrong, they're okay but I've definitely had better. *cough* bisous ciao
(2)Gyuri K.
This location has much more flavors than the one on 36th and also the servers are much more friendlier!! I always get honey lavender, rose lychee, and vanilla here :) They are my favorite ones and the bests so far.
(5)Vivian K.
Macaron heaven! Lavender Honey, Rose Lychee, and Matcha were my favs. Coconut was just 'OK' Minus 1 Star for the bitch behind the counter rushing me because they were closing in 15 minutes. Shoulda backhanded her and showed her who was boss.
(4)Helena H.
OK.. By getting another ELITE Badge from yelp I treated myself with MACAROONS!! (Also will be my Favorite Sweets aside from Chocolate) $ 25.00 of 12 Macaroons, Different Flavors Pistaschio Raspberry Rose Lavender (2 different types) Pumpkin Cassis Hazelnut Lost count............. It was too Yummy! Will come back again. They usually have different flavors everyday so make sure to come Often. Prices are $ 2.25 each. Or you can get a box of 6, 12 or 25 pcs. They serve foods and drinks aside from macaroons. Love to SPOIL myself!
(4)Sarah Y.
Very upset with the service. The woman rushed me the whole time. Didn't explain to me there was a list of the different macarons so I didn't know what ones I was getting or how many different kinds there were.
(1)Kathy D.
Tucked in the middle of a high rise building, you will find this cute and bright cafe with their employees dressed up in french maid outfits. We came here after my cousin came out of work on a Friday Evening, where we basically got the place to ourselves. I loved the macaron display since it was so colorful and had basically any flavor you would want to look for. The macarons were actually very good! I got the raspberry one and it was so delicious and flavorful I wanted more! The biscuit was light and not so chewy compared to other places I had. I had to have this with a cup of coffee, which took awhile for them to make... Limited seating in the back. More for the workers that would like a snack on the go type of place!
(4)Cassandra M.
Someone must have been listening in on a conversation that I was having with my sister about these little colorful treats. Why do I say that you ask? Well, I received a little luxury box for my birthday from a friend and have been nibbling on these bad boys ever since. Now- I dont really have a base of comparison but whatever...these cookies (can i call them cookies?) are good. I'm not a huge sweet fan but these little french macaroons are delicious. I do however wish there were a guide that accompanied the gift boxes so I won't have to play guess the flavor with each macaron. *takes a bite* its green. yes, i think its pistachio.
(4)Diana T.
I was determined to find a cute macaron shop in NY and then when it dwindled down to the last days I didn't have time to head all the way down to Nolita or Chelsea... but when I was headed up to the Met we walked by Macaron Cafe and I was ecstatic! I found it on yelp and didn't think we'd have time to make it but the second we saw the sign I ran right in. Pistachio will always be my favorite but one of the two lavenders I had were delicious. The other was ridiculously sour. White chocolate was good but dark chocolate was even better! I really wanted to try the Rose flavor but they didn't have it :( Overall I loved the quaint little pastry shop, I ended up buying the box just so I could have a little keepsake but dock on star for being $19 :( But I still love it and I'll be back to try that Rose flavor in the Spring! Added bonus that they were still good when I brought some back home for my family in California!
(4)Velina L.
The store is super-cute: pink and white, employees dressed in cute little french outfits, and a display of multi-colored macarons. The macarons themselves were larger than what you would normally find and flavor-wise, most of them were pretty good. The only one I hated was the rose-lychee, which tasted exactly like some fake flavoring. To me, the biggest downfall was the proportion and texture. The biscuit portion was very thick and chewy, and there was nowhere near as much filling to balance it out. In this sense, bigger is not necessarily better: smaller biscuits for the macarons would probably have helped with the overwhelming chewiness and relative insufficiency of buttercream/filling.
(2)Denis S.
Now that macaroons are the new "it" dessert in NY, prepare to see even more of these shops. I recommend skipping the larger ones (as they have too much cream filling) and sticking with the minis, which are much better proportioned. Plenty of flavors to try from but they're pretty expensive so tread carefully.
(3)Mandy L.
I have always been a fan of their macarons, especially their cassis (black currant) and mirabelle (tiny yellow-orange plum) ones. If you're lucky enough to stop by when they have their rhubarb flavor, you must try it... it's my fav. I find this macaron to be less overbearingly sweet. However, what surprised me the most from my recent visit is how good their sandwiches are. If you like smoked salmon, definitely try their Norwegian which comes with capers, cream cheese, scallion, and dill on filone bread. I also enjoyed the simple, but delicious Paris (ham, gruyere, cornichon, and lettuce).
(4)Leighann F.
Imagine the delight that filled me as I was hustling down 59th street toward Bergdorf's and caught the site of a tier of colorful macaroons from the corner of my eye. I stopped, turned on my heel and peered through the glass, where a virtual garden of macaroons awaited me. From the rainbow of French Macaroons (flavors including and exceeding Vanilla, Matcha Green Tea, Caramel, Chocolate, Espresso, Lemon and Nutella), I chose the Vanilla and Match Green Tea. Crunchy, sweet, slightly chewy and perfectly capturing the essence of their appointed flavor, these little macaroons are not cheap ($2.25 each), but worth a little indulgence while shopping, strolling or as a treat to bring to a dinner party. If it had not been for my pending lunch, I would have tried a few more flavors. Apparently, they serve sandwiches, salads, coffee and tea here, too...but with all this sugary goodness, I had not even noticed!
(5)Mary P.
Delicious soft pillows that melt in your mouth with almond pasty goodness. They're American sized and take a few bites to finish. Love their flavors although they don't have my favorite, lavender, today. The cafeteria style service throws me off but whatever hand me those little colorful frenchy cookies in that plastic baggie. Hint: plastic baggie is cheaper than the box. Also, make sure you enunciate your desires or you'll have no idea what you're chewing on. Still they're all delicious and I ate them all in one day of shopping.
(4)Sydney B.
I popped in here on Macaron Day and sampled one of the signature treats. The line was out the door, and the staff was attentive (processing any lunch orders while people waited to help keep things moving). They have a lot of flavors--maybe even too many! I went with the chocolate ginger, and it was pretty and good. It shimmered in the light, and was adorned with bits of candied ginger as well. It seemed a little bigger than the macaron at Payard at the Plaza. I've never tried the savory offerings here, but the descriptions looked pretty tasty (expect Madison Avenue prices...since, it's Madison Avenue). Though, if I came here for a sandwich, I'd know I'd end up walking out with a macaron too :) I'm definitely keeping it on my radar for a future sweet treat. It's also pretty near Central Park. Some seating in the back, but might be crowded at lunchtime especially.
(4)Meredith X.
I wasn't a big fan of the cafe but it will satisfy the macaron fix. They had the standard flavors (raspberry, pistachio, rose) and normally I like to go a little more adventurous so I was little disappointed in that department. The actual macarons were not as satisfying as I expected. The cookies were not light enough and I felt that they were too chewy. I also prefer a smaller amount of filling and I feel like they were just too liberal with the filling.
(3)Ashley S.
I am so pleased to find that there is an excellent macaroon and crepes darling little french patisserie near my work serving everything from macaroons and crepes to salads, sandwiches, breakfast pastries, barista choices.... to lunch specials!!! Whew... I went here today after lunch for a macaroon fix and was delighted to find that they have my ultimate favorite macaroon flavor: passion fruit!!! The place was hoppin! A line that backed up almost to out the door, the place was very narrow and felt like we were walking down a hallway in a club to get to the bathroom! This is midtown lunch rush after all so thats the usual for a new cute place... I loved the french staff and they did everything they could to manage the intense lunch insurgency occuring. The macaroon women were dressed in little french macaroon pink maids outfits which reminded me of the district of tokyo where guys pay for women to coo over them... yeah but it was so fitting for the pink dainty doily macaroon them I was loving every bit of it! My friend enjoyed every bit of her - Crepe with Nutella $3.25 They also have the following macaroon flavors to be fully updated eventually: ($2.25 each) Dark Chocolate White Chocolate French Vanilla Espresso Pistachio Nutella Praline Strawberry Violette Flower Rose ***** so intriguing Rose & Litchee Coconut Cassis Lemon Raspberry Passion Fruit ***** punchy and amazing! -------------- Mango - A flavor of the day get them when you can! Creme Brule - of the day get them when you can! Rhubarb- Crazy I know flavor of the day but nice Ok so I opted for the box of 6 macaroons for $13 and was so excited by the selection of exotic flavors to choose from! I have already tried the Rose and the Passionfruit and my friend and I both agreed they were transcendental... she said the subtle smoothness of the rose was so unique and exotic it reminded her of an Indian dessert she had once tried at a wedding that had a hint of saffron. Enjoy your voyage to a faraway land of macaroon flavor-filled pleasure and feel free to invite me to join as I am always up for another one, kinda a macaroon-aholic... better check me in to M. A. Macaroon-atics Anonymous...
(4)Elle L.
after a long long waiting being back at home for winter break, i really really craved for macarons in nyc. it completely failed to not only satisfy my craving, but also lost my homage to macaron cafe as my number one pistachio macaron shop to go... i think the store in 36th is better than the main store...
(1)B K.
Awful awful service. I waited in line forever while they helped everyone after me in line and made excuses for why I would need to wait just a little longer- and all I was trying to do was order 6 macarons! Not difficult, if you even have the IQ of a pebble. Given choices like laduree in this city, I'd say don't waste your time here.
(1)Stephanie W.
I've recently become addicted to these little gourmet pieces-of-heaven, my favorite flavor being raspberry :D It was quite the adventure trying to find the shop because the address says its on Madison Ave, but its actually on 59th Street OFF Madison Ave. It was a small and narrow shop but there was a huge line inside! While the patrons waited for their orders to be taken, they gave out champagne. Unfortunately, they ran out of champagne when I got there...but no fear! I will surely be back :)
(4)Teresa J.
Absolutely fantastically delicious macarons! They must use French butter. How else could the fillings be so delectable? And the almond meringue cookies are the perfect ratio of chewy and crisp. White chocolate was my favorite. The front of the shop is easy to miss if you don't know the area (at least it was for me). That adds to the overall sense of privacy, though. Combined with the curtain one pushes aside to actually enter and the snug booths in the back, Macaron Cafe can feel like a hideaway from the busy street, unless you sit next to three incredibly animated women who are chatting and laughing like crazy, as I did on my first visit. My second trip in, two days later, was more low-key. I very much wanted to bring a pretty gift box of macarons back to Portland, but the shop gal explained that they wouldn't keep well for the long trip home. What a lovely present they would have made for a friend...or for me.
(4)Angela M.
This is a very tiny place with a small dining area in the back with about 4 tables/booths. The staff is super friendly and all french from what I saw the day I went. I am not sure what all the rave reviews were, I got a variety of 6 Macarons to take home and share with the bf and half of them were bland, the other half were not very remarkable for $2.25 each. I tried the pistachio (my favorite), dark chocolate (eh) and also got the espresso (bf said it was eh), raspberry (eh), and I got a passion fruit and vanilla one I think that we did not try. They seem to have daily food specials which might be good, I just got an unsweetened hot chocolate and almond croissant to waste some time before a hair appointment when I was there.
(3)Shannon Z.
Tried the vanilla and green tea macaron. I totally loved the Vanilla one. It's sweet (but not too sweet) and delicate(the filling). Totally light and fluffy but can hold it's own. The green tea has a super strong matcha taste to it. I found it to be a bit overwhelming. I'm excited to try the other floral flavors MC has to offer soon enough!
(4)Melinda I.
Yummy and GLUTEN FREE! This place is cute and the macarons taste great! I must admit I went to another place in Greenwich Village that was just a tad bit better, but also a tad bit more expensive. These were really, really good. The entrance is not off of Madison, so be aware of that. Can't remember the street, but it's on their website.
(4)Michael L.
The Macarons are indeed good, some are better then others though. The consistency also varied with the flavors. The pumpkin was damn good, probably my favorite out of the 6 we ordered. Some were actually hard, may either be stale or intentional? The prices are pretty high for what it is. Sure its gourmet Macarons but i'd expect more consistency at these prices. If i were to come back, I'd get half a dozen of the pumpkin!
(3)Tiffany L.
Sweet little cafe with DELICIOUS macarons (especially the pistachio! Though they have a HUGE selection.) and fresh made-to-order coffee. Very small area in the back with about 4 tables.
(4)Rachel M.
I wanted to loved this place because I love macarons. They were colorful and beautiful. However, the macaron flavors sounded much better than they tasted. Out of the dozen I ordered, the best ones were the pistachio and nutella. The pistachio flavor was evident and there were bits of pistachios that coated the side. You can't go wrong with nutella. Nutella makes anything ten times better, and the nutella filling was perfect. The caramel and dark chocolate were also good. As for the other flavors, they were unsuccessful. My friend and I tried them. We either spit some out some or just didn't continue eating the other half. I have had a violet cassis flavored macaron elsewhere, and it was divine. This one tasted like soap as well as the honey lavender. The fruit flavors were not great either. The pineapple was beautiful with the green and yellow color but didn't taste like the fruit. It tasted like the artificial fruit flavor like in pineapple flavored candy. The mango macaron had no resemblance to a mango at all. All the other flavors in the box were hard to distinguish and quite forgettable. The texture was also inconsistent. Some were softer and chewier, while others were crunchier and crackled a bit. At the end of the day, the there was a box of macarons in the shape of quarter moons because I took one bite and never took a second bite. I wish I got a half dozen with only pistachio and nutella macarons.
(2)Tinya C.
Bestie and I went in for a macaron breakfast (classy, yeah?). The two girls working there were just setting up for the day, despite the shop being open for about an hour already. Bestie ordered her little 6-piece set, while I waited for my turn. Two other people trickled in, and one of the girls took their order. Okay, I suppose I'm invisible now. The other girl finally clued in that I was waiting to order. I ordered my 6-piece set and kind of wanted a coffee. Meanwhile, one of the other customers ordered a latte and the girl working the coffee machine just looked puzzled. Scratch that coffee. The macarons themselves were pretty delish. The green tea (matcha) ones were superb and definitely my favorite. Perfect shell with a creamy, flavorful ganache. Blueberry, raspberry, and apricot were also very good (although the raspberry filling was a bit seedy). Great macarons (steep price though), but the service could use a bit of work.
(3)Jack L.
I skipped out of the office with a few lady co-workers and decided to come here for lunch since it was cute and girly. We went to Pop Burger and chowed down on a second lunch afterwards. Overpriced, small portions and not-so-good for all their items: macarons are good but I need to eat 3 to feel like I ate one, their soup is tiny and hardly anything to remember. I think this place is moreso tailored for the fashion girls that work on 57th St. who like to eat tiny lunches!
(1)Jbird G.
The Macarons are pretty good, the food is ok but the ambiance is awful. The music is loud and clubby. It most certainly does not make you want to sit in their "cafe" and enjoy a coffee and macaron!
(2)Erik H.
Hey I love treats just as much as the next guy, but to pay $2.50 for a small cookie is just not my thing. Yes, every once in a while is nice but I always see this place packed with people. This is a very small, narrow location so if there is a crowd, it can get very tight in here. I will admit that the Macaron cookies do taste very good, some more than others, and they do have regular food for breakfast and lunch. However, you would only really come here for the Macarons themselves. The shop is very well decorated with shapes and designs made out of fake Macarons and they really brighten up the place nicely. Also, the ladies behind the counter are very nice and professional. They are all dressed kinda like French Maids. Amazing selection of different flavors so if you don't mind the prices, you should give them a try.
(3)Ginny L.
Holy mother....Im in love! LOL~~ Came here with my gf right after we finished shopping....i have been dying to try this place out..and i was definitely not disappointed!! I got the 12 for $25 deal...they have a ton of flavors to choose from and they were super cute and pretty!! I got Violette Flower, Rose & Litchee, Passion Fruit, Creme Brulee, Rose, Dark Chocolate and then i lost count.....lol.....they were sooooo goood and light...i am definitely coming back!! Note: Some of the flavors were sold out, i didnt see Pistaccio and other flavors that were on the menu, so go there early!!
(4)Tammy L.
Have only been here once but I bought multiple flavors to try. The shop is tiny and cute, and the service was friendly. The macarons are cute and tasty, but lack a delicacy about them. The shells should be lighter, in my opinion--folks often reference eggshells. I have made macarons myself so I know how finicky they are...I'm thinking maybe the were baked a little too long or at a little too high a temperature. Overall they are good, but I have had better (Vanille in Chicago makes terrifically ethereal ones). The standouts of the flavors I got to try were passion fruit (I am a sucker for anything lilikoi-flavored) and the salted caramel. They will certainly satisfy a macaron craving. :)
(3)Ji Eun L.
I love macarons. I love French things. Thus, I love Macaron Cafe. I first spotted the "coming soon" sign on the door months ago and have been waiting for it to open since! I've gone a few times now, and it was well worth the wait. They feature dozens of flavors which change daily so don't say "next time" (I regret not getting the Rhubarb flavor when I saw it two weeks ago). The macarons are just like the ones I tried in Paris - flaky crisp outside, chewy and flavorful inside. French Vanilla is my favorite, but I also like coconut, sesame, and rose and lychee. Price is kind of steep at $2.25 each but they are worth it. I tried their sandwich special once which was the roast beef on whole grain bread. It was a huge sandwich and really messy to eat (too much mustard) so I couldn't finish it, but the quality was way better than any "deli" sandwich you can get nearby. The place is authentic and the servers are actually French. It's a tiny piece of Paris on 59th Street. J'adore~!
(4)Whitney O.
First, let me start by saying that this post has to do with their lunch, not their macarons... Today I went to get their Tuesday salad special; shrimp and avocado. Sounded amazing, but probably the worst thing I have ever tasted. I took a bite and noticed the shrimp and avocado had a slimy texture and had no flavor. I thought it maybe needed some salt, so I sprinkled some salt over the salad, shook it up, and took another bite - same thing. After 3 bites (hoping it would get better) my stomach started to ache, I felt nauseous and had to throw this $10 salad away. Their salads are all pre-made and who knows how long they keep them before throwing them away and their weekly salad specials are no bigger than the daily salads they place on their menu, which normally go from $6.95 to $7.25 maybe $8, so why this "special" salad cost me - $10 I have no idea. Thanks, but no thanks Macaron Cafe - I will never order from here again.
(1)Joanne T.
This place has so much more choices than laduree. Better prices too. 12/$27 vs 8/25$. My faves are matcha green tea, apricot, creme brûlée, passion fruit. I wish Philly had a location! Cute sitting area in the back. Wish I lived closer to this place!!
(5)Sherry S.
Are you effing kidding me?!?!!! People, if you think what this place sells is a real macaron, you NEED to eat a real one to understand the difference. I am by no means a macaron snob. Really. I LOVED the macarons in Paris .... From McDonalds of all places. This place however, has no place calling itself a true purveyor of macarons. Where do I begin? The Rose and Litchi had a strange bologna aftertaste which was very odd. The Pistachios were like ROCKS. Hard, chewy, not at all fluffy or light rocks. They were also bland, and kind of disgusting. The Coconut one was the only semi-decent one. If you want REAL macarons, I suggest Bar Bolud or Laduree. Otherwise, do NOT waste $2.50 on these imposters. You are just getting ripped off.
(1)Gina C.
Nutella macaron...need I say more!!!!!!! Yesterday, 3/20 was Macaron Day NYC 2012...and of the 21 participating bakeries...I hit up 8...and this place was in my top 2. They have a ton of flavors...I definitely have to go back and sample some more of them. The price $2.50 each is on par with other macaron places in the city, so it wasn't any more expensive then some of the others. YOU HAVE TO GO THERE AND TRY THEM...that is all.
(4)Zee T.
Had the creme brûlée flavor, so so good plus the ice coffee stronger than Starbucks and good. elegant upscale cafe, nice crowd and sweet staff.
(5)Alice T.
Walked by the Macaron Cafe and got a box of 12 because the boyfriend likes macaron. There was a wide selection of macarons displayed and they looked amazing. Flavors I got: Passion Fruit, Passion Chocolate, Vanilla, Expresso, Chocolate, Pistachio, Apricot, Cassis, Creme Brulee, Nutella, Raspberry When we first got it we had 2 and they were a bit hard because they took it out of the display which was probably a fridge. Then we took the rest home and ate it after dinner and the texture changed. It became softer and it was amazing. So yum. I never had the ones from Paris but hopefully I can compare soon. Passion Fruit is my favorite one from there.
(4)Tiff C.
I love macarons!!!! Especially if they taste as good as they do here. Perfect chewy texture and crisp almondy-shell. Please avoid the grapefruit and vanilla one (dark pink color) as it is EXTREMELY bitter. Unless you prefer bitter grapefruit zest in your dessert palette. Musts however, are: Pistachio, Orange Blossom, Almond (has marshmallow filling) and Blackcurrant. $2.70 each; 6 for $20 in a cute gift box (which you get to choose). Service can be rather slow.
(4)Lowie T.
A very cute cafe with minimal but cozy seating all the way in the back. The staff is very friendly (and French!), and even with the small ordering space and somewhat chaotic "line", they manage to be pleasant and keep things under control, which is nice. I had a latte`, a pistachio, & pumpkin spice macaroon. Perhaps I am spoiled by the too frequent indulgence of Laduree`'s decadent macaroons....but the ones here were just not up to par. The filling was a bit too creamy/buttery, and the pumpkin spice lacked any flavor of pumpkin or spice. The outer shell was chewy and had substance, but it didn't have the delicateness of a french macaroon. The latte was not much to write home about either. A nice cafe to have in the area if you are craving a multitude of macaroon flavors, but I think there are much better options for coffee.
(3)Food E.
I'm not crazy about macarons in general (don't really understand the trend), but I tried a few from here. Based on some of the recent reviews, I decided to try the apricot, green tea and blackberry. I tend not to like the flowery flavors (i.e. rosewater) anyway and veer towards fruity flavors. I liked the green tea the best, not too sweet and nice flavor, apricot was also good. The blackberry tasted a little too sweet; I think it had too much jelly in the middle for my liking. I guess I'd call the price of $2.50/ea average for these things..which is more than I prefer to pay for a treat I'm not so enthusiastic about.
(3)Barb L.
This place is easy to miss if you are walking rather quickly. In any case, I used to live nearby, so I thought I would give it a shot, since I am always looking for macarons comparable to those that I treat myself to when in Paris. The staff is friendly, and the decor is quite quaint. But aside from that, that is all. The consistency of the macarons is not right at all; the middle is far too chewy. Decent macarons should be have a tenderness to their flavor, not needing your teeth to chow down on it. The biscuit component, though, is all right. It's the filling that isn't correctly done and spoils the treat.
(2)Natalie S.
I walked into Macaron Cafe and felt like I walked into a world in Candyland. Its sooooo cute in there. I ordered a box of 12 and decided to try a bunch of flavors. The pumpkin, coconut, dark chocolate, and rhubarb WERE AMAZING!!!!!!! I loved them and will surely be returning to have some more yummy goodness.
(5)Martha M.
The texture of the meringue is perfect, the filling sufficiently chewy and soft. The flavors are subtle, not fake or overpowering. The wedding almond is amazing. This is a bit pricey for eggs white and almond extract, but that hasn't stopped me. I wish there were more seating in front to encourage lingering, coffee sipping and snacking on macarons. Also, I'd love to see just rose and lavender flavors--currently, I think the rose and lavender are paired with honey.
(4)Mitchell L.
Everything
(4)Anna Y.
I give 2 stars because "Meh. I've experienced better." is exactly how I would describe Macaron Cafe. My 2 biggest complaints = atmosphere and selection. With regard to atmosphere: any shop offering a superb collection of Mariage Frères teas alongside delicate French macarons on 59th and Madison should never resemble some obnoxious, pop-white, bubble tea/froyo stand. In other words, don't be deceived by the stately, ebony-wood exterior of this cafe. Secondly, I found the actual flavor selection majorly disappointing....no pistachio or caramel-sea salt??? Yes, I understand they probably rotate their flavors quite regularly, but these 2 (as well as rose) should be a standard feature. I see that several other reviewers have raved about what varieties they've tried at Macaron Cafe, but I've indulged in these cookies enough times to know which ones to consistently expect (especially in a place that boasts macarons as their main attraction). Simply put, if you happen to be passing by while in the mood for a decent macaron, then a quick drop-in will do. However, if you're looking for something infinitely more cultivated and satisfying, check out La Maison du Macaron on 23rd (Chelsea).
(2)Jodel M.
The service was standard but the product itself, the macaron, does not satisfy the macaron craving. The flavors were bland and could not be differentiated or easily identified. If you've had the macarons from Laduree in Paris or at the very least La Maison du Chocolat, then save yourself some time. Not worth the visit.
(2)Julie H.
I've never had macarons before and wanted to see what the big hoopla was about, so my friends and I decided to pick some up as we were passing by. After some contemplation, we finally decided on the rhubarb, green tea matcha, and nutella. All three were pretty good (light & chewy), but nutella was my favorite. They were decent (not sure what to compare them to since it was my first time), but worth $2.25 each? I think not...
(3)Luckie T.
personal favs: white chocolate; pumpkin cinnanmon & creme brule i have a friend who loves macarons as well & i bought her macaron shaped candles! so cute. i only wish they were scented as well :
(5)Muppet C.
I feel brokenhearted giving Macaron cafe 3 stars, but that's all it deserves in my book, if only because I spent a year living in Paris, where les macarons are not only delicious, but sinfully good. The ones at Macaron cafe are just... very good. Much better than almost any I've had in new york, but a far cry from the masters in Paris. Crust is too chewy and fillings are not quite as fine. That said, let me say that these are GOOD! A macaron in general is a delicious treat and they are certainly ambitious and well inspired on their flavor choices. Worth a stop if you've never had one, but if you're looking for Laduree or Pierre Herme, you will be disappointed. Cute aprons on the waitresses though!
(3)Emma C.
I'm all about value. These tiny macarons almost topping 3 buckaroos each do not impress me in the slightest. Yes, I will fall head over heels for their impeccable iced coffee with soy milk. And yes, I will fork over 3 beans so I can keep my eyes open for 9 hours in front mindless Excel sheets. But no, I will NOT pay 3 bones for a bite of sweetness that will get zapped to oblivion in less than 2 seconds. Head up to Financier instead on 59th and Lex - they have amazing macarons the size of a pizza pie (well, almost!) for only $2.75 and they taste better. :) Just a head's up.
(3)Tanja C.
The macaroons were good, I personally like them a little bit more on the soft and chewy side. Not sure if they are worth 2.50 each if you can get a crepes with nutella for 7$. But my big problem was the coffee -bitter and sour.
(3)Cinnabon C.
hit or miss. sometimes the macarons are fresh, but more often that not, you can tell they've been in the chilled fridge too long and are dried out with a tough chewiness. Its worth it to take the bus up madison 20 blocks or so and get the Laduree ones instead.
(2)Lara S.
The sandwiches here are excellent. Price is on par with any other sandwich lunch place in the area, but the quality is so much better. All the sandwiches are served on a french baguette, with fresh and abundant fillings. I tried the vegetarian one and even that was excellent- came with spicy mustard mayo. I'm abandoning pret a manger for sandwiches for so long as I am working close to the Macaron Cafe. Service here is just as excellent as the food too. I only wished I discovered this lunch spot sooner.
(5)Sno N.
Highly addictive Macaroons. My Favorite Macaroons are the Chocolate, Nutella & Pumpkin. I love this quaint little place. I bet you can't eat just one!
(4)Amela sandra D.
This cafe is long & narrow. It's more of a Macaroon Boutique than Cafe. The decor is so beautiful & sparkly. You almost feel like you're in a Breakfast @ Tiffany's exclusive never before seen scene. The macaroons are perfectly aligned & there are so many colorful flavors. Coming here is a must! I went here one rainy day & it was the best rainy day ever because I came here. Wonderful experience.
(5)Ellen O.
The macarons here are some of the worst I've ever tasted. They're gummy/chewy. They need to send their people to Laduree in Paris to learn how to make proper macarons. I've tried them twice (most recently yesterday). Almost so bad that I was tempted to spit it out. Shame on them!
(1)Pamela S.
I just don't know... maybe my vision of what a macaron should be is limited to the macarons that I make at home but even so... the shells all tasted the same - put some pistachios in the pistachio macaron for crying out loud! It tasted like the macaron was filled with pistachio marzipan, which of course I couldn't verify because there was so little filling between the two shells you couldn't tell what the filling was to begin with. At first I was going to give Macaron Cafe two stars, but now that I'm thinking about it if I'm having a macaron craving I'll walk by here instead of stopping to have a macaron. The apricot macaron tasted gross. The pineapple one, I love pineapple, tasted like they used that dried pineapple that's coated in sugar in the ganache. It was kinda gross too. This place is just not for me.
(1)Carol W.
Not the best macarons I've had in terms of texture, but very tasty. Particularly loved the rose lychee!!!
(4)Tanya M.
This place just doesn't do it for me. I love macarons and yes I may be very hard to please because well I've tried the best macarons from Paris. The macarons here are not the right texture and I actually find them to be stale most of the time. Yes they have many flavors but who cares about the flavors if the macaron itself just doesn't taste right.
(2)Dan Q.
yummy! [chicken sandwich special] What really makes this good is using nutty bread with grains and the kick from the mustard. [macarons] pretty good for 2.25. Hazelnut is better than pistachio though.
(5)Jeanne C.
Great service, good food, and delectable macarons.
(4)Pablo N.
Worth a visit for a snack.
(4)Lily L.
The place is cute, with a great ambiance, and the macaroons are definitely delicious, but overpriced. I had the rose macaroon, but it had a litchi taste to it, which was what I was looking forward to. I also ordered the Casis which I can't remember what it's supposed to be but it tasted delicious as well. They are perfectly created and taste like heaven, but truthfully are way overpriced The iced tea had a unique little kick to it's taste, I'm not sure, but I think it was either vanilla or Hazelnut flavoring added to it.
(4)Victoria F.
Not the most amazing i've had, but their macarons are gluten free! Some are even dairy free. That automatically gives them 4 stars!
(4)JANE D.
The reason this atrocité stays is its proximity to francophile central, Alliance Française. If you must have a macaron try Payard a block west or Mad-Mac one half block east; if you happen to have an infinity to queue go to Ladurée. Macaron Café--ceci n'est pas un macaron--pas du tout.
(1)Reina B.
My friend used to work here and she's french so I came by and sampled and ended up buying a huge box as a gift for family. They are good but not as good as in France... ahahah. Sorry to say. They are not too sweet however, the shell isn't as eggshell as I like.
(3)Au G.
Trying out a new macaron is very similar to a first date: You think about it, you adore it, you dream about it, then you approach it and you finally get to taste it. And sadly as it is with a first date, it often does not lead to a second date. The first thing that usually catches your attention on a first date is, of course, the appearance: I am not saying a love-at-first-sight, but least, it cannot be a repulsion-at-first-sight, can it? The shells were smooth with the regularly jagged sides - so far so good, as a well-dressed macaron should be. However, the encounter began to go downhill by the second glance: The macarons were too big, americanized and larger than the ideal, based on Sadaharu Aoki, Pierre Hermé and Ladurée - The Big Three, by about one-fourth of an inch in diameter. I am not following the Big Three in blind faith; the reason that all of their macarons are similarly-sized is because it is the right size - enough to allow you to enjoy the texture and savor the filling without being overwhelming; and with the flavor lingering, you yearn for one more. Taking the third glance, the date had seriously turned sour due to, what else, the thin, too thin, layer of filling. Now you had a largely-proportioned date in your hands, and you gingerly came closer for greeting the macarons: "Oh, something smells bad." Surreptitiously checking the surroundings, you had realized it was actually a greasy smell, like stale fried food, and it happened to emanate from the very macarons. My mind was stuck dumb: "Why?" There is sbsolutely no reason tthat he macarons should have smelled greasy: While a macaron is not exactly a low-calorie confection, at least, it is fat-free for the shell part; the fillings can be completely full-fat, depending on whether it is ganache, jam or butter cream, but there is no oil involved anywhere. Even before testing out the taste, I already wanted to go home. Rose-Litchee Suspiciously, I took the first bite; due to the thickness of the shells, my teeth sank and sank and sank...cracking the crunchy outer layer then to the chewy, very chewy, interior. In terms of texture, this belongs to the Ladurée school - chewier and harder than the airy Pierre Hermé (I am surprised that while some are able to correctly cite to these two as the best macarons, all have failed to point out their differences). Had the size of this macarOn been smaller and thinner, the crunchy crust and the chewy interior could have almost resembled the denser Ladurée. However, size matters; not everything is bigger the better. Ladurée's shells are good because of its dynamite intensity: Crunch, an explosion of flavor, chew and chew and it is gone. On the other hand, you could be chewing for eternity, and this macarOn would still obstinately cling to your mouth. Over-eager to take the best of two worlds, without the necessary skills, the filling leaned toward the Pierre Hermé school's whipped creaminess. Pierre Hermé's rose macarons are sheer perfection: The crisp outer thin layer of the macaron crumbles at the first touch to reveal angelically airy interior; and at this point, the whole macaron is tumbling down to a sublime crescendo - the purity of the filling expands like the Big Ban in your mouth. Ahhh... Well, this macaron? It is a mere shadow of Pierre Hermé: perhaps more like a shadow of a shadow. Green Tea One sentence should suffice: Was this green tea or green food coloring? (Hint: The latter is the answer.) No, allow me to pronounce a very basic rule: Do not use an ingredient if you do not know how to use it; and least of all, if you do not know what it tastes like. Raspberry This was the only filling they got right; simply because it was raspberry jam. It was good jam, but, did they actually make the jam? Based on their track record, I would seek to give the credits elsewhere.
(2)Vanessa V.
I'm actually pretty impressed. The macarons come out cold so give them awhile to warm up to room temp before attempting to enjoy. The cake was slightly off (too chewy?) but the flavors were all good and the fillings weren't overwhelming. Each bite as a whole was a little too sweet but overall better than I was expecting. Still nowhere near Laduree but the best I've had in NY so far.
(4)Jenn K.
Hello, very tasty and addicting macarons! My husband and I are a little bit in love with this place and their tasty creations. Their passion fruit is to die for, and I really love their wedding almond. Husband loves vanilla, passion fruit and apricot. They are pricey, and not as good as macarons in Paris, but still, they are very good and quite a lovely spot in NYC. Can't wait to try lunch here!
(4)Sasha H.
Honestly, I loved this place when I first discovered it at its 34th street location. The coziness and genuine Frenchness of it all, and their French-speaking employees really charmed me. That, and some great macarons. Unfortunately, this review is for their customer service (and maybe also the macarons at this location). I came to the store looking for fleur de sel caramel macarons, since I had mentioned to my boss how much I enjoyed that flavor. I wanted to bring her some for her birthday, as part of a box. I came in after work, and they did not have it, so I asked if they would have it the next day. One girl said probably not, but another asked me how many I would need and if "four" would be OK. I said yes, and she asked me to call back in an hour, when she would know if they would have them. I called back, and she confirmed they would be there the next morning. The morning arrives, and I go there, there are no fleur de sel caramel macarons, and the employees act like they have absolutely no recollection of the previous day's occurrences and almost as if I am completely ridiculous for even expecting such a request to be fulfilled. This irked me, and left me in a strange position because I like gifts to have some kind of relevance. But given that I was already on my way to work, I had little choice but to purchase a box without the relevant flavor. I was disappointed that this occurred because I really do like this place and expected more. Also, I don't know if it is the cold or maybe being late in the day, but the cassis (my fav) macaron I had was very hard and brittle, not airy yet dense like the ones in the downtown location. Big sadface.
(1)P X.
My love affair with Macarons began after my aunt shipped me the delicacy from France about a decade ago...and I am been seeking them out since that day. So, I clearly had to stop by the Macaron Cafe during a recent stroll. I got a package to ship to my grandma-a few rhubarb, pistachio, and apricot. And, of course, I got a package for myself. They were delicious and the rhubarb was amazing. The treats were packaged perfectly and withstood the shipping process-and I must mention that they were also cute as can be as well!
(4)Jyl L.
we were looking for a cafe to get a quit bite in the middle of shopping in nearby streets and Yelp helped us found this little gem. The store is tiny but cutesy, filled with macaroons that girls love. It also smells amazing, decent selection of teas. We got sandwiches and they were priced moderately and were pretty decent. The seating section is rather small and we find it difficult to eat sandwiches/drink coffees on the table, they were probably for macaroon tastings. *note, they also hire the best looking staff, pretty boys and girls
(4)David S.
Had the paris baguette for lunch. Pretty good, although the bread wasn't as fresh as I was hoping. The macarons are really phenomenal though. I got an assortment of six and shared with co-workers and friends, everyone seemed to like all the different flavors.
(4)sarah s.
Pretty good macarons, but not as good as Bouchon Bakery. Cute little place, had the pumpkin, white chocolate, raspberry, and peanut butter. The macarons are a bit dense and chewy, not really light and flaky. The white chocolate one was abysmal- I don't know if it was old or what, but it was like chewing an old piece of meat. The raspberry one was just fine, as was the peanut butter. But the pumpkin- oh, it was divine! I think there was real pumpkin in it- it was just autumn in your mouth, it was so good. I wouldn't make a special trip here (as I would for Bouchon), but if I was in the neighborhood, I would stop in.
(3)Kristin G.
I've been on the search for a great macaron in NYC for the last few years ever since I spent a week gorging on them in Paris. Hated Kees' (too crispy), disliked La Maison du Chocolate's (very meh) , and didn't care for Bouchon's. However, lo and behold, Macaron Cafe has really come through! Though I doubt any macarons in the city will really ever be *just* as good as the ones I had in Paris (sorry NYC), Macaron Cafe is 90% there. Some of the best flavors in my opinion: Coconut, Pistachio (AMAZING), Passion Fruit, Cassis, and the Matcha Green Tea/Chestnut. I didn't care much for the Grapefruit or Chocolate. So, really, check this place out.
(5)Anne-Paige D.
Delicious sandwiches, great service and superb macaroons.
(5)M H.
Really nice place. I have tried most of the macaroons here, but I really wanted to review the espresso. I got a single espresso here (for $2.50) and it was actually surprisingly tasty. A bit bitter on the first sip, but it really turned out great. Pretty sweet (and smooth), would recommend, and would definitely go back for a second espresso. Btw, i know they're expensive, but try the lemon macaroon...you will be in heaven. =) [other good ones are the dark chocolate, raspberry, mango, and rhubarb]
(3)Katherine N.
Fabulous macarons at Macaron Cafe! Cute place to sit and take a rest or pick up some delectable treats which are always uber-impressive. It is a bit on the pricey side ($2.25 per macaron), but perhaps that why I feel pampered any time I treat myself here. The Pistachio macaron is delicious.
(4)Lisa C.
Came here with some friends around 1pm on a weekday. The line may seem long, but it's actually a pretty short wait and the small seating area in the back is mostly empty (I think most people that come here work in the office buildings nearby so they take their food to go). Cute little place that's excellent for talking/catching up with buddies. They offer you a glass of ice cold (tap) water to go with your macarons, salad, or sandwich should you choose to stay and eat. I have tried the following macarons: raspberry (yum!!), lemon (VERY lemony but good if you like lemon tarts), and honey lavender (not a big fan of this one... too perfume-y for me - I feel like I just ate a flower petal!!). I bought a box of 6 for $13 ($2.25 per piece if purchased separately). Others in my box are mango, green tea, pistachio (mango & pistachio are both highly recommended by my friend). Will let you know how I feel about them after I devour them... I believe everything that's sold at this location is made from their other location on 36th street as this location is VERY small and I kept seeing the workers bringing up prepackaged salads/macarons from downstairs. P.S. DO NOT look for this place on Madison Avenue!!! Despite it's address - the entrance to the store is ON 59th street, on the block where the red awnings are (diagonally across from Crate & Barrel). ALSO - The macarons are GLUTEN-FREE for those of you who are looking for a dessert that's gluten-free =)
(4)Daniel C.
Great place to get macarons when the craving hits. My fave is the creme brulee. If you're a real macaron lover, you'll notice that the fillings here are a little thicker and denser than what you'll find in Paris at Laduree or wherever, but I'm fine with that. Would give it five stars, but the service here is a bit hit or miss. Everyone's really nice, but they just need to tweak things a bit to get me in and out of there a little faster. Regardless, I'm still a big fan!
(4)Kathy N.
I was in town in December to visit my boss (I work remotely from L.A.), so I stopped off to pick up lunch and a dozen macarons. Beautiful packaging and wonderful flavor choices. My turkey-avo sandwich was meh. Good bread though. The tattooed guy behind the counter was attentive. I picked up a couple of macarons for myself to enjoy later on in the afternoon on my train ride back to the Island. They were stale. I shudder to think that my boss, who was so gracious and said her macarons were all delicious, might have experienced the same thing. Good coffee. I might go back to try them again, just because my boss said they were good, so maybe I picked up a couple of bad ones. Plus, some actual French people stopped in to order while I was there. But, still... They were sealed in their cellophane bag, nestled carefully in my leather camera bag, which I guarded with my life all afternoon. Never had a problem with waiting a few hours to eat macarons from Europane (Pasadena).
(3)Troy S.
Love it. Went there for a sandwich (the Paris) which was great. It's not the least expensive sandwich, but it was certainly authentic and cute. There was a line out the door, which they handled really well by having someone taking orders from people in line. So when you got up to pay, your order was ready. Very well done.
(4)J D.
In my personal macaron rating system, Macaron Cafe falls out between Pierre Hermé and Ladurée. The pumpkin, rhubarb, passionfruit, and dark chocolate macarons were all quite good. Coconut was only so-so, but still enjoyable. The texture was just right, although the jam was a little slim in a few instances. The prices are a little high, but well worth it if you want a good box of macarons without flying to Paris!
(4)D C.
i bought 24 macaroons over the weekend. so good! i ate 5 of them in a row. got a bit of sugar high~ they are on the expensive side but well worth it
(4)L R.
It's funny hardly anyone mentions their breakfast sandwiches and they are a few cuts above anything else in the neighborhood- in fact the bacon egg and cheese sandwich is GREAT!
(4)Chris S.
The new Macaron Cafe is open! A bright and shiny new store with Macarons lovingly displayed at the counter. It was hard to choose from all the flavors. I had the special sandwich of the day which was fresh and amazing - they prepare the sandwiches at the other location so they are ready to go which minimized the wait. There are a few tables in the back but its close quarters in there. Aside from the price being a bit prohibitive I will definitely be back.
(4)sufia k.
The macrons were equally beautiful as they were delicious.My favorite flavor; Hazelnut by far,it had a subtle kick to it.I order a box of 25 and hesitantly shared with the family but,was happy they enjoyed just as much as i did, lavender rose,and pistachio round out my top 3 best flavors. Just remember to refrigerate the ones you haven't gobbled up soon,its best enjoyed melted in your mouth an not on your hands.
(4)Ronnie S.
I work across the street and I stopped in earlier in the week for a Latte. The coffee was great. I never had a Macaron before and one of the waitresses convinced me to try one. I was completely blown away. I read the review about them not being as good as ones made in Paris. Honestly, if they are any better than these I would rather not try them for fear of total addiction. After Macaron, I walked into Bond #9 to get a gift for my girlfriend. The cashier noticed the Macaron bag and asked where I purchased them. I told her I worked across the street on 59th. Turns out since I work in the neighborhood, I get a discount at Bond. Basically Macaron saved me about $40. I wonder what other tricks I could pull off walking around with these bad boys in hand. Thanks Macaron.
(5)alison s.
tasty macaron and hot chocolate in a charming spot. granted it's tiny but what i recoil at is in a place that serves food and drink but then sends me across the street for a bathroom. even if it's legal (which apparently it is in NYS for an establishment with fewer than 20 seats), it's still not cool.
(3)Amanda H.
Maybe we caught them on an off day, but I found the macarons to be a bit flavorless and underwhelming. The cookies were too chewy and had no crunch when you bit into them. I'll take Maison du Macaron over this place any day.
(2)JJ J.
I placed an order online for my sister's birthday. She is a busy professional who works in a corporate office. The delivery guy showed up and wanted my sister to come down to get the order herself. She was too busy to go downstairs to pick up the order. Instead of arranging to have it sent up an alternate way, the delivery guy just left with the box of macarons. When I called to reschedule the delivery, I got an earful, first from a Hispanic woman with a thick accent that I could barely understand. When I asked to speak with her supervisor, a man with a thick French accent got on the phone and went off on me. He wouldn't stop talking and wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise. I got so irritated at his rudeness that I made up my mind never to give them any more business. When I asked him for a refund, he went beserk, yelling unintelligibly in a heavy, French-laden accent and then hung up on me. The funny thing is, it was all one sided. Not once did I get upset or raise my voice. All I wanted was to have the order redelivered and what do I get? Two angry people on the phone with no concept of customer service yelling my ear off in barely intelligible English! My sister and I both love macarons but never will I do business with them again!! Now I have to contact my credit card company to try and get my money back.
(1)Shu O.
really cute lunch spot. during the summer/spring season they have this fresh crab with avocado sandwich that is delicious! macarons are good, not the best but they they really do excel at providing a lot of exotic ones
(4)Alisa K.
This place has reallyyreallyyy good macarons. They are fluffy, have just the right amount of sweetness, and tastes just what a macaron should taste like. They have raised the price from $2 to $2.25, but I feel like they got a tiny bit bigger too..but still taste great! I favorite flavors are Rose, pistachio, and vanilla. The cute black seating area in the back adds to the sweet ambiance of the cafe.
(5)Jenna H.
Ever since I've seen these little things I've been dying to try one. They are just so cute and colorful. (For those who are wondering what they taste like and what the texture is like...they have a sweet almondy taste (I think they are made with almond flour) and they have a little crisp shell on the outside, a chewy inside with a filling in the middle). They are VERY rich so I can't see eatting more than 1 or 2 at a time. We tried tons of flavors and my favorite was the raspberry, the lemon and the dark chocolate. The staff was friendly and helpful. The cafe itself is very small but has cute french decor. The only negative thing is that they little buggers can be pricey. It was like $25 for a little box of 12. But worth the price. I brought a box home with me and a lady in the airport asked me what they were and said they looked delicious. I think the Macaron craze will totally catch on.
(4)Andrew S.
2 out of 3 times I've gone here the product has been very stale. Very chewy, once even hard as a rock. Never again. I'll take my $2.50 per macaron to Payard or La Maison, thank you.
(1)Joanna S.
On a recent visit to NYC, my boyfriend walked past this place and brought macarons back for me. They are delicious. A bit pricey but worth the money since I'm too lazy to make them myself. Try the pistachio ones, they're my favorite.
(4)Magda K.
This place's cappuccino just made my day- heavy and smooth. Their almond croissants are also delicious.
(5)Amanda L.
Gotten a quick, delicious take-out breakfast here on a number of occasions. Cheap for high quality French food and a real treat for breakfast before work. Egg and cheese on a baguette is clutch with a freshly brewed iced black tea. Friendly service to boot. Yum!
(4)Joanna T.
We had visited Laduree UES earlier in the day but found ourselves walking past Macaron Café. It was my last chance to get good macarons in NY before heading home, so don't judge me! Macarons here are $2.50/each - so slightly cheaper than Laduree, and the cookies themselves are about 20% larger. Where Laduree seems to focus on a single flavor, Macaron Café has some very inventive combinations. We tried Crème Brulee (amazing - with little bits of carmelized sugar), Passionfruit (slightly tart), Lychee Rose (very good, Laduree's rose is a little better) and Honey Lavender (my favorite of all). Macaron Café's offerings have strong flavors - I mean that in a good way - and the texture of their macarons was very good. This location also sells sandwiches and coffees but there are only 1-2 seats so plan on taking your purchases to go. Overall - definitely above average macarons - but they aren't Laduree.
(4)Cassandra T.
Stopped in here to grab something small to ease my hunger. Glad I didn't come in with any real expectations because the macaron I had was truly a disappointment. The staff was nice. I asked the lady for some recommendations, and I went with the nutella macaron. My first bite immediately reminded me of the macarons I had in the French McDonalds: although it was chewy and tasted like it was very refrigerated, it was adequate enough to satiate a macaron craving. The difference between Macaron Cafe and McDonalds France is that at least at McDonalds, the mediocre macarons were affordable. The ones from Macaron Cafe, although they were a nice big size, came out to $2.50 a pop, more than I'd like to pay for a macaron that had me going "meh."
(2)Jessica K.
The best macarons in the city.Their cappuccino was perfect and the atmosphere is very nice.
(5)Kia R.
IF you look at my reviews, I love macarons. They are probably my favorite dessert. I especially love the chewy variety. I give this place 3 1/2. It was pretty tasty. I would definitely come back again in the future and try some of the other flavors.
(4)Barbara G.
Four stars for everything except the macarons (which I would rate a 2.5). Luckily for this little cafe, the staff (always friendly and courteous), coffee (nice and strong), and food (yummy breakfast and lunch options) are all wonderful. The macarons can be a bit inconsistent. Sometimes they are better than average, sometimes worse. The flavors are all nice (I like Rose the best for its subtlety), but the texture and consistency (maybe because of the refrigeration?) can sometimes be a little off.
(4)Alison C.
Not enough to say about this place. So good. Tried several macarons in the city by far the best. Small little place, but so worth it.
(5)Sally B.
It's never the wrong time for a macaron. My friends and I stopped in here on a long walk around the city. They had been here the day before and absolutely insisted that we come back - and rightly so. In addition to being adorable, this place serves delicious macarons in great flavors. Everything from creme brulee to nutella to rose lychee. At $2.50 each, you might not be able to afford every mouth-watering flavor, but that just means you'll need to come back soon. Their coffee was delicious too - I had an iced cold brew which kept me going all afternoon. Their espresso is also top notch. Minus one star because it doesn't seem to be properly staffed - coffees were being made out of order and a huge line formed behind us, despite the fact that we ordered pretty simple things. The one person there was trying her best to handle the crowd on her own, but the experience would be more pleasant with an extra set of hands.
(4)Andre Philippe F.
Best breakfast deal in midtown. I go almost every day and have the Baguette with Egg, Cheese and Bacon. Eggs are a little runny... Sorta like hotel buffet kind, white cheddar is verry good and the bacon is fantastic. $5 bucks.. Sublime... The only thing they need to do it toast the baguette. Its a bit chewy = frozen probably... The staff is super nice, their coffee is good, strong but not cheap. Stop in if you didn't have breakfast for a quick bite. They also make it in croissant.
(4)Rana R.
The space itself is small, not meant to be a hang out spot although there are a handful of tables & chairs in the back. Tried their breakfast sandwiches, nothing too special there. Except the dark hot chocolate I ordered. At first it was bland but the cashier said to add sugar & that I did. It turned out soooo yummy! A must try if you're in the café. The macarons were probably the best I've tasted, we don't have a lot of "authentic" macaron shops in SD.. They're definitely not too sweet and it stayed fresh even about 3 days after I bought them. The lady said they'd last for about a week if they were refrigerated but who would want to prolong eating these delicious treats?! The price for each macaron is $2.50.. ($14 for half a dozen, $27 for a dozen I believe) Steep, yes, but worth it. Grabbed 2 dozen trying almost every flavor. Everything was good, but my personal favorites are: Nutella, Pistachio, Crème Brulee & Mocha. A definite must try when in the city. The other places were way too expensive so I stuck to this cafe. May be hard to find as it is on the side of the building. They even let you choose your ribbon color.. Don't know why this place only has 3 1/2 stars, I thoroughly enjoyed their macarons.
(4)Ben V.
Great tea and a macaron while sitting on the large black leather couches in the back of this little hide out. Nice refuge for the fifth avenue hustle and bustle.
(4)Juliet F.
I am not a macaron connoisseur, but I know these weren't the best I ever had. I tried the Caramel Crunch, Wedding Almond and a third one I can't even remember and they were all just okay. The cookie part was a little chewy and they all tasted the same. I wouldn't go back.
(3)Lynn R.
Let me start off by saying I don't think I am refined enough for the macaron. I'm very content with a saran-wrapped cookie from a convenience store and for awhile my favorite sweet treat was the Hostess Cupcake. That being said...I guess I'm not surprised that I was just "whelmed" at the macaron. The presentation was lovely and I give major points for that. I ordered a strawberry rhubarb and nutella and both were delicate little pillows of confection perfection. Each one was dusted with a shimmery little powder that gave them a touch of elegance. The flavor of the strawberry rhubarb was a little too delicate for my liking - but perhaps that's what it's intended to be like? It was hard to get any taste at all out of it. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't...anything? I was wanting a little tart & sweet from it. I did like the nutella macaron much much better. The center was very creamy and delicious. At $2.50 a pop, I don't think I would rush out to try them again. I do think they're worth a whirl and if macarons are you thing, I'm sure that the Macaron Cafe is perfect for that. Just not my cup of tea...especially at that price point.
(3)Helen C.
Pistachio macaron: holy hell, why is it so friggin' chewy?! I had to literally bite down and pull it apart in order to eat it. I thought it was a prank macaron with its chewing gum consistency. I did not detect any pistachio flavor but there are bits of it around the rubbery discs. Lemon macaron: way better than the pistachio macaron, by a landslide. The discs were delicate and crumbled apart like a normal macaron and was not chewy at all. A hint of lemon at best but at least it's the better of the two. Welp, I won't be returning.
(2)Katherine S.
I had their Peanut Butter and Jelly macaron. This one was like biting into a legit PB&J sandwich. I almost felt like I was in kindergarden all over again...now I'm just looking for my mat for nap time and thinking about those weird little OJ cartons. Super delicious.
(5)Ashley M.
I got these macaroons sent to me as a present but when they arrived they were all melted and the freeze packs weren't even cold. Super upsetting because I've had many things shipped to me (cupcakes, cakes) etc and they all were cold when I got them and had dry ice but this one had three baby sized freezer bags in them. When j opened the box it was sticky and all the macaroon insides were completely liquified and the whole thing was a mess. And I was home when they were delivered so it's not like the package was sitting outside. I feel like if you know you're shipping during the summer months either tell the customer you can't ship it or put dry ice or other precautionary measures in there. There's no point in getting macaroons that have no filling. I called in to ask what I should do with them and was told to throw them away because they probably went bad "in the heat" if wherever they were shipped through was hot. So, essentially my mom wasted her money to send me these because they're not edible. Cool. Don't get any shipments from here obviously.
(1)Alex G.
A little pricey but delicious macarons none the less. Macaron cafe is a nice selection of interesting flavors that your typical Pasty shop would not carry.
(5)Julie S.
Completely mediocre macarons and my mocha was unimpressive. The variety of flavors was ample but the product wasn't impressive.
(2)Wing C.
So many different exotic and classic flavors to choose from!! I can't help but take a bite of each whenever I get my dozen! My fiancé and I fell in love with macarons after our visit to Paris last summer. My fiancé enjoys the more traditional flavors like white chocolate, pistachio, coconut while I crave the flowery ones like rose and violetta. I prefer the ones without the fruity jam fillings. Although none of the flavors are as good as Jasmine i had in Paris, I'm still a huge fan of all the macarons here! Will continue to come by to pick up a box of 12 on the weekend to treat myself :)))!
(4)A O.
The positive is that there is a wide assortment of macaron flavors here, which makes it fun to pick out flavors to try. The negative is that these macarons are really chewy. Most macarons at other places have a nice shell, so when you bite into it them you get the texture of shell-to-softness. Not here. It's all chewy. Some of the fillings are jelly-like with seeds, which also makes for a strange macaron experience.
(3)Jenny S.
Came for the glorious macaron day where certain NYC patisseries give out free macarons Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of Macaron Cafe AT ALL!! I choose pistachio (one of the top 6 sellers) & it was SO Hard to chewy as if it were STALE!!! These macarons are a bit larger than your the average but SIZE ISN'T EVERYTHING!
(2)Dominique F.
Finally got to try the creme brulee macaron amongst others and it's good, but not super fantastic. I also had the parfait which was actually pretty good. Overall, still not my favorite macarons in the city.
(3)Margaret L.
Beautiful cafe, with even more beautiful looking macarons.
(3)Shirley W.
It's a cute place in the middle of downtown. They have lots of Macaron selections. Their napkins are cute so are the catering boxes. They also serve sandwiches. Macarons are average I guess, but the packaging are very cute and classy.
(4)Cece Y.
Bustling place during lunchtime on National Macaron Day. There's a booth area in the back where you can enjoy their varied offerings: salads, sandwiches, juices, macarons ($2.50 each). The employee happily handed me their Pistachio macaron when I asked for their most popular flavor. It was so creamy that when I bit into it, the filling oozed out the sides. Wasn't sure if I'd like a pistachio dessert, but I was satisfied. It could've been a tad bit more flavorful and less viscous, however. 3.5 stars.
(3)Elaina R.
Having been both to this Cafe and Laudré I think that the Macaron Cafe is better. They have a wide selection of flavors and the prices are better. The lemon is by far the best! The staff is friendly and helpful, they love giving out suggestions. The only down side is the size of the place, I wish there was more seating.
(5)John W.
Horrible! That is my whole review. Old macaron and the coffee was horrible as well. I will give it a second shot and see.. Soon
(1)Alan R.
Gluten Free or not, have a sweet tooth.. FALL in LOVE here Gluten free delicacies, stop thinking just go there ASAP!
(5)Marla B.
I'm gonna say it: better than Laduree. Just as expensive, though. My favorite flavors are cassis, espresso, and cranberry. I really hope to try the apricot in the future, though. The staff could be a bit more friendly.
(4)Megan F.
Major disappointment. I've been crazy about macarons since long before they could even be found in the U.S. My favorites in NYC are Lauduré (of course), and Maison du Macaron in Chelsea. Well these macarons at Macaron Cafe are just embarrassing. Although they do have a lot of substance (they're big, chewy, and colorful), there is an utter lack of quality in flavor. I tried 6 flavors. Will not return. Don't eat these unless you are in the neighborhood and starving and wanting to fill up your tummy with whatever. If you are wanting to eat macarons for the first time, please do yourself a favor and don't eat the ones from here, they simply cannot be compared to Lauduré.
(2)Thalie L.
Sandwiches are pretty good I love the Normandy sandwich. i recommend it. French people go there. It's just in front of the French Institute where you can find french events or practice your french in classes. Macarons are pretty good too. Service is pretty good I love the french girl with a pink ribbon on her head
(3)Chloe Z.
Ugh if you like sticky SHELLS and skimpy fillings, macaroon cafe should be your go to spot Ad yes I've sampled better macaroons around town (Maison, Lauderee, Bouchon, fancy restaurant dessert menus).
(2)Rondell T.
Had the macaron as a gift. They are very delightful. With different colors and flavors. I recommend having the vanilla.
(4)Barak H.
To all the people that give positive reviews to this place: you never tried good (and real) macaroons!!!!! This place has the most disgusting macaroon i have ever tried. the lavender macaroon has a taste of public toilets. the raspberry macaroon has lots of jelly in it instead of creamy filling. Also the coffee.. Horrible !!! it's a wanna be chic place, they charge a lot for a super low quality "look alike" macaroon
(1)Ruka A.
Really cute place, nice staff, yummy food. Can't complain!!!
(4)Stella G.
Really cute shop! Spent $14 on a box of 6. Might seem overpriced, but all macarons are & it's a good deal when you consider how much you would have spent on a single one instead. The selection here is absolutely AMAZING too. Lots of variety in options, and its all soooo colorful. Total macaron lover/liker's dream come true. Will be back again
(4)Krista J.
This teeny tiny narrow storefront offers authentic and delicious macarons, but I recommend you take out rather than eat in. The few tables are very crowded. I loved the Gingerbread macaron....the perfect afternoon snack!
(4)Sam F.
Perfectly presented Taste is amazing! Loverly service. Can't wait to go back for more!
(5)Jennifer C.
Sweetly adorned macaron cafe offering over 15 flavors of this dainty, French confection, from popular flavors such as pistachio, espresso, raspberry, to more exotic options like the matcha green tea, wedding almond, nutella, rose, and cassis. Prices are reasonable for macaron standards at $2.50 per piece, or at three different price points, you can get gift boxes, that are wrapped in your choice of color ribbon (with a bountiful assortment of color options). The packaging is elegant, and makes for a great, little gift. Prices for boxes start at $14 for 6 pieces, $27 for 12 pieces, and $53 will get you 24 macarons, all of your choosing. I noticed in this quaint, little cafe, that there is a small section of seating at the back end, since they offer more than just macarons on the menu. Try their salads and sandwiches served on French baguettes for a more savory experience to pair along with their wispy macarons. Admittedly, I had never truly understood the sudden craze it seemed in recent memory, for macarons, but only now am I beginning to see the light. There's equal parts joy and satisfaction to derive from this deliriously addictive French treat. With delightful shops like Macaron Cafe, it is clear to see why the hype surrounding the celebrated macaron, prevails.
(4)Katherine C.
I'm soley basing this reivew on one macaron that I got yesterday during Macaron Day...but zzzzomg the passionfruit is delish! And that's the end of my story. (Btw, this place is literally a hole in the wall. A cute one, nonetheless.)
(4)Barb L.
I was dying to have an americano...well...ok, not as though I really needed the caffeine. It's just that I haven't had a coffee in NYC after we got there... This cafe was recommended to us by the nice lady at Camper across the street (that, is another story). We were a bit grumpy...the weather, the time difference...the works. Once we got in, the nice lady (drat, I forgot her name!!) patiently waited on our girlie who took FOREVER to pick out 2 flavours...I had my heart set on the cassis. She was super patient and had the most contagious sense of happiness... We warmed up in there, had the americano (ok, it does not compare to my favourite version at the Blue Bottle kiosk in SF) and the macarons. She even poured us 3 glasses of water for such a petty purchase! The macarons were nice...but really, it was the service that really made our day... Well, we ended up getting a box of macarons for our friends (who hosted us for dinner at their place) and we got ourselves a box of Mariage Freres teabags. Amazing thing is? We met this nice gentleman who bought his wife a 6 pack of chocolate macarons...had a nice chat...life sometimes is filled with sweet little surprises...just need to be present. We'd definitely go back if we are ever in NYC again.
(5)Grace C.
I've been here too many times to count. This location is larger than their other one on 36th, which is a bit narrow for my taste. The store itself is adorable. Everything is in pastels, and there are macaron towers and creations on display. What Macaron Cafe truly excels in, though, is variety. They have a huge selection of ever-changing flavors, and they will usually place a plate of samples on the counter before you make your choices. (I will unabashedly admit to stealing several of these samples at once. No shame.) My mom requests these every time I'm in the city. If you're not a fan of macarons, stop by for one of their sandwiches. Every weekday, they have a "special" sandwich for about $9, and they're decently sized, too. I love Thursday's sandwich, the roast beef, with mustard sauce, cherry tomatoes, and Provencal herbs. Also stop by for breakfast. They have an amazing chocolate croissant, and their breakfast sandwich (bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant) is to die for.
(5)Chrystal C.
I have had better-tasting macarons that are also not as expensive. The textures between the flavors of the macarons was also not consistent; some were perfect with that slightly crunchy outer and soft inner, and some were so hard I thought they were stale. The macarons are a bit larger than the usual ones I see but the quality is not consistent enough between all of the flavors. I didn't try the sandwiches, but they do have a decent selection. There is not enough seating - and there are some people who park themselves there for hours to study. What they have going for them: decor; the green tea, rose lychee, and honey lavender macarons were the ones that were good.
(2)Amy S.
You know, macarons are always so good, but I hate that they're one of the pricier desserts. I wish they were cheaper. Sigh. My friend and I got a 12-piece box and we shared, 6 each! It was great times. Let's see, these were the good flavors: orange blossom, pistachio, earl grey, and espresso. Rose blossom and violette cassis tasted like what lotion and perfume would taste like, respectively. The wedding almond's almond flavor was reallyyy strong. The white chocolate, green tea, and passionfruit were okay. Didn't get to try the raspberry or vanilla cause I was too full, but they were probably like the other ones. They're kind of normal flavors haha. The iced cappucino and iced coffee wasn't bad either!
(4)Maryrose B.
Absolutely the best macarons I have ever had!! Fresh, fantastic flavors. Very helpful staff. Uniquely narrow cafe, yet offered cozy seating areas.
(5)Saumil M.
All the positive reviews boggle my mind. These are by far the worst macarons i've ever had. The cookie is too dense and hard. The filling is just disgusting instead of creamy decadence. These are not true macarons which should be light and delicate. In addition, I tried six flavors and the only one that was tolerable was the pistachio. Disgusting flavors! Go somewhere else.
(1)Yiwen S.
the place is adorable, but tiny. a handful of tables all squeezed together in the back. fortunately, we were able to snag a table by the front window, which has a lot more breathing room. staff is SUPER friendly. and patient as i carefully picked out 6 flavors to buy from their huge selection. i actually thought they were really cheap at first when i heard i could buy a box of 6 for $14. then i sat down and thought about it, and realized that came out to $2.33 per macaron. umm ok so maybe not that cheap. but right around average price (~$2-$2.50/macaron) and these ones are a bit larger than a typical macaron. macarons are absolutely my favorite dessert, so as long as the pastries are light and airy and the fillings are creamy and flavorful, i'm a happy gal and i don't complain. that being said, of the 6, i really liked: cassis, pistachio, and wedding almond. thought the other three (espresso, green tea, and pumpkin cinnamon) were just ok -- more because i'm not as big a fan of those flavors in general. it probably also didn't help that i had to refrigerate some, so the ones i ate later on in the week were naturally more hardened than the ones i had when they were more fresh. in general, you should always try to get your macarons fresh if possible. so why 4 stars instead of 3? because they had the most delicious coffee. SOLD.
(4)Xavier S.
Not particularly a huge fan of macarons, but I checked out the Macaron Cafe for National Macaron Day in NYC where certain shops were giving out free macarons for anyone that endured a minor wait. I tried the Honey Lavender and it was a larger one than I typically see. It tasted good, the cookie part was fresh and the filling was adequate though it tasted somewhat like Earl Grey. I can't complain as it was free. If there was an occassion for me to get it for a gift, I would consider this store. Otherwise, I personally prefer donuts and other desserts more substantial.
(3)Tricia S.
My previous review was for MacarOn cafe's website but this summer I went to the location in Manhattan, NY and they are delicious and fresh if youre lucky to purchase in-store. Considering my previous review was shipped in 1-day/overnight buying online were not fresh! Buying in person made me wish I purchased 50 to take back home to NJ because the flavors were so much more tasty/fresh and flavorful. For the location in NY each macaron was $2.50 each and although it seems expensive, when you walk in the store you realize if the cashier/server cracks any while picking your cookies he/she tosses it aside so you can only perfection and when you understand the process of how each cookie must be perfect and not cracked when made, you realize these are difficult to make and why they as so costly when purchased seperately!
(4)Rach W.
Delicious take out place with stellar salads and sandwiches and must-try daily specials. Long lines during lunch hours but moves pretty quickly. Had the duck confit with mashed potatoes and side salad and it was very good. Didn't bother having any of the macaroons as they didn't look as appetizing as the food. Friendly staff. Very small and tight space. Best for takeout.
(4)Florence K.
Round colorful pillows of sweetness... what's there for the little girl inside me not to be a fan of? I've had macarons from this place many times, but that's because I'm fortunate enough to have a sister who works nearby to bring them home to me. This time around I was even more fortunate to visit this little shop of cavity heaven. I was pleased with the service and attention staff gave us. They allowed us time to look over the rows and rows of vibrant flavors. So at nearly three dollars a piece, I made my decision carefully. I opted for Rose Lychee and Strawberry Rhubarb. Flavors my chocolate and nut lovin' sister wouldn't ever dare to bring home! I liked the Rose Lychee, very subtle lychee flavor but still distinctly lychee. The Strawberry Rhubarb was good, it had enough of that "tartness" to set it apart from regular ole' strawberry jam. With it, I also had a Caffe Latte, that was absolutely delicious! I'm guessing it's the type of espresso and milk they use, but being a bit of a Starbucks snob, I was shocked at how good this was. It was a nice compliment to my macarons.
(4)Lynn E.
After a walk in the Park I needed a sweet treat. No cupcake for this gal. I made a beeline to this cute, small, quaint shop for a just-right nibble. Now, you could stay stay for a meal, snack with champagne, or something more hearty....it's like stepping into a French bakery/mini-bistro. The help is dressed in light pink and white stripped tops and greet you with a smile. Take a nibble from the sample plate and select a little something from the counter for your sweet tooth. Or take some away as a lovely gift. My sweet treat was the Wedding Cookie. This little confection was perfect - just the right amount of creaminess in the center and cookie texture on the outside. And the flavor knocked my socks off .... Like a little amaretti cookie. Pure bliss. Kept this gal walking for another dozen blocks or so.
(4)Bernadette C.
This little cafe is cozy, the seating in the back can get tight but the Macarons are delightful! My favorite flavor is Wedding Almond that's if you like almond extract because there's a lot of it in this flavor. Everything is gorgeously displayed. Flavor and Taste is 5 stars. The place gets 4 stars because they messed up on my hot chocolate twice and I find it hard to ruin hot chocolate. Also at $2.50 each, this becomes an expensive sweet snack because you just can't eat one :) but worth the visit especially if your shopping on 5th ave.
(4)Kendra H.
This place just reassures me that New York City is the greatest city in the world. The fact that I can find any type of food continues to amaze and dazzle my inner cultural fanatic. After watching Gossip Girl, I was curious to try French Macarons. I found this place here on yelp and decided to give it a go. They are delicious! These little babies will cost you a pretty penny though. I bought only 3 of them and that came to $7.50, but it was well worth it. The cafe itself is very very tiny, barely enough space for standing room. It's definitely a grab and go kind of place so don't expect to sit down to enjoy your macarons. My favorite flavors are the lavender and vanilla.
(4)Nicole R.
The macarons here are awesome. They have a wide variety of flavors, including my favorites, matcha and lavender. The baguette sandwiches and salads are great too--I work nearby so I sometimes come over for lunch. It is a small, intimate space, so it's a perfect spot for a group of 3 or 4, or if you want to meet up with a friend over coffee. The service tends to be a little slow, though.
(4)Jana S.
I've been here 5 times now in a period of under a month. Macaron Cafe seriously brightens my day and I wish that box of 6 macarons could come home with me ever single day. My friends and I have made this a regular Wednesday hot spot for their "crab sandwich," (yes, it not only is a great macaron spot, but they serve sandwiches and salads! its no wonder i have gained ten pounds) its absolute divine. Generous portions of crab, slices of mango, lettuce, cayenne pepper, french mayo on fresh bread - I want to be that fat girl and order two of these. Thursdays they do a vermecilli salad special, perhaps lunch tomorrow? I've tried just about every macaron flavor as well, except the perfume names - which I plan on taste testing this Friday. So far my favorites are: nutella - it's magically delicious. a mouthful of nutella pillow-crunchyness creme brulee - hi, new best friend wedding almond - very rich almond flavor, my bf didn't care for this one, score, more for me pistacio - bomb.com ! Caramel - juicy caramel comes flowing out of this bad boy The raspberry, strawberry, strawberry rubard, passion fruit and other fruits were okay, but i prefer the the creams and chocolate fillings vs. the jams. They also do half and half flavors, which really aren't my cup of tea. But really, i'd eat either happily. Staff is friendly, but massively SLOW and get confused with sandwich orders. That's okay, you give free samples of my little pretties, so i'll forgive you. Oh and the music is absolute HORRID, bring your headphones, unless you're into that sappy, sappy, ultra lovey-dovey type of music. (and yes, i know the words to just about every song!) See you FRIDAY, Macaron CAfe!
(5)Ashwin T.
im by no means a connoiseur, but a great place to satisfy a craving for some macarons. they have a wide selection, a helpful and friendly staff, and some (albeit limited and cramped) seating in the back. The macaron was tasty - crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I tried espresso and black sesame flavors, and enjoyed both. The iced latte that I ordered on the side originally showed up as a hot latte, but the error was promptly and politely corrected when point out. Good place to bring a date - its the kind of spot that a girl would describe as "cute".
(4)K.Y W.
I've been working on Madison and 60th for three years now and I always wonder why isnt there a Macaron store around here!? Turns out I pass this store on a daily basis.... Anyways, macaron is about $2.50 per pop and I got 6 for $14 along with a beautiful box, tied with which ever color ribbon you opt for. I am NOT a macaron fein and I've only tried Laduree, The spot and some other non popular cafes. Lemme tell you this, as of today, I am officially a Macaron fien! I can finally comprehend all the craziness and the hypes! So I ordered green tea, two pistachios, creme brulee, mocha and coconut chocolate. I've had green tea at the spot and the ones in Macaron Cafe taste more authentic. I definitely taste the matcha and some bitterness (thats what green tea is all about!). As for pistachios, most stores just used "pistachios" flavored fillings, Meanwhile at Macaron they used REAL chopped up pistachios! HAIL YES! i'll be back for more. Btw, they have an adorable sitting area in the back! As I mentioned, the carefully box it up at no charge! In Laduree, they charge you extra for a box... like forreals.... ? now only if they were cheaper...
(5)Michelle T.
Definitely not a fan. I only had the macarons so this review is just based off of that. Each macaron costs $2.50 - way overpriced for the quality. The cookie texture itself is not bad. It was actually pretty good. The flavor and filling, however, was awful. The flavors were ALL wrong. I had the Rose Lychee and the it had an overpowering taste of Lychee. It legit tasted like I put a canned lychee in my mouth. Where is the rose? The Matcha Green Tea was way too bitter. Matcha itself is a bit bitter but it tasted like they poured a whole bag of matcha powder into the cream and mixed it. Both flavors were way too heavy. Neither worked well with the light and airiness of a macaron. I wanted to love them but it just doesn't work for me. Still sticking to Laduree.
(1)Harry H.
Already turned off by the rude service at 3rd ave shop, I tried here anyway and scored a decent macaron. As I left, they had posted a massive sign in the window that they were out of Macarons, which must've confused people witnessing the still-massive line.
(3)Alison V.
Adorable atmosphere with delicous macarons. Had an apricot, which was filled with apricot preserves. Light and delicate and a nice treat.
(4)JudyManhattan C.
Rose and lychee, moist n fluffy, perfect! Better than Laduree.
(5)Eugene L.
good Macaron!
(5)Krystal L.
Super cute. Went here as a quick stop over with the boy to get espresso and tea after quickly seeing the Lady Gaga exhibit at Barney's (can someone say Lady Glutton). Didn't realize that is was a french macaroon shop till we walked in. For the macaroons: Got the espresso one and the caramel one. Really liked the espresso one. Their black tea wasn't bad either.
(4)Shannon D.
Nutella macarons: props on that. Who wouldn't want these two combined. Tasty 5* Creme brulee: also really nice 5* Caramel: very good, true to flavor 4* Matcha green tea: tastes exactly like matcha green tea, wow 5* Pumpkin cinnamon: good, wouldn't order again 3* Wedding Almond: again, very good. 4* Problem? Half of them were very stale. For 2.50 each none of them should be stale, but I appreciate their selection. Not the best macarons I've ever had but aside from the staleness, pretty decent. Would stop in again.
(3)Min K.
def not the best tasting macarons i've had BUT they are the PRETTIEST macarons i've seen. a box of six is $14 and they're the same as laduree's macarons (smaller than bouchon macarons). i got their signature pistachio, coconut, chocolate raspberry, matcha green tea, caramel, and pb&j. theyre pistachio was really strong, i couldnt taste the chocolate int he chocolate raspberry, the matcha green tea was SO bitter (tasted like the tea leaves that are stuck to the bottom of your drink), the caramel was alright. i only enjoyed the coconut (it was light and tasty) and the pb&j (good proportions of BOTH flavors). down to try other flavors but prob wont be my go-to place to get my macaron fix.
(3)Beth A.
I needed favors for my parents anniversary party and had this great thought - macarons! Now, who has some of my favorite (as I'm a bit of a snob about these amazing little cookies) but this place. The process was so simple EXCEPT for the part where you have to pick flavors because I don't think there are any flavors that I don't like. So I was working solely off of color at that point. These were the cutest little packages, wrapped with the light green satin ribbon - 1 pistaccio and 1 creme brulee macaron. It was the ultimate favor to give in my opinion and everyone loved them. Bonus for my husband because since he loves this place, when he went to go pick them up (none of them were even broken by the way) he bought himself a bunch of macarons to eat on the way home - his favorites are raspberry, pistaccio and rose. And they were such a hit. Totally the right way to go for party favors. And one of the best places to get them from. Update 06/04/13 - upon further introspection, the fillings are in fact a bit on the buttery side, however on the huge plus side that they are very good to work with for party favors (which is still not always possible) and always friendly and still not the most expensive I think 4 stars is good.
(4)Grace Y.
I found the service to be dismal, especially given the premium rates for macarons and drinks. I felt like was being served by 1) teenagers who didn't want to be there or 2) teenagers who didn't know what they were doing. Maybe I am being dramatic...they might have been in their early twenties. The macarons themselves were fun, very pretty and lots of flavors to choose from, like creme brulee, lavender honey, and dark chocolate. Would be a beautiful gift. Cute decor as well, like macaron decorations in a French cafe. Note to the manager: Though it's your "policy" to only give samples of cracked macarons, you should probably make an exception when someone is in the process of ordering $80 worth of macarons and asks for a sample. Everyone in the store was shocked at how rude it was to reject the customer's request.
(2)James K.
I came here with friends for the NYC Macaron Day, and the interiors were adorable. We tried two flavors - the espresso and the pumpkin. The espresso was gooey in the center and delicious. The pumpkin may be one of my favorite macaron flavors, it was so yummy! I'd like to come back, sit, and try more flavors one day.
(4)Serapis T.
The array of flavours had such potential. The service like some of the other reviewers said is rather dismal. The product itself (macarons!) were an ABOMINATION! How can they willingly serve the public STALE macarons?!? I don't understand this. I'm not talking about day old or end of the day macarons with a slight crunch, I'll put up with that. It is as if I took a scoop of flour and tried to eat it. That's what the texture was like. The flavours were very promising, if you can get past the STALENESS of it. I had bought the green tea (not as stale), rose, cassis, chestnut and grapefruit, all really really STALE! Very disappointing. I don't know if their 37th Street location is any fresher. But this stinks. AND you are located in an upscale district? Shame on you!
(1)Lauren G.
Ordered two boxes for Thanksgiving office treats and everyone loved them. I personally tried the Jasmine and Matcha Green Tea and both were fantastic. I like my macaron a bit chewier and these were that way. Everyone in the office had more than one and some came back for 3rd and 4ths. Cecile was also remarkably easy to work with after I messed up my order, not once, but twice. She was on top of it and they were delivered quite lovingly :) The boxes they showed up in were showpieces and everyone wanted to know where I got them from, probably because they all want more, as do I people, as do I. We tried the Master Chef's choosing of: - Apricot, Blackberry, Caramel "Fleur de sel", Cassis, Chestnut, Coconut, Dark Chocolate, Espresso, Honey/Lavender, Jasmine, Lemon, Matcha/Chestnut, Matcha Green Tea, Pistachio, Pumpkin/Cinnamon, Rose Petal and Wedding Almond. I will definitely be back, great experience all around.
(5)Kristin C.
For flavor I'd give it 5 stars. Absolutely delicious! I tried the Creme Brulee macaron today and it was perfect. But priced at $2.25/each it's not a great value. I would probably pick up a box if I was attending a party and needed a nice hostess gift. Other than that I'd opt for some frozen yogurt or an ice cream cone. Way more bang for your buck.
(3)K A.
Good size macarons. $14 for 6 I think, and they box and bow tie it. I enjoy the blackcurrant, pistachio (not on par with laudree, but hey), pumpkin (seasonal? but amazing). I tend to avoid their nutella/chocolate flavors, they don't complement the chewy texture of the cookie as well (out edge tends to be slightly overcrisped, but I like the character of each bite changing slightly). Basics like vanilla are better, even though I like chocolate in general. People like the PB&J, I think its gimmicky but so are macarons and people visiting love it so I point it out to them. Coffee is quite good. Service is friendly. If I'm paying for them myself as a snack, I go here. Bouchon or Laudree if buying gifts or for work/date stuff.
(4)Avian T.
Took forever to find this place, but so glad I did! SO MANY MACARONS :P My favorite is the rose, passion fruit, and green tea matcha. I'm addicted.
(4)Ruth R.
I originally found Macaron Cafe one morning when a friend and I were looking for a place to have breakfast near Lexington ave. I recently went to NYC to see my friend's art show and to visit my favorite macaron shop. Location: although the address states that it's on Madison ave. you will actually find the entrance on 59th. They have since corrected this on yelp. The delicious flavors haven't changed! My favorite of their exquisite macarons are: honey lavender, violette, rose, rose lychee! and carmel du sel. I also highly recommend their french press coffee. The flavor is not too strong, so you can enjoy the taste of the coffee with a hint of milk if that's what you fancy. Lastly, the service is nice and friendly. If it's the first time you've ever had macarons, they will help you out in describing the taste and texture.
(5)Rum Y.
I ordered on their web page, and my friend helped me pick up. The taste is just okay, I mean, I personally don't really like macarons that much; they're just really popular these days. Just too sweet. Lavender and chestnut chocolate are quite tasty.
(3)Judy L.
omg. the macarons are to die for!!!! First of all, the door is puny, so it would have been easy to miss if I did not see so many people carrying super cute macarons in cute boxes out from the store. They were AMAZING. They were adorable, delicious, and heavenly. Yummmmm. I don't even know how to describe it. These were the best macarons I've ever had. However, they come at a steep price. $2.25 per tiny macarons. We got 6 for $13. The more you order the lower the unit price. However, it's still over $2 per even when you buy a large box. My favorite was the litchi rose flavor. It was interesting, sweet, but not too sweet. Feels like it just melted in my mouth. And the lavender tasted like what flowers would taste like, but in a good way. Vanilla, passion fruit, and apricot were all good. :) DEFINITELY recommend. If I have money, I'd buy the largest box once a week.
(5)Jess L.
A friend brought me some macaron from Macaron Cafe as a gift, and they were a perfect treat. The pumpkin was unreal; completely decadent and true to taste. I was also a big fan of the orange and wedding almond. Oh so good. I will definitely be back to get more flavors!
(4)Tiffany L.
First time trying a macaroon & I got to say, I LOVE THE MACAROON CAFE. This place took me about an hour to find..kept walking in a circle from 54th to around 68 street getting lost. I read the reviews and i decided to try the pistachio and nutella and OH MY GOODNESS were they good. The nutella was so rich and creamy, it just melts in your mouth. The pistachio was so good also! It really had a nutty flavor, which I like. The 2 macaroons were $5.00 flat, so $2.50 each with no tax. It's a bit pricy, but WORTH IT. I wish they had a pretty box for less that 6 macaroons. The staff was helpful and nice. The music was meh. Overall, I LOVE this place. I would come again :)
(5)K K.
Very tiny little shop tucked in to 59St. - if you're not careful you will walk right past it. BUT OH THE DELISH! I am addicted to the pistachio - really the best flavor IMHO. Thank god they are $14 a box - so I don't go too often. Truly - everyone should try these at least once in their life- I like to bring a box to people who say they have never had one!
(4)Jewel Y.
Here's yet another great macaron shop!! I've tried it a few times already after recommended by my highschool classmate but my most recent visit really reaffirmed my conviction that their macarons deserve 5 stars especially vanilla and passion fruit flavors. Mmmmmm, Y-U-M-M-Y!!! They are to die for!!! This is how all the macarons should be!!!I can guarantee even those who don't like macarons will enjoy Macaron Cafe's macarons! They are about $2.25 each but are well worth it! And they serve good strong coffee too! The setting is similar to J'Chanceux Macaron, it's a super small take out shop with no frills. I'm going to add Macaron Cafe to my top 3 macarons in NY!
(5)Leslie O.
This is my first time eating macarons so I can't tell you whether they got this French little treat right or not but I can tell you it was delicious! I walked in and fell in love with the chic decor, it's what you would expect of French pastry shop with modern twist. And a place I would love to meet my girlfriends for tea and dessert if we did that kind of stuff. The colorful macarons were screaming "try me! try me!" from the display window and so I did. At $2.50 each I decided to just try two in case they weren't my thing. I took a bite out of the Rose flavored one first, and think: great that's what I get for trying to be different. I didn't like it! It tasted too artificial. Later on I took a bite of the pistacho and that was good! I have to pass by this store once a week for the rest of the summer. I'll keep you guys updated if I try any other flavors.
(4)Darnisha B.
I am glad I discovered this place. I happened to be walking around Midtown when I first moved to NYC and was in desperate need of coffee. My trusty iPhone found a few cafes nearby and I chose this one. I had never tried macarons before, but they always looked so pretty and colorful. I chose three: raspberry, vanilla, chocolate. They were yummy! The cafe itself is very tiny, not a lot of room (if at all) to sit down and enjoy some coffee and macarons. The only reason I give this place 3 stars instead of 4 is the customer service. Their staff is a bit rude, not very welcoming. It felt like I was bothering them when I was ordering. Plus their coffee is way overpriced. I've been back one other time, but their staff really turned me off. I think I'd rather find another place.
(3)Marina V.
once again my aunt surprised me with a hatbox of macarons from here when I got to the city. I STILL haven't been to the place but their macarons are just the best!!!
(5)Toy L.
I've walked by Macaron dozens of times and on an usually unbusy day I decided to stop in. The decor is really bright and playful. I picked up a half dozen of assorted macarons. They have a variety of flavors. For the price, I was not impressed at all. I can't say that I was a fan of any of the macaron flavors that I picked up. They also serve breakfast and lunch items that were also very high priced.
(2)Amber R.
A word of advice, for whoever goes here: DO NOT. Go during Fashion's Night Out or any sort of event where they're serving free little sips of champagne. I'd give this reviews a 1-star (or a no-star, because this seriously wrecked my personal view towards MC). I had went this past FNO 2011, this store was open giving out free champagne and a free macaron for the event. I got there around 9 or so with a bunch of my friends, some having never been there and were from California, and the people working there were a MESS. An absolute MESS. The majority of the cats behind the counter were DRUNK. There was one guy who was like, I dunno, emotional for whatever reason, the chicks were talking amongst themselves and whatnot despite there being like 10 people right in front of them trying to get served. They were very disoriented, like they ended up drinking most of the champagne themselves and drunk themselves into a stupor... Finally one of the girls, she was white with I think long brownish wavy/curvy hair, and she was just. red in the face. It was ridiculous. I was like okay... she's a bit tipsy... though obviously you shouldn't even be drinking on the job. I was actually planning to buy more than one but she was just drunk enough to not even get that message through her head and I left it alone... I was trying to get my free macaron that she was holding with the tongs and she just. dropped it on the counter. "Oh I'm sorry... I thought you had it in your hand.." Luckily there was another girl who seemed attentive, who helped serve my other friends. But regardless, most of the staff looked pitiful. I meant to give a formal complaint to the head but I never got along to it. Oh well. Like I said, never again will I try to go there when they're doing things like that. Obviously majority of the staff was far from professional. Protip: wanna booze on the job? Wait till the store's actually closed. Other than that experience... I love the wide selection, the freshness of the macarons tend to be a hit or a miss. I have bought a bunch of them and ended up having them sit in my room or something for a pretty long time so they'd get soft and unfortunately maybe only half of them actually gets soft enough to eat and enjoy. I don't visit Macaron Cafe very often for this reason. I prefer to just go to the one shop in K-town that sells macarons for cheaper...
(2)Courtney M.
My coworker was sent an assortment box of these a short while back. They were AMAZING. They had the perfect consistency and each one was compeltely flavorful! Needless to say, we devoured them fairly quickly. After falling deeply in love, I simply couldn't get enough. After googling the company, it turns out that they have a branch just around the corner from my office! Though they are a bit pricey ($2.25 each), I stop by occassionally after lunch for a sweet treat. The workers here are all French and are happy to give out samples. They also offer coffees and lunch items such as sandiwches and salads, though I have yet to try them. It does get pretty packed here during lunchtime. My personal favorite is the raspberry macaron; between the two halves is a delectable and refreshing raspberry jelly! It just melts in your mouth.
(5)Laura Y.
Bastille Day led me to buy a bunch of French goodies even though I'm probably the only person in my family that actually ate them. Nevertheless, I bought of box of six that day and for 2 bucks per macaron, I thought it was a steal. None of their macarons tasted particularly bad (how can they? they're just pure sugar) but my favorites were the dark chocolate and the vanilla one that they made just for Bastille Day. I have a feeling that their selection that day probably wasn't their full selection so I will be making a trip there soon to try everything else!
(5)Jamie F.
Macaron Café on Madison is open on Sundays! The staff was friendly, but I think the male workers need to practice using the macaron tongs better. Either he was nervous or really strong because he kept cracking the outer shells when picking them up. No complaints though, he put those right back and gave me new ones for my gift boxes :) ...I wonder what they do with the broken macarons 'cause I wouldn't mind munching them at a discount - these babies are expensive at $2.25 each!! I personally prefer gifting these French delicacies in clear plastic boxes vs. luxury boxes - just ask for ribbon and you'll save a few bucks. This is not the primary bakery location, so go to the original on 36th Street for fresher batches.
(4)Tramale T.
Okay, here's the deal... Dude, chicks love macarons. Seriously. This is a true story. I bought some of these and walked up to the UES during a lunch break because I needed to stretch my legs. Women, girls, tweens, babies in pink booties ... all of them ... were breaking their necks to check out the box of macarons i was carrying. The Macaron Cafe is keenly aware of this as they give you your bounty in a clear plastic box and put them in a clear plastic bag. Confection? Certainly. Aphrodisiac? Probably! Want to get laid? Get a box of these and just sit down in any random location in SOHO or the Village. You'll need to bring a friend just so that he can pick up your scraps. (This review was written in guy code. It is not for the ladies.)
(4)Carol S.
Ohhh kay so first of all, make sure you know that the entrance is not ON Madison! (I know it says that in parenthesis but just in case you miss that.) There IS a 625 Madison but that's not it. I don't know why all the addresses on the internet don't specifically say that it's not on Madison! Anyways, after you find the sliver of an entrance on 59th street (between Madison and Park, closer to Madison on the south side) the rest is easy. Tons of macaroon flavors and they were ALL delicious. I feel slightly better at this new macaroon fad (over the cupcake fad) because it's not like I know how to make these fluffy pieces of heaven! They're actually quite big and I think it's well worth it to pay $2.25 for a macaroon than a cupcake. (Especially if you can make a box of cupcakes for $5 that'll taste exactly the same). I got the espresso, raspberry and white chocolate. I think the black & white is supposed to be the best but they're always out! The white chocolate was definitely the best one of the three, although the raspberry jam filling was out of this world! Something about their chocolate is special, I guess! The only bad thing was my latte. Ugh, the espresso is terrible! Bitter and disgusting to the max. Maybe next time I'll settle for a hot cocoa or nothing. I can't believe I spent $4 something on such a gross latte! I only wish they served great espresso drinks... then this place would be perfect! Oh and it couldn't hurt to be a little bit bigger too!
(4)nadia w.
Love that this place just opened a block away from work.... One of the few places to get a decent lunch! The sandwiches are amazing, my usual is the Norwegian, the salads are also delish. Now to the macarons, what a bite size piece of heaven, my favorite are passion fruit and pistachio.... yummy.
(5)Danny W.
I discovered this place during the Bastille Day festival last year where they had a stand. I bought 2 here that day and never regretted the decision since. I've been to the store countless times, each time to refill on a box of 6 or 12. They offer many flavors here, but make sure you drop by more than once because they frequently rotate the offerings...you may have to go a few times before you can try all their flavors. You can't go wrong with whatever you choose, they are all good! I personally like the buttercream fillings (e.g. pistachio, coconut, rose lychee) more than the fruit jams (raspberry, cassis, etc.). Next time, surprise your girl with a box of these instead of chocolates, she'll love them!
(5)Trent C.
2.5 stars The macaroon I had had a cold centre so I think they may keep them in a fridge which I'm not quite accustomed to. Will it satisfy a macaroon craving, probably but I personally think Bouchon bakery is a lot better.
(2)Leslie-Anne W.
While trying to escape the mad shopping crowds, my friend and I stopped into the Macaron Cafe, our appetites charged after reading about the daily special, a croque monsieur, on the sidewalk sign. I am passionate about macarons. We ordered three macarons and two sandwiches. The staff was beyond friendly and even went so far as to offer my friend a free refill of her expensive lemonade. The sandwich was delicious and the macarons were good, not the best I have had, but definitely worth a taste if you are in the neighbourhood. All in all, a good lunch and a great escape from the sea of shopping crazed tourists.
(3)Travis S.
We stopped here for a quick lunch after a morning walk in Central Park. It was quiet, friendly, and satisfying. The sandwiches were good, not great. And the waitresses were friendly, but a little slow (and they forgot to bring our waters and had to be reminded to bring our macarons). The saving grace here are the macarons. They are magically delicious. It's kind of overwhelming when you walk in and see them all displayed in a rainbow of colors, representing all kinds of different flavors. At $2.50 a pop, they're not cheap little mouthfuls, but they're worth every penny. My suggestion is, skip the sandwiches, go someplace else for lunch, and hit Macaron up for dessert. Order three or four different flavors (the pistachio was my fave), a cup of coffee, and then sit back and relax at one of the small tables in the back. And you might want to grab a couple to go, since you'll crave them every day for about a week or two after your first visit!
(3)Hannah C.
never really knew what a macaron should taste like until i tried a macaron from macaron. and let me tell you...it was such a delight eating my delicately colored vanilla, nutella and pistachio flavored macarons, one after the other. it's a bit pricey for one, and even the ones that come in packs aren't that much cheaper than buying them all separately. they would make excellent party favors because of the adorable packaging that it comes in.
(4)PT L.
The place was very cute and would definitely make a girl go "awww" when she first walks in... The colorful display of macarons will delight your eyes.. BUT.. they really didn't taste that good. The vanilla one was my favorite, but nothing special. Did not like the ones names after flowers (Rose, Lavender), it was like eating potpourri for me.
(2)Crystal R.
This place has the best tasting and looking macarons in the city hands down. They are pricey but worth it when you consider this a treat and not for everyday fare. The varieties of flavors and colors are amazing. I would definitely recommend to others! Have never had the sandwiches, and the staff is ok. The place is small but very neat and organized.
(5)David T.
Cute space with quick service and the location is great for a quick snack when shopping in midtown. They have various salads and sandwiches but you come here for the macarons. Flavours tried: Rose: Nice but very subtle rose flavour. The pink colour is so lush and tempting though. Could have been a bit stronger in taste. (B+) French Vanilla: Good but a tad boring. Strong vanilla flavour but again, it is only vanilla. (B) Pistachio: Realistic pistachio flavour; nutty and sweet. (A) Cassis: Best one of the 4 that I tried. Beautiful purple colour and bursts of blackcurrant flavour in each bite. (A+) $2.25 each is a fair price, especially for NYC...French macarons in Boston usually sell for at least that much and the selection of flavours here is much greater than most places...of course, it is their namesake item.
(4)