For years, Ridgewood had a thriving German population, immigrants who came to NYC in the early 20th century to work in breweries and knitting factories based on either side of the Queens-Brooklyn border. The neighborhood was replete with German butcher shops and bakeries. Rudy’s Pastry Shop is one of the few that remain from that time, and the only bakery; it’s become a beloved Ridgewood institution.

rudy's pastry shop and bakery ridgewood queens storefront

Image source: Yelp – user Mary G M

 

Rudy’s has been home to traditional German style pastries for 72 years. After many years as simply a bakery, Rudy’s expanded and re-opened in early 2012 with a coffee bar in the back (the Queens Courier wrote up the event in March).

When asked what Rudy’s is best known for, gregarious owner Toni Binanti says the danish can’t be beat. She’s right; the apricot danish is perfect — buttery, flaky dough filled with lightly sweet apricot puree, all covered with a sweet sugar glaze.

rudy's pastry shop danish and coffee ridgewood queens

Rudy’s also offers gelato, cakes, and cupcakes. City Spoonful raves about their linzer tarts. Rudy’s specialty cupcakes can be made to order — celebrate a birthday with flavors like s’mores, fudge, even peanut butter and jelly.

 

Meg Cotner is a food writer in Astoria, Queens. She is an expert on the borough’s best bites, and the author of the upcoming book Food Lovers’ Guide to Queens. Meg also writes for the neighborhood blog We Heart Astoria and her own food blog, Harmonious Belly.


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