Brooke Stewart One of New York’s most popular bakeries is actually located in New Jersey. Balthazar Bakery, which started in 1997, has its main baking operation in Englewood, New Jersey. The bakery, located at 214 Dean Street S. in Englewood, has a retail storefront, so you can purchase its award-winning pastries and breads without taking the PATH. Read on for more about Balthazar Bakery’s Englewood connection.
About Balthazar
Many people assume that the iconic pastries from Balthazar are made right in Manhattan, but that actually isn’t the case. All of the breads and pastries are produced in New Jersey at the Englewood location.
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Balthazar is a French brasserie that opened in 1997 at 80 Spring Street, founded by British restaurateur Keith McNally. It quickly became a favorite for its food and atmosphere, but in particular, the bread. The team opened a bakery next door, but by 2000, it needed a bigger facility to keep up with demand. Englewood was chosen for its close proximity to New York City while offering the space needed for a full-scale production facility. Today, it supplies the restaurant and businesses throughout the area.
Balthazar has become known for its consistency and traditional French baking techniques, supplying high-quality bread and pastries across New York City. The bakery also offers wholesale and catering options, supplying restaurants, events, and businesses with the same breads and pastries found at Balthazar.
Our Visit
It’s easy to underestimate just how popular this spot really is. Parking can be a bit difficult, and there is often a line out the door with people patiently waiting to get inside. Once in, shelves are stocked with baguettes, sourdough loaves, seasonal pastries, and classic French baked goods, making it difficult to choose just one.
The smell of freshly baked bread and buttery pastries fills the space, and everything is made from scratch daily with no preservatives. Because of this, items are best enjoyed the same day, which only adds to the fresh, authentic feel of the experience.
What stands out most is that this isn’t your typical bakery setup. There is no true retail storefront or sit-down component. It is primarily a working production facility that allows limited public access during certain hours. That behind-the-scenes feel is part of what makes visiting so unique.
Despite the crowd and constant flow of customers, the atmosphere remains warm and welcoming. Staff members move quickly behind the counter, carefully packing orders, slicing bread, and helping customers decide. Even with a long line, it tends to move faster than expected thanks to how efficient the team is.
For those visiting for the first time, a few popular items worth trying include the classic flaky croissants, rich pain au chocolat, fresh baguettes, and their well-loved sourdough loaves. Seasonal pastries are also a highlight, with options changing throughout the year, giving people a reason to keep coming back.
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For anyone living in Bergen County or nearby towns, this bakery is definitely worth checking out. Not only do you get to enjoy incredible pastries, but you also get to experience the place where some of New York City’s most well-known baked goods are actually made. It’s not every day that something so iconic is being produced just a few towns away, and once you take your first bite, it’s easy to understand why people are willing to wait in line.
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