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CULTURE ESPRESSO

Updated

Phone: (212) 302-0200

Address: 72 WEST 38 STREET 10018

TLDR

Famous for award-winning, buttery chocolate chip cookies and unique corn treats, this iconic cafe is a must-visit for dessert lovers in Midtown.

Reddit Sentiment for CULTURE ESPRESSO(based on 55 Reddit opinions)

71% Positive22% Neutral7% Negative

Tags

american 7bakery 5greek 2cookies 35dessert 11coffee 6View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Instagram Posts References

Culture Espresso is praised for its 'ridonkulol' corn cookie. The cookie is characterized by its chewy, sweet, and slightly earthy texture and flavor.

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is featured.

Mentioned In
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in NYC
positive

Culture Espresso's warm chocolate chip cookie is a pleasure, featuring buttery flavor, generous melty chocolate, and a sugary crust, remaining delicious even hours after baking.

Molly FitzpatrickApr 29, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation

Details

Renowned for its exceptional bakery offerings, this spot is widely celebrated for serving some of the best chocolate chip cookies in New York City [3], [33]. Beyond their signature treat, the menu features unique items like the 'ridonkulol' corn cookie [32], [45] and customizable Greek yogurt parfaits [38]. While the quality of their sweets and coffee makes the establishment a favorite for many, its popularity can lead to challenging wait times [37].

Food Overview

The bakery is best known for its chocolate chip cookies, which feature a buttery flavor, melty chocolate, and a sugary crust [33]. Customers also highly recommend the unique corn cookies [15], [45] and oatmeal cranberry varieties [6], while noting the availability of a gluten-free peanut butter option [36].

Highlights / Recommended

Mentioned Dishes:

  • chocolate chip cookie(23)
  • cookies(9)
  • chocolate chip cookies(6)
  • corn cookie(6)
  • cookie(4)

Customer Sentiment

Patrons overwhelmingly adore the bakery's cookies, frequently citing them as superior to other popular chains [12], [40], though some find the heavy foot traffic and wait times frustrating [37].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About CULTURE ESPRESSO

A highly active thread where users extensively debate the merits of the bakery's cookies, with many naming it their top choice in the city.
Users suggest the bakery as a essential stop for visitors looking for great cookies near the Times Square/Midtown area.
A discussion regarding the bakery's location and its notable omission from a cookie ranking list, highlighting its reputation among locals.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow

"User reports that the cookies were very good and preferred them over Levain."

Positive
Aug 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: Visiting For A 3 Night Stay Would You Help With

"Recommended as a superior alternative to Birdie's."

Positive
Aug 21, 2026View Comment →

From post: Lunch Catering Ideas For Work Meeting 3040 People

"Recommended specifically as a great source for cookies for dessert."

Positive
Aug 20, 2026View Comment →

From post: Visiting For A 3 Night Stay Would You Help With

"Briefly mentioned as being better than Birdie's for frozen yogurt."

Positive
Aug 18, 2026View Comment →

From post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow

"Suggests trying their chocolate chip cookie and comparing it to Levain."

Positive
Aug 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Visiting Nyc Tomorrow Itinerary Check Tomorrow

"Recommends this over Hani's for cookies."

Positive
Aug 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Do You Go For A Healthylow Cal Item Or Treat

"Recommended for frozen yogurt."

Positive
Aug 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: In Honor Of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 84

"The commenter notes they are not a fan of this bakery."

Negative
Aug 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: In Honor Of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 84

"The commenter loves the cookies and suggests pairing them with a flat white."

Positive
Aug 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: In Honor Of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 84

"The author loves the cookies, especially the chocolate chip and corn varieties."

Positive
Aug 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Dad Daughter Food Recommendations In

"Noted for having cookies that are a must-try in the Midtown area."

Positive
Aug 2, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Independent Nyc Coffee Shops Near Times

"The user thinks the cookies are good but the coffee is not."

Neutral
Aug 2, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Independent Nyc Coffee Shops Near Times

"The cookies are described as incredible."

Positive
Aug 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Independent Nyc Coffee Shops Near Times

"The cookies are worth the walk to this shop."

Positive
Aug 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Bangbang Recommendations For Parents Night Out

"Suggested as part of a bang-bang recommendation."

Neutral
Jul 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Give Up I Cant Drink Coffee In This City Anymore

"The 36th street location reminds the author of the coffee they drank in France."

Positive
Jul 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Give Up I Cant Drink Coffee In This City Anymore

"The author considers their coffee decent and their cookies great."

Positive
Jul 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: Recommendations For Best Yogurt Parfaits In The

"Noted as a place serving non-froyo Greek yogurt."

Positive
Jul 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: Recommendations For Best Yogurt Parfaits In The

"The user mentions Culture has a topping bar for creating custom yogurt parfaits."

Positive
Jul 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Other Food Trends Are Coming Back Besides

"The commenter suggests this was the spot driving the trend and notes that while the product is good, the lines are excessive."

Neutral
Jul 16, 2026View Comment →

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