If you haven’t tried a cardamom bun, your whole life is about to change. These Swedish pastries, traditionally called kardemummabullar, are something like a cross between a pull-apart bread and a cinnamon bun, though they are spiced with the southern Indian spice of cardamom. Cardamom, often called the ‘queen of spices,’ tastes piney, herbal, citrusy and smokey, providing the perfect balance to the butteriness of the pastry.
Cardamom buns are at their very best when sourced from a Nordic bakery, and New York is extremely lucky to be home to what we argue are the best cardamom buns in the United States. Best enjoyed with a cup of coffee or glass of milk, once you’ve had just one of these delightful buns, you’ll be hooked. Don’t take our word for it; go try one of the following seven bakeries and discover the very best cardamom buns that NYC has to offer.
See also: The 11 Best Croissants in NYC
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Multiple locations / Website
With multiple locations throughout the city, Irving Farm New York is a great place to grab a fabulous cinnamon cardamom bun. The spicy cinnamon balances perfectly with the aromatic cardamom and sugary pastry dough, making Iriving Farm’s buns a good option for those wanting a sweeter version of the classic pastry. We recommend a maple latte as the perfect pairing for your sweet treat.
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Multiple locations / Website
This Swedish cult favorite bakery absolutely took NYC by storm when it opened its Meatpacking District location back in 2019, followed by a 5th Avenue location in 2024. Easily one of the best cardamom buns on this side of the Atlantic, these pastries are so good that they now ship nationally via Goldbelly. Perfectly sweet yet not overpowering, we could enjoy one of these buns every day. It doesn’t hurt that each bun is so beautiful that you’ll want to put it on your Instagram story. Be sure to try out Fabrique Bakery’s fabulous bread while you’re at it!
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Multiple locations / Website
This Nordic-inspired bakery originally opened in the East Village, followed by a Clinton Hill outpost last month. This hot spot bakes up delicious braided cardamom buns that are well worth the journey. The braided design makes these buns unique, and in our humble opinion, enhances the flavor. With plenty of baked goods, espresso drinks and sandwiches on either brioche, focaccia or sourdough, Smør Bakery is sure to satisfy all of your cravings. Plus, at $4.75 per bun, Smør Bakery is one of the more affordable cardamom buns in the city. Craving a heavier meal? At the East Village location, head next door to the bakery’s restaurant space for a full Scandinavian spread.
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920a Fulton St., Brooklyn / 917.444.1393 / Website
Brooklynites, this one is for you. Located on Fulton Street, Otway is known for its delicious baked goods, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Not including specials, the bakery only makes five pastry varieties: a chocolate croissant, coffee cake, croissant, morning bun and cardamom bun, ensuring that each item is baked to absolute perfection. Aside from the affordable yet delicious cardamom buns ($4.50 each!), we also love the award-winning natural wine list. Be sure to arrive early to secure a bun, as this Brooklyn favorite often attracts a line out the door.
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Multiple locations / Website
With cafes in the East Village and Soho and a roastery in Bushwick, this Scandinavian shop keeps it simple and sweet. Minimalist design, bright coffee and a select few perfect pastries are all on offer at La Cabra. Be sure to try the coffee, and if you’re a fan, purchase a bag of beans to be able to enjoy at home. This is another spot that tends to run out of buns, so be sure to come early to secure your little slice of heaven.
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43-18 25th Ave., Queens / Website
A seasonal menu and locally sourced ingredients from New York farmers are the names of the game at Bench Flour Bakers. Located in Astoria, Queens, this neighborhood favorite changes its menu often, meaning while it's not always available, you simply must get your hands on the ultra-tempting orange cardamom pistachio morning bun when you can. The bakery is open from Thursday to Sunday, meaning your weekend plans have just been sorted!
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Multiple locations / Website
With six NYC locations, Ole & Steen bakes up perhaps one of the most easily accessible cardamom buns in the city. The Danish pastry reigns supreme at Ole & Steen, and their cardamom bun comes in two different forms: the Kløben bun, a soft bun with cardamom, raisins, almonds and sugar and the new lemon cardamom swirl consisting of a flaky pastry filled with a lemon cardamom custard and topped with a sugar dusting. We think both are well worth a try!
So next time you’re craving a sweet treat, give a cardamom bun a try, we guarantee you won’t regret it. Or if you’re really feeling adventurous, try baking your own with this recipe. Let us know your favorite bun and bon appétit!
Photography by: Alexander Spatari / Getty Images
