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Winner
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Winner
7.7
Winner is a takeout-focused bakery and café where the breakfast play is croissants, egg sandwiches, and excellent coffee rather than sit-down plates. Lines, sellouts, and constant pastry drops make it a morning ritual for many South Slope locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sourdough Croissant, Breakfast Sandwich on House Bread, Cinnamon Roll
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: High-level bread and pastries from an acclaimed neighborhood bakery.
Who should go: Pastry obsessives happy with lines and takeaway.
When to visit: Early mornings before signature items sell out.
What to order: Sourdough Croissant, breakfast sandwich, cinnamon roll.
Insider tip: Check bake times; specific breads and pastries drop in waves.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on side streets before 8am but tight after school drop-off hours.
Dress code: Casual and practical—most guests are in neighborhood wear, often grabbing takeaway.
Noise level: Low to moderate outdoors; inside pickup area can feel brisk but still easy for quick conversation.
Weekend wait: N/A — breakfast and bakery-focused with no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Minimal waits for coffee and pastries; sandwiches can see short queues around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pastries, toasts, and the egg sandwich can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Very limited—most pastries contain butter; occasional vegan options appear but not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: Limited—no dedicated gluten-free pastry program and cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a casual, grab-and-go morning date. There’s minimal seating and the focus is takeaway, so it’s more for a quick coffee-and-walk than a longer conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and very little seating. Expect to stand, grab a bench outside, or take your order to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick stops—strollers fit outside and pastries are kid-approved, but there’s no space for high chairs or long stays.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier pastries, standout sourdough, and a fast-moving morning routine that outperforms sit-down cafés for quality-to-speed.
Skip if: You want a relaxed dine-in breakfast, ample seating, or reliable vegan or gluten-free options.
Winner
8.4
Winner is a chef-driven bakery and café where breads and pastries share space with limited-run, high-end donuts like apple cider and Meyer lemon curd drops. Lines, sellouts, and constant social buzz make its seasonal donut releases feel more like pastry events than everyday treats.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Cider Donut, Meyer Lemon Curd Donut, Pistachio Donut
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Small-batch, cheffy donuts that drop in limited, highly anticipated runs.
Who should go: Pastry fans who chase seasonal flavors and don’t mind lines.
When to visit: Arrive before 3 p.m. drops; donuts often sell out quickly.
What to order: Apple cider donut, Meyer lemon curd donut, pistachio donut.
Insider tip: Follow Winner’s socials; preorder or time visits to donut release days.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on side streets before noon but tight after 5 p.m.
Dress code: Casual—most guests come in everyday wear, especially since it’s a counter-service bakery.
Noise level: Moderate during peak pastry drops; otherwise easy for conversation.
Weekend wait: N/A — closes well before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during pastry drops; minimal waits outside peak release hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — most donuts and pastries are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — vegan donuts are not standard and appear only occasionally.
Gluten-free options: Minimal — seasonal gluten-free pastries appear rarely; no guaranteed GF donuts.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual daytime date—its seasonal donuts and cheffy pastries make for an easy, low-stakes meet-up, though seating is limited.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations, but indoor seating is limited; most guests grab-and-go. Arrive early if you want a stool or window perch.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—kids love the donuts, but the space is tight. Best for stroller-free visits or quick pick-ups rather than lingering.
Best For
Better for: High-end, seasonal donuts with chef-level technique that feel more like limited-release pastries than everyday sweets.
Skip if: You want large seating areas, predictable flavors daily, or guaranteed availability late in the afternoon.