Skip the pretzel cart and discover gourmet pretzel around the city in celebration of National Pretzel Day on Friday.
Sigmund Pretzel Shop I 29 Avenue B
This East Village shop makes its handmade pretzels fresh daily in a variety of unique flavors, including truffle cheddar and cinnamon raisin ($3 each). Look for their pretzel cart at the High Line this spring.
Martin’s I Union Square Greenmarket
If you’ve ever walked through the Union Square Greenmarket, chances are you’ve sampled or taken home a bag of Martin’s famous sourdough hard pretzels. Next time you visit, be sure to try their addicting beer caramel pretzels — tiny nuggets of their original pretzels coated in a sticky-sweet beer and caramel concoction.
Landbrot I 137 Seventh Ave. South
This German eatery offers freshly baked soft pretzels topped with salt, sesame or poppy seeds, and pretzel rolls and Gouda cheese-filled pretzels ($3 each), which are available with butter instead of mustard.
Pelzer’s | Kent Avenue and N. Seventh St.
Founded in 2012, Pelzer’s makes soft Pennsylvania-style pretzels that, according to one Yelp reviewer, “Render other pretzels inedible.” While their Brooklyn store isn’t open yet, you can find them at Smorgasburg every Saturday and Sunday.
Ardesia I 510 W. 52nd St.
Ardesia wine bar features delicious, homemade, New York-style soft pretzels with a side of Dijon mustard and melting cheese sauce ($7). Pair a pretzel with a beer at the bar or enjoy one on the outdoor patio.
Momofuku Williamsburg I 328 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn
Try Momofuku’s pretzel cake soft serve ($4.50) and shake ($9), a salty-sweet drink, only available at the Williamsburg location.
The Rusty Knot I 425 West St.
Located near the Hudson River in the West Village, the nautical-themed Rusty Knot serves up several eclectic bar snacks, including pretzel-wrapped hot dogs ($4) which are satisfying enough to eat for dinner.
The City Bakery I 3 W. 18th St.
For a salty morning treat, head to The City Bakery for breakfast and try one of their sweet, salty, flaky pretzel croissants ($3.75) dipped in a mug of their decadent hot chocolate. (The croissant is so popular it even has its own website.)
Standard Beer Garden I 848 Washington St.
Start your West Village night out with a stop at the Standard Hotel’s Beer Garden for their massive soft pretzels ($7). Make sure to bring a group of friends — the snacks are big enough to share.
Talde I 369 Seventh Ave.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try Top Chef contestant Dale Talde’s pork and chive pretzel dumplings served with spicy mustard ($8). Named Best Dumplings by New York Magazine in 2012, these are a genius fusion of Asian and New York street food.
Caitlin Schnack is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].