over 100 years in the baking

Orwashers Bakery is a New York City institution, founded in 1916 in a small storefront in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. After immigrating from Hungary, the Orwasher family built the bakery to serve the local Eastern European community, focusing on the high-quality rye, black, and grain breads that offered a traditional taste of home.

After being passed within the family from generation to generation, Keith Cohen purchased the business in 2008. Bringing his decades-long experience in the New York City bread business, Keith has honored Orwashers’ rich legacy while stewarding the future of this iconic brand.

Today, Orwashers is still celebrated for our classic versions of New York City’s most beloved baked goods, including rye bread, pumpernickel, bagels, rugelach, babka, and black & white cookies. To satisfy a broader palate, we’ve expanded our menu to include a range of exceptional European-style breads and pastries, along with some American favorites.

Orwashers currently operates three retail bakeries and coffee shops - the first-born on the Upper East Side, a sister location on the Upper West Side, and a cousin in Roslyn Heights, Long Island. Additionally, we distribute our breads and baked goods to many of New York’s top restaurants, plus local gourmet grocery stores and carefully selected retailers nationwide.

While the company has grown since its humble beginnings over a century ago, the same values remain baked in: handmade, classic breads and pastries made fresh with love each and every day.