4. The City Bakery, Flatiron District

Two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director at ABC Sports Television, Maury Rubin, started The City Bakery after a six-day pastry course and hasn’t looked back since. After a baking apprenticeship in Paris, Maury opened  the famous two-story neighborhood bakery on 18th Street, where he still serves as head baker, hot chocolate maker and creator of The Hot Chocolate Festival. The City Bakery also serves pastries, salads and sandwiches. It’s especially well-known for the salty, delicious pretzel-croissants.