Connoisseurs of the French macaron know that Ladurée is the best pastry shop in the world, albeit the most recognizable, to produce these beautiful and delicate sweets. Founded in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée in Paris, the company has since set-up shop in cities across the globe including Tokyo, Rome, Zurich, and as of 2011, New York City.

Located on Madison Avenue in the upscale Upper East Side neighbourhood, the exterior is too pretty to miss. Their signature pastel-hued boxes and macaron towers sit behind the display window, luring you inside. Expect to wait about 20 minutes to get inside. Standing on guard at the main entrance is a staff member handing out macaron flavour menus to help speed along the decision process. We suggest getting a six-pack, as you’ll miss out on their signature boxes if you order any less. For flavours there are 18 delicious options to choose from. Classic options for those who are new to the treat should try, Salted Caramel, Pistachio, Vanilla, Raspberry and Chocolate. Eating maracons is the best part of the whole experience — a thin and crispy meringue exterior, the inside is a creamy ganache that literally melts in your mouth. Keep in mind the cookies only last two to three days, so freeze them if you’re not going to eat them right away. They’re also very delicate and squish easily, so if you plan to bring some home, handle with care!

While the maracons are the star of the show, you’ll also find ice cream and sorbet ($8.25), topped with a macaron shell, jams, madeleine cookies, and non-edible goodies including candles and totes.

A single macaron is $2.80. A box of eight macarons is $25 and 18 macarons are $55.

Where to Find:
Ladurée NYC
864 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021
646-558-3175
laduree.com