The Hungarian Pastry Shop facts for kids
The Hungarian Pastry Shop is a popular café and bakery located in the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan, New York City. It is found at 1030 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 110th Street and West 111th Street. The shop sits right across the street from the impressive Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It is known for its delicious pastries and cozy atmosphere.
Contents
The Story of the Hungarian Pastry Shop
How the Cafe Began
The Hungarian Pastry Shop first opened its doors in 1961. It was started by a couple from Hungary. They brought their traditional pastry recipes to New York City.
New Owners and Family Tradition
In 1976, Panagiotis ("Peter") and Wendy Binioris bought the café from the original owners. They continued the shop's sweet traditions. Their son, Philip Binioris, has been in charge of the café since 2012. The shop is a special place where people can relax and enjoy treats. Interestingly, the café does not offer Wi-Fi to its customers. This encourages people to talk or read instead of looking at screens.
A Favorite Spot for Writers and Students
Why People Love This Cafe
For many years, the Hungarian Pastry Shop has been a beloved spot. Students and professors from Columbia University often visit. Writers and other people living in Morningside Heights and the Upper West Side also enjoy it. It's a quiet place perfect for thinking and creating.
Books Written at the Shop
Many famous authors have found inspiration here. They have written parts of their books while sitting in the café. Some of these books include:
- When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
- The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
- The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
- What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander
- The Ruined House by Reuven Namdar
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
In 2014, a travel guide called Fodor's recognized the shop. They named it one of New York City's top ten literary places.
Featured in Movies and TV Shows
The café has also appeared in popular culture. You might have seen it in the movie Husbands and Wives. It was also shown in the TV series Gossip Girl.
