You Tell Us: Where Are the World’s Best Macarons?
From Paris to Tokyo, New York and your hometown, tell us about the most memorable, most indulgent macaron you've ever experienced.
It’s the ultimate indulgence: the watercolour tint, delicate texture and refined flavour of the macaron.
Its light-as-air, flaky outer shell and smooth, moist interior elevate a simple base of almond, sugar and egg white to an objet d’art. When set off with a coordinating or contrasting flavour of jam, ganache or buttercream filling—creating a gerbet—the result is a pastry passion that well deserves the international ardour it’s been inspiring in recent years. The coveted confection’s petite size makes the experience of eating it all the more precious.
Not to be confused with the dense, chewy coconut macaroon, the macaron is most closely associated with France and renowned Parisian purveyors such as Gérard Mulot, Lenôtre and particularly Ladurée.
The macaron also enjoys intense popularity in Asia. Several French pâtissiers, including Dalloyau and Pierre Hermé (which opened its first boutique in the city in 1998), have multiple, ever-bustling boutiques in Tokyo.
In the Americas, the debate continues over where to find the confection’s best representatives. In New York City, for instance, many prefer the Stateside outposts of Paris’ La Maison du Chocolat, while others contend that smaller local shops like Cours la Reine and Bisous Ciao are the true gems.
You Tell Us
Thankfully for the rest of the world, macaron perfection can be found beyond Paris. Tell us: Where are your favourites? From haute to hole-in-the-wall, we’d love to know where you think we can find the world’s best macaron. And your response may even find its way into the next edition of Four Seasons Magazine, which will be in guestrooms in September. Executive Editor Susan Weissman shares her top source: Mark It With G on New York’s Shelter Island. Now it’s your turn, using the form that follows.
In San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood, the macarons at Chantal Guillon are as much a feast for the eyes as the mouth. http://chantalguillon.com/
Circle City Sweets in Indy has good macarons. The best, though, are in Paris.
BisousCiao is the best in NYC hands down.
Bisousciao! Not only are the macarons fabulous, but the whole boutique-feeling makes the store unique!
Out of all the ones in NYC, “Bisous ciao” is the stand out for me… Actually, I would love to do a side by side comparision of macarons from “Bisous ciao” with those from Paris because they are seriously on that level. LOVE ‘EM!
Sounds like I’d better book some trips to San Francisco, NYC, and Indianapolis immediately! And Thaang–call me when you’re ready to do that taste test…. What if it turned out like the ’76 wine Judgment of Paris and the new world upstarts beat out the French masters? That’s probably a little far-fetched, but I’d definitely be up for the judging.
The best macarons in NYC are the ones at Bisous Ciao. They have the most creative flavors and a very good variety that changes seasonal. And the boutique is so elegant and beautiful.
The best macarons I have ever had were at Bisou Ciao in NYC. So happy to see them in this article! Since having them I try a macaron anytime I see one at a bakery and nothing even comes close. The outside is the perfect shell consistency and the inside is filled with so much rich smooth flavor. The shop itself is also an experience all on its own. It feels like you are in a high end fashion boutique but it smells better and you get to eat there. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Agree with everyone above about Bisous Ciao in NYC. Definitely some of the best and almost comparable to Pierre Herme. I also recently had some from Macaron Cafe, which I thought were only ok before, but they seem to have improved their recipe!
You simply cannot beat Paris–the home of the macaron. I love Laduree, but Pierre Herme is another great.
shhhhhhh, T O K Y O, Japan… Omotesando Hills
The ones from Laduree are definitely the best I’ve ever had. They were life changing. Can’t wait for their New York outpost to arrive.
We made our own Macarons the other day and they were amazing!!! http://www.26meals.com
Italy
Thanks so much for the tips, everyone! I promise to leave a few macarons for you when I visit your favourite shops. And 26meals, I checked your blog post–the ones you made sound delicious! Anybody else had any luck making them at home? Or do you leave it to the pros?
Two former Fauchon chefs called MadMac make quite good ones which are sold through their website and Dean Deluca – they get the texture right which is more than I can say for most of the US-made ones I’ve had. I found the BisousCiao ones to be dry and airy, almost brittle, though the shop, packaging and flavors were excellent.
G. Carl Tripician has been making macaroons since 1910 on the Atlantic City Boardwalk now located in Absecon, New Jersey. Nice local luxury.
the best macarons I have had were at Macaron Sweeterie in Arlington MA (just outside Boston)
http://macaronsweeterie.com/
The shop is just beautiful and they make amazing gelato too.
Without a doubt the best I’ve had (other than my wife’s and Chef Bruno’s at the Four Seasons Vancouver) were at Pâtisseire Sadaharu AKOI in Paris (in the 5th Arr off Rue Flatters).
Laduree are my favorite!
Laudree in Paris is my very first choice. The ones here at Jumby Bay, Antigua, where we are on vacation, are very delicious as well!
Bouchon in NYC and Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston, IL
Patisserie Paul in Marseille.
At Adriano Zumbo – various locations in Sydney! Some interesting flavours include:
Satay
Charred Coconut & Black Rice Pudding
Japanese Mayo
Kaffir Lime & Ginger
Caramelised Palm Sugar
Black Sesame, Licorice & Lime
Chestnut & Mint
La Belle Miette in Melbourne, Victoria, (Australia): http://labellemiette.com.au/mac/
Choukette in Brunswick, Victoria, Australia: http://www.choukette.com.au/
Texturally perfect – and delicious as well.
In Marrakesh Morocco at La Mamounia Hotel are the most pillow like, flavorful and beautiful macarons which come in a lovely little box! every42
really good macarons are hard to find. many now do very elaborate variations with multiple flavourings but yet miss the combination of crunch and chewiness that a truly great macaron exhibits. The best i ever had was on Dal Lake, Srinigar in Kashmir, India. Freshly baked, simple but exquisite
Oberlaa, in Vienna Austria.
http://www.oberlaa-wien.at/content/view/178/71/lang,en/
It is not as sexy as those Parisian shops, but in a blind test it would win hands down, any day. Irresistible!. Guido Lanzoni
Patrick Mesiano
06210 Bealieu-sur-Mer France
Spruengli in Zurich, Switzerland
Smaller than Laduree
“Le Macaron” has the most incredible, delicate, heaven-in-your-mouth macarons in the world! It is owned and operated by a French family who is passionate about the perfection of their creations. Located a world away from France, set foot in the shop and you will quickly recognize that French folk flock here, and even admit that these delicacies are superior to those in Paris. Amazingly, Le Macaron is on St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota, Florida. If only they would come to DC! http://www.lemacaron-us.com/
Here my recommendation about the world’ best macarons !:
In Zurich, Switzerland the Confiserie Sprüngli, absolutely delicious !!! Enjoy !!
http://business.spruengli.ch/portrait.php?pid=0035f3aa33beb9c783e3f780080b5488
http://collection.spruengli.ch/luxemburgerli.php?lang=en&cat=1001&PHPSESSID=0035f3aa33beb9c783e3f780080b5488
The world’s best macaroons can be found in the Sierra foothills town of Murphys, ca at Aria Bakery. Dipped in dark chocolate they are light and chewy with a hint of almond. Forget discovering gold….prospectors should have been looking for
macaroons!!
I am from New York City and two of my favorite macaron places are indeed Bisous Ciao and Cours la Reine, but my first bite of a macaron was in Madrid, Spain, at a small pastry shop on the north side of El Parque de Buen Retiro called Moulin Chocolat!
Laudree in Paris, of course, is a classic.
But, when you talking about variety, please counts Hong Kong!
The world-famous Paul Lafayette, La Maison du Chocolat, Joël Robuchon…and even local store like Vero (www.verochocolates.com) can make excellent macarons!!!
The best macaron I have had came from Paul in Washington, DC and Ladurre in Paris. Headed there in a few weeks!
La Rôtisserie, St. Barths has mango macarons-best ever, don’t let the bright orange color throw you off! http://stbarthdental.com/index.php/St.-Barth/Restaurants/La-Rotisserie-St.-Jean.html
Le Guanahani, St Barths has a good coconut one. http://www.leguanahani.com/
I haven’t had a good one in awhile.
The Ritz Carlton in Moscow had them on a bedside table surrounded by Chocolate Caviar! So beautiful and so delicious!
The best macarons I’ve had are from a local baker based out of Boston, MA. Beautiful / delicate texture coupled with savory flavors. Website is http://www.ccrowells.com/
I had excellant macarons at a small bakeshop in NJ, Asalt & Buttery. I thought they were at least as good as anything I had in the city The lemon was truly amazing. Definitely the best lemon
Yum – so many to try!
laduree rue concord paris
The address is actually on Mass Ave. in Lexington! And YES I TOTALLY AGREE
BEST ONES EVERR!!!!!!!