A Hidden Gluten-Free Gem in The Bronx
3x3 Kitchen in Riverdale, New York, is a must-visit.
Living in New York City, I’m lucky to have access to some of the best gluten-free bakeries and restaurants in the country. While I’ve thoroughly explored the gluten-free scene in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens over the past five years since my celiac diagnosis, I haven’t spent any time in The Bronx.
That all changed a couple of weeks ago when I was invited into 3x3 Kitchen, a gorgeous gluten-free bakery and cafe in the Riverdale neighborhood of The Bronx serving up top-notch baked goods, breads, and savory items.
I met up with (who runs the nycbutglutenfree account on Instagram and TikTok) and chatted with the bakery’s owners while enjoying a generous spread of some of the best gluten-free fare I’ve eaten. (No, I’m not exaggerating when I say that!)
Ahead, learn more about the bakery, what gluten-free products they offer, and how you can get your hands on their tasty goods (even if you live outside of New York City!).
Table of contents:
The inspiration behind 3x3 Kitchen
3x3 Kitchen is owned by married couple Monika and Derrick Paez. Monika has been gluten-free for 25 years, while Derrick, head chef at the bakery, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked alongside prestigious chefs at some of the most renowned restaurants in the world during his career.
The duo is passionate about the sustainable slow food movement, which promotes local farmers and businesses and prioritizes nutrition and product quality over mass production.
At 3x3 Kitchen, Monika and Derrick have put their own spin on slow food, offering hand-crafted gluten-free eats made with fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmer’s markets.
They opened their storefront about a year ago after selling many of their amazing items at various local farmer’s markets in the Hudson Valley and New York City since 2021. Everything is made in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, meaning the food is celiac-safe.
What’s on the menu at 3x3 Kitchen
Since chef Derrick uses seasonal ingredients, the menu at 3x3 Kitchen is frequently being updated with new items. But the owners say their breads, a menu mainstay, account for about half of their business.
Derrick whips up gluten-free sourdough loaves with a golden, crispy crust and European-style sponge. In addition to the classic sourdough, he also makes unique flavors like cranberry walnut, kalamata olive and fig, and confit garlic.
There’s also the forbidden rice bread (my personal pick and a popular choice among farmer’s market customers). This dark bread is an excellent gluten-free replacement for pumpernickel (with added health benefits from the forbidden rice).
Beyond bread, some of the menu items I sampled include:
Swirls (cinnamon; chocolate; strawberry; lemon curd)
Muffins (carrot and tumeric; chocolate truffle)
Babka (raisin and cinnamon)
Lavender financier
Ginger snap cookies
Tahini cookies
Pizzettas
Quiche (broccoli and cheddar; feta, tomato, and basil; mushrooms and swiss)
Pot pie (chicken; beef bourguignon)
I’ve tried a lot of gluten-free food in the past five years, and 3x3 Kitchen lands at the top of the list in terms of taste and quality. I could tell that so much thought and care was put into each and every item on the menu.
Everything at the bakery is made with real ingredients and has a superb texture (no gumminess here). Plus, none of the baked goods are overly sweet, which appeals to me more and more the older I get (I just can’t do the super-sweet stuff anymore).
My favorite sweet treats were the swirls (especially the strawberry and lemon curd flavors) and the babka. As far as the savory items go, the puff pastry on the pot pies was unreal—nothing like the pre-made puff pastry I’ve used at home that falls apart instantly.
Where to purchase 3x3 Kitchen’s gluten-free goods
3x3 Kitchen is located at 3601 Fieldston Road in The Bronx. The bakery is open Wednesdays-Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays-Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Other ways to try 3x3 Kitchen:
Buy sourdough bread on Fresh Direct (New York customers)
Order non-perishable items directly from 3x3kitchen.com (various East Coast states)
Visit one of the following farmer’s markets (Brooklyn and Westchester): McGolrick Park; Bronxville; Larchmont; Hastings-on-Hudson; Pleasantville
Donate to their funding campaign to receive 120% in store credit
If you’re in New York City, have you tried 3x3 Kitchen yet? Do you have any local gluten-free bakeries you love? Drop a comment and let me know!
That babka!!
This looks so good!