SPARK Obsession: Why Butterfield Market Rules NYC Takeout

Beat Winter Cooking Fatigue: One Foodie’s Top 5 Must-Try Takeout Items from Butterfield Market

by CSB

Ah, prepared food. Who really wants to cook all that much in this weather? We’re tired—and while daylight saving time may give us more evening hours at home, that doesn’t mean we need to be cooking blue-plate meals from scratch.

The joy of sliding a container of delicious food into the oven might just lift the winter blues. And during the holidays, don’t we all deserve a little indulgence?

Enter Butterfield Market. New Yorkers—and visitors—consider this your official culinary pilgrimage.

Butterfield Market, NYC. Photo by CSB

A Historic NYC Gourmet Market Worth Obsessing Over

As more than just a regular, I love and appreciate Butterfield Market more than the average customer. OK, I’m a little obsessed.

From the friendly staff and festive packaging to some of the highest-quality homemade food I’ve ever had, this historic gourmet market—operating since 1915—has a way of making all your culinary dreams come true.

If you’re craving something, chances are Butterfield has it—and they’ve probably made it from scratch, beautifully. Walking into Butterfield feels on par with strolling into Round Swamp Farm, the Hamptons’ premier prepared-foods destination. You immediately want to take home everything, preferably in its chic, branded packaging.

The Top 5 Butterfield Market Must-Buys

Whether you’re doing a full food shop or a curated kitchen “haul,” these are the items you simply can’t miss.

1. Iced Hazelnut Coffee

Hot or iced, cream or not—this is my favorite cup of coffee in New York City. Brewed unsweetened, the strong, creamy, nutty hazelnut notes shine through no matter how you customize it.

I take home a prepackaged quart (yes, really) along with a pint of half-and-half to enjoy all week—because let’s be honest, I’m not brewing my own iced coffee. The hazelnut beans are also available to take home, ground or whole.

2. Plain Frozen Yogurt With Raspberries

Butterfield’s froyo window offers plenty of flavor combinations, but when it comes to plain frozen yogurt, they absolutely nail the balance of creaminess, tartness, and sweetness.

Unlike other overly sweet versions, Butterfield’s is creamy, restrained, and just tart enough. Paired with fresh raspberries—whose flavor mirrors the yogurt—it’s a perfect match. Think: mint and chocolate, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, prepared food and your oven. Quarts are available fresh or from the freezer.

3. Eggplant & Chicken Parmesan

I’m half Italian, have lived on the Upper East Side most of my life, and I have never had an eggplant or chicken Parmesan better than Butterfield’s.

It’s the red sauce—bright, garlicky, and slightly sweet—that makes me smile with every bite. The eggplant is thickly sliced, tender inside, and perfectly breaded. The chicken features crispy, golden breading layered with fresh mozzarella, basil, and that unforgettable sauce.

A dish this labor-intensive at home is oven-ready for $13.99. Why am I not gatekeeping this again?

4. Fresh-Roasted Turkey

This turkey nearly lost its spot to Butterfield’s Mediterranean salad with homemade red wine vinaigrette—but it’s just too good.

I’ve ordered one too many custom sandwiches with their freshly sliced turkey, and friends and family agree: this turkey alone is reason to visit. Whether you’re ordering “The Kate” (toasted everything bagel, scallion cream cheese, turkey, lettuce, tomato, onion) or “The Benjamin” (white bread, mayo, avocado, lettuce, onion, Muenster, turkey), the quality is unmistakable.

It’s also available thick-cut—and should only be enjoyed with Butterfield’s creamy homemade mashed potatoes.

5. Chicken Salad With Tarragon

I can’t stand fruit. (Raspberries don’t count.) Fruit mixed with savory food? Normally a hard no. And yet—here we are.

Butterfield’s tarragon chicken salad earns its place thanks to finely diced apples and celery that add crunch without overpowering the dish. The chicken is tender, the mayonnaise is restrained, and the tarragon ties everything together beautifully.

For the full New York sandwich experience, put it on a toasted everything bagel. It’s also featured in their tea sandwiches, which deserve an honorable mention.

Bonus Pick: Sliced Cake (Trust Me)

Did I mention Butterfield does everything? It could easily survive as a standalone bakery.

Butterfield understands one crucial truth: cake lives or dies by its frosting. We are anti-buttercream here and firmly pro rich, sugary, creamy layers. Their thick, decadent frosting makes each slice indulgent and worth every bite.

I’m partial to the yellow cake with white frosting—their mastery of vanilla is impressive, and that’s coming from a chocoholic. Other flavors include red velvet, chocolate blackout, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, chocolate with white frosting, and blueberry lemon.

I take home a whole cake for every birthday—or, honestly, just to keep one in the freezer for emergencies. Emotional ones.