A small bakery in New York City’s East Village is drawing massive crowds and earning rave reviews for its Irish soda bread scones. Priced at $6 each, these treats, based on a cherished family recipe, have become a sensation, with customers willing to brave long lines and cold weather for a taste of what many are calling a "must-try."
Key Takeaways
- Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop, opened in November 2024, specializes in Irish soda bread scones.
- The scones, priced at $6 each, are made using the owner’s mother’s recipe from County Mayo, Ireland.
- The bakery is only open Thursday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. until sold out, often by early afternoon.
- Customers report waiting up to an hour in line, even in cold weather, for the popular scones.
- The scones are served with Irish butter and homemade blackberry jam.
The Rise of a Viral Sensation
Mary O’Halloran, owner of Mary O’s Irish Pub, began baking her mother’s Irish soda bread scones during the COVID-19 pandemic when her bar was forced to close. Initially a way to stay busy and connect with former customers, the scones quickly gained a following. A "Humans of New York" Instagram post significantly boosted their popularity, leading to over $1 million in scone sales by early 2022. This success allowed O’Halloran to partially reopen her pub and eventually open a dedicated bakery, Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop, in the East Village.
The Scone Experience
The bakery offers a simple menu: individual Irish soda bread scones for $6 and a $30 Irish soda bread loaf. The scones are cut in half and served with a generous dollop of Irish butter and a side of homemade blackberry jam. Customers describe the scones as crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with the jam providing a perfect tartness and the butter adding a rich, silky flavor. The combination, especially when the butter and jam meld into the warm scone, is frequently cited as the highlight.
A Sweet Success Story
Despite the $6 price tag, customers overwhelmingly agree that the scones are worth the wait. Lines often form before the shop opens its doors at 7 a.m. on Thursdays through Sundays. The bakery’s limited hours and the high demand contribute to the buzz, with many visitors sharing their experiences and positive reviews online. O’Halloran emphasizes that she makes each scone herself, ensuring the quality and authenticity that customers have come to love, believing there’s a special "magic" in every bite that resonates with people seeking simple, comforting pleasures.
### Sources
- This Viral Bakery Only Serves Two Items (That Often Sell Out In Under An Hour) — And They’re Worth Every
Minute Spent Waiting, BuzzFeed. - TODAY celebrates Irish soda bread scones with owner of Mary O’s, TODAY.com.
- New Yorkers waiting an hour in the cold for viral Irish soda bread scones, New York Post.
- New York bar owner recovered from pandemic with her popular scones, NBC News.
- Pub owner brings famous scones to new shop in East Village, Spectrum News NY1.