NYC offers many sweet indulgences, from ice cream cones to cookie shots to satisfy your sugary needs. Here are some of the city’s finest desserts – iconic and otherwise!
No list of New York desserts would be complete without including an iconic cheesecake – take Eileen’s special cheesecake with its light crunch Graham cracker crust as a prime example!
1. Van Leeuwen
Located near me in NYC, Cookie Dough Lab’s cookie dough is so delicious they have even patented their recipe! Enjoy various seasonal offerings as well as their classic varieties. Expect to wait for a table, but the staff is courteous and friendly to ensure an enjoyable experience.
Serendity3 is known for its extravagant desserts, such as its Frozen drinks and $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae (three scoops of rich Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream adorned with edible 23k gold leaf). If that sounds appealing to you, look no further.
Lady M offers something more decadent – their Mille Crepe Cake features 20 paper-thin handmade crepes filled with light pastry cream and caramelized for a rich dessert experience. Be warned; this delicious treat often sells out quickly, so be sure to come early, as this delicacy won’t last!
Supermoon Bakehouse offers delicious Nutella Cruffins that combine elements from muffins and croissants for an irresistibly decadent experience. This bakery also specializes in macarons, choux buns, and cheesecake treats!
Levain Bakery offers some of the finest desserts in NYC, with their cookies and churros being highly acclaimed treats. Additionally, they provide non-gluten options if gluten sensitivity is an issue.
This trendy restaurant serves modern takes on Basque classics, and its delectable creme caramel should not be missed! Additionally, their rotating dessert menu ensures something tasty will always be available when visiting.
This French establishment is most beloved when its cherry blossom trees bloom in spring. Still, their desserts can be enjoyed year-round – don’t miss the raspberry-rose dessert ispahan, chocolate eclairs, millefeuille, and macarons for an authentic French experience! Reserve early for lunch or teatime reservations; the wait will be worthwhile.
2. Supermoon Bakehouse
Supermoon Bakehouse near Delancey Street is an Instagrammer’s dream with its modern interior designed by co-owner Aron Tzimas and boasting pink neon “Bite Me NYC” signs, blush-pink marble counters, and tables, stacks of takeout boxes marked “Stay wild, moon child.” However, Supermoon’s visual menu includes inventive croissants, muffins, and fantastic eclairs.
Ry Stephen is an impressive pastry chef and co-owner of Ry’s Bakehouse in New York who specializes in modernizing traditional viennoiserie techniques. After learning his trade in Melbourne and training at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in San Francisco, he relocated with Tzimas to establish this Insta-famous bakery on Insta Street. Famed for their vibrant creations such as rainbow jelly croissants and orblike cruffins like those seen here -, they regularly add new croissants and doughnuts onto their menu, including pastrami-mustard-and-sauerkraut croissants and pizza/focaccia hybrid options; plus goth doughnuts that come topped with black sesame creme patisserie and activated charcoal sugar!
Each perfect pastry takes at least three days (plain croissants four) to craft, with double-cooked butter and fruit jams, custard fillings, and tempered chocolate shards carefully placed to craft its masterpiece. They come in various colors, flavors, and toppings; our favorite is Strawberry Matcha, which consists of crunchy peach filling sandwiched between layers of sweet-dusted cruffin.
Nolita Spot offers another must-try dessert: Taiyaki, a classic Japanese sweet pancake filled with red bean paste or other soft serve toppings such as strawberries, whipped cream, and mochi. Please choose one of their specials or create your custom flavor combo with strawberries, whipped cream, or mochi as toppings!
Bonsai Kakigori, located near Canal St. Market, provides another delicious, sweet stop for an enjoyable and light dessert experience. This Japanese specialty features shaved ice blended with sweeteners in flavors like Coconut Lime, Strawberry and cream, Matcha Tea, or Vietnamese Coffee, or opt for larger servings to share. You can purchase single scoops or large portions – you decide!
3. Junior’s Cheesecake
Foodies will find New York City irresistible, with 24,000 eateries and countless dessert-focused spots! To help guide your choices, we’ve gathered some of the city’s best dessert options here.
Junior’s Cheesecake should be at the top of your NYC must-do list! Since 1950, this iconic restaurant has been serving slices, and you cannot visit New York without sampling one or more flavors from their extensive menu – we suggest the Original New York-Style cheesecake for its thin layer of cake topped with creamy smooth cheesecake ice cold slices that melt in your mouth – genuinely magnificent.
Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding is another timeless New York dessert, served in an adorable mini cup. A sweet finish to any meal and one of our most affordable sweet treats!
To add something truly decadent to any meal, head down to Parm in Lower Manhattan for their rich three-layer chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio ice cream cake. Every bite tells its tale – from its heartwarming texture and impeccable presentation to its satisfying crunch!
You are missing out if you haven’t experienced Dominique Ansel’s iconic cronuts yet. His innovative creations always draw people in their droves; his Nutella Cruffin (a cross between a muffin and a croissant) is no different!
10 Below’s rolled ice cream is another must-try NYC dessert. Inspired by Thai methods, the frozen treats are created right before your eyes using mochi dough, cookies, fruit, or chocolate toppings – an unforgettable pleasure to share among friends.
Junior’s Strawberry Shake offers an innovative take on Nutella with more resemblance to a strawberry soda than a milkshake, complete with an entire slice of cheesecake! For something hot to warm you up on a fabulous day, Bar Pisellino Cioccolato Caldo provides more creamy cocoa than milk for an ideal beverage solution!
4. La Mercerie
La Mercerie may be one of the hottest new restaurants in town, yet it doesn’t feel like your average French cafe. Instead, La Mercerie feels more like Nancy Meyers-inspired upper-class fantasy with plush aqua mohair banquettes, $6 croissants, rustic linen napkins (take home four for $105), and an in-house florist selling curvy myrtle topiaries.
Roman and Williams Guild furniture-and-design store in Soho houses this restaurant designed to inspire aspirational dining experiences. That is why its tables are lined with handcrafted chic tableware available for sale, ranging from individual teacups and saucers up to $25,000 sofas. Also, French chef Rose brings her technical approach to her Provencal cooking, which was previously experienced at Guy Savoy and Pierre Gagnaire before working alongside Daniel Rose at Spring.
La Mercerie serves up stunning food in an equally breathtaking space that gives the illusion that you are dining at someone’s vacation home. But sometimes, even living in one of the greatest cities requires some escape – which is why people flock to La Mercerie, an immaculately designed French cafe in Soho that sells perfect fare such as their $32 white asparagus salad and profiteroles filled with ice cream and doused in Kirsch.
La Mercerie doesn’t seek to reinvent or redefine French cuisine; instead, they serve technically perfect Provencal fare from morning until night. Each plate here can rival that of your great-grandmother’s brooch, and reservations can fill up quickly; lunchtime reservations often sell out within hours!
Visitors relax at this luxurious and well-connected spot with their closest friends and family members. While it may not be for everyone, this venue provides delicious desserts at competitive prices! Delivery service options can also be provided to bring them directly to your doorstep for an additional fee.