35+ Best Dessert New York NYC Restaurants

Imagine yourself stepping into Serendipity 3, located on the Upper East Side of New York City, and indulging in their renowned frozen hot chocolate.
Now, consider that this is just the tip of the dessert iceberg in the Big Apple. With over 35 exceptional dessert-centric eateries, each boasting their unique, mouthwatering specialties, it can be a challenge to decide where to go next.
From the banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery to the innovative cereal milk ice cream at Momofuku Milk Bar, there’s a sweet treat for every palate.
But, don’t just take my word for it; let’s embark on a sugary journey and explore these dessert havens further.
Serendipity 3: Frozen Hot Chocolate

When you step into Serendipity 3, an iconic restaurant in NYC, you simply can’t miss their renowned Frozen Hot Chocolate, a paradoxical dessert that brilliantly combines the chilling thrill of ice cream with the rich warmth of cocoa.
It’s not just a dessert in NYC, it’s an experience, a journey of indulgence that’s ranked as one of the best desserts in NYC. Imagine the sensation, the icy cold meeting the comforting warmth in a dance of flavors.
This isn’t just a random dessert place in New York, it’s a destination. It’s a testament to NYC dessert culture, a masterful blend of tradition and innovation. If you’re hunting for the best desserts in New York, your search ends here.
With each sip, you’re tasting a bit of freedom, a bit of serendipity.
Magnolia Bakery: Banana Pudding

Next on your dessert journey through NYC, you’ll find yourself enchanted by the simple yet divine Banana Pudding from Magnolia Bakery – a creamy concoction that’s elevated to an art form in the heart of the Big Apple.
This bakery, one of the best dessert places in NYC, takes pride in its dessert menu, offering a variety of delights, but it’s their banana pudding that truly stands out. The pudding’s texture is a perfect balance, neither too dense nor too light. Fresh bananas and wafers are layered within, providing a delightful crunch that contrasts the smooth pudding.
Each spoonful is an adventure, offering different yet harmonious tastes and textures. In the realm of desserts in New York City, the banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery is undoubtedly a must-try.
Momofuku Milk Bar: Cereal Milk Ice Cream

Leaving behind the creamy delights of Magnolia Bakery, you’ll find another unique dessert experience awaiting at Momofuku Milk Bar. This spot has taken a humble breakfast staple and transformed it into their signature Cereal Milk Ice Cream.
A swirl of this soft serve ice cream is like a nostalgic ride back to childhood, with each bite bursting with the flavor of sweet, milky cereal. It’s one of the best desserts in NYC right now, capturing the spirit of freedom and innovation that the city thrives on.
As one of the standout dessert places, Momofuku Milk Bar reinvents the dessert wheel, making it a must-visit in the city’s collection of dessert spots.
Indulge in the playful fusion of breakfast and dessert, and discover why Cereal Milk Ice Cream is a dessert revelation.
Dominique Ansel Bakery: Cronut

Venture a little further into the heart of NYC, and you’ll stumble upon the Dominique Ansel Bakery, home of the world-renowned Cronut. This unique pastry, a hybrid between a croissant and a doughnut, takes the crown as one of the best desserts in New York.
Each flaky layer of the Cronut reveals a soft, creamy interior that sends your taste buds on a journey of sweet ecstasy. The Dominique Ansel Bakery, one of the must-visit places in New York City, has turned this innovative dessert into a cultural phenomenon.
Your freedom to indulge in gourmet pastries is met with gusto here. So, why not give in to the allure of the Cronut? After all, it’s not just a dessert, it’s an experience.
Junior’s: Famous Cheesecake

Craving a slice of creamy, decadent cheesecake? Look no further than Junior’s, a legendary restaurant renowned for its famous New York-style cheesecake.
At Junior’s, you’re not just getting a dessert, you’re indulging in a piece of New York’s culinary history. Here’s what you can expect:
- Authenticity: Junior’s has been serving their famous cheesecake since 1950. You’re getting the real deal New York cheesecake.
- Variety: While the original is a must-try, they also offer a range of flavors from strawberry to chocolate swirl.
- Ambience: Junior’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an iconic dessert bar where you can soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Levain Bakery: Chunky Cookies

If you’re hankering for a cookie that’s a cut above the rest, you’ll find your sweet spot at Levain Bakery, a beloved institution known for its delightfully chunky cookies.
Levain Bakery is a beacon of indulgence in the realm of best dessert New York NYC restaurants, luring in dessert enthusiasts with its decadent chunks of chocolate chip walnut and oatmeal raisin cookies.
The pastry chef at Levain Bakery has mastered the art of creating cookies with just the right balance of crispy exterior and gooey interior, making them an irresistible treat.
Each cookie is a hefty six ounces of pure joy, so be prepared to indulge your sweet tooth.
The chunky cookies from Levain Bakery are more than just a dessert, they’re a freedom-loving foodie’s delight.
Baked by Melissa: Mini Cupcakes

Stepping into the world of Baked by Melissa, you’re greeted by a kaleidoscope of colorful, bite-sized cupcakes that instantly captivate your senses. This isn’t just a cupcake shop; it’s a haven for aficionados of sweet treats, located in the heart of the East Village and across multiple locations.
Here are three reasons why Baked by Melissa offers the best cupcake experience:
- Mini Cupcakes: Their signature mini cupcakes are a riot of flavors and colors, offering you the freedom to try multiple varieties without overindulging.
- Innovative Flavors: They’re known for their innovative combinations, always pushing the envelope of what a cupcake can be.
- Multiple Locations: With outlets spread across the city, your cravings for their irresistible cupcakes can be satisfied no matter where you’re in NYC.
Ladurée: Parisian Macarons

Venturing into Ladurée takes you on an exquisite culinary journey to Paris, renowned for their delicate and flavorful macarons that are a true spectacle for both the palate and the eyes. This dessert shop, one of the best places to try Parisian macarons, offers a taste of French desserts right in the heart of NYC.
You’re given the freedom to choose from a rainbow of options, each macaron a wonderful surprise of intricate flavours. From the velvety pistachio to the vibrant raspberry, each bite is a testament to Laduree’s mastery. These French desserts, though small, pack a punch of flavor that’s sophisticated and satisfying.
The experience at Ladurée isn’t just about indulging your sweet tooth, it’s about embracing the Parisian way of life.
Doughnut Plant: Handcrafted Doughnuts

Swapping the delicate sophistication of Parisian macarons for an all-American classic, you’ll find yourself in the welcoming embrace of Doughnut Plant, a haven of handcrafted doughnuts that redefine the very concept of this traditional sweet treat. This is where you’ll find a place to live in NYC’s dessert scene, a testament to the city’s best and most innovative sweet creations.
- Doughnut Plant’s variety of soft serve ice cream is a must-try, offering a refreshing twist to your doughnut indulgence.
- Their handcrafted doughnuts come in a plethora of flavors, from matcha green tea to their signature creme brulee, each one a testament to their commitment to quality.
- This isn’t just a doughnut shop, it’s a celebration of flavor and creativity, giving you the freedom to explore the boundaries of your palate.
OddFellows Ice Cream Co

Beyond the world of doughnuts, OddFellows Ice Cream Co awaits your sweet tooth, offering a unique blend of traditional and experimental ice cream flavors that redefine what you thought you knew about frozen treats.
This ice cream shop near you is a hub of creativity, churning out deliciously unexpected varieties like miso cherry and chorizo caramel swirl.
You’ll marvel at the artistry of their soft serve, a creamy and velvety delight that’s a far cry from the average milk ice cream.
The shop’s vibrant atmosphere echoes the freedom you desire, offering you an escape from the mundane.
At OddFellows Ice Cream Co, your taste buds are set free to explore the wild frontier of ice cream flavors, pushing boundaries and defying conventions.
It’s a gustatory adventure you shouldn’t miss.
Two Little Red Hens: Brooklyn Blackout Cake

While your taste buds may still be dancing from the unexpected delights of OddFellows Ice Cream Co, they’re in for another treat as you step into the world of Two Little Red Hens, the home of the legendary Brooklyn Blackout Cake.
- This isn’t just any chocolate dessert; it’s the Brooklyn Blackout. It’s rich, dark, and oh so indulgent.
- When you try one, you’ll understand why it’s consistently ranked as one of the best things to eat in the city.
- The cake is a standout, even amongst the 35+ best dessert New York NYC restaurants.
Two Little Red Hens is where chocolate fantasies come true. The taste, the texture, the sheer chocolatey bliss; this is freedom in dessert form. Don’t miss the chance to experience it.
Spot Dessert Bar: Tapas Style Desserts

After you’ve had your fill of chocolate decadence at Two Little Red Hens, make your way to Spot Dessert Bar where they’re redefining the dessert scene with their unique tapas-style sweets.
This popular spot dessert bar NYC is known for its incredible desserts that are best shared among friends. Try the chocolate green tea lava cake; its molten center oozes out when cut into, mingling with the accompanying green tea ice cream in an explosion of flavors.
Other tapas style desserts to savor here include the Golden Toast, a thick slice of honey-buttered toast served with condensed milk ice cream.
The desserts at Spot are an adventure, with flavors like Thai tea creme brulee and matcha lava cake that will excite your palate and leave you craving more.
Eileen’s Special Cheesecake

Once you’ve savored the innovative tapas-style desserts at Spot Dessert Bar, your next sweet escapade should be at Eileen’s Special Cheesecake. This New American gem has been a staple for cheesecake lovers for years and it’s easy to see why.
- Eileen’s takes pride in their homemade cheesecakes that taste like a slice of heaven. Each bite melts in your mouth, bursting with rich flavors that will surely make you save room for dessert.
- The ambiance of Eileen’s adds to the overall experience. It’s warm, cozy and makes you feel right at home.
- Most importantly, the extensive variety of flavors Eileen’s Special Cheesecake offers is incomparable. From traditional New York style to exotic flavors like passion fruit, there’s a cheesecake for every palette.
Little Pie Company: Sour Cream Apple Pie

If you’re looking for another dessert destination in the heart of New York City, you can’t go wrong with the Little Pie Company, renowned for their delectable Sour Cream Apple Pie. This isn’t just a pie, it’s a complete experience that’s as Instagrammable as it’s tasty.
Nestled in Union Square, the Little Pie Company is a delicious detour from the ordinary. The Sour Cream Apple Pie is a masterful blend of sweet apples, tangy sour cream, and a crust that’s perfectly flaky. It’s a dessert that’s not complete without a dollop of lemon curd on top.
But don’t just stop at pie. Make sure to visit the Milk Bar for a taste of their other sweet treats. With each bite, you’re reminded of the culinary freedom that New York City offers.
Big Gay Ice Cream: Soft-Serve Cones

Who can resist the allure of Big Gay Ice Cream’s inventive soft-serve cones, a delightful twist on a classic dessert that’s taken New York City by storm? Here’s why this dessert spot has become an icon:
- The soft-serve cones: These aren’t your typical ice cream cones. Big Gay Ice Cream takes a playful approach, topping their creamy, dreamy soft-serve with a variety of unexpected extras like olive oil and sea salt, creating a perfect blend of sweet and savory that’s truly unique.
- The milkshakes and sundaes: Aside from their famous cones, they also offer decadent milkshakes and sundaes, often topped with chocolate chip cookies or drenched in dark chocolate.
- The atmosphere: There’s a spirit of freedom here, a joyous celebration of diversity and indulgence that’ll make you want to keep coming back for more.
Conclusion
From the whimsical Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3 to the iconic Cronut at Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York City’s dessert scene is as diverse as it’s delicious.
You’ve tasted the nostalgia in Momofuku Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk Ice Cream, indulged in the creamy richness of Junior’s Famous Cheesecake, and savored the unique tapas-style desserts at Spot Dessert Bar.
Don’t forget to try out Eileen’s Special Cheesecake and the Sour Cream Apple Pie at Little Pie Company.
NYC’s dessert journey is truly unforgettable.