With crazy and elaborate foods taking over the world (and social media), like cronuts and ice cream tacos, what better place to experience these amazingly delicious desserts than New York City? The sheer number of desserts waiting for you just within Manhattan is incomparable, so, whether you’re just passing through the city or settling down for life in the best city ever, here’s a list of the must-eat desserts that warrant a special trip!
Be sure to check out the best hotels with pools and hotels with meeting rooms, just in case you enjoy these desserts too much and decide on a longer stay.
1. Chocolate chip walnut cookies - Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery’s cookies are iconic. These oversized cookies, that seem to weigh about two pounds each, are the perfect combination of chewy, crunchy and oh so yummy. I stopped by their West 74th Street shop a couple of weeks ago to grab some cookies for my sister and it took all my willpower not to eat the cookies, instantly. A crowd favorite is the chocolate chip walnut, but their dark chocolate, chocolate chip are just as good!
Levain Bakery
Address: Multiple Locations - See website
Website: Levain Bakery
2. Dark and snowy bubble waffle cone - New Territories
The bubble waffles at New Territories are out of cone-trol! Their pre-designed concoctions are delicious, but if you’re not feeling one of them or want to swap something thing out - you can! They allow customizations on everything, letting you make the perfect dessert. My favorites are the Prince Edward and the Dark & Snowy!
New Territories
Address: 190 Orchard Street, 10002 New York, New York
Website: New Territories
3. Birthday cake croissant - Union Fare Bakery
Editor’s Note: Establishment is permanently closed
Union Fare prides itself in its imaginative pastries and definitely does not disappoint. A crowd favorite, the birthday cake croissant, is not your typical croissant. It’s made with “funfetti” croissant dough, filled with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles, and then topped with an edible “fairy dust”. If birthday cake isn’t your calling, try one of the other amazing flavors, like red velvet, matcha, or cookies and cream.
Union Fare Bakery
Address: 7 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003
Website: Union Fare Bakery
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4. Cronuts - Dominique Ansel Bakery
You’ve heard about it. You’ve dreamt about it. And now it’s here - the cronut. The perfect cross between a doughnut and croissant, the cronut is flaky like a croissant but fluffy like a donut. The cronuts at Dominque Ansel are all rolled in sugar, filled with cream, and then topped with glaze, and the whole process takes almost three days! Each month they feature a different and unique flavor, so you’re always in for a surprise.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Address: 189 Spring Street (between Sullivan and Thompson), New York, NY 10012
Website: Dominique Ansel Bakery
5. Milk and cookie shot - Dominique Ansel Bakery
Another delicious treat you must try from Dominique Ansel is the perfect treat - the milk and cookie shot. Stop by during cookie hour at 3 PM, for your taste of perfection.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Address: 189 Spring Street (between Sullivan and Thompson), New York, NY 10012
Website: Dominique Ansel Bakery
6. Doughnut ice cream sandwich - Holey Cream
Not sure if you want ice cream or a donut? Then head on over to Holey Cream, where you can get a “Famous Original Donut Ice Cream Sandwich” and customize it in 5 steps - (1) pick a donut, (2) pick your icing, (3) add toppings, (4) slice (don’t worry, you don’t have to do this part), (5) pick three scoops of ice cream, and, bonus (6) DIG IN! So head on over and create whatever your heart desires - the options are endless.
Holey Cream
Address: 796 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
7. Uni-cone - Taiyaki NYC
Taiyaki is taking the ice cream world by storm by bringing a popular Japanese street foods to New York City trends. The unicorn ice cream cone from Taiyaki features a swirl of strawberry and vanilla soft serve, topped with “unicorn dust”, sprinkles, and a fondant horn, all inside one of Taiyaki’s famous fish waffle cones. This cone is as delicious as it is Insta-worthy.
Taiyaki NYC
Address: 119 Baxter Street, 10013 New York, New York
Website: Taiyaki NYC
8. coneCHURRO - Dessert Club, ChikaLicious
While the churros at Costco are really good, you’ll probably forget about them the minute you taste the coneCHURRO. It comes in a variety of flavors but it all starts with the soft serve, in a crunchy, sugary churro cone. If you’re stopping by, be sure to try some fan favorites: the Nutty Professor (Nutella and brown sugar pecan), Jheri Curl (sea salt caramel), Twinkle Sprinkles (chocolate ganache and rainbow sprinkles), or all of them!
Dessert Club, ChikaLicious
Address: 204 E 10th St, 10003 New York, New York
Website: Dessert Club, ChikaLicious
9. Gelato Panino - FIGO Il Gelato Italiano [Previously known as M'O II Gelato]
Who said you can’t have dessert for lunch? At M'O II Gelato you can have your very own custom panini, filled with gelato! The Gelato Panino features a warm brioche bun, filled with your choice of gelato or sorbet. My favorite is the Nocciola (hazelnut).
M'O II Gelato
Address: Multiple Locations - See Website
Website: M'O II Gelato
10. Cookie dough - DŌ
If you can’t resist eating cookie dough off the spoon (or right out of the freezer), be sure to check out DŌ, in the East Village. Here you can get gourmet, customizable cookie dough, that’s safe to eat right out of the tub - or cone!
DŌ
Address: 550 LaGuardia Place, 10012 New York, New York
Website: DŌ
11. Banana cream pudding - Magnolia Bakery
If you’re ready to start living like Carrie Bradshaw, then you must grab some banana cream pudding from Magnolia. With layers of vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and creamy vanilla pudding, this dessert is bananas - B.A.N.A.N.A.S. And for a twist on the classic pudding, they’ve also launched more flavors, like chocolate, smores, and peanut butter.
Magnolia Bakery
Address: Multiple locations - see website
Website: Magnolia Bakery
12. Waffle tacos - 10Below
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
Rolling into New York like…okay, I’m honestly not really sure how that saying ends, but I’m hoping it ends with a trip to 10Below, for their iconic waffle tacos. The rolled ice cream is made right in front of you and can be customized to your liking. If you’re having trouble picking, I recommend the S'mores Galore on a Black Rose Taco, with extra Oreos and sprinkles.
10Below
Address: Multiple locations - see website
Website: 10Below
13. Rocky Roadhouse cone - Big Gay Ice Cream
Big Gay Ice Cream is known for its legendary ice cream cones and fun storefront, so don’t miss out on it this experience. And, they even sell pints if you want to take some home for later!
Big Gay Ice Cream
Address: Multiple locations - See website
Website: Big Gay Ice Cream
14. Cereal ice cream - Kith Treats
Who says you can’t have ice cream for breakfast? At Kith Treats you can combine your breakfast dreams with dessert delights that bring you back to the good old days. Be sure to try a signature special, like the “Bam Bam”, which is a mix of Rice Krispy treats, cookie crisp, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kit Kat, crushed Oreos, and marshmallow charms. Or build your own with your choice of cereals, mix-ins, and milk base.
Kith Treats
Address: Multiple locations - See website
Website: Kith Treats
15. Chocolate babka - Breads Bakery
This chocolate babka sells by the thousands during the holidays and it is equally good every other time of the year, too. With chocolate-hazelnut spread weaved through the braided loaves, this babka is New York approved.
Breads Bakery
Address: Multiple locations - See website
Website: Breads Bakery
16. Coconut Mille Crêpes - Lady M Confections
Lady M’s cake boutique brings together a unique fusion of Japanese bakery and French cuisine. The famous Mille Crêpes are meticulously crafted by layering twenty buttery crêpes with fluffy pastry cream, flavored to perfection. The coconut features subtle hints of almond and coconut rum and is topped with coconut shavings. Other popular flavors are chocolate, strawberry, and green tea!
Lady M Confections
Address: Multiple locations - See website
Website: Lady M Confections
17. Dark chocolate cream puff - Bibble and Sip
Made fresh daily, the cream puffs at Bibble and Sip are one of a kind and waiting for you to try. You can choose from flavors like matcha white chocolate, Earl Grey vanilla, and dark chocolate!
Bibble and Sip
Address: 253 West 51st Street, 10019 New York, New York
Website: Bibble and Sip
18. Churro smores - Boqueria
Boqueria takes churros to the next level, with their cool creations, like their churro ice cream sandwich and stuffed churros. But, their churro smores definitely tops them all. With toasted marshmallow and melted chocolate just oozing between two churro cookies, this delectable dessert is definitely sabroso.
Boqueria
Address: Multiple location - See website
Website: Boqueria
19. Ample Hills Creamery
What’s better than just plain old ice cream? How about ice cream churned fresh daily? Or how about ice cream churned fresh daily in a waffle cone? Or a chocolate chip cookie cone? Or a pretzel cone? Whatever kind of sweet (or salty) your taste buds crave, Ample Hills has got your back.
Ample Hills Creamery
Address: Multiple locations - See website
Website: Ample Hills Creamery
20. Doughnuts - The Doughnut Project
Known for their unique and flavorful doughnut creations, the Doughnut Project is a place you must stop. Their doughnuts go beyond chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles and bring a new dimension to fried dough you didn’t think possible. Their flavors change often, but I love the “All Nighter” and I am dying to try their famous Prosseco doughnut (only available in the month of August).
The Doughnut Project
Address: 10 Morton Street, New York, NY 10014
Website: The Doughnut Project
21. Tiramisu cupcake - Molly's Cupcakes
The center-filled cupcakes at Molly’s Cupcakes are ah-mazing. Their tiramisu cupcake is filled with creamy mascarpone and buttercream, and is topped with coffee, a ladyfinger and cocoa powder - yum! While new flavors come in on a seasonal basis, some popular regulars are the Boston cream and the peanut butter Nutella. Fun fact: Molly’s Cupcakes won Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, so you know they’re the real deal.
Molly's Cupcakes
Address: 228 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10014
Website: Molly’s Cupcakes
It's time to treat yourself...
…so start planning, because you have a lot of dessert in your future. It would be even better to try these desserts after buying in the food trucks or tasting the best vegan foods in the city.
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