Looking for the best desserts in NYC? If so, keep reading!
Got a little bit of a sweet tooth? If so, this list of the best desserts in NYC is sure to satisfy any sweet cravings!
NYC is known for being a great destination for foodies, and once you’ve tried all the amazing burgers and pizzas the city has to offer, you’ll be ready to try some of these incredible options for the best desserts in NYC!
So, let’s get into it! Here are some epic choices if you’re looking for the best desserts in NYC.
The best desserts in NYC…
Momofuku Milk Bar
All the desserts at Momofoku Milk bar could be featured on a list of the best desserts in NYC. However, what sets this place apart from the rest is its insane Buttery Crack Pie.
Although you may think it’s an actual pie, this dessert is a massive cornflake and marshmallow cookie that has a creamy texture. The oatmeal cookie crust is no joke, and just one slice of this pie will have you clamoring for more. This is one of the best desserts in NYC!
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Dominique Ansel Bakery features many of the best desserts in NYC, but no single dessert has received quite as much press as the infamous Cronut.
First hitting the scene in 2013, this bizarre cross between a croissant and a donut saw New-Yorkers queueing up around the block to try it out.
Perfectly flakey and filled to perfection, this iced wonder is absolutely one of the best desserts in NYC. If you’re not into Cronuts, then be sure to try out their cookie shot – it’s equally decadent and is perfect for that milk and cookie craving that you may have.
Read more NYC food inspiration: The best deli in NYC – 11 places you need to try!
Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery is a staple in New York, and it’s packed with the best desserts in NYC. If you really want to try the best of what they offer, be sure to order one of their enormous cookies.
Read more NYC food inspiration: Where to find the best pancakes in NYC
Sure, you could go with a classic like chocolate chip, but if you want to switch things up a little, why not try out dark chocolate peanut butter chip or oatmeal raisin?
There are only four flavors on offer, so you know that the recipe for each has been tweaked to perfection. Just be sure to bring your appetite – these cookies are enormous. Another great choice for the best desserts in NYC!
Lady M Confections
If you want your food to be beautiful, then you’ll certainly love Lady M Confections. One of the best desserts in NYC is their incredible crepe cake.
Not only is it gorgeous to look at with its many crepe-y layers of goodness, but it tastes delicious too!
There are several flavors of this staple dessert that you can choose from, but the cocoa and matcha varieties are probably the top choices. Light, fluffy, and unique, this is one of the best desserts in NYC that you shouldn’t pass up.
Read more NYC food recommendations: Top 11 best pastrami sandwiches in NYC
Taiyaki
Are you on the hunt for an adorable mid-afternoon treat? If so, head to Tayaki! Tayaki is home to some of the best desserts in NYC, as not only are the treats here delicious, but they’re ridiculously cute.
The dessert of choice here is the fish-shaped waffle that’s filled to the brim with soft-serve ice cream and toppings.
The ice cream itself is unicorn themed, so it’s one of the most Instagrammable desserts that you can get in NYC! This place is a unique choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Read more NYC food inspiration: The best cake shops in NYC (12 places you need to try!)
Luckybird Cakes
Cake lovers will be obsessed with Luckybird Cakes. This place has long been lauded for serving the best desserts in NYC, as it creates simple yet beautiful cakes that always taste amazing.
Though they specialize in wedding cakes, they also serve beautiful slices each day to customers. If you do visit, be sure to order a slice of the Meyer Lemon cake.
Perfectly tangy yet pleasantly sweet, it’s a cake that you won’t forget in a hurry. Definitely check out this place for the best desserts in NYC.
Read more NYC food inspiration: Where to find the best cheesecake in NYC!
Eggloo
Next on our list of the , best desserts in NYCit’s Eggloo. You’ve seen those amazing photos of egg waffles in a cone, right? Well, Eggloo takes that concept to a whole new level.
Now, if you do want to grab a glorious egg cone, then be prepared to queue.
Despite having multiple locations across Manhattan, these guys always see hefty queues. Eggloo waffles are seen as some of the best desserts in NYC as they are fully customizable. Just pick your ice cream and toppings and you’ll be on your way!
Read more NYC food recommendations: 15 best Japanese restaurants in NYC
The best desserts in NYC: Maison Pickle
Although Maison Pickle serves up incredible pickles, they’re also known for dishing out the best desserts in NYC. If you’re looking to up your dessert game, then place an order for their insane chocolate layer cake.
Featuring twenty-four equally chocolatey layers, this is a slice of cake that you’ll want to share with a friend. However, if you’re feeling brave, you can certainly demolish it on your own. Look at the photo below and tell us this isn’t one of the best desserts in NYC.
Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery is one of most famous dessert spots in Manhattan. Although they’re known for their buttercream cakes and delicious bakes, their most popular item is the indulgent banana pudding. It’s next on our list of the best desserts in NYC.
It’s a simple concept, but trust us, it works. You basically have custard, bananas, and slabs of cake shoved together in a cup. This combination creates one of the best desserts in NYC that tastes dreamy.
Read more about visiting NYC: 22 romantic anniversary ideas in NYC
Ice & Vice
Everyone loves ice cream, right? If you’re looking for the best desserts in NYC, then you won’t want to pass up one of the finest ice cream parlors in the city.
You’ll find a few typical flavors at Ice & Vice, but you’ll also spot some interesting and unique ones too! Milk Money is among the most popular flavors here, but if you’re looking to branch out, give their ice cream sandwiches a try! Don’t miss this place for the best desserts in NYC.
Read more NYC food inspiration: Where to find the best bagels in NYC
Cosme
If you want one of the best desserts in NYC that’s on the bougier side, then pop into Cosme. This restaurant is known for its Mexican dishes, but it’s also famed for its amazing Corn Husk Meringue.
The perfectly crumbly meringue is perfectly dusted and hides a flavorful mousse that you won’t find anywhere else. In our opinion, this unique dessert is well worth a try. Another great choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Burrow
Pistachio lovers will meet their match at Burrow. This place might be tiny and easy to miss, but it’s home to one of the best desserts in NYC. The pistachio cake is simple, but delicious. Featuring a glorious pistachio mousse and a delicious base, it’s one of the most unique desserts in the city. Just be sure to keep an eye out for this place – it really is well-hidden.
Fortunato Brothers
Next up on our list of the best best desserts in NYC, it’s Fortunato Brothers. This is one of the top spots for Italian desserts in NYC. It may not be the most glamourous eatery in the world, but these guys serve up some of the most delectable cannolis and affogatos in Williamsburg.
If you’re not feeling those traditional desserts, why not opt for a scoop of their famous gelato or an adorable selection of marzipan treats? The sky’s truly the limit here. This is another great choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Next on our list of the best desserts in NYC, it’s this amazing place! If you’re a person who loves eating challenges, then you’ll want to take on the Mr. Potato Head Sundae at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. While this sundae isn’t a dedicated eating challenge where you’ll win a shirt and a place on the board, its size makes us feel that a challenge may be warranted!
This is one of the best desserts in NYC, and it features ice cream, caramel, a decent dose of peanut butter, potato chips (it’s better than it sounds, trust us!), and an unbelievable serving of whipped cream.
ChikaLicious
We struggled to pick just one item from ChikaLicious to feature on our list of the best desserts in NYC. Everything here is delicious – from the coconut sorbet to the incredible cheesecakes, this is a dessert spot where you’ll genuinely want to order everything on the menu.
Read more NYC food inspiration: Where to find the best cookies in NYC
Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream
Unique scoops and good times are in store when you visit Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream . The clue’s truly in the name here, as this place serves up some of the finest ice cream in the city. The durian ice cream here is one of the best desserts in NYC, as not only is it ridiculously distinctive, but it tastes delicious too.
Olmsted
If you’re looking for the best desserts in NYC that pack a tangy punch, visit Olmsted. The famous handmade frozen yogurt at Olmsted is insanely simple, but it allows you to experience the beautiful flavors of lavender and honey in a whole new way. You’ll probably want to order a main meal here too, as the food is top tier. Don’t miss this choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Supermoon Bakehouse
Are you searching for a croissant with a difference? Then you’ll love this choice for the best desserts in NYC. Well then, you best check out Supermoon Bakehouse. You won’t find classic croissants or a quintessential Pain au Chocolat here. Instead, you’ll find the stunning blueberry and rosemary croissant.
This beautiful croissant features insane colors and fillings which look otherworldly. So, be sure to grab your phone as it deserves a place on your camera reel!
Butter & Scotch
Butter & Scotch features one of the best desserts in NYC for those who love roasting smores over a roaring fire. Their S’mores Pie is a cult favorite, and though it’s heavy on the calorie side, it’s worth every bite. This place is also heavy on activism, so if you want to support a good cause while you dine, these guys will help you out.
Narcissa
If you’ve ever wanted to try mille-feuille, then we highly recommend stopping in at Narcissa. Not only is this one of the best desserts in NYC when it comes to taste, but it also happens to be one of the most stunning too. Everything here is hand-crafted to perfection, so be sure to pick up some macarons or a flakey croissant too!
Gotham Bar and Grill
No list of the best desserts in NYC would be complete without mention of an apple-based dessert. Visitors to Gotham Bar and Grill know they’re in for a treat when the Apple Tart Tatin comes through the kitchen doors. Not only is it deliciously sweet, but it’s presented with such care that you almost don’t want to eat it!
Dough
Next up on our list of the best desserts in NYC, it’s Dough. There are some incredible places in NYC for donuts, but there’s nowhere that quite lives up to Dough. This donut stop’s round wonders are made with a brioche-type dough which is prepared in batches throughout the day.
So, no matter what time you visit, you’re always guaranteed a donut which is freshly baked. The donuts here are among the best desserts in NYC, as not only are they fresh, but there are so many seasonal flavors on offer which keeps things interesting year-round.
Read more about NYC food: Top 12 best places to eat in Little Italy, NYC
Bluebird London in NYC
Sticky toffee pudding lovers rejoice, as Bluebird London have made it their mission to create one of the best desserts in NYC for those craving a taste of Britain!
Not only is the pudding itself oozing delicious toffee sauce, but it’s also served with a gorgeous scoop of ice cream. The mixture of the warm pudding and the cool ice cream is the ooey-gooey goodness your body needs. This is a classic choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Bubby’s
Bubby’s is next on our list of the best desserts in NYC. This is one of those spots in NYC that just feels like home. Serving up homemade goods just like your mom used to make is basically what they’re known for.
Their delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Pop Tarts aren’t like the traditional grocery store offerings you might find – they’re so much better! Perfectly balancing sweet and sour, this is one of the best desserts in NYC that you need to try.
Read more NYC food inspiration: Where to find the best cheap lunches in NYC
Clinton Street Baking Co.
Clinton Street Baking Co. is known for its incredible breakfast food. However, did you know that they’re also home to one of the best desserts in NYC? Sure, not everyone will deem pancakes a dessert, but the way these bad boys are smothered with icing sugar and chocolate, we’d beg to differ!
The Loyal
Southern comforts take center stage at The Loyal. It’s not every day that you get to eat perfectly cooked beignets, so there’s a reason why we felt these apple beignets deserved a spot on our list of the best desserts in NYC. Served with a caramel sauce and fried to crispy perfection, these soft balls of dough are the perfect pick-me-up.
Bouchon Bakery
Choux pastry can be hit and miss, but Bouchon has mastered this pastry with style. Their eclairs are light and delicious, and always perfectly decorated with just a hint of gold leaf. You’ll find it hard to stop at just one, trust us. This is another great choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Mah-Ze-Dar
Elevated brioche is the name of the game at Mah-Ze-Dar. Although these guys serve up several incredible desserts, nothing quite beats the braided brioche that’s topped with hazelnuts. The nuts work perfectly with the Nutella spread that’s weaved into the brioche, and it’s a flavor sensation that is absolutely one of the best desserts in NYC.
Max Brenner
If you’ve always wanted to try a sweet pizza, then head down to Max Brenner. Their famous Chocolate Chunks Pizza has drawn in visitors from all over the world. With its chocolate base and marshmallow and chocolate chunk topping, it’s something that must be seen to be believed. This is a classic choice for the best desserts in NYC.
The Smith
The Smith is next on our list of the best desserts in NYC. If you weren’t taken by the S’more Pie we mentioned, then why not try the S’more in a Jar from The Smith? Be warned – this dessert is almost sickly sweet.
However, these guys manage to toe the line between too sweet and just sweet enough, making this S’more in a Jar one of the best desserts in NYC. Be sure to snap a picture of it before you tuck in, as you’re not likely to find anything else like it!
Eileen’s Special Cheesecakes
The cheesecakes at Eileen’s truly are special and each cake deserves to be named as one of the best desserts in NYC. Beautifully decorated and always brimming with flavor, there really is no better place for cheesecake in the city. If you’re looking to try more than one flavor, why not give the mini cheesecakes a try? Go on, you know you want to!
Rice to Riches
It’s quite difficult to find decent rice pudding these days, so if you’re looking to spice up your list of the best desserts in NYC to try out, then head to Rice to Riches. This deliciously creamy dessert is packed with nutrients (and sugar, but you can’t win them all!) for an experience that you’ll never forget.
Spot Dessert Bar
Do you love molten lava cakes? Well, Spot Dessert Bar is next on our list of the best desserts in NYC. Well, get ready for one of the best desserts in NYC in the form of a molten matcha lava cake! Not only is this an interesting take on a traditional chocolate lava cake, but the matcha work perfectly with the gooey chocolate to create a flavor profile that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
Breads Bakery
There’s no better place for chocolate fiends than Breads Bakery. Although this place features numerous chocolate dessert, one of the best ones available is the Chocolate Babka. Deemed one of the best desserts in NYC for its perfectly braided chocolate tendrils, this is one loaf that you need to try before you die.
Serendipity 3
It may sound like a total contradiction, but one of the best desserts in NYC is the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity 3. Frozen hot chocolate, you ask?
How can that be? Well, essentially, it’s almost like a chocolate frappe. However, it does taste exactly like a hot chocolate, so it’s a unique treat that you need to try a sip of. If you’re enamored by it, you can even purchase the hot chocolate mix so you can whip it up at home! You’ll love this choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Read more food inspiration: Top 15 best desserts in Las Vegas
Popbar
Next up on our list of the best desserts in NYC, it’s Popbar. If you’re into customizing your desserts, then you’ll certainly think Popbar features the best desserts in NYC. This all-natural gelato is served on a stick, and you can top your flavor with whatever you fancy. If you’re feeling chocolatey, you can put chocolate sauce on it. If you want to spice things up with some nuts, go ahead!
Flipper’s Japanese Pancake
Those who are looking to visit the SoHo area should make a stop at Flipper’s Japanese Pancake. It may be a small dessert pop up, but it serves one of the best desserts in NYC is pancake form. The Japanese pancakes here are always fluffy, delicious, and topped with beautiful heavy cream!
UBE Kitchen
Okay, so most of the best desserts in NYC are hardly healthy. However, if you’re on the hunt for something lighter, be sure to check out UBE Kitchen. Their vegan fruit bowls are a great option for those watching their weight or looking for an easy burst of nutrients. With just a tiny topping of vanilla ice cream on top, the guilt factor is minimal here.
Doughnut Plant
Next on our list of the best desserts in NYC, it’s Doughnut Plant. This humble dessert store may be small, but it’s certainly mighty. Serving up the best doughnuts in NYC, their goods are always freshly baked, topped with care, and contain no eggs, no trans fats, and no preservatives.
So, you can eat your delicious doughnuts knowing that you’re only getting the best possible ingredients! This is a great choice for the best desserts in NYC.
Insomnia Cookies
The final place on our list of the best desserts in NYC belongs to Insomnia Cookies. The cookies here are so good that you may genuinely begin to lose sleep wondering when you can taste them again. Open until 3am, they’re the perfect treat for insomniacs.
10 more bonus ideas for the best desserts in NYC…
We thought we’d top this list up to 50 for you, and add 10 more bonus places onto the end of the list for the best desserts in NYC!
Junior’s Cheesecake – a classic choice for amazing desserts!
Veniero’s Pasticceria & Café – A place to find lots. of delicious pastries!
Dunkin’ Donuts – OK, this isn’t exactly the coolest place – but it’s cheap and the donuts are great!
Two Little Red Hens – Another great cheesecake recommendation!
Billy’s Bakery in NYC – Go there for the amazing cupcakes!
Chelsea Market – Great to stop by for a variety of desserts!
Whole Foods – If you just want to grab something delicious on the go, this is a great choice.
Patisserie Tomoko – Quirky and a little different! We love it!
Pilar Cuban Bakery – Another great bakery to check out!
Uncle Boon’s – Check out the ice-cream sundae!
