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12 Dessert Spots You MUST Try in NYC!



Hey everyone!


You know what they say: If you’re going to have a sweet tooth, it might as well be in New York City!! Okay, so maybe they don’t say that. BUT THEY SHOULD!! The streets are filled with bakeries as well as niche, creative dessert places that offer unique creations. Living within walking distance of so many cool spots is definitely something I could get used to (oh, wait… I did!). Over the course of the summer, I kept track of my favorites and made this list.


Next time you visit the Big Apple, you’ll definitely want to check some of them out!


All but one are in Manhattan. Whether you’re a plain-jane vanilla ice cream kind of person or someone who’s all about the aesthetic, there’s definitely a dessert for everyone on here!

Here’s the list! In no particular order (because ranking my favorites is, I dare say, impossible):


1. dŌ


550 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012

A cookie dough bakery nestled in the West Village, right around NYU! This bakery specializes in gourmet edible cookie dough and has so many amazing flavors to choose from. I had a difficult time deciding, but the “brookie-dough” and “chocolate dream” called my name. Definitely take a lid with you so you can save it for later. . . the scoops are huge!!


2. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream


20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

This shop has locations all across the city (and country!), and I went to the Hudson Yards and East Village joints over the summer. The lines can get a little long, but the ice cream is definitely worth it. With allergies, I eat dairy-free ice cream and Van Leeuwen has the best vegan ice cream around~ they have super fun flavors that taste like the real thing. I recommend their mint chocolate chip and their cookies and creme caramel flavors!


3. Funny Face Bakery


6 Fulton St, New York, NY

This cookie shop might be better called an art museum. In here you can peruse and buy hand-crafted cookie masterpieces. Pop culture figures and NY landmarks are some of the hallmarks!


4. mochidoki


176 Spring Street, NY, NY, 10012

If you’re shopping in SoHo, you might stumble across this gem that offers over a dozen flavors of the Japanese dessert: mochi. The green tea was my favorite!!


5. Gelato & Italian Ice in Little Italy


Little Italy

There are a million and one places in Little Italy to grab an Italian ice, but I think the best spots are the ones on the street, when you don’t even have to go inside! So great, I forgot to take note of the name…oops!


6. Vito’s Slices and Ices

464 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018

I love the name of this place! It has a great mom-and-pop corner shop feel to it, serving up great NY style pizza and Italian Ice to people in the Garment District. The chocolate water ice was top-notch, and my friends raved about the pizza too!


7. Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory


14 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

On my second full day in the city, my new friends and I found ourselves in Brooklyn, buying sweet treats from the picturesque Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory! I had a waffle with rainbow sprinkles…at first I was confused why the sprinkles weren’t IN the waffle, but I absolutely LOVED it!!

8. Stardust Diner


1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

Stardust Diner is definitely a bucket-list New York stop. Live broadway-worthy entertainment while you eat in the heart of the city is an immersive dining experience! My friends and I went here for a super late weeknight dinner, and I ordered these peanut butter pancakes. They. Were. So. Delicious. Definitely qualifies as dessert… just look at them!


9. Eggloo


60 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013

If you’re in Chinatown, this shop is the perfect dessert place! Bubble waffles, ice cream, and lots of fun toppings to choose from make for great customizable desserts for everyone!


10. Taiyaki


119 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013

Fish-shaped waffle cones. FISH. SHAPED. WAFFLE CONES. I think this one takes the cake (ha!) on whimsy. The “cones” are a soft texture with a bite of bean paste at the base. There are plenty of flavors of ice cream and sorbet to choose from, and you can mix and match your favorite drizzles and toppings!


11. Ben and Jerry’s


200 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

Everyone’s favorite, conveniently near Times Square so you won’t miss your showtime! Ben and Jerry’s has great dairy-free options and the customer service was fantastic. Bonus points if you visit on National Ice Cream Day (third Sunday in July) like we did!


12. NY Bakery and Desserts

A relatively new bakery, offering American and French classics! I had a gourmet chocolate-covered-banana that was the perfect treat. My friend and I got macaroons on the house too! With so many options, this bakery is definitely going to be a hit with city-goers. It has cakes, pies, pops, cookies, cupcakes, tarts, and puddings. They also have packaged gourmet popcorn!

So there you have it. 12 Dessert Spots you MUST try in NYC! I’m sure there are dozens more, so I guess I’ll have to go back to New York. Twist my arm. 😂

Have a great day everybody! Thanks for stopping by and reading!

~Katherine

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