10+ Best Dessert Spots in New York for a Sweet Treat

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New York City is home to some of the best dessert spots in New York City, offering everything from classic pastries to inventive sweet creations. Whether you’re craving a traditional treat or something a little more adventurous, the city’s dessert scene has something for everyone. From old-school bakeries to innovative newcomers, here are some of the best places to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Best Dessert Spots in New York City

1. Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffè

Located in the East Village, Veniero’s has been serving up classic Italian pastries since 1894. It’s the kind of place where you can’t go wrong—whether you’re in the mood for cannoli, sfogliatelle, tiramisù, or their famously rich New York-style cheesecake. The charm of this family-run bakery lies in its old-world ambiance and the fact that everything is made from scratch.

  • Website: venierospastry.com
  • Location: 342 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
  • Instagram: @venierospastry
  • Price Range: $$
  • Specialties: Cannoli, cheesecake, tiramisù
  • Reviews: 4.5 stars on Google

2. Lysée

This modern gem in the Flatiron District is redefining what a bakery can be. Lysée blends French pastry techniques with Korean flavors for an entirely unique dessert experience. If you’re into perfectly crafted desserts with bold flavors, you’ll love their caramel tart and corn mousse cake, which have been making waves in the city’s culinary scene.

  • Website: Lysee NYC
  • Location: 44 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010
  • Instagram: @lysee.nyc
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Specialties: Caramel tart, corn mousse cake
  • Reviews: Featured in The New York Times’ Best Bakeries

3. Max and Mina’s

Max and Mina’s
Image via tripadvisor.fr

For an offbeat ice cream experience, head over to Max and Mina’s in Flushing, Queens. This quirky shop has been serving inventive ice cream flavors since 1997, and their rotating menu includes some wild options like Cajun, Lox, and Purple Mint Chip. It’s the kind of place where you can try flavors you never thought would work together—and they actually do.

  • Location: 7126 Main St, Queens, NY 11367
  • Facebook: facebook.com/maxandminas/
  • Price Range: $$
  • Specialties: Unique and rotating ice cream flavors
  • Reviews: 4.4 stars on Google

4. Surprise Scoop

Want to try something completely different? Surprise Scoop in the East Village is the place. Instead of picking your own flavor, you tell the staff your preferences and allergies, and they surprise you with a scoop. It’s a fun way to take your taste buds on an adventure, and some of the options—like pickle ice cream or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos—will definitely spark your curiosity.

  • Location: 23 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
  • Instagram: @surprisescoopnyc
  • Price Range: $$
  • Specialties: Mystery ice cream flavors
  • Reviews: Trending on TikTok and Instagram for its concept

5. Dominique Ansel Bakery

Dominique Ansel’s name is synonymous with innovation. The creator of the Cronut, Ansel continues to surprise and delight with his Soho bakery. One of his latest creations, the Dipped Whisk, features gelato in a sugar cone cup, presented on a golden whisk dipped in vanilla Chantilly cream. It’s a playful dessert that shows how Ansel continues to push the boundaries of pastry.

  • Website: dominiqueansel.com
  • Location: 189 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
  • Instagram: @dominiqueansel
  • Price Range: $$-$$$
  • Specialties: Cronut, Dipped Whisk, Kouign Amann
  • Reviews: 4.5 stars on Yelp

6. Lady M Cake Boutique

Lady M is where pastry meets perfection. The bakery’s Mille Crêpes cake, with its delicate layers of crêpes and pastry cream, is one of the city’s most talked-about desserts. Each cake is meticulously crafted, and the Green Tea Mille Crêpes is a favorite among regulars. If you’re looking for an elegant dessert experience, Lady M on the Upper East Side is the place to go.

  • Website: ladym.com
  • Location: 41 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
  • Instagram: @ladymcakes
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Specialties: Mille Crêpes cakes
  • Reviews: 4.4 stars on Google Reviews

7. Gage & Tollner

Step into Gage & Tollner in Downtown Brooklyn and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. This historic restaurant serves a timeless Baked Alaska—an indulgent dessert of cake, ice cream, and meringue. It’s a must-try for anyone looking for a nostalgic dessert experience with a modern twist.

  • Website: gageandtollner.com
  • Location: 372 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Instagram: @gage.and.tollner
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Specialties: Baked Alaska
  • Reviews: Highly rated for its old-school charm and desserts

8. Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery

Located in the West Village, Mah-Ze-Dahr is a bakery known for its flawless pastries. Whether you’re in the mood for a rich chocolate crinkle cookie, a perfectly spiced doughnut, or a decadent cheesecake, this spot has something for every dessert lover. The focus is always on using high-quality ingredients to create the best possible treats.

  • Website: mahzedahrbakery.com
  • Location: 28 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
  • Instagram: @mahzedahrbakery
  • Price Range: $$
  • Specialties: Cheesecake, doughnut, chocolate crinkle cookie
  • Reviews: 4.5 stars on Yelp

9. Supermoon Bakehouse

Supermoon Bakehouse has quickly become a favorite in the Lower East Side. Known for its artistic and delicious pastries, this bakery serves up everything from jaw-dropping doughnuts to indulgent soft-serve ice cream. If you’re in the mood for something fun and flavorful, this place won’t disappoint.

  • Website: supermoonbakehouse.com
  • Location: 120 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
  • Instagram: @supermoonbakehouse
  • Price Range: $$-$$$
  • Specialties: Doughnuts, soft serve
  • Reviews: Frequently featured on Instagram for its aesthetic desserts

10. Angelina Bakery

Bringing a taste of Italy to the hustle and bustle of Midtown, Angelina Bakery—one of the best dessert spots in New York City—offers a selection of Italian-inspired pastries. Their almond croissants and Italian donuts are a particular highlight, making it the perfect spot for a sweet break during your city adventures.

  • Website: angelinabakery.com
  • Location: 575 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018
  • Instagram: @angelinabakerynyc
  • Price Range: $$
  • Specialties: Italian donuts, almond croissants
  • Reviews: 4.3 stars on Google Reviews

11. Spot Dessert Bar

If you’re in the mood for something that blends classic flavors with a bit of innovation, Spot Dessert Bar in the East Village is a solid choice. Known for its Asian-inspired treats, this place takes familiar flavors and presents them in ways you wouldn’t expect. Their famous Matcha Lava Cake oozes warm green tea ganache when you cut into it, while the Golden Toast—a thick-cut honey toast with condensed milk ice cream—is the perfect balance of crunchy and creamy.

  • Website: spotdessertbar.com
  • Location: 13 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
  • Instagram: @spotdessertbar
  • Price Range: $$
  • Specialties: Matcha Lava Cake, Golden Toast
  • Reviews: 4.6 stars on Google, praised for unique flavors and presentation

12. Milk Bar

Founded by award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi, Milk Bar has become a household name for its playful, nostalgia-driven treats. Their Cereal Milk Soft Serve—inspired by the sweet, slightly salty milk at the bottom of a cereal bowl—has gained a cult following. Other fan favorites include the Compost Cookie, packed with pretzels, potato chips, and chocolate chips, and the Birthday Cake, a fun, sprinkle-filled twist on the classic.

  • Website: milkbarstore.com
  • Location: Multiple locations, including 1196 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
  • Instagram: @milkbarstore
  • Price Range: $$-$$$
  • Specialties: Cereal Milk Soft Serve, Compost Cookie, Birthday Cake
  • Reviews: 4.4 stars on Google, loved for its playful approach to desserts

From classic spots with decades of history to newer places pushing the boundaries of dessert, the best dessert spots in New York City offer a rich variety of options. Whether you’re looking for a comforting pastry or something a little out of the ordinary, these dessert spots provide a taste of the city’s sweet soul.

If you’re in the mood for something beyond dessert, check out our guide on Where to Eat the Best French Cuisine Near Central Park.

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