Iconic New York City Desserts You Need to Try at Least Once
If you haven’t had a real New York City cheesecake or a cronut, did you even visit? New York City takes dessert seriously. Some are classics passed down for generations, while others are viral hits that have people waiting in lines. Either way, the iconic New York City desserts you need to try at least once are worth every bite.
12 Iconic New York City Desserts You Can’t Miss
1. Banana Pudding
You can start your New York City dessert hunt with this banana pudding. Layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and creamy goodness make it hard to stop at one spoonful. Want adventurous flavors? Go for Red Velvet, Apple Crisp, or Hot Chocolate.
- Where to try: Magnolia Bakery
- Address: Multiple locations
- Price Range: $ – $$
- Website: www.magnoliabakery.com
2. Bouncy Cheesecake
Ever wanted to eat a cloud? This is pretty close. It’s light, airy, and sweet enough to keep you reaching for another forkful. And be sure not to skip flavors like ube, green tea, or strawberry.
- Where to try: Keki Modern Cakes
- Address: Midtown – 315 5th Avenue, New York / Downtown – 79 Mott Street, New York
- Price Range: $$
- Website: www.kekimoderncakes.com
3. Green Tea Mille Crêpes
If you think dessert can’t be fancy and delicious, meet this crêpe cake. The thin crêpes are stacked with silky green tea cream and then topped with powdered matcha. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you pause and savor each bite.
- Where to try: Lady M Confections
- Address: Multiple locations
- Price Range: $$ – $$$
- Website: www.ladym.com
- Phone: 212-452-2222
4. Cornhusk Meringue
Tired of the usual meringue? Your taste buds will love the Cornhusk Meringue. These ash-dusted meringues crack open to reveal creamy vanilla and corn mousse. They’re salty, sweet, and velvety (you’ll wonder why you waited so long to try them).
- Where to try: Cosme
- Address: 35 E 21st St, New York
- Price Range: $$
- Website: www.cosmenyc.com
- Phone: 315-512-4131
5. Cruffin
Can’t decide between a croissant and a muffin? Don’t. The Cruffin will solve your breakfast (or dessert) dilemma. Flaky layers with a creamy center and rotating flavors like, so good luck picking just one.
- Where to try: Supermoon Bakehouse
- Address: 120 Rivington Street, New York
- Price Range: $
- Website: www.supermoonbakehouse.com
6. Cronut
Half croissant, half doughnut, and 100% a good idea. They’re fried, filled, glazed—and no, you can’t just stop at one. The monthly flavors? Always a surprise, never boring.
- Where to try: Dominique Ansel bakery
- Address: 189 Spring Street (btw Sullivan & Thompson), New York
- Price Range: $
- Website: www.dominiqueanselny.com
- Phone: 212-219 2773
7. Rice Pudding
Rice pudding sounds basic… until you taste this rice pudding. It’s creamy, rich, and packed with flavors like Coconut Coma and Vegan Raspberry Mocha. The taste is comforting, so don’t expect to stop at just one spoonful.
- Where to try: Rice to Riches
- Address: 100 Rivington Street (on the corner of Ludlow St) New York / 37 Spring Street (between Mott & Mulberry St) New York
- Price Range: $ – $$
- Website: www.ricetoriches.com
8. Cream Puff
Biting into a fluffy pastry shell? This Cream Puff is filled with matcha white chocolate or Earl grey vanilla cream. You can also try the black sesame walnut praline. And yes, they rotate seasonal flavors (life’s too short for just one option).
- Where to try: Bibble & Sip
- Address: 253 West 51st St, New York
- Price Range: $
- Website: www.bibbleandsip.com
- Phone: 646-649-5116
9. Baked Alaska
A dessert with drama and flavor? You’ll enjoy every bite of this fluffy meringue with layers of mint, dark chocolate, and cherry ice cream, all toasted to golden perfection.
- Where to try: Gage & Tollner
- Address: 372 Fulton St, Brooklyn
- Price Range: $$
- Website: www.gageandtollner.com
- Phone: 347-689-3677
10. Cheese Tart
Three cheeses walk into a tart… and satisfying flavor and crunch happen. The buttery crust holds a fluffy, creamy center that’s both tangy and sweet. Can’t decide between ube, blueberry, or classic cheese? No one’s judging if you try them all.
- Where to try: Pink Lady Cheese Tart
- Address: 11 Mott St, New York
- Price Range: $
- Website: www.pinkladycheesetart.com
- Phone: 646-764-2539
11. Salty Honey Pie
Love that sweet, salty, and buttery combo? This pie doesn’t mess around. The honey filling is rich, the crust is perfectly crisp, and those sea salt flakes? Chef’s kiss.
- Where to try: Four & Twenty Blackbirds
- Address: 439 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn
- Price Range: $$
- Website: birdsblack.com
- Phone: 718-499-2917
12. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie
Crunchy edges, a gooey center, and big chunks of chocolate and walnuts. These are the best words to describe the Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie. It’s huge, so you could share… (but you might not want to).
- Where to try: Levain Bakery
- Address: Multiple locations
- Price Range: $$
- Website: www.levainbakery.com
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