If you haven’t had dessert even in the coldest months of the year, you’re not a true foodie. Given that we are sitting on a gold mine of restaurants and cafes, I took the liberty of trying out a few dozen places. After much thought, I’ve narrowed the list down to 10 of the best dessert spots around town.
1. 10 Below Ice Cream
This little spot in Chinatown always has a line going all the way down the street, onto the next block. What makes people wait in the cold for this place? The delicious ice-cream rolls with flavourful toppings has taken every New Yorker’s heart by storm. Strawberry Shawty is my favorite, with strawberries, blackberries, and marshmallows.
2. Eggloo
This is the famous Hong Kong style egg waffles filled with ice cream and toppings. It made its way to the big apple pretty recently, and you don’t see any New Yorkers complaining. My personal favourite is the chocolate waffle with campfire s’mores and pocky, strawberries, and chocolate syrup. The best thing about the toppings is that they’re unlimited!
3. Spot Dessert Bar
Nestled in the heart of the trendy and grungy Astor Place, Spot Dessert Bar is a popular place for lots of NYU-ers and others alike. The choco lava cake with the green tea ice cream always satisfies my belly. However, this place also has potted-plant shaped cheese cakes, and waffle-shaped sweet cakes. It tends to mix asian flavours with American classics.
4. Black Tap
If you’re visiting this famous four-hour-wait restaurant, you have to make it a point to not only eat the burgers and sweet potato fries, but also their legendary milkshakes. These intricate shakes consist of not only a base flavor but candy and baked goods as well. For instance, my favourite shake is the Brooklyn Blackout, which has a chocolate frosted rim with mini chocolate chips topped with a chocolate brownie, whipped cream & chocolate drizzle. I’d highly recommend this place for a rich chocolate-y experience.
5. Schmackary’s
This dessert spot has the most unique and quirky flavored cookies. They’re delicious, chewy, and if you catch them at the right time, you can get them fresh out of the oven. Personal favorites include the red velvet and maple bacon.
6. Dessert Kitchen
You probably saw The Dessert Kitchen on your Instagram feed. This shop serves homemade Asian fusion styled desserts from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. The best thing about this place is its Kanten – it looks like Thai glass noodles.
7. Magnolia Bakery
This New York City staple is well-known for its banana pudding and solid roster of cupcake flavors. The decor is also a classic – very American!
8. Stax
This funky place serves ice cream in donuts. My personal favourite is the glazed donut with Ube and Jasmine Milk tea ice cream and condensed milk drizzle. If you’re feeling like having the entire deal, you can always just settle for the ice cream in a cup or regular waffle cone. If you happen to do that, the cornflake bourbon and snickerdoodle are definitely flavours to try.
9. Serendipity III
This beauty serves everything – from savory dinners and lunches, to chocolatey desserts. The chocolate macchiato is a delicious shake to have if you’re not willing to have an entire meal. Desserts include Forbidden Brownie Sundae, which consists of chocolate blackout cake, ice cream, hot fudge topped with whipped cream.
10. Rice to Riches
This amazing rice pudding bar is decorated with comical signs and serves your pudding in cute little plastic bowls. The flavors are hilariously named, ranging from “Fluent in French Toast” to “Oreogasm.”