{"id":369846,"date":"2026-10-10T16:24:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T16:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/369846\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T16:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T16:24:10","slug":"5-nyc-dessert-spots-that-are-actually-worth-the-hype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/369846\/","title":{"rendered":"5 NYC Dessert Spots That Are Actually Worth the Hype"},"content":{"rendered":"

To those who quite literally make our lives sweeter, we are celebrating 5 of the best dessert spots in New York City. Each pick on our list gives you plenty of reason to skip a meal or two\u2014save the calories for what truly sparks joy. Let it be understood: many viral businesses in my state are downright and objectively bad (which is why I miss those days when I could just pop into Moscow\u2019s iconic Caf\u00e9 Pushkin Patisserie or the wonderland that is St. Petersburg\u2019s Eliseyevsky daily)\u2026 So if a glaring omission seems to have been made, it\u2019s not due to a lack of diligence. I have unending complaints about the quality of desserts in New York, but that\u2019s a topic for another article\u2026 One positive is that the Big Apple is home to a growing number of interesting Asian-influenced caf\u00e9s, as this article reflects.<\/p>\n

Before I reveal today\u2019s deliciously informative main list, I\u2019ll note that the soft serve at L\u2019Industrie Pizza is as good as it gets. Similarly, the mango sticky rice at the Michelin-recommended Ayada Thai is another rare internet sensation that\u2019s worth the hype \u2014 the Queens-born restaurant has a dine-in space and a second takeaway spot right inside Chelsea Market, so don\u2019t be confused. Nearby, you can also check out Fabrique \u2014 when you catch them at the right time, their buns can be memorable, especially the ultra-soft vanilla buns. Also nearby, AnnTremet\u2019s small black sesame and heart-shaped mango entremets are worth a detour. Lady M remains a go-to, with the passionfruit and black sesame cr\u00eape cakes placing among my favorites. However, with so many boutiques in America and Asia, I didn\u2019t feel that M was specific enough to New York to include below.<\/p>\n

North of the city, I recommend Westchester\u2019s La Tulipe Desserts \u2014 an epicurean paradise, owned by Maarten and Frances Steenman. Mr. Steenman, who hails from the Netherlands, has honed his craft at a dizzying list of revered establishments across Europe. His precision and skill are almost unmatched. Mrs. Steenman\u2019s sense of aesthetics also elevates the patisserie and its offerings. If you venture to Beacon, you\u2019ll find another master \u2014Culinary Olympic Gold Medalist Chef H\u00e5kan M\u00e5rtensson owns and operates H\u00e5kan Chocolatier on the city\u2019s Main Street.<\/p>\n

Now, without further ado, we present our chosen New York City favorites!<\/p>\n

1. Frenchette Bakery<\/p>\n

As far as I\u2019m concerned, I can\u2019t praise Frenchette Bakery enough. Before I decided to try it, I hadn\u2019t encountered viennoiserie in NYC in years that lived up to my expectations. Remarkably, Frenchette even surpasses\u00a0expectations with the items on its p\u00e2tisserie and boulangerie menus. The art of French baking is almost gone in New York, with competitors serving brutal disappointments\u2014even esteemed names from the other side of the pond seem to lose their integrity here. Thus, Frenchette, which cuts no corners, is a real godsend to those with discerning palates.<\/p>\n

Frenchette Bakery maintains three storefronts. The first to open in 2020 was the less pastry-oriented Tribeca location, still tucked away in the uniquely charming space in the lobby of the neo-classical Merchant Square Building that used to belong to the beloved but sadly shuttered Arcade Bakery. Frenchette Bakery\u2019s culinary wonders truly belong in a museum, so it\u2019s fitting that its second residence is in The Whitney Museum of American Art. Finally, the Nolita refuge opened this past July. Chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr own the trio, along with the Frenchette restaurants, Wild Cherry, Le Rock, and Le Veau d\u2019Or. The duo received a James Beard Award last year in the category of Outstanding Restaurateur(s) and won a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant (their Tribeca\u2019s Frenchette) in 2019.<\/p>\n

I personally love the relaxed yet chic Nolita setup\u2014it boasts an elite charm and a great view, thanks in part to a lovely Ukrainian Orthodox Church and well-dressed locals. The staff members are always extremely kind and helpful. During my most recent visit, an exceptional employee named Kali introduced me to Frenchette\u2019s Paris-Brest \u00e0 La Pistache. I simply wasn\u2019t prepared for the level of excellence contained therein: It was sublime in every respect. The Sicilian pistachio cream, generously piped, is fabulously overpowering\u2014in fact, I firmly believe it\u2019s the most concentrated pistachio dessert I\u2019ve experienced. The choux, with its craquelin crust, is absolutely unbelievable, fresh and perfectly textured. Try the \u00c9clair Supr\u00eame, filled with cr\u00e8me diplomate and finished with cocoa nibs over intense ganache, to see if it\u2019s the best you\u2019ve had; astonishingly, it\u2019s about a foot long. Chef Michelle Palazzo also outdid herself with the tarte aux citron, which features little twists that unfold upon deconstruction.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Chef Johann Cottier, the canel\u00e9, pain au chocolat, (again) croissants, and more are all must-tries that become must-repeats. The phenomenal pain aux raisins incorporates vanilla cream, currants, and orange. Its textures range from custardy to caramelized, due to the perfectionism with which it\u2019s baked. Enjoy it layer by layer.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo courtesy of franchette at the whitney<\/p>\n

2. Lamoone<\/p>\n

In Chinatown, the adorable, beautifully decorated neighborhood staple dubbed The Lamoone, or just Lamoone for short, will delight you in every way\u2014it\u2019s a rare beacon of Hygge in a bustling area that instantly transports you to Bangkok. The passion of Mr. and Mrs. Lee, the Thai couple behind Lamoone, translates into an all-around magnificent experience for customers \u2014 the Lees even go the extra mile with their packaging. Lamoone focuses on irresistible spins on Basque cheesecake, seamlessly blending European and Asian traditions. They also serve artfully prepared drinks.<\/p>\n

The Lees couldn\u2019t be more gracious, inviting guests to sit down and enjoy samples. They offer more than ten cheesecake flavors, each available in three sizes, making any decision nearly impossible. However, the fact that each exquisite variant is even better than it sounds doesn\u2019t help. Although I feel that choosing a favorite would be a disservice to the other flavors, I tend to gravitate toward the vanilla because it\u2019s full of vanilla seeds. Keep an eye out for seasonal creations like the mango sticky rice and corn mochi cheesecakes, both superb.<\/p>\n

I stop by for a moment because I remember Mrs. Lee telling me about the lengths she and Mr. Lee go to to bring patrons the best. I find Mr. Lee manning the counter. He informs me, \u201cWe source our pandan from Ayutthaya, Thailand. We tried pandan from Vietnam and Indonesia, but we prefer pandan directly from Thailand, so we source it there. We source the ube from the Bohol province in the Philippines. That\u2019s where a lot of the best ube is. [\u2026] The vanilla beans are from Madagascar, and the matcha is directly from Uji, Kyoto. [\u2026] And we source the Thai tea from Chiang Rai, Thailand \u2014 the best Thai tea is from there. [\u2026] We try to keep all our sources, even our coffee beans, from Asian countries. I think, to a certain extent, they\u2019re underrepresented. Pandan, for example, is a fabulous flavor, but not many people are aware. We\u2019re trying to bring more Asian-inspired flavors to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Mr. Lee does all the baking, Mrs. Lee acts as the ideal curator: \u201cShe controls every flavor and, of course, my son does too.\u201d The store\u2019s interior design also owes to her vision. Head over now and support this amazing family, if you\u2019re located close enough.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo courtesy of Lamoone\u2019s instagram<\/p>\n

3. Lady Wong<\/p>\n

Lady Wong is the brainchild of the Malaysian-born power couple Seleste Tan and Mogan Anthony, both chefs with a wealth of experience and accomplishments. The recognition Lady Wong has received from major outlets and influencers is well-earned. They offer a wide selection of indulgences: entremets, crepe cakes, short cakes, panna cotta, and more. Whether you want a small bite or an occasion cake, Lady Wong\u2019s variety will ensure endless return visits; somehow, as if by some sort of wizardry, the gems on their counter always look gorgeous. The business clearly prioritizes consistency, freshness, and care in crafting. Their mango sticky rice tart and the especially gorgeous ube blackberry sphere, topped with silver leaf and bits of flower petals, are two standouts you will never tire of. Lady Wong is a stellar example of fusion done right; Tan and Anthony have clearly brought great innovation to the Brand. Ms. Tan\u2019s background in French pastry, of course, shines through.<\/p>\n

That said, one of Lady Wong\u2019s most important strengths is that the establishment has taken it upon itself to introduce more New Yorkers to a rotating lineup of bite-sized treats grouped under the umbrella term kuih, bringing the flavors of Malaysia and Indonesia to life with imported ingredients. While the owners have said not everyone understands kuih, I don\u2019t know how that\u2019s possible, because they won me over at Wong from moment one. Wong\u2019s rainbow lapis, apparently a bestseller, has made headlines, and the crazy part is that its vibrant colors come from natural ingredients like beet juice and butterfly pea flower.<\/p>\n

The team members are attentive and courteous at Wong\u2019s comfortable East Village home base \u2014 they\u2019ll be happy to steer you in the right direction for your specific tastes. For Connecticut residents, Lady Wong has set up shop in Greenwich at La Bistro \u2014 another addictive, welcoming option that lets you dine at a table, sit at the bar, or take out.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo courtesy of Lady Wong\u2019s website<\/p>\n

4. RivaReno Gelato<\/p>\n

Rivareno Gelato is, in my opinion, hands down the best traditional Italian gelateria in NYC. Their nut- and chocolate-based options are especially rich and creamy. The Contessa (almond cream, amaretti, cookies, and caramelized almonds) and the Zabaione (mascarpone, egg yolk, and Marsala wine) are equally indulgent in texture and earn my recommendation. RivaReno makes sorbets daily as well. RivaReno\u2019s inclusion here largely comes down to their emphasis on top-notch ingredients (a theme of this article) and the meticulousness with which they formulate their recipes.<\/p>\n

This international venture states on their website, \u201cIn 2004, four friends with very different backgrounds (a car company executive, a BBC journalist, a lawyer and a famous Bologna gelato-maker) joined forces to realize their shared ambition: making incredible gelato.\u201d Only two other RivaReno brick-and-mortar stores exist in the US (both in Miami), so, fortunately, the Spring Street post is surrounded by fun shops.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo courtesy of rivareno nyc\u2019s instagram<\/p>\n

5. Aok\u014d Matcha<\/p>\n

The Japanese-inspired Aok\u014d Matcha, opened in 2025 by Isabella Pang, is defined by its use of high-quality ingredients. Both the gelato and refreshing soft serve are excellent. Adventurous visitors can choose from their enticing parfait options. Aok\u014d is known for its five levels of matcha intensity in its gelato, letting you enjoy the many shades of green. You should also try their other natural, powerful flavors like taro and black sesame. Of course, A\u014dko also specializes in drinks.<\/p>\n

I recommend specifically visiting their original West Village haven. It\u2019s a nice, spotless place to relax while nourishing your senses or meet up with friends. The staff is very kind and happy to explain the menu.<\/p>\n

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