It's a Thursday night. You're mindlessly scrolling through videos on your Facebook feed, and video after video describing delicious, indulgent dessert places in New York City keep popping up. There are too many to keep track of, and you feel like you will never be able to sort through all of them to decide which will be the best to visit. Luckily for you, I've developed a list of the 12 best dessert places to visit in New York City to satisfy your sweet tooth.
1. Big Gay Ice Cream.
Famous for their Salty Pimp, a delicious combination of soft serve vanilla ice cream, infused with caramel and sea salt and dipped in chocolate, Big Gay Ice Cream has been referred to one of "New York's ice cream powerhouses." Not only is the ice cream amazing, but the topping combinations that they offer are superb. They have two New York City locations -- one in the East Village and one in the West Village.
2. Holey Cream.
A donut ice cream sandwich is just about the dreamiest thing I can imagine. Choose your own donut, icing, toppings, and ice cream. You can find Holey Cream in the Theatre District, on 9th Avenue.
3. Black Tap.
These over-the-top milkshakes have been featured in videos all over Facebook. Although the wait for these milkshakes can be as long as two hours, the overwhelming sugar rush seems well worth it. Black Tap also has delicious burgers and craft beers. Located in SoHo.
4. Snowdays.
Snowdays serves shaved cream, a combination and evolution of Taiwanese and Korean shaved ices. They offer flavors such as NY Cheescake, Green Tea Matcha, and Roasted Black Sesame. Top it off with Pocky, brownies, or any cereal you can imagine. They have three locations -- the East Village, the West Village, and Flushing.
5. Schmackary's.
Every time I go see a show on Broadway, I always make sure to stop by Schmackary's and get a cookie. They're delicious, chewy, and if you catch them at the right time, you can get them fresh out of the oven.
6. Max Brenner.
Max Brenner's is a chocolate restaurant; every entree, appetizer, and dessert has chocolate in it. If you're looking for a restaurant where dessert is the main course, this is your place. There are locations all across the United States, but the New York location is in Union Square.
7. Rice to Riches.
This amazing rice pudding bar is decorated with comical signs and serves your pudding in cute little plastic bowls. With flavors like "Fluent in French Toast" and "Oreogasm," you'll be sure to satisfy all of your rice pudding needs. Located in SoHo.
8. Levain Bakery.
Their cookies are absolutely out of this world. You can also find fresh baked breads here. The best part? What doesn't get sold for the day goes to feed the hungry. Find it on the Upper West Side.
9. Chikalicious Dessert Club.
They have cakes, cupcakes, bakery products, ice cream sundaes, and virtually any other dessert you can image. They are on all the top dessert websites for New York -- this place is a must-see! You can find it in the East Village.
10. Momofuku Milk Bar.
You might recognize this name from other Momofuku restaurants, but milk bar is the sweetest of them all. Owner Christina Tosi is known for her award winning bakery products, which include the Compost Cookie (potato chips, pretzels, coffee, oats, butterscotch, AND chocolate chips) and the Crack Pie (oat crust with a butter filling). This place is to die for! Also located in the East Village.
11. popbar.
Popsicles, anyone? Located in the West Village, popbar has incredible gelato popsicles. A perfect way to cool down in the summer!
12. Ralph's Italian Ices.
I can't explain my love for Ralph's. The creamy, decadent, flavorful Italian ice is always an emotional experience for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is in New York, Long Island, or somewhere on the shore. If you've never had cream ice, it is an absolute must.