Best Dessert Places in Queens, NY to try in 2024
Where are the best desserts in New York City? Everyone’s got their hot take. There's so much to choose from East Village to West Village, Lower East Side to Upper East Side. Everyone has their favs, whether it's Magnolia Bakery, Supermoon Bakehouse, or Levain Bakery. But when searching for a sweet treat, you’ve got to branch out. That’s why, this list takes us out of Manhattan and to a burrow known for its delicious food. Of course, I’m talking about Queens.
But Queens is huge with its bustling neighborhoods and people from all walks of life. Just look at Flushing. There’s so much diversity and richness in culture. Not only does this neighborhood have some of the best restaurants on planet Earth, but they've got the best Asian desserts too.
Flower and Dessert
Taro Sweet Mochi with Milk Tea from Flower and Dessert
133-40 37th Ave, Flushing, NY
Trendy, stylish, and casual. Flower and Dessert is a great spot to hang out with your best friend or bigger groups. It’s open late, so you can go whenever you feel that sweet tooth. Not to mention, it’s a great alternative to a bar if you don’t drink alcohol. The space has a kind of quirky vintage feel. They’ve strung flowers across the walls and lined their bookshelves with tiny jars and vases.
The menu has everything from Tiramisu to Bingsu, so you don't have to fly to South Korea for quality shaved ice. Here they give you a mountain of it with mango on top. They even put a little face on it. The Mille Crepe Cakes bring a new meaning to 24-layer cakes. Try all the different flavors like purple yam, matcha, rose, and durian (if you can handle it). Then wash it all down with a milk tea of your choice: brown sugar, coconut, or peach oolong.
The house specials are great too including the Fresh Milk with Sticky White Rice or Black Sesame Soup. With a menu this deep, you’ll find a new favorite every time.
Mango Mango
136-28 39th Ave, Flushing, NY
Get ready for your spoon to swoon. Because ice cream shops are where it’s at. At Mango Mango, mango ice cream is the star of the show. And when I say it’s the pinnacle of mango-y. They’ve got seasonal flavors like watermelon and rice balls. But don't sleep on their crepe cakes. The Brulee Mille, Brown Sugar Mille, and Oreo Mille are chef’s kiss. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s always the waffles and paste soups. Who doesn't love a good red bean?
If you're like me and can't decide, their combos are the way to go. You can order a pot of tea to complete the meal. If cold drinks are more your thing, grab yourself a Grape Guava Smoothie, Moonlight Pineapple, or Cheese Foam Blush Peachy.
As for the vibe, you can check out all the goodies in their display case as you enter. There's a good amount of cozy seating, beige booths and pink accent chairs around gold tables. They have a backdrop of greenery and string lights with their name also in gold. Also, a lovely cafe style mural of their restaurant. The shelves are decorated with fun trinkets too. That being said, Mango Mango is family friendly and downright wholesome.
“Matcha and coffee deserve each other!”
Sweet Cats Cafe & Arcade
35-21 Farrington St, Flushing, NY
If you’re looking for a place that’s just different on every level, look no further than Sweet Cats. It's exactly what the name sounds like and so much more. The theme is well… pink! Pink arcade machines, pink furniture, pink from top to bottom. Once you’ve taken that in, your heart will melt from the adorable wall of plushies when you first enter. You’ll be more than hyped up to play some games. So go ahead and try your hand at some of them. Though I’ve never had much luck with the crane machines, I've seen many-a-people win big. Maybe you’ll finally snag that Hello Kitty you had your eye on. Sorry, back to desserts.
The menu highlights are the chocolate doggy mouse (it looks like a dog y'all), cheesecake, red velvet, and macaroons. They also have a wide assortment of milk teas including Yakult, a sweet fermented probiotic milk drink. So boost that gut health all while getting that sugar high. Sweet Cats is certainly an experience all its own. Did I mention it's got two levels? Pretty sweet.
The Spot Dessert Bar
39-16 Prince St, Flushing, NY
The Spot is likely the most famous well... spot on this list. Their signature tapas are quite the delightful treats. Prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown by the sheer creativity. "The Harvest" looks like a house plant, but it's completely edible—made of strawberries, cheesecake, chiffon cake, Earl Grey milk tea, whipped cream, and raspberry sorbet. Not only that but, it went viral on TikTok. Their Golden Toast has also received rave reviews. Honey buttered, golden brown bread accompanied by strawberries, whip cream, cookie crumbs, and condensed milk ice cream. Don't forget the Matcha Lava dark chocolate cake and Milky Puff made with fresh bananas brûléed to perfection.
For those who appreciate a good alcoholic beverage, The Spot also serves Makku (Korean rice beer), Soku (sparkling cocktail), Matcha IPA, and an entire wine selection. We didn't even get to the baked goods and ice cream with every color and flavor of the rainbow. Vietnamese coffee? Ube? Pistachio? Count me in. You can even grab a coffee for the road. Or you can head over to this next great place.
Càphê Đen
134-16 36th Rd S2, Flushing, NY
New Yorkers love a good coffee shop. Only thing is, Càphê Đen has more to offer. Please, TikTok - make this place go viral next because everything about it is on point. They've taken the common coffee and made it better. Just try their Matcha Cream, Ube Cream, Black Sesame Cream, or Egg Cream Coffee. They've got Coconut Frappes, Affogato, and different styles of Vietnamese Coffee. The foam on top is so perfectly creamy and lightly sweet. And it's the perfect balance with the coffee and the amazing flavor you choose to pair it with.
Leave room because here comes the dessert dessert. Forget your basic chocolate chip cookie. Have a Salty Egg Cookie instead. Chewy, chocolatey, and the perfect amount of savory. They also have a Pandan Coconut Bun. Pandan is a fragrant tropical plant popular in Southeast Asia. It has a vibrant green color and is absolutely delicious. Very subtle in its sweetness.
I also like the aesthetic, very cozy and elegant. There are a few tables for two and some cool decor. Not to mention the customer service was top-notch during my recent visit. Now let’s move to another neighborhood, right along the East River facing Manhattan: Long Island City.
Vert Frais
Matcha Soufflé Pancakes from Vert Frais
43-10 Crescent St, Long Island City, NY
This is a Japanese eatery known for its stunning presentation. Vert Frais is the ideal place for a romantic date . Whether you’re both single or spending quality time with your significant other, you’ll love the elegant ambiance.
The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous bar with a large vintage mirror behind it. The decor is mostly white with flourishes of gold. There are plants everywhere, bouquets, beautiful wallpaper, hanging lamps, and chandeliers. It’s stunning in the morning with light pouring in through the windows. You can also have dinner here for a moody and intimate experience.
Who am I kidding though? The star is the immaculate presentation of their delicious food. Let’s start with brunch. Wait until you get a mouthful of the Creme Anglaise Souffle Pancake. Light, fluffy, and a cream sauce you’ll want to chug. Or have a bite of the Matcha French Toast. I mean, it’s matcha. On French toast!
When you see the lavender, rose, and matcha latte, you’ll want to take more than a few pictures. They get your latte art just right and sprinkle flower pedals along the edge. Even the cups are classy. Now it’s time to take a sip. You’ll be smiling the rest of the day.
For a dinner party or special occasions, end your night with something sweet like the Fondant Au Chocolat. It’s a chocolate lava cake with berries and vanilla ice cream. Or you can have your ice cream with red bean paste or seasonal fruits.
Casa Enrique
5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY
Say hello to my personal favorite spot in Long Island City, known for their Michelin rated Mexican Cuisine. Chef Cosme Aguilar is a legend in the culinary world. From the outside the restaurant looks modest. Inside are simple decorations, minimal design, both homey and inviting. The bar is impressive with glowing bottles of the finest liquor backlit on the shelves.
When you taste the Pastel Tres Leches for dessert, you’ll be transported south of the border. The sponge cake is airy and moist soaking up three kinds of milk and drizzled with goat milk caramel. It’s a sight to behold and an honor to eat. Another crowd pleaser is the flan, a traditional Mexican custard. Not many do it better. Lastly, you’ll want to grab a spoon for the Chocolate Pot De Creme. So silky, so smooth with the richness of the chocolate dancing on your tongue.
Even though Casa Enrique is known more for their savory options, it just goes to show great dessert is hiding in plain sight.
Roam Dessert Bar
41-14 27th St #1B, Long Island City, NY
When life gives you lemons… it could be cake! At Roam, the French pastries come in all shapes and sizes. Their Lemon Shaped Dessert is filled with Yuzu ganache, lemon mint jelly, and covered in white chocolate. Other notable designs are the Peach Shaped Dessert, Bamboo Shaped Dessert, and the Banana Paradise. They look so real!
When you walk in and see the display case full of glossy color that pops off the plate, your mouth will literally water. How could it not? Pick yourself up an entire Ube Chiffon Cake with dollops of white and purple frosting. Or share a Rose Buttercream Cake.
The Petal Cake looks like one big beautiful flower. The attention to detail is unbelievable. Maybe try a cream puff instead with matcha, oreo, strawberry, or chocolate hidden within. Next time I go, I’m getting the Coconut Latte Mouse shaped like a puffy cloud and sprinkled with turquoise sugar. Or maybe I’ll catch the Monto Blanc which is actually seasonal—a blend of homemade chestnut cream and almond meringue. Oh yeah and they have high tea as well.
I also want to note that they showcase work from local artists. It’s amazing to see them support painters, photographers, and more. It’s what makes a restaurant more than a restaurant, but part of the community.
“When life gives you lemons…it could be cake!”
Somedays Bakery
23-37 30th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11102
Somedays Bakery is sure to be one of your go-to spots. Not only is it convenient, but their pastries are inventive, bold, and most of all yummy. Sure there's long lines a times, but for good reason. For a bakery on the smaller side, they make a huge impact. Especially with their almond croissants twice baked with frangipane (almond custard) inside. This croissant is flakey and buttery like no one’s business. The Pistachio Raspberry Lattice is also beloved, stuffed with raspberry jam and white chocolate. Topped with chunks of pistachio, every bite is like a reward. If you’re feeling something different, go for the Black Sesame Tahini Croissant. Just wait till you taste what's inside. Or for a savory and sweet combo, the Prosciutto and Gruyère Lattice might be your new favorite menu item.
Doughnut Plant
3100 47th Ave, Long Island City, NY
Onto the Doughnut Plant —a literal piece of New York History. This artisanal Doughnut shop started in a Lower East Side apartment and now has multiple locations across the city. They invented the first ever Creme Brûlée Donut and the square-shaped filled doughnut. They were also the first to use seasonal fresh fruit and nuts in doughnut glazes. They’re one of the most innovative bakeries to do it and are still making strides every day. And they don’t let dietary restrictions restrict flavor. From their gluten free options to their Vegan Sourdoughnuts™, Doughnut Plant is truly limitless in their craft.
You can breathe in the heavenly aroma as soon as you walk through the door. The doughnuts are stacked up, glistening as if to say “eat me.” The space has an industrial feel with polished concrete counters and black tiles. I love the colorful mosaic wall of doughnuts. Even the stools are shaped like them.
When I heard they had a tres leches donut, I nearly cried tears of joy. Give me 14 of them! But it only gets wilder. Ever heard of the Wonder Wheel? It’s a cake doughnut ice cream sandwich. You can even get doughnuts in the shape of letters and numbers, so you can spell out a special message for that special someone. I’ll be eating my own name on the couch later.
Last thing I want to mention, is one of the finest creations known to dessert: The Ripple Doughnut. It’s like a doughnut in a doughnut in a doughnut. It should be called Doughnut Inception directed by Christopher Nolan. But I doughnut digress… throw yourself for a loop with this beautiful masterpiece.
Martha's Country Bakery
36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY
George Stertsios opened his first location in Astoria, Queens to honor his mother. His father is the baker. People shopping at the grocery store across the way were attracted by the smell the muffins, croissants, and cupcakes. Word began to spread with more and more customers coming in each day. Now, Martha's Country Bakery is a staple of the community. They've even expanded to Williamsburg Brooklyn, Bayside and Forest Hills, Queens. It's their mission to give back to their neighbors as they donate thousands of baked goods to hospitals across New York.
Right on the corner of Ditmars and 27th, amidst a medley of shops and restaurants, is the original Marthas. You can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia from it's classic design, painted white with a small-town charm. It really pops against the red brick building it's connected to. Inside you'll notice rows of magnificent pastries behind a long glass case. The wood trim walls behind the counter are warm and inviting like a log cabin.You can easily find a table for two or for all your friends. Once you're settled in, your gut instinct might be to order everything in sight and you wouldn't be wrong. So here's some suggestions.
The triple chocolate mousse cake simply can't be beat. Every layer compliments the other. It starts from the top with white chocolate mousse, then milk chocolate, followed by dark chocolate. In between those layers are thick tiers of chocolate cake. Next up, we have the Berry Napoleon. Take velvety smooth melt-in-your-mouth custard and load it up with fresh blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Sandwich that with buttery, flaky, crust, and sprinkle more berries and powdered sugar all over it. To add even more pizzaz, they swirl raspberry sauce onto your plate. Another great pick is the banana pudding. Take a bite and you'll be hit with sweet creamy vanilla. And they go bananas with the banana. But it wouldn't be complete without the whipped cream. Honestly, it rivals Magnolia's Bakery. So give it a whirl.
My bonus pick is none other than the pumpkin cheesecake which is only offered seasonally in the fall. You'll experience the best of both worlds, pumpkin pie and cheesecake together in euphoric union. The cream cheese filling has all the right textures and spices. The crust is crumbly and gives it that extra satisfying crunch. This is how you should get your pumpkin fix every autumn.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best dessert places in Queens. Let me know if I missed your favorite place. I’ll be adding and updating as I eat my way through New York and beyond. Thank you and stay tuned for more great finds.