New York city is undoubtedly known as one of the top foodie destinations in the world, and their dessert scene is definitely a large contribution to that. Home to allegedly the best chocolate chip cookie in the world (found at Levain Bakery), as well as the birthplace of the Cronut (born at Dominique Ansel), NYC has desserts to satisfy every kind of sweet tooth. While NYC staples such as Momofuku Milk Bar are here to stay, (hellooo crack cookies and cereal milk soft serve) dessert-makers are pushing the boundaries of conventional confectionaries and dreaming up unique desserts and new twists on classics that have us equally shocked and delighted to try. it is no struggle to find your classic patisserie or ice cream shop in the city, so here are the 10 best places for unconventional (and Instagram-worthy) desserts.

1. Taiyaki NYC 

Taiyaki is a Japanese dessert consisting of a fish-shaped waffle or cake with fillings such as red bean paste, custard, or chocolate. At Taiyaki NYC you will find your traditional fish-shaped pastry filled with soft serve ice cream in flavors such as matcha or black sesame, and untraditionally adorned with a unicorn horn, ears, and sprinkles.

2. DŌ Cookie Dough Confections​

 All the edible Cookie Dough you can eat, without the risks associated with consuming raw eggs. At DŌ, you’ll find classics such as chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, or sugar cookie, to the more creative options such as the “Heavenly” nutella + chocolate chip + caramel + sea salt. Enjoy your cookie dough in a cup or cone just as you would an ice cream, or go for my personal favorite, a cookie dough ice cream sandwich.

Photo Credit: @Laraseesfood

3. Becky’s Bites

Throwback nostalgia treats such as Dunkaroos and Teddy Grams are found in cute little snack packs, and paired with epic flavors of cream cheese such as Funfetti, Cappucino, and Cookies & Cream. Use the cream cheese for dunking or have them spread it on a bagel to take your breakfast game to the next level. 

Photography: @bitesofthebest

4. Union Fare

I have three words for you. Birthday. Cake. Croissant! A buttery, flakey croissant filled with ooey-gooey birthday cake frosting and sprinkles takes this classic breakfast pastry to the next level; but it doesn’t end there! Union Fare serves dozens of other innovative croissant combinations, including matcha, Fruity Pebbles, and even a unicorn croissant! 

5. The Doughnut Project

Here is where you will find wild combinations of donuts from the savory profiles of “Those Beetz Are Dope” beet and ricotta donut, and “The Bronx” Olive oil and black pepper donut, to sweeter options such as the “Bone Marrow” chocolate donut. Perhaps the one donut that should not be missed is the one that represents New York the best: “The Everything Doughnut.” This doughnut is sweet and savory, and features sweet cream cheese glaze topped with everything bagel seeds and spices. 

Photography: @heycboss

6. Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream

Taking all the rage of avocado toast to the next level with “Avocado Ice Cream Toast.” Avocado ice cream is spread on toasted Japanese white bread, and topped with olive oil, condensed milk, and salt.

Photography: @jars_by_dani

7. JARS by Dani 

Treats and desserts of all kinds in you guessed – jars! You really can’t go wrong with any jar you choose, as each jar is as pretty as the next, and all of them are filled with favorites from cookie dough to cake batter. Best of all? You can even customize your own jar! 

8. ChikaLicious

 There are so many unique treats to be tasted here, from Pink Peppercorn ice cream to Fromage Blanc Island “cheese cake,” so you may not be shocked to find the one dessert that deserves its own spotlight: the churro ice cream cone. Warm-cinnamony ice cream and your choice of decadent ice cream make for a truly winning combination that will leave you never wanting a classic ice cream cone again.

Photography: @cat_chingchangchong

9. New Territories

If an Instagrammable treat that is sure to leave all your friends jealous is what you’re after, then here is where you’ll find it. Crazy ice cream creations in glass mugs such as the “Unicorn Parade” which, in addition to be adorned like a unicorn is overflowing with ice cream, marshmallows, and Pocky. Both super cute and super sweet, these treats are fun for all ages.