Ok finally getting around to the state of soft serve in NYC/rounding up my favorites. Ice cream, sorbet, whatever else – I’ll eat it. Froyo is its own thing though so none of that here.
These are my favorite places and flavors to get at each – note that at many of the smaller spots, flavors rotate and might be different now:
Manhattan:
Soft Swerve – they’ve gone downhill at some locations in particular but the ube remains pretty consistent. I really need them to bring back the pineapple soft serve they did one summer. Multiple locations in Queens and Brooklyn as well Manousheh Grand – Ashta soft serve. Why aren’t we talking about this more? Milu – Dole whip soft serve Morgenstern’s – cherry and milk soft serve (though they are always mean here) Stick With Me – almond hazelnut praline joy and dark chocolate swirl Mijo – this is Fany Gerson’s taco spot in Pier 57 but the vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles hits so hard Taiyaki NYC – vanilla and strawberry soft serve with cotton candy sprinkles. Location in Brooklyn as well Mister Dips – Lickety Split, Chocolate P.B.D., Berry Gibbs, After Eight, truly anything here. RIP to the neat Brooklyn airstream loc but this one is perfect before a show at Pier 17 Surreal Creamery – taro/matcha swirl but for the love of god don’t go to the MacDougal one, worst basement smell ever El Vez Burrito Bar – chocolate and horchata Dominique Ansel – What-a-Melon; this is the second best watermelon flavor in NYC after Dolly’s Kolkata Chai – chai soft serve rules. Also in Brooklyn Supermoon Bakehouse – been a minute but I loved the croissant and ferrero rocher flavs in 2018 Dudley’s Deli Window – Koala crackle sundae nommm Big Gay Ice Cream Shop – Mermaid and Salty Pimp were great back in the day. I have not been in years so idk how it is now Chikarashi – watermelon dole whip
Queens:
Taku Parlor – they rotate matcha and hojicha (believe it’s back to matcha right now) Somedays Bakery – vanilla soft serve pairs very nicely with their choc cake. Also liked the pistachio Matcha Cafe Maiko – black sesame is fantastic. They also do matcha and ube. In Manhattan as well, but I’m putting it under Queens because the Tangram location is less hectic and also I wanted to fill out the Queens section lmao Comfortland – Dole whip – they also did funfetti and peanut butter choc and some other flavors and dipped cones a few years ago afkjhdskjfh Spring Shabu-Shabu – self-serve matcha and vanilla machine goes crazy
Brooklyn:
Dolly’s Coffee Shop – the watermelon is sooo good. Tastes like a watermelon Sour Patch gummy. Best watermelon soft serve in NYC L’Industrie – cantaloupe sorbetto swirled with yogurt gelato and cherry sauce actually cured me Malai – my fave pistachio soft serve in the city. The saffron is good too but the pistachio is the one I always go back for OddFellows – another great pistachio soft serve option if you’re in Dumbo. One time they had a summer carnival pop-up at Chef’s Club in SoHo (RIP) and did a creamsicle soft serve with tangerine cotton candy that I think about all the time. Their coffee and pumpkin flavors are also amazing Kettl – matcha soft serve Guevara’s – cream and guava soft serve (vegan)
Restaurant versions:
Leo – mascarpone and black cherry!!! Rule of Thirds – habanada pepper flavor is wild Potluck Club – pineapple soft serve Momofuku Noodle Bar – Vietnamese iced coffee soft serve rules, also love the cheesecake flavor. Had both at the uptown loc Lilia – Italian Job. Also available at Lilia Caffé Shukette – tahini chocolate swirl soft serve Stretch Pizza – vanilla soft serve with cinnamon oat crumble and caramel sauce
Honorable mentions (good but not great):
Orchard Grocer – peppermint vanilla (vegan) Sweet Churros – the taro is solid but the Fruity Pebbles churro really sends it home Ray’s Candy Store – vanilla/chocolate swirl The Screen Door – vanilla Takahachi Bakery – ube soft serve is solid, but I prefer Soft Swerve’s Haidilao – peach/papaya and vanilla soft serve is fine. but it’s included/you’re not here for that anyway COTE – vanilla with soy sauce dulce de leche is good
Tried but didn’t love:
Caffe Panna – it’s too thick/creamy for me. I always opt for their granita instead (Brooklyn loc) Bear Donut – lavender soft serve looked beautiful but tasted eh Morgenstern’s BANANAS – I hate this place so much. Bring back the OG concept please Laser Wolf – I know I’ve had the soft serve here but truly no memory of it Softside – The quality is simply not there imo KITH Treats – Milk & Cream had the better cereal milk ice cream and also having to wait in the line to get in the store is garbage. Edit: apparently they’ve remodeled and line is separate now Milk Bar – ditto (idk if they even have it anymore?)
On my list to try:
Bird & Branch at Pier 57 (Fri/Sat/Sun only). They’ve been doing black sesame and hojicha! See No Evil Pizza – they didn’t have it when I went, anyone know if they’re still doing it? Librae (Fri/Sat/Sun only) Hani’s (Fri/Sat evenings only which is so annoying I may never go) Seed + Mill – I don’t love tahini but I’ve been told this will change my mind – I did like the one at Shukette so will try it Glace by noglu – good or just instagram bait? Nana’s Green Tea – I had it in Seattle once and thought it was meh but will try again here Sugar Hill Creamery – vegan, only at East Harlem loc Fan Fan Doughnuts Ralph’s Mommy Pai’s
RIP:
Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery used to do chocolate and mint and the luxe toppings and homemade waffle cone were also amazing ugh Keki Modern Cakes – ube/vanilla was great. ofc they still have cheesecakes which is what they’re better at anyway Milk & Cream Cereal Bar – the cookie crisp carnival Dominique Ansel Kitchen – burrata and chocolate hazelnut swirl ice cream with balsamic and caramel was so good but we do not miss the weird stadium-style seating in there Made Nice – sundaes Besfren – a good midtown option for ube/matcha Dessert Club by ChikaLicious… the churro cone Paper Plate – the dips were so good Cha-An Bonbon – hojicha soft serve
Anyone have other reccs or spots I missed? Is Dreamery or Marvel Frozen Dairy any good? And are there any other dipped cones out there?
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