### 13 Must-Try À La Carte Dessert Programs in NYC

Updated: June 16, 2025

You don’t have to have a sweet tooth in order to save room for dessert. At the end of certain meals at certain restaurants, that sweet, final parting note is basically a non-negotiable _._

And so, we present 13 à la carte dessert programs (plus 36 bonus desserts, just because) that are so good, you could (and should) visit these restaurants just for the sweet stuff. Truly. But if you don’t, just remember: Plan to save plenty of room for dessert.

> With à la carte … the act of ordering a sweet is a choice, an indulgence.— [Claudia Fleming, former pastry chef of Gramercy Tavern](https://blog.resy.com/2022/06/claudia-fleming-new-york/)

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_Note: For this guide, we’ve focused on restaurants with à la carte menus with at least three (if not more) dessert offerings. As such, places that have been excluded from this list include dessert shops, tasting menu spots, and restaurants that also serve as daytime cafés._

### Dessert Venues

#### [Pitt's](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/pitts?venueId=86231/index.html)
**Location:** Red Hook

You know why this is on this list — it’s that pancake soufflé (see above). You know, the one you have to order at the beginning of your meal? We’re here to tell you it’s worth the fuss, especially drizzled with creamy butter and syrup. Luckily for Pitt’s, their Pixie Pie and hot fudge sundae are also not only fun but extremely delicious ([and a Resy staff favorite](https://blog.resy.com/2025/03/resy-staff-picks-march-2025-nyc/)).

#### [Superiority Burger](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/superiority-burger?venueId=83283/index.html)
**Location:** East Village

Everyone knows the food is good and fully vegetarian, and you’ve probably tried the veggie burger or the collard sandwich at least once. But don’t skip dessert! Owner Brooks Headley was once the head pastry chef at Del Posto. Their rotating menu features sweets like chocolate-apricot jam layer cake and griddled chocolate cake with Guinness semifreddo.

#### [Crown Shy](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/crown-shy?venueId=10726/index.html)
**Location:** Financial District

At Crown Shy, desserts are overseen by pastry sous chef Anushana Sharma. Don’t skip the ice cream either — past flavors have included satsuma and roasted banana with popcorn brittle.

#### [Café Carmellini](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/cafe-carmellini?venueId=74362/index.html)
**Location:** NoMad  
Decadent desserts like citrus chiffon cake with blood orange sorbet and chocolate ganache tart served with coffee gelato are highlights here.

#### [53](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/53?venueId=60303/index.html)
**Location:** Midtown  
Highlights include the mango pudding with pomelo and sago and a barley-tea mousse cake.

#### [Café Sabarsky](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/cafe-sabarsky?venueId=2752/index.html)
**Location:** Upper East Side

Austrian delights like classic Viennese dark chocolate and passion fruit mousse await you.

#### [Torrisi](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/torrisi?venueId=64593/index.html)
**Location:** Nolita  
Desserts here include affogato layered in hot fudge and frozen yogurt with the texture of smooth cream.

#### [Empellón](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/empellon?venueId=66437/index.html)
**Location:** Midtown

Known for whimsical desserts, try their avocado parfait.

#### [Le Crocodile](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/le-crocodile?venueId=8302/index.html)
**Location:** Williamsburg  
A+ renditions of chocolate mousse, profiteroles, and their sticky banana date pudding.

#### [Lord's](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/lords?venueId=65228/index.html)
**Location:** NoHo  
The menu features dark chocolate mousse with brown butter madeleines and sticky ginger sponge.

#### [4 Charles Prime Rib](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/4-charles-prime-rib?venueId=834/index.html)
**Location:** West Village  
Indulge in a DIY sundae royale and deeply satisfying chocolate cream.

#### [Ci Siamo](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/ci-siamo?venueId=54724/index.html)
**Location:** Midtown West

Watch for elevated yet simple desserts made by Claudia Fleming.

### Bonus: One-Hit Wonders
- The chocolate mousse from [Opto](/content/cities/new-york-ny/venues/opto?venueId=86439/index.html)
- The sticky toffee pudding at [Dame](/content/cities/ny/dame-new-york/index.html)
- The tiramisu at [Cafe Spaghetti](/content/cities/ny/cafe-spaghetti/index.html)
- The knafeh at [Tanoreen](/content/cities/ny/tanoreen/index.html)
- The ice cream sandwich at [Lilia](/content/cities/ny/lilia/index.html)

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_**Noëmie Carrant** is Resy’s senior writer and editor._  
_**Ellie Plass** is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn._