Mineola
Started two years ago by Manny Carvalho, a restaurant owner who always dreamed of opening a dessert shop, Manny’s Sweet Treats is a one-stop shop for everything from candy to ice cream sundaes and even lunch options like their raclette burger. Order waffles, crepes, smoothies and milkshakes, as well as savory crepes and sandwiches. Some of Manny’s specialty milkshakes include the Oh Dandy Cotton Candy Milkshake, the Peanut Butter Jelly Time Milkshake and the Mother of Malted Milkshake.
Garden City
The Bayside bakery The French Workshop opened a second location in Garden City last year and its become a favorite amongst locals. The delicious bakery goes for the luxury aesthetic with a marble counter and tables, and serves your order on a silver platter (no joke). The menu offers classics like fresh baked cookies, cupcakes and brownies, but also has unique options like their delicious homemade Fig Newton, a profiterole with vanilla cream and an eclair with a white chocolate glaze. Also grab a cup of their delicious coffee, which comes from For Five, a Queens-based coffee company.
Mineola
Who doesn’t love dessert for breakfast? Costa Nova Waffle gets its name from a beautiful beach in Portugal that also happens to serve tasty dessert waffles from kiosks. This shop brings that tradition to Long Island with handmade waffles. Visitors can choose between a crispy (bolacha) or soft waffle (tripa), and add fillings like chocolate chips, Nutella, PB&J or ovos moles, a creamy Portuguese egg custard. Wash it down with a cup of tea or coffee—try the Galão, a Portuguese drink made with espresso and frothy milk.
West Hempstead
Decorated like a witch’s lair with mismatched couches and velvet high-back chairs, the ambiance at The Witches Brew adds to the awesome experience. The menu changes seasonally, but past offerings included cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, ice cream and a signature cinn bunn. There’s also a vegan menu with similar options. There’s a large selection of tasty teas and coffee for easy sipping. The Witches Brew doesn’t just serve dessert,—sit down for a meal with all-vegetarian (or vegan) food. Dishes like chicken marsala (with mock chicken), quesadillas and a butternut squash and sage butter gnocchi. Pro tip: This spot if cash only, so leave the plastic at home.
Plainview
A popular Nassau shop, Sweet Karma is an award-winning spot offering everything one would expect from a classic bakery. Check out the individual-sized desserts like miniature cheesecakes, or order one of the famous specialty cakes designed any way you’d like for any occasion. Sweet Karma also sells several gluten-free options, including cupcakes, cookies and even desserts like tiramisu and a dark chocolate mousse dome.
Bay Shore & Islip
With two locations on Long Island, Coyle’s is the ideal neighborhood ice cream parlor with a 1950’s vibe. Best of all? Coyle’s serves up 60 flavors of homemade ice cream made on the premises making it the freshest around. Another plus is their daily specials ranging from $5 Ice Cream Soda Mondays to $6 Waffle Cone Saturdays.