Best Sweet Treats Escapes Restaurants in University Village
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Dominique Ansel Bakery
World-famous French pastry counter where the Cronut and DKA were born.
Notable Picks
8.7
Since opening in 2011, pastry chef Dominique Ansel’s original SoHo bakery has drawn daily lines for inventive French pastries from the Cronut to the DKA. It functions as both a neighborhood coffee stop and a destination dessert shop, trading table-service comforts for creativity and a constant stream of limited-run sweets.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cronut, DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann), Frozen S’more
What makes it special: World-famous French pastry counter where the Cronut and DKA were born.
8.1
The SoHo outpost of this Italian gelato brand focuses on intensely flavored, ultra-creamy scoops made on-site throughout the day. Rotating specialties like mascarpone with dessert wine and ginger-studded gelato make it more of a connoisseur’s counter than a basic cone stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio Bronte gelato, Mascarpone & dessert wine gelato, Ginger gelato with candied ginger
What makes it special: SoHo gelato lab emphasizing ultra-fresh, small-batch Italian flavors with a serious texture focus.
8.1
This small, family-run French bakery just off Washington Square Park turns out pistachio and almond croissants, mille-feuille slices, and macarons at friendlier prices than many downtown peers. It’s a quieter option for a coffee and pastry break, with enough savory items to anchor a light breakfast or lunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio or almond croissant, Classic mille-feuille slice, Assorted macarons
What makes it special: Low-key French bakery near Washington Square known for croissants, mille-feuille, and macarons at relatively gentle prices.