Summer is in full swing, but ice cream isn’t the only thing available to make a hot afternoon cooler. Dig in at any of these Nassau dessert shops that take sweet treats to another level of creativity.
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The French Workshop, Garden City
This year, Bayside bakery The French Workshop opened a second location in Garden City. The delicious bakery goes for the luxury aesthetic with a marble counter and tables, and literally serves your order on a silver platter. The menu has classic offerings like cookies, cupcakes and brownies, but also has unique options like a homemade Fig Newton, a profiterole with vanilla cream and an eclair with a white chocolate glaze. Also grab a cup of coffee, which comes from For Five, a popular Queens-based coffee company. Address: 191 7th St | Phone: 516-248-6800 Click to go
Costa Nova Waffle, Mineola
Want dessert for breakfast? Then try this place! Costa Nova Waffle gets its name from a beautiful beach in Portugal that also happens to serve great dessert waffles from kiosks. This shop brings that tradition to Nassau with handmade thin waffles. Visitors can choose between a crispy (bolacha) or soft waffle (tripa), and add a filling like chocolate chips, Nutella, PBJ or ovos moles, a Portuguese egg custard. Wash it down with a cup of tea or coffee—try the Galão, a Portuguese drink made with espresso and foamed milk. Address: 211 2nd St | Phone: 516-500-9802 Click to go
Manny’s Sweet Treats, 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. 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. Address: 156 Jericho Turnpike | Phone: 516-299-8099 Click to go
The Witches Brew, 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 dessert experience. The menu changes often, but past offerings included cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, ice cream and a signature “cinn bunn.” There’s also a vegan menu with similar offerings. There’s a large selection of delicious teas and coffee to boot. The Witches Brew doesn’t just serve dessert, either—sit down for a meal with all-vegetarian (or vegan) food. Think chicken marsala (with mock chicken), quesadillas and a butternut squash and sage butter gnocchi. Pro tip: it’s cash only! Address: 311 Hempstead Turnpike | Phone: 516-489-9482 Click to go
Sweet Karma Desserts, Plainview
A longtime 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. Address: 136 Manetto Hill Rd | Phone: 516-794-4478 Click to go
Spoons Ice Cream & Cereal Bar, Seaford
The concept at Spoons is simple: favorite cereal and candy is mixed with some vanilla ice cream. There’s only one size and only one type of ice cream (vanilla), but everything else is up to customers. Choose from an extensive list of “swirl-ins,” including popular cereals like Captain Crunch, Frosted Flakes and Lucky Charms and candy like Kit Kat, M&M’s, Snickers and Twix. Milkshakes are also on the menu mixed with your favorite cereal. While eating, make sure to look at your spoon—it changes color! Address: 3935 Merrick Rd Click to go