Top

Reesa Rei

I've got music to give, a world to see

/ All, Food, Lifestyle, Travel

The Cute Food and Drink Guide To NYC

The Cute Food and Drink Guide to NYC, RESSAMAZING, Taiyaki NYC, Chinatown, Manhattan desserts, fish shaped ice cream cones, unicorn ice cream, matcha ice cream, desserts in new york

The city that never sleeps always has a restaurant open for people to eat. Thousands of tourists travel each year just to get a taste of the amazing food New York City has to offer, however, when it comes to finding aesthetically cute food and drink items, it has always been a mystery to me. Social media fills my expectations high as I constantly see beautifully filtered photos of precious treats and dishes. Anyone who sees it wouldn’t doubt the idea of traveling across the country to simply capture a photo for themselves.​As the food scene is ever-changing in the Big Apple, it tends to overwhelm me as I question where to eat for my next meal. Being an avid “cute food” seeker for many years, I decided to create a new blog series where I share picture-worthy foods and drinks that are delightfully pretty to look at! I hope my Cute Food and Drink Guide to NYC encourages you, whether your a tourist or a local, to try these amazing menu items at the selected food spots I personally enjoyed during my trip.



​CHINATOWN, MANHATTAN: DIM SUM VIP
I don’t think the internet is quite ready for these carrot custard buns…I know I couldn’t handle the cuteness! This food spot came as a surprise when a friend casually suggested it while we were hanging out in Chinatown. Although Dim Sum VIP has a menu cheaply priced for crowds to invite themselves inside, it has a local, hole-in-the-wall ambiance with simple wood dining sets and narrow white walls that could probably seat no more than 30 people at a time. Each food item was approximately $3-5 each, and the one dish that stood out from the rest was the carrot custard buns! Although it’s shaped into the face of a pig, it’s actually a dessert item with an amazing rich, yellow creamy filling. With each bun made to perfection, I could definitely tell the dedication to detail that the kitchen staff has done. If you’re visiting, I would suggest dining early morning (10-11AM) or late lunch (2-3PM) to avoid waiting in a line.
GRAND CENTRAL AREA: JOE AND THE JUICE

Teddy Bear Latte, Ressamazing, Joe & The Juice, New York City Guide, Cute food and Drink guide

Location: 286 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017

This trendy little coffee and juice shop is a few blocks away from the Grand Central Station. Although I am aware that Joe & the Juice is a European chain, I was really impressed with the ambiance, decor, and service I was given during my visit at this location! Expect cute succulents, colorful local art, and pretty lighting fixtures beautifully decorated around the drink shop for picture perfect photo-ops. What made this place on my list was the impressive latte art that the sweet barista created for all the customers. Who wouldn’t adore this teddy bear latte? Getting a latte with any kind of art personalization would be $6 in a specialty coffee shop in LA, and I got it in a coffee chain in NYC for approximately $4…so, who said coffee was expensive in New York? I can’t guarantee that your latte will look like a teddy bear every time you order here, but I don’t think it’s a stretch if you politely request it. With the drink shop’s semi-spacious seating, I think you’ll have little issues with lines and crowds on an average weekday since many people order and go.
SOHO: DOMINIQUE ANSEL BAKERY

Ressamazing, DKA, Dominique Ansel Bakery, NYC Guide, Cute Food and Drink Guide

Location: 137 Seventh Avenue South, New York, NY 10014

Ever imagined tasting a piece of pastry heaven? Then, snag a bite of the DKA at Dominique Ansel Bakery for a fluffy baked goodness that can fit in the palm of your hand. The taste of an infused scone-croissant texture with a caramelized coating is what makes it a crowd favorite in the city. Even the daily long lines are worth it for many tourists and locals to wait, and is it just me, or does this pastry have four mini shaped hearts as well? Although it’s not the “cutest” pastry from the list, the creative flavoring and recipe is what makes this baked good a deserving precious treat. Close your eyes when you take your first bite and it’ll almost feel like you’re being teleported to a chic European countryside on a beautiful spring day. It happened to me at least when I first tried the DKA on a gloomy, rainy day in Soho.

CHINATOWN, MANHATTAN: SWEET MOMENTS

Ressamazing, Sweet Moments, Red Velvet Milk Tea, Cute latte, Cute Food and Drink Guide NYC, New York Guide

Location: 106 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

Get the cutest milk tea over at Sweet Moments! Although this drink can also be made with cold brew coffee and in three different colors, you’ll always get one that will make your heart melt as each adorable cream art is created freehandedly. I would highly suggest visiting this place with friends, ordering different flavored drinks, and snapping a photo of it together for that Instagram worthy shot. With the painted colored tables, brick walls, and neon blue sign at the entrance, you’re bound to nail a foodie photo. Although I was initially worried that the cute cream art and opaque coloring will compromise with the taste, I felt like it was a true rich milk tea flavor when I was tasting the red velvet milk tea. I will definitely revisit this place when I return to the city!
CHINATOWN, MANHATTAN: TAIYAKI NYC

Ressamazing, taiyaki nyc, fish shaped ice cream, unicorn ice cream, unicorn taiyaki, cute food and drink guide, nyc food guide

Location: 119 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013

Did you really go to Chinatown if you didn’t stop by Taiyaki NYC? This popular Japanese Ice Cream shop has originally introduced the Instagram famous fish-shaped ice cream cones in New York back in 2016, and the craze is still going strong today. Although this Japanese dessert comes in a variety of flavors, it’s no surprise that the unicorn taiyaki is the most photographed from the menu. Because the ice cream shop is small with limited seating, you’ll most likely order and go. However, If you’re seen walking around the block with this soft serve ice cream treat, don’t be surprised if people ask where they can get one, too. It’s too cute not to ask!
With all the cute treats in the city, it’s nearly impossible to try them all in one visit! If you were in NYC, would you try anything from The Cute Food and Drink Guide to NYC? Comment below your thoughts and other restaurants you would recommend! Please share this to any of your friends and family who are looking for some cute treats in NYC. If you want to follow more of my travel and food adventures in New York, be sure to follow me at @ressamazing. ​Until next time- Ressa

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda Martin says

    Seriously such a fun post! Next time try 10 Below rolled ice cream, it makes a fun instagram photo!

  2. Christine Weis says

    I am a New Yorker, born and raised, and I can say first hand that NYC had the BEST food!!! My favorite place is Serendipity III. It’s a must go to place if you visit the city. I’ll never get tired of the hustle, bustle and craze of the city! Thanks for sharing these places. I have not been to all of them.

  3. Beth Davidson says

    This is so fun! I would never think of a list like this, what a great idea. Next time I visit the city I’ll be sure to take my kids to some of these places.

  4. Shaily says

    Wow! These food items are too cute to handle. I would love to try them all. Carrot custard buns are overloaded with cuteness. Unicorn taiyaki looks tempting and milk tea with adorable cream art looks super delicious. Thanks for sharing this lovely post and amazing photographs.

  5. Well Worn Suitcase says

    What a fun twist on a travel theme. There is so much cute food here, I don’t even know where to start!

  7. Eileen Mendoza Loya says

    These food items are just so cute. I would probably take a gazillion photos of those cute carrot buns before I “destroy” them by biting into them. The Unicorn Taiyaki is such a cute treat too. I will have to remember to visit these places the next time I am in NYC.

  8. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

    oh my goodness, these really are super cute foods! Love the adorable milk tea, but my fave is definitely the unicorn taiyaki. So cute and I bet it’s yummy!

  9. Victoria Shari @ Arrow and Bliss says

    I’ve never been to New York, which is a shame because my sister lives there. But when I do finally visit, unicorn taiyaki is on the agenda!
    This is a great round-up. I’m a food network junkie, and if this post were a show, I’d be hooked. Gotta love Pretty Eats 🙂

  10. Elizabeth O says

    This is a great guide to all the cute food and drink available in NYC. This will help out a lot of people who love a good insta-food pic spot for sure!

  11. Marisa says

    New York is one of my favorite places. I love all the different nationalities and places to see. I cant wait to go back & try some of these places ❤

  12. Kamree says

    Oh my goodness these are the cutest little treats I’ve ever seen! I really want to try that adorable unicorn taiyaki! I will definitely keep these cute things in mind when I visit NYC next! Xo- Kam

  13. Elisha says

    I am known to plan entire trips around food, which is so easy to do in New York. I want one of those ice creams. They look so good.

  14. sarah says

    I have been searching for a good NYC food guide and this one is perfection…. oh em gee the unicorn fish how incredible is that…. I def need to get one of those

  15. Andrea says

    Seriously thats the cutest nyc food guide I have ever seen. I mean unicorn ice cream? C’mon, so freaking adorable!

  16. Valerie says

    All of these foods are so cute! Thanks for putting together this NYC food guide! I would have had no idea where to get anything but now I have some great ideas!

  17. Sharee says

    I’m totally bookmarking this NYC food guide for when I make a trip out there. These places all look so fantastic! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  18. Alyssa Bouma says

    this is such an awesome NYC food guide!! there are so many places to go, it’s so necessary to know of some good spots! joe and the juice has my favorite smoothie in the city!

@REESAREI