Chelsea

Billy's Bakery
184 Ninth Ave at 21st St.
212-647-9956
www.billysbakerynyc.com
Nostalgic from its desserts to its decor, Billy's Bakery harks back to the warm feeling of American kitchens. Stop by here when you need a sweet fix: an assortment of three-layer cakes, fruity pies, and pastel-colored cupcakes are sure to hit the spot.

F&B
269 W 23rd St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves
646-486-4441
gudtfood.com
F&B stands for frites and beignets and that's just what you'll find at this robin's egg blue-colored spot, along with 22 varieties of hot dogs.

East Village

Podunk
231 East 5th St. between Second and Third Aves
212-677-7722
Pop in here for a pot of tea or a baked treat made by owner Elspeth Treadwell who left corporate life to open her own little piece of heaven.

ChikaLicious
203 East 10th St. at Second Ave
212-995-9511
www.chikalicious.com
Opened by a husband and wife team, this tiny dessert bar features a three-course offering of sweets (amuse, dessert of your choice, and assorted petit fours) for $12. Snag a seat at the bar so you can watch as Chef Chika Tillman constructs her dainty desserts with amazing precision.

Greenwich Village

Milk & Cookies
270 Bleecker St. at Commerce St.
212-243-8836
Cookie lovers in need of a freshly baked batch with a tall glass of milk can head here to order the exact type they're craving. An assortment of mix-ins (M&Ms, toffee, butterscotch, etc.) are available as well.

Chocolate Bar
48 Eighth Ave between Horatio and Jane Sts
212-366-1541
www.chocolatebarnyc.com
Chocoholics can eat their hearts out at this tiny spot where gourmet candy bars, baked goods, and coffee drinks all revolve around the worshipped cocoa bean.

Harlem

Hungarian Pastry Shop
1030 Amsterdam Avenue between 110th and 111th Sts
212-866-4230
Located directly across from St. John of the Divine, this is the perfect place to refuel with coffee and Eastern European sweets.

Little Italy/Nolita

Rice To Riches
37 Spring St between Mott and Mulberry Sts
212-274-0008
www.ricetoriches.com
Reminiscent of an ice cream parlor, this is the place to come when you desperately need a scoop of rice pudding. Served hot or cold, there are 20 varieties available including mango, maple with blueberries, cinnamon, chocolate cherry, sesame, and pistachio.

Lower East Side

Il Laborotorio del Gelato
95 Orchard St. between Broome and Delancey Sts
laboratoriodelgelato.com
For gelato and sorbet lovers, get your fix at this tiny spot where flavors are bold, unique, and varied. Choose between 75 different types including black sesame, green fig, bourbon pecan, and more. Chocolate lovers will be happy to know that they can choose between milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and a number of other variations.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine
126 Rivington St. between Norfolk and Essex Sts
212-995-1690
www.sugarsweetsunshine.com
Home to some of the Lower East Side's sweetest snacks, this homey bakery focuses on delicious cakes and cupcakes.

Midtown

Dylan's Candy Bar
1011 Third Ave at 60th St.
646-735-0078
www.dylanscandybar.com
After shopping your heart out at Bloomingdale's, swing by this true candy bar where you can peruse over 500 different types of candies and sweets.

SoHo

Chocolate Haven
350 Hudson St. at King St.
212-414-2462
www.mrchocolate.com
Come here to sample Jacques Torres's fresh, hand-crafted chocolates that are free of preservatives and artificial flavors. You can also watch the entire process from inside a retail store that is completely enveloped in glass.

Vosges Haut Chocolat
132 Spring St. between Greene and Wooster Sts
212-625-2929
www.vosgeschocolate.com
If you're shopping in SoHo and just have to have a truffle, get your fix at this small chocolate shop that infuses its selection with exotic ingredients such as wasabi, cardamom, and more.

Tribeca

Bouley Bakery & Market
130 West Broadway at Duane St.
212-608-5829
When in Tribeca, explore this tri-level market located right near chef David Bouley's famous spots Bouley and Danube. Order up a gourmet dessert (cakes, eclairs, and more) or some cheese and meats, then kick back at an outdoor table on West Broadway.

Union Square, Gramercy, Flatiron

Shake Shack
Madison Sq. Park at 23rd St.
212-889-6600
www.shakeshacknyc.com
Stop by this "roadside" food stand in a pretty park to snack on hot dogs, burgers, and frozen custard.

Upper East Side

Payard Patisserie
1032 Lexington Ave between 73rd and 74th Sts
212-717-5252
www.payard.com
This is the place to stop on the Upper East Side when a sweet craving kicks in. Renowned chef Francois Payard's bakery is stocked full of French delights including chocolate tarts and fruity ones.

Upper West Side

Cafe Lalo
201 W 83rd St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Aves
212-496-6031
www.cafelalo.com
Made famous by the movie You've Got Mail, this is the Upper West Side destination for a slice of cake, pie, or tart, served alongside a classic coffee concoction.