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Treat Yourself: Sweet Treats & Boba Guide around NYU 💜

Written with love by someone who really, really loves cookies and boba

Midterm season is here, and finals are just around the corner... hope everyone is doing okay. In between your study sessions, if you are looking to treat yourself, I got you.

Here is my little guide to some of my favorite sweet treats and boba spots around NYU (and nearby), so you can give yourself a little more fuel as you prepare for your exams!

🧋 BOBA + DRINKS​

  • Debutea
    • Locations:
      • Manhattan: 217 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012.
      • Brooklyn: 71 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
    • Go-to orders: Coco Mango (a must!), Soy Milk Tea, Milky Strawberry, Milky Papaya (favorite seasonal special).
    • Brooklyn location notes: This location has seating, a bar area, Wi-Fi, and charging outlets. It’s very study-friendly, and many students come here to do work or study for exams.
  • Hey Tea
    • Top recs: Cloud Mango, Coconut Mango Boom
    • Milk tea faves: Matcha Jasmine Latte, Supreme Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea
    • Locations:
      • 10 Waverly Pl (right by NYU!).
      • 2nd Ave in East Village (new!).
      • 275 Bleecker St in Manhattan West Village
  • Luckin Coffee
    • Locations:
      • 755 Broadway, New York, NY 10003(nearest).
    • A super convenient grab-and-go coffee spot that’s perfect for busy study days.
    • Go-to drinks: Iced Coconut Latte, Classic Latte, Americano, and seasonal specialty drinks (they rotate a lot, so always check the app!).
    • Very budget-friendly compared to most NYC coffee shops, especially with frequent app discounts.
  • Mixue
    • Locations:
      • Manhattan: 266 Canal St, New York, NY 10013.
      • Brooklyn: 519 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201(new!).
    • Go-to picks: Lemon Water with 200% sugar, and Ice Cream (a must for a quick treat)!
    • Very budget-friendly and tastes great!
    • Also a solid late-night option — open pretty late (usually around 10pm, some locations even until 12am), perfect for post-study cravings 🌙.
  • Lazy Sundaes
    • Personal fave: Strawberry Matcha 🍓🍵
    • Cute vibe and aesthetic!
  • Chihiro
    • 10% Student Discount
    • Faves: Thai Tea, Mango Pomelo Sago
    • Refreshing and not overly sweet.
  • Jooy Tea (8th St NYU)
    • Faves: Matcha Tornado, Jasmine Milk Tea, Crème Brûlée Milk Tea
    • Great balance of tea flavor and sweetness.

🍪 COOKIES + PASTRIES​

  • Levain Bakery
    • Must-trys: Chocolate Chip Walnut and Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip
    • These are thick and gooey cookies!
  • Lafayette Bakery
    • Famous for their Croissant Suprême – get the Pistachio flavor if you can!
  • LA LA Bakeshop (2nd Ave)
    • Vietnamese bakery with AMAZING Salted Egg Lava Bun, Pandan Tiramisu, and Tiramisu Latte
  • Donut Pub
    • The classic donut spot 🍩. Can’t go wrong – just get one, or five.
  • Hanis Bakery
    • Personal obsessions: Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon Roll
  • Martha’s Bakery
    • Location:
      • 175 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211.
    • A cozy neighborhood bakery with a wide variety of cakes, pastries, and Middle Eastern-inspired sweets.
    • Go-to order: Berry Napoleon 🍓 (honestly the best thing I’ve ever eaten here — if you try it and agree, report it as “too good”)
    • Prices are pretty budget-friendly for NYC.
    • A solid go-to when you want something more “classic bakery” style compared to cookie-heavy spots like Levain.

Exam season can be stressful, but that doesn't mean you can’t take care of yourself. Treats don’t solve everything, but sometimes, sweet desserts and a moment to rest and breathe can help you feel better.

So go ahead, take that boba break. Grab that dessert. You deserve it!