If you are craving soft gulab jamun, flaky balushahi, or a box of beautifully decorated mithai for Diwali, New York City has some amazing spots to satisfy your sweet tooth. From traditional mithai counters to modern dessert boutiques, here are the best Indian sweets shops in NYC you should know about.
Here’s why NYC is uniquely good for Indian sweets:
- Regional variety:
You can find North Indian mithai like kaju katli and motichoor laddoo, Gujarati snacks and sweets, Bengali rosogolla and sandesh, and South Indian payasam or kesari—all within a subway ride. - Everyday sweets and festival platters:
Whether you want a small box of gulab jamun for dessert or elaborate Diwali, Holi, Eid, or wedding platters, there’s an Indian sweets shop ready to handle it. - Traditional and modern takes:
Alongside old‑school mithai counters, you’ll find modern dessert shops doing Indian‑inspired ice creams, fusion cakes, and plated desserts.
How to Choose a Great Indian Sweets Shop
Not all mithai is created equal. When you’re deciding where to go, look for these signs that a shop takes its sweets seriously.
1. Freshness and Turnover
The best Indian sweets shop will have:
- Busy counters and fast turnover, especially on weekends and evenings
- Bright, moist sweets, not dried out or crystallized
- Jalebi and other fried sweets made regularly, ideally in small batches
If the shop is quiet but the display case is overflowing, ask how often they replenish items.
Quality of Ingredients
Good sweets come from good ingredients:
- Pure ghee vs. cheap shortening makes a huge flavor difference
- High‑quality nuts and mawa (khoya) for barfi and peda
- Fragrant cardamom, saffron, and rose used sparingly but noticeably
You’ll usually taste the difference in simple items like plain peda or besan laddoo.
Regional Specialties
Many NYC shops lean into particular regional traditions:
- North Indian/Punjabi: laddoo, gulab jamun, rasmalai, barfi, milk cakes
- Gujarati: besan laddoo, mohanthal, multiple chevda and snack mixes
- Bengali: rosogolla, cham cham, sandesh, mishti doi
- South Indian: payasam, kesari, sweet pongal, halwa
Choose an Indian sweets shop that matches the region you’re craving—or try something new.
Custom Orders and Festival Boxes
If you’re ordering for a party or holiday:
- Ask if they make custom assorted boxes
- Check if they offer bulk pricing or catering
- Confirm how far in advance to place big festival orders
A good shop will be clear about which sweets travel well and how long they stay fresh.
Usha Foods
Usha Foods is a landmark Indian sweets shop for anyone in eastern Queens and Long Island. It’s big, busy, and absolutely packed with options—mithai, chaats, snacks, and full vegetarian meals.
Why this indian sweets shop stands out
- Massive selection of North Indian and Gujarati sweets
- High turnover, so the display cases are frequently refreshed
- Ideal if you’re ordering large festival platters or catering
Must‑try sweets at this indian sweets shop
- Kaju katli: smooth cashew barfi with a delicate flavor
- Besan laddoo and motichoor laddoo: rich, ghee‑forward, and fragrant
- Milk cake and peda: simple, milky sweets that really show off their khoya
- Fresh jalebi on weekends and holidays, often made in batches
Usha Foods is also known for savory items—dahi puri, bhel puri, dosas, and more—making it an easy one‑stop destination if not everyone in your group is just focused on mithai.
Rajbhog Sweets
Rajbhog Sweets is a classic Indian sweets shop and casual vegetarian Indian restaurant on Newark Avenue’s Little India strip. You’ll find long glass cases filled with rasmalai, rasgulla, gulab jamun, laddoo, and assorted barfi, plus chaats, snacks, and simple meals. It’s popular for pre‑packed mithai boxes, festival orders, and affordable everyday sweets.
Why this indian sweets shop is a favorite
- Strong lineup of North Indian dairy‑based sweets
- Offers pre‑packed boxes that travel well and make great gifts
- Good value for money, with prices that are generally moderate
Best things to order at this indian sweets shop
- Rasmalai and rasgulla: soft, spongy, and soaked in lightly sweet syrup
- Gulab jamun and kala jamun: rich, syrupy dumplings with deep caramel notes
- Assorted barfi (pista, coconut, plain khoya)
- Mixed mithai boxes—you can let the staff choose a balanced assortment
Rajbhog also has frozen snacks and ready‑to‑eat meals, so you can stock your freezer while you pick up dessert.
Maharaja Sweets
Maharaja Sweets & Snacks is a bustling Indian sweets shop that doubles as a casual snack bar. Between chaat, samosas, and trays of mithai, it’s easy to spend more time here than you planned.
What makes this indian sweets shop special
- Great for Punjabi‑style sweets and hearty flavors
- Perfect for people who want both savory snacks and dessert
- Popular choice for Diwali and wedding catering
Top sweets at this indian sweets shop
- Motichoor laddoo: tiny boondi pearls bound together with ghee and sugar
- Boondi laddoo and other laddoo variations
- Khoya barfi in several flavors, often nut‑studded
- Jalebi when you catch it fresh and warm
Peak hours at this Indian sweets shop can get hectic, so it helps to have a rough idea of what you want or be ready to point quickly at the trays behind the counter.
Real Usha Sweets & Snacks
Real Usha Sweets & Snacks is a go‑to Indian sweets shop for anyone craving authentic mithai in Queens. It’s busy, lively, and packed with options—traditional sweets, chaats, savory snacks, and simple vegetarian meals that make it a convenient stop for both everyday treats and special occasions.
Why this Indian sweets shop stands out
- Wide selection of North Indian and Gujarati sweets
- Constant turnover, so the mithai counter is frequently refreshed
- Great choice if you’re ordering festival platters, gift boxes, or catering
Must‑try sweets at this Indian sweets shop
- Kaju katli: smooth cashew barfi with a delicate, clean flavor
- Besan laddoo and motichoor laddoo: rich, ghee‑laden, and fragrant
- Milk cake and peda: simple, milky sweets that showcase good khoya
- Fresh jalebi on weekends and holidays, often fried in regular batches
Real Usha Sweets & Snacks is also popular for its savory side—dahi puri, bhel puri, samosas, and other snack items—making this Indian sweets shop an easy one‑stop destination when your group wants both spicy street food and classic mithai.
Bengali Sweets Corner
Bengali Sweets Corner is a must‑visit Indian sweets shop for anyone who loves soft, syrupy, milk‑based Bengali mithai in Queens. It’s cozy, busy, and packed with trays of traditional sweets—perfect for everyday cravings, festival boxes, and gifts.
Why this Indian sweets shop stands out
- Specializes in authentic Bengali‑style sweets you don’t find everywhere
- Focus on fresh, milk‑based and syrup‑soaked mithai with delicate flavors
- Popular for festival orders and assorted gift boxes for Durga Puja and other celebrations
Must‑try sweets at this Indian sweets shop
- Rosogolla (rasgulla): soft, spongy cheese balls gently soaked in light syrup
- Cham cham and malai cham cham: richer, cream‑coated Bengali classics
- Sandesh: delicate, fresh cheese sweets in various flavors like cardamom and pistachio
- Mishti doi: thick, caramelized sweet yogurt served chilled
Bengali Sweets Corner also offers savory snacks and light bites—like samosas, pakoras, and chaat—making this Indian sweets shop a convenient stop when you want both traditional Bengali mithai and something savory on the side.
Raja Sweets & Fast Food
Raja Sweets & Fast Food is a busy, no‑frills Indian sweets shop and vegetarian Indian restaurant in New York, known for its combination of fresh mithai and quick, street‑food‑style meals. The counters are lined with colorful Indian sweets, while the kitchen turns out chaats, snacks, and simple curries, making it a handy spot for both a fast bite and takeaway dessert.
Why this Indian sweets shop stands out
- Combines a full mithai counter with a casual fast‑food‑style restaurant
- Great selection of North Indian sweets alongside chaats and snacks
- Affordable prices and quick service, ideal for everyday visits and takeout
- Popular for festival sweet boxes and small catering orders
Must‑try sweets at this Indian sweets shop
- Gulab jamun: soft, syrup‑soaked dumplings with rich, caramelized flavor
- Rasmalai: paneer patties in sweet, cardamom‑flavored milk
- Motichoor and besan laddoo: classic ghee‑rich festival sweets
- Assorted barfi: including pistachio, coconut, and plain khoya pieces
Beyond mithai, Raja Sweets & Fast Food is also known for chaat, samosas, pakoras, and simple vegetarian curries, making this Indian sweets shop a convenient one‑stop spot when you want both savory Indian fast food and traditional sweets.
Harry Sweets & Snacks
Harry Sweets & Snacks is a casual Indian sweets shop and Indian restaurant in New York, known for fresh mithai, quick snacks, and simple vegetarian meals. Behind the glass counter you’ll find colorful trays of traditional Indian sweets, while the kitchen turns out chaats, pakoras, and other street‑food favorites, making it a convenient stop for both savory bites and takeaway dessert.
Why this indian sweets shop stands out
- Combines a full mithai counter with fast‑food‑style Indian snacks
- Good range of North Indian sweets at everyday prices
- Ideal for quick meals, takeout, and small festival sweet orders
Must‑try sweets at this indian sweets shop
- Gulab jamun—soft, syrup‑soaked dumplings with classic ghee and cardamom flavor
- Rasgulla or rasmalai—spongy or creamy milk sweets for dairy lovers
- Laddoo (motichoor / besan) – rich, ghee‑forward festival favorites
- Assorted barfi—pistachio, coconut, and khoya pieces perfect for mixed boxes
Alongside mithai, Harry Sweets & Snacks also serves chaat, samosas, and other vegetarian fast food, so this Indian sweets shop works well whether you’re grabbing a quick snack or building a dessert box to take home.
Shaheen Sweets of Queens
Shaheen Sweets of Queens is a lively Indian sweets shop and casual Indo‑Pak / Indian restaurant in New York, known for its rich mithai, hearty snacks, and full meal options. Glass cases are filled with colorful sweets, while the kitchen serves kebabs, curries, biryani, and snacks, making it a popular neighborhood stop for both dessert boxes and complete lunches or dinners.
Why this indian sweets shop stands out
- Large selection of traditional Indo‑Pak / North Indian sweets made in‑house
- Functions as both an indian sweets shop and sit‑down restaurant
- Great for festival sweet boxes, family gatherings, and casual dining
- Located in Queens, easily accessible for local residents and visitors
Must‑try sweets at this indian sweets shop
- Gulab jamun & kala jamun – fried milk dumplings soaked in fragrant sugar syrup
- Assorted barfi – pistachio, coconut, and khoya varieties, ideal for mixed boxes
- Laddoo – including boondi and besan, classic choices for festivals and gifting
- Halwa – rich, ghee‑based semolina or carrot halwa, especially comforting in cooler months
Beyond mithai, Shaheen Sweets of Queens is also known for savory snacks, kebabs, biryani, and curries, so this indian sweets shop is a convenient one‑stop destination when you want both a full Indo‑Pak / Indian meal and traditional sweets to take home.
Conclusion: Finding Your Favorite indian sweets shop in NYC
Exploring NYC through its mithai is one of the most delicious ways to experience the city’s diversity. Whether you’re standing in front of overflowing trays of laddoo in Queens, ordering rasmalai after a dosa in Curry Hill, or trying artisanal ice cream inspired by kulfi in Brooklyn, each Indian sweets shop offers its own take on tradition, nostalgia, and flavor.
Start with a classic, high‑turnover indian sweets shop for the “greatest hits” of mithai—gulab jamun, kaju katli, rasgulla, and laddoo—then branch out to regional specialists for Bengali sweets, Gujarati snacks, or South Indian desserts. Over time, you’ll figure out where you like to buy festival boxes, where you stop for a quick jalebi fix, and which indian sweets shop is “the one” for gifting.
With so many options in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, you’re never far from your next box of mithai. All that’s left is to grab a friend, pick a neighborhood, and start tasting your way through NYC, one indian sweets shop at a time.
FAQs About Finding an indian sweets shop in NYC
1. What is an indian sweets shop?
An indian sweets shop (mithai shop) specializes in traditional Indian desserts like gulab jamun, laddoo, barfi, jalebi, and more, and often sells snacks too.
2. How do I choose a good indian sweets shop in NYC?
Look for an indian sweets shop that’s busy, has fresh‑looking sweets, and staff who can recommend popular items.
3. What should I try first at an indian sweets shop?
Start with classics at any indian sweets shop: gulab jamun, rasgulla or rasmalai, kaju katli, and motichoor laddoo.
4. How long do sweets from an indian sweets shop last?
Syrupy sweets last 1–2 days (often in the fridge), while ghee‑based items like laddoo and barfi from an indian sweets shop can last several days.
5. Can I get gift or festival boxes from an indian sweets shop?
Yes, most indian sweets shop locations offer special festival and gift boxes; call ahead for large or custom orders.
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