We visited Serendipity 3 in NYC, and it was definitely a fun and unique experience! The restaurant is pretty small but filled with super cute, quirky artwork and decor that gives it a lot of personality. We tried their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate, which was huge and really tasty! For food, we ordered the Bacon Truffle Mac and Cheese, Chili Dog, and Buffalo Chicken Wings. The food and service were okay, but nothing particularly stood out. We did have to wait a while to be seated despite having a reservation, which was understandable given how popular the restaurant is and how limited the seating is. Overall, it's a fun spot to visit for the atmosphere and the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate. Definitely worth experiencing at least once! read more

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One of the biggest and grandest desserts I've ever had. The Insanity Sundae... Go Nuts! might be my favorite sundae of all time. The pecan pie goes so well with the butter pecan ice cream and the hot fudge, caramel, and maple walnut topping help sweeten and add so many more flavors to the mix. The only thing really negative is the whipped cream was too thick and wasn't very sweet and takes over the whole dish. The frozen hot chocolate is also nice but suffers from the same issue as the sundae as such a big part of the dish is the whipped cream. Really fun and massive desserts that will leave you stuffed. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - The Insanity Sundae...Go Nuts! - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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As a huge fan of the movie Serendipity, this was one of those places I had to visit while in New York. The whole place is quirky, fun and colourful and has that over-the-top New York feeling that makes it so much fun. The Frozen Hot Chocolate is obviously the thing to get and it did not disappoint. It's delicious, super rich and big enough for two people to share. I would definitely recommend sharing one because it is a lot! For me, there was something extra special about finally being in a place I've seen in one of my favourite movies. It's definitely touristy, but sometimes that's exactly what you want when you're in NYC! read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

I have to be honest and say I didn't eat on the premises, but I was desperate and had a classic FHC (Frozen Hot Chocolate for those who don't know) sent to where I was staying. It was from this location since the Times Square one wasn't delivering. This was so good on a hot August night! The packaging was perfect with its tiny insulated bag and baby freezer pack, keeping everything chilled. I opted for just whipped cream but it arrived with the chocolate shavings anyway which was fine. Portion was plentiful as I couldn't finish it all. I imagine it only tastes better sitting in the actual restaurant but until I do, I'm glad we have the option of getting it to go. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Frozen hot chocolate in their takeaway cup - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

I try to stay positive in my reviews, but Serendipity 3 just didn't impress. We stopped in for a lollipop for my son and ordered a blackout cake sundae instead. The presentation was cute, but the cake was mostly frosting and the ice cream was nearly impossible to find under all the whipped cream. For $30, I expected more actual dessert and less fluff. The hostess was kind and helpful, but the servers were disengaged and didn't acknowledge us despite standing right next to them. The whimsical decor is charming, but the food and service didn't match the price point. Unfortunately, I wouldn't return. read more

Come hungry... and save room for dessert I finally got to experience Serendipity 3, and I completely understand why it's such a New York classic. My mom, my son, and I went on the 4th of July, and with the World Cup going on too, the city just had such a fun energy. It made for a really great day. First off, my son loved it because it's bright, colorful, and just fun inside. There's so much to look at, and it definitely has that whimsical feel. Of course, me and my mom had to get the boozy Frozen Hot Chocolates. I mean... that's what they're known for. They were delicious. To start, we ordered the Ferris Wheel of Appetizers, and baby... that was a whole experience by itself. The Boom Boom Shrimp? Hands down one of my favorites. The mozzarella sticks had the perfect crunch, and y'all already know I'm a sucker for a good cheese pull. The chicken scallion dumplings were also really good, especially with that peanut sauce. I could've eaten those all day. For dinner, my mom got the bacon cheeseburger with onion rings. Those onion rings? Perfection. Crispy, flavorful, and exactly how an onion ring should be. I ordered one of their barbecue burgers that came with a bacon jam and blue cheese crumbles, and it was so good. A good burger is honestly hard to come by, but this one definitely delivered. The fries were great too. And if you've been following my reviews, then you already know...My son is the ultimate french fry critic. He loved them, so that's saying something. For dessert, we all shared the FIFA World Cup Sundae, and it was such a fun way to end the meal. I also have to give a huge shout-out to Randy, our server. Randy was AMAZING. He knew the menu inside and out, made fantastic recommendations, and every single recommendation was a hit. He was friendly, funny, attentive, and honestly made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Since then, I've actually gone back with my cousin because one visit clearly wasn't enough. This time we went more for appetizers and dessert. We ordered the General Tso's-style cauliflower, and let me tell y'all...GET IT. It is so good. For dessert, I did the banana split with three scoops instead of the giant six-scoop version, and it was everything I wanted. My cousin got the Cookies & Cream Sundae, and that was delicious too. Overall, Serendipity 3 is just fun. Good food.Great desserts.Great drinks.Great atmosphere. It's one of those places that's perfect for family, date night, birthdays, girls' days, or honestly anytime you just want to have a good time. My only advice? Go hungry! The food is filling, and if you're going for dessert, make sure you leave yourself some room because those sundaes are absolutely ginormous. Trust me... you're going to need it. read more

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Honestly, I didn't want to come here because it seemed like a tourist trap. The entrance/lobby is chaotic and there is a sickly sweet smell throughout the restaurant. The menu is massive but somehow nothing sounded good. The service was slow. The frozen mocha was not as good as my friend remembered. read more

This location located in the Upper East Side is like an apartment converted into a scene straight out of an Alice in Wonderland set. We came here mostly for the desserts, however the food was amazing as well. The portions were huge, so we were able to share everything easily. The service was also amazing. Definitely an experience. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Spiked Frozen Hot Chocolate - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Would visit this place every time I'm in town and I can say that throughout the years, the food quality is decreasing. Although there is an option to reserve a table, came in as a walk-in around 5pm and was seated in about 10-15min of wait time. I must say, that my past visits I didn't order the frozen hot chocolate, this time I made it to a point to try the famous item from the 2001 movie Serendipity and this one definitely stood out for me! I'm not a huge chocolate fan but this one was an exception. Just the right amount of chocolatey goodness topped with a generous amount of whipped cream is truly a delight, 10/10! Other items ordered were guac & chips which is on the salty side and nothing noteworthy on the guac flavor 4/10 while their crispy chicken and lemongrass dumplings fairly seasoned with just the right amount of crunch and the kicker is the sauce 8/10. I love that they're still trying to keep the interior design at this location vintage whimsical and hope they keep it that way because the new location in Times Square definitely lost that touch which is a more bolder, contemporary vibe. read more

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We had the fffrozen hot chocolate and were fortunate to be given the same table as used in the movie, Serendipity. To be completely honest, we didn't know it was actually filmed in the restaurant itself so it was a lovely surprise. The staff were lovely and the "hot" chocolate was delicious. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

What a trip down memory lane as a kid! This is like a mad hatter style restaurant great for kids, but many things for adults. Still seems like an iconic NYC spot. There's only one bathroom for the two floors and it's big and generally nice but it does sit across from a few tables. The tables are very small for all the big orders and of course it's a little pricey but definitely better to split items and enjoy the ambiance. Delicious frozen hot chocolate for chocolate lovers. They ran out of my tea (earl grey) which was surprising for a Wednesday afternoon. Fun tea spot. Lots of food options. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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The smores hot chocolate is life changing. I go every time I am in the city. Just PERFECTION. Tonight was no different-- nice server, quick seating, delicious frozen hot chocolate. I love the whimsical decor. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Smores frozen hot chocolate - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

I've been coming to Serendipity 3 for years, and it never disappoints. This time, we celebrated my birthday and decided to stop by for dessert afterward. It was my daughter's first visit, and she absolutely loved it! From the fun atmosphere to the delicious desserts, everything made the experience feel extra special. She hasn't stopped talking about it and is already asking when we can come back. Serendipity continues to be one of my favorite New York traditions, and it's so special to now be creating those same memories with my daughter. Highly recommend! read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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Walked in to a darker type of entry and waited at the unattended front desk. But very clean and calm place. After 1 min someone came, and seated our family of 4 for our reservation 8:30pm. Establishment was not too busy, maybe 3 tables, very close together. The two sundaes we ordered came out within 10 mins, and it was a very quick, clean, pleasant experience. Not sure it's worth doing again as we frequently visit NYC, but definitely hit it for the nostalgia. read more

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Jules was amazing. She was so thoughtful and helpful. couldn't have had better service. thank you. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

here for my daughter's birthday. Made reservations, but they didn't even have it. Great looking place and staff was excellent, food was not good. $30 for a grilled chicken, small Caesar salad; that was all stems, mac & cheese was OK, but it was a little grainy. To be perfectly honest just go there for dessert. very expensive with tip it was $117 for a small all stem, Caesar salad, mac & cheese, one soft drink, and dessert to share. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - all stems Caesar salad - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Joseph waited on us and was professional and friendly. He was very knowledgeable about the food. He made our experience amazing!!

I heard so many great things about this place, but unfortunately they fell short of my expectations. I had their Frozen hot chocolate which was $20 which I think is a bit ridiculous for essentially what is a milkshake but less flavor. The fries were good, seasoned with lots of a salt and had a nice outer crisp but dipping it into the frozen hot chocolate wasn't good despite it being a normally good combination anywhere else. The staff also wasn't very attentive towards the 2nd floor. I waited 5-10 minutes to get my bill finally and they hardly checked in at all. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Frozen hot chocolate - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Hello movie groupies - this is the official place of the rom com movie! Check out the table upstairs. We came in to celebrate a birthday and they did such a great job honoring Aunt 70th birthday! Candles and singing included! We branched out a little bit and tried the ultimate creme cheesecake, apple A La Mode, chocolate cake, pecan pie. They were all fantastic. The cheesecake is one of the best I've had. Super moist and fluffy. The decor is so whimsical and cheeeful! The service is great! Our server Gio was so friendly!! I read more

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I ordered the "A walk on the moon" and it was so cute the way it was presented. The staff are so warm and welcoming. I can all the way from Sacramento, CA with intentions of coming here. read more

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Very cute place! I always wanted to come here and I finally decided to come for my birthday dinner. The service was quick, I reserved online. The waiter was very nice and attentive. The food portion sizes are huge, def shareable in my opinion. Great place to come to try out at least once. read more

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I was finally seated. I sat there fot 15 minutes without being acknowledged. That was enough. I left.

What a fun spot!! Is it touristy? 100%! Pricey? Yes, but giant portions. We met our adult kids in the city for a birthday lunch and we were not disappointed! The menu was vegan friendly which is always great. We had BLTs , Mac & Cheese and salad. Of course frozen hot chocolate vegan and full diary. Everything was delicious!! The staff were very welcoming and waitstaff brought a token birthday dessert to the table. For years I've heard about the frozen hot chocolate and I'm glad we had this experience. You definitely should try it once!! read more

Haven't been here in years ! Since my kids were small . Fun to stop in for some food and enjoy the wacky fun decor . Staff is helpful and kind . read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Dining room - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for lunch in celebration of our 20 year anniversary. We last came here when our daughter was about 7 years old (now she's 16). Hubs made a reservation but we arrived early which was no issue at all and they sat us immediately. We were seated downstairs and I loved our table. It was cozy. This place gets packed pretty fast so I'd recommend getting in early or making a reservation. And note: if there are any souvenirs you want as keepsakes you can have your server grab and put on your tab for ya. Makes it so much easier. I absolutely love the Serendipity movie with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The movie was filmed at this Serendipity 3 location in the upstairs area. The "3" in the name of the restaurant is in reference to 3 friends who opened the café. Serendipity = The art of finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance or sagacity. We ordered the footlong hot dog (hubs) and the grilled chicken sandwich (me). I knew I wanted a frozen hot chocolate also but waited to order until after we ate. And I was so full that I asked if they do them to go which they do! And you get a cute hard plastic reusable cup that it's put in. Win win :)- then I could enjoy my frozen treat as we walk through the hot furnace of a city. Food was delicious but the portions are HUGE. Skip the food or share something because you CANNOT SKIP THE FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE. read more

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Finally! Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate for me has been one of those foodie bucket list items for a while now. Every time I've tried to visit in the past, there was always a reason for missing out, either the wait for a table was too long or they weren't taking walk-ins. Going in between normal lunch and dinner times was the sweet spot for less wait. When I finally made it I have to say the signature item was worth a try. First glance, the ratio of whipped cream to frozen hot chocolate could have been adjusted more in favor of the latter. The abundance of whipped cream certainly provided a grandiose impression but so much of the whipped cream was left behind. Once you go beyond the whipped cream façade, the dessert which is served cold, mimics the rich "hot" chocolate flavor well. Certainly worth the effort to visit. As it was inbetween meals I got snacks, nachos and onion rings to fulfill the per person minimum spend requirement. The nachos were pretty good, but the onion rings needed more seasoning. The decor was definitely fun and whimsical. While waiting for my food to arrive I my eyes were amused with the surroundings. There are opportunities to take photos during your visit. There is a section in front of the restaurant with souvenirs and trinkets catering to the touristy crowd. One big thing to note is there is a per person minimum listed on the menu but some have said it's not really enforced. I did adhere to that stated requirement which I guess is to counter folks coming in just for the fancy dessert. For me this was a one and done cross off the list. read more

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Serendipity, you are a NY icon, a classic of the Upper East Side. You hold so many memories for me, all sweet. As a child my parents took me here often for lunch which always ended in the ultimate frozen hot chocolate. I had birthday parties here and again, lovely memories. It had been a long while since I've been here. I went with a friend and her daughter. The wait time was about ten minutes. The front still had that fun, kitschy vibe, that I used to love & still love. The servers were very friendly. We shared the truffle fries, apple pie and of course we all shared the frozen hot chocolate. It was just as delicious as I remembered. The decor is whimsical and charming. The giant clock still hangs and the timeless Tiffany lamps. read more

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First time I have been at the new location. It still is the same amount of whimsy as the original location! Same niche decor and shop items, is really what completes the experience. Food is tasty and the employees are friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend stopping by! read more

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Such an iconic place with great food big portions and delicious desserts. Love it and my little mini me loved it for her first time. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Frozen hot chocolate so good! - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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Serendipity 3 also known as Serendipity III is located at 225 East 60th Street, between Second and Third Avenues. It was founded by Calvin L Holt, Patch Caradine, and Stephen Bruce in 1954. If you check out my photos I've been going for special occasions for years. Today I have been thinking about my adopted (in Spirit not legally) daughter. I came across a photo I took of her with one of the original owners Stephen Bruce. He happened to be in the restaurant that day promoting his book. Currently I'm planning for my birth daughter's 50th birthday this Summer. I'm involving Serendipity in my plans. I'll let you know with an update if the celebration takes place and the results. At this point Serendipity 3 has not disappointed me during special occasions in my life. I'm recommending. read more

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Amazing and so happy we were able to take family here over the weekend. How can you go wrong with this amazing shop?!?! It's Devine! We bring all our family and friends who visit us here. read more

I visited Serendipity on a Saturday evening. I had a reservation, so we were seated promptly. I thought it was fun how they celebrate birthdays--our table wasn't celebrating, but we saw other guests getting sung to. I ordered the monet salad, my sister got the truffle mac n cheese with the birthday cake frozen hot chocolate, and my friend had the ultimate b.l.t. The service was great, & I loved the fun interior decor. Would visit again with friends to try their other eccentric dishes! read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - interior - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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Stopping at Serendipity is a staple for my family and friends when we visit New York! Although people say this place is a tourist trap they have some of the best frozen hot chocolate and it's such a cute, fun atmospheric as well as a great photo opportunity! As far as service the few times we've been to visit we've had no issues. See you next time we're in NY! We only go here for the frozen hot chocolate and nothing else! read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Loved the frozen hot chocolate and the hot chocolate! The banana split was good, nothing special. read more

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We got lucky and there was no wait! The host was phenomenal - funny, honest, and gave great recommendations. Also gave accurate time estimates for our to go order. read more

This is the type of place you dreamt about as a child. And that should be it. If you're not a child this place is not worth it. $20+ for a cup of frozen hot chocolate that is just ok. I think a Wendy's frosty might be better and more worth it. If you have children and want to celebrate then bring them here. Do not bring your adult dates here. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Menu - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

We got frozen hot chocolate, cheesecake, and Forbidden Broadway Sundae, they were all really good. Our server was really nice and attentive, and the dessert came out really quick. It's a really cool old ice cream shop vibe, it has a lot of little decorations worth looking at. We dined on the first floor, but the second floor is just as cool. Overall really worth it to come here. read more

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Serendipity 3 is such a fun and iconic spot. It is a little over-the-top, but in the best way possible. I stopped in for a treat and ended up leaving stuffed and happy. First off, the truffle fries were addictive. Perfectly crispy with just the right amount of truffle oil. I could've eaten the whole basket myself. They were a great savory start before diving into dessert. And speaking of dessert... the apple pie a la mode was everything. Warm, gooey apple pie with a perfectly flaky crust, topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream; it was rich, comforting, and super filling. Definitely one of those desserts you plan your day around because it's so worth it. Yes, it's a bit touristy, but if you're looking for indulgent food and a whimsical atmosphere, Serendipity 3 is a classic New York experience that delivers. The service was also excellent for such a touristy place. read more

Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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I've been wanting to go to this place for years my friend deterred me from going for a long time since she had a horrible experience but I always like to form my own opinion & since they had the Peeps decor I had to do it. There was Peeps all around & I loved it because I love Peeps. Yes I love Peeps argue with someone else. Anyway, the store is super cute with peeps all over & the peeps chair upstairs was the perfect photo opp. I knew that we were going for the aesthetics but we actually liked our food. It's expensive but the portions are big. My 3 year old grandson's food was damn near bigger than him . I had a salad because I had the frozen chocolate which was really good. And actually the salad was as well. I had a Greek salad I added chicken but it honestly didn't need it I just added the protein just incase. Everyone liked their food the only thing that was left to be desired was the waitress. I understand my table had 3 kids so they kept asking for things. We were indecisive at first as it was our first time & they have a pretty big menu. I was on the phone in the beginning which didn't help matters. However, I feel as a waitress you don't have to let your frustration show. I apologized to her in advance but she was totally disinterested didn't want to deal with us. Even though my table asked for things like refills, more syrup or whatever the kitchen was literally next to us. You didn't have to walk far, you just had to turn around & ask. At one point I was trying to decide on the salad I wanted and she said listen I have other tables to attend to so I'll be back . I said wait (cuz I knew what I wanted) but she kept going to all the other tables & came back. I told her what I wanted & usually I would've addressed how rude that was, but I let it go. As a waitress or even someone that works with the public, you shouldn't let your frustration show. Anyway, besides that the person at the front was nice, there was another waiter I kept running into by the chair upstairs that was also really nice. I would say MAKE RESERVATIONS in advance cuz the place is not that big & you'll end up waiting outside. Also, there's merch store right when you walk in, so if you have kids with you be prepared lol. read more

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Serendipity 3 was a huge disappointment and honestly feels like one of the most overrated and overpriced spots in NYC. We were really excited to try it because of all the hype, especially the famous sundaes and frozen hot chocolate. The reviews seemed decent, so expectations were high. Unfortunately, the reality didn't come close. The pricing is just absurd for what you get. Nearly $30 for a sundae that includes three scoops of ice cream and a tiny piece of cake? And the quality doesn't even come close to justifying that cost. The cake honestly tasted worse than something you would pick up at Walmart, and the cream had this strange oily taste that made it hard to enjoy. As for the ice cream, it tasted like a cheap grocery store brand. Definitely not what one would expect from a place charging premium prices. The famous frozen hot chocolate was equally underwhelming. It tasted like cocoa powder and sugar blended with milk powder and ice and not rich or indulgent like it's made out to be. I genuinely don't understand the popularity of this place or why people rave about the food here. In a city like NYC, there are countless dessert spots that offer far better quality for a fraction of the price. Save your time and money. This place is all hype and no substance. read more