Serendipity 3 - Upper East Side

What a fun place! It was vibrant and fun and you will leave with a very serious sugar high! The staff was very nice and attentive. Gabby was our server and she was lovely. I was nervous because of the reviews but went for the vibe. I will say, the food is 4 stars. The experience is 5 stars. We got truffle mac and cheese and that somehow felt bland. It was also the absolute worst espresso martini I have ever had. The burger, however, was great! I would say the food sounded like it was going to pack a punch with flavor but it didn't. The desserts definitely pack a punch!

Frozen hot chocolate was delicious and the portion sizes for entress and huge! Well worth splitting anything. The desserts are the showstopper here. We ordered apps, entrees, and desserts, but if I were to come again, it would be only for dessert. Service was timely and excellent! Gift shop was a hit for small treasures.

dude. this place is an absolute freaking gem. my dad and me got off the roosevelt island tramway and were looking for a place, and this was about 400 feet away. we walked on over, got in without a reservation immediately and got our food within 20 minutes. the food is great and plentiful for the price. amazing place would come again, but with room for dessert. i forgot to mention, absolutely beautiful place. 10/10

It was fun for my family as our first time. We are happy we visited and enjoyed the atmosphere. The menus were fun and lots of options. The dessert was definitely the highlight, we had the banana split which was awesome. Nachos were average, salad was big but could have had more going for it. Kids liked their meals. Felt a little cruise shipish on the food. Would go back for dessert.

#throwback2019<br><br>A dessert spot on the Upper East Side that somehow turned sugar into a full blown personality.<br><br>Made famous by the romcom Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, this place has been quietly convincing people that fate exists, usually over a very expensive frozen hot chocolate.<br><br>Walking in feels like stepping into a whimsical fever dream, part vintage café, part chaotic antique shop, where every corner looks like it was decorated by someone who refused to stop adding things.<br><br>The desserts are unapologetically over the top. Portions are generous, sugar levels are questionable, and your inner child will be very impressed while your adult self starts calculating consequences.<br><br>Crowds are very real, especially with movie nostalgia in the mix, so unless you enjoy queueing as a personality trait, reservation is highly recommended.<br><br>Touristy, yes. Slightly chaotic, also yes. But there’s something oddly charming about sitting here, pretending I’m in a romcom, waiting for fate to intervene… or at least for my dessert to arrive.

Came here with kids before getting on the RI tramway. We tried their frozen mint hot chocolate. Kids had fun, cute place to take photos, clean restrooms. Service was attentive.

What a great experience. I took my daughter for a 16th birthday meal. The food was lovely, the atmosphere and aesthetics beautiful and our server was great and very attentive. Definitely recommend. You must try their famous frozen hot chocolate!

The very first movie my wife and I watched together was Serendipity, so if course we had to go to the restaurant on our trip to NYC. The location is lovely, with a very unique decor. Our server, Randy, was very friendly to us and everyone else we saw him interact with. And the food was delicious. Be prepared, because the portions are as big as their comically large menus. We unfortunately didn't have any room for dessert afterwards, so we are planning on going back to try some of their frrrrozen treats.

Definitely a 10 out of 10 that’s including the staff, the people, the food, the dessert and my experience there. First time going great experience definitely will come again! It was my birthday and my server along with other customers sang happy birthday to me it felt very nice :)<br><br>Food and desserts are big portions so prepare to share; very fully. Would definitely like to try their tea party option next time.

Finally checked Serendipity off my bucket list! Crowded but easy peasy if you make a reservation. We tried the Classic Frozen Hot Chocolate and it was incredible! Topped with the homemade whipped cream, it exceeded our expectations. Can’t wait to go back soon!

My first time having the iconic frozen hot chocolate! 11 out of 10! This thing is fantastic. Thought maybe the chocolate would be too rich, but it was perfect. That whipped cream I think is homemade – the perfect fluff. I got it “to go” because I was pressed for time and it was phenomenal. And it slurped through the straw just fine. I went around 4 PM and it was BUSY.

Serendipity in NYC is such a fun and memorable experience! The decor alone sets the tone—playful, whimsical, and full of personality—making it feel like a true destination rather than just a restaurant. What really stood out, though, was how gluten-free friendly the menu is. There are plenty of options, and the staff is knowledgeable and accommodating, which makes dining there feel stress-free and inclusive.<br><br>The service was excellent from start to finish—warm, attentive, and genuinely happy to help with menu questions or modifications. Add in the lively vibe, delicious food, and that signature Serendipity charm, and it’s easy to see why this place is so beloved. A must-visit whether you’re gluten-free or just looking for a joyful NYC dining experience!

We had the Buffalo Chicken Bites and Potato Skins as appetizers which were excellent. The kids sliders and Cheese Burger were amazing. We landed the desert dismount with the Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate, Can’t Say No Sunday, and the Kid’s Cake batter Scoop. We’ve been here multiple times over the past two decades and Serendipity 3 always delivers. Grateful for landmarks that we can share with our kids. Such a fund place for a multi-generational memories.

Oh my gosh what a beautiful interior!! Not only was the restaurant stunning, but the desserts did not come to play! I got the birthday cake, and I was absolutely floored at the size of it!! My mom got the banana split, and hers was equally as hearty. The sizes alone were certainly worth the price, but the taste took it to another level. Both of our desserts paired with their white hot chocolate was nothing short of incredible. Please please please book a reservation, and treat yourself to a delicious dessert at Serendipity 3’s!

Food was mediocre at best. Everything on the menu is significantly overpriced for the quality of what you get, especially when we didn't finish 1/3 of our food because there ended up being a mouse running around our table. The star of our visit was our amazing server Gio! He was so friendly, served with a huge, warm smile, and was hustling the whole time. 10/10 recommend Gio!