Unearth The Voyage
New York City has a sweet secret that’s been bubbling since the early 1900s: the egg cream. This fizzy chocolate drink contains no eggs and no cream, but it’s packed with nostalgia and local pride. From vintage soda fountains to family-run candy stores, a handful of special spots across the five boroughs still whip up this iconic beverage the old-fashioned way. Ready to sip your way through history?
1. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
Step inside this beautifully restored 1920s pharmacy and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Brooklyn Farmacy won the National Egg Cream Invitational in 2025, proving their chocolate egg cream is the real deal. The original pharmacy fixtures, vintage tiles, and old-fashioned soda fountain make every visit feel special.
Locals swear this is where you come for a legit 100% New York chocolate egg cream. The creamy chocolate syrup blends perfectly with cold milk and fizzy seltzer in every glass. You can find this treasure at 513 Henry Street in Carroll Gardens, where the neighborhood vibe is as charming as the drink itself.
2. Lexington Candy Shop (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
Since opening its doors in 1925, Lexington Candy Shop has barely changed a thing. The original counter, swivel stools, and tin ceiling transport you to a simpler era. This is one of the few remaining places in New York City where you can still get a real egg cream made the traditional way.
The friendly staff uses Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup, the gold standard for authentic egg creams. They mix it with cold milk and seltzer right at the counter while you watch. Located at 1226 Lexington Avenue, this Upper East Side gem attracts both longtime regulars and curious newcomers who want a taste of old New York.
3. Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
Famous for smoked fish and bagels, Russ & Daughters also serves up a classic egg cream that pairs surprisingly well with their savory specialties. This legendary appetizing shop has been a Lower East Side institution for over a century. The MICHELIN Guide even mentions their egg cream as a must-try.
After ordering your lox and cream cheese, don’t skip the chocolate egg cream that locals have enjoyed for generations. The drink’s sweet, fizzy flavor balances perfectly with salty appetizing fare. Visit them at 179 East Houston Street to experience a true taste of Jewish New York culinary tradition in one unforgettable stop.
4. Ray’s Candy Store (East Village, Manhattan)
Ray’s has been an East Village landmark since 1974, serving late-night snacks and classic New York treats to generations of locals. The tiny storefront on Avenue A stays open until the early morning hours, making it perfect for post-concert egg cream cravings. Owner Ray himself became a neighborhood legend for his dedication to old-school fare.
The egg cream here is no-frills but absolutely authentic, mixed with care and served with a smile. You’ll find students, artists, and longtime residents all lined up at the window. Located at 113 Avenue A, Ray’s proves that great traditions don’t need fancy decor, just honest ingredients and heart.
5. Eddie’s Sweet Shop (Queens, Forest Hills)
Dating back to 1925, Eddie’s Sweet Shop looks almost exactly as it did nearly a century ago. The wooden booths, vintage light fixtures, and marble counters create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. This Forest Hills treasure serves ice cream sundaes and egg creams just like your great-grandparents enjoyed.
Families come here for birthdays, first dates happen in the cozy booths, and everyone orders at least one egg cream. The chocolate version is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of foam on top. You’ll find Eddie’s at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and 72nd Road in Queens, where time stands delightfully still.
6. Dichter Pharmacy & Soda Fountain (Inwood, Manhattan)
Dichter Pharmacy is a rare gem where you can pick up a prescription and grab an egg cream at the same time. The vintage soda fountain sits right inside the working pharmacy, creating a unique blend of healthcare and nostalgia. The interior looks like it belongs in a museum, with original fixtures and retro charm everywhere you look.
Locals in Inwood know this is their neighborhood’s best-kept secret. The pharmacists mix egg creams with the same precision they use for filling prescriptions. It’s a community gathering spot where neighbors catch up over fizzy chocolate drinks and share stories about the good old days that still feel alive here.
7. La Bonbonniere (West Village, Manhattan)
This West Village luncheonette has the kind of character that makes you want to linger over breakfast and an egg cream. La Bonbonniere serves up old-school diner fare with a soda fountain vibe that feels authentically New York. The narrow space fills up quickly with regulars who’ve been coming here for decades.
Squeeze into a counter seat and order your egg cream alongside pancakes or a burger. The staff works the small space like a choreographed dance, serving comfort food and classic drinks with efficiency and warmth. Located on Eighth Avenue near 12th Street, this spot proves the West Village still has room for unpretentious, timeless traditions.
8. Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor (Queens, Jackson Heights)
With roots stretching back to 1897, Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor has been delighting Queens families for over a century. The Jackson Heights location preserves the grandeur of old New York ice cream parlors with elaborate sundaes and perfectly mixed egg creams. Walking through the door feels like entering a sweeter, simpler time.
Kids press their noses against the glass cases while parents order the same treats they enjoyed as children. The egg cream here is made with traditional care, using quality chocolate syrup and fresh seltzer. Find this historic treasure at 81-04 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, where generations continue to create sweet memories together.
9. Essen Slow Fast Food (Brooklyn)
Essen brings a contemporary twist to the egg cream tradition while respecting its classic roots. This Brooklyn spot focuses on quality ingredients and careful preparation, living up to its ‘slow fast food’ philosophy. Though less historic than some other locations, Essen has earned its place among the city’s egg cream destinations.
The menu blends modern healthy options with nostalgic New York classics like the egg cream. Young professionals and families alike appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and attention to detail. The chocolate egg cream here proves that tradition and innovation can coexist deliciously. Stop by to see how Brooklyn continues to reinvent itself while honoring the past.
10. B&H Dairy Restaurant (Manhattan)
B&H Dairy has been serving vegetarian comfort food and frothy egg creams in the East Village for generations. This tiny restaurant barely fits a dozen people, but its reputation stretches across the entire city. The egg cream comes out perfectly frothy every time, with that signature foam crown that marks a well-made drink.
Regulars squeeze in for matzo ball soup, challah French toast, and of course, an egg cream to wash it down. The cramped quarters and worn counter stools only add to the authentic New York experience. The friendly service and unbeatable egg creams make every visit worth the wait for a seat at this beloved neighborhood institution.
11. Stage Restaurant (Manhattan)
Stage Restaurant keeps the egg cream tradition alive alongside classic deli sandwiches and comfort food favorites. The atmosphere here celebrates mid-century New York dining, when egg creams were as common as coffee. Waiters move efficiently between tables, balancing trays loaded with pastrami sandwiches and fizzy chocolate drinks.
Theater-goers and locals have relied on Stage for satisfying meals and refreshing egg creams for years. The drink provides a sweet finish to savory deli fare or stands perfectly well on its own. The no-nonsense approach to food and service reflects old New York values: quality ingredients, fair prices, and treating everyone like a regular, even on their first visit.
12. Paul’s Place (Manhattan)
Paul’s Place might not have the vintage glamour of some other spots, but it delivers an honest, delicious egg cream every time. This Manhattan neighborhood favorite focuses on straightforward food and drinks done right. Locals appreciate the consistent quality and friendly atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome.
The egg cream here tastes just like the ones your grandparents remember, mixed with Fox’s U-Bet syrup and plenty of fizz. There’s something comforting about places like Paul’s that don’t try to reinvent the wheel. They simply serve classic New York fare to people who appreciate authenticity. Stop by when you want a taste of tradition without any fuss or pretension.
13. Veselka (East Village, Manhattan)
Known primarily for pierogi and borscht, Veselka also serves a surprisingly excellent egg cream. This 24-hour East Village institution has been feeding hungry New Yorkers Ukrainian comfort food since 1954. The egg cream might seem out of place among the Eastern European specialties, but it fits perfectly into the neighborhood’s diverse culinary landscape.
After midnight, students, artists, and night owls crowd the booths for potato pancakes and egg creams. The combination of Old World cuisine and classic New York drinks represents the beautiful cultural mixing that defines the East Village. Veselka proves that traditions can coexist and even complement each other in unexpected, delicious ways.
