European style hits NYU territory at Amorino, an Italian import known for gelato, sweets, and hot drinks. Seating is sparse—four high-tops in the center with stools, five low-tops against the wall, plus some seating by the fireplace—but if you can snag a spot, you’ll get lost in the mellow, earthy decor, eye-appealing eats, and Old World energy. The gelato is top-notch, made in small batches with free-range eggs, the highest grade whole milk, no coloring nor flavoring agents, and the highest quality ingredients in each flavor; the mango sorbet is bursting with brightness and ripe flavor without being cloying. The speculoos gelato, named for the Belgian biscuits that inspire and appear mixed throughout it, is a spicy-sweet symphony of cinnamon, nutmeg, and speculoos powder on top. Try a dollop atop a soft, warm waffle, or opt for a cone—the gelato comes scooped in a rose shape, a charming dessert surprise for impressing your date.

Mango sorbet
Speculoos gelato
Waffle with amarena gelato
Cappuccino
Crêpe with strawberry jam
view full menu here

Diverse, at least during the mid-afternoon, with parents and kids, gossiping elderly women, tourists speaking foreign languages, and NYU students. At night it draws mostly students and young couples on dates.

for design
Despite Amorino’s small size, there a lot to look at here, including showcases of meticulously organized candies in almost every color, ornate gift boxes of chocolates, enormous jars of sweet Italian treats like tartufi and giandujotti, and smiling servers wearing cute black toque hats. Shelves with even more gift packages—some with bags of candies, some with boxes of biscuits, others with jars of sugary spreads and individually wrapped chocolates—are set up on the west wall, and there is a makeshift fireplace with a picture of frolicking cupid-like babies hanging over it toward the back.

if I were a movie, I’d be
La Dolce Vita meets Chocolat.

decibels
Medium

Sun–Thu 11 AM–11 PM; Fri–Sat 11 AM–12 midnight

$5.25 (piccolino cone) to $13 (grandissima cup)