Huascar & Co Bakeshop

The cupcakes at Huascar & Co. in Hell’s Kitchen are some of the best in Manhattan. They make liberal use of sprinkles and sparkles, so if you have a friend who’s a little extra, they’ll appreciate these. The Vanilla Extrovert is our favorite cupcake here, a vanilla cake filled with dulce de leche and topped with a chocolate buttercream—and it's one of the flavors that pays homage to the chef's Dominican heritage. We're also pretty obsessed with their cheesecake, which gets extra tang from creme fraiche and comes in a cute little glass jar topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. Note that this place is tiny—three people waiting in line feels like a crowd—but there is a covered outdoor seating area with a few tables. There's also a second location in the Bronx.