Food & Shelter | Sugar Hill Creamery (Winter 24/25) | Upper East Side, NYC

For someone who loves desserts as much as I do, it might surprise you to know that ice cream ranks at the bottom of my list. And yet, here I am, writing the first of many articles about the perfection that is Sugar Hill Creamery. With meticulously conceived seasonal flavors, a superb staff, and a warm atmosphere, I keep finding myself running back without hesitation.

Sugar Hill Creamery was founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife duo Nick Larsen and Petrushka Bazin Larsen. This Black-owned, woman-led ice cream shop is a love letter to Harlem and its vibrant community. The couple’s backgrounds—Nick’s as a chef and Petrushka’s in community programming—shine through in everything they do, from the thoughtfully crafted flavors to the walls adorned with black icons. Inspired by their Caribbean and Midwestern roots, the ice cream reflects a blend of cultural influences while celebrating the rich heritage of their neighborhood. Now, with locations in Harlem, East Harlem, and the Upper East Side, Sugar Hill Creamery has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

That night, Mirtha and I returned for a scoop of “Tell it to the Block,” and it did not disappoint. The experience starts with a soft and creamy vanilla base, elevated by a tasteful cinnamon sprinkle and luscious hot honey swirls. The quality of the ice cream is what's to note here. No ice crystals or unbalanced half-melted textures. Each bite lingers on your palate, a harmonious blend of comforting sweetness and indulgent heat. Our runner-up sample bite was the Nutcracker, a fruity blend of grape, fruit punch, pineapple, and vodka that caters to the lactose-intolerant crowd (a win for me!). The combination of creativity and execution in their flavors is unmatched.

But what keeps me coming back to Sugar Hill, as much as the ice cream, is the service. The staff at Sugar Hill Creamery are hip, professional, and unexpectedly pleasant. We arrived at 9:40 p.m. that night, just 20 minutes before closing. Mya, the lone employee on duty, was calmly and diligently filling to-go orders. When we promised we’d be quick, she assured us there was no rush. Sugar Hill has cultivated a culture of hiring the right people, an ethos consistent across all three locations (of which I’ve them all). If you’re serving desserts, they must come with a smile—or at least a chill, welcoming vibe. Mya embodied this perfectly. Even when I returned at 9:55 p.m. to ask if I could include her in this article, she handled it with cool professionalism.

Nestled on the Upper East Side and East Harlem border, Sugar Hill Creamery’s UES location is incredibly convenient. Just steps from the 6 train, it’s the perfect stop after a long day or a casual stroll through the neighborhood. The area is a unique intersection, offering affordable rents and more square footage than lower Manhattan or the Upper West. With the Q train’s expansion into East Harlem on the horizon, this neighborhood is one to watch. It’s an area on the rise, blending accessibility and charm.

In closing, if you’re looking for a sweet deal on the Upper East Side, give me a call (917) 419-5134. And if you’re looking for a sweet bite, stop by Sugar Hill Creamery. If Mya happens to be working, drop something extra in the tip jar. And, as always, tell them Conrad sent you.