If you’re feeling indecisive and want to take a gamble on your dessert, Surprise Scoop in the East Village is the perfect place to venture.
The new ice cream shop — from those who brought New Yorkers Stuffed Ice Cream — offers everything you’d expect, but the method in which the business goes about serving customers is a bit out of the ordinary. The menu-less shop, an empty storefront with white walls and purple floors, prompts visitors to place an order on a kiosk. From there, they wait for their dessert to arrive and don’t even interact with staffers until their order appears from a small pickup window.
The scoop on Surprise Scoop in the East Village
Ideal for the indecisive (but perhaps not those prone to food allergies), Surprise Scoop has all the good stuff: vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, whipped cream, hot fudge, sprinkles. You just aren’t quite sure what combo you’ll end up with upon your visit. (If you ask us, there isn’t a bad ice cream flavor out there.)
A few notes for those who are curious how things work: flavors change daily and they are all selected at random. There’s a chance you might not know what you’re eating at all. Surprise Scoop does promise you’re not encountering anything wonky (i.e. bugs) but rather classic treats with unique combinations. Keep in mind that the scoop shop is cashless and there are no refunds.
So, are you feeling risky with your ice cream sundae? Why not give it a try? Should you enjoy a bit of mystery when dining, might we also suggest Dining in the Dark?!
📍 Surprise Scoop: 139 1st Ave
⏰ M-Th 2pm-10pm; F 2pm-11pm; Sat 12pm-11pm; Sun 12pm-10pm