Julieat's Dessert Cafe: A Labor of Love and Sweet Indulgence
Discover the sweet story behind Julieat’s Dessert Cafe, a labor of love featuring handcrafted bubble tea, decadent desserts, and a welcoming atmosphere. Learn about Julie’s journey, customer favorites like brown sugar bubble tea, and exciting plans for expansion.
For Julie and her husband Ryan, dessert has always been more than just a post-meal treat—it’s a shared passion and a cherished ritual. What began as a way for Julie to indulge her love of sweets has blossomed into a thriving business that now serves two locations and is on the cusp of expanding to a third.
“I’ve always needed dessert after every single meal,” Julie noted, reflecting on the origins of Julieat’s Dessert Cafe. “My husband and I would explore different dessert shops together, but eventually, he had this idea: why not create a place where I could enjoy my favorite treats anytime?” What followed was a collaborative effort—fueled by love and creativity—to turn this dream into a reality.
The name, Julieat’s, is a clever blend of Julie’s name and her love for eating, an idea that she and Ryan conceived together. It encapsulates the cafe’s essence: a labor of love, crafted to nourish not just the body but also the soul. “We wanted to create a comfortable setting where anyone could savor desserts and bubble tea with joy, the way I do,” Julie shares.
A Menu Crafted with Love
Julieat’s Dessert Cafe’s menu is a testament to Julie’s personal tastes and dedication to quality. Signature items like the brown sugar bubble tea, mangonada, and strawberry yogurt smoothie are fan favorites, made with thoughtful attention to detail. “The strawberry yogurt smoothie has become my personal obsession,” Julie admits. “I just can’t get enough of it!”
On the dessert side, Julie has a soft spot for the Chocolate Temptation Cake and Key Lime Cheesecake—delicious options that never fail to impress first-time visitors.
Beyond desserts, the cafe’s gelato offerings are also a standout, with most flavors being gluten-free except for a few exceptions like cookies and cream. Customers with dietary restrictions can also enjoy the cafe’s kosher-certified macarons.
The Julieat’s Experience
Julieat’s Dessert Cafe isn’t just about the treats; it’s about the experience. The cafe’s slogan, “When STRESSED, spell it backwards and eat DESSERTS,” perfectly captures its ethos. This clever phrase, which Julie is in the process of trademarking, serves as a playful reminder of the simple joy that desserts can bring.
From the carefully crafted drinks to the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, everything at Julieat’s is designed to encourage customers to pause, indulge, and savor the moment. While the team provides pairing recommendations, customers are also free to mix and match as they please.
“Our customers know they can always expect organic milk and natural ingredients in our drinks,” Julie explains. “We strive to make everything as wholesome and delicious as possible.”
Growing Sweet Success
Since opening its first location on Metropolis Avenue in Forest Hills, Julieat’s Dessert Cafe has quickly grown to include a second spot in Whitestone, nestled inside Pelicana Chicken. Now, Julie and her team are preparing to open a third, standalone location later this year. “It’s so exciting to see how far we’ve come,” Julie says. “And this new location will offer something completely unique—a dessert that you won’t find anywhere else.”
Expansion hasn’t been without its challenges, but Julie credits her experience in the restaurant industry and her hands-on approach for helping her navigate the complexities of growth. “It’s a tough industry,” she acknowledges. “It looks glamorous on the outside, but there’s so much back-end work. Creating the right system is always the biggest challenge, and we’re constantly working on making it better.”
Advice for Aspiring Dessert Entrepreneurs
For those inspired to follow in her footsteps, Julie has some candid advice: “You’ve got to have a passion for dessert. You can’t just open a place without loving and understanding the items you’re offering. This is a hands-on industry, and you need to know what you’re getting into.”
Looking Ahead
With a new location on the horizon and plans to introduce house-made desserts, the future looks bright for Julieat’s Dessert Cafe. Julie’s unwavering commitment to quality and creativity ensures that the cafe will continue to delight dessert lovers for years to come.