Ray's Candy Store
The East Village 24-hour counter since 1974 slinging soft serve, egg creams and fried Oreos to night owls.
Example
At three in the morning on Avenue A you order a vanilla soft serve and a fried Oreo from a scuffed window, then tip well and keep walking.
Best tours and tickets
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry
★★★★★ 4.8 · 14,887 reviews
From $59View tour
Related terms
NYC slang
Egg Cream
A classic New York fountain drink of milk, seltzer and chocolate syrup containing neither egg nor cream.
Parks
Tompkins Square Park
The East Village's storied square, from riots and punk history to hardcore shows, dog runs and farmers markets.
Neighborhoods
East Village
The neighborhood east of the Bowery that birthed punk at CBGB and still runs on venues, dive bars and immigrant...
Ice cream
Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream
Nicholas Morgenstern's texture-obsessed ice cream parlor, reopened on the Lower East Side after its Village flagship...
Frequently asked questions
What is the right time to visit Ray's?
Late night, when Tompkins Square Park empties into it. Daytime works but misses the point.
What should I order at Ray's?
Vanilla soft serve or an egg cream, plus fried Oreos if you are committing. Prices are old-school low.
Is Ray's worth visiting during the day?
It works, but it misses the point. The counter belongs to the late night crowd spilling out of Tompkins Square Park, which is when the place makes sense.
