Junior's raspberry swirl cheesecake.   (Photo: Jonathan Bourland)

Eileen's Special Cheesecake
17 Cleveland Pl., nr. Kenmare St.; 212-966-5585.
For the indecisive, there’s a sampler of twelve different slices (chocolate, caramel pecan, cherry…) or a box of nine assorted minis.

F. Monteleone Bakery
355 Court St., nr. Union St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn; 718-852-5600.
After one temporary closure and a Moonstruck reference, this Carroll Gardens treasure is still turning out delicious ricotta versions.

Junior’s
386 Flatbush Ave., at DeKalb Ave., Downtown Brooklyn; 718-852-5257
The most famous New York cheesecake comes from this Brooklyn stalwart—largely unchanged since 1950. (That loud red and orange façade is impossible to miss.)

Lady M Cake Boutique
41 E. 78th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-452-2222.
The chocolate-cookie crusted version is miles ahead of the competition when it comes to freshness and sweet-tangy flavor.

Two Little Red Hens
1652 Second Ave., at 86th St.; 212-452-0476.
Rich and light with a touch of the tart, this version tames the usual cloying sweetness of standard New York cheesecake.