America's best dessert spots

Emily Wasserman

There's no sweeter way to end a meal (or a day) than with a delectable dessert (and with some of these desserts, you might want to just go ahead and skip the meal). From fudgey brownies topped with smooth ice cream to truly artistic pies and cakes, the US has a lot to offer when it comes to tasty treats. So forget about the calories, and indulge your sweet tooth with our top American dessert spots!

SERENDIPITY 3
Where: New York, NY

New York City’s Serendipity 3 has been a popular dessert spot since its opening in 1954. While Serendipity is most famous for its frozen hot chocolate, there are plenty of other sweets and treats to choose from. Guests can enjoy the Can’t Say No Sundae with humble pie, ice cream, banana and hot fudge, or a slice of the restaurant’s Crème De La Crème Cream Cheese Cake. For a major splurge, try the Golden Opulence Sundae, which holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive sundae in the world.

BAILEYS’ CHOCOLATE BAR
Where: St. Louis, MO

From chocolate martinis to lavishly plated desserts, Baileys’ Chocolate Bar has it all. Guests can choose from a variety of chocolate-inspired creations, including the Chocolate Inebriation cake with layers of chocolate stout and bittersweet chocolate ganache, or the Brownie Royale with dense, fudgy brownie, bananas, hot fudge and a cherry. Chocolate aphrodisiacs can sample the Lover’s Plate, which features nine of the restaurant’s most popular desserts.

FLOUR BAKERY + CAFÉ
Where: Boston, MA

For some of the best Boston cream pie in the country, visit Flour Bakery + Café. In addition to the legendary pie, chef and owner Joanne Chang whips up some of the city’s most delicious confections—including Midnight Chocolate Cake with a milk chocolate buttercream filling, and a Milky Way tart with chewy caramel and a milk chocolate mousse.

ST. FRANCIS FOUNTAIN
Where: San Francisco, CA

Since 1918, San Francisco’s St. Francis Fountain has served up classic ice cream sundaes and old-fashioned soda fountain treats. The diner’s dessert menu includes everything from a double dip ice cream soda to a dreamsicle float with vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet. Ice cream specials include the Battleship sundae with three types of ice cream and sauces, or the Buster Brown with a warm fudge brownie, vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce.

MINDY'S HOT CHOCOLATE
Where: Chicago, IL

Chef Mindy Segal uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create desserts at her namesake restaurant, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate. The restaurant’s dessert menu changes seasonally, and includes everything from brioche doughnuts with hot fudge and caramel corn, to chocolate “souffled” tart with salted caramel ice cream and house made pretzels. A glass of Segal’s signature hot chocolate with fluffy, homemade marshmallows is the perfect antidote to a cold Chicago night.

GHIRADELLI'S
Where: San Francisco, CA

Visit San Francisco’s Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop for decadent ice cream treats and a taste of the company’s world famous chocolate. Guests can enjoy old-fashioned ice cream sundaes topped with cherries, nuts and whipped cream, and sample the shop’s homemade hot fudge. The shop also offers a variety of shakes, floats and chocolate drinks, including a chocolate-bar infused milkshake and sea salt caramel hot cocoa.

THE VARSITY
Where: Atlanta, GA

For over 75 years, The Varsity has satisfied hungry customers’ sweet tooth. The drive-in offers 16 flavors of ice cream, and fried apple and peach hand pies that are made fresh daily. For a larger treat, try the pie a la mode or the drive-in’s famous Frosted Orange, a cross between a milkshake and a slushie.

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