13 Delicious Local Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
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Have a hankering for something sweet? These spots are sure to cure your cravings whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, macarons, and or anything else on the dessert menu.
— by Celeste Chance, contributing writer
Image Credit: @whiskrva
Whisk
If you haven’t tried a macaron from Whisk, you need to ASAP! This bake shop specializes in French-inspired pastries and treats and offers signature cakes and made-to-order cakes for special occasions. Pro tip: Pair your treat with a coffee from their espresso bar.
Location: 2100 E Main St (Shockoe Bottom)
Hours: Sunday - Monday, 7 am - 2 pm, Tuesday - Saturday, 7 am - 7 pm
Image Source: @shyndigzdessert
Shyndigz
Every time I go into Shyndigz, I feel like I’ve died and gone to dessert heaven. This one-stop-shop for all things sugary is exactly what you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. While the restaurant may not currently be open, you can still shop all their delicious treats from decadent cakes to dessert bars and more at their to-go market, and even snag some local art and gifts while you’re there.
Location: 1903 W Cary St (The Fan)
Shyndigz To- Go Market: 1833 W Cary St (The Fan)
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 9 am - 9:30 pm; Monday, Closed
Image Source: @cocoandhazelrichmond
Coco + Hazel
Tired of traditional milkshakes? The folks at Coco + Hazel go above and beyond with their loaded milkshakes topped with even more goodness like a slice of confetti cake, brownies, or an ice cream sandwich. Basically, you’re getting a deal for two desserts in one — you’re welcome. Vegans, rejoice, because they’ve got you covered with vegan ice cream options, from scoops to milkshakes.
Location: 411 N Ridge Rd (West End)
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 8 am - 9 pm, Monday, closed
Image Credit: @jijifrozencustard
jiji
There’s something so comforting and nostalgic about frozen custard. As jiji puts it, “ice cream’s super smooth cousin” is exactly what you need if you have a dessert craving. This custard shop on wheels offers rotating flavors you can enjoy such as custard in a cone, with toppings, or one of their curated “pundaes” like the Nutella-ella-ella-ayyy with vanilla frozen custard, topped with chunks of Smart Cookie Kitchen's salted Nutella bar, Nutella, and sea salt.
Locations and hours vary. Follow their calendar to see where they’ll be next!
Image Source: @nightingaleicecream
Nightingale
A Richmond classic, Nightingale combines two of our favorite things: ice cream and cookies. Made with butterfat ice cream surrounded by two hand-mixed and -made cookies, enjoy one of the many flavors they offer such as the iconic “Cookie Monster” featuring a chocolate chip cookie outside with cookies and cream ice cream center.
Use their “find us” site to see where you can snag this delicious treat near you.
Image Source: @charmschoolrva
Charm School
You can’t really go wrong with ice cream, especially when a shop offers unique dairy and vegan options. Charm School Social Club centers their shop around a charm school-inspired decor where the only thing you learn is to get two scoops instead of one. Try some of their unique flavors like Lavender or Thai Iced Tea. I also recommend topping your scoop or cone with “toasted fluff,” a lightly toasted topping of marshmallow fluff that’s as delicious as it is Instagrammable.
Location: 311 W Broad St (Arts District)
Hours: Check out their Instagram for updates!
Image Source: @moonrocksgelato
MoonRocks Gelato
This non traditional gelato shop offers more than just the yummy italian dessert. On top of offering an array of gelato options that rotate often, you can even try their dessert waffles or “Moonrock Panini,” consisting of a warm brioche stuffed with your choice of gelato and toppings.
Location: 2400 W Main St (The Fan)
Hours: Monday, Thursday - Friday; 5 - 10 pm, Saturday, Sunday, 3 - 10 pm; Tuesday - Wednesday, Closed
Image Source: @sugarandsaltrva
Sugar + Salt
If you can imagine it, Sugar and Salt can bake it. Specializing in custom cakes and desserts, this bake shop located in Jackson Ward offers anything sweet you can think of from cookies to pies and tarts (and more!).
Location: 416 N 2nd St (Jackson Ward)
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm, Sunday, Monday, Closed
Image Credit: @scuffletownsweets
Scuffletown Sweets
You can’t go wrong with a classic sugar cookie especially one you can decorate yourself! Scuffletown Sweets is operated by local mom, wife, and baker Terri Miller, who makes nostalgic sugar cookies that taste as good as they look. Try one of her seasonally decorated cookies or buy her cookie decorating kit to personalize it yourself!
Head on over to her website to place an order or get in touch!
Image Credit: @tipsycupcakesrva
Tipsy Cupcakes RVA
If you want a treat that’s next level try Tipsy Cupcake. These “boozy” cupcakes not only taste good but will have you feeling good, too. This family-owned shop offers a variety of alcohol-infused cupcakes such as the “Chocolate Hennessy Dream,” made with Hennessy Cognac.
Location: 3423 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 2 - 8 pm; Sunday, 2 - 6:30 pm; Monday - Tuesday, Closed
Image Source: @pearlsbakeshoppe
Pearl’s Bake Shoppe
Pearl’s Bake Shop offers everything a dessert-lover could want, from cupcakes to pies and tarts, and everything in between. Have a special event or big day coming up? They curate unique cakes to fit your occasion and even offer customized wedding cakes!
Location: 5811 Patterson Ave (West End)
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday, Closed
Image Source: @rubyscoopsic
Ruby Scoops Ice Cream & Sweets
This Black-, woman-, and queer-owned ice cream and bakery can cure your sweets withdrawals. Using local and seasonal ingredients, this shop delivers premium ice cream and sorbet along with other treats like their homemade vegan chocolate chip cookies. On my list to try is the ice cream flavor “Coffee Date” to feed my caffeine addiction.
Location: 120 W Brookland Park Blvd (Northside)
Hours: Friday - Saturday, 1 - 7 pm, Sunday 1 - 5 pm, Monday - Thursday, Closed
Image Soure: @sweetspoticecreamcafe
Sweet Spot
Sweet Spot is a one stop shop for everything yummy. This ice cream cafe always has a minimum of 48 flavors on deck, providing endless possibilities for combos as well as specialty espresso drinks, smoothies, and frappes.
Location: 6 N 18th St (Shockoe Bottom)
Hours: Sunday, 9 am - 9 pm, Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 11 pm, Friday, Saturday 9 am - Midnight
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