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Highest-rated dessert shops in the San Diego area by diners

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Timolina // Shutterstock
Timolina // Shutterstock
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There's no denying that Americans have a sweet tooth—nearly 41% say they enjoy a sweet treat at least once a day, according to a November 2024 YouGov survey.

One of the most popular desserts to dig into is ice cream. An International Dairy Foods Association survey from May 2024 found that just about all Americans (97%) love or like ice cream. The frozen confection has held a special place in the U.S. since the turn of the 19th century with the invention of insulated ice houses. By the mid-1800s, ice cream was manufactured and sold to the masses. Soon, old-fashioned soda fountains started selling sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream sodas, becoming a gathering place for young people. Today, more than 150 years later, those dessert options not only remain perennial top choices but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and community.

Over the years, Americans' dessert tastes have led to some other tasty trends, from the cupcake craze of the early 2000s thanks to bakeries like Magnolia, Sprinkles, and Crumbs, to the self-serve frozen yogurt frenzy that followed in the early 2010s via Pinkberry, 16 Handles, and Red Mango. Most recently, the 2020s have seen cookies sweep the nation, with chains like Insomnia and Crumbl stoking childhood memories, launching TikTok trends, and growing exponentially.

Today's desserts also go far beyond ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies. Many modern dessert shops are redefining the experience by fusing timeless recipes with multicultural flavors, offering creative twists such as matcha-infused cupcakes, horchata ice cream, and Basque cheesecakes that celebrate both tradition and innovation.

To keep up with the ever-evolving dessert trends, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated dessert shops in the San Diego area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of San Diego were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may primarily serve other food items.

Whether indulging in a time-honored pie or exploring a fusion delight, the world of desserts remains as vibrant and diverse as the communities that enjoy them. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list or to find your next sweet treat!

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#30. The Baked Bear

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2259 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4516 Mission Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#29. Cookie Plug

- Rating: 4.4/5 (176 reviews)
- Address: 1945 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

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#28. Cake de Partie

- Rating: 4.4/5 (878 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4685 Convoy St. Ste 110&120 San Diego, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Asian Fusion, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#27. Extraordinary Banana Pudding

- Rating: 4.4/5 (406 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8257 El Paso St. La Mesa, California
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#25. Batch & Box - La Jolla

- Rating: 4.4/5 (127 reviews)
- Address: 4577 La Jolla Village Drive Ste 1211 San Diego, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#24. Parisien Gourmandises

- Rating: 4.5/5 (284 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7643 Girard Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#23. KOKONUT - Matcha Cafe Maiko

- Rating: 4.5/5 (117 reviews)
- Address: 8072 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

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#22. Uncle Tetsu

- Rating: 4.5/5 (266 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4609 CONVOY STREET SUITE D SAN DIEGO, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp

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#20. Iceskimo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1108 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4609 Convoy St. Ste B San Diego, California
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp

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#19. Pop Pie - University Heights

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1724 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4404 Park Blvd. Ste A San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

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#18. Phoenix Dessert

- Rating: 4.5/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7420 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Pan Asian
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. S3 Coffee Bar

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1295 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6225 Mission Gorge Road San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Acai Bowls
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Pop Pie - Pacific Beach

- Rating: 4.6/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 829 Garnet Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

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#14. Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe

- Rating: 4.6/5 (475 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 454 13th St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

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#13. CAKED

- Rating: 4.6/5 (298 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8680 Miralani Drive Ste 129 - 130 San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. An's Dry Cleaning

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1595 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3017 Adams Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Gelato, Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. Bonjour Bakery & Patisserie

- Rating: 4.7/5 (182 reviews)
- Address: 320 West Cedar St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#9. Muri Coffee & Cake

- Rating: 4.7/5 (138 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2528 University Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Patisserie/Cake Shop
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. Coco Bomb

- Rating: 4.7/5 (329 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2379 Ulric St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Cafes, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. Desserts By Clément

- Rating: 4.7/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1380 Garnet Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. CABETOS Pops

- Rating: 4.8/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3331 Adams Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#4. Bobboi Natural Gelato

- Rating: 4.8/5 (2554 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8008 Girard Ave. La Jolla, California
- Categories: Gelato, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. Churro Addict

- Rating: 4.9/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3151 University Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Desserts, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. Cookies Tonight

- Rating: 4.9/5 (141 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Food Delivery Services, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. Milkissimo Gelato

- Rating: 4.9/5 (531 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1640 Camino Del Rio North San Diego, California
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 241 metros.

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