Highest-rated dessert shops in the San Luis Obispo area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the San Luis Obispo area by diners
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 Luis Obispo area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of San Luis Obispo 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!
#15. Tomasko's Salt Water Taffy
- Rating: 3.2/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 630 Cypress St. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Candy Stores
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Insomnia Cookies
- Rating: 3.6/5 (100 reviews)
- Address: 22 Chorro St. San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Cowboy Cookie & Ice Cream
- Rating: 3.6/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 174 Pomeroy Ave. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Brown Butter Cookie Company
- Rating: 3.8/5 (64 reviews)
- Address: 897 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Specialty Food, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Del's Pizzeria
- Rating: 3.9/5 (608 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1101 Price St. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Splash Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (5302 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 197 Pomeroy Ave. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Desserts, American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#9. SLO Froyo & Italian Ice
- Rating: 4.2/5 (46 reviews)
- Address: 956 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Lokum Turkish Delight & Baklava
- Rating: 4.4/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 715 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Turkish, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Café Crepes de SLO
- Rating: 4.4/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 785 Marsh St. Suit A Ste A San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Creperies, Desserts, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Crumbl - Pismo Beach
- Rating: 4.4/5 (54 reviews)
- Address: 503-B Five Cities Drive Unit B Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Pardon My French Bakery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (183 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 871 Froom Ranch Way Ste 130 San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Bakeries, French, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#4. SeaBreeze Cupcakes & Sweet Treats
- Rating: 4.7/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3001 Broad St. San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#3. SLO Delicious Bake Shop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1129 Garden St. San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Desserts, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Cakes By Judy
- Rating: 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Desserts, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp
#1. SLO Cheesecake Company
- Rating: 5.0/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: 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.
