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Highest-rated dessert shops in the Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Santa Cruz 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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1 / 19

#19. Deep Fried Twinkies

- Rating: 3.2/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 400 Beach St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Desserts, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 19

#18. Nothing Bundt Cakes

- Rating: 3.4/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3555 Clares St. Ste YY Capitola, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 19

#17. Chocolate

- Rating: 3.4/5 (729 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1522 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Desserts, Gluten-Free, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 19

#16. My Thai Beach

- Rating: 3.5/5 (287 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 207 Esplanade Capitola, California
- Categories: Thai, Bubble Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 19

#14. Marini's Candies

- Rating: 3.9/5 (198 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf 55 Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Candy Stores, Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 19

#13. wasabi sushi

- Rating: 4.0/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 11 Camp Evers Lane Scotts Valley, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 19

#12. The Water Street Grill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (781 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 503 Water St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 19

#11. Bookie's Pizza

- Rating: 4.4/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1315 Water St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Pizza, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 19

#9. Pacific Cookie Company

- Rating: 4.4/5 (878 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1203 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 19

#8. Pino Alto Restaurant & Catering

- Rating: 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6500 Soquel Drive Aptos, California
- Categories: Desserts, New American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 19

#7. Aroma Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (94 reviews)
- Address: 9600 CA-9 Ben Lomond, California
- Categories: Desserts, Soup, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 19

#6. Iveta - Downtown

- Rating: 4.5/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 545 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 19

#4. Emozioni Pasticceria & Rosticceria

- Rating: 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 2841 Porter St. Ste B Soquel, California
- Categories: Desserts, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 19

#3. VIM Dining & Desserts

- Rating: 4.8/5 (252 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2238 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 19

#2. Sugar Bakery

- Rating: 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
- Address: 1855 41st Ave. Ste R10 Capitola, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 19

#1. The Hot Pink Box Dessert Catering

- Rating: 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Scotts Valley, California
- Categories: Desserts, Caterers, Custom Cakes
- 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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