#30. Andy's Italian Kitchen
- Rating: 3.9/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 926 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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 Hartford area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Hartford 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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- Rating: 3.9/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 926 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.0/5 (176 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8 Mountain Ave. Bloomfield, Connecticut
- Categories: Indian, Desserts, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.2/5 (23 reviews)
- Address: 2450 Main St. Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Desserts, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.3/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2434 Berlin Tpke Ste 3 Oneil Plaza Newington, Connecticut
- Categories: Mexican, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 3.3/5 (118 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 454 Ellington Road South Windsor, Connecticut
- Categories: Barbecue, Comfort Food, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
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- Rating: 3.4/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 329 Franklin Ave. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 3.4/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 217 Hebron Ave. Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Bagels, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 3.5/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 984 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Creperies, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 3.7/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8 Mayflower St. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 3.9/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 1445 New Britain Ave. Unit 1E-A West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
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- Rating: 4.0/5 (295 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1 Nod Road Avon, Connecticut
- Categories: American, Venues & Event Spaces, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.1/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1540 Pleasant Valley Road Manchester, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.2/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 70 New Park Ave. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Donuts, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.2/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1134 New Britain Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Shaved Ice, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.2/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 363 New London Turnpike Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
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- Rating: 4.2/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 135 Main St. New Britain, Connecticut
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Bagels
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.3/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 349 West Main St. New Britain, Connecticut
- Categories: Grocery, Desserts, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.3/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 355 Main St. Berlin, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Bagels
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.3/5 (275 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1253 New Britain Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.3/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1344 Albany Ave. Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Caribbean
- Read more on Yelp
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- Rating: 4.4/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 103 School St. East Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.4/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 67 Memorial Road West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.4/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 39 New London Turnpike Ste 108 Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.4/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 12 LaSalle Road West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Chocolatiers & Shops
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.5/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 226 Broad St. Windsor, Connecticut
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
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- Rating: 4.6/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1003 Hebron Ave. Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Internet Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1077 Palisado Ave. Windsor, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.8/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1481 New Britain Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 221 Burnside Ave. East Hartford, Connecticut
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
- Rating: 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 353 New London Turnpike Glastonbury, Connecticut
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- 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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