Highest-rated Dessert Shops in the Gainesville Area by Diners

Timolina // Shutterstock

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

You may also like: Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Gainesville area by diners

#18. Crumbl - Gainesville

- Rating: 3.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 3230 Southwest 35th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

#17. Maude's Classic Cafe

- Rating: 3.1/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 101 Southeast 2nd Place Ste 101 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

#16. Wahoo Seafood Grill

- Rating: 3.4/5 (405 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3833 Northwest 97th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Seafood, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

#15. The Cheesecake Factory

- Rating: 3.4/5 (279 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2851 Southwest 35th Drive Ste 70 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Desserts, New American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

#14. Gigi's Cupcakes of Gainesville

- Rating: 3.4/5 (103 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3524 Southwest Archer Road Ste 130 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Cupcakes, Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Recently opened restaurants in the Gainesville area

#13. Sonny's BBQ

- Rating: 3.6/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2700 North Ne Waldo Road Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Barbecue, Desserts, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

#12. Insomnia Cookies

- Rating: 3.7/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 1702 West University Ave. Ste B1 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp

#11. Bestea & The Loop Cake

- Rating: 4.0/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3045 Southwest 34th St. Ste 20 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Bubble Tea, Ramen, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

#10. Midnight Cookies

- Rating: 4.1/5 (128 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3345 Southwest 34th St. Ste 1 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

#9. Gyro Plus

- Rating: 4.2/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2409 Southwest 13th St. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Greek, Mediterranean, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Where people in Gainesville are looking to buy homes

#8. D'Lites Emporium

- Rating: 4.3/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4216 Northwest 16th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Grocery, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

#7. Le Macaron French Pastries

- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 4949 Celebration Pointe Ave. Ste 80 Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: French, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

#6. TeaStori

- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3550 Southwest 34th St. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Desserts, Bubble Tea, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

#5. The Hyppo

- Rating: 4.6/5 (103 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 214 Southeast 2nd Ave. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Desserts, Specialty Food
- Read more on Yelp

#4. Jeremiah's Italian Ice

- Rating: 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 3232 Southwest 35th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Best options in Gainesville for 5 popular outdoor activities

#3. Brother Cookie

- Rating: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 401 Northeast 23rd Ave. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

#2. Mini Momo

- Rating: 4.8/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2441 Northwest 43rd St. Gainesville, Florida
- Categories: Korean, Desserts, Noodles
- Read more on Yelp