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Highest-rated dessert shops in the Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Indianapolis 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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#18. Fancy Fortune Cookies

- Rating: 2.9/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5124 East 65th Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. The Cheesecake Factory

- Rating: 3.1/5 (848 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8701 Keystone Crossing Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Desserts, American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

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#16. Insomnia Cookies

- Rating: 3.2/5 (244 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 809 Broad Ripple Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream

- Rating: 3.5/5 (363 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 427 Massachusetts Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#13. Goodfellas Pizzeria - Mass Ave

- Rating: 4.0/5 (438 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 545 Massachusetts Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. Aroma Indian Cuisine and Bar

- Rating: 4.2/5 (227 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 501 Virginia Ave. Ste 101 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Indian, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

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#11. Fernando's Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine

- Rating: 4.8/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 834 East 64th St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Desserts, Brazilian, New Mexican Cuisine
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. Shapiro's Delicatessen

- Rating: 4.0/5 (1026 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 808 South Meridian St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. Crumbl - Keystone Shoppes

- Rating: 4.2/5 (149 reviews)
- Address: 3329 East 86th St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. Nada

- Rating: 4.2/5 (2025 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11 West Maryland St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#6. Sauce on the Side

- Rating: 4.5/5 (176 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 130 South Pennsylvania St. Ste 2 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Salad, Desserts, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. LiftOff Creamery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 111 East 16th St. Ste 105 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. LICK

- Rating: 4.7/5 (102 reviews)
- Address: 906 Carrollton Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. MOTW Coffee & Pastries

- Rating: 4.7/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4873 West 38th St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. TeeJay's Sweet Tooth

- Rating: 4.8/5 (277 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8660 Purdue Road Ste 600 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Donuts
- 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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