Highest-rated dessert shops in the Lexington area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Lexington 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 Lexington area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Lexington 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!
#21. Crumbl - Lexington
- Rating: 2.9/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2160 Sir Barton Way Ste 141 Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Sonny's BBQ
- Rating: 2.9/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2341 Buena Vista Road Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Barbecue, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#19. The Cheesecake Factory
- Rating: 3.1/5 (334 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3545 Nicholasville Road Fayette Mall Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: American, Desserts, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#18. The Peach Cobbler Factory - Lexington
- Rating: 3.1/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 561 South Broadway Unit 145 Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Insomnia Cookies
- Rating: 3.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 433 Jersey St. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Papi's In Palomar
- Rating: 3.6/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3901 Harrodsburg Road Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Tacos, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Bruster's Real Ice Cream
- Rating: 3.6/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 111 North Plaza Drive Nicholasville, Kentucky
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Grimaldi's Pizzeria
- Rating: 3.6/5 (171 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 118 Marion Ste 110 Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Pizza, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
- Rating: 3.7/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 152 West Tiverton Way Ste 170 Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Do-It-Yourself Food
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Granddam
- Rating: 3.8/5 (51 reviews)
- Address: 941 Manchester St. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#11. El Toro Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1917 Nicholasville Road Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Mexican, Desserts, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Caramanda's Bake Shoppe
- Rating: 3.9/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2220 Nicholasville Road Ste 166 Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The Tulip Bistro & Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 355 Romany Road Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Diners, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Skyline Chili
- Rating: 4.0/5 (69 reviews)
- Address: 2850 Richmond Rd. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Greek, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Gigi's Cupcakes of Lexington
- Rating: 4.1/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2703 Richmond Road Ste 120 Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Goodfellas Pizzeria - Distillery
- Rating: 4.1/5 (458 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1228 Manchester St. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Freshie's Ice Cream & Soda Fountain
- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 3851 Kenesaw Drive Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Rating: 4.7/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2358 Nicholasville Road Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Brevede Coffee
- Rating: 4.7/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 859 East High St. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Crank & Boom Ice Cream Lounge
- Rating: 4.7/5 (486 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1210 Manchester St. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Backroads Bakery
- Rating: 4.9/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 109 West Sixth St. Lexington, Kentucky
- Categories: Bakeries, 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.
