Highest-rated dessert shops in the Portland, Maine area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Portland, Maine 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 Portland area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Portland 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!
#23. Crumbl - Rock Row
- Rating: 3.4/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 95 Rock Row Ste 160 Westbrook, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#22. The Good Table
- Rating: 3.7/5 (242 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 527 Ocean House Road Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- Categories: American, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Beal's Ice Cream
- Rating: 3.8/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 12 Moulton St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#20. The Great Lost Bear
- Rating: 3.9/5 (709 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 540 Forest Ave. Portland, Maine
- Categories: American, Beer Bar, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#19. The Bar of Chocolate Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (372 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 38 Wharf St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#18. George & Leon's
- Rating: 4.1/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 9 Cumberland St. Westbrook, Maine
- Categories: Sandwiches, Desserts, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Two Fat Cats Bakery
- Rating: 4.1/5 (382 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 195 Lancaster St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Coastal Creamery
- Rating: 4.1/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 136 Commercial St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Lib's Dairy Treats
- Rating: 4.1/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 32 Auburn St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Pizzaiolo
- Rating: 4.1/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 360 Cumberland Ave. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Pizza, Salad, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Dean's Sweets
- Rating: 4.2/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 475 Fore St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Chocolatiers & Shops, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Wander at LongWoods
- Rating: 4.3/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 76 Longwoods Road Cumberland Center, Maine
- Categories: New American, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#11. David's 388 - South Portland
- Rating: 4.3/5 (155 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 388 Cottage Road South Portland, Maine
- Categories: New American, Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Katie Made Bakery
- Rating: 4.4/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 181 Congress St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The Cookie Jar
- Rating: 4.4/5 (141 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 554 Shore Road Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Donuts, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Gross Confection Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (195 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 172 Middle St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Desserts, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Standard Baking
- Rating: 4.6/5 (742 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 75 Commercial St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#6. The Baker's Bench
- Rating: 4.6/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 33 Brackett St. Westbrook, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Sticky Sweet
- Rating: 4.6/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 119 Cumberland Ave. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Botto's Bakery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 550 Washington Ave. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Bite Into Maine
- Rating: 4.6/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 185 US Route One Ste 2 Scarborough, Maine
- Categories: Seafood, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Thai Tree
- Rating: 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
- Address: 571 Congress St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Thai, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Zephyr Ice
- Rating: 5.0/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 129 Spring St. Portland, Maine
- Categories: Desserts, Shaved Ice
- 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.
