Highest-rated dessert shops in the Baltimore area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Baltimore 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 Baltimore area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Baltimore 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!
#18. Insomnia Cookies
- Rating: 3.2/5 (142 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1059 South Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop
- Rating: 3.4/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2919 O'Donnell St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Gelato
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge
- Rating: 3.6/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1625 Thames St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Chocolatiers & Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Dangerously Delicious Pies
- Rating: 3.6/5 (457 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2839 O'Donnell St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: American, Desserts, Diners
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Insomnia Cookies
- Rating: 3.7/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 812 South Broadway Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp
#13. G & M Restaurant & Lounge
- Rating: 3.7/5 (3539 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 804 North Hammonds Ferry Road Linthicum Heights, Maryland
- Categories: Seafood, Desserts, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop
- Rating: 3.7/5 (1003 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 222 Albemarle St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Italian, Gelato
- Read more on Yelp
#11. La Food Marketa
- Rating: 4.0/5 (379 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2620 Quarry Lake Drive Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Latin American, Desserts, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Cup Love
- Rating: 4.0/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2928 O'Donnell St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The Bun Shop
- Rating: 4.1/5 (626 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 239 West Read St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Grano Pasta Bar
- Rating: 4.1/5 (327 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1031 West 36th St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Pasta Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Cinnaholic
- Rating: 4.1/5 (138 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 727 West 40th St. Ste 137 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Daniela Pasta & Pastries
- Rating: 4.2/5 (245 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 824 West 36th St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Wine Bars, Sardinian
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Sotto Sopra
- Rating: 4.2/5 (540 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 405 North Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Afters Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (166 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1001 South Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Café Dear Leon
- Rating: 4.8/5 (318 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2929 O'Donnell St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Cafes, Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Ice Queens
- Rating: 4.8/5 (119 reviews)
- Address: 1648 East Fort Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Shaved Ice, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Moo Moo Cows
- Rating: 4.9/5 (195 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 926 Light St. Ste 1 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Hot Dogs
- 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.
