Highest-rated dessert shops in the Raleigh area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Raleigh 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 Raleigh area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Raleigh 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!
#30. Cinnaholic
- Rating: 4.0/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 1028 Oberlin Road Ste 236 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Death & Taxes
- Rating: 4.0/5 (441 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 105 West Hargett St. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: New American, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Bruster's Real Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.0/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 10450 Durant Road Ste 100 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Cake Couture Boutique
- Rating: 4.0/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5911 Poyner Village Pkwy Ste 103 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Leo's Italian Social
- Rating: 4.1/5 (38 reviews)
- Address: 4100 Main At North Hills St. Ste 115 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
#25. 42 & Lawrence
- Rating: 4.2/5 (133 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 134 East Martin St. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Morelia Gourmet Paletas - Raleigh
- Rating: 4.2/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 500 North West St. Ste 135 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Waffles
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Andia's Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.3/5 (44 reviews)
- Address: 2201 Iron Works Drive Ste 129 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Captain Cookie
- Rating: 4.3/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 500 East Davie St. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Citizen Pops
- Rating: 4.3/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Hayes Barton Café & Dessertery
- Rating: 4.3/5 (346 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2000 Fairview Road Ste B Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Madame B's Bakery
- Rating: 4.3/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 4701 Atlantic Ave. Ste 105 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Bittersweet
- Rating: 4.4/5 (450 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 16 East Martin St. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cocktail Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Tin Roof Teas
- Rating: 4.4/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 432 Daniels St. Cameron Village Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Specialty Food, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Fresh Local Ice Cream- Raleigh
- Rating: 4.4/5 (382 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6033 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Trucks, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Once In A Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 115 West Chatham St. Ste G Cary, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
#14. La Horchateria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2261 New Hope Church Road Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Burney's Sweets & More
- Rating: 4.5/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4500 Falls Of Neuse Road Ste 100 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Donuts, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Premier Cakes
- Rating: 4.5/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6617 Falls Of Neuse Road Ste 105 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Slice Pie Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1400 South Saunders St. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Wholesale Stores
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Little Blue Bakehouse
- Rating: 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 2116-H New Bern Ave. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Amorino Gelato
- Rating: 4.6/5 (337 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 137 East Davie St. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Gelato, Macarons
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Paul and Jack Bakery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2010 South Main St. Ste 404 Wake Forest, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Vida Dulce
- Rating: 4.6/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 836 East Chatham St. Ste 104 Cary, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Meet Fresh - Raleigh
- Rating: 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 4509 Creedmoor Road Ste 103 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Bubble Tea, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Champloo Desserts
- Rating: 4.6/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8320 Litchford Road Ste 150 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Bubble Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Andia's Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.6/5 (158 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1008 Ryan Road Cary, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Mon Macaron
- Rating: 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 111 Seaboard Ave. Ste 118 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Macarons
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Royal Cheesecake & Varieties
- Rating: 4.7/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6104 Westgate Road Ste 108 Raleigh, North Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Geluna Gelato
- Rating: 4.8/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 111 East Chatham St. Ste C Cary, North Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, 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.
