Highest-rated dessert shops in the Cincinnati area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Cincinnati 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!
#20. Walt's Hitching Post
- Rating: 3.8/5 (423 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3300 Madison Pike Fort Wright, Kentucky
- Categories: New American, Steakhouses, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Werkhaus Pizza
- Rating: 3.8/5 (110 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3637 Werk Road Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Busken Bakery
- Rating: 4.0/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2675 Madison Road Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Crumbl - Oakley
- Rating: 4.0/5 (119 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3321 Vandercar Way Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Joella's Hot Chicken
- Rating: 4.2/5 (353 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2440 High St. Crescent Springs, Kentucky
- Categories: Desserts, Southern, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Fireside Pizza
- Rating: 4.3/5 (394 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 773 East McMillan St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza, Beer Bar, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Strong's Brick Oven Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.4/5 (500 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 336 Monmouth St. Newport, Kentucky
- Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Herb & Thelma's Tavern
- Rating: 4.6/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 718 Pike St. Covington, Kentucky
- Categories: American, Burgers, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Happy Chicks Bakery
- Rating: 4.2/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4035 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Macaron Bar
- Rating: 4.3/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1206 Main St. Floor 1 Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Macarons
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Graeter's Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.3/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1401 Vine St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Candy Stores
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Rating: 4.3/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2733 Madison Road Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Graeter's Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.3/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 332 Ludlow Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Graeter's Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.4/5 (350 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 511 Walnut St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Kanji OTR
- Rating: 4.5/5 (192 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1739 Elm St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Korean, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Alfio's Buon Cibo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (415 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2724 Erie Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, Argentine, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Urbana Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1130 Broadway St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Cafes, Coffee & Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Putz's Creamy Whip
- Rating: 4.6/5 (141 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2673 Putz Place Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Hot Dogs, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Hello Honey
- Rating: 4.7/5 (299 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 725 Race St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Brown Bear Bakery
- Rating: 4.8/5 (377 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 116 East 13th St. Cincinnati, Ohio
- 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.
