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Highest-rated dessert shops in the Philadelphia area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Philadelphia 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. Scoop DeVille
- Rating: 3.8/5 (607 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1109 Walnut St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Cupcakes, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Frankford Hall
- Rating: 4.1/5 (1046 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1210 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: German, Beer Gardens, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Yummy Yummy
- Rating: 4.1/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 52 North 10th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Chinese, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Bassetts Ice Cream
- Rating: 4.2/5 (523 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 45 North 12th St. Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream - Philadelphia
- Rating: 4.3/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 119 South 13th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Isgro Pastries
- Rating: 4.3/5 (599 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1009 Christian St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#24. El Merkury
- Rating: 4.3/5 (206 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2104 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Latin American, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Heung Fa Chun Sweet House
- Rating: 4.3/5 (270 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 112 North 10th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Chinese, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#22. The Night Kitchen
- Rating: 4.3/5 (248 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7725 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Gelato Dolceria
- Rating: 4.7/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 147 Kings Hwy East Haddonfield, New Jersey
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Gelato
- Read more on Yelp
#20. The Franklin Fountain
- Rating: 4.1/5 (2301 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 116 Market St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Shane Confectionery
- Rating: 4.2/5 (214 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 110 Market St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Candy Stores, Chocolatiers & Shops, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#18. T-Swirl Crêpe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (460 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 150 North 10th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Creperies, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Tartes Pastry Shop
- Rating: 4.2/5 (217 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 212 Arch St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Cake Life Bake Shop
- Rating: 4.2/5 (297 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1306 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Mango Mango Dessert
- Rating: 4.2/5 (361 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1013 Cherry St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Termini Bros Bakery
- Rating: 4.3/5 (449 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1523 South 8th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Sweet Box Cupcakes
- Rating: 4.3/5 (307 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 339 South 13th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Matcha Panda Cafe
- Rating: 4.3/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 202 North 9th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Cafe Clover
- Rating: 4.4/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1333 West Cheltenham Ave. Ste 103 Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp
#10. A La Mousse
- Rating: 4.4/5 (841 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 145 North 11th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Matcha Cafe Maiko
- Rating: 4.4/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 923 Race St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Whipped Bakeshop
- Rating: 4.5/5 (270 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 636 Belgrade St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Prince Tea House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (303 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 203 North 9th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Stock's Bakery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (225 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2614 East Lehigh Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Donuts
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Milk Jawn
- Rating: 4.7/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1439 East Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#4. The Cheesecake Lady
- Rating: 4.8/5 (192 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 910 Township Line Road Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#3. The Sweet Life Bakeshop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (392 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 740 South St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Bakeries, Cupcakes, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#2. ICI Macarons & Cafe
- Rating: 4.8/5 (323 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11 North 3rd St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Macarons
- Read more on Yelp
#1. A La Mousse
- Rating: 4.8/5 (110 reviews)
- Address: 1622 South St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- 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.