Highest-rated dessert shops in the Norfolk 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 Norfolk area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Norfolk 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!

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#30. The Fudgery

- Rating: 3.7/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 333 Waterside Drive Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#29. Granby Waffle Shop

- Rating: 3.9/5 (110 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 235 East Plume St. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Waffles, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#28. Taste

- Rating: 4.0/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 717 North Eden Way Ste 600 Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Sandwiches, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#27. Pourfavor

- Rating: 4.0/5 (294 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5705 Lynnhaven Pkwy Ste 108 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#26. Baker's Crust

- Rating: 4.0/5 (497 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1244 Greenbrier Pkwy Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp

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#25. Crumbl - Pembroke

- Rating: 4.0/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 300 Constitution Drive Ste 104 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#24. Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

- Rating: 4.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5308 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp

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#23. Flour Child Bakery

- Rating: 4.0/5 (155 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1716 Pleasure House Road Ste 104 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#22. Oh Mochi Virginia Beach

- Rating: 4.0/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4224 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Bubble Tea, Donuts
- Read more on Yelp

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#21. Pelican's SnoBalls

- Rating: 4.1/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6011 East Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp

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#20. The Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt Bar

- Rating: 4.2/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1619 Colley Ave. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp

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#19. Nothing Bundt Cakes

- Rating: 4.2/5 (110 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 109 Volvo Pkwy Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp

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#18. Perro Blanco

- Rating: 4.2/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 430 West 24th St. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. Yendidi Virginia Beach

- Rating: 4.2/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 4878 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: African, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp

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#16. Mango Mango

- Rating: 4.3/5 (154 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4540 Princess Anne Road Ste 114 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Naa's Bakery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (199 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3527 Tidewater Drive Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp

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#14. Bar-Q

- Rating: 4.4/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1901 East Ocean View Ave. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#13. Koco Korean Fried Chicken & Croffles

- Rating: 4.4/5 (255 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4876 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Korean, Asian Fusion, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. Cinnaholic

- Rating: 4.5/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 209 Central Park Ave. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp

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#11. 17 Hands Coffee Robin Simmons Bakery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (283 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1830 Kempsville Road Ste 104 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. The Sweet Spot

- Rating: 4.5/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5216 Providence Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#9. Nothing Bundt Cakes

- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1039 Independence Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. Cafe Genevieve

- Rating: 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 317 South Witchduck Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Macarons, Desserts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. Penguin's SnoBalls

- Rating: 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2388 East Little Creek Road Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Shaved Ice, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#6. Cafe Genevieve

- Rating: 4.7/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 208 East Main St. Ste 101 Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Macarons, Desserts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. Sundae Scoop

- Rating: 4.8/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1832 Kempsville Road Ste 113 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#4. Gelati Celesti

- Rating: 4.8/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 613 Volvo Parkway Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. kitchenfinity

- Rating: 4.8/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 9500 Fechteler Road Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Asian Fusion, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. Gelati Celesti

- Rating: 4.8/5 (67 reviews)
- Address: 4485 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. S'mores Amore

- Rating: 4.9/5 (102 reviews)
- Address: 208 East Main St. Unit 103 Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Bakeries
- 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.