Dallas’ Must-Try Sweet Spots
You’re going to love the sweet life in Richardson, where you can indulge in world-class confections and iconic regional refreshments just minutes from home. Whether you prefer Texas-sized scoops of artisanal ice cream or modern-Mexican pastries, we’ll show you where to find the best sweets in Dallas, including some extra creative concoctions to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Sweet Pearl’s
For the adventurous ice cream aficionado, there’s no better spot in DFW than up-and-coming Sweet Pearl’s. This relative newcomer to Dallas’ flourishing ice cream scene has quickly made a name for itself thanks to its rotation of exciting and unconventional flavors, including Mango Lassi, Fruit Loop, and Cheetos ice creams.
With dairy-free and vegan options, opulent seasonal flavors, and small-batch quality control, Sweet Pearl’s might just be the ice cream of your dreams. You may even spot their store mascot and CCO (Chief Canine Officer), Pearl, the half-Australian Shepherd/Mini Shepherd, when you stop in for a scoop.
La Casita Bakeshop
As a 3-time nominee of the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery, La Casita has been serving up exquisite Mexican-inspired fare with classic French precision to dessert-loving Dallasites since 2020.
La Casita’s wildly inventive pastries range from fan favorites like the Gansito cruffin — a velvety blend of a croissant and a muffin — to unique seasonal creations like yuzu coconut cream puffs, plum corn hojicha tarts, and strawberry sfogliatelle (roasted strawberry semolina and chocolate frangipane filling tucked inside a crispy pastry, and topped with strawberry powder and a chocolate drizzle).
Hued in bold tones and ornamented with intricate textural details, the pastries have inspired almost instant devotees and are almost too beautiful to eat — almost.
Ten50 BBQ
It may front as a barbeque joint, but the banana pudding at Ten50 BBQ has more than earned its rightful place alongside the beloved brisket and St. Louis-style pork ribs at this Richardson eatery. This homemade custardy treat earns rave reviews among barbeque lovers, who find it the perfect end to a meat-lover’s meal.
Simply executed with homemade pudding and topped with fresh bananas and crushed buttery wafers, this “spectacular” decadent dessert might alone warrant a visit to this 10,000-square-foot barn of a restaurant.
Best of all, you’ll be served this spot-on southern classic in true Texas style — cold, straight from the fridge.
Reverie Bakeshop
Reverie has been a top choice for Dallas’ vegan sugar-seekers for more than a decade. With an array of tasty individual pastries, cakes, cookies, and more, it’s easy to see why this small bakeshop has become a fan favorite.
Their famous egg-free doughnuts are available in flavors as inventive as lemon basil, spicy pineapple lime, and caramelized honey — and the menu is constantly evolving. In addition to vegan treats, Reverie also serves a handful of gluten-free cakes and macarons to please all sorts of plant-based patrons.
Botolino Gelato Artigianale
Why fly to Italy when the greatest gelato of your life is just a few neighborhoods away? Tuscan-born gelatiere Carlo Gattini emigrated to Texas as a teenager and brought with him a passion for authentic Italian gelato to the good fortune of Dallas residents
Gattini and team have mastered the art of this Italian classic in their “gelato laboratory,” where they’ve refined their process to mouthwatering results. In addition to the more perennial flavor faves like tiramisu, salted caramel, and citrus, more adventurous palates might enjoy sampling seasonal varieties like olive oil, black sesame, and mascarpone and fig.
With an array of scroll-stopping gorgeous confections and a proven finesse for frozen sweets, Botolino Gelato Artiginale is definitely one of Dallas’ coldest hotspots.
Paleta Mia
This crowd favorite draws in dessert lovers of all ages with its fresh and fruity paletas, refreshing aguas frescas, and spicy smoothie-like mangonadas. If you prefer your desserts cold and sippable, Paleta Mia’s mix of milkshakes, shaved ices, and bobas will definitely hit the spot on a hot day.
In addition to being a beverage superstar, Paleta Mia offers delicious chocolate-dipped bananas rolled in sprinkles or coconut shavings, churro splits, and sweet chile-spiced gomiloco (house-made gummies).
Open from mid-morning to late at night, it’s never been simpler to get your sweet cravings fulfilled any time of day.
Now that we’ve rounded up some of the most spectacular sweets in the city, you’ll always have a plan in your back pocket when those sugar rushes sink in. Enjoy sampling your way through the hottest (and coldest) confections in Queen City.
