Whether you prefer cakes, ice cream, or chocolate, there’s a city in the world that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for lovers of all things sweet and sugary, these cities boast iconic treats that are worth the price of a flight, where you can indulge in delectable macarons, cheesecake, mochi, and gelato. Skip dinner (we won’t judge) and head straight to dessert at these top dessert cities in the world.
Paris, France
The undisputed capital of desserts, Paris boasts an array of indulgent desserts that will have you feeling on top of the world. Some of the city’s greatest hits include a variety of rainbow-colored macarons, petit-fours, creme brulee, eclairs, and pastry tarts. You won’t have to travel far to find a shop that has an irresistible shopfront of desserts, but Jacques Genin makes fantastic made-to-order Mille-Feuille, and Pierre Herme is the spot to find pistachio-creme-filled Montebello cake.
New York City, New York, USA
New York City is diverse, with an endless array of food options on offer, but it particularly does its desserts well. You’re spoiled with choices, from the tarte Tain at Gotham Bar and Grill to warm cookies at Levain Bakery. One of the most popular desserts in the city, you must get a slice (or two) of cheesecake or pick up ‘Baked Alaska,’ which is an ice cream cake covered with toasted meringue.
Vienna, Austria
Known as the pastry capital of the world for many centuries, Vienna is a classic choice for dessert options that pair perfectly with a cup of joe. Head to Cafe Central to discover an ambiance good enough for early-20th-century thinkers for an apple strudel, or visit the iconic Cafe Sacher for a traditional Sacher torte, which is a spongy chocolate cake filled with apricot jam. Explore the rest of the city, and you’re sure to find a wealth of places that serve impressive truffles, cakes, and puddings.
Brussels, Belgium
Known for its top-quality chocolate and Belgian waffles, Brussels is a treat for dessert lovers. When you want Belgium cooked and waffles, go to Maison Dandoy. Looking for something unique? Visit Aux Merveilleux de Fred for hand-sized merveilleux made of cream, meringue, and chocolate chips. Cupcake lovers won’t want to miss the alluring flavors at LiliCup, which range from lemon and almond cake to raspberry heart.
Zurich, Switzerland
Chocolate lovers won’t be surprised by the addition of Zurich to the top of a dessert list, as it’s home to Lindt & Sprungli, one of the most famous chocolatiers in the world. You can pick up truffles from nearly every corner of the city, including the landmark Cafe Sprungli, which is famed for its Luxemburgerli macaroon. Enjoy sweet treats, coffee, and tea at Cafe Peclard or dine where Albert Einstein once sat with a slice of cake at Cafe Odeon.
Rome, Italy
If you didn’t have gelato while you were in Rome, were you actually there? This delectable frozen treat lures you in from every corner with its beautiful piles of creamy, colorful desserts. Giolitti is one of the world’s most famous gelato shops, as they’ve been serving this perfectly indulgent dessert for over a century. You must “do as the Romans do” and indulge in cannoli, which are tube-shaped pastries filled with sweetened ricotta and garnished with sugar, fruit, or chocolate.
Tokyo, Japan
More than just its funky fashion and sushi restaurants, Tokyo is a first-class city when it comes to food, particularly dessert. You’ll first discover the different kinds of Kit Kats on offer (more than 200!), but it’s also famous for its sweet mochi. Bite into the little balls of ice cream that are wrapped in rice flour, then try one of the city’s famous fluffy pancakes or a Taiyaki, a fish-shaped waffle filled with sweet red bean filling.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul has an endless array of places to enjoy its famous Turkish classics, like Turkish delight. Pelit Pastanesi is one of the city’s most popular spots to indulge in Mille-Feuille, selling this puff pastry with cream in between since 1957. Head to the upscale Divan Pastanesi for a chocolate eclair with rich dark chocolate filling, or go to Goreme for Muhallebi, a thick pudding topped with cinnamon. Dating back to 1897, Konyali Pastanesi serves excellent baklava with orange that you won’t find anywhere else.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Las Vegas is all about overindulgence, going over the top with everything that they do, including desserts. Resorts along the Strip serve iconic treats, including the 24-layer chocolate cake at Strip House or a Titanic sundae at Carmine’s. Want a celebrity chef-designed dessert? Head to Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House for his banana cream pie, Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants for sticky toffee pudding, or Giada at The Cromwell for lemon ricotta cookies.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is all about food, but aside from its famous tapas scene is a chance to indulge in delicious desserts. Known for their cinnamon-spiced churros, it’s simply hard to resist dunking these sweet treats into a mug of rich, dark chocolate. Cafe Granja Viader claims to have invented the tradition a century ago, while Bubo is known for its luxurious cupcakes and other delicatessen creations that are almost too pretty to eat. Pastisseria Hofmann is a great place to pick up gourmet pastries like butter, almond, or framboise croissants, while Chok is an insane dessert spot with chocolate-covered cookies on a stick.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
New Orleans is a vibrant city with a rich culture, but we’d fly there for the desserts alone. Start your day at Cafe Du Monde with a sample of freshly fried beignets, which are squares of deep-fried dough that come with a mountain of powdered sugar. You can also visit Brennan to try Bananas Foster, a flaming dessert with bananas, brown sugar, and dark rum served with ice cream over crepes or waffles.
