Highest-rated dessert shops in the Richmond area by diners
There's no denying that Americans have a sweet tooth鈥攏early 41% say they , according to a November 2024 YouGov survey.
One of the most popular desserts to dig into is ice cream. An 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, 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 of the early 2000s thanks to bakeries like Magnolia, Sprinkles, and Crumbs, to the self-serve 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, , 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, compiled a list of the highest-rated dessert shops in the Richmond area based on diners' reviews on as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Richmond 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. Gelati Celesti
- Rating: 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 9357 Atlee Road Suite 1105 Mechanicsville, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
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#29. Gelati Celesti
- Rating: 4.7/5 (236 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8906 A West Broad St. Gold's Gym Plaza Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
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#28. Gelati Celesti
- Rating: 4.7/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 11805-5 West Broad St. Henrico, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
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#27. Ukrop's Market Hall
- Rating: 4.0/5 (77 reviews)
- Address: 7250 Patterson Ave. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Chicken Shop, Pizza
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#26. Sweet Spot Ice Cream Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (73 reviews)
- Address: 6 North 18th St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Coffee & Tea
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#25. Bar West
- Rating: 4.0/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5811 Grove Ave. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Salad, New American
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#24. La Sabrosita Bakery
- Rating: 4.0/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7730 Midlothian Tpke Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries
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#23. Gersi
- Rating: 4.1/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 805 North Davis Ave. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
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#22. Capitol Waffle Shop
- Rating: 4.2/5 (330 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1110 East Main St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Waffles, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
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#21. BigWife's Mac n Cheese
- Rating: 4.2/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1017 North Arthur Ashe Blvd. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Salad, Food Trucks
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#20. Shyndigz Market & 2go Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (176 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1912 West Cary St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
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#19. Omg Ocps
- Rating: 4.4/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3 North 17th St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea
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#18. The Lab by Alchemy Coffee
- Rating: 4.4/5 (205 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 814 West Broad St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts
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#17. Garnett's Caf茅
- Rating: 4.4/5 (384 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2001 Park Ave. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Sandwiches, New American, Desserts
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#16. Shyndigz
- Rating: 4.4/5 (907 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1912 West Cary St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts
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#15. Gelati Celesti
- Rating: 4.4/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 5808 Grove Avenue Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
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#14. River City Chocolate
- Rating: 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 3930 Castle Rock Road Ste East Midlothian, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Custom Cakes, Bakeries
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#13. Smallcakes
- Rating: 4.5/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11516 Busy St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Cupcakes, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
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#12. Vampire Penguin - Twin Hickory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (67 reviews)
- Address: 11345 Nuckols Road Glen Allen, Virginia
- Categories: Shaved Snow, Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
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#11. Gelati Celesti
- Rating: 4.6/5 (205 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1400 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
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#10. Proper Pie
- Rating: 4.6/5 (813 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2505 East Broad St. Ste 100 Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries
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#9. Ruby Scoops
- Rating: 4.6/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 West Brookland Park Blvd. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
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#8. Doce Churros
- Rating: 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Address: 1412 Starling Drive Ste D Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
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#7. Gelati Celesti
- Rating: 4.7/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3004 Stony Point Road Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
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#6. Up All Night Bakery
- Rating: 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 1221 Bellevue Ave. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
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#5. Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Rating: 4.8/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 11845 West Broad St. Henrico, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
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#4. Zen Cafe Treats
- Rating: 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 9041-1 West Broad St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Bubble Tea
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#3. Bubs And Gracie's Ice Cream And Cookies
- Rating: 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 7214 Hull St. Road Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
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#2. Sugar & Salt RVA
- Rating: 4.9/5 (62 reviews)
- Address: 416 North 2nd St. Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Custom Cakes, Bakeries, Desserts
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#1. Southern Serenity
- Rating: 5.0/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 8517 Midlothian Turnpike Richmond, Virginia
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Tea Rooms, Desserts
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 241 metros.
