After a year of too many chicken sandwiches, let loose and celebrate the joy of life with a beautiful dessert. The options are legion around the Bay but we found a few that were just a little more special. And yes, these desserts are worth the calories.
Featured Photo: Tribune
San Francisco
3862 24th St, San Francisco
Craving something sweet without the guilt? Banán’s all about that — made from whipped banana with natural flavoring, you can get a taste of Hawaii and curb that craving all in one go. Try liliko’i (passionfruit) or chocolate haupia (coconut-meets-chocolate-custard), to name just a couple.
888 Howard St, San Francisco
After an extended Covid closure, executive chef Rogelio Garcia and his team relaunched with an eight-course tasting menu that highlights his deep knowledge of contemporary American cuisine. At dessert, that means Tenbrink Farms Stoneftuit Pavlova. Like the ballerina it is named for, the meringue is light but intensely flavorful, crispy at first bite before giving way to a delicate softness. “The creme fraiche underneath gives it a deep rich note that accents the white peach,” chef says. “It’s a perfect dessert for me.”
1148 Mission St, San Francisco
Calling this dessert a Magic Stone does not do justice to the trompe l’oeil finale of the Stone Soup menu currently running at this theme- and experience-driven boutique restaurant. Carrot cake is disguised as a “stone” that sits on a bed of chocolate and fleur de sel cookie crumble meant to resemble soil. The sweet potato mousse and meringue mushrooms round out the forest floor idyl. Make sure to get a bit of each component in every bite for the full-on Hobbit experience.
Ferry Building, 1, suite k1, San Francisco
Hit up Ocean Malasada Co.’s newly-opened kiosk at the Ferry Building where you’ll find Hawaiian-style stuffed doughnuts complete with tropical flavors like guava, pineapple and haupia. No need to splurge on a tropical vacation when you have these delightful treats!
721 Larkin St, San Francisco; 1336 9th Ave, San Francisco
Sweet Glory, the dessert café located in the Tenderloin, has quietly expanded to another location in the Inner Sunset. With these crepe-y desserts, there’s never been a better excuse to have cake for breakfast.
3886 Noriega St, San Francisco
Another San Francisco dessert spot that is settling into its new digs is the classic Marco Polo Italian Ice Cream. Originally opened in 1982 on Taraval St. in the Outer Sunset, Marco Polo closed its doors last October to prepare itself for a move to a new location. Marco Polo’s new spot on Noriega St. is closer to the water, so grab some gelato and take a stroll down the Great Highway as you enjoy these creamy delights (weather permitting, of course).
South Bay
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd #100, Cupertino
Not content to style San Francisco’s fog into a dessert, the pastry team at Alexander’s sweet spin-off went further afield for inspiration. Their iridescent blue London Fog is as cheery as a an English teapot. Slice into it to reveal chocolate mousse infused with the bright flavor of Earl Grey tea. Blackberry puree at the center adds a nice berry sweetness while the little black dress of the cookie world, chocolate sable, gives the base a just-right crunch. Audrey Hepburn would approve.
4055 Evergreen Village Square, San Jose
An ode to Filipino flavors, this cafe has all things ube flavored, and then some. The majority of Café 86’s menu is a selection of tasty beverages, including ube milkshakes, but be sure to pair it with a baked good or a sandwich. Already located in Union City and Daly City, their latest location recently opened in San Jose.
180 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto
With locations around the world, Nobu is known for its fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors in the form of elevated, unique dishes. At the Palo Alto location, find tasty desserts like assorted mochi, a date cake, banana toban (caramelized bananas with candied pecans and malaga ice cream) and more.
North Bay
Angela’s Organic Ice Cream, just opened a new store in Mill Valley. Their artisan ice creams are made in-house with over 90% organic, locally sourced ingredients. Plus, they’re committed to sustainable practices, using compostable and reusable materials.
236 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
Waffle cones, creamy ice cream and everything you need from a classic ice cream parlor. The Shack is a sleek but homey shoppe in Larkspur, equipped with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating nestled among towering redwoods. Great for birthday parties, scoops after a game or just a sweet treat on a warm afternoon.
5 Main St, Tiburon
Whispered about by the area’s most fervent dessert lovers, the Bungalow Kitchen’s lemon crepe cake is a fan favorite and staple on the restaurant’s menu year-round. Paper-thin buttermilk crepes are layered with white chocolate crème fraiche cremieux, making for a luscious bite perfectly topped with Chantilly cream, strands of orange zest and toasted pistachios. MINA Group’s top pastry chef Veronica Arroyo keeps the perennial favorite fresh with nods to the Bay’s seasonality — maybe this spring, you’ll get to try it decorated with farmer’s market raspberries and preserved Meyer lemon curd.
15 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley
The most famous pie in Marin — Buckeye’s S’more Pie — earned its reputation with plenty of old-fashioned yum. Chef Robert Price layers a honey-infused graham cracker crust with semisweet chocolate and toasted almonds, then ops it with meringue and more chocolate. The chocolate oozes from its meringue nest, a dark eye in a storm of fluffy white. The top layer of meringue is teased and toasted to look like waves cresting or a porcupine’s needles.
337 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo
Chocolate, the ultimate happiness creator, is the heart, soul and body of a satisfying dessert crafted to capture chocolate’s ephemeral qualities. Chef Duilio Valenti uses olive oil instead of butter that gives the cake’s layers a silky texture, smoothed further by chocolate mousse filling. Topped with chocolate sauce and chocolate shavings, its actually a tower of triple chocolate love, but who’s counting?
2231 Larkspur Landing Cir, Larkspur
A plant-based scoop shop launched in 2016 in Seattle has landed at Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart. Renowned for creamy, decadent vegan creations without the help of animal products, GMOs, soy or dairy, the brand creates up to 30 new ice creams and novelty products each year that are sustainably sourced. Be sure to try California Cabin, a flavor inspired by the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
417 Miller Ave, Mill Valley
A staple for post-soccer treats, late night meets and friendly greets, Swirl Mill Valley has a large and diverse selection of fro-yo, a very popular toppings bar, and much more.
689 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Lappert’s opened their first shop in Kauai and now runs the largest ice cream chain in all the Hawaiian Islands. Luckily, they’ve expanded to the mainland bringing their refreshing, delicious, and quality creams with them.
1 Blackfield Dr, Tiburon
Even though it is tucked into a corner of The Cove shopping center, lovers of Hungarian coffee cake, apple cheese tart and raspberry-apricot rugelach line up every day for all-day, cake and coffee cafe.
47 Tamal Vista Blvd, Ste G, Corte Madera
Their unique shape is said to be inspired by the Germanic cake known as a Gugelhopf, but there is no need to “hopf” in-between its distinctive pointy ridges. Choose little bundlets or a regular size in a range of flavors from lemon and confetti to red velvet and, yes, pumpkin spice.
63 Broadway, Fairfax
Fairfax Scoop serves up organic, seasonal ice creams and is famous for its Honey Lavender Vanilla, Mexican Chocolate, and Raspberry Sorbet. Always quality, make sure to try one of their handmade waffle cones.
310 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
Marble cake and vanilla cupcakes topped with pink or blue icing are just a few of the classic American treats on hand. There is also a gender reveal cupcake with a pink or blue center, visible only after the cupcake is sliced apart.
292 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
Strawberry shortcake is just one of the heritage (and seasonal) desserts perfected by the century-old bakery at Bon Air Center. Look for raspberry ricotta cheesecake wrapped in a croissant and princess cake among the many treats in the wide case.
467 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
Mag’s Local Yogurt specializes in Fro-yo. Serving up the community of Larkspur for over a decade, stop by for a refreshing soft serve on a hot day, cool night, or whenever you get the hankering for something sweet.
625 Du Bois St, San Rafael
415.306.7617
No walk-ins, just pre-orders available for a bakery run by head baker Emilee Bernas whose focus is custom-designed cakes.
860 4th St, San Rafael
Beyond its inviting diner ambiance and colorful, fun decorations, this place does ice cream right. From sundaes, milkshakes, classic scoops, and more, Double Rainbow Cafe is a must-visit in San Rafael.
2231 Larkspur Landing Cir, Larkspur
Sugar-free house made nut butters (pistachio, hazelnut), panna cottas (12+ flavors, including ube, mango, coconut), Belgian Liege waffles, croissants and cookies as well as toasts (avocado, salmon, Caprese) are available alongside Broadcast Coffee drinks, chai and lemonade. Keto options are available.
East Bay
1849 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
The Asian-inspired desserts at Tammy Boonlieng’s Castro dessert café take cues from all over the world. The Hojicha Banoffee riffs on the English original with Japan flair. Made with organic hojicha custom grown for them at a farm in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, the aroma alone can stop you in your tracks. Then consider that an Oreo-almond crust supports sliced banana cradled by a layer dulce de leche caramel. The whole thing is topped with homemade hojicha cream and topped with fresh whipped cream. Garnished with a sprig of rosemary and Heath bar crumble, the pie looks like it was whipped up by elves from an enchanted land.
5800 College Ave, Oakland
Bad Walter’s Bootleg Ice Cream began as an illegal living room ice cream operation in Oakland in the winter of 2020 during the pandemic (hence the “bootleg”). Their premium, lactose-free ice cream offers “maximalist” flavors like Slumber Party, made from Ritz cracker frozen custard, Reese’s Pieces, Nutter Butters and fudge swirls.
