Aliu IsaI have to admit that I have a serious sweet tooth—a blessing and a curse if you’re living in Toronto. Why? Because this city is absolutely packed with amazing dessert spots!
Having lived here all my life, I can say with conviction that I know where the best desserts are—those that are absolutely worth the sugar crash. Yep—if you want to know where to go for the best cakes, chocolates, gelatos, and more, I’m your guy.
These are places you won’t easily find online. In fact, some are tucked away in neighborhoods you’d never expect, while others have lineups down the block.
So, call your friends (or just go by yourself) and prepare for the ultimate dessert crawl. Here’s my exclusive, curated list of the best dessert places in Toronto.
Ed’s Real Scoop
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Website: https://www.edsrealscoop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edsrealscoop/
Address: 920 Queen St E
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM – 11 PM
Contact: (416) 406-2525
Must-Order: Burnt Marshmallow Ice Cream
Since 2000, Ed’s Real Scoop has been a beloved fixture in neighborhoods like Leslieville and the Beaches. Once you’ve had a scoop (or three), you’ll understand why.
I just love walking into Ed’s and smelling delicious, fresh waffle cones. Plus, the anticipation of figuring out which flavors to get really hypes me up, especially after a long day at work.
You can play it safe with their creamy Belgian chocolate or check out their seasonal picks like ginger, blueberry pie, pistachio, or even pumpkin ice cream (all yummy, too!). Beyond ice cream, they also have homemade chocolates, candy, and milkshakes.
As for me, a go-to favorite is their Burnt Marshmallow ice cream. Believe it or not, it perfectly mimics the taste of a marshmallow delicately roasting over a campfire.
Pro Tip:
If you’re dairy-free or vegan, don’t skip Ed’s. Their fruit-forward sorbets are refreshing and delicious, and their dark chocolate options are rich and (almost) guilt-free!
SOMA Chocolatemaker
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Website: https://www.somachocolate.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somachocolatemaker/
Address: 443 King St W
Hours: Tue – Sat: 11 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (416) 599-7662
Must-Order: Dark Side of the Mug
Where else should you get your chocolate fix than in one of the best chocolate shops in Toronto? If you’re even remotely into chocolate, then this spot is guaranteed to make you fall in love.
In addition to offerings from the usual chocolate bar, they have truffles, baked goods, and bean-to-bar creations. Only here can you eat an ungodly amount of cute chocolate owls and bunnies without feeling sorry for them.
You’d think I only go here for chocolates (which I do, yes), but if I had to choose, my favorite is their Dark Side of the Mug. This hot chocolate is served with hot milk, and its silkiness and richness make you feel both bougie and also (weirdly enough) at home.
If you can, snag a seat at the back. You can take a peek into their windowed chocolate lab and bakery, where you can see chocolatiers in action—tempering, molding, and sprinkling sea salt. Very cool!
Pro Tip:
If you’re stumped on what to give someone, then one of SOMA’s offerings is the way to go (because who doesn’t love chocolates?). I recommend snagging one of their elegantly packaged bars or fancy truffle boxes.
Eva’s Original Chimneys
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Website: https://www.originalchimneys.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ogchimneys/
Address: 454 Bloor St W
Hours: Mon – Sun: 12 PM – 12 AM
Contact: (416) 519-2840
Must-Order: Peanut Butter Pretzel Parfait
Eva’s Original Chimneys brings a classic Hungarian street treat, Kürtoskalács aka chimney cakes, and fills them with delicious, soft-serve ice cream.
If you hadn’t tried one before, imagine warm, doughy, cinnamon-sugar-coated pastry spirals (shaped into cones), baked until golden, then loaded with ice cream and toppings. One bite in, and you’ll understand why locals can’t get enough.
I’m obsessed with their Peanut Butter Pretzel Parfait—it has a graham cracker crumble chimney cone slathered in peanut butter and filled with chocolate soft serve. It’s topped with a whole pretzel and peanuts, plus a surprise bonus at the bottom of the cone!
And if you have time to kill, you can literally watch the dough get stretched, rolled, baked, and brushed with butter right in front of you—pure torture (but in the best way).
Pro Tip:
Craving something sweet during winter? Eva’s chimney cones are served warm, making them the perfect cold-weather comfort dessert.
Bar Ape Gelato
Media credit: bar_ape
Website: https://www.bar-ape.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bar_ape/
Address: 283 Rushton Rd
Hours: Mon, Thurs – Fri: 5 PM – 10:30 PM
Sun – Sat: 2 PM – 10:30 PM
Contact: [email protected]
Must-Order: Brown Butter and Sour Cherry Twist
Bar Ape (ah-pay) Gelato started as a three-wheeled gelato truck. Now, it’s a seasonal staple, serving the most creative small-batch authentic Italian gelato in the city.
Their offerings rotate often—you might see coconut toasted almonds or lemon sage in one visit and strawberry balsamic vinegar the next. My personal pick is their Brown Butter and Sour Cherry Twist—tangy and sweet in the most addictive way.
You might also like their hard-packed sundaes. These ready-to-go gelato cups have unique and delicious options like rhubarb thyme or strawberry basil.
Note that the place is only open from May to October. When it is, make sure to snag an outdoor bench—it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends, go on a casual date, or just snack peacefully by yourself.
Pro Tip:
Bar Ape is cash only, so come prepared! The line moves fast, and you won’t want to miss out just because you forgot to hit the ATM.
DaanGo Cake Lab
Media credit: mondaymunchings
Website: https://daango.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daangocakelab
Address: Inside R&D, 241 Spadina Ave
Hours: Mon – Sat: 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (647) 951-6335
Must-Order: Banana Chocolate Macarons
Created by MasterChef Canada Season 2 finalist Christopher Siu, DaanGo Cake Lab mixes playful and delicious treats with precision baking. Not surprising since Siu was a former pharmacist.
If you’re craving macarons, this is the place to go; they don’t offer the usual round fancy macarons either. Theirs are shaped like characters and emojis—Pickachu, Totoro, and my favorite, their Banana Chocolate Macaron shaped like the Poop emoji!
In addition to macarons, they have cakes, cupcakes, and pastries. Plus, their flavors mostly have a unique Asian twist, like Vietnamese Coffee, Hong Kong Milk Tea, Pandan, or Ovaltine.
Bonus: They also specialize in custom cakes, which must be ordered in advance. The cutest I’ve seen are their colorful sushi cake and adorable roast pig cake.
Pro Tip:
DaanGo Cake Lab’s character macarons come in perfectly packaged boxes that make amazing gifts (if you can resist eating them all yourself!).
Fuwa Fuwa Japanese Pancakes
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Website: https://www.fuwafuwapancakes.com/downtown-toronto-cafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuwafuwapancakes/
Address: 408 Bloor St W
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 12 PM – 10 PM
Fri: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sat – Sun: 10 AM – 10 PM
Contact: (416) 944-9999
Must-Order: Tiramisu Pancake
Located in the Annex, Fuwa Fuwa (which literally means fluffy fluffy) offers a scrumptious slice of Tokyo to Toronto with its signature jiggly pancakes.
Their pancakes come in six different versions, all built on the same base of perfectly cooked soufflé pancakes. You can grab the classic butter and maple syrup combo or choose wild picks like matcha or creme brulee.
My favorite, however, is their Tiramisu Pancake. It’s a decadent duo topped with espresso-kissed mascarpone cream and a side of coffee syrup you can drizzle lightly (or liberally like I do!).
However, be prepared to wait a little. These cute pancakes are made to order and take about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Pro Tip:
Fuwa Fuwa’s semi-open kitchen lets you peek behind the curtain. Grab a seat near the window and watch these fluffy wonders being whipped, poured, steamed, and flipped before your hungry eyes!
Nadege Patisserie
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Website: https://www.nadege-patisserie.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadegetoronto
Address: 780 Queen St W
Hours: Monday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Tue – Wed, Sun: 8 AM – 8 PM
Thurs – Sat: 8 AM – 9 PM
Contact: (416) 203-2009
Must-Order: Apricot Croissant
Nadege Patisserie was founded by Nadege Nourian, a fourth-generation pastry chef born in Lyon, France. This French gem is the place to go if you’re feeling a tad fancy.
The first thing you see when you walk in is their rows of colorful macarons that honestly look too pretty to eat. However, my personal favorite is their apricot croissant—it has a subtly sweet custard and flaky pastry layers served with two golden apricot halves.
In addition to their viennoiseries (pastries from yeast-leavened dough) that are baked fresh on-site, the spot also has chocolate bonbons and tablets.
Beuaitfully curated gift boxes are available, too—perfect for birthdays, thank yous, or just because.
Pro Tip:
Nadege offers catering and private event rentals for up to 50 guests. In fact, they’re quite popular for hosting birthdays, bridal showers, or bougie team-building events (like pastry masterclasses).
HANBINGO
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Website: https://hanbingo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanbingo.ca/
Address: 397 Spadina Ave.
Hours: Mon – Sat: 11 AM – 4 AM
Sunday: 12 PM – 4 AM
Contact: (416) 820-1777
Must-Order: Mango Cheesecake Bingsu
HANBINGO is a Korean dessert cafe that has taken Toronto by storm with its luxurious take on bingsu—a shaved ice treat that dates back to Korea’s royal Joseon period. Back then, only nobles got to enjoy it, so lucky you!
The bingsu here is made from lactose-free milk, meaning not only is it lighter and fluffier, but it’s also friendly for those who are sensitive to dairy.
Each bowl is topped with housemade goodies like chewy rice cakes and red bean paste, and you can choose from two sizes. They’re said to be shareable, but TBH, I haven’t shared one yet.
My go-to order is their Mango Cheesecake Bingsu—a mountain of snow ice layered with juicy, ripe slices of mango and soft creamy cheesecake cubes. It’s refreshing, indulgent, and practically made for Instagram.
Pro Tip:
Speaking of Instagram, HANBINGO’s interior is a total vibe—they even have a wall covered in pink roses! You can also head downstairs to the Korean-style photo booths for a fun keepsake after dessert.
Dear & Fro
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Website: https://www.dearfrosc.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearfro_gta/
Address: 3300 Midland Ave #39, Scarborough
Hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 1 PM – 10:30 PM
Tuesday: 3 PM – 10:30 PM
Contact: (416) 292-8088
Must-Order: Vietnamese Coffee Bingsu
Dear & Fro is another Korean shaved ice cafe with a unique twist to bingsu—instead of using water for ice, they use milk! Their bingsu is creamier and more flavorful compared to other bingsu spots in town.
They offer bold flavors like Matcha, Mango, and Thai Milk Tea (all delicious, btw). But if I had to choose, their Vietnamese coffee bingsu takes the cake—coffee-flavored milk base, topped with soft pudding, rice krispies, Oreo cookies, and tapioca pearls.
Note that their portion sizes are huge, which is great for sharing. But, don’t be surprised if you find yourself digging in solo halfway through.
This place is also buzzworthy because of its funky, colorful backgrounds. If you want the perfect Instagrammable spot, try the lush green plant wall at the back.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to bring cash or a debit card. Dear & Fro doesn’t take credit cards—a small inconvenience—but their bingsu more than makes up for it.
Roselle Desserts
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Website: https://www.roselleto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roselle_to/
Address: 362 King St E
Hours: Fri: 5 PM – 8 PM
Sat – Sun: 11 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (416) 368-8188
Must-Order: Early Grey Soft Serve
Located in Toronto’s Corktown, Roselle Desserts has a bright, minimalist vibe and a motto that reads “Desserts make you happy” on their wall. It’s run by Michelin-trained chefs, offering inventive twists on traditional French patisserie goods.
They’re known for their canneles, which have a thick, caramelized crust and a soft, custardy center scented with vanilla and rum. Unfortunately, they’re only available on weekends, and they tend to run out instantly, so be prepared!
If ice cream is more your thing, they also have soft-serve in limited edition flavors like Earl Grey—something I love to order.
As a bonus, you can bring home cute merch designed by artist Ginny Chen. They have everything, from boxes and menus to tote bags.
Pro Tip:
After indulging at Roselle, I always walk off that dessert at the Distillery District, just a short stroll away. It’s packed with art galleries, boutiques, and patios—and if you’re lucky, you might even catch an event or two.
Kream Dessert
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Website: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/kream-dessert-toronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kream_toronto
Address: 526 Yonge St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM – 9:30 PM
Contact: https://www.instagram.com/kream_toronto
Must-Order: Creme Brulee Bomb
Kream Dessert is a stylish Toronto spot that serves the viral stuffed croissant cubes—yep, cubes! Its mastermind is owner Joseph Doo, who spent years perfecting a dessert recipe for his son–something rich and satisfying without being too sweet.
Btw, Kream is a mash-up of Korean and cream because cream is the soul of everything here, sourced straight from Ontario farms.
Speaking of cream, I recommend their Creme Brulee Bomb—it has a rich, silky custard inside and a caramelized sugar top that cracks like the real deal. Seasonal specials rotate, too, like their pumpkin and cinnamon bomb.
As for the vibe, it has soft lighting, natural wood, warm orange accents, and greenery everywhere—the perfect backdrop for your food selfies.
Pro Tip:
There’s a cute picture spot near Kream’s entrance. It’s the perfect place to snap that croissant cube (and post it on Insta) before diving in.
Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery
Media credit: tastetoronto
Website: http://bangbangicecream.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bangbang_icecream/
Address: 93A Ossington Ave
Hours: Monday: 1 PM – 8:30 PM
Wed – Thurs: 12 PM – 9 PM
Fri – Sun: 12 PM – 8:45 PM
Contact: (416) 531-1900
Must-Order: Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich
Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery is a Toronto legend famous for ice cream sandwiches, which are fully customizable and outrageously delicious.
You can choose from an ever-changing lineup of ice cream flavors and sandwich one (or two!) fresh-baked cookies. Or, you can try their Stuff Me option, where flaky pastries like puff pillows or cinnamon rolls hold that yummy scoop.
I absolutely love their Banana Pudding Ice Cream Sandwich—it’s rich, creamy, and tastes exactly like the dessert. Other awesome flavors include ube, white sesame, orange cardamom, burnt toffee, London fog, and lemon meringue.
Not an ice cream sandwich kinda guy? You can grab your ice cream in a cup, cone (regular or sugar), or take home a full tub to hoard in your freezer.
Pro Tip:
Expect a line at Bang Bang on warm summer nights—but don’t let it scare you off. It moves quickly, and it’s 100% worth the wait.
