Boston is home to amazing restaurants and food venues. Whether you’re a fan of fish, burgers, noodles, tacos, or anything else, you’ll find a spot here that’ll keep you coming back. I happen to be a fan of dessert: chocolate, candy, ice cream, cannolis, cake, pie… and many more.
I decided that, because I am overly familiar with where the best desserts in this city are, I should spread this wealth of knowledge. As a forever resident of Massachusetts and frequent visitor to Boston for as long as I can remember, trust me, these recommendations should be added to your upcoming weekend plans or study breaks. You won’t regret it.
Here it is, the top five dessert destinations you need to try (in no particular order):
- Scoop n scootery
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Here, you’ll find incredible (and incredibly massive) ice cream sundaes with a variety of impressive flavors and cores to choose from, with a long and varied list of toppings available. If you’re more casual, you can just get a nice big cup of any flavor you’d like. I recommend their Black Raspberry Cookie Swirl ice cream with absolutely any toppings; it’s fabulous. They have dairy-free chocolate and vanilla flavors, too!
There is a Scoop N Scootery location just past West Campus in Allston, which is accessible by the Green Line B train, and then a short walk from the Harvard Avenue stop. There’s another location across the Charles River in Cambridge. For your convenience, they will deliver your ice cream until their closing time at 2 a.m.
- L.A. Burdick chocolates
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A chocolate lover’s dream-come-true, L.A. Burdick is certain to satisfy your sweet tooth with its variety of chocolate creations and other desserts.
Their handcrafted chocolate animals vary from penguins to mice to elephants, and are available in milk, dark, and white chocolate options. A classic in my household is the milk chocolate mice, and I can never leave Burdick without one (or two).
When the weather is chilly, their hot chocolate is a must. It is rich and creamy, and the perfect treat for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. There are a few convenient locations, including Harvard Square in Cambridge, Back Bay, and Coolidge Corner.
- Paris Creperie
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This location blurs the line between a savory meal and a decadent dessert.
The menu is stacked with savory crepes, smoothies, coffee, and my favorite, sweet crepes. Come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert! I recommend the Stark Chocolate crepe with its deliciously rich dark chocolate and raspberry puree as a dessert option. Or, you can go for the Bear Claw, featuring a cinnamon crepe with Belgian cookie butter and vanilla glaze (somehow even tastier than it sounds) for a breakfast choice.
The perfect location to bring visiting parents, or for a cute brunch with the girls, Paris Creperie has something for everyone. It is located right in the heart of Coolidge Corner, which is accessible by the Green Line C train.
- modern pastry shop
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This one needs no explanation.
A landmark of the North End, this Italian pastry shop is home to the best customizable cannolis in the region. Additionally, they have cases full of delectable sweets, including lemon squares, cakes, tiramisu, pies, tarts, and many more. Make sure to bring cash, though, because cards are not accepted there! Across the street is Mike’s Pastry, but if you don’t want to look like a tourist, go to Modern instead (it’s better anyway).
To get to Modern, take the Green line all the way to Haymarket, and navigate over to Hanover Street. The North End is beautiful at night, and the skyline with the clock tower is a great sight.
- North End Creamery
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Additionally, in Boston’s Little Italy, the North End Creamery has some of the highest-quality ice cream that you can find in the city. Their menu features flavors such as birthday cake, strawberry matcha, toffee coffee, and my absolute favorite, raspberry chip. A stop at the ice cream shop is perfect for your Saturday outing with the girls, or a post-lunch treat.
As with Modern Pastry, this shop is near the Haymarket Green Line stop!
There are so many amazing places to go for dessert in Boston, but these are a few of my favorites that I recommend exploring this semester.
Save these ideas for the next time you’re craving something sweet!
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