Where You Need to Eat Dessert in Seattle
- Stephanie Brown
- Jan 16, 2018
- 8 min read
One of my favorite ways to explore a city is by checking out their local dessert offerings. I am a sucker for cupcakes, doughnuts, and ice cream, so my travels always include stops at a few treat shops. After living in Seattle for a few months, I have checked out most of the dessert shops in the city. Below are my favorite places to grab something sweet in Seattle. Once I finish posting this I am probably going to run out and grab some dessert because writing this has made me crave a sweet treat! If you share my love of desserts be sure to check out some of these places the next time you visit the Emerald City!
When you need a break from the crowded Pike Place Market, take a short walk to this cute soda fountain. With plenty of tables and a large soda counter, you should have no trouble finding a spot to sit and relax inside Shug's. The expansive menu features Lopez Island Creamery ice cream, in addition to shakes, sundaes, sodas, coffee, and cocktails. My go-to is a scoop of the Peanut Butter Cup ice cream but I am interested in trying a Prosecco Float or a classic NY Egg Cream soon. This is my favorite dessert near Pike Place Market and I am always tempted to stop in when I am in the area!
Lowrider Baking Co.
Since this cookie company does not currently have a brick and mortar location it can be difficult to get your hands on these delicious cookies, but I promise you if you can find them they will change your life. Currently you can order the cookies for wholesale or for a catering event. These cookies can sometimes be found at Full Tilt locations and occasionally at pop-up events. I have also seen them at craft markets and at Optimism Brewing Company in Cap Hill. Trust me, these cookies are worth the hunt. They are soft, chewy, and full of incredible flavor. My favorites are Birthday Cake and Brown Butter Triple Chocolate Chunk. Other amazing flavors include Cookies n Cream, Salted Toffee Pecan, and Red Velvet. They plan to open a location later this year so hopefully soon we can have access to these flavorful cookies at any time!
If you are able to find this ice cream cart you will be treated to a fun take on traditional ice cream. SÜSU serves unique rolled ice cream from their 2-griddle cart at farmers markets and pop-up events. Be sure to check out their website for their latest schedule. This unique style of ice cream is created from a liquid custard that is poured onto an extremely cold griddle and worked until perfect thin rolls can be formed. They offer a variety of unique flavors including a s'more option and a lavender shortbread combination. I found the cart at the Fremont Farmer's Market and patiently waited in the 20-minute line. Although this was a substantial line, the ice cream is made to order and the chefs did not skimp on the gorgeous toppings. This was a really fun and different style of ice cream and I hope to find their cart again soon!
This is the quintessential Seattle doughnut shop. With multiple locations around the city, there is always a Top Pot location to run into when the PNW rain starts getting you down. Grab a cup of their warm delicious coffee, choose a few donuts, and suddenly you will remember why the PNW is awesome. Although it does rain a lot, it is the perfect weather for reading, working, or relaxing in a coffee shop. And what makes a normal coffee shop even better? You guessed it- a perfectly crafted doughnut. Their old fashion doughnut is the stand out, but their Sandcastle (chocolate cake dusted with cinnamon-sugar) and Pink Rainbow Sprinkles doughnuts are also incredible. I recommend checking it out early in your Seattle trip so you have enough time to visit a Top Pot every morning of your vacation.
In addition to their namesake, this Seattle dessert shop offers incredible ice cream, doughnuts, and coffee. They also have a cute pink truck that will deliver their wonderful creations to your home or office. Their mini cupcakes are always a great option, but you also can't go wrong with a cupcake ice cream sundae. They have a full selection of cupcakes in addition to a rotating season selection. My favorite winter seasonal flavor is the Eggnog Snickerdoodle, but their everyday Classic and Red Velvet flavors are also amazing. They have locations all over Seattle but I especially love their cozy West Seattle shop. You really can't go wrong with anything from their menu so make sure you check them out during your time in Seattle.
Ok so this might not truly belong on a dessert list but if you want a healthier treat option you need to try Ellenos Greek Yogurt. Actually, if you are in Seattle you must try Ellenos at some point. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert- I don't care. Make sure you get this incredible yogurt at some point during your time in Seattle. With multiple store fronts, farmer's market carts, and even individual cups at local grocery stores, you have no excuse not to try this yogurt. My absolute favorite flavor is their Marionberry Pie. With the sweet berries and crumbly pie topping, this really tastes like a dessert. I love to stop by the location in Pike Place and grab a small serving of their yogurt as I walk around the market. They offer a "walk-around" size as well, but I recommend upgrading to at least the small (trust me-you will want more of this stuff). Their other amazing flavors include mocha, passion fruit, lemon curd, and plain. The friendly staff will let you sample a variety of flavors, so try a few before you make your selection. I hope you make a trip to Ellenos and discover why I am so in love with their yogurt!
Trophy Cupcakes truly delivers on their belief that everyday should be party ( in fact- they also deliver their cupcakes in the Seattle/Bellvue area). Their fun flavors and adorable toppings make you feel like you are celebrating, and even if it just that you survived a Monday at work- that is still worthy of a delightful treat. Some of the flavors rotate daily and my current favorites are Yumfetti and Chocolate Vanilla. I am planning to try the Cookies and Cream and the S'mores cupcakes soon. They also offer an assortment of colorful macarons with flavors including Raspberry Champagne and Circus Animal. Add some color to your time in the often gloomy PNW with these enchanting treats.
Shortly after moving to the Ballard neighborhood I discovered this incredible organic ice cream shop. Since this is only a short walk from my apartment, I knew I had selected the right neighborhood to live in. There are many artisanal flavors to choose from, but my favorite is the chocolate peanut butter cup. It is rare to find a dark chocolate base for a peanut butter cup ice cream so I was pretty quickly hooked on this place. Other incredible flavors include Caramel Brownie Swirl, Coffee With Housemade Oreo, Peaches & Cream, and Vegan Blood Orange Sorbet. The flavors often rotate, but you will find something delicious every time you stop in. I also love that you can watch the ice cream being made through the large kitchen windows behind the ice cream counter. When you are in Ballard (a North Seattle neighborhood you really should check out) make sure you stop into this wonderful ice cream shop!
I would totally not judge if you wanted to classify this as a breakfast spot, but I decided these sweet waffles should not be limited to just one time of the day. With their newer Cap Hill location open late, you have even more time to get your waffle fill. These incredible Liège waffles can be served sweet or savory. I choose the Nutella waffle, but I was very tempted by the ice cream sundae waffle and the speculoos waffle. You can find these waffles at their downtown location, at their Cap Hill location, or in Safeco Field during Mariners games. If you are looking for a boozy brunch option be sure to check out the Cap Hill location, as this menu includes wine, beer, and bubbles. In addition to enjoying the waffles at their shop, you can purchase mini waffles (plain or chocolate dipped) or frozen waffles to go. Check our Sweet Iron for a taste of Belgium without leaving the PNW.
This unique bakery opened my eyes to what a chocolate lava cake could really taste like. I have tried similar desserts on cruise ships and at chain restaurants, but nothing compares to the warm, gooey goodness served at Hot Cakes. Their menu includes many delightful molten cake options, like peanut butter cup and vegan dark chocolate, in addition to shakes, cookies, and bread pudding. Their specialty is a smoked chocolate, which offers a unique and enjoyable campfire taste to their dishes. This might sound a bit strange, but once you try it you will realize how sophisticated and rare this flavor is.
For a unique dessert be sure to stop by either the Ballard or Cap Hill location. Both are generally crowded so be patient but know that the chocolate delicacy will be worth the wait!
This cute Cap Hill bakery has been serving amazing cookies to the people of Seattle since 2013. There are generally a dozen varieties to choose from each day ranging from their popular chocolate chip to orange snickerdoodle. Although you will not be disappointed by any of their cookies you must try their Mackle'smore cookie (yes- named for the Seattle rapper himself How cool is that?). These gooey s'more cookies are my all-time favorite cookie and are what bring me back to Hello Robin again and again.
In addition to the delicious cookies, Hello Robin also serves another top Seattle treat- Molly Moon's ice cream. In the summer months you can skip the cookie line and order a scoop from the walk up ice cream window. However, my recommendation is to wait in the line (it is worth it!) and order a cookie ice cream sandwich. You can choose any two cookies and a scoop of ice cream for this tasty treat! Make sure you check out this awesome bakery when you are in Seattle. And trust me- you are going to want to order more than one of the Mackle'smore cookies!
I really love Molly Moon's. Not just for their smooth and delightful ice cream, but for their entire mission. Their slogan "ice cream makes you happy" really encompasses their goals. They aim to make the world a better place and their core values of " be smart, be generous, be homemade, be joyful, and be brave" are truly inspiring. They treat their employees fairly by offering incredible benefits and they work hard to promote social justice in the community. For example, they offered free ice cream to everyone who brought their ballot stub on election night! So if you are not already convinced, be sure to stop by one of their many locations to try their creamy scoops. Their flavors include a unique cinnamon-spiced Cookie Dough based off of Hilary Clinton's award winning cookie recipe, Melted Chocolate, and "Scout" Mint. One of my favorite locations is their Queen Anne scoop shop at 321 W Galer St, where you can grab a cone and make a short walk to Kerry Park. I love making this a summer date night where I can enjoy some delicious ice cream and watch the sunset behind the Seattle skyline. They offer seasonal flavors and I am still dreaming about their winter Peppermint Mocha flavor. Make sure you don't leave Seattle without a stop at this local staple!
Have you checked out any of these Seattle dessert shops? Did I forget to mention your favorite treat in the city? Let me know in the comments below!
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