Rebecca DavisFinding great dessert spots in Philly sounds simple, but once you start searching, it becomes a mini crisis. There are way too many options, too many opinions, and way too many places that look good online but don’t always deliver.
And honestly, no one wants to waste their sugar cravings—or their money—on a dessert that’s just “meh.”
That’s exactly why I put this list together. After trying more places than I’d like to admit, I narrowed it down to the ones that are actually worth visiting. If you want the best desserts in Philadelphia without doing the guesswork, you’re in the right place.
1. The Franklin Fountain
– Media credit: franklinfountain
Website: https://franklinfountain.com/
Address: 116 Market St, PA 19106
Contact Details: +1 215-627-1899
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Pricing: $$
The Franklin Fountain is an old‑school ice cream parlor and soda fountain, established in 2004 by brothers Eric and Ryan Berley.
After scanning their menu, I finally settled on the Mt. Vesuvius Sundae. It’s a mountain of chocolate ice cream, homemade brownie chunks, and whipped cream—messy, indulgent, and absolutely worth every bite.
I couldn’t resist trying an old-fashioned root beer float as well. Their creamy, super-smooth vanilla ice cream paired perfectly with fizzy, handmade root beer. It wasn’t overly sweet, as they focused on balancing the flavors rather than drowning in sugar.
Pro Tip:
If you’re tackling one of their larger sundaes solo, be prepared for a serious sugar adventure. These sundaes are massive, so they can easily fill you up. You might want to skip a full dinner beforehand, or better yet, bring a friend to share it with.
2. A La Mousse
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Website: https://www.instagram.com/alamousse
Address: 145 N 11th St, PA 19107
Contact Details: +1 215-238-9100
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: $$
A La Mousse is a spot that goes beyond your standard cake shop. They offer a wide range of treats, from mousse cakes and crepe-style layer cakes to cheesecakes, tiramisu, and fruit-based mousse creations.
I’ve worked my way through a fair bit of their menu. I definitely recommend the triple chocolate mousse if you’re a chocolate fan. The Hokkaido double cheesecake is so airy and soft that it almost vanishes between bites.
They aren’t just about traditional cakes, either. I’ve tried a crepe layer cake that looked like it belonged in a bakery window but tasted even better with its light, not-too-sweet cream.
Pro Tip:
Ask about their rotating seasonal specials and limited-edition desserts. Not all of their most creative treats are listed on the main menu. Some of the most memorable flavors and designs pop up quietly, so it’s worth chatting with the staff.
3. The Sweet Life Bakeshop
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Website: https://www.sweetlifephilly.com/
Address: 740 South St, PA 19147
Contact Details: +1 215-717-7770
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday – Closed
- Tuesday and Sunday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesday and Saturday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: $
The Sweet Life Bakeshop is especially famous for its puddings, which go far beyond the classic banana version. The shop opened in 2010 and has been operating since then.
Favorites include No ‘Nana Pudding (extra wafers, no bananas), strawberry banana pudding, and the salted caramel banana pudding.
Cupcake fans are also well cared for here. Everything is baked fresh daily, and I appreciated that there are eggless and dairy-free options like the nutty banana, which actually tastes indulgent rather than “substitute-y.”
Their peaches ’n cream pudding reportedly won a “WHYY Best Of The Chefs” award.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss out on their mini sampler boxes. These let you try a variety of puddings or cupcakes without the agony of choosing just one. It’s perfect if you’re sharing with friends or simply curious about the lineup.
4. Mango Mango Dessert
– Media credit: mangomango.philly
Website: https://www.mangomangodessert.com/
Address: 1013 Cherry St, PA 19107
Contact Details: +1 215-922-2233
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: $
Mango Mango Dessert was founded in 2013. It’s the kind of place where mango really is the main character. Their menu leans into tropical flavors, especially Asian-style desserts, with mango starring in nearly every dish.
I still remember my first bowl here: the “Special Mango Juice Sago & Pomelo with Mango Ice Cream.” Creamy and refreshing, it was stacked with vibrant mango chunks, a scoop of mango ice cream, and citrusy pomelo bites.
I also like that their menu isn’t afraid to go bold. Durian fans can dive right in with the durian dessert bowl—or, if you’re feeling especially adventurous, go for the durian and black rice.
Pro Tip:
When ordering, don’t hesitate to mix and match mango-based desserts in one sitting. I discovered that pairing a scoop of the Special Mango Juice Sago & Pomelo with a slice of Mango Mille Crepe Cake creates a delightful contrast of textures.
5. Maison Sweet
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Website: https://maisonsweet.us/
Address: 2930 Chestnut St, PA 19104
Contact Details: +1 215-387-1388
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Maison Sweet is not your typical bakery. It’s an upscale patisserie where modern, artful desserts take center stage. Their menu features a range of creative treats that balance elegance with playful flavors.
Their signature Polar Bear Vanilla Mousse Cake combines a smooth, creamy mousse with an adorable presentation that’s almost too cute to eat. Matcha fans will love the matcha coconut crepe, which pairs green tea with a refreshing coconut hit.
Beyond their menu, Maison Sweet offers an afternoon tea set (for 2 or 4 people). You could have a dessert-and-tea experience rather than just a quick pastry.
Pro Tip:
If you order a custom cake or specialty item, ask if you can watch part of the decorating process from their open kitchen window. Maison Sweet sometimes lets guests catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how their artful desserts come to life.
6. Insomnia Cookies
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Website: https://insomniacookies.com/
Address: 108 S 16th St, 19102
Contact Details: +1 215-544-2989
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Thursday – Closed
- Friday – 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Pricing: $
Insomnia Cookies is perfect for anyone who craves warm, freshly baked cookies late at night. Open until 1:00 AM most nights and as late as 3:00 AM Thursday through Saturday, this location lives up to the brand’s late-night bakery reputation.
The menu goes beyond the basics. I couldn’t resist trying a chocolate-chunk “deluxe” cookie, and the gooey center completely lived up to the hype. For anyone with dietary preferences, the vegan cookies, like chocolate, are surprisingly satisfying.
What’s nice is that Insomnia Cookies operates over 200 stores nationwide (some sources say 240–300+, depending on expansion) across the U.S.
Pro Tip:
If you’re ordering for delivery or a group, take advantage of their “warm cookie guarantee”. You can request that cookies be packaged or timed so they arrive warm, which isn’t just convenient, but it really enhances the Insomnia experience.
7. J’aime French Bakery
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Website: http://jaimefrenchbakery.com/
Address: 212 S 12th St, 19107
Contact Details: +1 215-833-9374
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday – 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pricing: $$
J’aime French Bakery is one of those places where the smell alone makes you pause at the door. With a French owner at the helm, the bakery’s menu highlights all the classics—croissants, viennoiserie, and more.
The croissants and pain au chocolat are hand-rolled and baked fresh daily, and you can tell. Macaron lovers are in for a treat here, too. They’re made in-house, and the flavors rotate, so there’s usually something new to try.
Additionally, the bakery reportedly receives high ratings (4.7 stars) from many customers.
Pro Tip:
If you’re planning to buy multiple pastries, especially croissants or viennoiserie, ask the staff which items were baked most recently. They do multiple small-batch bakes throughout the day, and they’re usually happy to point you toward the freshest batch.
8. Isgro Pastries
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Website: https://www.isgropastries.com/
Address: 1009 Christian St, 19147
Contact Details: +1 215-923-3092
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Wednesday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Thursday – 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday – 8:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Pricing: $$
If you’re drawn to pastry cases filled with old-school Italian desserts, Isgro Pastries is worth a stop. Family-owned since 1904 (yes, over a century!), Isgro’s boasts not just longevity but serious culinary cred, having nabbed a James Beard Award nomination.
Their menu is packed with Italian-American classics: biscotti, seasonal pies, and cakes. But it was the cannoli that pulled me in first. Watching the shells fill with creamy ricotta or mascarpone on the spot was oddly satisfying.
Pro Tip:
If you’re ordering cannoli, ask for a mix of traditional and mascarpone fillings and let them add both pistachio and chocolate chip toppings on either end. This allows you to sample their different classic styles in a single order.
9. Matcha Panda Cafe
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Website: https://www.matchapanda.com/menu
Address: 202 N 9th St, 19107
Contact Details: +1 215-717-8358
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
If you’re on a matcha kick, Matcha Panda Cafe is worth adding to your dessert-hopping route through Philadelphia’s Chinatown. This cozy spot specializes in Japanese-style sweets and tea-based drinks that go a step beyond your basic bubble tea joint.
The “Premium Matcha” and “Ultra-Green Matcha” drinks are so vibrantly green they almost look filtered. With matcha air-shipped from Uji, Japan, I could taste the difference—fresh, grassy, just a hint of bitterness.
And if you’re not all about green tea, their rose oolong and hojicha are legit. The staff happily swapped in oat milk and dialed back the sugar for me, which felt refreshingly customer-friendly.
Pro Tip:
If you order one of their stronger matcha drinks, especially from the “Ultra-Green” series, pair it with a lighter dessert before committing to richer crepe cakes. The matcha is so bold and earthy that it actually changes how sweet the desserts taste.
10. T-Swirl Crêpe
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Website: https://order.mealkeyway.com
Address: 150 N 10th St, 19107
Contact Details: +1 215-238-0111
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: $
T-Swirl Crêpe takes Japanese-style crepes seriously, and you can taste it the moment you bite into their rice-flour shell. It’s gluten-free, paper-thin, and somehow both crispy and chewy—one of those textures that made me pause and go, oh, this is different.
Their menu leans playful and a little indulgent, with options like the Matcha Azuki Bean Crepe packed with matcha custard, matcha ice cream gelato, and even chocolate Pocky sticks.
Drinks are more than an afterthought here. The bubble teas and fruit teas are solid, but I was unexpectedly impressed by their freshly brewed oolong tea—simple and a good counterbalance to the sweeter crepes.
Pro Tip:
If you’re into Instagram-worthy food, ask for extra Pocky sticks or a little added flair on your dessert crêpe. T-Swirl is known for its careful layering and presentation, and the staff is usually happy to add a bit more visual charm if you ask.
11. The Bakeshop on Twentieth
– Media credit: bakeshopon_20th
Website: https://bakeshopon20th.com/
Address: 269 S 20th St, 19103
Contact Details: +1 215-644-9714
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Pricing: $$
If you ever find yourself in Rittenhouse with a craving for something genuinely comforting, I can vouch for The Bakeshop on Twentieth. It’s a spot that balances classic treats with a few clever twists.
The babka buns alone are worth the trip—soft, intricately braided, and filled with rich chocolate or tangy fruit and cream cheese. As for cookies, they’re impossible to ignore. The classic chocolate-chip is delightfully gooey.
Coffee-wise, their partnership with Bean2Bean Coffee Co. really shows. My latte had an almost roasty, nutty depth that made it feel like more than just a caffeine errand.
Pro Tip:
See something in the pastry case that’s not on the menu? Go for it. These are often small-batch “off-menu” creations. Ask the staff if anything just came out of the oven that isn’t listed yet.
12. Milk Jawn
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Website: https://milkjawn.com/
Address: 1439 E Passyunk Ave, 19147
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday – Closed
- Friday – 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Milk Jawn started as a small‑batch ice‑cream operation begun by co‑owner Amy Wilson, doing pop‑ups and farmers’ markets around Philadelphia. The team opened its first brick‑and‑mortar scoop shop on East Passyunk in 2022.
The first thing that hit me was just how creamy and rich the base is—the 16% butterfat really makes a difference. Even a simple scoop of chocolate felt indulgent, without being heavy or overly sweet.
What really amazed me, though, was the flavor creativity. I tried the Earl Grey with honeycomb, and the floral tea notes paired with crunchy honeycomb bits felt unexpectedly sophisticated for ice cream.
Pro Tip:
If you’re curious about the unusual flavors, ask the staff for a “mini flight” tasting of three or four scoops before committing to a full cone. Milk Jawn rotates its flavors often, offering creative combinations, so you can sample the textures and pairings.
