14 Sweet Spots Where You Can Grab the Best Desserts In Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is known for many things: Super Bowl victories, black and gold, Mac Miller partying on Fifth Ave, Primanti's sandwiches...

But there are quite a few sweet treats that deserve to make that list, too.

Today, we're going through everywhere you can find the best dessert in Pittsburgh, from classics like Smiley cookies and burnt almond tortes to Pens-approved milkshakes and vegan cakes so delicious you won't even miss the animal products. We're covering:

• High-end bakeries in trendy Lawrenceville
• Desserts that have been making the South Hills smile for decades
• American, French, Korean, Taiwanese and other desserts from around the world

From cakes and cookies to chocolates and pastries, here are our favorite Pittsburgh desserts to indulge in.

PS - When you’re trying to find a sweet gift idea for your friends or family, consider getting them a GiftYa egift card to one of the brands below. With GiftYa you can buy a gift card to virtually anywhere, then easily text the gift to the recipient. Your friends and family don’t need to worry about carrying around physical gift cards because GiftYa will synch up with the debit card for no hassle redemption.

1. The Butterwood Bake Consortium

Stunning Cakes + Pastries Full Of Rich Flavor With Tons of Vegan and GF Dessert Options

5222 Butler St | Lawrenceville | thebutterwoodbakeconsortium.com

The Butterwood Bake Consortium offers a charming ambiance to enjoy amazing cakes and treats. Always stunning and delicious they always feature gluten free and vegan options for guests with dietary restrictions. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor even in their specialty options.

“I love the atmosphere here! It's so cozy and timeless. The cakes are always new and an inventive blend of flavors. I would definitely recommend coming here to sit down, have a coffee and some cake, and relax.” -Yelp Review

2. Treats ‘N Beans

Indulge In Yummy Waffles And Crepes Covered In Sweet Toppings

118 Meyran Ave | Oakland | treatsandbeans.com

Oakland’s Treats n Beans serves up the finest waffle and crepe treats in town. You can dig into waffles and crepes smothered in decadent toppings, and even mini pancakes, paired with coffee drinks or milk shakes. Definitely try to order the Chocolate waffle with nutella!

“This place was diabetes on a plate and I LOVED IT! We got both a milk chocolate banana crepe and a Nutella and strawberry crepe. Both were bursting with fruit and chocolate and absolutely delicious.”- Yelp Review 

3. Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery

Escape to France And Taste A Variety Of Unique Treats

213 N Ave | Millvale | jeanmarcchatellier.com

Transport yourself to Paris, just by crossing the Allegheny to Millvale. Jean-Marc Chatellier’s french bakery serves fresh top notch pastries and Parisian treats for even the most discerning francophiles. You’ll want to stock up on some of their famous macaroons when you go!

“This is legit French pastry.  Call ahead if you want kouign-amann.  Appreciate the high quality and passion they put into their pastries.  Well worth a visit.  Try it for yourself and decide on your own.”- Yelp Review

4. Sinful Sweets Chocolate Company

Give In To Gourmet Handmade Sweets

539 Liberty Ave | Downtown | sinfulsweetspgh.com‍

If you find yourself Dahntahn searching to treat your sweet tooth, stop at Sinful Sweets Chocolate Company. Pick from their assortments of chocolate confections, cakes, cookies and cupcakes. One thing you won’t find at many other sweet shops is their edible cookie dough. No need to feel bad indulging in that guilty pleasure!

“Small but well-stocked shop. I tried the triple chocolate cupcake and the brookie dough. Actually, I bought both to bring with me on an airplane and they kept well (they have special cupcake containers)!”-  Yelp Review

5. La Gourmandine Bakery And Pastry Shop

Captivate Your Taste Buds At This Authentic French Bakery

4605 Butler St | Lawrenceville | lagourmandinebakery.com

Line up early before all the best treats are gone at this Lawrenceville French bakery. Locals line up for the popular “La Gourmandise,” a buttery, flaky dough filled with vanilla pastry cream and chocolate chips, for a rich and delectable treat. No matter what you prefer you won’t be disappointed with anything you buy here.

“If you're in Lawrenceville make sure you stop here. Delicious, authentic, French pastries in a cute bakery setting. The croissants are to die for, and the baguettes are perfect. The smells once you step in are amazing.”- Yelp Review

6. The MilkShake Factory

Live Your Best Life And Enjoy Handmade Milkshakes In Pittsburgh

3612 Forbes Ave | Oakland | themilkshakefactory.com

With a rich history beginning as a soda shop to the Milkshake empire they’ve grown to today, The Milkshake Factory serves up classic, old-fashioned milkshakes. They also feature a wide range of chocolate confections at The Chocolate Bar, and delicious ice cream sundaes and floats. In the colder months, try a Hot Chocolate float!

Not to mention, they partner with the Pittsburgh Penguins to offer discounts on shakes when your favorite players score -- what could be more Pittsburgh than that? It's the ultimate dessert spot in the City of Champs.

“When I visit, this is the place to go! My go to... the strawberry chocolate dip milkshake. Real dipped chocolate strawberry on top and small pieces of choco pieces throughout every sip! It is so delish!” - Yelp Review

7. Sumi’s Cakery

Visit This Popular Korean Bakery for Unique Treats

2119 Murray Ave | Squirrel Hill | facebook.com/sumiscakery/

If you’re looking for exotic baked goods, you’ve found the right place. Indulge in traditional Korean delicacies served with beautiful presentation. Order a sticky rice and red bean filled donut for a special breakfast treat or the purple sweet potato cake for a delectable dessert.

“So glad that they're open again! Must say my favorite is their Green Tea cake- love that I could also personalize lettering on the cake. The green tea flavor is very strong, perfectly balanced with red beans.” - Yelp Review

8. Fudge Farm 

Milkshakes become full course desserts at this location 

Purchase a GiftYa for Fudge Farm

1503 E Carson St | Homestead | goodyhouse.com

Fudge Farm is a whole meal in itself -- if you try the milkshakes. They have a number of specialty milkshakes that are topped with tons of goodies from brownies to chocolate covered pretzels, cheesecake, warm pound cake, graham crackers, and more! If this doesn’t satisfy your cravings they have a huge selection of fudge, chocolates, and chocolate covered fruit!

“If you go to Pittsburgh and you don't visit the Fudge Farm please don't add me as a friend! LoL The Fudge Farm is without question one of my FAVORITE places so I may be just a tad bit biased.” - Yelp Review 

9. Insomnia Cookies 

Warm freshly baked cookies, milk, and ice cream make your late night dreams come true 

1734 E Carson St | South Side | insomniacookies.com

Insomnia Cookies is a chain location that has gained a reputation for their warm, fresh baked cookies that make great late night snacks. Pittsburgh now has one of these locations so you can get a taste of the hubbub! They offer boxes of warm cookies, ice cream by the pint, ice cream sandwiches, and cold glasses of milk that make the perfect accompaniment to warm cookies. 

“I ordered cookies during the night shift to shadyside and they were so wonderful that I ordered again the next night for my kids!! The cookies were perfect and I can't wait to order again!!” - Yelp Review 

10. Page Dairy Mart 

Family-owned homemade ice cream location that is loved by locals 

4112 E Carson St | Pittsburgh | pagedairymart.net

Having been around since 1951, Page Dairy Mart is still standing proud today. South Side locals love to get a taste of this ice cream -- and even stand in lines for over 30 minutes (but it’s worth it)! They have a huge selection of soft serve ice cream, new dairy-free, vegan soft serve made with oat milk, milkshakes, sundaes, and so much more. If you’re looking for your new favorite ice cream, this is the place to go!

“The best soft serve ice cream around hands down. My favorite is the peanut butter sundae. On my most recent visit I tried the pumpkin ice cream. It was really good but I'm going back to my peanut butter sundae next time.” - Yelp Review 

11. Pink Box Bakery Cafe 

Taiwanese baked goods and bubble tea in the heart of Squirrel Hill

2104 Murray Ave | Squirrel Hill | pinkboxpgh.com

Pink Box Bakery Cafe is a Taiwanese bakery specializing in authentic baked goods. They have a variety of filled buns from green tea to red bean to chocolate and more, along with breads, cakes, and a delicacy -- bubble tea! They offer a variety of tea flavors with generous portions of boba. 

“This place reminds me of the bakeries I used to go to in Taiwan. It is a bit small, but it has all the classics!” - Yelp Review 

12. Donut Connection

Donuts, coffee, and other breakfast favorites 

2414 Brownsville Rd | Carrick | donutconnection.com

Donut connection is another chain location serving coffee, breakfast foods, and of course -- donuts! Pittsburgh locals rave that these are some of the best donuts in the Pittsburgh area. If you’re looking for a donut and coffee on your morning commute to work, this is the place to stop!

“This place has excellent donuts! They are always fresh and delicious! I got two hot chocolates and did not know that they were not covered by food stamps. The owner gave me both for free!” - Yelp Review

13. Prantl's

The Home of Pittsburgh's Famous Burnt Almond Torte

Buy a Prantl's Bakery gift card

5525 Walnut St | Shadyside | prantlsbakery.com

Prantl's is hands-down one of the biggest names in Pittsburgh's sweet treat scene, and with good reason. Since 1970, the Shadyside location has been turning out some of the best cakes in Pittsburgh, including the famous Burnt Almond Torte that Huffington Post even named the best cake in America. It's a staple for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter meals in Pittsburgh households... so if you're looking for a dessert for a special occasion, be sure to order ahead!

While the almond torte might be their most famous offering, they have plenty of other tasty treats from pepperoni rolls they'll heat for you on your lunch break to New Year's pretzels to cupcakes to danishes to truffles.

Today Prantl's has five locations around the 'Burgh, and you can even get the local deliciousness shipped to wherever you are in North America with Prantl's on Goldbelly.

PS - you can text a Goldbelly gift card with GiftYa, too!

"I love Prantl's. Everything -- *everything* -- is delicious. The cookies, the cupcakes, the bread, the pepperoni rolls. They'll even heat them up for you if you stop in on your lunch break! But the star of the show is, of course, the iconic Burnt Almond Torte. Luckily, you don't have to shell out $30 and feed 20 people to get a taste of their most loved flavor. It's also available in little bites, cake bars, and cakes -- all of which are smaller and less expensive, perfect for when you're craving a sweet treat." -- Yelp Review

14. Eat 'N Park

Grab Yourself a Smiley Cookie or Grilled Stickies for a Very Pittsburgh Dessert at the City's Classic Local Diner Chain

Buy an Eat'n Park gift card

Several Locations | eatnpark.com

Last but certainly not least, we can't talk about where to get dessert in Pittsburgh without talking about Eat'n Park. Sure, it's your grandma's favorite place to grab the early bird special... but can you really blame her? The food is nostalgic and it still hits the spot, and that's before we even consider the dessert menu.

Since the first location opened on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1949, back when hungry Pittsburghers would pull up and be served Grand Slams and pistachio fluff by car hops, Eat'n Park's iconic dessert option has been the Smiley cookie. Now, the original location is closed, but with 56 locations in and around Pittsburgh, you can definitely find one nearby where you can grab the OG Smiley or one of the festive seasonal varieties.

Ear'n Park also has tasty milkshakes, cakes, and pies, but let's talk about the best dessert item on the menu: grilled stickies a la mode.

Any true Pittsburgher will tell you that you have to try it. It's obligatory, like having a Primanti's sandwich.

And when your waitress drops the plate on your table, here's what you'll see: a grilled sticky cinnamon roll topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm honey sauce. It's simple, it's classic, but it just might be the best dessert on the list.

"Best food and service 24 hours.The oldest still standing Eatn Park that exists. Awesome !Thank You Eatn Park Dormont Pa for all your years of outstanding service." -- Yelp Review, Dormont location

That's a wrap on the sweetest eats in the Steel City 🍰

No matter the occasion, Pittsburgh offers plenty of delicious treats to satiate any sweet tooth craving. Whether you’re Downtown or in the Southside, there’s a treat around every corner! And remember, all of these treats could be yours and friends with a GiftYa egift card!

Did we miss your favorite spot for desserts? Let us know down in the comments?