Craving the best dessert in Denver? From decadent cakes to playful pastries, explore 8 top spots serving sweets locals can’t resist.
Did you know America has the best Dessert in Denver?
Whether you’re a lifelong Denverite with a notorious sweet tooth or a visitor hoping to punctuate your Rockies adventure with something sugary, you’re in the right place. Our editors at Colorado Food Reviews have rounded up the most talked-about, best-loved dessert stops across the Mile High City — each one standing out for a reason.
This guide to the best dessert in Denver doesn’t rely on our own fleeting tastes or one-off visits. Instead, we’ve poured through thousands of Yelp reviews, local food blogs, TripAdvisor threads, Reddit r/Denver debates, and Instagram foodie reels to zero in on places that consistently draw praise from Denver locals and out-of-towners alike.
From a giant milk-can creamery scooping cult-favorite Salted Oreo to a playful neon-lit doughnut shop famous for its Maple Bacon Bar, these eight sweet shops are guaranteed to hit the spot. Think of it as a love letter to Denver’s sugar scene — carefully compiled by those who’ve tasted it all and talked about it endlessly online.
Updated July 2025
Table of Contents
Here’s the guide to the Best Dessert in Denver
Below, we’ve detailed the standout offerings, vibe, and practical info for each pick, so you can plan your sugar-fueled itinerary. Remember: seasonal flavors rotate constantly — so it pays to peek at the menus linked here before you head out.
Little Man Ice Cream (LoHi)
Address: 2620 16th St, Denver CO 80211
Phone: (303) 455-3811
Yelp Rating: 4.5★ • 2,500+ reviews
Operating Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–midnight
Service Type: Walk-up scoop window; patio seating, take-away pints
Atmosphere: A Denver icon housed in a towering 28-foot-tall milk can, Little Man feels more like a festival than a creamery. Expect live music on weekends, lines snaking down the block on warm nights, and a friendly, family-oriented buzz.
Website: littlemanicecream.com
Menu: View Menu
Uhhh so this one is a heavy hitter. And when we say heavy hitter we mean hundreds of locals deem this as the best dessert in Denver by far Based on thousands of reviews and endless social posts, it’s clear this spot has earned its legendary status. Denver locals rave about the Salted Oreo, which many say tastes like dunking a cookie into the Rockies’ freshest cream. Other highlights? The playful Space Junkie, rich Mexican Chocolate, and surprisingly light Banana Pudding. Seasonal drops like the pumpkin-chip keep loyalists coming back year-round. As many online fans put it: it’s worth braving the line — and worth every calorie.
Sweet Cooie’s (Congress Park)
Address: 3506 E 12th Ave, Denver CO 80206
Phone: (720) 550-7140
Yelp Rating: 4.4★ • 260+ reviews
Operating Hours: Mon–Thu 3–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 12–10 p.m.; Sun 12–9 p.m.
Service Type: Order-at-counter ice cream & chocolate shop
Atmosphere: Picture a 1950s sweet shop painted in elegant blue and white, dotted with chandeliers. Sweet Cooie’s feels like a step back in time — but with Denver’s distinctly creative flair.
Website: sweetcooies.com
Sweet Cooie’s is more than just a scoop shop; it’s a whimsical confectionary playground. According to TripAdvisor diners and countless Instagram tags, their signature is the Gooey Cooie — a warm brioche bun stuffed with ice cream. It’s dramatic, decadent, and tailor-made for a sugar rush. Adventurous eaters also flock here for the floral violet-rose macaron sandwich, citrusy lemon-poppy gelato, and velvety vegan chocolate sorbet, proving there’s something here for every palate.
Sweet Action Ice Cream (South Broadway)
Address: 52 Broadway, Denver CO 80203
Phone: (720) 638-4543
Yelp Rating: 4.5★ • 1,400+ reviews
Hours: Daily 12 p.m.–midnight
Service & Atmosphere: This bright, minimalist shop on South Broadway stands out for more than its crisp aesthetic. Sweet Action is proudly powered by wind — a fun detail that pops up repeatedly across Yelp reviews and local eco-friendly blogs.
Website: sweetaction.com
Menu: View Flavors
Fans across Reddit threads and Denver foodie roundups point to Sweet Action’s fearless approach to flavor. The Stranahan’s Whiskey Brickle nods to Colorado’s favorite spirit, while the Blackberry-Lavender has earned a cult following for its subtly floral finish. Other often-mentioned hits include the Salted Butterscotch and rich Vegan Coffee, making this shop a must for adventurous palates and plant-based eaters alike.
High Point Creamery (Hilltop)
Address: 215 S Holly St, Denver CO 80246
Phone: (720) 287-5097
Yelp Rating: 4.6★ • 1,000+ reviews
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Service & Atmosphere: A charming neighborhood scoop counter decked out in soft pastels, with patrons often spotted sampling “flight paddles” of mini ice cream scoops — an Instagram dream.
Website: highpointcreamery.com
Menu: View Menu
High Point is frequently described by reviewers as “Denver’s grown-up ice cream shop.” They push boundaries with flavors like Brown Butter Pecan, Earl Grey with Shortbread, and a bold Tin Cup Whiskey & Pistachio Brittle. Another local obsession? The stunning ice-cream bombes — colorful, layered spheres that break open to reveal different flavors. Locals on Yelp emphasize the spot’s consistency, saying it’s the place they take visiting friends to show off Denver’s sweeter side and help them find their new favorite best dessert in denver.
Milkbox Ice Creamery (Union Station)
Address: 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver CO 80202
Phone: (720) 460-3707
Yelp Rating: 4.0★ • 360+ reviews
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Service & Atmosphere: Housed in the historic Union Station, Milkbox pairs travel nostalgia with a modern, industrial twist. It’s common to see travelers wheeling suitcases past, pausing for cones or boozy shakes between trains.
Website: milkboxicecream.com
Menu: View Flavors
According to Yelp’s top mentions, Milkbox stands out for rotating small-batch flavors. Favorites include Banana Pudding, Brown-Butter Pecan, and a bold Café con Leche that reviewers say pairs shockingly well with their boozy Root-Beer Float. The location itself is half the experience, drawing countless food-focused TikToks that capture the grand station hall’s soaring ceilings. Definitely not your typical pastry shop but many locals argue their ice cream is the best dessert in Denver
Voodoo Doughnut (Colfax)
Address: 1520 E Colfax Ave, Denver CO 80218
Phone: (303) 597-3666
Yelp Rating: 4.0★ • 2,800+ reviews
Hours: Daily 5 a.m.–3 a.m.
Service & Atmosphere: Open nearly 24 hours, Voodoo feels like a sugar-fueled fever dream in the best possible way. Its neon-pink boxes have become an Instagram icon, often spotted at downtown parties or morning meetings alike.
Website: voodoodoughnut.com
Menu: Explore Doughnuts
Denverites and tourists alike pile into Voodoo for playful, over-the-top treats that sometimes verge on the absurd. The Bacon Maple Bar tops most lists, its smoky, savory crunch mingling perfectly with maple glaze. Other often-highlighted picks include the jam-filled Voodoo Doll, tangy Mango Tango, lush Portland Cream, and even the Vegan School Daze PB&J, ensuring there’s a wild-card option for every craving. Numerous Reddit locals recommend stopping by late-night when lines thin and the shop’s irreverent energy is at its peak.
Happy Bakeshop (Highlands)
Address: 3621 W 32nd Ave, Denver CO 80211
Phone: (303) 477-3556
Yelp Rating: 4.6★ • 138 reviews
Hours: Tue–Fri 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Mon closed
Service & Atmosphere: This quaint cupcake and custom-cake boutique feels tailor-made for a relaxed weekend stroll. With its cozy pastel exterior and sun-dappled front window, Happy Bakeshop is often described as “pure Highlands charm” by Yelp reviewers.
Website: happybakeshopcolorado.com
Menu: See Cupcake Options
Locals frequently mention the rotating seasonal cupcake flights, allowing you to taste a rainbow of small indulgences in one go. The salted-caramel cake is another standout, with reviewers calling it the dessert they “dream about all week.” Macaron fans and gluten-free diners also find plenty to celebrate, from delicate pistachio cookies to lemon bars that several patrons say “don’t taste gluten-free — just delicious.”
Cake Crumbs Bakery & Café (Park Hill)
Address: 2216 Kearney St, Denver CO 80207
Phone: (303) 861-4912
Yelp Rating: 4.3★ • 450+ reviews
Hours: Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Service & Atmosphere: A sunny neighborhood spot where locals linger over coffee and flaky pastries on the front patio. Yelp reviews and local blog posts alike emphasize its warm, laid-back feel.
Website: cake-crumbs.com
Menu: Browse Menu
Cake Crumbs has quietly built a loyal following thanks to its custom layer cakes — especially popular for birthdays and special events — and its hybrid cinnamon-roll croissant, often singled out as a must-order. Reviewers also highlight the bakery’s commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients, with many raving about their fruit hand pies and the vegan blueberry muffin that routinely sells out by mid-morning. Some locals swear this place makes the best dessert in denver or even nation wide.
🔗 A little local flavor…
For even more local eats beyond the sugary side, you can explore our broader Denver category here. We know you are looking for the best dessert in Denver but we have tons of other guides! It’s a great way to build your own ultimate food tour, pairing dessert stops with everything from brunch spots to craft breweries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding the Best Dessert in Denver
What dessert the best dessert in denver?
While Denver doesn’t have one official signature dessert, locals will tell you the city excels at small-batch ice creams, playful doughnuts, and artisan cakes. From the over-the-top creations at Voodoo Doughnut to the sophisticated flavor flights at High Point Creamery, the diversity alone makes Denver’s dessert scene something special.
When’s the best time to visit these shops?
Many dessert lovers prefer the shoulder seasons — spring and fall — to avoid Denver’s busiest tourism rush and still catch plenty of seasonal flavor drops (think spiced cider cupcakes, peach cobbler ice creams, or egg-nog doughnuts). Lines at spots like Little Man Ice Cream tend to be shorter on weekday afternoons. If you truly want the best dessert in denver go during quiet hours.
Do any of these places have vegan options?
Yes! Denver’s dessert shops have leaned heavily into plant-based treats. Try Sweet Action’s Vegan Coffee, Sweet Cooie’s vegan chocolate sorbet, or the Vegan School Daze PB&J doughnut at Voodoo. Even bakeries like Cake Crumbs keep a popular vegan blueberry muffin on regular rotation.
How did you pick these “best dessert in Denver” spots?
This guide was crafted by our editorial team at Colorado Food Reviews by meticulously combing through thousands of public reviews across Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and Instagram. Each pick consistently stood out for quality, popularity, and local love — no sponsored placements or hidden partnerships here.
The Sweetest Takeaway: Why These Are the Best Dessert in Denver
Denver might be known first for its sunshine and mountains, but if there’s one thing locals truly rally behind, it’s great food — and desserts top that list. From the swirl of Salted Oreo in a milk-can creamery to a sunrise-studded box of Portland Cream doughnuts, each of these spots tells a little story of the city’s playful, creative food culture.
If you’re hunting down the best dessert in Denver, consider this list your tried-and-true blueprint, crowdsourced from thousands of sweet tooths who’ve come before you. Just don’t forget to pace yourself — there’s a lot of sugar to love here.
About the Author
Written by David Lanketh, an editor at Colorado Food Reviews who curates culinary guides based on verified public consensus across thousands of online reviews. David specializes in uncovering local gems through meticulous research and transparent editorial standards.
How This Article Was Prepared
These reviews are based on aggregated customer experiences from public platforms, not personal dining visits. Our team compiled this guide by reviewing over 10,000 comments across Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor, Reddit threads, Instagram posts, and local Denver food blogs. We strive to present an unbiased snapshot of the most beloved dessert spots in the city — all backed by public consensus.
Submit a Spot
Know a sugar haven in Denver we missed? We’d love to hear about it. Submit your favorite local dessert stop here, and our editors may feature it in an upcoming guide.
More to Explore
Looking to pair these sweet adventures with brunch or late-night bites? Browse our full local archive at coloradofoodreviews.com.
Helpful Links
- Visit Denver: Official Tourism Site — for seasonal events and neighborhood food tours.
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: Colorado Proud — learn about the local farms and dairies behind many of these desserts.
