5 Iconic Dessert Places in Orlando That’ll Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

I hope you saved room for dessert because this blog is about to make your mouth water...

Whether you’re looking for something to hit the sweet spot after dinner, or you’re in the mood for an afternoon treat, I have your guide to the most iconic dessert places in Orlando.

As a Central Florida local and unofficial dessert connoisseur, I’m constantly in search of the best sweets both at home and in new destinations.

^{Me at the Ice Cream Museum of Miami living out my wildest, sugar-filled dreams.}

I’ve taken chocolate painting classes and have a bag of emergency candy in my sock drawer. And my best friend/go-to dessert buddy eats icing with a spoon.

Let’s just say I know my way around sugar, and I appreciate a well-made sweet treat.

This list includes 5 must-try favorites while you’re in Orlando, whether you’re on vacation or you live here and are looking to try something new.

From half-pound cookies to decked-out doughnuts to edible works of art, here’s the inside scoop on the most iconic and indulgent desserts Orlando has to offer.

Trust me, you’ll want to devour everything on it, so pace yourself.

5. Baked Goods from Se7en Bites

Ranking as the fifth most iconic dessert in Orlando, I bring you Se7en Bites. Think nostalgic southern comfort food with a modern twist.

While they specialize in pies, their scratch-made bakery menu has grown to include cake, cookies, cheesecake, bread pudding, muffins, coffee cake and so much more.

What Makes Se7en Bites Special?

Not only is Se7en Bites considered a local legend, but it was also featured on Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

To this day, they still sell “the pie that started it all.” Their signature Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Pecan Pie features dark chocolate and salted caramel all hiding inside a buttery and flaky, hand-pinched crust.

Se7en Bites is just as well known for their southern-style breakfast, brunch and lunch featuring a famous chicken pot pie, chicken and waffles, homemade garlic biscuits and so much more.

I know this blog is about the desserts, but consider this place for breakfast or lunch as well. And they have very generous portions, so come hungry.

My Dessert Recommendations

While there’s always an overwhelming amount of amazing options to choose from, I can’t get enough of Se7en Bite’s nostalgic desserts.

They make elevated and creative versions of your childhood favorites like Ho Hos, Ding Dongs and Oatmeal Cream Pies.

My personal favorite is the Ding Dong. Their version is much bigger than the original and contains two slices of rich, moist chocolate cake sandwiching a light and fluffy whipped cream — all dunked in a thick and decadent chocolate shell.



Your inner child (and your tastebuds) will be happy and you can’t go wrong ordering one (or several) of these.

I’d also recommend trying one of their best sellers, the Don’t Fudge With Me bar. It’s a five-layer cookie bar that starts with a base of chocolate chip cookie, followed by an espresso sea salt brownie, salted peanut buttercream, dark chocolate fudge and then all topped off with chunks of cookie dough.

This dessert lover’s dream is not to be taken lightly. It’s about four inches thick and potentially the richest dessert in this blog.

Se7en Bites Location

Se7en Bites is a bright green building located in the heart of Orlando’s Milk District near the downtown area.

They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as their own parking lot.

I recommend taking a selfie with their mural on the front of the building that says, “Come on in & let us fill your pie hole.”

Address: 617 N Primrose Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

4. Doughnuts from DG Doughnuts

Fourth on the list, we have doughnuts. Honestly, Orlando is so good at doughnuts, it was hard to choose a favorite spot.

But if I hadddd to pick one, the winner in my book is DG Doughnuts, a hidden gem located in Oakland, less than a half-hour from Orlando’s theme parks.

What Makes DG Doughnuts Special?

These doughnuts are massive. They’re about six inches wide, and I recommend you bring a friend to share one with.

The doughnuts themselves are hand-rolled, hand-cut and hand-decorated. They’re fresh, fluffy and melt in your mouth. But the thing that impresses me the most about them is the toppings.

I think the best way to describe the level of detail they put into their doughnuts is to share a few of their menu items with you:

• Nutella Cheesecake: A huge DG-raised yeast ring dipped in warm dark chocolate, covered in cheesecake bites, chunks of graham cracker crust and a big dollop of Nutella in the middle

• Maple Bacon Bars: A raised Long John slathered in rich maple icing and topped with applewood-smoked bacon

• Cosmic Brownie Delight: Stuffed with a whole cosmic brownie, dipped in chocolate fudge icing, topped with stripes of rainbow glaze, chocolate whip and rainbow sprinkles

DG calls these its “Fancy Flavors,” and the shop comes out with an entire spread of new ones every single week.

My Dessert Recommendations

DG Doughnuts continues to impress me with their creativity. To me, they’re more of a full-blown dessert experience than simply a doughnut.

One of my favorites was the blackberry key lime doughnut. The key lime filling contrasted so well with the blackberry icing and it even had a fresh blackberry on top.



Unfortunately for me and you, this was one of their Fancy Flavors that gets rotated out weekly.

So, while specific Fancy Flavors may not be available when you visit, I have the perfect thing to get your mouth-watering, and it’s a permanent staple in their lineup: the apple fritter.

Picture a fritter, bigger than a frisbee, stuffed with fresh chunks of apples, swirled with cinnamon and dipped in vanilla glaze.

It was incredibly soft and gooey inside, and the fresh apples in every bite impressed me more than any apple fritter I’ve ever had.

And get this — it was only $6.50.

DG Doughnuts Location

DG Doughnuts may be located inside of a gas station, but trust me, not only is this the most world-class doughnut you’ll have in a Chevron, it may be the best doughnut you’ll ever have.

Once you walk into the gas station, you’ll see their adorable counter and friendly staff on the left side of the building.

They don’t have any seating inside, but they do pack up your doughnuts in a cute, little box to go.

Address: 16131 W Colonial Dr, Oakland, FL 34787

3. Desserts from The Glass Knife

Coming in third place we have The Glass Knife — an elegant and charming restaurant that’s location is as beautiful on the inside as their desserts are on the outside.

It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat and indulge yourself in any kind of sweetness your heart desires.

What Makes The Glass Knife Special?

The Glass Knife has it all. The dessert menu includes cakes, donuts, pastries, tarts, cookies, brownies, croissants, and even what I can only describe as exquisitely decorated, edible works of art.

My Dessert Recommendations

I feel confident in saying that you don’t even need my recommendation on which dessert to order because there is no wrong choice here.

But if you do want a little direction, one of my favorites will always be the Ultimate Cinnamon Roll.

It’s prepared with a scratch-made, buttermilk brioche roll, layered with buttery cinnamon brown sugar and smothered in cream cheese frosting.

It’s like a warm, gooey, cream-cheesy hug for your mouth. And it’s enormous.

I shared it with two other friends, but that didn’t stop me from licking the cream cheese icing off the plate.

Their brunch is incredible and so is the Chicken Salad Croissant and Chicken Pot Pie.



But let’s be honest. I come here with my friends to split one lunch or dinner item, and then order as many desserts as the table can hold.

Variety is the spice of life and so is getting to sample all your friends’ desserts.

The Glass Knife Location

The Glass Knife is located on the outskirts of downtown Winter Park. You can’t miss the classy pink and black building with the cream-colored, retro truck in their parking lot out front.

They have indoor and outdoor seating and every inch of it is Instagram-worthy.

Address: 276 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

2. Ice Cream from Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream

If you’re an ice cream lover, you need to run, not walk, to the second most iconic dessert place on this list — Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream — one of Orlando’s beloved and fastest-growing local ice cream shops.

What Makes Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Special?

The ice cream really is homemade, and the flavors are unique.

I personally can’t get enough of the rich and creamy texture, but the real selling point is the big chunks of ingredients they pack into every bite.

Think ooey-gooey brownie bites, thick and creamy swirls of Nutella, pieces of maple bourbon bacon and chunks of cookies still intact.

Ask any Kelly’s fan which flavor is their favorite and nine times out of ten you’ll hear Cookie Monster.

Cookie Monster is a creamy blue velvet cake batter ice cream filled with huge chunks of Oreos. It goes unchallenged as the best ice cream I’ve ever had.

My Dessert Recommendations

From personal experience, I can advise that buying a pint of Cookie Monster and taking it home to press together between two homemade chocolate chip cookies will undoubtedly be the best ice cream sandwich you’ve ever had.

My boyfriend, Will, lived a few blocks away from Kelly’s original location.

He says, “Hands down, Kelly’s has the best ice cream, and not even just in Orlando. So many unique flavors. The Cookie Monster is by far my favorite. I can’t get enough.”

^{Do yourself a favor and just buy a quart of Cookie Monster.}

Other local favorites include Ore-dough, Mexican Chocolate, Banana Pudding, Key Lime and several of the exclusive, limited-release monthly flavors.

Don’t worry, if you can’t choose a flavor, they offer a waffle bowl flight that lets you pick four.

And as an added bonus, they serve dog-friendly popsicles with a bone frozen inside for only $2.

^{Kelly’s pupsicles are good-boy approved by Deagon, my dog Wally’s best bud.}

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream Locations in Orlando

They now have six locations around Orlando, including Milkhouse in the Milk District, where you can also grab a bite to eat from some of our favorite local lunch spots.

Or inside the Foxtail Coffee Co. on Howell Branch, you can pair your ice cream cone with a coffee or craft beer from Ravenous Pig Brewing Co.

If you’re trying to plan a dessert tour using this list, Kelly’s Audubon Park location is right across the street from Gideon’s Bakehouse, a six-minute drive from Se7en Bites and an 11-minute drive from The Glass Knife.

Here are all 6 of their locations:

• Audubon Park Location: 3114 Corrine Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
• South Downtown Location: 1817 S. Ferncreek Ave., Orlando, FL 32806
• Oviedo Location: 119 N. Central Ave. #1007, Ovideo, FL 32765
• Windermere Location: 14387 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd., Windermere, FL 34786
• Winter Park Counter: 2451 Howell Market Lane, Winter Park, FL 32789
• Milk District Counter: 201 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando, FL 32806

Don’t do dairy? Visit Greenery Creamery. They make a variety of plant-based ice creams using local and organic ingredients like coconut, peanut butter, sunflower butter, almond or soy in their vegan bases.

1. Cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse

I know I’m coming on strong, but trust me, if you only have time to try one dessert on this list, this is it.

This is your warning: No other cookie will ever be the same after you try Gideon’s Bakehouse.

I’m aware I may be biased since I’m a cookie fanatic but having your first bite of a Gideon’s cookie is a life-changing experience.

If you don’t believe me, then you should have faith that The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated and Delish.com have all called it the best cookie in Orlando, the United States and Planet Earth.

What Makes Gideon’s Bakehouse Special?

I know you’re probably thinking, “Ok, Jen, we get it. What’s so special about this cookie?”

I think my fellow Gideon’s fan, Erin, describes it best, “Every bite is as indulgent as you might expect based on the pictures. The Chocolate Chip Cookie is an incredible mixture of salty and sweet that leaves your sweet tooth intensely satisfied.”

These cookies are about the size of your first and weigh in around a half-pound each.

They’re coated with enough chocolate chips to hide the fact that there is a cookie underneath, and then they’re topped with a layer of chunky sea salt.

Gideon’s cookies are also known for their soft and almost dough-like texture on the inside.

My Dessert Recommendations

Try the Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie for your first experience, but Cookies and Cream and Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip are always my go-to flavors.

And if all of that isn’t enough to satisfy your sugar cravings, they sell chocolate-dipped cookie bites and gigantic cake slices as well.

Pro Tips for Visiting Gideon’s Bakehouse

As a frequent patron of Gideon’s Bakehouse, I have a few tips for a first-time visitor:

Get there early.

They sell out of popular flavors, often on a daily basis. So, the earlier you arrive, the more options you’ll have.

Plan ahead.

If you’re near the East End Market location, you can pre-order online and avoid wait times.

If you’re planning to visit the Disney Springs location, I recommend putting your name in the virtual queue as soon as you arrive, as it can be a few hours before it’s your turn.

That way, you can enjoy Disney Springs while you anxiously wait for your delicious dessert.

Get the inside scoop.

If you check out their social media account before arriving, you can find insider information on the limited-edition monthly flavors, secret cake slices, wait times and sold-out status.

Gideon’s Bakehouse Locations in Orlando

• Original East End Market Location: 3201 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
• Disney Springs Location: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Bonus Dessert Places in Orlando

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World_® Theme Parks, Universal Orlando^™ Resort or any attractions in that area, you won’t have to go far to find even more of the best dessert places in Orlando.

There’s an entire bucket list of unique and delicious spots around you, all less than 25 minutes from Orange Lake Resort and Orlando Breeze Resort.

Here’s a list of some of my go-to spots when I get a craving after a day of rides and roller coasters:

• Milkshakes from Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in CityWalk^™
• Doughnuts from Voodoo Doughnut in CityWalk
• Cinnamon buns from Cinnabon in CityWalk
• Cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs
• Cupcakes from Sprinkles Cupcakes in Disney Springs
• Chocolates from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs
• Candy-infused cocktails from Sugar Factory at ICON Park^™

And I can tell you from first-hand experience, Orlando Breeze Resort is an awesome place to stay for a family vacation, a couples’ getaway or a little staycation for locals.

^{Me and Will enjoying a short and sweet staycation at Orlando Breeze Resort}

My boyfriend and I spent a long weekend there, and we absolutely loved our time exploring what there is to do nearby (outside the theme parks).

Wherever you decide to go, I hope this guide to the best and most iconic dessert places in Orlando helps you on your quest to satisfy your sweet tooth and discover your own favorite spots.


Our guest bloggers are compensated for their writing contributions and honest opinions.

All information is subject to change. This article is a curated guide and is neither sponsored nor considered an official endorsement. Please be sure to check information directly with any/all tours, guides or companies for the most up-to-date and direct details.