13 Georgia Dessert Shops That’ll Make You Skip Dinner On Purpose
There’s something truly magical about Georgia’s dessert scene, so magical, in fact, that even the most dedicated food lovers often find themselves rearranging their entire meal plans just to make room for something sweet.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve told friends, “Let’s just grab something light for dinner,” fully aware that I was saving space for a show-stopping finale.
Across the state, these 13 dessert havens have earned their reputations not as afterthoughts, but as culinary destinations in their own right. From decadent cakes to inventive ice cream, these spots prove dessert can absolutely be the main event.
1. Little Tart: Atlanta
The first time I bit into a flaky morning bun at Little Tart, I audibly gasped. People turned to stare, but I couldn’t help myself.
What began as a humble farmers market stand has blossomed into a pastry powerhouse that locals willingly wait in weekend-long lines for. Their benne seed cookies deliver a nutty richness that haunts my dreams, while their buttery croissants shatter into a thousand delicious layers with each bite.
I’ve canceled dinner plans more than once when I realized I could swing by Little Tart instead. Worth every calorie and minute in line!
2. Sweet Hut Bakery & Café: Midtown Atlanta
Bubble tea in one hand, Portuguese egg tart in the other, this is my definition of happiness at Sweet Hut.
The moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly baked pastries wraps around you like a warm hug. I stumbled upon this gem during a rainy afternoon and found myself returning three times that week. Their display case brims with colorful treats that make my inner child squeal with delight.
My go-to order? A savory pork floss bun followed by their heavenly cream-filled buns. The perfect dinner replacement that satisfies both savory and sweet cravings!
3. Alon’s Bakery & Market: Atlanta
“Just going to pick up some bread,” I told my roommate before heading to Alon’s. Two hours and four desserts later, I returned with a silly grin and zero regrets.
Ask any Atlanta local about Alon’s sticky toffee pudding, and watch their eyes roll back in pure bliss. The rainbow cookies bring technicolor joy with each almond-paste layer. Even their simplest offerings, a chocolate chip cookie or plain croissant, outshine fancier desserts elsewhere.
Founded by Alon Balshan in 1992, this bakery has earned its reputation as Atlanta’s premier destination for European-style pastries that make dinner seem entirely optional.
4. The Peach Cobbler Factory: Fairburn
My grandmother’s peach cobbler was legendary in our family until I brought her to this place. She took one bite, raised an eyebrow, and whispered, “Well, I’ll be…”
The Peach Cobbler Factory isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, they’ve perfected one thing and stuck with it. Their blackberry-peach cobbler hits that perfect balance between tart and sweet, while the cinnamon-peach variety warms you from the inside out.
I’ve witnessed grown adults making midnight drives just for a warm serving topped with vanilla ice cream. When peach season hits Georgia, this place becomes a pilgrimage site worth skipping any meal for.
5. Tealeaf & Creamery: Buford
Fish-shaped cakes filled with ice cream shouldn’t work, but holy moly, they absolutely do at Tealeaf & Creamery!
The first time I held a warm taiyaki cone filled with swirled matcha soft serve, I knew dinner plans would be canceled. These Japanese-inspired treats feature a crisp exterior that yields to a soft, warm cake interior, creating the perfect contrast against the cold, creamy center.
Their homemade toppings, red bean paste, crushed Oreos, or seasonal fruits, add another dimension of flavor. I’ve driven forty minutes out of my way just to satisfy my taiyaki craving, and I’d happily do it again tomorrow.
6. Schmoo.Pies: Marietta
“Just one bite,” my friend promised when introducing me to Schmoo.Pies. That single taste of their signature fudge-filled mini pie led to me canceling our dinner reservation on the spot.
These award-winning creations aren’t just desserts, they’re experiences. Each handcrafted pie delivers an explosion of flavor that seems physically impossible given their petite size. The chocolate bourbon pecan variety should probably be illegal, and their seasonal offerings never disappoint.
The owner once caught me photographing my pie from multiple angles and laughed, “It tastes even better than it looks!” She wasn’t exaggerating, these little wonders are worth building your entire day around.
7. Sweet Living Bakery: Marietta Square
The carrot cake at Sweet Living Bakery ruined all other carrot cakes for me forever. Moist, perfectly spiced, with cream cheese frosting that strikes that elusive balance between sweet and tangy.
Tucked away in charming Marietta Square, this cozy bakery feels like visiting your most talented baking friend’s kitchen. Everything’s made from scratch daily, and locals know to arrive early before favorites sell out. Their cookies somehow manage to be both crisp-edged and chewy-centered, a textural magic trick I’ve tried (and failed) to replicate at home.
When homesickness hits, nothing cures it faster than their nostalgic treats that taste like childhood memories.
8. Leopold’s Ice Cream: Savannah
Standing in line at Leopold’s feels like participating in a sacred Savannah ritual that’s been happening since 1919. The black and white photos on the walls tell stories of generations who’ve experienced the same joy I feel with each spoonful.
Their Tutti Frutti ice cream, the original recipe, contains candied fruit pieces and roasted Georgia pecans that dance together in perfect harmony. On sweltering Savannah afternoons, nothing beats their refreshing lemon custard that somehow captures sunshine in frozen form.
I’ve watched tourists and locals alike abandon dinner plans after spotting Leopold’s iconic sign. Some traditions survive for over a century because they’re simply worth preserving.
9. General Muir & Woods Chapel Pies: Atlanta suburbs
The rice pudding at General Muir arrived at my table warm, fragrant with cinnamon, and topped with plump golden raisins. One spoonful in, I texted my dinner date: “Sorry, already eating dessert. Join me?”
These sister establishments have mastered the art of comforting desserts that transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen. Woods Chapel’s chocolate-peanut butter biscuit pudding deserves its own fan club, rich, decadent, and somehow both sophisticated and homey simultaneously.
Reddit threads frequently light up with passionate debates about which location serves the superior pie. My advice? Skip the argument and try both, just don’t plan on wanting dinner afterward.
10. The Salty Donut: Atlanta (Krog Street Market)
Calling what The Salty Donut creates merely “donuts” feels like calling the Grand Canyon “a hole.” These are edible art pieces that happen to be absolutely delicious.
Their banana cream pie donut, topped with fresh banana slices, vanilla wafer crumbles, and torched meringue, made me cancel dinner plans faster than you can say “diet starts tomorrow.” The seasonal offerings keep regulars coming back; their mango-passionfruit white chocolate glaze tastes like a tropical vacation in circular form.
Located in bustling Krog Street Market, this artisan donut shop draws crowds willing to stand in line for these hand-crafted treasures. Trust me, the wait is worth every minute.
11. Café Alsace: Marietta/Atlanta metro
The first time I bit into a macaron at Café Alsace, I closed my eyes and momentarily believed I was in Paris. These delicate confections, with their perfect crisp-chewy texture, are worth crossing town for.
French pastry perfection isn’t easy to find in Georgia, but this unassuming café delivers consistently exceptional European treats. Their éclairs feature crackling choux pastry filled with velvety pastry cream that puts grocery store versions to shame.
A French expat friend insists this is the only place in Atlanta that reminds her of home. When locals choose to skip dinner elsewhere in favor of dessert here, you know they’re onto something special.
12. Butter & Cream: Near Midtown Atlanta
My first Butter & Cream ice cream sandwich, chocolate chunk cookies embracing brown butter ice cream, made me laugh out loud with pure joy. People nearby must have thought I was losing my mind, but anyone who’s tried their creations would understand.
This isn’t just ice cream; it’s a religious experience. Their sundaes arrive piled impossibly high with homemade toppings that transform the already exceptional base into something transcendent. The seasonal flavors showcase Georgia’s bounty, summer peach, autumn apple butter, winter peppermint.
I’ve watched countless patrons enter planning to “just have a small scoop” and leave with towering creations, dinner plans completely forgotten.
13. Miller Union: Atlanta
“We’ll just stop by Miller Union for drinks,” I told my friends before the server mentioned their ice cream sandwich special. Those dinner reservations never stood a chance.
While primarily known as a restaurant, Miller Union’s dessert program deserves its own spotlight. The former Tiny Lou’s pastry chef creates seasonal masterpieces that make saving room absolutely essential. Their waffle treats, warm, crisp, and paired with house-made ice cream, have reduced my normally chatty dining companions to reverent silence.
The dessert menu changes frequently, but each creation demonstrates technical brilliance while maintaining soul-warming comfort. Even dedicated foodies who plan elaborate dinner crawls often end up lingering here for the sweet finale.