This Florida Dessert Paradise In St. Augustine Was Founded By A Food Network Chef And Everyone Is Obsessed
St. Augustine is one of Florida’s most charming cities, but when it comes to desserts, Crème de la Cocoa stands in a class of its own. This is not just a bakery — it feels like a hidden Florida gem reserved for people who truly appreciate beautiful, indulgent sweets.
Locals speak about it like a delicious secret, and visitors often leave already planning their next stop back.
Founded by a Food Network chef, this San Marco Avenue favorite transforms desserts into edible art, from delicate petite tarts and glossy truffles to breathtaking celebration cakes made for weddings, birthdays, and unforgettable moments. Every display looks curated, every bite feels intentional, and every visit feels like a treat.
Whether you live in Florida or are exploring the state for the first time, Crème de la Cocoa turns an ordinary dessert craving into a special, memory-worthy experience. If dessert is your love language, this is where Florida speaks it fluently.
Where To Find It And How To Plan Your Visit
Crème de la Cocoa sits at 299 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084, a quick hop from the historic district yet blissfully easy to reach. You can call +1 904-466-9499, and the website lists current hours, seasonal specials, and holiday closures.
Regular hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, with Sunday and Monday closed, so timing matters.
Parking is straightforward along San Marco Avenue, and popping in earlier in the day gives you the best selection. Display cases brim with cakes, cookies, pastries, and truffles, and the staff is happy to guide you if choices feel overwhelming.
Expect a casual, cheerful rhythm that works for a fast grab or a leisurely browse.
Prices lean friendly for artisan work, making it easy to sample widely and still feel smart about value. If you are planning a celebration cake, schedule a tasting and consultation ahead of time, especially during wedding season.
Out-of-towners love that the team answers questions promptly and confirms details clearly.
A Food Network Pedigree And The Bakery’s Story
The bakery’s reputation shines in part because its founder is a Food Network chef, a credential you can taste in the polish and creativity of every dessert. While the shop does not publish a full origin timeline, regulars speak of a professional kitchen where technique meets whimsy.
Nothing feels fussy for the sake of it, yet precision is unmistakable.
That blend of show-tested skill and neighborhood friendliness fuels the shop’s devoted following. Wedding couples rave about thoughtful consultations and follow-up notes, and daily customers praise fresh bakes rather than shipped-in sweets.
The team clearly values consistency, which is why case favorites taste as reliable on Tuesday afternoons as on busy Saturdays.
If you are curious about history, the staff will share what is public without embellishment. What matters most is the experience now: beautiful items, balanced flavors, and textures that land exactly where they should.
It is the kind of place where a single truffle can convince you that craft still matters.
Inside The Shop: Decor, Ambiance, And Display Magic
Step inside and the first thing you notice is light: soft, flattering, and perfect for admiring glossy glazes and delicate piping. Clean lines, tidy cases, and artful arrangements make choosing a pleasure rather than a scramble.
It feels personal without being precious, polished without losing welcome-to-the-neighborhood warmth.
Music stays comfortably in the background, so conversations about flavors and designs come easily. Staff members move with practiced ease, wiping counters, boxing pastries, and pulling new trays like clockwork.
That steady rhythm keeps lines moving even when the dessert crush hits around mid afternoon.
Displays are refreshed frequently, so return visits feel like mini reveals. Whether you are drawn to buttercream-smooth cakes, jewel-box truffles, or cookie sandwiches stacked with nostalgic charm, everything looks intentional.
The vibe says linger if you like, then float out happier than you arrived.
Everyday Menu Highlights You Should Not Miss
The case tells a persuasive story: cookie sandwiches that channel childhood joy, truffles with layered ganache, and macarons that snap delicately before melting. Dessert shooters and cups deliver big flavors in petite portions, perfect for sampling two or three without overcommitting.
Cakes range from petite rounds to celebration sizes, each finished with clean edges and playful details.
One day might bring PB-and-J cookies with a peanutty chew and jammy pop, while another features coconut-forward treats that vacation in your memory. Flourless selections appear with pleasing regularity, and gluten-free options show up often enough to feel inclusive rather than afterthought.
Everything tastes fresh, not freighted in from somewhere else.
Value stands out, too. Prices land in the approachable bracket, surprising for the level of finesse.
If indecision strikes, ask for guidance and build a mixed box that touches creamy, crunchy, fruity, and chocolatey lanes.
Signature Cakes And The Wedding Program
This bakery is a wedding star, praised for tastings that feel generous and fun. Couples often choose two flavors, leveraging sheet cakes to feed a crowd while keeping the display cake just right for photos.
Communication is a strength, from emails that clarify design notes to follow-ups that celebrate milestones.
Flavors rotate, with guest favorites like red velvet that stays tender, carrot cake that balances spice and sweetness, and Florida-inspired profiles like citrus or guava. Textures are carefully tuned: mousses that hold, curds that sing, and buttercreams that whisper rather than shout.
The finished slices read balanced and never cloying.
Portions are honest without showiness, and decorations range from modern minimal to floral-forward romance. If you have a destination celebration in St. Augustine, the team coordinates smoothly and delivers on time.
It is easy to see why so many reviews call their cake the best they have ever had.
Texture And Taste: What It Is Like To Eat Here
First bite, and the shop’s philosophy clicks: balanced sweetness, structural integrity, and textures that feel engineered for pleasure. A mousse layer glides across the palate, then a tender crumb steps in, followed by a playful crunch or nutty finish.
Nothing slouches or overwhelms, and every component seems placed with purpose.
If you skew chocolate, the truffles deliver with depth and clean finishes rather than heaviness. Fruit lovers find brightness that tastes like fruit, not candy.
Even classics like red velvet push ahead on moisture and a tangy, creamy counterpoint that keeps forks returning.
Portions feel generous for the price, especially in dessert cups that pack layers into a compact format. Cookies win on chew and contrast, and macarons hold their structure even in Florida humidity.
By the time the box is empty, you will already have a short list for next time.
Service, Pacing, And How The Team Treats Guests
Service here hums along on kindness and competence. Team members greet quickly, explain flavors without scriptiness, and box items as if they are sending gifts to someone they love.
Lines move with intention, helped by calm guidance when indecisive moments appear.
For custom orders, the communication shines. Expect timely emails, design clarifications, and reminders that keep everyone aligned, which is gold for destination events.
Tasting appointments feel relaxed and thorough, with encouragement to explore beyond your original plan if something steals your attention.
That attentiveness extends after the event, too, with congratulatory notes and anniversary offers that turn a bakery visit into a tradition. Even a quick stop for cookies feels personal.
It is hospitality you can taste just as surely as you can see it in neat ribboned boxes.
Practical Tips, Pricing, And Best Times To Go
Arrive early for the fullest selection, especially on Saturdays when celebrations and beach picnics collide. Weekdays mid morning can be delightfully calm, and closing hour still yields gems thanks to steady baking.
If a must-try flavor sells out, ask about the next bake window or suitable stand-ins.
Prices sit in the approachable bracket for artisan work, so building a sampler box will not rattle the budget. Custom cakes are quoted by size, complexity, and flavor, with sheet cakes offering smart value for larger guest counts.
Payment and pickup are smooth, and boxes travel well if you keep them shaded and level.
Check hours before driving over: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Sunday and Monday. For weddings and large orders, book early, then relax knowing details are handled.
When in doubt, call or browse the website for seasonal menus and announcements.