Valentine’s Day Is Sweeter With Dessert, And These 15 Ohio Places Prove It
Snowy Ohio evenings have a funny way of turning me into a dessert detective, and I still laugh thinking about the time I tried to plan a “responsible” Valentine outing and somehow ended up carrying three pastry boxes like priceless artifacts.
Skip the reservation stress and go straight for the good part. These 15 Ohio dessert spots turn February into a choose-your-own sugar adventure.
Bring one spoon, two forks, or zero self-control, this list still works.
From macarons that look like tiny love letters to ice cream counters that make winter scoops feel perfectly logical, I built this lineup for anyone who wants romance with frosting on top.
Grab your favorite person, claim your favorite bite, and consider this your Ohio Valentine game plan with sprinkles included.
1. Pistacia Vera, Columbus
Some desserts feel made for sharing, and Pistacia Vera is where I first understood that. One box of jewel toned macarons had my Valentine and me quietly negotiating who got the last pistachio piece.
Tucked into historic German Village in Columbus, the shop feels calm even when the line reaches the door. You will find it at 541 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215, an easy stroll from brick sidewalks and cozy townhomes.
The pastry case leans more toward finesse than sugar shock. Macarons, lemon tarts and glossy chocolate slices look so precise that I always pause a second before taking the first forkful.
Rich tortes, delicate dacquoise and seasonal specials make this a smart play for anyone who loves pretty desserts as much as tasty ones. Pair that with good coffee and quiet conversation, and suddenly Valentine’s Day has a ready made game plan you will want to repeat every year.
2. Fox in the Snow Cafe, Columbus
A cold February morning once sent me hunting for a quick coffee, and Fox in the Snow Cafe turned that errand into a full dessert mission. The glass case of cinnamon rolls, galettes and giant slices of cake made any idea of just a drink disappear.
The German Village shop at 210 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206, feels bright and warm at the same time. Sunlight hits powdered sugar, plates clink and couples lean over shared pastries while steam curls from big ceramic mugs.
Their pastries are huge, messy in the best way and very shareable, which is useful when you tell yourself you are being reasonable. I still think about a strawberry pastry I once swore I would split, then mostly forgot to hand over.
Between the rustic baked goods, strong coffee and slow pace, a simple meet up quietly evolves into an entire Valentine morning. You step back outside sugared, caffeinated and a little more attached to whoever saved you the last bite.
3. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, North Market Columbus
Some date nights start with dinner, but my favorite ones begin with ice cream at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams inside North Market. One evening, I watched my spoon sink into Brambleberry Crisp and decided dessert could absolutely be the main event.
This scoop shop sits in the bustling North Market at 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215, right in the middle of stalls, chatter and overhead lights. The whole place buzzes with just enough energy to feel exciting without drowning out conversation.
Flavors rotate and get playful, yet there is always something cozy enough for a Valentine’s mood. Creamy scoops pile into waffle cones or tidy cups, and sharing a flight turns into a low pressure tasting adventure.
I love snagging a spot on the mezzanine with two spoons and one overloaded bowl. By the time the last bite melts away, it feels like you have shared something simple, fun and oddly intimate, all for the price of ice cream.
4. Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Ohio City Cleveland
When I want a dessert that doubles as a small outing, the Ohio City flagship of Mitchell’s Ice Cream is my go to. One winter date there turned into twenty extra minutes of research while we kept finding excuses to try another flavor.
The shop sits in a renovated building at 1867 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, right by the West Side Market. Big windows, high ceilings and views of the production kitchen create that pleasant sense of being in the middle of things.
Ice cream flavors range from comfort classics to creative seasonal swirls, all dense and rich enough to feel like a proper Valentine’s treat. Sundaes, cones and milkshakes give you plenty of ways to share, or not share, depending on the mood.
A tiny table by the window, two spoons and a slowly melting bowl have a way of softening even the coldest February night. You leave with frozen fingers, happy taste buds and one more shared memory tied to a simple scoop shop.
5. Presti’s Bakery, Cleveland
There are evenings when I head to Little Italy, telling myself I am just there to walk, then the glow from Presti’s Bakery pulls me inside. The smell of sugar, espresso and fresh bread makes resistance feel unnecessary.
Located at 12101 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, this old school bakery anchors the neighborhood with glass cases full of cookies, cannoli and colorful pastries. The line often moves past trays that look like edible jewelry.
I love ordering a mixed tray for a Valentine date, letting the evening become a casual taste test. One bite might be a flaky sfogliatella, the next a cream filled éclair and then a tiny cookie dipped in chocolate.
Tables are simple, chatter drifts in from the street and everything feels relaxed rather than staged. A shared plate of Italian pastries here can make a night feel romantic without ever needing a reservation or a dress code.
6. Mason’s Creamery, Cleveland
An ice cream shop that turns into a ramen spot in winter already feels charming, and Mason’s Creamery somehow balances both personalities. My first summer visit ended with a few too many scoops and absolutely no regrets.
You will find it at 4401 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, on a corner that glows with string lights once the sun drops. A walk up window keeps things casual, and the line often includes couples debating flavors with delightfully serious faces.
Their small batch ice cream leans toward playful combinations, with seasonal specials that keep regulars guessing. A Valentine visit might mean fruity swirls, rich chocolate bases, or completely unexpected flavors that somehow work.
A bench, a chilly Ohio evening and one shared cup turn into a very low key kind of romance. By the time you head back to the car, the combination of cold fingers and happy sugar rush feels like your own tiny tradition.
7. Malley’s Chocolates, Lakewood
Sometimes Valentine’s Day calls for chocolate that looks as good as it tastes, and Malley’s Chocolates covers both sides of that deal. I once walked in planning to buy a small box and walked out cradling a pink bag that definitely held more than a few pieces.
Their Lakewood shop at 14822 Madison Ave feels part candy store, part old fashioned ice cream parlor. Glass cases display rows of truffles and chocolate covered pretzels, while shelves hold boxed assortments just waiting for a ribbon.
There is ice cream and sundaes if you want to linger, and plenty of individual candies if you prefer to create a custom mix. Building a box together becomes its own little date, with each choice revealing a tiny bit of personality.
Later, sharing those chocolates on the couch turns the evening into something sweet, simple and surprisingly thoughtful. A Malley’s box on the table sends a pretty clear Valentine’s message without needing many words.
8. Aglamesis Bros, Cincinnati
A date night that ends inside Aglamesis Bros always feels a bit softer around the edges. My first visit had me staring at the pink tiled walls and marble tables like I had accidentally stepped into an old postcard.
This long running ice cream and candy shop sits at 3046 Madison Rd in the Oakley neighborhood of Cincinnati. The counter, the lighting and the old fashioned menu all lean into classic soda fountain charm.
Hand dipped chocolates, rich ice cream and sundaes piled with whipped cream make decisions pleasantly tricky. I like ordering something over the top to share and then quietly adding a small box of chocolates for later.
A tiny round table, clinking spoons and gentle background chatter create an easy kind of romance. Walking back out onto Madison Road with a paper bag of sweets feels like carrying a little piece of the evening home with you.
9. The BonBonerie, Cincinnati
There was a Valentine’s season when I kept inventing reasons to swing by The BonBonerie, and each excuse suspiciously involved cake. Opera Cream torte, carrot cake and delicate pastries lined up in the case, daring me to pick just one.
This beloved bakery and café sits at 2030 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208, in the O’Bryonville neighborhood. Inside, floral touches and layered cakes create a setting that suits both casual visits and special occasions.
Afternoon dessert here feels delightfully indulgent. You can split a slice of torte, sip coffee from real cups and watch other people try to make their own impossible choices at the counter.
I like tucking a box of petits fours or cookies into my bag before leaving, so the evening includes a second wave of treats. When you open that box later, it feels like the date came with a built in encore.
10. Graeter’s Ice Cream, Hyde Park Square Cincinnati
Few things feel more classic than ending a date with a stroll around Hyde Park Square and a cone from Graeter’s Ice Cream. One February evening, we ended up on a bench with frozen hands and completely content expressions.
This scoop shop sits at 2704 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208, right on the square. Old fashioned signage, a busy counter and the scent of fresh waffle cones create a very persuasive atmosphere.
Their French pot ice cream is dense and indulgent, with plenty of chocolate chunks and seasonal flavors that fit a romantic mood. Cones, sundaes and pints offer options for both now and later, depending on how much freezer space you have.
Ordering two flavors and trading bites on the walk back to the car turns dessert into a small adventure. Long after the cones disappear, that simple loop around the square sticks in your memory as the real highlight of the night.
11. Holtman’s Donuts, Loveland
Some couples are ring people and some are donut people, and Holtman’s Donuts makes a strong case for the second camp. The first time I opened a pink box from here on Valentine’s week, the mood in the room improved immediately.
The Loveland shop sits at 1399 State Route 28, a short drive from the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Inside, cases hold raised donuts, cake varieties and colorful specialty creations topped with everything from cereals to candy pieces.
Picking a dozen together becomes its own kind of date. You make your case for maple, they lobby for jelly, and suddenly, you are both defending choices like it matters more than any dinner reservation.
I love grabbing coffee, a mixed box and a quiet corner at home to taste everything slowly. By the time only crumbs remain, it feels like you have shared a slightly chaotic, very joyful dessert experience.
12. Bill’s Donut Shop, Centerville
There are donut shops that feel trendy, and then there is Bill’s Donut Shop, which simply shows up day after day. One very early Valentine’s morning, I watched the neon sign glow against the dark sky and decided this counted as romance on a budget.
Located at 268 N Main St, Centerville, this 24 hour institution has been fueling sweet cravings for decades. The room hums with a steady mix of night shift workers, early birds and people who just really wanted a donut at an odd hour.
Glazed rings, cream filled specialties, cinnamon twists and seasonal shapes crowd the cases. The coffee is no nonsense, and the prices are friendly enough that you can be generous without checking your bank app.
A box of warm donuts shared in the car while the rest of the town sleeps feels oddly intimate. When the sun finally comes up, you already have a shared story and a sugar buzz to show for it.
13. Holey Toledough Handcrafted Doughnuts, Toledo
My sweet tooth once convinced me to detour across town just to visit Holey Toledough, and it has been winning that argument ever since. The phrase handcrafted doughnuts already sounds dangerous, but the display case seals the deal.
The shop sits at 3812 W Alexis Rd, Toledo, a bit north of downtown. Inside, the space feels cheerful and bright, with trays of brioche donuts, old fashioneds and rotating specials that lean creative without getting too weird.
A Valentine visit might mean berry glazes, overfilled cream donuts, or flavors dusted with just enough sugar to leave a happy mess. Ordering a mixed half dozen becomes a tiny adventure in who chose the best one.
I like turning the box into a roaming dessert picnic with good coffee and no fixed plan. By the end of the last donut, the whole outing feels like a spontaneous little celebration built entirely around fried dough.
14. Schuler’s Bakery, Springfield
There is a particular smell that hits the second I open the door at Schuler’s Bakery, and it has pulled me in more than once around Valentine’s Day. Warm dough, frosting and coffee together are a combination my willpower never quite manages to resist.
This longtime local favorite runs multiple shops, and the Derr Road location at 2968 Derr Rd, Springfield, is especially handy. Inside, cases are stacked with donuts, cookies, cupcakes and seasonal treats, many of them dressed up for February.
You can go simple with glazed rings or lean festive with iced cutouts and cream filled options. The staff keeps things moving, yet nobody seems rushed when facing a full wall of choices.
Showing up with a surprise box instead of a standard heart shaped gift gives the day a fun twist. Breakfast the next morning suddenly turns into part two of the Valentine celebration, crumbs and all.
15. Winans Chocolates + Coffees, Troy
Some places understand that coffee and chocolate are a power couple, and Winans Chocolates + Coffees proves it every time I walk through the door. One snowy February afternoon I ducked in for a latte and left with a hand picked box of truffles wrapped in ribbon.
The downtown Troy shop sits at 10 W Main St, right on the square, and feels cozy without being cramped. Glass cases display rows of chocolates and caramels, while the drink menu covers espresso, hot chocolate and plenty of warm sips.
A quick stop easily turns into a full sit down dessert date. You can share a drink, split a couple of truffles at the table and then build a custom box together for later.
Walking out with that box in hand feels a little like leaving with treasure. Every time you lift the lid at home, the Valentine’s mood comes back for another round.