The Tastiest Desserts in Raleigh

Noodle Boulevard

★★★★★ 4.5 (943) • $$

"We came here for lunch and proceeded right away on the patio. Service was very attentive and friendly. The green tea was authentic and full of flavor. Lots of veggies in the noodle soup but could've been warmer. They have spice levels from one to six."

LouReda's an American Table

★★★★☆ 4.4 (573) • $$

"Talk about amazing food.....wow! I am so glad we decided to go here for dinner last night while we were in Rocky Mount. I was surprised that my party of two were greeted and seated so quickly on a Saturday evening. Our server started out on point but slipped up a bit when the time came to bring us our bills. We ordered pork skins with cheese dip and they were pure perfection-they were still crackling when dropped at our table!!!! Who would have thought to dip pork rinds into some velveta cheese concoction?!? I ordered a short rib pasta dish that was also really good! I opted to get the bread pudding to go bc I was so full after those pork rinds and pasta and after 2 bites I opted to save the rest of it for breakfast. The bread pudding with the dipping sauce was equally as delicious the next day! Thank you for such an amazing meal in a comfortable atmosphere!"

Asali Desserts & Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (371) • $$

"This is a dessert cafe with Middle Eastern roots. As I perused the selections, I saw some more European-style items, several local flavors, and some things that indeed were redolent of the Middle East. It was a tough choice, and given my chocolate craving I compromised for a chocolate cake with cinnamon and pistachio with coconut shavings on top. I ordered an unsweetened tea for balance. The cake was as luxurious as one might expect, and the nuts did notably shift the flavor to a distinctive realm. My tea offered a needed bitter flavor contrast.There were people who seemed to be conducting some sort of business meeting, which I don't know how you'd do while staring at the delicious display."

Cilantro Indian Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (420) • $$

"ordered takeout, but the ambiance inside seems really nice! i also saw some nice looking desserts in the case but refrained from picking anything up this time. maybe next time though!we ordered veg samosas, moroccan hummus, and dum aloo. both the entrees came with roghani naan and rice. usually indian restaurants don't give free naan, so i thought that was really nice! the portions are also huge (which is good because each entree is on the pricier side). we were also offered free cilantro chutney with the samosas.the samosas were excellent - obviously not as flaky since i picked up my order like half an hour after it was ready but that's my own fault. the chutney was really nice and spicy.i enjoyed both entrees too, but i have to take a star off because neither of them is anything like their name. the moroccan hummus clearly engenders some confusion because when i ordered it over the phone, the guy on the other end described the dish to me in detail and asked if that was ok. it was ok because i knew what i was ordering, but why not just call it chana masala? there's no other chana masala on the menu so i don't know what the purpose is of calling it something different. the dum aloo is also not real dum aloo. dum aloo is supposed to be whole baby potatoes in a spicy gravy. the "hummus" was spicier than the aloo and the potatoes were not whole baby potatoes and also were not completely cooked to satisfaction - this dish was more like aloo matar makhani. everything was delicious, just mis-advertised, and really for seemingly no reason. i would still go back though!"

Fresh Local Ice Cream- Raleigh

★★★★☆ 4.4 (376) • $$

"Fresh Local Ice Cream serves arguably the best ice cream in the Triangle. The base ice cream itself possesses an unparalleled, creamy texture. The flavor of the ice cream tastes buttery and has a touch of malt which adds a subtle, slightly savory note to each bite. My wife, brother in law, and I tried the monthly special flavors of blueberry pancake and salted caramel oreo. The ice cream makers here do not skimp on the mix ins, and each variety was chock full of pieces (pancake batter and Oreos, respectively). As the name implies, the freshness of the ice cream was evident in both taste and texture. While both flavors were fantastic, the unique blueberry pancake won us over the most with plenty of fresh blueberry puree, a buttery base ice cream taste, and addictive pancake pieces in the ice cream. The salted caramel Oreo held its own with a subtle caramel backbone that complimented the chocolatey Oreos quite well. A waffle cone with two large scoops, while a little steep at about $7, was big enough for three of us to share. Plenty of outdoor tables are available for seating. I admittedly don't even like ice cream too much and adored the scoops here. As such, Fresh Local Ice Cream should be the first and last stop for any frozen treat fan in the area."

Death & Taxes

★★★★☆ 4.1 (425) • $$$

"Tucked away on West Hargett Street in the heart of Raleigh, Death and Taxes not only serves a name that catches your attention but dishes that will capture your heart. Celebrating a special birthday over the weekend, my wife and I were treated to an exquisite culinary experience. I savored the confit of pork shoulder, perfectly paired with grilled delicata squash and a tangy pomegranate-juniper jus, while the side of grilled NC asparagus with whipped hollandaise and crispy prosciutto danced on the palate. My wife was equally enamored with her dish of scallops, beautifully complemented by smoked cannellini beans, charred tomatoes, and leeks.What truly elevates the dining experience at Death and Taxes is their mastery of wood-fired cooking. Each dish benefits from the smoky kiss of the grill, adding a layer of flavor that's both rustic and refined.However, no review of Death and Taxes would be complete without a standing ovation for Paige, our server. Her vibrant energy, deep knowledge, and genuine interest in our experience made our evening not just a meal, but a memorable celebration.For anyone seeking a top-tier dining experience in Raleigh, make your way to Death and Taxes. It's more than a meal; it's an event worth every penny."

Winston's Grille

★★★★☆ 4 (444) • $$

"The location is weird to me so we avoided it for a few years but on a whim went and pleasantly surprised. Nice porch and wide variety on menu. We opted for the specials of the evening. My gnocchi was some of the best I've ever had. Our old fashioned were well balanced and made well. I'm not the pricey side but enjoyed it"

Dulce Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (360) • $

"Wow wow wow. This is the place to go for something sweet in the triangle area. Dulce cafe has incredible pastries, macarons, and desserts to choose from. What sets this place apart is the craftsmanship. Take a look at the photos posted on Yelp and just marvel in the detail in their work. And looks are just the half of it. They taste better than they look. Don't forget, they also serve breakfast and lunch in the forms of sandwiches and salads, and serve excellent coffee and espresso based drinks. Decent room for seating if you need to get work done too!"

Mona Pita

★★★★★ 4.5 (311) • $

"A late lunch and a very empty stomach, we stumbled upon Mona pita. And got to meet Mona herself, who is absolutely so kind and wonderful.We were not sure what to order, so I asked her for her favorite recommendations. We got to try the lamb platter, and the chicken kebab platter. We also got a side of falafel, and of course for dessert... Baklava.The chicken was juicy and tender and flavorful. It came with a great side of yellow rice, and a Greek style salad. Pita and hummus also! A great value for a nice platter of food.The lamb was very delicious, same sides on that platter as well. The favorite was the Tahina yogurt dip that comes with the falafel. I would highly recommend getting extra cups of that and dipping everything in it! A great find if your belly is empty, and you want some delicious Mediterranean style food."

V Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (344) • $$

"Now the pizza was great but the customer service made the pizza even better! Came in looking for a certain beer to have with my pizza and told myself if they didn't have it I was going to leave. Then I saw someone else's pizza! Took a bite and knew I made the right decision. then a manager came over just to make sure our cups were filled at all times. Nice atmosphere, clean store and the waitress took the time to explain the difference between each and every pizza! Definitely coming back and I recommend you too!!!"

Boba Baba

★★★★★ 4.5 (278) • $$

"Been a while since I stopped here. Looks like the hype has platued. For a weekend, not as busy as usual. Same bobba flavors. Mochi donuts - no change. Still tasting good and served warm."

Pik N Pig

★★★★☆ 4.4 (236)

"Pik N Pig has to be one of the best barbq joint in North Cackalacky . I swear to higher ups! Someone told me to come check this place out It's our there in the woods right by the airport To me, being able to enjoy some tasty yummy barbecue brisket, pork chops, smoked chicken and pulled pork while watching the planes take off and land is such a fun and unique experience for people of all ages. Service is outstanding and the atmosphere can't get any better. It was 80 degrees and no clouds. What a day to spent on a Sunday yeah .My favorite was the smoked chicken. I'm sure you guyz will be on your way here.I like it a lot ...I'm sure you'll like it too won't disappoint.j"

Vida Dulce

★★★★★ 4.6 (202) • $$

"It was a hot day and we wanted to cool it up with some ice creams ! Good location in Cary .. they have seats inside to sit and eat. Nice interiors .. service was average . Not much crowd but it takes them time to take orders and deliver . They have lots of options . Ice creams , churros , sweet corn cups , milkshakes , cola sticks , slushy , fried plantains etc .. they were taking orders in Spanish and I didn't know :) asked for a strawberry fresh ice cream but ended up getting a strawberry with cream ! Kid got ice cream and it was good . Wanted to give 3.5 stars but gave a 4 ! Overall a OK experience ."

Biryani Maxx Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4 (251) • $$

"Lovely Indian restaurant. The place is spacious, casual yet comfortable. The service was excellent and very fast. The food was amazing. You have an option of mild,Medium, hot or very hot- choose wisely. The mild is still a little spicy!Every item was delicious. We had chicken 65- mild, vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala and mutter paneer. The entrees come with rice. We ordered naan too. The masala chai was small, but tasty! And enough to to fill your tastebuds.A definite must for Indian food in Cary"

Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts

★★★★☆ 4.4 (183) • $$

"Came on a Sunday morning, very busy but service was quick! Great coffee here. Plenty of seating for those who want to sit and enjoy their coffee. I got an almond milk latte with half the amaretto syrup (perfection) my friend got the mocha latte with amaretto and a blueberry cheese danish which she said was delicious! Highly recommend."

The Pickled Onion Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (228) • $$

"I've been to The Pickled Onion twice now and I'm a fan. I'm pretty picky about pub fare but there are a few things why I rated them at 5 stars instead of 4 (it was a toss up but I'll explain). The Pickled Onion can get very busy so it's best to come when the crowd has left, because that's when you get top notch service. You seat yourself and at one of the booths or tall tables. It's very open and feels more like a sports bar than a pub. Tables are always clean and the menus are wiped between customers. The menu is small but mighty. My go-to are the Blue Chips to start. I've ordered the Pork Belly Smack which was phenomenal and this past visit, I ordered the Shrimp Platter and exchanged the fries for mashed potatoes and gravy. And let me say, those mashed potatoes were real! Some places use the powdered stuff but this was the real deal. Besides the Blue Chips being a favorite of mine, I have to say that The Pickled Onion has THE BEST coleslaw I have ever had!! This last visit, our waitress did something that immediately made this original 4 star review into a 5 (and if you read my reviews, you know what she did...). She gave me another soda cup before I finished my first! Right there, that earns 5 stars! Having excellent customer service, delicious Blue Chips, AND the best coleslaw? It's a no brainer that I'll be back!"

Bullock's Bar-B-Que

★★★★☆ 3.6 (240)

"Very generous plus selection of entrees and sandwiches & deserts- my second time visiting- seems to be a favorite in the community & surrounding areas plus 2 minutes from a major interstate. My stew beef bread bowl was chocked full of hot juicy meat - small potatoes- it's was soooooo good! My turnips greens were just as tasty with a drizzle of vinegar. My hubby had the homestyle steak entree with add on delicious stewed apples - peach cobble for dessert equally good. I had enough food for a take out! Our server was great - we weren't rushed. This is a cash only payment option but there is an ATM machine on site. Parking is free but a little tight around peak times. The accessible parking spaces marked on the ground for parallel parking! I feel prices fair for the generous serving sizes and fresh southern favorites plus availability of sandwiches and appetizers if desired & more in line with the budget."

Brenz Pizza Co.

★★★★☆ 4.2 (174) • $

"This pizza was so good. I had never heard of Brenz but I have now! Tried the artichoke and spinach pie and it was delicious. Full of flavors and plenty of topping. I love fresh ingredients on my pizza and a toasty crust. Also tried the Caesar salad which was tasty. This place has so many interesting combinations of pizza. I will definitely be back soon. I really like all the sizes they offer and they make subs too. The inside has plenty of seating if you eat in and it's easy to find the place. Plus plenty of parking out front."

Crumbl - Morrisville

★★★★☆ 4.3 (152) • $$

"I'm not sure where to start. I've heard about this place and when I first saw the prices I was quite taken aback. But I was assured these cookies" were not your everyday cookie. First off, the CC changes flavors weekly so there's never room for complacency with flavors. Secondly, let's talk flavors this week: sea salt toffee, peanut butter brittle, molten lava, pecan pie, orange roll and classic pink. These cookies are extra large and loaded with taste and pure goodness. Every bite melts in your mouth. I tried the peanut butter brittle today and have lost my mind. I get it. I'm sold. I will be back. The cookies are pricey but WELL worth it. They also sell ice cream."

195 American Fusion

★★★★☆ 4.4 (141) • $$

"S e a s o n I n gOne of the best meals ever. This chef knows seasoning and knocks it out of the park.We started with dumplings and calamari. The dipping sauce was a little salty. But they were both delicious.I had the curry shrimp, my husband had the rack of lamb, my daughter the salmon and her husband the buffalo chicken sandwich. Oh my so yummy. We knawed the bones on the rack if lamb. So savory. The salmon with risotto had crisp skin and creamy, luxurious risotto. The spice on the chicken was great, the chicken large and moist.We finished with Apple tarte, chocolate goat cheesecake, almond chocolate cheesecake, apple tarte and brownie. Delicious.Our server was on top of it."

Cugino Forno - Durham

★★★★★ 4.5 (134) • $$

"We were looking for a place to grab something to eat in the area and decided to check out Hi-Wire Brewing next door to Cugino Forno when we read they deliver pizzas to the brewery. Hi-Wire Brewing and Cugino Forno are literally next door to each other inside one of buildings formerly used by the Golden Belt Manufacturing Company. These building have a lot of history in the area. In the late 1800's, the Golden Belt Manufacturing Co. originated in a portion of the Bull Durham Tobacco Factory as an operation to produce the cloth bags in which the tobacco was sold. Now this area is a fully renovated Golden Belt Campus.We have been multiple times to their locations in Winston and Clemmons but did not realize there was a location in Durham. They serve a Neapolitan-style pizza which is very similar to what I have had Italy. Their dough is delicious with an array of high quality toppings. We decided to share a Supremo Italiano pizza because we know just how big they are. We told the young man working at the counter that we would be next door and he provided us with a number for our table at Hi-Wire. We should also mention that their prices are reasonable. They also offer frozen pizzas to bake at home along with some yummy looking desserts. Our pizza arrived quickly and looked and tasted delicious, Cugino Forno really has great Neapolitan-style pizza."

Thali Indian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (140) • $$

"Food was fresh Greeted with a smile. Excellent service The place was very clean. I highly recommend"

Bep Vietnamese Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (127) • $$

"TLDR: Good Vietnamese food and boba tea in Holly Springs. Reasonable prices and portions. Fresh ingredients. Friendly, efficient service. Yum, delicious Vietnamese food in Holly Springs. Bep is easy to locate with parking available in nearby lots or along the street. I stopped here on a weekend evening for dinner having ordered online for pick-up. Estimated pick-up time was 30 minutes. The menu is full of delicious sounding items making it difficult to decide. We ended up choosing the grilled tofu vermicelli bowl ($13.95), tofu roll ($6.95), and pho ga bowl ($13.95). We enjoyed each of the items including the accompanying sauces. Prices and portions are reasonable. Plus the items were packaged well. That being said I would have liked if the tofu rolls were not wrapped in Saran wrap. Seems wasteful and unnecessary since there are other ways to keep them from sticking. Only other suggestion I have is that they read the order notes. I included a note in two places on the online order (since I was not sure which space to put it) and neither was read or acknowledged. I asked when picking up the order and they hadn't even seen the note. It may not have printed with the order. Therefore, if there is anything important that you need the kitchen to know, I would recommend calling to place the order or dining in. When I arrived to pick up the order I was greeted by a friendly employee at the counter. My order was retrieved quickly and was accurate. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and recommend this restaurant to others!"

Crumbl - Raleigh

★★★★☆ 3.7 (158)

"TLDR: Large, tasty, but expensive cookies. Exciting rotating menu. Subpar flavors. While in the area and needing a Friday sugar fix, I stopped at Crumbl. To save time I started an online order. It took a while to go through the log in process and a $2 tip was required. This brought the total of one cookie to nearly $7! Then when it said the wait time was 15-20 min, I decided to abandon the online order and order at the counter. There were about 3 employees busy at work and no customers. I was greeted upon arrival and helped right away. I ordered one cookie and the order came to over $9 before tip. I questioned the total and the employee returned to fix it. I like how you can easily see and pay on the screen so I could see the error. When fixed the total was about $5. Pricy for one cookie, but they do look pretty and are packaged well so they make a great gift. The rotating weekly menu is exciting, but the cookies are not very flavorful so they taste similar. Even the guava cookie had a very faint fruity flavor and mainly tasted like sugar. Many times I have noticed that the unique flavors are just in the frosting not the cookie itself. I understand having a weekly changing menu is challenging, but there is room for improvement on their flavors. The cookies are all perfectly baked and decorated beautifully. Overall, good place for the occasional treat or gift."

Burney's Sweets & More

★★★★★ 4.5 (105) • $$

"Croissant? Yes please!Filled croissants?? Absolutely!!Glazed, filled croissants??? Shut the front door!!!My keto diet went completely off the rails today. Thanks a lot Burney. Good thing this place is two hours from my house."

La Horchateria

★★★★★ 4.5 (102) • $

"What a nice place!Upon entering you are greeted by some nice friendly employees.The case is full of delicious looking desserts.I had a Horchata Macchiato it had a bit too much milk for me I only drank a little- it had great flavor- I tried to get it made with non-milk but it was not available. The mini Concha was sweet and delicious.The bathroom was very clean and the restaurant had plenty of tables."

The Kupkake Fairy

★★★★☆ 4.3 (110)

"I finally ordered a few treats for Valentine's Day from the Kupcake Fairy today and I am pleased. In honor of Black History Month, I have made it my duty to support and promote black owned businesses across the triangle. I decided on the Oreo cupcake, triple chocolate, red velvet and lemon cheesecake pound cake. They were out of red velvet today. Everything was packaged neatly. I will say that they should improve on their branding. The packaging could use a facelift to make it eye catching and modern. It's 2023. My favorite item was the lemon cheesecake mini pound cake. So rich, moist and delicious. The icing was decadent. Each cupcake came in an appropriate container to keep the Kupcakes neat. I appreciated this for gifting. I would definitely return again to support the business and try new menu items. They have a small location in the Morgan St Food Hall as well to cut down on the gas to Morrisville."

Cocoa Cinnamon

★★★★☆ 3.9 (132)

"I want to like Cocoa Cinnamon so badly - it's right down the street from me, they make a big deal out of sourcing and free trade, and their specialty items sound delectable.But unfortunately their specialty items never ARE delectable (will elucidate below), I've never NOT been given some kind of attitude by the baristas, and their approach toward tipping is confusing, and, honestly, entitled. They have a Venmo link just for tips on their website... not even tied to a service. Then they have another separate link for their customers to contribute to 'support our livable wages'... when their coffee is priced higher than almost anywhere else in town already. Then, of course, there's the normal tip ask when completing an order. I feel like I've just weaved my way through a group of people holding out paper cups full of coins when I finally press the 'checkout' button.Oh, and also, they require you to enter your phone number and then enter a verification code merely for the honor of looking at their menu on their website.The coffee/food, though: let's talk about the reason we're here. They source their food from Ninth Street Bakery, which means good pastries for sure, but they're often out of stock of 80% of it after two hours of being open. I often find their coffee to be bitter, but I'm not a coffee connoisseur and won't pretend to be (for what it's worth, I'm a Whisk & Rye fan). I mostly get specialty lattes, and have tried and been disappointed by the Al Mokha and the Dr. Durham, both of which have exciting sounding ingredients (dark chocolate sauce and Sri Lankan cinnamon! Vanilla bean syrup mixed with maca and ginger and topped with black lava salt!) but in the end, just taste like chocolate milk and salty milk, respectively.I can't give one star to a place that's actively trying to be a good, ethical business, but I also just can't keep trying to like them anymore."

Moore's Olde Tyme Barbeque

★★★★☆ 3.7 (145) • $

"Gotta love this place. Grilles, bbq, or fried is on the menu. The hush puppies are really, really good. The corn bread mixture and deep fried in a baby carrot shape is the right bite size choice. Goes well with Moore's spiced vinegar. Had to brown bag my left over hush puppies:-)))))The baked beans has a good chunk of meat mixed in, with brown sugar and other condiments. The potato salad was OK. And of course, New Bern being the Birth place of Pepsi Cola, a nice cold Pepsi!!!I chose to have my chicken fried instead of grilled or bbq. Love the crispiness of the skin while the dark or white meat being cooked to perfection and tenderness. Unlike the Louisiana chicken, no grease on Moore's fried chicken!!!Overall, good comfort food and fast to serve."

Premier Cakes

★★★★★ 4.5 (98) • $$

"What a sweet family. Purchased some cake slices and cupcakes and they were awesome. I will be placing an order for a coconut pineapple cake for myMothers birthday. If it's anything like those cupcakes we had today It will be amazing. Their array of options is mind blowing. They even had candles to make a mini cake for a birthday. Thoroughly enjoyed our stop in today"

Sweet Talk Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (79) • $

"My goodness this is the cutest little cafe. The ambiance is clean, light, and airy. It not only sells coffee, but they also have fun desserts like Korean bingsoo and croffles, which are croissant waffles. It's cafe-style ordering, but the staff was so friendly in helping me pick out which dessert to get. I ordered the bingsoo, and it came with a delightful ball of sorbet on top of the shaved ice. I loved all the cheesecake bites. The cherry on top is that you can pour cream on top of the whole thing, which made it taste even more delicious. The bingsoo is definitely sharing size. You'll need at least two people to comfortably finish it. The hours are fairly long for a coffee shop (8am-8pm), and there's a medium amount of seating if you wanted to sit here for a while. It's in a really big shopping center (Beaver Creek), so there's plenty of parking to go around."

Dairy Depot

★★★★☆ 4.3 (97) • $

"The place in Wake Forest for soft-serve ice cream available in numerous mouth-watering flavors. Park and walk up or drive thru to pick up creamy soft-serve ice cream.Flavors we enjoyed so far:Cake BatterAmarettoPomegranate Pros:- Friendly employees who are all wearing masks- Numerous flavors and options to pick from- Drive thru option- Deals for senior citizens, large groups, and first responders- If you want multiple flavors in the same cup/cone they will swirl them together- Non-dairy options availableCons:- They don't seem to have pint containers for their business so they use soft drink cups.- They were out of waffle cones"

Slice of New York Pizza

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (162)

"We've frequent this place since 2016 and they've remain consistent. If you've ever been to NY- it'll remind you of the dollar slice. The grease offers an authentic NYC pizza."

Brisas

★★★★☆ 4.3 (87) • $$

"Even the veggies were good! And those Caribbean wings were jamming. My coworkers picked up tacos and beef stew and they were also raving. I can't wait to go back and try some other dishes. The service was excellent and it's a really cool space. I did spot Blantons and Bookers behind the bar for those whiskey lovers."

Hyderabad House Biryani Place

★★★★☆ 3.5 (127)

"Everything was superb from food to drink. There was a lot of food for 3 of us. The waiter was nice and gave some good recommendations since this was our 1st time there. I forgot to take pictures of the dessert. It was so so so good. It's like milk/cheese balls served in kind of milky sauce. It was comforting to cool down all the spiciness. It was not crowded during lunch."