12 Must-Try Dessert Shops in Georgia That Outshine Any Entrée

Georgia isn’t just known for its peaches – it’s a treasure trove of sweet treats waiting to be discovered. From artisanal ice cream parlors to bakeries crafting heavenly pastries, the Peach State boasts some seriously impressive dessert destinations. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these 12 dessert shops deserve a spot on your sugar-fueled bucket list.

1. Sugar Shane’s, Atlanta

Tucked away in Atlanta’s vibrant food scene, Sugar Shane’s stands as a monument to creative confectionery. The shop’s signature cookie sandwiches – massive, perfectly baked cookies hugging generous scoops of homemade ice cream – have customers lining up around the block.

What sets Sugar Shane’s apart is their commitment to unexpected flavor combinations. Think lavender honey cookies paired with lemon thyme ice cream or chocolate espresso cookies filled with salted caramel.

The rustic-chic interior, with its exposed brick and hanging plants, makes for the perfect Instagram backdrop while you devour these handheld masterpieces.

2. Butter & Cream, Decatur

Small-batch goodness defines the Butter & Cream experience in charming Decatur. Since opening their doors, this artisanal ice cream shop has perfected the balance between classic flavors and innovative creations that keep locals coming back season after season. Their Brown Butter Almond Brittle has achieved cult status, while seasonal offerings like Blackberry Swirl and Honey Lavender showcase Georgia’s agricultural bounty.

The shop sources ingredients locally whenever possible, creating a true farm-to-cone experience. Don’t miss their handmade waffle cones, crafted fresh throughout the day and filling the shop with an irresistible aroma.

3. Sweet Hut Bakery & Cafe, Atlanta

Asian-inspired pastry paradise awaits at Sweet Hut Bakery & Cafe. This bustling Atlanta hotspot blends Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese baking traditions with Western techniques, creating a unique dessert experience unlike anything else in Georgia.

Colorful rows of egg tarts, pineapple buns, and red bean pastries fill the display cases. The milk tea mousse cake – light, fragrant, and not too sweet – perfectly represents Sweet Hut’s balanced approach to desserts.

Beyond pastries, their bubble tea selection features unusual flavors like taro and honeydew, making this spot a double threat for dessert enthusiasts looking to expand their palate.

4. Whipped Creamery, Grovetown

Roll into Whipped Creamery for a dessert spectacle that’s as entertaining as it is delicious. This Grovetown gem specializes in rolled ice cream – a Thai-inspired technique where cream is poured onto a frozen plate, mixed with toppings, then scraped into beautiful rolls. Kids press their faces against the counter, mesmerized as staff chop, mix, and roll their custom creations right before their eyes.

The Strawberry Cheesecake roll, topped with graham cracker crumbs and fresh berries, remains their bestseller. Dairy-free and vegan options ensure everyone can enjoy the show and the sweet rewards that follow.

5. The Baked Bear, Savannah

Customization reaches its sweet peak at The Baked Bear in historic Savannah. This build-your-own ice cream sandwich emporium lets customers play dessert architect, choosing from 13 cookie flavors, 13 ice cream varieties, and a dizzying array of toppings.

Brave souls opt for the signature Bear Bowl – a warm cookie pie topped with ice cream and drizzled with your choice of sauce. The contrast between warm cookie and cold ice cream creates a sensory experience that keeps tourists and locals returning.

Pro tip: their red velvet cookies paired with cream cheese ice cream tastes exactly like the classic Southern cake in handheld form.

6. Leopold’s Ice Cream, Savannah

History and flavor collide at Leopold’s, a Savannah institution since 1919. The vintage soda fountain atmosphere transports visitors to another era, while the ice cream recipes – unchanged for over a century – demonstrate why classics endure.

Founded by three brothers from Greece, Leopold’s signature Tutti Frutti ice cream has been delighting generations with its blend of rum-flavored ice cream, roasted Georgia pecans, and candied fruits. The shop’s connection to Hollywood runs deep – one founder’s son became a major film producer and designed the current retro interior.

Expect lines during tourist season, but locals will tell you the wait for this piece of Savannah history is worth every minute.

7. River Street Sweets, Savannah

Candy-making becomes performance art at River Street Sweets. Located on Savannah’s famous waterfront, this confectionery landmark draws crowds who gather to watch pralines being paddled on marble slabs – a tradition since 1973.

The intoxicating aroma of warm sugar, butter, and pecans wafts through the shop, making resistance futile. Their world-famous pralines – crisp on the outside, creamy within – feature Georgia pecans in a recipe that’s been perfected over decades.

Saltwater taffy pulled on antique machines and hand-dipped chocolates round out the offerings at this sweet spot where every treat connects visitors to Southern candy-making traditions.

8. Vampire Penguin, Brunswick

Shaved snow – the ethereal dessert that’s lighter than ice cream but more substantial than shaved ice – finds its Georgia home at Vampire Penguin in Brunswick. Despite the quirky name, there’s nothing scary about these fluffy bowls of frozen delight.

Originally a Taiwanese treat, Vampire Penguin’s version features ribbons of flavored frozen cream shaved into cloud-like layers, then topped with fruits, syrups, and various crunchy elements. The S’mores creation, with chocolate snow, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows, proves particularly popular with younger customers.

The featherlight texture melts instantly on your tongue, creating a unique dessert experience unlike traditional frozen treats.

9. Arie’s Artisan Cheesecake, Evans

Cheesecake elevated to art form awaits at this family-owned Evans bakery. Arie’s Artisan Cheesecake began as a home kitchen experiment and blossomed into one of Georgia’s most celebrated dessert destinations, where over 50 rotating flavors ensure there’s always something new to try.

Unlike dense New York-style versions, Arie’s cheesecakes maintain a lighter, creamier texture that melts effortlessly. The Banana Pudding cheesecake brilliantly marries two Southern classics, while seasonal offerings like Georgia Peach showcase local produce.

Each slice comes beautifully garnished – evidence of the careful attention to detail that earned Arie’s its devoted following across the state.

10. The Peach Cobbler Factory, Atlanta

Southern comfort desserts reach their pinnacle at The Peach Cobbler Factory. This Atlanta specialty shop has transformed the humble cobbler into a gourmet experience with 12 cobbler flavors available daily – from classic Georgia peach to unexpected combinations like strawberry-banana.

Each cobbler arrives piping hot with a perfect balance of buttery crust and fruit filling, crowned with your choice of five different ice cream flavors. The cinnamon-rich aroma hits you the moment you enter, creating an almost Pavlovian response.

Beyond cobblers, their banana pudding in eight different varieties proves that reimagining Southern classics can lead to delicious innovation.

11. Decadent Dessert Bar, Warner Robins

Military families stationed near Robins Air Force Base spread the word about Decadent Dessert Bar faster than frosting on a hot cake. This Warner Robins treasure specializes in over-the-top dessert mashups that defy categorization and gravity. Their signature “Cake Shakes” – milkshakes blended with entire slices of house-made cake and topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and additional cake pieces – require both a straw and a fork to conquer.

The red velvet version has achieved local legend status. Owner Marissa Johnson, a self-taught baker, creates desserts that taste homemade but look straight out of a food stylist’s portfolio.

12. Voga Italian Gelato, Atlanta

Authentic Italian technique meets Southern hospitality at Voga Italian Gelato in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. Owner Marco Palma, a third-generation gelato maker from Milan, creates small batches daily using imported Italian equipment and locally sourced ingredients. The result? Gelato with that elusive silky texture that’s denser than ice cream yet somehow feels lighter on the palate. The pistachio flavor – made with Sicilian nuts – consistently sells out, while Georgia-inspired creations like bourbon pecan showcase Palma’s embrace of his adopted home.

The shop’s sleek, minimalist design keeps the focus exactly where it should be: on the vibrant colors of freshly-made gelato arranged like edible art.