Dessert hits differently than any other meal of the day. Honestly, you can enjoy it at any time and grabbing your favorite dessert can bring a smile to your face and turn your day around. Sometimes all you need is a good dessert spot to stop into after you’re done with work and ready to relax for the day.
Always remember to double-check dates, opening times, and weather conditions before traveling.

Monterey has some delicious spots to help satisfy that sweet tooth. These spots all offer unique desserts that cater to almost anyone. Take a look at our favorite places for dessert in Monterey CA.
Best Places to Get Delicious Desserts in Monterey
Paris Bakery Café
- Address: 271 Bonifacio Place, Monterey, CA
Paris Bakery Café is a French Café that serves pastries and other bakery goodies. They cater to almost anyone, offer vegetarian and vegan options on their sweet menu.
All of their goodies are baked fresh daily, and they even provide lunch options if you want to stay for a bit. Their menu includes delicious options like cookies, patisserie, Viennoiserie, and unique holiday offerings.
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop
- Address: 660 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
Looking for ice cream in Monterey? Ghirardelli Ice Cream is a staple in California, and if you’re browsing Cannery Row, it’s a must-stop in spot. Their ice cream and chocolate are to die for, and they even have world-famous sundaes; it even says so on their menu.
Upon entering the shop, you are greeted with a free piece of chocolate while deciding what sweet you want to order. Besides sundaes, they offer hot cocoa, shakes, single scoop options, and coffee. They also cater to those who are dairy-free and have a good choice of ice cream without dairy. What is not to like about this Monterey dessert paradise?
Crepes of Brittany
- Address: 211 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA
Sometimes you need an excellent crepe to satisfy that sweet tooth, and Crepes of Brittany can do that for you. Located on the popular Alvarado Street, you can stop into this creperie to enjoy a crepe in house or take it with you to the beach.
They serve savory crepes, but the main star is their sweet crepes. You can choose from options like lemon sugar, caramel, Nutella, and cooked banana caramel, to name a few. If you wanted to take it up a notch, you could even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your crepe for that extra special dessert. Remember, though, all these fantastic crepes already come with whipped cream. Want to pair your crepe with a good cup of coffee? Then check our article featuring the best coffee shops in Monterey.
Revival Ice Cream, One of the Best Places for Ice Cream in Monterey!
- Address: 463 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA
Revival Ice Cream offers 100% handmade ice cream, sustainably and thoughtfully created from real ingredients. They use the freshest produce that’s locally sourced to create your perfect dessert. Revival offers unique flavors, like eucalyptus mint chip ice cream, lemon peel sherbet, bee’s knees ice cream, and a chocolate praline sorbet. They cater to those who are vegan or gluten-free, and you can even order your ice cream to be shipped to your house.
Besides ice cream, they also make ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches that are perfect for eating while enjoying Alvarado Street.
Monterey Crepe
- Address: 321 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA
Sometimes you can’t get enough of crepes, and that’s why you should stop into Monterey Crepe. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, stop in for a sweet crepe and enjoy! Their sweet crepe options are unlimited, including a chocolate peanut butter crepe, apple sauce and cinnamon crepe, ricotta and jam crepe, or a honey and almond crepe.
Their pricing is great for the size crepe you get, and you’ll leave so happy and satisfied that this place will quickly become you favorite place to get your dessert in Monterey.
Turkish Delight and Baklava
- Address: 685 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
If you’re looking for a unique middle eastern dessert in Monterey CA, then you must make a stop at Turkish Delight and Baklava. They have a small seating area indoors, and if you don’t know where to start, the staff will give you a free sample to see what flavors you enjoy.
Their desserts are made fresh daily, and they have great gift options if you want to take them back home with you. Just know, if you’ve never had Baklava, it is sweet! You’ll want more than one piece, trust us.
Carousel Candies
- Address: 31 Wharf II #1, Monterey, CA
If you still have no idea where to have dessert in Monterey, head to Carousel Candies. This place has been around for more than 50 years and offers terrific candy options. They are known for their gourmet salt water taffy that is made fresh daily in their shop.
Their other options include fancy apples, caramel corn, sugar-free options, and English toffee. Carousel Candies honestly has a little bit of something for everyone, and it’s located right on the wharf, so you can stop in and grab and treat to enjoy while you finish strolling the wharf.
Kara’s Cupcakes
- Address: 1240 Del Monte Center, Building A #87, Monterey, CA
Grabbing that to-go-cupcake just makes the day a little better, don’t you thin? Well, you can do just that over at Kara’s Cupcakes. Their cute little shop offers a wide range of cupcakes you can choose from to enjoy on your way home or later in the day.
Some flavors they offer include carrot cake, coconut, pumpkin, mocha, and some of them even come in a even gluten-free version. Their cupcakes are moist and delicious and have the perfect amount of sweetness.
Lily Mae’s Cinnamon Rolls
- Address: 700 Cannery Row, Suite H, Monterey, CA
Sitting along Cannery Row is Lilly Mae’s Cinnamon Rolls, a delicious shop you can stop into for rolls, cookies, and other delicious dessert options. Their cookies are above average size, and they can offer gluten-free cinnamon rolls to those who have specific dietary restrictions.
If looking for a creative dessert option in town, go for their unique cinnamon rolls flavors, like apple cinnamon. Don’t hesitat to stop in and see what they are all about.
Monterey Bay Creamery
- Address: 43 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA
Perched right on the wharf, this is one of the best places for dessert in Monterey. Pop into this perfect ice cream shop before doing a little whale watching. They have numerous ice cream flavors with all your favorite toppings, but you also grab churros or sundaes if that fits your taste instead.
Their portions are on the larger side, so be prepared when you show up to get a mini dessert feast.
You can’t complain when it comes to an amazing dessert spot. Monterey is filled with various options that will leave you feeling great with the delicious dessert you get to enjoy.
Want to learn more about places to see and things to do in Monterey?
Check these article for more exciting ideas for your Monterey trip:
- Perfect wineries and breweries in Monterey
- Monterey coffee shops to get your morning fix
- Best restaurants in Monterey
- Most amazing happy hours in Monterey
- Top unique things to do in Monterey
Where to stay in Santa Monica
- Ocean View Hotel
- Stunning oceanfront condo
- Wyndham Santa Monica at the Pier
- Hotel Shangri-La
- Santa Monica Loews Hotel
Find more Santa Monica accommodation options on Booking.com.
Santa Monica is fairly easy to get around. We recommend renting a car and exploring all there is to see. You can find the best prices on rental cars by clicking here.
When you’re not discovering Santa Monica on your own, we suggest treating yourself to a tour. From private wine tours to kayak and SUP tours, cooking classes classes to tours of celebrity-owned homes, there’s a little something for everyone. Browse all the Santa Monica tours available on Viator by clicking here.
If you want to capture the memories from your trip to Monterey, we recommend hiring a professional photographer. A Flytographer photoshoot is one of our favorite souvenirs from our travels and we want to share them with you!