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The Italian Sundae at Il Bracco, which is topped with whipped cream, pistachios, and olive oil.
Il Bracco’s sundae is a refreshing Italian spin on a classic dessert.
Western Addition

20 Must-Have Desserts in Houston

Prepare yourself for some of the best cookies, cakes, ice cream, flan, and other desserts in the city

by Brittany Britto Garley and Megha McSwain Updated
View as Map
Il Bracco’s sundae is a refreshing Italian spin on a classic dessert.
| Western Addition
by Brittany Britto Garley and Megha McSwain Updated

For some, perusing the dessert menu after a meal and settling on something flaky and fruit-filled, crumbly and creamy, or layered with chocolate, is half the fun of dining out. Thankfully, Houston is home to a number of talented pastry chefs and dessert connoisseurs who make splurging on dessert worth every last cent (and calorie).

Whether it’s a slice of pie, a whole layer cake, or a gourmet pint of ice cream you seek to hide away in the freezer for later, there are lots of exciting ways to satisfy a sweet tooth in the city. Consider this guide to some of the best desserts in Houston the next time a monster dessert craving hits.

Don’t see your favorite dessert on the list? Shout it in the comments.

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Sweet Bribery by Craft Creamery

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Sweet Bribery and Craft Creamery’s new partnership yields more rich ice cream flavors at this Heights shop, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Bastani, Miso Caramel, a classic vanilla, and the novel, award-winning (and very Texas) barbecue brisket ice cream. Adults can also indulge in boozy options, like its alcohol-infused milkshakes, champagne and beer float flights, and specially scheduled ice cream dinners, where scoops are paired with wine.

250 W 19th St suite e, Houston, TX 77008
(281) 501-0639
(281) 501-0639
Sixteen scoops of Craft Creamery ice cream in small cardboard cups.
Craft Creamery and Sweet Bribery have teamed up to bring more delicious ice cream options to the Heights.
Stephanie Lam

Field & Tides

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Field & Tides has long been a Heights neighborhood favorite for its plentiful seafood offerings, hearty protein plates, and an Alabama stack cake that is hard to pass up. The dessert features layers of chocolate sponge cake, double cream, and bourbon ganache, for a sinful dessert of epic proportions.

705 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-6143
(713) 861-6143

Also featured in:

Pudgy’s Fine Cookies

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For a satisfying sweet treat, look no further than this pop-up, turned Heights bake shop, which dishes out “thick AF” cookies with a gooey center. Fan favorites include the pastry creme-filled Bananaza Brule cookie that’s brule-ed on top, the Wild Campfire s’mores cookie, and the Thickerdoodle. Pro tip: Keep up with Pudgy’s on social media, and get the scoop on limited-release cookie varieties.

1010 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 538-1503
(713) 538-1503
A set of 12 cookies from Pudgy’s Fine Cookies.
Pudgy’s Cookies are meant to be shared.
Brittany Britto Garley

Underground Creamery

Copy Link

What started as an experiment has morphed into a hard-to-get ice cream experience that’s well worth the wait, patience, and $14 per pint. Ditching the traditional scoop shop model, Josh Deleon releases flavors weekly, including a cobbler series that mixes fruity jams with delicious crusts, and deeper and rich flavors, like the Turtle Power — Deleon’s take on the chocolate candy Turtle. Be warned: to secure pints, check out the Hotplate platform and ensure you’re available for scheduled pick-up hours at its designated Heights pick-up spot.

1010 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008
Josh Deleon packs ice cream pints with crushed graham crackers at Underground Creamery on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.
Dig into a pint or two of Underground Creamery’s ice cream.
Annie Mulligan

Also featured in:

Coltivare

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Stick your spoon into Coltivare’s chocolate rum cake and find a pillowy dream that exceeds even the wildest dessert expectations. A thick, middle layer of pistachio buttercream is enveloped by layers of chocolate cake crumble, and topped with ganache and crushed pistachios, resulting in a pleasant blend of sweet and salty.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7890
(832) 203-7890
Coltivare’s chocolate rum cake, with a layer of pistachio cream sandwiched between two layers of chocolate cake crumble and topped with chocolate ganache and crushed pistachios.
Coltivare’s chocolate rum cake is a great way to end a meal.
Mikah Danae

Also featured in:

Theodore Rex

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This restaurant from chef Justin Yu brings a relaxed fine dining experience to Downtown’s Northside. Its menu is small but mighty, featuring a warm strawberry butter cake that is worth saving room for. The warmth of the dessert is contrasted with a bed of cold cardamom cream, making each bite a perfect one.

1302 Nance St unit a, Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
(832) 830-8592

Also featured in:

Flora

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Nestled in Buffalo Bayou Park, this glass treehouse has a solid lineup of Mexican desserts, including tres leches and churros, but its traditional vanilla bean flan is a scene-stealer. With a perfectly firm, pudding-like texture complemented by a burnt caramel sauce, the dessert ranks among the top flans in the city.

3422 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 360-6477
(713) 360-6477
A hand holding a fork that’s slicing into a piece of flan.
Flora’s flan is a must-try.
Kirsten Gilliam

Also featured in:

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

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When in search for a stellar New York-style cheesecake, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse serves up one of the best — and the largest — meaning it’s perfect for sharing. This massive, creamy slice is served with a sour cream anglaise sauce, fresh strawberries, and a side of white chocolate for an added touch.

1200 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 658-1995
(713) 658-1995

Also featured in:

Xochi

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Under the direction of pastry chef Reuben Ortega, Xochi delivers an imaginative menu of desserts not soon found elsewhere. The restaurant’s signature cacao resembles art on the plate, with tejate foam and a milk chocolate cloud presented in a chocolate pod, with chocolate criollo soil. Ortega has had his hand in developing dynamic desserts for other H-Town Restaurant Group concepts, including restaurants Hugo’s, Caracol, and Urbe, so venturing out to explore those menus is also highly recommended.

1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-3330
(713) 400-3330
A chocolate cocoa pod with foam, milk chocolate cloud, and chocolate criollo soil
The cacao is one of Xochi’s signature desserts.
H-Town Restaurant Group

Also featured in:

il Bracco

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Don’t feel guilty if you find yourself rushing to dessert at Il Bracco. The Italian Sundae — Blue Bell vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, crushed pistachio, olive oil, and sea salt — is a refreshing and sweet end to a meal. Other options include the lemon tart and the delicate tiramisu, which is made in-house, but if you prefer to drink your dessert, go for the boozy Bracco, a frozen Greyhound that’s the restaurant’s signature cocktail.

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 532-9950
(713) 532-9950

Also featured in:

Cuchara

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Cuchara puts a spin on traditional tres leches cake with its one-of-a-kind 5-leches cake. The ultra-moist dessert is served in a bowl, making it easy to slurp up all of the milky goodness, and it can be further amped up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a shot of Rompope.

214 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-0000
(713) 942-0000

Also featured in:

Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

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With an abundance of house-made desserts prominently showcased in glass cases at the new location of Kenny & Ziggy’s, choosing one is no simple feat. Layer cakes and cheesecakes are sure to entice, but consider the coconut cream pie for something truly exquisite. And if you’ve still got room, settle into a seat at the soda fountain where you can find old-fashioned items like root beer floats and hot fudge sundaes.

1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-8883
(713) 871-8883
A coconut cream pie in a tin.
Coconut cream pie at Kenny & Ziggy’s.
Kenny & Ziggy’s Delicatessen

Also featured in:

Rosie Cannonball

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It’s easy to get swept away into carbohydrate heaven at Rosie Cannonball, with fresh focaccia di recco and pizzas served piping hot out of a wood-burning oven, but don’t overstuff yourself before getting to dessert. Rosie’s Tarta de Queso, or basque-style cheesecake, is served warm with a bitter orange marmalade, making for a subtlety sweet and lusciously creamy finish to your meal.

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 380-2471
(832) 380-2471

Also featured in:

Brennan's of Houston

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Brennan’s famed Bananas Foster doubles as a tableside show. The flambé of bananas with Caribbean rum and cinnamon is a sight to see, and the dessert served over vanilla bean ice cream is nothing short of a crowd-pleaser. Try it with their N’awlins Chicory Pecan Martini with house-made pecan cream liqueur and chicory coffee liquor. 

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711
A scoop of ice cream atop sauteed bananas with drizzles of caramel sauce.
Brennan’s banana foster is a fiery yet sweet way to end a meal.
Brennan’s of Houston

Also featured in:

Little’s Oyster Bar

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As one of the hottest new openings of the year, Little’s Oyster Bar from the Pappas family touts style and substance in its menu, and that extends to its desserts. Make a difficult decision and choose between the smoked chocolate pot de creme, with a toasted honey marshmallow topping, and the delightfully warm, spiced carrot blonde brownie, which is topped with cream cheese gelato. Both are standouts.

3001 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-4595
(713) 522-4595

Also featured in:

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Lady M Cake

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This famed dessert boutique, known for its decadent, layered crepe cakes, has a Houston outpost in the Galleria. Stick with something simple, like the signature mille crepe cake, opt for something fruity like the strawberry swirl or the blueberry sugar shortcake, or go for a rich flavor like tiramisu.

5085 Westheimer Rd Suite B3650, Houston, TX 77056
(212) 452-2222
(212) 452-2222

Pacha Nikkei

Copy Link

Self-billed as Houston’s first Nikkei restaurant, Pacha Nikkei is known for its savory and delicate ceviches and pan con chicharron, but its desserts that blend Peruvian and Japanese flavors deserve some praise, too. The lucuma cheesecake is made with Peru’s native and ancient lucuma fruit, dark chocolate shavings, and a graham cracker crust for a balanced combination of sweet and slightly fruity.

10001 Westheimer Rd Suite 5, Houston, TX 77042
(832) 834-5697
(832) 834-5697

Also featured in:

Nobie's

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Among one of Houston’s top restaurants for food and ambiance, Nobie’s is also known to dish out some of the city’s best desserts. The olive oil cake is perfectly moist and covered in a lemon glaze. Crowned with a dollop of fresh whip cream, a slice will make you weak in the knees. If you prefer pie over cake, be sure to check out the daily pie offerings.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

Also featured in:

Navy Blue

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Bludorn’s executive pastry chef Marie Riddle makes a splash at Navy Blue, with a number of worthy and intriguing desserts. There is a dreamy carrot cake with toffee sauce, cream cheese, and ginger ice cream; a warm, gooey-centered chocolate coulant presented with passion fruit ice cream; and the apples and eggs, which combines green apple sorbet with a bump of Siberian caviar.

2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 347-7727
(713) 347-7727

Also featured in:

Popfancy Dessert Bar

Copy Link

At this Bellaire shop, dessert is the entire schtick, and it always comes with an exciting theme. Each month, Popfancy debuts a new experience for the whole family, with indulgent drinks, sundaes, and more to match. Through October 1, diners can experience its Iron Maiden Tavern experience, complete with a feast fit for a pirate with a sweet tooth, with butterbeer floats, buildable sundaes, and festive drinks, plus live music on weekends, trivia nights, and plenty of cosplay opportunities. Though admission is free with walk-ins accepted on Mondays through Thursdays, Fastpass reservations are encouraged for busy weekends.

9393 Bellaire Blvd a6, Houston, TX 77036
(832) 483-2075
(832) 483-2075

Also featured in:

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Sweet Bribery by Craft Creamery

250 W 19th St suite e, Houston, TX 77008

Sweet Bribery and Craft Creamery’s new partnership yields more rich ice cream flavors at this Heights shop, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Bastani, Miso Caramel, a classic vanilla, and the novel, award-winning (and very Texas) barbecue brisket ice cream. Adults can also indulge in boozy options, like its alcohol-infused milkshakes, champagne and beer float flights, and specially scheduled ice cream dinners, where scoops are paired with wine.

250 W 19th St suite e, Houston, TX 77008
(281) 501-0639
(281) 501-0639
Sixteen scoops of Craft Creamery ice cream in small cardboard cups.
Craft Creamery and Sweet Bribery have teamed up to bring more delicious ice cream options to the Heights.
Stephanie Lam

Field & Tides

705 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

Field & Tides has long been a Heights neighborhood favorite for its plentiful seafood offerings, hearty protein plates, and an Alabama stack cake that is hard to pass up. The dessert features layers of chocolate sponge cake, double cream, and bourbon ganache, for a sinful dessert of epic proportions.

705 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-6143
(713) 861-6143

Pudgy’s Fine Cookies

1010 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008

For a satisfying sweet treat, look no further than this pop-up, turned Heights bake shop, which dishes out “thick AF” cookies with a gooey center. Fan favorites include the pastry creme-filled Bananaza Brule cookie that’s brule-ed on top, the Wild Campfire s’mores cookie, and the Thickerdoodle. Pro tip: Keep up with Pudgy’s on social media, and get the scoop on limited-release cookie varieties.

1010 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 538-1503
(713) 538-1503
A set of 12 cookies from Pudgy’s Fine Cookies.
Pudgy’s Cookies are meant to be shared.
Brittany Britto Garley

Underground Creamery

1010 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008

What started as an experiment has morphed into a hard-to-get ice cream experience that’s well worth the wait, patience, and $14 per pint. Ditching the traditional scoop shop model, Josh Deleon releases flavors weekly, including a cobbler series that mixes fruity jams with delicious crusts, and deeper and rich flavors, like the Turtle Power — Deleon’s take on the chocolate candy Turtle. Be warned: to secure pints, check out the Hotplate platform and ensure you’re available for scheduled pick-up hours at its designated Heights pick-up spot.

1010 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008
Josh Deleon packs ice cream pints with crushed graham crackers at Underground Creamery on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.
Dig into a pint or two of Underground Creamery’s ice cream.
Annie Mulligan

Coltivare

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Stick your spoon into Coltivare’s chocolate rum cake and find a pillowy dream that exceeds even the wildest dessert expectations. A thick, middle layer of pistachio buttercream is enveloped by layers of chocolate cake crumble, and topped with ganache and crushed pistachios, resulting in a pleasant blend of sweet and salty.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7890
(832) 203-7890
Coltivare’s chocolate rum cake, with a layer of pistachio cream sandwiched between two layers of chocolate cake crumble and topped with chocolate ganache and crushed pistachios.
Coltivare’s chocolate rum cake is a great way to end a meal.
Mikah Danae

Theodore Rex

1302 Nance St unit a, Houston, TX 77002

This restaurant from chef Justin Yu brings a relaxed fine dining experience to Downtown’s Northside. Its menu is small but mighty, featuring a warm strawberry butter cake that is worth saving room for. The warmth of the dessert is contrasted with a bed of cold cardamom cream, making each bite a perfect one.

1302 Nance St unit a, Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
(832) 830-8592

Flora

3422 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019

Nestled in Buffalo Bayou Park, this glass treehouse has a solid lineup of Mexican desserts, including tres leches and churros, but its traditional vanilla bean flan is a scene-stealer. With a perfectly firm, pudding-like texture complemented by a burnt caramel sauce, the dessert ranks among the top flans in the city.

3422 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 360-6477
(713) 360-6477
A hand holding a fork that’s slicing into a piece of flan.
Flora’s flan is a must-try.
Kirsten Gilliam

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

1200 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010

When in search for a stellar New York-style cheesecake, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse serves up one of the best — and the largest — meaning it’s perfect for sharing. This massive, creamy slice is served with a sour cream anglaise sauce, fresh strawberries, and a side of white chocolate for an added touch.

1200 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 658-1995
(713) 658-1995

Xochi

1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010

Under the direction of pastry chef Reuben Ortega, Xochi delivers an imaginative menu of desserts not soon found elsewhere. The restaurant’s signature cacao resembles art on the plate, with tejate foam and a milk chocolate cloud presented in a chocolate pod, with chocolate criollo soil. Ortega has had his hand in developing dynamic desserts for other H-Town Restaurant Group concepts, including restaurants Hugo’s, Caracol, and Urbe, so venturing out to explore those menus is also highly recommended.

1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-3330
(713) 400-3330
A chocolate cocoa pod with foam, milk chocolate cloud, and chocolate criollo soil
The cacao is one of Xochi’s signature desserts.
H-Town Restaurant Group

il Bracco

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Don’t feel guilty if you find yourself rushing to dessert at Il Bracco. The Italian Sundae — Blue Bell vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, crushed pistachio, olive oil, and sea salt — is a refreshing and sweet end to a meal. Other options include the lemon tart and the delicate tiramisu, which is made in-house, but if you prefer to drink your dessert, go for the boozy Bracco, a frozen Greyhound that’s the restaurant’s signature cocktail.

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 532-9950
(713) 532-9950

Cuchara

214 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006

Cuchara puts a spin on traditional tres leches cake with its one-of-a-kind 5-leches cake. The ultra-moist dessert is served in a bowl, making it easy to slurp up all of the milky goodness, and it can be further amped up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a shot of Rompope.

214 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-0000
(713) 942-0000

Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen

1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

With an abundance of house-made desserts prominently showcased in glass cases at the new location of Kenny & Ziggy’s, choosing one is no simple feat. Layer cakes and cheesecakes are sure to entice, but consider the coconut cream pie for something truly exquisite. And if you’ve still got room, settle into a seat at the soda fountain where you can find old-fashioned items like root beer floats and hot fudge sundaes.

1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-8883
(713) 871-8883
A coconut cream pie in a tin.
Coconut cream pie at Kenny & Ziggy’s.
Kenny & Ziggy’s Delicatessen

Rosie Cannonball

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

It’s easy to get swept away into carbohydrate heaven at Rosie Cannonball, with fresh focaccia di recco and pizzas served piping hot out of a wood-burning oven, but don’t overstuff yourself before getting to dessert. Rosie’s Tarta de Queso, or basque-style cheesecake, is served warm with a bitter orange marmalade, making for a subtlety sweet and lusciously creamy finish to your meal.

1620 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 380-2471
(832) 380-2471

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Brennan’s famed Bananas Foster doubles as a tableside show. The flambé of bananas with Caribbean rum and cinnamon is a sight to see, and the dessert served over vanilla bean ice cream is nothing short of a crowd-pleaser. Try it with their N’awlins Chicory Pecan Martini with house-made pecan cream liqueur and chicory coffee liquor. 

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711
A scoop of ice cream atop sauteed bananas with drizzles of caramel sauce.
Brennan’s banana foster is a fiery yet sweet way to end a meal.
Brennan’s of Houston

Little’s Oyster Bar

3001 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098

As one of the hottest new openings of the year, Little’s Oyster Bar from the Pappas family touts style and substance in its menu, and that extends to its desserts. Make a difficult decision and choose between the smoked chocolate pot de creme, with a toasted honey marshmallow topping, and the delightfully warm, spiced carrot blonde brownie, which is topped with cream cheese gelato. Both are standouts.

3001 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-4595
(713) 522-4595

Related Maps

Lady M Cake

5085 Westheimer Rd Suite B3650, Houston, TX 77056

This famed dessert boutique, known for its decadent, layered crepe cakes, has a Houston outpost in the Galleria. Stick with something simple, like the signature mille crepe cake, opt for something fruity like the strawberry swirl or the blueberry sugar shortcake, or go for a rich flavor like tiramisu.

5085 Westheimer Rd Suite B3650, Houston, TX 77056
(212) 452-2222
(212) 452-2222

Pacha Nikkei

10001 Westheimer Rd Suite 5, Houston, TX 77042

Self-billed as Houston’s first Nikkei restaurant, Pacha Nikkei is known for its savory and delicate ceviches and pan con chicharron, but its desserts that blend Peruvian and Japanese flavors deserve some praise, too. The lucuma cheesecake is made with Peru’s native and ancient lucuma fruit, dark chocolate shavings, and a graham cracker crust for a balanced combination of sweet and slightly fruity.

10001 Westheimer Rd Suite 5, Houston, TX 77042
(832) 834-5697
(832) 834-5697

Nobie's

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098

Among one of Houston’s top restaurants for food and ambiance, Nobie’s is also known to dish out some of the city’s best desserts. The olive oil cake is perfectly moist and covered in a lemon glaze. Crowned with a dollop of fresh whip cream, a slice will make you weak in the knees. If you prefer pie over cake, be sure to check out the daily pie offerings.

2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098
(346) 319-5919
(346) 319-5919

Navy Blue

2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

Bludorn’s executive pastry chef Marie Riddle makes a splash at Navy Blue, with a number of worthy and intriguing desserts. There is a dreamy carrot cake with toffee sauce, cream cheese, and ginger ice cream; a warm, gooey-centered chocolate coulant presented with passion fruit ice cream; and the apples and eggs, which combines green apple sorbet with a bump of Siberian caviar.

2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 347-7727
(713) 347-7727

Popfancy Dessert Bar

9393 Bellaire Blvd a6, Houston, TX 77036

At this Bellaire shop, dessert is the entire schtick, and it always comes with an exciting theme. Each month, Popfancy debuts a new experience for the whole family, with indulgent drinks, sundaes, and more to match. Through October 1, diners can experience its Iron Maiden Tavern experience, complete with a feast fit for a pirate with a sweet tooth, with butterbeer floats, buildable sundaes, and festive drinks, plus live music on weekends, trivia nights, and plenty of cosplay opportunities. Though admission is free with walk-ins accepted on Mondays through Thursdays, Fastpass reservations are encouraged for busy weekends.

9393 Bellaire Blvd a6, Houston, TX 77036
(832) 483-2075
(832) 483-2075

Related Maps