Need a sweet escape? In Jacksonville, Florida, you don’t have to go far to satisfy your cravings. This city is full of delicious dessert shops ready to indulge your sweet tooth. Whether you want cookies, cakes, gelato, or candy, these favorite spots have you covered. The only hard part will be deciding what to try first!
A Candied Bliss at Sweet Pete’s
Within Jacksonville’s charming downtown district is a confectionary delight like no other. Voted one of the top 10 sweet shops in the entire U.S., Sweet Pete’s fanciful Willy Wonka-ish sweets shop offers over a thousand varieties of nostalgic sweets from across the globe.
Wander first through the European-style chocolate factory. Marvel at hand-dipping truffles and molding sculptures before your very eyes from the viewing balcony above.
Then, browse endless aisles full of every treat you can imagine. They have brittle bites, saltwater taffies and oozing caramels galore. You will be tempted by small-batch fudges and colorful homemade marshmallows.
For a break, visit the 50s-style soda shop having menu items both sweet and savory. Enjoy hand-spun milkshakes, sundaes covered in hot fudge, or classic picnic fare at shaded outdoor tables. Or make an entire afternoon of it and enjoy a yummy lunch or dinner downstairs in their restaurant, complete with over-the-top ice cream treats and milkshakes.
And for special gatherings, the spacious event hall with crystal chandeliers creates a magical ambiance for any celebration or field trip. You can even sign up for a candy making or chocolate making class! Where else can magic be found but within Sweet Pete’s infinite imagination? Consider this candied kingdom with top sugary Jacksonville experiences, your new favorite destination.
Refreshing Flavors of Rita’s Italian Ice
Nothing compares to Rita’s when craving something sweet and refreshing on a hot summer day. This popular chain has been satisfying taste buds with its specialty ever since its inception. The light and airy Italian ice melts in your mouth, bursting with a mix of flavors.
Each Italian ice cream is made from frozen fruit puree. Every bite gives you an intense yet different taste that sticks even after your ice cream finishes. Enjoy classic flavors like lemon, watermelon, and tart cherry, or try seasonal ones like sour apple or coconut. Craving variety? Build your own gelato piled high with two or three flavors. Believe us when we say the options are plentiful!
Rita’s also prepares delicious frozen custard, which is rich and so creamy you want to savor every spoonful. Choose from vanilla, chocolate, or outrageous recipes like Oreo Overload and Reese’s Explosion. It’s indulgence at its best.
Here is where you will find Ice Custard Happiness, their motto for the joy you feel with every heavenly bite. Their swirls concretes, and sundaes are so good that you will want to come back all summer long to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Join the many local Rita’s fans and enjoy their amazing frozen treats. One bite and you will know what true ice cream joy feels like. For a truly sweet experience, visit their walk up location in Jacksonville Beach after a warm sunny day spent at the beaches!
The Creamy Perfection of Whit’s Frozen Custard
While others offer frozen novelties, Whit‘s has been perfecting freshly made custard since 1945. They offer one of the best Jacksonville desserts by using only the best dairy and real sugars. With their small-batch process, they churn each creamy lot slowly throughout the day.
The results speak for themselves. Their velvety smooth custard is basically a dessert dream come true. With over 30 flavors available each week, from classic vanilla bean to exciting choices like salted caramel pretzel or cookie dough overload, they are never short of options for your sweet tooth.
Whit’s encourages customer creativity and lets you create your own custard masterpiece. Mix in peanut butter cups with chocolate chip or crushed Oreos with vanilla. The topping bar invites endless creativity!
One of the more popular locations is located in Atlantic Beach, right in the heart of shops and restaurants and steps away from the sand. It’s worth seeking out. One taste will have you hooked and eager to return.
The Art of Fine Chocolate at Peterbrooke Chocolatier
Let us tempt you some more…
Peterbrooke has been a favorite among chocolate lovers across the South since 1983. Founder Michael Brown has been offering the most exquisite chocolates around. He uses only the finest ingredients that are transparently sourced. This adds American charm to the traditional craftsmanship.
Each treat starts as European-style couverture chocolate, hand-tempered and molded daily in 27 regional shops. Truffles, caramels, and cordials are the best gifts for chocolate lovers. They also keep things unique, hand-dipping customer favorites like pretzels, cookies, and popcorn in velvety milk and dark or white chocolates.
Perhaps their most famous of all Jacksonville sweets’ creations is chocolate-covered popcorn. This Southern classic with melt-in-your-mouth kernels is coated in smooth chocolate – just yummy.
Peterbrooke keeps things fresh with crafted gift baskets, seasonal specials, and even summer camps where kids learn the art of chocolate making. They also offer catering and franchising, spreading joy nationwide. Their loyalty rewards spoil customers with birthday treats, too.
Visit any Peterbrooke shop for an artisanal experience. You can select your own treats or enjoy customized options. One bite and you will understand why Peterbrooke is the epitome of Southern indulgence. Spread the joy with the best gifts for chocolate lovers. Sweet happiness is just a visit away!
Fresh Treats at Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Looking for a classic ice cream experience?
Bruster’s spreads the joy of ice cream made with premium dairy from their own supplier. Founded by Bruce Reed, each scoop becomes a delicious piece of art.
Walk up to their outdoor walk up counter and enjoy your treat on one of their benches or picnic tables and experience the magic yourself. Don’t want to get out of the car? They have a drive through too! With over 24 rotating flavors, there’s always something new and exciting. Classics like Peanut Butter Cup and Chocolate Fudge Brownie satisfy your sweet tooth alongside innovative recipes born from customer feedback. The littlest ones even get a free scoop!
But Bruster’s talent doesn’t stop at base flavors. Their pastry chefs turn whipped ice cream into a range of textural delights. Blasts, sundaes, and specialty items are creatively layered with crunch, swirls, and sauces. You can even build your own custom creations.
For special occasions, Bruster’s offers beautiful cakes and pies upon request. These Jacksonville sweets are available seasonally and upon request with custom artwork to make any event memorable. They happen to also be my family’s go-to birthday cake request!
Simply put – at Bruster’s, every scoop, however you want it- will make your day even sweeter.
Unique City Desserts Experiences
While Rita’s Italian Ice and Bruster’s are popular spots for Jacksonville sweets, Italian ice, ice cream, and frozen custard, our city has some more fantastic local bakeries and dessert shops, too. So, while you explore these local bakeries, enjoy gelato from a beloved spot like Kilwins. You cannot help appreciating the simple pleasure of satisfying your sweet tooth.
Amaretti Desserts
This neighborhood bakery is a made from scratch treat. Family-owned for years, they take time to craft each dessert and pasty by hand. Seasonal specials bring fresh fun and an opportunity to try something new each visit. It’s cozy and comfy inside, so stop in and stay while.
The French Pantry
A super popular local spot, stepping in feels like Paris. The French Pantry imports ingredients for true French boulangerie. Macarons melt in your mouth and their breads are what dreams are made of. People come from literally miles away to wait in line for their drool worthy addicting lunch sandwiches and decadent items. Try their turkey and goat cheese pesto sandwich. YUM!
Sweet Theory Baking Co.
Allergy-friendly never tasted so good! This Riverside bakery bakes with care using wholesome ingredients. Cinnamon rolls are your go-to can’t-miss morning treat. Their staff helps you feel included whether you are here for a brownie or birthday sweets. Their creative specials make your trip fun.
Kilwins
Generations of memories are made here. Fudge and other homemade sweets satisfy any craving. Located in the St Johns Town center, its location is a perfect end (or beginning) to your day of shopping. Their ice cream is classic and delicious, and their fudge will have you ordering some to-go to keep enjoying. The best part is their quality never changes. It is indeed a great find for special treats or pop-ins after school/work with friends.
Conclusion
Whether you crave ice cream, fudge, chocolates, or baked goods, it’s clear we are truly spoiled for the choicest city of plentiful and delicious desserts.
We know heading to your neighborhood favorite is the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Who doesn’t love basking in the sugar rush? But don’t forget – nothing brings people together like sharing an ice cream sundae or a gooey slice of homemade pie. It’s the perfect excuse to catch up with friends and family.
No matter which Jacksonville sweets spot you visit, we guarantee you will leave satisfied with a smile. We promise the taste will be worth it – see you next time for more drool-worthy destinations.
