Wonderful Sarasota Desserts You Need to Try

These past months I’ve been on a quest to find the most wonderful Sarasota desserts. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. Every weekend (or almost every weekend), starting in September 2018, I went to “work” and tasted some of the most delicious desserts in the area to share with you all their pictures and feedback.

The list focuses on local and bakery chains but does not include full-service restaurants unless they have a separate bakery on-site. 

Cakes by Ron

Cakes by Ron was my first stop on the ‘Sarasota desserts’ adventures. You can find cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and coffee in this shop, but I was going for the cupcakes.

My favorite thing about the cupcakes was the cake itself. Sometimes cupcakes can be on the drier side, but not here. I tasted two different cupcakes, and they were consistently moist, without the need for any filling. Try to go in the morning, since the earlier you go, the bigger the cupcake selection.

Inside Seating: Yes.

Meaney’s Mini Donuts & Coffee House

The donuts from Meaney’s Mini Donuts & Coffee House in Siesta Key distinguish themselves from others by being prepared in front of you. Its consistency reminds me more of a churro than a donut, but that doesn’t mean they are not delicious.

My advice? If you think you want to order six, go ahead and order twelve. If you think you want to order a dozen, order two dozens. They are that good.

Inside Seating: No.

Kilwins

Kilwins is found in various cities across the Eastern United States and the state of Colorado. Lucky for us, they also have a location in Sarasota, specifically at St. Armands Circle. A visit to this island shopping center is not complete without some fudge, chocolate truffles, or ice cream from Kilwins.

One of my favorite things about this shop, aside from its smell, is being able to watch the employees make fudge and homemade waffle cones.

Inside Seating: Yes.

Rendez-Vous French Bakery & Delicatessen

With two Sarasota locations, Rendez-Vous French Bakery and Delicatessen is the closest you can get to authentic and reasonably priced French pastries here in Sarasota. From éclairs, croissants to fruit tarts, choosing what to eat will be one of the hardest choices you’ll have to make (at least during the day of your visit).

Inside seating: Yes, at the Clark Rd. location. Limited at the Siesta Key location. 

Le Macaron French Pastries

Now that we are talking about French pastries, it’s time to mention Le Macaron. Yes, it’s a bakery chain if that’s how you want to call it. However, I have found that some locations are better than others. Le Macaron French Pastries at St. Armands Circle is where I go for macarons in Sarasota because of their freshness and because their flavor options never disappoint. Also, the shop is adorable inside.

For reference, my favorite flavors are Colombian Coffee, Salted Caramel, Rose, Coconut, and Madagascar Black Vanilla.

Inside Seating: Yes.

Five-O Donut Co. 

You know that if a place has ‘Live Donut Surveillance,’ it will be anything but ordinary. Five-O Donut Co. not only makes tasty and imaginative donuts, but it will also give you the tools to take great pictures of the most ‘instagrammable’ donuts in the Sarasota area.

After entering the shop, you’ll notice there is a ring light, props, coffee, and of course, donuts and other pastries to not only eat but share your experience with others. Depending on what you are looking for, I’ll recommend following their social channels and Livestream to be in the loop regarding what donuts they’ll be making and what is currently available.

Inside Seating: Yes.

Sweet Doctor

Sweet Doctors recently moved from UTC to Lockwood Ridge, but they’re still the same. They still have cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and cheesecake cupcakes available, but their cake balls keep taking the big prize.

As it also happens with cupcakes, eating cake balls can be a great or not-so-great experience. I had one from another place before and thought I didn’t like them. That was until I had a Snicker Cake Ball from Sweet Doctor, and then I just wanted to taste all of them.

In my opinion, they also make the perfect gift for that dessert loving person in your life.

Inside seating: Yes.

Yoder’s

Talking about Sarasota desserts and not mentioning Yoder’s Restaurant is borderline sacrilegious. Here, all the pies are baked from scratch every morning and will remind you of your grandmother (that is, if you had an Amish-Baking-Loving Grandma). You can get them by the slice, or you can also get a whole pie. You do you!

If you like Pecan Pie, Yoder’s should be part of your ‘pie pilgrimage,’ if you don’t, there are more than 30 flavors to choose from.

Inside seating: Only if you’re also eating at the Restaurant. Outside seating available if you aren’t-in this case, order your pie at the window. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes

I left my favorite for last. Yes, Nothing Bundt Cakes is another bakery chain, but for me, it has everything I’m looking for in a dessert. A cake baked to perfection, cream cheese frosting, and size options.

Let’s say that it was so good that after visiting the shop for this post, I ended up ordering my mother a birthday cake from here, which she also loved.

I’m not going to recommend any flavor since everyone has different preferences (and I haven’t tried them all), but I can vouch for the red velvet and the lemon.

Inside seating: No.

Is there another place in Sarasota you like for their desserts? Let me know in the comments. Also, don’t forget to Share & Pin ‘Wonderful Sarasota Desserts You Need to Try’.