Rounds Bakery not only specializes in authentic New York-style bagels, but also a wide range of other East Coast baked delights in this West Coast town. Rounds is located near Midtown on Moana Lane. Stop in for a bagel and lox breakfast or lunch sandwich and finish up with a flaky croissant-doughnut pastry or even a piece of challah. The Rounds lunch menu consists of sammies like the Black & Blue with hot roast beef, gorgonzola, red onions and balsamic drizzle or you can build your own with a variety of meats, cheese and schmears (tasty cream cheese spreads). For dessert, check out the made from scratch cookies or filled and unfilled donuts. The Fancy Nancy has Nutella cream, toasted hazelnuts, chocolate drizzle and course sea salt and the fruit croissant comes with seasonal fruits and cream.
Recommended for Dessert because: Rounds serves up a load of New York-style bagels and unusual croissant-donut pastries.
Christina's expert tip: Rounds is closed on Sundays.
Rated as one of the best casino buffets in town, The Buffet at the Eldorado features hundreds of delicious items for breakfast, lunch and dinner including a huge salad bar, prepared salads, American, Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisine and the popular pizza bar with homemade pizzas. The Eldorado has its own bakery, butcher shop, pasta shop and even a gelato factory. In fact, you might not want to save dessert for last. Their massive dessert section features cakes, pies, petit four, bread pudding with sauces and a large gelato area with real Italian gelato in flavors like blackberry and espresso.
Recommended for Dessert because: Try the Eldorado's homemade Italian gelato and their amazing bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
Christina's expert tip: The Buffet features various special pricing. Try the Sunday Brunch for only $17.99 for adults and $9.99 for children.
Located near the Truckee River and Hub Coffee Roasters, Dorinda's Chocolates fills a sweet need in this charming part of Downtown Reno. The naturally flavored hand-dipped chocolates sold in this little shop are made by the "Duchess of Chocolate." Professional Chocolatier Dorinda makes a variety of sweets including truffles, bars, turtles, barks and baked goods. Try her award winning sea salt caramels or her chocolate dipped mango. Specialty items include chocloate fondue kits and s'more kits. The chocolates can be packaged into fun boxes for gifts.
Recommended for Dessert because: This is one of Reno's most favorite sweet spots, offering unique chocolates that'll certainly ruin you for all other chocolate.
Christina's expert tip: Dorinda's has special events including wine and chocolate pairing nights.
Batch Cupcakery near Downtown and Midtown Reno whips up dozens of unique cupcake flavors every day. Batch uses only the finest natural ingredients and specializes in vegan, paleo and heart-healthy desserts. They use coconut, olive and canola oil along with organic coconut flour, almond flour, nuts and seeds. Choose from fun flavors like Bugs-n-mud with chocolate buttercream and M&Ms, Pumpkin You Up with cream cheese frosting and cinnamon, the lemony Kiss of Sunshine or the Avalanche with marshmallow cream filling and a marshmallow coconut top. Batch is conveniently located near several other Midtown restaurants including Great Full Gardens and Laughing Planet.
Recommended for Dessert because: Batch Cupcakery has a fresh selection of revolving flavors every day.
Christina's expert tip: Batch also serves some excellent coffee with their cupcakes.
Since 1980 Josef's has been a favorite of Reno locals seeking incredible pastries and aromatic coffees. Josef's also serves classic and European inspired breakfasts like Oefs en Cocquette (Eggs in a Cup), crepes and Eggs Benedict with fresh ingredients. Lunches are also delicious and include the delicious Chicken Grape Salad Sandwich ($10.95) and German Bratwurst with spaetzle or cottage potatoes ($10.95). Inspired soups and salads are also served at lunch. Dessert is a must here. Choose from such delicacies as chocolate truffles, rum balls and more than 10 different pastry selections. Be sure to check out the deli and the wedding and specialty cake area.
Recommended for Dessert because: Josef's pastries and cakes bring a European flair to Reno.
Christina's expert tip: Get to Josef's early for fresh croissants and coffee.
The delicious rolled ice cream from Thailand is available at two locatinos in Reno. The Downtown store is located inside Dorinda's Chocolates near the Truckee River and the second location is located in South Reno. The creamery was started by a local Marine who fell in love with the rolled ice cream while stationed in Asia. Both stores offer a plethora of the liquid ice cream that is transformed into rolled up confections in just a few minutes. Rolled Mountain offers both dairy and non-dairy ice cream with all natural ingredients. Flavors include Sea Salt Caramel, Peanut Butter Bomb, Lemon Raspberry and, of course, Death by Chocolate.
Recommended for Dessert because: Get a drink and ice cream in one with the Green Tea Boba with green tea blend and red bean paste.
Christina's expert tip: Rolled Mountain offers two locations: one in Downtown and another in South Reno
Franz's Backstube is located in the cute Mayberry Landing shopping area and is home to some of the best pastries and cakes in town. Backstube will do custom cake orders and catering, but their pastry display will win you over right away. They offer various fruit pastries, croissants including chocolate and almond, Danish, rolls, apple strudel and various breads. All are fresh and crispy and made on-site. Their strawberry and blackberry pastries with cream and cheese are heaven. Backstube also offers items for lunch including soups, salads, quiche and fresh sandwiches. Their specialties include the chicken salad sandwich with berries and the goulash.
Recommended for Dessert because: Franz's Backstube features European-inspired desserts and pastries and excellent coffee.
Christina's expert tip: Franz's coffee is excellent. Get their house blend with a pastry.
You might first see the Icecycle Creamery ice cream bike at various special events around town, or just drop by their location on Lakeside for fresh, homemade ice cream made from delicious and unusual flavors. This family run ice cream parlor dishes up ice cream and sorbet like Earl Grey, Chocolate Salted Lavender, Maple Bacon, Blue Cheese and Balsamic Swirl and the light and fresh Basil ice cream ( a summer favorite). Their flavors periodically change and you can try samples at their Lakeside location. The Icecycle Creamery bike can be seen at various special events in Downtown Reno and in Midtown
Recommended for Dessert because: Icecycle Creamery's homemade and unusual flavors have put Reno on various foodie maps.
Christina's expert tip: Iceycle Creamery has a bike powered ice cream vendor. Look for it at special events Downtown or in Midtown.
Mix Cupcake Co. whips up daily, from scratch cupcakes, cookies and other sweet delights at their shop near the Truckee River. Mix also specializes in pies like lemon, coconut and classic pumpkin. Mix also takes special orders for holidays and weddings. However, most people come in to chow down on the delectable cupcakes that line the bakery's shelves. Choose from Espresso Love with chocolate cake and an espresso cream cheese frosting, Raspberry Beret a chocolate cupcake filled with a raspberry jam, topped with a dark chocolate ganache and a fresh raspberry, or Triple Chocolate Temptation with a dark chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Recommended for Dessert because: Mix Cupcake Co. doesn't hold back on the goodness. Their cupcakes are piled high with frosting and toppings.
Christina's expert tip: Mix is located just a few blocks from the Truckee River. Grab a cupcake for a riverside walk.
Homage is located in a darling house near downtown and features coffee drinks, loose leaf teas, breakfast pastries and lunch items. Pick up one of Homage's croissants, pastries or danishes with dark chocolate, almond or fruit. The savory croissants include cheese, herb, bacon and fresh veggies and can be enjoyed on the front porch or the garden. For lunch you can enjoy a salad like the Quinoa & Squash ($8) with acorn squash, dried tart cherries, roasted almonds, chevre, arugula and honey-mustard balsamic vinaigrette or a French dip sandwich ($9) with roast beef, horseradish aioli, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese on a ciabatta.
Recommended for Dessert because: Homage has a huge selection of daily desserts and pastries. Try the Peanut Butter Pie, but be prepared to bounce off the walls.
Christina's expert tip: At Homage tea for two comes in a pretty cast iron pot.