With flavors like maple bacon, blueberry mascarpone and creme brulee, it's no surprise that this Deep Ellum doughnut purveyor has lines stretched out the door most all hours that it's open. But fortunately you don't have to be an early riser to dig into these deep-fried flavor bombs, because the place stays open until the wee hours on weekends. Small batch, artisanal donuts (both cake and yeast varieties) are the name of the game here and Glazed pumps them out in a mind-bending array of flavors. And for those who can't decide between savory and sweet, there's the do-lache, a hybrid doughnut kolache stuffed with maple-blueberry smoked sausage and crowned with maple glaze. They also do sandwich donuts, including a killer Monte Cristo, made with turkey, ham, Swiss and house-made raspberry habanero jam. Whatever you do, don't skip the Elvis Killer: topped with peanut butter, bacon, banana, and honey—it's the stuff of legend. Don't skip the banana pudding one either.
Recommended for Dessert because: Glazed Donut Works pumps out some of the most inventive donuts in Dallas, plus it stays open late on weekends.
Ilene's expert tip: Follow on Facebook to find out what flavors are on offer for the day. Note that the shop is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
This adorable and ultra popular pie shop, set up in a restored craftsman bungalow--is one of the sweetest attractions in the Bishop Arts neighborhood. Pie mavens, Megan Wilkes and Mary Gauntt, offer a rotating roster of seasonally flavored pies that run the gamut from old fashioned buttermilk to a banana custard topped with maple and caramel. Their signature picks include the Smooth Operator, a French silk chocolate with a pretzel crust and the Lord of Pies, a deep dish apple streusel delight. They'll package it for you to-go in a wooden basket accompanied with a wooden fork or you can have a seat in the shop and enjoy a slice with ice cream on top.
Recommended for Dessert because: Emporium has taken the humbleness out of pies and made them into something seriously sublime.
Ilene's expert tip: Go early to avoid the lines, or try their other location in McKinney.
It's a rarity to find soufflé on a restaurant menu these days, much less a place boasting a menu almost entirely devoted to this puffed up French classic. Enter Rise, a rustic French-inspired bistro showcasing ethereal soufflés in versions both savory and sweet. You could easily come here for dessert alone, but then you might miss out on things like the restaurant's signature marshmallow soup, a tomato carrot bisque topped with pesto and tiny goat cheese soufflés. Or soufflés made with everything from jambon and gruyere to lobster and foie gras. There's also non-soufflé options like salads, sandwiches, and even steak frites. And good luck choosing which decadent dessert to try. Of course, there are items like creme brulee and fruit tartes. But this place is all about soufflés. The chocolate mint one is undoubtedly the best. So is the pumpkin. Oh, and don't miss Rise's violet soufflé, it will have you swooning as much as it did for the folks who featured it on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
Recommended for Dessert because: Rise is one of the best places to indulge in souffles in Dallas.
Ilene's expert tip: Rise accepts reservations for parties of 5 or more.
This perennially popular Greenville Avenue eatery embraces the neo-retro soda fountain trend by dishing up countertop favorites with a modern twist. You'll find house-made sodas in flavors like kaffir lime and Meyer lemon, exotic sundaes topped with hemp seed brittle or candied bacon and egg creams that can even be spiked with booze. If you're hankering for something more substantial, Remedy has that covered too. Executive chef and former Top Chef contestant Danyele McPherson whips up everything from upscale fried bologna sandwiches and pork belly BLTs to shrimp with bacon-cheddar grits and southern fried duck confit. But whatever you do, don't leave here without trying one of the sundaes. It's impossible to name one standout, but if you're going to have to choose, go for the Bob: dark chocolate ice cream loaded up with potato chips, sweet caramel, sea salt and whipped cream. Yes, ice cream and potato chips. And don't even get us started on the pies.
Recommended for Dessert because: There's no need to sit in for a full meal if you don't want to. Just make sure you come for dessert.
Ilene's expert tip: Remedy offers $2 house-made sodas, $5 highball cocktails, $4 deviled eggs and cheeseburgers for $6.50. during its weekday happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m.
Without a doubt, Society Bakery whips up the best cupcakes and whoopie pies in town. But don't take our word for it, just ask Ellen DeGeneres and Food Network's Duff Goldman, who declared them to be among the best in the country. And it's pretty easy to see why: the cupcakes, which come in a dozen or so mouthwatering flavors— from vanilla salted caramel to key lime and coconut cream, are nothing short of ethereal. Ditto for the whoopie pies. The peppermint red velvet (red velvet cake with a peppermint cream cheese icing sandwiched in-between) is Goldman's favorite, but we think the bread-pudding ones really take the cake. Speaking of cakes and pies, Society does a smashing job with both. They also pump out everything from muffins and petite fours to cookies and brownies. After something more savory? Society serves lunch in the form of jazzed up toasts and sandwiches.
Recommended for Dessert because: Society Bakery does the cupcakes of your dreams, but don't miss their incredibly delicious(and massive)cookies either.
Ilene's expert tip: Society Bakery has three locations across the city. Keep an eye out for special offers, which are routinely posted on Society's social media.
Deliciously authentic, fresh to order crepes in Dallas? Mais oui. This cubby-hole of a creperie nestled in Oak Cliff's trendy new Sylvan Thirty development has been winning the hearts of area Francophiles with its eclectic lineup of sweet and savory crepes. Savory combinations include ham and cheese as well as smoked brisket with barbecue cream. However it's the selection of sweet crepes that will stop you in your tracks— lemon curd with strawberries; poached pear with house-made caramel; and roasted pineapple with ginger, ice cream and whipped cream. That's not to mention all the options you can choose from (Nutella, fruit, jams, chocolate sauce or even simple butter and sugar) to personalize them yourself. The espresso is very good. But the homemade hot chocolate is even better. Be sure to follow on Facebook to find out about daily specials.
Recommended for Dessert because: Whisk is the only place in Dallas to get truly authentic crepes.
Ilene's expert tip: Every Wednesday Whisk offers half price Rosés, $3 mimosas and Champagne specials. Sign up on the website to receive promotional offers, news and updates.
This deservedly popular brasserie excels at decadent desserts and Latin-inspired comfort food. In fact, the folks behind La Duni, Taco and Dunia Borga, have created a mini-empire off their take on Pan-Latin specialties, operating several locations throughout the metroplex. The menu, which draws on the robust cuisines of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico, features hits that range from empanadas and tequila-guava baby back ribs to a host of unique sandwiches. If you've got a serious sweet tooth, you may want to skip the meal and just come for dessert and coffee. The cuatro leches cake, smothered in caramelized Swiss meringue--is legendary. The silky smooth hot chocolate is mighty tasty too. And do not leave without trying the cinnamon brioche rolls. Ditto for the chocolate pudding.
Recommended for Dessert because: La Duni is known for its seriously delicious cakes. The cuatro leches cake is insane.
Ilene's expert tip: La Duni offers terrific craft cocktails for only $5.50 during Happy Hour--offered daily from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.
Truffles, bars and hand painted bonbons filled with the likes of saffron walnut or brown butter caramel�— this shop-cum-café is a true celebration of all things cocoa. But the sweet temptations don't stop there: Chocolate Secrets also turns out everything from cakes to pastries to macarons. Take a bite of one of the kürtooos (golden brown cylinders of sugar-crusted pastry) and you will understand why they are such a popular treat in Transylvania. Better yet, order one to go with an affogato, or perhaps a champagne and sorbet float. And as if that weren't enough, the place offers everything from chocolate making workshops to chocolate-wine matching sessions and even live jazz.
Recommended for Dessert because: Chocolates, desserts and live jazz, it doesn't get any sweeter than that.
Ilene's expert tip: Every wednesday Chocolate Secrets offers 20% off all wine by the glass or bottle.
With its sweeping views of Klyde Warren Park and the Dallas Arts District, this glass-encased jewel box is a spectacular dining destination, if only for the setting alone. But there's more to Savor than what meets the eyes. Seasonally inspired dishes, ranging from lobster and Comté cheese fritters to braised short ribs with smoked pecan gremolata— are surefire stunners, too. So are the desserts. Make your way through everything from deconstructed Key lime tarts to decadent sundaes and cakes. There's also an interesting selection of craft beers, wine, plus a slew of delicious cocktail concoctions. And the awesome outdoor seating area, complete with misters and fire pits, is yet another reason to visit. Portions are generous, so for the best value, come with friends who like to share.
Recommended for Dessert because: Savor is one of the best places to people watch, plus the food, especially the desserts— is terrific too.
Ilene's expert tip: Heading to a performance? Savor Gastropub offers a pre-show (three-courses-$60) dinner menu between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. nightly. Keep an eye out for weekend brunches and wine pairing dinners too.
It's difficult to find�— and virtually impossible to park up close�— but that hasn't stopped folks from pouring into Andrea Meyer's bijou sweets boutique. And it's easy to see why: the place is a Gallic gold mine of tasty treasures, that include everything from tarts and tea cakes (think citrus madeleines and chocolate almond financiers) to French-style pastries, cookies and scones. You really can't go wrong with anything in the pastry case, but you'd really be missing out if don't try the macarons, they're what the place is best known for. Choose from the likes of pistachio, hazelnut, coffee, salted caramel and tiramisu. Or better yet, order up a box of twelve�— that way you can taste them all. And don't pass up the eclairs either, the lavender honey ones are always a choux-in.
Recommended for Dessert because: The macarons tend to get all the hype, but this place rocks when it comes to eclairs and other sweet treats too.
Ilene's expert tip: Follow the shop on Facebook to find out about seasonal specials and occasional deals.