Rachel SmithFinding the best dessert shop in Indianapolis is harder than it sounds when every craving seems to point in a different direction.
Some days it is a flaky pastry with coffee. Other days it’s a loaded crepe, a fresh fruit bowl, or a scoop of homemade ice cream.
To make things easier, we visited dessert spots around the city and tried their menu. This guide highlights that ones that stood out for flavor, freshness, and the kind of treats worth making a trip for.
If you are also exploring options for something like cake delivery in Indianapolis, many of these dessert spots can handle celebrations just as well as everyday cravings.
How much do desserts cost in Indianapolis?
Desserts in Indianapolis usually cost about $5 to $15 per person, depending on whether you order something simple like a cookie or a more elaborate pastry.
| Dessert Type | Estimated Cost |
| Cupcakes | $5.00 – $7.50 each |
| Ice Cream & Gelato | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Cookies | $2.50 – $5.00 each |
| European Pastries & Tarts | $3.50 – $10.00 |
1. Dolce Vita
Website: https://www.dolcevitacrepe.com
Address: 4825 E 96th Street
Contact: (317) 663-8497 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Dolce Vita is a great choice when a regular pastry run feels a little too predictable. Their made-to-order crepes have a warm, delicate texture that lets the fillings stand out rather than get buried under heavy batter.
We were especially drawn to the way they build desserts around premium chocolate spreads, fresh fruit, and silky gelato. It gives everything a more polished feel without turning the menu into something stuffy or overdone.
They also go beyond crepes with Belgian waffles, milkshakes, and a few savory options. The shop definitely works well when everyone in your group wants something a little different.
The only real drawback is that the menu leans heavily into crepes, so the cake selection feels limited. If you’re craving a big frosted slice, this probably is not the best stop for that.
Presentation was exactly like the pictures
My husband and I visited this place and we loved it! The food was amazing, the staff was so kind, and the presentation was exactly like the pictures! I would recommend this place to all of my family and friends. I got the Dubai chocolate crepe which was so delicious and my husband got the Dubai chocolate Sunday which was also very beautiful and delicious. We will be returning in the future:)
- mallory h | Google Review
Found this gem of a place
Visiting Indiana for the first time and we were in the mood for some ice cream…. Found this gem of a place! The ice cream was delicious, they also offer crepes, waffles, milkshakes, smoothies ad hot drinks! The perfect spot to hang out 😍 they have have a couple of bar stools and sitting areas that you can come and visit with family and friends. So glad, we found it! Did you see the size of our crepe??!!! Totally worth 🩷
- Fatima & Juan Carlos Benitez | Google Review
2. Hi Mango Dessert
Website: https://www.himangoindy.com
Address: 6351 E 82nd Street
Contact: (317) 829-6667
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM; Sunday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Hi Mango Dessert makes a lot of sense when you want something sweet that still feels light. After a heavy dinner, our team would easily choose a chilled mango bowl here over a dense pastry.
The fruit-forward menu is what sets it apart. Bowls and drinks come packed with bright mango flavor, and extras like mochi and jelly add the kind of texture that keeps every bite interesting.
We also appreciate that the sweetness doesn’t feel overwhelming. That makes it a nice change of pace from richer dessert shops, especially in warmer weather or after a big meal.
The tradeoff is that mango is clearly the star of the show. The menu will feel narrow if you want classic chocolate desserts or more traditional baked goods.
If you’re also looking for a wedding caterer in Indianapolis for a heavier dessert spread, this is a very different lane.
Super refreshing, not overly sweet
We stopped by Hi Mango for dessert after dinner and it was a great choice. Clearly it’s an old Wendys, which was hilarious. We ordered the mango ice cream topped with a bunch of fresh fruit, and it was really delicious—super refreshing, not overly sweet. The fruit pairing was perfect and made it feel light but satisfying. Not the cheapest dessert though. Would definitely go again and highly recommend.
- David Chang | Google Review
The mille crepe was very well made
The set is really a great deal, but since everything is mango-flavored, my tongue got a bit tired after a while. The mille crepe was very well made, with a nice layered texture, and each layer had mango sauce in between. It wasn’t overly sweet. Both the mango dessert bowl and the slush tasted good—the mango was slightly sour, which balanced out the sweetness of the ice cream. The window-side seating area is beautifully decorated, perfect for hanging out and taking photos with friends. In addition, there’s a discount for paying in cash.
- nijuyR | Google Review
3. Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream
Website: http://www.sundaeshomemade.com/
Address: 9922 E 79th Street
Contact: (317) 570-0533
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream is the kind of place that delivers exactly what you hope for from a neighborhood creamery. Everything feels a little more special when you know the ice cream is being made on-site in small batches.
One thing that stands out right away is the variety. With 32 flavors available at a time and a much bigger recipe vault behind the counter, there’s usually something fun to try, even if you came in expecting a classic scoop.
We’re also big fans of the custom frozen pies and the gluten-free options. They make the shop a more reliable pick for birthdays, family nights, and mixed groups with different needs.
It’s just a bit disappointing that favorite flavors can rotate out, so you can’t count on the same scoop being there every visit.
Still, the quality stays high enough that it rarely feels like a wasted trip.
We’ve never had a bad dessert here
We love going to Sundae’s and supporting our local businesses even if they are a little more expensive than franchise competitors. We’ve never had a bad dessert here and the staff are always happy to customize any of the items on the menu.
- Nick Wilcox | Google Review
This might be the best ice cream spot
This might be the best ice cream spot in all of central Indiana. The graham central station was highly recommended in reviews and it didn’t disappoint. You can taste that the ice cream is homemade. This is our new ice cream spot every time we want a sweet treat. Highly recommend this place.
- Tyler Wardrop | Google Review
4. Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery
Website: https://www.smallcakescupcakeryindiana.com/?location=LWVVPP4K8906N
Address: 8487 Union Chapel Rd, Suite 440
Contact: (317) 672-3613
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery works well for anyone who hates choosing between cake and ice cream. The shop covers both sides of that craving with fresh cupcakes, specialty cakes, and rich frozen treats in the same visit.
A friend brought a box of cupcakes from here to a party once, and what stuck with me most was how moist the cupcakes were. The flavors felt indulgent without going overboard, and the seasonal options kept the box from feeling repetitive.
We also like the balance between dependable core flavors and rotating specials. That makes it easy to return for favorites while still having a reason to try something new.
That said, the most popular cupcakes can sell out before closing because batches are limited. If you’re after a specific flavor, it’s smarter to go earlier in the day instead of hoping it will still be there later.
Everything is made there, in-house
Everything is made there, in-house, instead of shipped in, and you can tell. The ice cream is insanely good and the flavors keep changing each time we go. The cupcakes are really tasty as well. A tiny bit pricy, but I think that’s expected with good quality products.
- David Inman | Google Review
The cream-filled cupcakes are surprisingly wonderful
It’s all about cupcakes here. Many flavors to choose from, even for your pup. The cream-filled cupcakes are surprisingly wonderful, adding a boost of extra goodness per bite. Frosting is just right, especially for those folks who truly enjoy just enough sugar on top of a well flavored cake. I have not checked, but wondering if they ship…. worth the stop. Support the cupcale movement!
- rodmanllew | Google Review
5. Rene’s Bakery Inc
Website: https://www.renesbakeryanddeli.com
Address: 6524 N Cornell Avenue
Contact: (317) 251-2253
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rene’s Bakery Inc feels like the kind of place to go to when you want a pastry that tastes carefully made instead of mass-produced. The shop leans on classic French technique, and that focus shows up in the flaky layers and clean flavors.
This isn’t the kind of bakery that tries to do everything. The menu stays fairly tight, which actually works in its favor. The pastries, fruit tarts, and breads feel consistent from one visit to the next.
We also really like that it feels like a true neighborhood stop. Grabbing something here on a weekend morning is an easy way to start the day well, especially if you’re in the mood for something buttery and crisp.
The catch is that it is a tiny takeout-focused space with no indoor seating. You need to plan on grabbing your order and heading elsewhere, which may be less convenient if you want to linger over coffee and dessert.
The pain au chocolate was flaky and divine
The pain au chocolate was flaky and divine! The chia pudding was also excellent and for later we got little strawberries and chocolate tart. Everything was fresh and so so good!!! It’s tiny so there was a line outside so be prepared if it’s cold (or hot) but the service was quick and they wait was so worth it!
- Angela T | Google Review
Service is super quick
If you haven’t tried Rene’s you haven’t tried anything! Rene’s is a good little bakery with only space to order takeout. Their croissants aren’t the usual croissants, it’s syrup flavor and croissant in a wholesome combination! Warm syrupy and delicious in every layer! Rene just was worth the hype! I ordered a brownie too which was chewy fudgy with the right amount of chocolatiness! Service is super quick if you go right after opening! Rene’s serves a variety of fresh bread too and has a good menu ready for you to make a choice.
- Fatima | Google Review
