Sugar cravings? We all have them.
And when it comes to modifying your diet to a healthier one, curbing those sugar cravings can seem like the most operative choice. But, I’m an advocate for a different alternative. Life is too short to not indulge in the things that you desire, and I believe that goes double when it comes to the things you love to eat. And if you spend your days making the right eating choices, why not succumb to a sweet cheat every now and then? (The sweeter, the better.) Be it donuts, cupcakes, or ice cream, Atlanta has something to offer anyone wanting to give into their sweet tooth and sugar cravings. Take a bite out of life and from your favorite sweet treats in the process and check out my list of Atlanta’s best sweet spots below!
Best Doughnuts
Sublime Doughnuts
535 10th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Sublime Doughnuts – Could there be a more aptly titled eatery than this? The quaint, no frills donut shop focuses on donuts that are as lofty and elevated as their name suggests. The best part is: they are all fresh and made from scratch. With flavors like White Chocolate Peach Fritter, Butter Toffee, and Fresh Strawberry N Cream, Red Velvet, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, it’s easy to see why these little shops can easily put the bigger Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts franchises to shame. And in the process, why they’ve also managed to garner attention from the likes of Vogue, Food & Wine Magazine, Food Network, and the Cooking Channel.
My pick? The Oreo — chocolate doughnut with a cream filling, topped with cream and Oreo bits.
Best All-Around Sweets
IT’SUGAR Candy Store
Atlantic Station, B, 264 19TH ST NW #2100, Atlanta, GA 30363
There’s something nostalgic about candy shops, something that speaks to your inner child. Eyes light up like saucers at the walls that are absolutely stacked with every candy you can think of. The trendy IT’SUGAR and its focus on novelty gifts, sweets, and giant candy —world’s largest box of Nerds or Sour Patch kids anyone? This candy store is a sweet tooth haven where you get to by your favorite sweets by the pound while feeling like you’ve stepped into Willy Wonka’s factory. Who doesn’t want that?
Best Ice Cream
Sprinkles
Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30326
Surprisingly, this is not my default go-to for cupcakes, despite that being their specialty, their innovative Cupcake ATM technology, and despite their banging take on a cupcake classic: red velvet. Still, an aspect of Sprinkles that shouldn’t go overlooked or overshadowed is their ice cream. A scoop of any one of their ice cream. A scoop of any one of their deliciously sweet scoops is bound to make you a believer.
My pick? Cap‘n Crunch — milky Cap’n Crunch flavored ice cream sprinkled with caramelized Cap’n Crunch cereal bites throughout
Best Cake
Café Intermezzo
1065 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
I first became introduced to Café Intermezzo due to a tasting of crepe samples they provided at the annual Taste of Atlanta food festival. When I first visited the actual business however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that although they serve crepes, breakfast, and the like, they are a modern take on a Coffee House modeled after European coffeehouses from centuries ago. In similar fashion, they serve exquisite cakes by the slice with your choice of dessert wines, cocktails, liquors, or coffee on the side. I couldn’t think of a more delightfully lethal combination.
[tweetthis]Hey, #Atlanta! Looking to satisfy that sweet tooth? Check out these top 5 picks for treats.[/tweetthis]
Best Cupcake
Smallcakes Cupcakery
2566 Briarcliff Road NE, #103, Atlanta, GA 30329
A self-described cupcakery, Smallcakes Cupcakery is a rather unassuming dessert spot that has much more to offer than meets the eye. Their bakery offerings are made fresh too, so don’t be surprised if the cupcake stands on display look barren on any given day. Locals enjoy the soft sponginess of their cake, the attention to detail with great flavor combinations, and the generous application of their signature buttercream frosting. I know I do.
My pick? Hot Fudge Sundae — chocolate cake with fudge filling topped with their signature buttercream frosting, peanuts, hot fudge, and of course, a cherry on top
Where do you indulge your sweet tooth cravings?