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No matter what sort of after-dinner sweet treat you’re looking for, Santa Monica has plenty of options for you. From crepes to ice cream to fancy donuts, this LA beach town has got all your cravings covered. Read on for a list of the best places to find dessert in Santa Monica.

A purple crumb o-nut on display at DK’s Donuts

DK’s Donuts

Not only do DK’s Donuts’ treats taste amazing, they’re also fun to look at. Open 24 hours a day, DK’s Donuts can satisfy all your donut-related cravings. They offer non-traditional varieties like the maple bacon donut, as well as flaky, sugar-soaked cronuts, and their signature item: the wow-nut. This donut-waffle hybrid comes in four different flavors, two sizes, and can be made in almost any way you like with a dozen different toppings to choose from.
DK’s Donuts, 1614 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 829 2512

Beachy Cream

For the best organic ice cream in LA, look no further than Santa Monica’s Beachy Cream. The family-run business opened in 2009 as a beachside ice cream cart, and is now carried in over 50 different grocery stores. Their Santa Monica headquarters are modeled like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with a pop of modern day color. Head down to their shop on Wilshire to try their famous ice cream sandwiches and signature flavors like Key Lime Cowabunga, Strawberry Surfer Girl, and Ginger Wipeout.
Beachy Cream, 1209 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA USA +1 310 656 4999

An assortment of ‘cupcake babies’ from Vanilla Bake Shop

Vanilla Bake Shop

Vanilla Bake Shop, a charming, local bakery, has all your cupcake cravings covered. Named for the most ‘universally loved flavor,’ this bake shop includes Madagascar vanilla beans in each of its treats. Vanilla bean, chocolate vanilla bean, southern red velvet, and mom’s birthday cake are among an assortment of made-from-scratch cupcakes and ‘cupcake babies’ offered each day. There are also a half-dozen rotating cupcake flavors offered each day of the week, including flavors like vanilla latte, blackberry passion fruit, confetti milk chocolate, marshmallow graham, and toasted coconut.
Vanilla Bake Shop, 512 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 458 6644

Two signature ‘gelati’s’ from Rita’s Italian Ice

Rita’s Italian Ice

Rita’s Italian Ice offers a variety of Italian water ice and frozen custard flavors. Their signature ‘gelati’ is a treat you have to try. Flavored water ice and creamy custard combine to create unexpectedly harmonious flavors. The most popular combination is the mango-flavored water ice with vanilla custard.
Rita’s Italian Ice, 2307 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 450 5042

Marcel Food Truck

For unbeatable Belgium-style waffles, head down to Marcel Food Truck, parked near the beach on Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue. You can build your own waffle, or try one of their signature items like the Banana Bomb. With plenty of toppings like fresh fruit, local ice cream, Speculoos spread, and house-made whipped cream, there’s something for everyone at this beachside food truck.
Marcel Food Truck, 1515 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA, USA + 1 323 376 2431

A crêpe specialty

Café Crêpe

At Café Crêpe, located in Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade, you can get crêpes with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Along with both sweet and savory crêpes, you can order yummy drinks, like their Nutella hot chocolate. They serve traditional breakfast items along with unique dishes, like the stuffed french toast crêpe with brie, fresh strawberry, egg, pure maple syrup, cinnamon, icing, and sugar.
Café Crêpe, 1460 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 +1 310 576 0499

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