Updated June 9, 2025
Look no further for the best dessert places in Providence RI (from a Brown grad)!
From unique individual businesses like PVDonuts and their deliciously crazy concoctions, to wholesome homemade ice cream from Three Sisters, here are the must-try dessert spots in Providence.
Though Rhode Island is the smallest state, the Providence area has some of the best quality desserts thanks to the fact that the nation’s top culinary school, Johnson & Wales, is right here.
Come satiate your sweet tooth with me at these best dessert places in Providence RI!
Best Dessert Places in Providence RI
🍨We All Scream For Ice Cream!
Three Sisters: Cheer Up with Flavor Poppin’ Homemade Ice Cream
End your walk along Blackstone with the creamiest, most flavor-poppin’ homemade ice cream in town.
From sumptuous classic recipes like cookie dough to in-house recipes like the kulfi (with pistachi, cardamom and cinnamon) to the mindblowingly fresh dirty garden mint with dark chocolate, Three Sisters is my favorite spot for ice cream in town.
The line can get long during peak post-dinner hours, but the team here is knowledgable and are patient with you trying out all the different flavors.
The owner Michael has 3 daughters, hence the name Three Sisters!
Three Sisters also creates ice cream custom cakes, perfect for your next special occasion (the perfect birthday cake!).
Address: 1070 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906
🍰Pies & Cakes
Pastiche: Moan-Worthy Cakes & Pies on Historic Federal Hill
Top off your romantic dinner on Federal Hill with arguably some of the best dessert in Rhode Island!
It’s honestly hard to go wrong with the cakes and pies at Pastiche.. but if I had to pick.
The fruit tart is legendary, with a smooth custard filling that doesn’t rely on sweetness to stand out, a heap of fresh fruit including tart kiwi and fresh raspberries, and a buttery pie crust that creates the perfect balance of textures and flavors ($39 for 8”).
The mascarpone on the tiramisu ($8.50) is so light and delicate on the tongue & pairs well with the deep richness of the ladyfingers drenched in espresso and rum.
Though the carrot cake is moist af, it’s not weighed down, not too sweet and spiced just the right amount.
The only downside to Pastiche is that it’s basically take-out only. But if your date went well, maybe that’s not of concern 😜
Owner Amy Foster was first an employee at Pastiche for 30 years before the transition!
Address: 92 Spruce Street, Providence, RI 02903
🥐Artisan Pastries You’ll Love
Seven Stars Bakery: Fresh & Delightful Pastries & Sourdough
The charming outdoor courtyard is the perfect place to savour a coffee with a sticky pecan bun, chewy with a sweet filling, topped with fresh toasted pecans, and finger lickin’ good.
The lemon cake was some of the most pillowy and moist cakes I’ve had, periodt.
While you treat yourself with their artisan pastries, grab a sourdough to go.
Seven Stars’ bread is baked from scratch every day using organic grain from the Northeast.
There’s a fair amount of seating inside. It’s a great place to catch up, read a book or get some work done (though there’s no wifi and limited outlets!).
Address: 820 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906
Aleppo Sweets: Unforgettable Baklava with Charming Hidden Gem Vibes
A leisurely stop at this Syrian tea shop always feels like rediscovering a hidden gem.
Sip a Turkish coffee accented with a dash of cardamom with intricate baklava that tells a memorable story in flavor and in texture
The decor is tasteful, charming and elevated.
At night, there’s a vibrant intimacy that’s hard to forget, making Aleppo Sweets perfect for a wholesome date or a non-alcoholic evening chatting with friends over tea.
Baker-owner Youssef Akhtarini, an Aleppo native, opened the bakery in 2019 after fleeing admist the Syrian civil war.
Address: 107 Ives Street, Providence, RI 02906
🍩Donuts
PVDonuts: My Inner Child’s Sweet Tooth Dream (JWU Alums!)
It’s SO hard to pick from the crazy colorful and heavily topped donuts here.
I’m obsessed with PVDonuts’ deliciously yeasty and fluffy brioche donuts.
The coconut atop the Samoa is so satisfying to bite, and I loved the fruity berry glaze of the Purple Cow.
The blueberry cheesecake is packed with a not-too-sweet creme.
I almost feel like I’m munching down a dessert sandwich. The donuts are a bready mouthful and the toppings are plenty (get some napkins ready!).
Husband-and-wife owners Lori and Paul Kettelle are JWU grads, as well as their head baker Julia Menendez.
Lori’s Jewish heritage have inspired her recipes, like the challah-adopted cinnamon bun.
Address: 158 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903
KNEAD Doughnuts: Still Thinking About the Raspberry Fritter
I’m still thinking about the raspberry fritter, with a fresh, tarty pinch of fruity goodness that emanates throughout the olfactories.
The brown butter pecan donut is graciously topped and groan-worthy.
I love a good, old-fashioned mom & pop donut joint. But the donuts & venue at KNEAD are modern, elevated and refined.
We love that there’s so many vegan counterparts to incredible flavors, even the blueberry corn crumble!
Plus a few flourless options for our gluten-free friends.
Address: 139 Elmgrove Avenue #4230, Providence, RI 02906
🇫🇷 Crepes
La Creperie: Hot Crepes Fresh Off The Plate
The nutella and banana crepe was my favorite way to treat myself during midterm season at Brown ($9.50).
There’s just something so satisfying and heartwarming about a crepe fresh off the hot plate.
Sometimes a simple butter and sugar crepe does just the trick; an affordable pick-me-up ($4.50).
For a savory kick and to switch up the usual, try the apple and brie cheese ($9.50) and the cordon bleu with chicken, ham and swiss cheese ($9.99).
It’s a pretty casual ambience inside — suited for a chill and fun Thayer Street catch up with friends, or post dinner date.
Address: 82 Fones Alley, Providence, RI 02906
Best Desserts in Providence RI (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over the best desserts in Providence RI.
Thanks for checking out my article about the best desserts in Providence Rhode Island!
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