Dessert options abound in Kearny Mesa, Clairemont, and Linda Vista. A strong Asian influence inspires exotic flavors, while traditional cake, chocolate, and ice cream options deliver nostalgic comfort. When the craving for a decadent dessert hits you, keep this list handy. We couldn’t fit them all, so keep an eye out for part two coming soon.
And if you need to balance out your dessert with a local coffee, check out our post on local coffee spots.
Kearny Mesa Dessert Options
Iceskimo
Have a hankering for something heavier than shaved ice but lighter than ice cream? Enter Iceskimo. Their Taiwanese “snow” is made using a custom machine that creates what looks like ribbons of flavored ice that you can add condensed milk to for extra creaminess. Pick your flavor, your toppings, and whether you want to drizzle it with caramel or chocolate. Choose from classic flavors like strawberry or Asian-inspired flavors like Vietnamese coffee or ube.
MNGO Cafe
MNGO Cafe is a mango-inspired dessert franchise with a signature dessert called Kakigori, which is a Japanese shaved ice snow bowl. While mango dominates the flavor profiles here, you can find desserts in other flavors as well, like New York cheesecake, cannoli, a custard dip trio with pandan, ube, and Thai tea, to name a few.
Phoenix Dessert
While its name hints that this dessert chain was established in Phoenix, it actually began in Los Angeles in 1965 as part of the Phoenix Inn. Now with more than 10 locations, and one in Kearny Mesa, Phoenix Dessert has become an Asian dessert empire. Its owner is a Cordon Bleu-trained chef who creates inspiring desserts like black sticky rice and taro mochi, and a mango lover’s dessert, a silken tofu with coconut jelly noodles and mango sauce served over ice cream.
J.sweets
A sweet treat store nestled inside the Mitsuwa Grocery Store, J.sweets offers a plethora of Japanese sweet treats. From mochi ice cream to cream buns to Japanese chocolates, your craving for something sweet from Japan is sure to be satisfied.
Up2You Cafe
Up2You’s dessert menu is one of indulgence, blending classic American desserts with Vietnamese, Japanese, and Mexican specialties. Sweet crepe with your choice of toppings? Yep. Brownie pie? Of course. And then there’s the signature honey toast dessert, crunchy on the outside with a soft center, piled high with toppings of your choice, like caramel sauce, bananas, and ice cream. You’ll definitely need to hit the treadmill after this one.
Cake de Partie
From crepe cakes that look like they have more layers than an onion to fluffy pancake soufflés, Cake De Partie is a Thai fusion restaurant offering an impressively mouth-watering dessert menu. Flavors range from ube pancake soufflé to Thai tea crepe cake, and even a triple chocolate cornflake pancake soufflé. Be prepared to indulge.
Sunday Ice Cream
The name says Sunday, but this Asian-inspired ice cream shop is open every day. Sunday Ice Cream features rotating flavors, and you’ll find offerings like pandan, jasmine milk tea, boricha, taro-ube, black sesame, and, of course, standard vanilla for the less adventurous. No fancy sundaes, just scoops in sugar or waffle cones, and a lot of flavor.
Flour Atelier
This boutique bakery makes baked goods with an Asian twist. Inspired by Philippine and Japanese flavors, you’ll find options such as yuzu cupcakes, lavender cheesecake tarts, and ube flan cupcakes, among others. Their gorgeous creations make them a social media darling.
Ko-Li Bar
Remember Sno-Cones? Ko-Li Bar is like a Sno-Cone that studied in Japan for a few years and came back to the States a better, more elevated version of itself. Kakigori is a traditional Japanese shaved ice treat with a soft and fluffy texture. Ko-Li Bar imports its ice directly from Japan to make decadently flavored desserts, like mango pudding and Earl Grey tea.
Nobibi
This family-run ice cream shop in the heart of the Convoy District is a Southern California-based ice cream chain. Feeling rich? Indulge in the D’or, a soft serve ice cream covered in 24K gold flakes. Feeling stealth? Order up the Ninja, a charcoal ice cream topped with Pop Rocks and pocky sticks. At Nobibi, you’ll find flavors that bring out your adventurous side.
Yiko Yiko
Yiko Yiko is a two-year-old Asian bakery that emphasizes creating delicious desserts made with reduced sugar and organic ingredients. Enjoy specialities like fluffy chiffon cakes, taro crepe cake, moonpies, and mochi. You’ll find Asian flavors like red bean, as well as traditionally American flavors like Oreo cookies.
SomiSomi
SomiSomi is a wildly popular Korean soft-serve chain known for its Instagrammable fish-shaped waffle cones. Choose from one of their many flavors (cookies and cream, black sesame, ube, etc.), then select a filling (Nutella, custard, red bean, etc.), and finish it off with any variety of toppings (Biscoff or Oreo crumbles, macaron, Cap’n Crunch, etc.). Or go for a taiyaki, Somisomi’s fish-shaped pastry stuffed with one of their fillings.
Bing Haus
Bing Haus has an eclectic dessert menu sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Its unique rolled ice cream is a fan favorite with flavors like black sesame and fruity pebbles. Looking for something with a chewier bite? Try the croffle, a croissant pressed into a waffle. If fruit is more your jam, savor a bingsoo, a shaved ice dessert with condensed milk, crispy cereal, and fruit.
Sage French Cake
Sage French Cake is a Japanese-French cakery that serves cakes with a subtle sweetness. It’s been around for decades, so they are certainly doing something right. You’ll find light and fluffy Japanese cheesecake, caramel mousse cheesecake, and the wildly popular Elby, a cake with chocolate and cream
Uncle Tetsu
This global Japanese cheesecake chain has garnered a cult-like following for its light and airy cheesecakes, which are the polar opposite of dense New York-style cheesecakes. The signature branding lets you know its an Uncle Tetsu cheesecake.
Sunny Donuts
No website. No social media. Just a local mom-and-pop donut shop that’s been a staple in the Kearny Mesa community for years—and with a loyal following. Traditional flavors and affordable prices, and staying open 24 hours a day, keep Sunny Donuts on the short list of many locals.
Clairemont Dessert Options
Sweet Petite Confections
Michelle Lomelin, the owner of Sweet Petite Confections, is a chocolate magician. Her creations are stunning works of candied art. While her chocolates take center stage, you’ll also find ice cream sandwiches, caramels, croissants, and more. Stop and shop, or sign up for a chocolate-making or tasting class.
Mr. Baklava
If you’re searching for sweet Turkish delights around the neighborhood, search no further than Mr. Baklava. Tucked in the Balboa International Market, you’ll find baklava in a trove of flavors and iterations. Think pistachio, walnut, and cashew for flavors. Buy a wedge, a bird’s nest of baklava, or even a baklava pie. This is where baklava dreams come true.
Cakey Bakey
If you’re looking for creative custom cakes, cookies, or other sweet treats like baklava and flan, Cakey Bakey delivers. You’ll find a wide range of options, many with Middle Eastern influences. The most challenging part will be deciding what to order.
Linda Vista Dessert Options
Cocobomb
Appropriately named, Cocobomb is a bomb of a Thai dessert spot in Linda Vista. Their flagship coconut sundae is served in a coconut bowl, with your choice of ice cream and toppings. Coconut, pandan, Thai tea, and mango are the ice cream flavors. Most opt to top it with fresh mango and sticky rice as well. Everything comes together in an explosion of flavors sure to please your palate.
Rockie’s Frozen Yogurt
Come ready to indulge because Rockie’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes. A Linda Vista staple for more than 30 years, Rockie’s is a neighborhood favorite. Fun flavors like juicy blueberry banana, tropical pineapple banana, raspberry craze, and peanut butter and banana will satisfy any sweet tooth.
La Cucina di Silvana
For dessert with a Peruvian flair, add La Cucina di Silvana to your list of places to try. Award-winning pastry chef Silvana Carranza specializes in one of Peru’s traditional pastries—alfajores. Alfajores are a South American staple. Dulce de leche is sandwiched between two fluffy shortbread cookies and melts in your mouth with every bite. She also offers other baked goods and cakes. Orders are for pick-up only and must be pre-ordered.
