Desserts can create an experience for more than just your taste buds. Check out our recommendations for some of the best dessert places in Vail to cure a sweet tooth or treat yourself, friends and family.
- Where to Find Ice Cream
- Where to Find Bakeries
- Where to Find European Treats
- Where to Find Other Decadent Desserts
- Desserts in Vail FAQs
Where to Find Ice Cream in Vail
Sundae
Sundae, located in Vail Village, is artisan ice cream at its best with creative flavors and homemade classics including ice cream sandwiches, waffle cones, signature shakes and, of course, sundaes. This favorite Vail dessert spot allows you to mix in candies and goodies within layers and flavors of ice cream. Connoisseurs can try additions like peanut brittle, Bordeaux cherries and gingersnap cookies, while traditionalists choose rainbow sprinkles and Oreo cookies — a kid-approved favorite.
Sundae creates signature ice-cream cakes, too. Just about everything, including jams and sprinkles, is made fresh, from scratch, and without artificial colors and preservatives. The innovative sundaes created by pastry chefs, like the lemon-strawberry-cheesecake sundae (made with lemon curd, graham-cracker crumble and strawberries), are divine.
242 E. Meadow Dr., Vail, CO 81657, 970-479-1705
Joe’s Famous Deli
As its name suggests, Joe’s Famous Deli is most known for its range of meat-packed sammies, like the signature Rueben. However, this tucked-away shop is also a dessert hidden gem with a daily selection of 24 old-fashioned ice creams. Made with dairy cream and ingredients like fresh strawberries, ripe blackberries, roasted walnuts and Belgian hot fudge, it may be difficult to choose just one or two flavors. Take your ice cream to-go with a double-scoop waffle cone or snag a table to savor topping-stacked banana splits, warm brownie sundaes or customizable ice cream floats.
288 Bridge St., Vail, CO 81657, 970-479-7580
Rimini Cafe
Rimini Cafe in Lionshead Village features ice-cream varieties made in the traditional Italian style. The gelato at this dessert place is made with milk versus heavy cream and eggs, meaning it contains less fat than traditional ice cream and allows more of the true flavor to come through.
Every day, 24 sublime gelatos are available — like pumpkin spice, Dr. Pepper and birthday cake. Rimini also offers a dairy-free sorbet collection including raspberry and dark chocolate. Children and adults alike love the specialty ice creams at Rimini. Stop in for a treat and sample a few of the unique flavors.
675 Lionshead Pl., Vail, CO 81657, 970-476-1712
Where to Find Bakeries in Vail
The Belle
The Belle in Lionshead Village is one of those treat shops where everything looks good. Be forewarned: You’ll likely walk in seeking a hot cappuccino and one of their buttery, flaky croissants, and you’ll leave with a bag full of baked treats. The display case at this Vail bakery offers a tantalizing array of sweet creations, from classic glazed to specialty lemon-pistachio donuts, cups of creamy mousse to apple-filled strudel, thick coils of icing-covered cinnamon rolls to gluten-free macarons.
Dig into your goodies immediately with a seat at the long, marbled bar — a perfect spot to observe other orders and take note of what to try next time or take to-go (because there’s always extra room for dessert). Or come for a relaxed brunch with friends. Pop into the bakery for a savory broccoli-cheese quiche or breakfast burrito with a tart, blueberry scone for dessert and enjoy your tasty treasures on the sunny patio.
675 Lionshead Pl., Vail, CO 81657, 970-754-7745
Where to Find European Treats in Vail
Swiss Chalet
The authentic Swiss Chalet’s Schokoladen Fondue is a Bavarian delight to share with loved ones at this restaurant with desserts. Choose from (or better yet, get one of each!) hazelnut-milk chocolate or dark chocolate melted in a special fondue pot with fresh fruits and sponge cake for dipping. This is an entertaining dessert experience served family-style, where you dictate how much or little decadent chocolate you can handle.
193 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, CO 81657, 970-479-1705
Pepi’s Bar & Restaurant
Pepi’s Bar & Restaurant is a fantastic place for dessert in Vail with an authentic Bavarian atmosphere. In winter, indulge in their European Classic Banana Foster served in The Antler’s dining room. While a well-known dessert, servers must be properly trained, and Pepi’s takes the preparation of their banana Fosters seriously. Pepi’s version is prepared as a flambé tableside and is a show to watch. Complete with bananas and house-made vanilla ice cream, plus a special Bavarian-style sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum and banana liqueur — it’s a great dish to share with family or friends.
231 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, CO 81657, 970-476-4671
Les Délices de France
Who says you can’t have dessert for lunch — or even breakfast? We’re talking about indulgent, fluffy and sweet crêpes all day long at Les Délices de France in Lionshead Village. Savor flavors like rich Nutella or dulce de leche mixed with fresh berries and banana slices, then topped with a small mountain of whipped cream.
If you’re needing more to satisfy your sweet tooth, add a cookies-and-cream frappe or healthy fruit-forward smoothie to your order. Those needing a savory balance can add on sides like bacon, ham and eggs or choose a strong cup of espresso.
531 E. Lionshead Cir #6, Vail, CO 81657, 970-476-1044
Where Can You Find Other Decadent Desserts in Vail?
Sweet Basil
One of Vail’s MICHELIN-Recommended restaurants, Sweet Basil is yet another cherished eatery with must-try desserts, specifically their Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake. Trust us, there is a reason it has been a staple on the dessert menu since 1994.
It was inspired after a research and development trip to San Francisco when the pastry chef had a toffee dessert. The Sweet Basil chef and team played with their own version based on a century-old English recipe, and small refinements have been made over the years. The Sticky Toffee (as it’s known to dessert restaurant insiders) is a decadent, comforting dessert that warms the belly with Myer’s rum sauce, brown-sugar-rum ice cream and peanut brittle. It easily accounts for half of all Sweet Basil dessert sales and has been on the menu for as long as anyone can remember — yet no one ever seems to tire of it.
Insider’s Tip: The restaurant may be closed select days, so plan ahead.
193 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, CO 81657, 970-476-0125
Gessner Colorado Mountain Grill
The Gessner is a restaurant with a dessert that puts a twist on traditional s’more making by allowing you to stay toasty and warm indoors while you do it. In addition, this tableside experience offers beautiful views from huge windows or a cozier setting tucked inside private booths. Their thick and buttery shortbread, house-made marshmallow blocks flavored with mint, marbled chocolate and vanilla cake, dark chocolate, peanut-butter cups and strawberries allow you to take your s’more making to the next level. Cook your marshmallow of choice over an open flame safely at your table, and prepare for the deliciousness that’s to follow.
Gessner’s unique Dark Chocolate Spheres offer another experiential dessert, as you crack open the giant chocolate ball with a wooden hammer. The thin dome doesn’t usually crack with one tap, so keep going — the payoff is a classic sponge with a light mousse. Fresh berries and raspberry coulis complement the flavors, while homemade macarons add zing with lemon, pistachio and espresso.
Insider’s Tip: Discover more exceptional hot chocolate in Vail on the villages’ self-guided hot-chocolate trail.
1300 Westhaven Dr., Vail, CO 81657, 970-479-7014
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
A visit to Vail is not complete without a stop at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Vail Village. Prepare for chocolate overload during your visit to this classic Vail dessert place with a variety of homemade fudge flavors, unique caramel apples — like the rocky road, milk and dark chocolate classics — and more. This spot also offers gift boxes that are easy to bring home for yourself or as gifts if you can part with them.
158 Gore Creek Dr., Vail, CO 81657, 970-476-7623