As soon as I saw the shoreline of Lake Erie glistening in the soft May sunlight, I felt like I had walked into a postcard. Erie, Pennsylvania isn’t usually the first name that springs to mind when someone mentions a dessert destination. But that’s exactly what drew me in—the promise of the unexpected, the quiet hum of a city with hidden flavors waiting to be uncovered. I didn’t come for the museums or the beaches this time. I came for sugar. And Erie, to my great delight, did not disappoint.
What unfolded was a days-long culinary stroll through charming neighborhoods, bustling corners, and sweet-smelling storefronts. This wasn’t just about indulging a craving; it became a search for stories, a delicious exploration of community and craft through cakes, cookies, and things I can’t quite categorize but still dream about.
Here are the top 10 dessert spots that turned my Erie trip into something unforgettable, each with its own personality, history, and spoonful of magic.
1. Romolo Chocolates – A Love Letter in Cocoa
I pulled into Romolo Chocolates on West Eighth Street in the mid-morning, the sun cutting clean across their neat brick facade. A chocolate shop shouldn’t be this elegant, and yet here it was—welcoming but polished, with a scent that enveloped me before I even opened the door.
Inside, it was all dark wood, glass displays, and soft lighting. There were truffles, caramels, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and handcrafted barks in neat rows like jewelry. I started with a cappuccino and a small sampling box—the kind they sell to indecisive newcomers like me.
The standout? The dark chocolate sea salt caramel. Silky, balanced, with just the right crack of salt. I sat by the window, watching locals trickle in and out, most greeted by name. There’s a reason this place has been around since the late ’90s. It isn’t just candy. It’s tradition dusted in cocoa powder.
2. Icing on the Lake – Cupcake Heaven by the Bay
Icing on the Lake came recommended by nearly every local I spoke to, and after one bite, I understood why. The shop sits unassumingly near Frontier Park, and its cheerful, pastel interior reminded me of a vintage bakery ad.
Their cupcake menu rotates weekly, which both thrilled and frustrated me—how can anyone sample everything? I picked a Lemon Lavender and a Chocolate Ganache cupcake. The lemon was refreshing, almost palate-cleansing, while the ganache was pure indulgence. They also had “cup-pies,” a sort of cupcake-sized pie that’s part crust, part filling, and all genius. I chose the cherry almond one and immediately regretted not buying a box to go.
I ended up chatting with the baker, who told me they use local eggs and dairy, which made sense. Everything tasted fresh and comforting, like it had been made just for me.
3. Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe – Cookies from Another Era
I took a short walk from Perry Square to find Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe, nestled on State Street like a secret waiting to be told. This is the kind of place you stumble upon and immediately feel like you’ve known forever. Wooden floors creaked gently underfoot, and the air was thick with the scent of butter and sugar.
Their cookie selection is staggering—molasses, snickerdoodles, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter. I chose a classic chocolate chip, and to this day, it might be the most perfectly chewy cookie I’ve ever had. Crisp edges, gooey center, just the right hit of salt.
I took my time there, chatting with a pair of elderly ladies who come every Wednesday after church. One of them had been coming for 30 years. Places like this don’t just serve sweets; they anchor memories.
4. Sara’s Restaurant – Retro Vibes, Soft Serve Dreams
No trip to Erie is complete without a stop at Sara’s. Located at the entrance of Presque Isle State Park, Sara’s is a time machine back to the 1950s—bright orange booths, checkerboard floors, and the kind of friendly, efficient service that makes you feel instantly welcome.
Their soft-serve cones are legendary. I got a twist—half vanilla, half chocolate—dipped in cherry shell. The contrast of hot sun, cold cream, and the crunch of that candy shell was enough to stop time for a second. I saw kids with eyes wide as saucers clutching their cones like treasure. I felt about the same.
Don’t skip the peanut butter milkshake. Thick, creamy, and unapologetically rich. It’s not for the faint of heart or the lactose-sensitive. But it’s the kind of indulgence you remember for years.
5. Art’s Bakery – Hungarian Roots, Heavenly Pastries
Tucked in the eastern part of the city, Art’s Bakery is one of Erie’s oldest and most revered sweet spots. Established decades ago by a Hungarian family, it still maintains that old-world charm.
I walked in and immediately spotted the Hungarian nut rolls and poppyseed rolls. I chose both. Flaky dough, delicate sweetness, and filling that tasted like holidays and home-cooked comfort. The woman behind the counter told me they still use the original family recipes, and it shows.
There were also kolaches—fruit-filled pastries folded into delicate squares—and they were unlike anything I’d had before. I bought four more to take back to my rental. They didn’t make it through the night.
6. Mighty Fine Donuts – Name Says It All
I arrived early. 6:45 a.m., to be exact. The parking lot was already half full. Mighty Fine Donuts operates like a well-oiled machine of sweetness. It’s not fancy. It doesn’t have to be.
I tried a glazed, an apple fritter, and a maple bacon. The glazed was airy and melt-in-your-mouth light. The apple fritter? Warm, sticky, and generously spiced. But the maple bacon… that’s where the magic was. Sweet meets savory in the most surprising and satisfying way.
The man next to me ordered a dozen without hesitation. I asked if he was hosting a party. “Nope,” he said. “Just Thursday.” That’s the kind of place Mighty Fine is—good enough to build a routine around.
7. Whippy Dip – The Hidden Gem Near the Tracks
Whippy Dip is easy to miss unless you know it’s there. Just off East Lake Road, close to the railroad tracks, it’s a little walk-up shack with a line that sometimes stretches to the street. I figured any place that people willingly wait 25 minutes for must be doing something right.
Their menu reads like a child’s dream diary. I went with the “Black Cow”—vanilla soft serve drenched in root beer syrup, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. It was nostalgia in a cup.
Families were gathered on picnic tables, sharing banana splits and cherry sundaes. The staff moved fast, smiles all around. There’s something about the simplicity here that just works. You don’t come to Whippy Dip to be impressed. You come to be comforted.
8. The Tipsy Bean – Coffee Meets Cake in the Best Way
The Tipsy Bean feels more like a cozy living room than a café. Tucked into a renovated house, the place is warm, inviting, and filled with the smell of espresso and fresh pastry.
I ordered a latte and a slice of their lemon blueberry cake. The cake was divine—moist, tangy, just the right level of sweetness. The coffee? Roasted in-house, rich, and smooth. They also had a bourbon chocolate tart that I didn’t intend to order… until I saw it.
The tart had a dense chocolate filling with a hint of smokiness, nestled inside a shortbread crust. I sat there longer than I’d planned, watching the light shift through the windows and the steady stream of regulars catching up with the baristas.
9. Creamland – Where the Milkshakes Never End
Creamland is part dairy bar, part time capsule. It’s been serving Erie families since the 1950s and hasn’t lost a step. I stopped by on a warm afternoon and was met with a line of teenagers, grandparents, and everyone in between.
I went straight for their banana split. Three scoops, fresh banana slices, whipped cream, and more hot fudge than should be legal. It was glorious.
They also offer something called a “flavor burst” cone—vanilla soft serve striped with swirls of flavored syrup. I tried the blue raspberry just for the spectacle of it, and I was shocked at how refreshing it was.
There’s a reason people grow up and bring their kids here. It’s not just dessert. It’s continuity.
10. Frankie & May Fresh Grocer – Gourmet Meets Dessert
This one might raise eyebrows. Frankie & May isn’t a bakery or an ice cream shop. It’s a high-end grocer tucked into a strip plaza. But inside, there’s a refrigerated dessert case that rivals anything in town.
Tarts, cheesecakes, hand-rolled cannoli, chocolate mousse cups. I picked the raspberry almond tart, which was both visually stunning and perfectly balanced—nutty crust, tart fruit, sweet glaze.
They source local ingredients, and you can tell. Even the whipped cream tasted like it had a backstory.
The days I spent in Erie were soaked in sun, sugar, and that quiet kind of happiness that sneaks up on you when you’re not expecting it. Each stop wasn’t just a sugar rush—it was a window into Erie’s character. Behind every counter was someone who cared about what they were making. Every bite told a story.