Sweet Escapes: Best Dessert Spots Beyond Ice Cream
Jackson's dessert scene goes far beyond ice cream, from candy apples and handmade pralines to bananas foster banana pudding and rotating cake cases.
Here's where to find the city's best sweets, whether you want something grab-and-go or a full dessert menu worth planning a meal around.
Grab-and-Go Sweet Spots
Sweettasten Apples
2906 North State St.
This Fondren sweet spot is full of apples on a stick, dipped in a gooey coating; juicy strawberries drenched in chocolate; and Oreo cookies with an extra-icy layer. It's known for its candied and gourmet apples, but that's just the tip of the lollipop. The candy shop is loaded with special treats, including custom Rice Krispies Treats, pretzels, edible arrangements, and gift baskets. A go-to for items to fill a candy buffet table.
Nandy's Candy
120 E. Northside Dr.
Nandy's Candy is the legendary Maywood Mart candy shop, best known for its handmade chocolates, signature pralines, caramel popcorn, fresh candy apples, and seasonal treats. These specialties make it a boutique for gift-style sweets or little happies for events.
The Donut Shop Cafe
413 E. Capitol St.
This quaint shop downtown has an expansive menu of donuts, baked goods, and, of course, hot coffee. The front glass counter displays rows of bear claws, twists, doughnut holes, and apple fritters. It's a grab-and-go shop, but next door to the cafe is a courtyard hidden from street view with seating for patrons who want to partake before leaving.
Monroe's Donuts & Bakery
6310 Medgar Evers Blvd. #12
Monroe's Donuts and Bakery has been a local favorite for more than 28 years in Jackson. The touted customer service and daily fresh-baked goodies make the variety of toppings and fillings a Jackson specialty, including chocolate, cherry filling and sprinkles.
Cozy Cafes, Pie Spots, and Classic Bakeries
Urban Foxes
826 North St.
Urban Foxes is a highly sought-after gathering spot thanks to its neighborhood-friendly features: seasonal baked goods, coffee, scones and a homey backyard perfect for hanging out. Located in Belhaven Heights, the cafe keeps its doors open as patrons come for its specialty pies: key lime, peanut butter, coconut cream, and vegan blueberry-lemon, among others, baked daily.
Broad Street Baking Company & Cafe
4465 I-55 Suite #101
Alongside its espresso and sandwiches, Broad Street offers a case full of sweets that serves as the main event – before or after a meal. Located inside Banner Hall, which rises high on the hill of I-55 Frontage Road, the bakery has cakes, tarts, cookies, sticky buns, and a rotating dessert case featuring turtle cheesecake and tart lemon bars.
Campbell's Bakery
3013 N State St.
Campbell's Bakery is an old-school Fondren institution. Since 1962, it has been famous for its signature iced tea cakes with almond flavoring, classic cookies, rich brownies, delicate petit fours, and custom celebration cakes. For those wanting dessert à la mode, the bakery also serves ice cream.
Just Vanilla Bakes
622 Duling Avenue
Local artist and baker Guillermo Salinas' small-batch bakery is a casual, affordable spot offering almond croissants, pastries, cookies, and custom cakes. With its Fondren neighborhood vibe, it invites customers to enjoy their coffee and something sweet in the morning or early afternoon.
Restaurants with Notable, Over-the-Top Desserts
The Pig & Pint
3139 N State St.
The pork-and-barbecue joint's bananas foster banana pudding made Visit Mississippi's list of iconic state desserts. It's a banana pudding with a brown sugar–rum foster-style sauce, worth saving room for.
Char Restaurant
4500 I-55 North Frontage Rd.
Char is a staple Southern steakhouse in Highland Village, featuring a dessert menu with indulgent options. Most notably, the house-made pecan pie is a pecan caramel butter crunch creation. The signature pie and other desserts are often paired with French vanilla or praline ice cream and sauces.
Walker's Drive-In
3016 N State St.
Not to be misled by its name, this casual fine-dining restaurant has a rotating dessert menu, but rest assured, it traditionally serves layered cakes, rich puddings, and seasonal creations that feel special-occasion and photo-worthy.
